Digestive Enzymes For Cats and Dogs Digestive enzymes break down
food and allow the nutrients to be absorbed and distributed to
cells throughout the body. Some enzymes are produced by the
saliva glands, stomach, and pancreas. Enzymes are also present
in raw and unprocessed foods and these active enzymes work
together with digestive enzymes to break down food during the
digestive process. Enzymes that are important for proper
digestion include: - Amylase - breaks down starch and other
carbohydrates into sugars - Protease - digests proteins and
turns peptides into amino acids - Lipase - digests lipids (fats)
into fatty acids - Cellulase breaks down cellulose, the
carbohydrate that is the main part of the cell walls of plants -
Hemicellulase is a mixture of enzymes which can hydrolyze the
indigestible components of plant fibers. What causes an enzyme
deficiency in dogs and cats? When foods are cooked at high
temperatures, as most commercial pet foods are, the enzymes are
destroyed and so pets must rely on their