Why cannot tigers eat grass?

 

Tigers are apex predators and their bodies have evolved to efficiently digest meat. Unlike herbivores or omnivores, tigers lack the specialized digestive enzymes necessary to break down cellulose, the main component of plant cell walls. As obligate carnivores, their digestive systems are optimized for processing animal protein and fat.

Furthermore, tigers have short digestive tracts relative to herbivores, which are needed for efficiently digesting and absorbing nutrients from meat. This anatomy allows them to quickly metabolize animal tissues and extract essential nutrients like protein, vitamins, and minerals.

While some animals, like domestic cats, may occasionally consume small amounts of grass to aid digestion or induce vomiting, tigers do not exhibit this behavior. Their diets consist primarily of large herbivores such as deer, wild boar, and antelope. These prey animals provide the necessary nutrients, including essential amino acids and fatty acids, to support the tiger's active lifestyle and energy requirements.