What characteristics make a dog successful carnivore?

Answer 1

Dogs have teeth that are specialised for tearing meat. Long canines are for catching and holding down struggling prey, and the premolars and molars are jagged and sharp and act like scissors, they cut mouth-sized chunks of meat for the dog to swallow. Because of this, dogs can only move their jaw up and down, they cannot grind food like humans and other omnivore animals.

Dogs also get most, if not all their needed nutrients from meat, organs and bone. Through the many centuries of living with humans, dogs became very adaptable and learned to scavenge for food, so their stomachs can deal a wide range of vegetable matter and other foods. Plants and vegetables can be used as part of a dog's diet, but they aren't a necessity.

Answer 2

Dogs have sharp, pointed teeth for tearing meat, a short digestive tract designed for processing animal protein efficiently, and a high requirement for nutrients found in meat such as amino acids and vitamins like B12. Their evolutionary history as hunters and scavengers also contributes to their success as carnivores.