Pies: Unlike cats, dogs are not exclusively carnivores: they can adapt to different foods, and a percentage of their diets can

Evidence: 64 • authority: 72

As in the human practice of veganism, vegan dog foods are those formulated with the exclusion of ingredients that contain or were processed with any part of an animal, or any animal byproduct. Vegan dog food may incorporate the use of fruits, vegetables, cereals, legumes including soya, nuts, vegetable oils, as well as any other non-animal based foods. The omnivorous domestic dog was originally primarily a carnivore but has evolved to metabolize carbohydrates, fat, and fiber and remain healthy on a diet lower in protein. A systematic review of studies from 2023 found no evidence of detrimental effects of vegetarian diets for dogs; however, the authors pointed out studies tended to have a sm…

Evidence: 51 • authority: 92

Microbial Protein as a novel ingredient in pet food: A food preference study in dogs and cats.. The increasing demand for protein sources in pet nutrition has driven growing interest in microbial proteins (MP) as viable alternatives to traditional animal proteins. However, their successful incorporation into pet food formulations depends not only on nutritional adequacy but also on short-term food preference. This study evaluated the palatability of dry extruded diets containing 10% microbial protein in dogs and cats using an in-home two-bowl preference test and complemented these findings with independent laboratory characterization to support interpretation of the observed preferences. Pa…

Evidence: 51 • authority: 72

The domestication of the cat can be traced back to Near Eastern and Egyptian populations of the African wildcat, Felis lybica, from which emerged the domestic cat (F. catus). Both belong to the Felis lineage of the family Felidae, which is thought to have first diversified around 13 to 12 million years ago. Several investigations have shown that all domestic varieties of cats come from a single lineage of F. lybica, although early interactions between wildcats and Neolithic human settlements occurred across a broad geographic range. Originating in the Near East, the first domestic cats spread from the ancient Mediterranean world via maritime trade as well as the Silk Road, and later worldwi…

Evidence: 44 • authority: 72

Cat intelligence refers to a cat’s ability to solve problems, adapt to its environment, learn new behaviors, and communicate its needs. Structurally, a cat’s brain shares similarities with the human brain, containing around 250 million neurons in the cerebral cortex, which is responsible for complex processing. Cats display neuroplasticity, allowing their brains to reorganize based on experiences. They have well-developed memory retaining information for a decade or longer. These memories are often intertwined with emotions, allowing cats to recall both positive and negative experiences associated with specific places. While they excel in observational learning and problem-solving, studies…

Evidence: 44 • authority: 72

Evidence: 42 • authority: 92

Evidence: 42 • authority: 92

Evidence: 38 • authority: 88

Evidence: 38 • authority: 72

The dog (Canis familiaris or Canis lupus familiaris) is a domesticated descendant of wolves. Also called the domestic dog, it was selectively bred during the Late Pleistocene by hunter-gatherers. Dogs and the modern gray wolf share a common ancestor. Dogs were the first species to be domesticated over 14,000 years ago, before the development of agriculture, though genetic studies suggest the domestication process may have begun over 25,000 years ago. Due to their long association with humans, dogs have gained the ability to thrive on a starch-rich diet that would be inadequate for other canids. Dogs have been bred for specific behaviors, sensory abilities, and physical traits. Dog breeds va…

Evidence: 38 • authority: 80

Evidence: — • authority: 38