Veterinary Technician Practice Exam

Which of the following animals possesses a monogastric digestive system?

1. Goat

2. Cow

3. Cat

4. Sheep

The correct answer is: Cat

The correct answer is indeed the cat, as it has a monogastric digestive system. A monogastric digestive system is characterized by a single-chambered stomach, which is typical for animals that primarily consume meat. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning their diet is heavily based on animal tissues. This type of digestive system allows for quicker digestion and absorption of nutrients from their protein-rich diet. In contrast, goats, cows, and sheep possess ruminant digestive systems, which feature a multi-chambered stomach adapted for breaking down fibrous plant material. Ruminants rely heavily on fermentation processes to extract nutrients from grasses and other fibrous foods, leading to a more complex and prolonged digestive process. This difference in digestive anatomy is crucial for the dietary needs and feeding behaviors of these animals.