Before the widespread availability of commercial cat food, cats primarily subsisted on a diet consisting of their natural prey, which included moist rodents, rabbits, birds, and occasionally lizards.
The Natural Diet of Felines Through Millennia
For thousands of years, long before dry kibble or canned wet food became a staple, cats fulfilled their nutritional needs by hunting. Their diet was directly tied to their instincts as predators, consuming the small animals they caught.
Key components of their historical diet included:
- Moist Rodents: A primary food source, providing essential moisture and nutrients.
- Rabbits: Larger prey that would sustain them.
- Birds: Another common and accessible food source.
- Occasional Lizards: Depending on their environment, these reptiles also formed part of their diet.
This natural diet provided all the necessary proteins, fats, and moisture crucial for their health and survival.
The Dawn of Commercial Cat Food
The shift towards commercially prepared cat food is a relatively recent development in feline history. It wasn't until the 20th century that manufactured pet foods began to gain traction, and a significant turning point occurred during World War II.
Impact of World War II on Feline Diets
Dry cat foods specifically became the norm in the United States after World War II. This shift was largely due to the rationing of metal, which was deemed a non-essential item for products like canned pet foods. As a result, dry kibble, which did not require metal for packaging, became a more practical and widely available option for pet owners during that period. This marked a considerable change from the traditional, prey-based diet that cats had followed for millennia.
To summarize the dietary evolution:
| Era | Primary Diet Components | Key Reason for Shift (if applicable) |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Commercial Food | Moist rodents, rabbits, birds, occasional lizards | Natural hunting and scavenging |
| Post-WWII (USA) | Increasingly dry commercial cat foods, supplementing or replacing prey | Metal rationing for canned foods; convenience |
