The cat’s primordial pouch is not flab but rather its natural “bumper”
The cat’s primordial pouch, that is, that excess soft, swaying skin in the lower portion of the kitty’s abdomen, is not excess fat as many mistakenly believe.
The pouch is an anatomical structure that performs significant functions in the regulation of physiological and behavioral activities in cats.
Located in the abdominal region, the primordial sac is a cavity located in the mesentery, a membrane that supports the internal organs.
It appears as an elastic structure that can expand or contract according to the cat’s needs and is the natural bumper of the cat’s abdomen.
Anatomy of the cat abdomen
The cat’s abdomen is a complex and vital part of its body.
It comprises a highly specialized digestive system, including stomach, small and large intestines, liver, pancreas, and kidneys.
The sac is rich in blood vessels and nerves that connect it to other parts of the body, thus ensuring effective communication between organs.
Along with the primordial pouch, the cat’s abdomen also houses the lymphatic system, which is crucial for immune defense.
Lymphatic structures help maintain body fluid balance and protect the cat from potential infections.
So, the overall health of the abdomen is directly related to that of the primordial pouch and the functions it performs.
What the primordial sac is for
One of its main functions is to act as a reservoir of fluids and nutrients, thus helping to maintain the water balance of kitty’s body.
This is especially important for cats, which tend to drink less water than other animals.
The ability to store fluids allows felines to survive in conditions of temporary dehydration, so we are dealing with a truly sophisticated evolutionary adaptation.
The primordial pouch and the digestive process
Its strategic placement within the abdomen allows this structure to interact with other organs, such as the stomach and intestines, thus facilitating the absorption of nutrients.
If needed, it can also store food, acting as a reserve in situations when the cat does not have access to food sources.
Or, conversely, if the cat swallows whole prey, the primordial pouch helps manage the contents by stimulating faster and more efficient digestive processes.
This aspect is critical to the animal’s survival, as for a free-roaming cat in the wild, finding food can be a difficult and uncertain task.
Primordial pockets are not exclusive to cats but also to big cats such as lions and tigers.
Understanding whether the cat has a large primal pouch or is overweight
It is important to be able to recognize if the cat has a large primal pouch or is overweight.
Overweight and obesity predispose the cat to the development of severe dysfunction:
-diabetes
-heart disease
-arthritis
The belly of an obese cat starts at the top of the belly and continues all the way to the bottom but the primal bursae start lower and are inclined toward the hind legs.
With this in mind, periodic veterinary check-ups are essential to ward off the presence of diseases that are not too obvious.
If your cat is overweight, contact the veterinary doctors on our staff who are always available to you and schedule a follow-up visit.
We would also like to remind you that Clinica La Veterinaria is always open h24 every day including holidays and with First Aid service from 8 pm to 8 am.
For the joy of seeing them HAPPY
*Ph. A. S. – in photo Mimmo courtesy of his owner – All Rights Reserved
