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Why do cats have a short small intestine compared with their body length?

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Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) with tufted ears and spotted fur walking through snow in a winter landscape. — feline The Eurasian lynx (*Lynx lynx*), a member of the family Felidae, can be found in forests that range from Scandinavia to far eastern Russia. It is the largest member of the genus *Lynx* and the third largest predator in Europe.

Cats have a short small intestine—only about three times their body length—because they are highly specialized, strict flesh eaters.1

As members of the order Carnivora, cats possess a simple digestive tract adapted to a carnivorous diet. Unlike herbivores, which require longer digestive tracts to break down complex plant materials, cats consume meat that is easily processed by strong enzymes and acids. Because their diet consists of high-quality protein that does not require extensive fermentation or prolonged digestion, a shorter gut is sufficient for their nutritional needs.1