My cat has a belly - it's actually the primal pouch
My cat has a belly - it's actually the primal pouch
Anonim

If you think yours cat have a belly, in fact, it might just be showing one primordial housing. Is this the first time you've heard this term? Continue reading the article and we will explain what it is.

If you own a adult cat you may have noticed that many of them have a slight belly in the lower belly, which hangs a little lower towards the hind legs and which can move slightly from side to side while walking. However, this does not necessarily indicate that your cat is overweight.

My cat has a belly - it's actually the primal pouch
My cat has a belly - it's actually the primal pouch

This area of the body is called the "Primordial bag" and can also be seen in all types of feral cats, as well as in domestic cats of all breeds. If you look at your cat from the side when it stands up or walks around, you will be able to see the primordial pouch right. in front of the hind legs, hanging a little lower than the rest of the stomach. If your furry friend runs, you might as well see it swing from one side to the other. In young and very agile cats, the primal pouch will not be particularly low or obvious, but you will still be able to feel it (if it tolerates being touched on the belly).

All cats have a primordial pouch, but it's more obvious in some breeds than others. Some cat breed standards actually specify a primal pouch as a requirement, including the Bengal, the Egyptian Mau and the Elf. These breeds closely resemble feral cats due to their build, coloration or ancestry.

My cat has a belly - it's actually the primal pouch
My cat has a belly - it's actually the primal pouch

The primordial pouch it is not, as many cat owners think, just a little bit of excess abdominal fat, o residual skin that does not regrow after weight loss, nor does it appear due to sterilization or castration. However, the primal pocket will often be most prominent in an overweight cat as the pouch can act as a reserve of fat, and is also more prominent in cats moving from young adulthood to maturity, as their muscle tone fades little.

My cat has a belly - it's actually the primal pouch
My cat has a belly - it's actually the primal pouch

One of functions of the primordial sac is to make it easier for your cat to defend itself and avoid injury when fighting with another: cats cling to each other and use their hind legs to kick and damage their opponent's stomach area, and this loose skin helps to protect internal organs, making it more difficult for the opponent's claws to damage the skin and cause damage thanks to its flexibility.

It also helps protect cats from attacks by larger predators, as the flexible skin of the stomach is more difficult to grasp than the muscle tissue, which, again, helps defend internal organs during an attack. Furthermore, allows them to move freely when grabbed by a predator.

My cat has a belly - it's actually the primal pouch
My cat has a belly - it's actually the primal pouch

The belly flap also allows a cat to to stretch and move more easily when running, walks, twists or jumps. The added trait, provided by the primordial pouch, allows cats to extend completely in a running gait. It also helps them speed up recovery times after being spayed, because jumping and quick movements do not cause excessive pressure on the surgical scar, thanks to the proliferation of elastic and flexible skin in this area.

My cat has a belly - it's actually the primal pouch
My cat has a belly - it's actually the primal pouch

Finally, the primordial case it also helps to preserve fat stores during leaner periods, which helps feral cats survive cold winters when food is scarce. However, in domestic cats, the primordial pouch can also hold stubborn weight that can be difficult to move if the cat begins to pile on pounds. Because cats in the wild must feed opportunistically - which for some large cats like the lion, could mean gorging on a big meal and then starving for a couple of days - the primal pouch also expands to provide some extra space to the pressure of a full stomach, allowing cats to retain a food source before the next meal.

My cat has a belly - it's actually the primal pouch
My cat has a belly - it's actually the primal pouch

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