You might have noticed small white pieces in our wet food – that's cartilage! And it's actually very healthy for your fluffy friend.
What is cartilage?
Cartilage is a smooth tissue layer found at the ends of bones in joints. It allows bones to glide over each other smoothly when moving, even smoother than ice.
Why is cartilage healthy for your cat?
Collagen: Cartilage contains collagen, a protein found in connective tissue, skin, tendons, bones, and cartilage itself. Collagen is great for maintaining healthy and flexible joints, perfect for when your kitty needs to jump high.
Chondroitin: Cartilage also contains chondroitin, a substance often added to pet diets for joint support. Chondroitin helps retain water in tissues, maintaining their elasticity and suppleness.
Can cats digest cartilage?
Absolutely! Unlike dogs, cats are obligate carnivores. For millions of years, they have thrived on the prey they catch. Cats have 30 sharp teeth designed for hunting and tearing into prey.
Even domesticated cats retain their wild instincts. They enjoy chasing toys, feathers, and sometimes even bringing you birds or mice from the garden. Despite being fed prepared meat and treats, cats have not evolved into omnivores like dogs. They still need a diet that resembles their natural prey.
Cats are carnivores!
Cats' teeth, intestines, and digestive systems are built to process meat. Their sharp canines catch prey, and their molars are perfect for crushing meat and bones. They have a large stomach, short intestines, and a tiny cecum, all indicating they can digest and absorb a lot of protein quickly.
Wild cats eat uncooked prey – have you ever seen a lion roasting its catch over an open fire? While we don't need to hunt mice for our cats, we should remember that cats benefit from chunks of meat, bone, or cartilage, which are natural components of their diet. Although our pet food starts with high-quality meat suitable for human consumption, it is formulated to meet the specific nutritional needs of cats.
A well-composed diet mimics a cat's natural prey and can include harder pieces of cartilage. This provides essential nutrients for flexible joints and stimulates your cat's natural hunting instincts.
Cats are 100% carnivores, thriving on the meat, bone (cartilage), and organs of prey animals. So don't worry if you find a piece of cartilage in our food – it's perfectly natural and beneficial for your little tiger's health.