Research overview: the high protein requirement of cats

Cats have notably higher dietary protein requirements than many other domestic species because their metabolism is geared toward continuous use of protein for energy and gluconeogenesis, with limited ability to downregulate protein-catabolizing enzymes when dietary protein is low. This means cats continue breaking down body protein even on low-protein diets, risking muscle loss. This overview compiles the nutritional literature rather than one source, describing the metabolic basis of the cat's elevated protein needs, why they cannot conserve protein as efficiently as omnivores, and how this requirement shapes feline diet formulation and the management of conditions like kidney disease where protein must be balanced. It matters because the high protein requirement is fundamental to feline nutrition, influencing healthy maintenance diets and the dietary management of disease across the lifespan.