Digestion Proccess
begins in the mouth where the food is broken down into smaller pieces and lubricated with saliva, after swallowing the food moves through the esophagus, and then to the stomach.
Everyone knows digestion happens in the stomach, after that is passes into the small intestine via the pyloric sphincter that closes instantly to prevent re-flux back into the stomach.
Absorption of nutrients in the body occurs primarily in the small intestine. There are 3 sections, the duodenum (section closest to stomach), the jejunum (middle section of SI), and ileum (terminal section).
The last organ it goes through is the large intestine. This includes the cecum, colon, and rectum. It absorbs body water, nutrients absorbed by large intestine will go to liver.
Nutrients
Water
IT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT NUTRIENT. It's 75% of an animal's body weight. Amount needed varies. Water is composed of hydrogen and oxygen and it regulates Earth's temperature
Carbohydrates
Provides energy, makes 70% of an animal's diet, there are 3 types (sugar, starch, and fiber), high carbohydrate diets are not suitable for cats. Starch is found in grains and may be converted to glucose. Fiber is the material that's left over after the food has been digested. Carbs are 1/3 of canned food and 2/3 of dry pet food. There are two types of carbohydrates (simple and complex) and proteins and fats are more difficult to digest.
Lipids
It's the supply of energy for normal body maintenance, they're mostly fats and oils, and it contains 2.25 times more energy carbs. It enhances palatability, provides a concentrated source of energy, provides fatty acids, provides soluble vitamins, most pet foods have 5-10% fat, poultry is the most common source of fat, veggie fats are also used, and most pet foods have excess dietary fats. They're made up of carbon hydrogen, and oxygen. Fat is used as energy storage in our bodies.
Protein
The nutrient needed to grow new tissue and repair old tissue, it's important for weight gain, growth, and gestation,contains amino acids, 23 protein and 10 essential. Taurine is required for a cat's diet and soybean is the most common source of plant proteins
Minerals
Minerals are inorganic elements essential in diets. Macrominerals are needed in large amounts and microminerals are needed in smaller amounts.
Vitamins
Vitamins are organic elements that help the body turn food into energy and tissues. The fat soluble vitamins are A, D, E, and K, the are stored in the fat and released as they are needed by the body. The water soluble vitamins are C and B they are dissolved by water and need to be consumed ever day