Essential Amino Acid and Fatty Acid Unique to Cats

Correct Answer: Taurine and Arachidonic acid

Cats have unique nutritional requirements not shared by most other mammals:

• Taurine — Essential Amino Acid in Cat: Cats lack the enzyme cysteine sulphinic acid decarboxylase, so they cannot synthesise taurine from cysteine. Deficiency causes: (1) Feline Central Retinal Degeneration (FCRD) — blindness, (2) Dilated cardiomyopathy. Must be supplied in the diet (found in animal tissues).
• Arachidonic acid — Essential Fatty Acid in Cat: Cats lack sufficient delta-6-desaturase and delta-5-desaturase enzymes to convert linoleic acid to arachidonic acid. Dogs and humans can perform this conversion; cats cannot. Must be supplied from animal fat sources.

Species-Specific Essential Nutrients

• Cat: Taurine (AA), Arachidonic acid (EFA)
• Pig and Poultry: Linoleic acid (EFA)
• Pig: Lysine (limiting AA)
• Poultry: Glycine (limiting AA)
• Sheep: Methionine (limiting AA)