Introduction
Have you ever noticed that your cat tends to swallow her dry kibble whole without chewing? This is actually completely normal feline behavior. Studies show that over 90% of cats don’t chew their kibble before swallowing. Understanding why cats don’t chew and the implications for their health can help cat owners make better choices when it comes to their pet’s diet.
Anatomy of the Feline Jaw
Cats have a smaller and more delicate jaw structure compared to dogs and other carnivores. The feline jaw consists of two separate halves, with the upper jaw being fixed to the skull and the lower jaw being able to move freely for chewing and biting (Lombardero, 2021).
The cat’s lower jaw contains the mandible bone on each side, joined together by a flexible ligament called the mandibular symphysis. This allows the jaw to open widely but makes it weaker than a fused mandible bone would be. The lower incisors and canine teeth are attached directly to the mandible bone, providing anchorage when cats grasp prey. The lower premolars and molars are rooted in the lower jaw but not directly into the mandible bone (IM3Vet, n.d.).
The upper jaw contains the smaller maxilla bones where the upper incisors, canines, premolars and molars are rooted. The maxilla joins to the frontal, nasal, lacrimal, palatine and zygomatic bones to complete the upper jaw structure. Cats have a smaller oral cavity compared to dogs, giving them less space to chew food (Lombardero, 2021).
The jaw joint structure, known as the temporomandibular joint, acts as a hinge to allow the mouth to open widely when biting prey. However, the hinge structure limits side-to-side motion during chewing. The small jaw size and limited mobility constrain a cat’s ability to grind down kibble pieces (Lombardero, 2021).
Evolutionary History
Cats evolved as obligate carnivores, meaning their diet consists primarily of animal flesh. Wild cats like lions and tigers kill prey animals and swallow large chunks of meat whole rather than chewing thoroughly. This behavior developed as an evolutionary adaptation to help cats consume a fresh kill quickly, before competitors could steal it. Swallowing minimizes chewing time and allows cats to maximize calorie intake.
According to a 2013 study by Piras et al. published in Systematic Biology, the shape of feline jaws has changed over time to facilitate this swallowing behavior. The study analyzed skull and mandible measurements across 11 families in the order Carnivora. Results showed that as sabertoothed features emerged, bite force decreased while gape increased. This allowed cats to grip prey firmly while opening their jaws wide to swallow large pieces. The tradeoff was reduced chewing capabilities.
Domestic cats retain this evolutionary anatomy optimized for swallowing rather than chewing. Their jaw joints have high mobility but reduced stability compared to omnivores. Furthermore, housecats have smaller heads relative to body size than wild felids. As a result, many cats don’t adequately chew kibble before swallowing. This can lead to digestive issues if pieces are too large.
Piras, P., D ‘Angelo, M. D., Maiorino, L., Marcotte, J. J., Lozupone, F., Hladik, A., & Tagliacollo, V. A. (2013). Bite of the cats: Relationships between functional integration and mechanical performance as revealed by mandible geometry. Systematic biology, 62(6), 878-900. https://academic.oup.com/sysbio/article/62/6/878/1711142
Texture Preference
Studies show that cats have distinct preferences when it comes to the texture of their food. One study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science looked at food preferences in cats and found that cats showed a strong preference for wet, canned food compared to dry, crunchy kibble [1]. The researchers hypothesized this was due to an evolutionary bias for the texture of natural prey items like birds and rodents.
Another study published in the journal Animal Nutrition examined taste preferences in cats. The researchers found that along with flavor, the texture and size of kibble pieces influenced cats’ preferences. Cats preferred smaller, homogeneous kibble pieces compared to larger, heterogeneous ones [2].
Overall, research indicates domestic cats prefer wet, soft, homogeneous textures similar to the natural prey their wild ancestors would eat. The hard, dry crunchy texture of most kibble does not match up with cats’ evolutionary food preferences.
Dental Health Concerns
Cats’ teeth and gums are vulnerable to numerous dental diseases, especially as they age. Studies report that between 50-90% of cats over 4 years old suffer from some form of dental disease [1]. The most common problems are gingivitis (gum inflammation) and periodontitis (advanced gum disease affecting tooth roots and bone), caused by plaque buildup [2].
These diseases are exacerbated when cats don’t chew enough. Chewing helps scrape off plaque before it hardens into tartar. Lack of chewing allows plaque to accumulate, irritating gums and providing bacteria an environment to take hold. Over time, this erodes the tissues and bones supporting teeth. Eventually teeth loosen and may fall out if untreated.
Since dry kibble doesn’t require much chewing, cats that only eat kibble are more prone to dental disease. Adding dental treats, chews, or wet food to their diet can help reduce plaque buildup and keep their teeth and gums healthier.
Kibble Design Flaws
Dry cat kibble is often designed in disc, doughnut, or other small, hard shapes that do not resemble the soft, chewy textures cats evolved to eat. While convenient for humans to pour and store, these uniform kibble shapes and crunchy textures are unnatural for cats to properly chew and digest (Source).
Cats have a unique jaw structure that is optimized for shearing meat off bone rather than grinding down hard materials. Their jaws hinge open vertically with very little side-to-side motion. Kibble’s small, dense shape does not allow cats to use their jaws effectively, forcing them to either swallow it whole or inefficiently gnaw off small pieces (Source). This puts stress on their jaws and teeth over time.
Additionally, dry kibble’s low moisture content, carbohydrate-dense formulas, and crunchy textures do not provide enough abrasive cleaning of teeth compared to raw foods, bones, or dental chews. The starches in many kibbles also adhere to teeth, promoting plaque buildup and dental disease (Source).
In summary, the unnatural size, shape, texture, and composition of dry cat kibble can negatively impact feline chewing, digestion, and dental health. Cat owners should be aware of these design flaws when choosing food.
Solutions for Cat Owners
There are several techniques cat owners can try to encourage their cats to chew their kibble more thoroughly before swallowing:
Try feeding kibble in a puzzle feeder or ball, which will force the cat to move the food around and slow down their eating. Products like the CATit Senses 2.0 Digger encourage cats to “hunt” for food.
Consider switching to a kibble formula with a larger, denser shape that requires more chewing. Studies show cats tend to chew larger kibbles more.
Try denture cleaning treats to help remove plaque and exercise your cat’s jaws. Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Chews are veterinarian recommended.
Add a tablespoon of water to moisten dry food to alter the texture. This can encourage chewing.
Transition feeding times to a slower pace with multiple small meals rather than free-feeding. This prevents gorging their food.
Discourage speed-eating by scattering kibble on a cookie sheet or flat plate rather than a bowl.
Talk to your vet about dental health at annual check-ups. They can assess your cat’s chewing and make food recommendations.
Veterinary Intervention
If a cat is persistently chewing on non-food items, it’s important to take them to a veterinarian for an examination. The vet can check for potential medical issues like gum disease, tooth resorption, or oral tumors that may be causing pain and prompting chewing behaviors.
One of the most common dental issues in cats is periodontal disease, which is characterized by inflamed gums and plaque/tartar buildup on the teeth. This can cause discomfort and lead to excessive chewing (Purina, 2017). Vets can perform a comprehensive oral exam, dental x-rays, and a professional dental cleaning under anesthesia to treat periodontal disease. Any damaged or infected teeth may need to be extracted.
Cats may also chew due to tooth resorption, which causes lesions in the tooth enamel and exposure of the sensitive dentin underneath. Resorptive lesions are painful and can prompt chewing behaviors as well as decreased appetite. Vets can identify resorptive lesions through dental x-rays and may recommend extraction of affected teeth to relieve discomfort.
Oral tumors, while less common, can also lead to inappropriate chewing. Vets can perform biopsies on any suspicious growths in the mouth and provide options for surgical removal or radiation therapy depending on the tumor type (Vetwest, n.d.). Treating potential oral health issues through veterinary dental care may successfully curb undesirable chewing habits.
Better Cat Food Options
There are several alternative cat food options that may entice picky cats who don’t like to chew kibble. Here are some options cat owners can try:
- Wet or canned cat food – Canned food has a softer, meatier texture that cats generally find more palatable than dry kibble. Top brands include Purina Pro Plan, Blue Buffalo, and Taste of the Wild.
- Raw cat food or freeze dried raw – Raw and freeze dried raw diets offer meat in its most natural state. They contain no preservatives or additives. Brands like Primal and Smalls offer pre-portioned raw food.
- Human-grade cat food – Some companies like JustFoodForDogs and NomNomNow use human-grade ingredients. These foods have simple recipes and a soft texture.
- Homemade cat food – With a vet’s guidance, cat owners can make homemade food using protein, vegetables, oils, and supplements. This allows total control over ingredients and texture.
- Kibble toppers or mixers – Topping kibble with a bit of wet food, bone broth, or raw goat milk can add moisture and flavor.
Consult a vet before transitioning to a new diet. Go slow with introductions to avoid an upset stomach. With patience, most cats can be converted to a food they will eagerly enjoy at mealtimes.
Conclusion
In summary, domestic cats often do not chew dry food or kibble due to multiple factors related to their unique jaw anatomy and evolutionary history as obligate carnivores. Cats have adapted to swallow food whole rather than chew or grind it down with their teeth. Additionally, many cats prefer soft, wet textures over hard, dry kibble. Lack of chewing can lead to dental health issues in cats over time. While some solutions like dental kibble exist, the best approach may be choosing high-quality wet or raw diets that match a cat’s natural preferences and instincts. If chewing concerns arise, consult a veterinarian. The takeaway is that cats have specialized jaws evolved for quickly gulping down meat, so their lack of chewing is not abnormal behavior given their species-specific adaptations and dietary requirements.