Choosing the right diet for your feline friend is a task that must not be taken lightly. Gluten free and grain free cat diets have become more popular nowadays. This popularity has probably mirrored the appearance of most products for people. Particularly, these diets are helpful for people suffering from gluten intolerance, celiac disease, or wheat allergies. But the question is, are these diets good for your cat? How would you know if your furry pal needs a gluten free or grain free diet?
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Advantages and Disadvantages of Grain Free Diet
While some cats do well on grain free foods, other cats do not. So, let us take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of giving your cat a grain-free diet.
The reasons your cat should eat grain free
A good grain-free diet for your cat could contain more of the common ingredients that cats would be eating in their wildlife nature. Proteins such as meat and fish are also found in higher amounts in other grain free foods.
Be aware that some grain-free food manufacturers simply substitute highly glycemic carb sources like tapioca and potato, which are also similar to grains in terms of nutrient content.
Some cats also develop grain allergy and grain free diets help to eliminate the ingredients that cause sensitivity. For cats that truly are allergic to the protein in grains, grain free foods would be a good choice. The following are the most common symptoms that could be seen in felines with food allergies:
- Excessive hair loss
- Itchiness
- Inflamed skin
- Scabs and sore
- Bald patches
- Hot spots
It’s best to give your cat a grain free food trial in order to find out whether a certain grain free cat food is beneficial for him or not.
The reasons your cat shouldn’t eat grain free
Since grain free cat foods could have a higher protein content, chances are they can also have a higher fat level. So, make sure that you’re feeding your feline friend the proper portion size so that he will not put on too much weight.
Grain free foods that have a higher protein level is likely expensive. But you’ll be probably giving your cat smaller portions due to the high protein content, so this might make up for the difference in prices.
How to Buy Grain Free Cat Food?
It’s highly recommended to talk to your vet about whether a grain free cat food is the better option for your cat than other regular cat food. If your vet agrees to it, then ask for recommendations on what food to buy. When you shop for grain free food, make sure you won’t get tricked by deceiving labels that state to contain all-natural ingredients or promise to make furry pal healthier than any cat out there. You can be able to get the full nutrient analysis by checking the ingredients on the back of the can or bag.
Just because a particular food is grain free does not mean it will be best for your cat. You should always check with your vet prior to switching your feline friend to a whole new type of diet.
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Common Questions About Whether You Should Feed Your Cat Grain Free Food or Not
Is Grain Really Bad for Cats?
Our cats and dogs are naturally designed to eat meat protein and not protein from grains. Thus, the higher content of grain in many cat foods is considered as one of the primary reasons for the growing allergy problems and obesity in cats. However, this doesn’t mean that all grains are bad for cats and dogs.
Should Cats Eat Grain Free Dry Food?
Most dry cat diets have carb content of some kind. In addition to that, a lot of grain-free diets for cats swapped grains for potatoes, tapioca, peas, and sweet potatoes. These ingredients are not natural and healthy for your cat any more than natural grain content. Even though some cat food companies have suggested that grain-free foods are good options for allergic cats, it’s still best to consult your vet as every cat is different.
Does Grain Free Diet Cause Heart Problems in Cats?
Cats need more protein in their daily diet than dogs do. Plants do not contain taurine, which means cats do not have to eat many greens or grains, unlike their omnivorous dog friends. In fact, without adequate taurine in their body, they are more likely going to develop a dilated cardiomyopathy heart disease.
Conclusion
In order to find the right grain free diet for your cat, research the options available in the market. You should also talk to your vet and ask for recommendations so you can choose a quality cat food that meets the nutritional needs of your cat and to find the cat food that your furry pal will want to eat. Surely, your diligence can go a long way to making sure your cat is healthy now and in the long run.
You should also bear in mind that most cats don’t require a gluten free or grain free diet. To find out if your cat does require grain free diet or not, it’s best to have your cat assessed by your trusted veterinarian.
