Cats are carnivores. Their body structure and physiological characteristics are suitable for digesting and utilizing animal proteins. Cats’ teeth and digestive systems are designed for biting and chewing meat, and their stomach acid concentration is high to help digest protein. In addition, cats lack some enzymes needed to digest plant foods, so their ability to digest plant foods is relatively weak.

Although some cats may eat some plant foods, this is usually for other reasons. Such as promoting intestinal peristalsis or meeting certain special nutritional needs. In a natural environment, a cat's primary food source is other animals.