Topics:
Animal Nutrition, Animal Refresher
Essential Nutrients for Cats
Essential amino acid and essential fatty acid in the cat are respectively:
- Taurine & Arachidonic acid — Correct Answer
- Lysine & Linolenic acid
- Glycine & Linoleic acid
- None
Explanation:
Correct Answer: Taurine & Arachidonic acid
Cats are obligate carnivores with unique nutritional requirements. Their first limiting essential amino acid is Taurine, and their essential fatty acid is Arachidonic acid — both of which they cannot synthesise in sufficient amounts from plant precursors.
Essential Nutrients in Cats
| Category | Cats | Reason for Uniqueness |
|---|---|---|
| Essential AA | Taurine | Cats cannot synthesise sufficient taurine from cysteine (limited enzymatic activity) |
| Essential FA | Arachidonic acid | Cats lack sufficient delta-6-desaturase to convert linoleic acid to arachidonic acid |
EAA and EFA by Species
| Species | First EAA | Essential FA |
|---|---|---|
| Pig | Lysine | Linolenic acid |
| Poultry | Glycine | Linolenic acid |
| Sheep | Methionine | — |
| Cat | Taurine | Arachidonic acid |
Why Other Options Are Wrong
- Lysine & Linolenic acid → correct for pig; not cat
- Glycine & Linoleic acid → Glycine is correct for poultry; Linoleic is not the specific EFA for cats
- None → incorrect; Taurine and Arachidonic acid are the well-established unique requirements of cats
📚 About this Topic — Animal Nutrition
This multiple choice question is from Animal Nutrition, Animal Refresher. It has 4 options with a detailed explanation of the correct answer. Practice more MCQs from Animal Nutrition to strengthen your preparation.
