Cat eating kibble on the table.
Is grain-free food good for cats? If you’re a pet parent and want your feline friend to live as long and healthy as possible, you’ve probably thought about it at least once, especially given all the hype surrounding grain-free diets right now. This is a question you may have.
Choosing the right diet for your moggy, from the best dry cat food to the best wet cat food, can already feel like a minefield, but when you consider whether it should be grain-free or not, the whole situation becomes quite confusing. It can feel overwhelming.
Thankfully, while it’s important to choose a complete, nutrient-dense, balanced food for your fur baby, there’s no scientific evidence to suggest that grain-free foods offer any benefit to your cat.
To understand more about this issue, we consulted expert veterinarian Dr. Rebecca McMillan. Below, she explains what grain-free cat food is and whether it’s a good choice for cats with sensitive stomachs. Additionally, she reveals whether grain-free diets pose any risks to the health of our feline friends.
What is grain-free cat food?
First of all. If you’re like us, you’ve probably heard the term “grain-free” thrown around for the past decade or so. But what exactly is grain-free cat food and does it contain no carbohydrates?
“Grain-free cat food literally means cat food that does not contain grains,” explains McMillan. “Common grains found in regular cat food ingredients include rice, oats, barley, wheat, and corn.”
But as McMillan goes on to point out, just because some of the best cat foods on the market are grain-free doesn’t mean they’re also carbohydrate-free.
“Manufacturers may instead use other ingredients, such as potatoes, peas, sweet potatoes, beans, or lentils. This means that the meat content of grain-free food is no different from conventional cat food; It could just mean that the carbohydrate source is different.” ”
Is grain-free food good for cats?
Tabby cat looking up from the food bowl
Most of us who have a feline friend in our family are always looking for ways to be the best cat owner. From giving our kittens fun toys to play with to showering them with love and affection, giving our kittens the best life possible is often at the top of our priority list.
And nowhere is this more evident than in feeding bowls. The truth is, we often let them rot. But with the cost of living crisis continuing and designer diets often being more expensive than standard wet or dry food, do grain-free foods actually provide any benefit to cats?
“There is no evidence that grain-free foods are better for cats than regular diets,” says McMillan. “Many grain-free foods still rely on cheaper plant-based ingredients such as legumes and pulses in addition to meat ingredients.
If your cat has digestive issues, it’s best to consult your veterinarian instead of looking for a grain-free food. They will want to first rule out other health problems such as parasites or infections before considering a diet trial. If your cat is properly diagnosed with a true food allergy, it is much more likely to be caused by animal-based proteins than plant-based proteins. ”
If your veterinarian determines that allergies are the cause of the symptoms your kitten is experiencing, talk to your veterinarian about switching your feline friend to one of the best cat foods for allergies.
Does grain-free cat food mean gluten-free?
“Grain-free cat food contains no gluten at all,” McMillan asserts. “Gluten is a protein found in several types of grains, including wheat, barley, and rye. So if you’re eating a grain-free diet, you’re also gluten-free.
However, it’s worth bearing in mind that there is no scientific evidence that cats suffer from gluten-related digestive disorders in the same way as humans, so the need to eliminate gluten from a cat’s diet is unproven. there is. ”
Is grain-free cat food suitable for cats with sensitive stomachs?
A grumpy looking cat is sitting at the table and staring at the food on the spoon
There are some things that only cat owners know about, and one of them is the possibility of regular stomach upset. Some of our furry friends have stomachs that feel like they’re made of steel and can eat just about anything, while others have more delicate digestive systems and can easily become upset. There are some too.
If your cat is vomiting food after eating, you may wonder if a grain-free diet is right for you. However, Dr. McMillan says a grain-free diet is unlikely to relieve symptoms in kittens suffering from sensitive stomachs.
“There is no evidence to suggest that cats are sensitive to gluten or grains in pet food,” she explains. “In fact, most cats suffering from true food allergies are allergic to common animal proteins such as chicken, fish, and beef, which are often found in grain-free foods.
For most cats without diagnosed allergies, the best type of food should be easily digestible and low in residue. Please consult your veterinarian for advice. ”
Is a grain-free diet dangerous for cats?
“There is not enough research to know with certainty the long-term effects of feeding cats a grain-free diet,” McMillan explains.
“A potential link between dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and grain-free foods has been found in dogs and, to a lesser extent, cats. In DCM, the heart muscle weakens and the heart The heart expands and enlarges, which means it can’t pump blood around the body as effectively as a normal heart, and over time this can be fatal. , and ingredients that replace grains are thought to be responsible, and many of these diets are high in legumes, such as peas and beans.
However, at this stage, most veterinarians agree that there is not enough evidence to draw firm conclusions about whether grain-free diets pose a potential health risk to our feline friends. would agree.
If you want to feed your kitten a grain-free diet, but have concerns about whether it meets your cat’s nutritional needs, we recommend that you consult your veterinarian who can provide appropriate advice and guidance.
Do cats need grain-free food?
According to Macmillan, the answer is absolutely not. Proponents of grain-free diets tend to claim that cats in the wild eat a grain-free meat-based diet, but as she explains below, that doesn’t mean cats eat these ingredients. It doesn’t mean it can’t be digested.
“Despite what other articles online may say, cats do not need a grain-free diet. Cats are obligate carnivores (needing a high proportion of meat-based protein). But carbohydrates still add valuable nutrients to your cat’s diet,” she says.
“Cats are well adapted to processing plant-based components, not only using them as a source of energy but also benefiting from the vitamins and fiber they contain. feed the stomach, including its carbohydrate-based contents. All this means that pet foods containing grains should not be viewed with undue suspicion.”
Should I feed my cat a grain-free diet?
Woman feeding a Siberian cat
After all, should you feed your cat a grain-free diet, or is a grain-containing diet perfectly healthy? McMillan tells her clients:
“I don’t recommend a grain-free diet to my patients because there is no scientific basis for it. Cats don’t get celiac disease like humans, so there’s no need to avoid gluten. “The full impact of feeding pets a grain-free diet long-term is not yet known.”
If you have any concerns that your kitten may have allergies, or if you would like further advice on the pros and cons of a grain-free diet, please consult your veterinarian. They’ll be able to give you tips on feeding your cat properly and provide guidance on whether it’s worth considering a grain-free diet.
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