Cats, like dogs, belong to the same group of mammals. The main diet of wild relatives of both species was mainly meat.

Recent DNA analyses confirm that dogs have developed more copies of the so-called amylase gene during their evolution.

It is this gene that is engaged in an enzyme that promotes the breakdown of starch. The presence of a significant number of copies of this gene made it possible for dogs to be more omnivorous.

The feline family has lost genes encoding several key enzymes that produce vitamin A, prostaglandins and taurine. But dogs and humans still have the ability to synthesize such substances from plant-based precursors. However, cats should get them from meat.