How does a cat's digestive system work? - briefly
A cat's digestive system begins processing food in the mouth, where enzymes start breaking it down, and continues through the stomach and intestines to absorb nutrients before expelling waste. This efficient process is adapted to their carnivorous diet, ensuring optimal energy extraction from protein-rich meals.
How does a cat's digestive system work? - in detail
A cat’s digestive system is a highly specialized process designed to efficiently break down and absorb nutrients from its diet, which is primarily carnivorous. The process begins in the mouth, where sharp teeth tear food into smaller pieces, and saliva, though lacking digestive enzymes, moistens the food for easier swallowing. Once swallowed, the food travels down the esophagus through rhythmic muscle contractions called peristalsis, reaching the stomach. The stomach is a muscular organ that secretes hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes, such as pepsin, which initiate the breakdown of proteins into smaller peptides. The acidic environment also helps kill harmful bacteria present in the food. From the stomach, the partially digested food, now called chyme, moves into the small intestine, where the majority of nutrient absorption occurs. The small intestine is divided into three sections: the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. In the duodenum, bile from the liver and enzymes from the pancreas are introduced to further break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. The jejunum and ileum are responsible for absorbing these nutrients into the bloodstream. The liver plays a critical role in processing these nutrients, detoxifying harmful substances, and producing bile for fat digestion. The pancreas aids digestion by secreting insulin and enzymes like lipase, amylase, and proteases. Any undigested material passes into the large intestine, where water and electrolytes are absorbed, and the remaining waste is formed into feces. The large intestine also hosts beneficial bacteria that assist in breaking down fiber and producing certain vitamins. Finally, the feces are stored in the rectum until expelled through the anus during defecation. This entire process is finely tuned to support a cat’s high-protein, low-carbohydrate dietary needs, ensuring optimal energy utilization and overall health.