If you are a dog or a cat owner, you have probably heard the term grain free pet food at least once or twice. Over the past few years, grain free food for pets has become the new fad. Now can’t go into a pet store without seeing bags off food with the phrase printed on it in large letters.
Many cat owners do all the research they can when it comes to picking out the perfect diet, and going into a pet store can be pretty overwhelming. You may also resort to asking questions in online forums, but getting everyone’s opinion can be confusing and one can easily contradict the next.
So before you go and pick out a food for you furry feline friend, there are a few questions you might want to know. Where did the grain free food options for cats come from? Is a grain free diet bad for cats? Does my cat need to be on a grain free diet?
Is a grain free diet bad for cats?
No, a grain free diet is not bad for cats, and your cat can still live a healthy life without consuming grain in their diet.
While grain free diets can cause heart or digestive problems in other pets, it does not pose an issue for cats.
There are some wild cats, such as lion, tigers, and leopards that don’t eat grains. While domesticated cats have evolved so that their digestive systems can easily break them down, it is not essential for their diet.
While it hasn’t been scientifically proven, many cat owners have claimed positive results after switching to grain-free cat food. Some cat owners have said that it removes matted cat hair and leads to a shiner coat. Other say that their cat’s skin becomes healthier and more smooth.
Why does cat food have grains?
When looking at many brands of cat food, you will often see filler ingredients that cats wouldn’t necessarily eat in the wild. These ingredients, such as barley, corn, wheat, and oats are added to foods because they contain carbs and other nutrients that your cat needs but at a cheaper cost than other ingredients. This helps keep the total cost of the food down.
While some people claim that grains help a cat grow, this is not confirmed.
Does my cat need to be on a grain free diet?
While your cat can certainly live off of a grain free diet, it is not 100% necessary. Just about all cats can successfully digest grain. The only exception is the small percentage of cats that have allergic reactions. If you feed your cat a heavy grain diet and notice they have inflammation or digestion issues, you should try a grain free diet.
How to know if your cat is allergic to grains?
A cat with a grain allergy will exhibit symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, pooping in the house all of a sudden, and various skin conditions. If your cat’s poop smells really bad, it might also be a sign that your cat can’t properly digest grain.
If you notice these issues with your cat you will need to contact your vet to determine the cause. Your vet will evaluate your cat, and if it appears as though these problems are being caused due to an allergy, your vet will do some diagnostic work to determine exactly what your cat is allergic to and will let you know if your cat needs to be on a grain free diet.
Whether you have had your cat for a few years or are looking into getting a new furry friend, you should always consult your vet about any diet concerns you have. When adding a new cat to your family you should discuss with your vet about what diet will be best.
You should also talk with your vet about any potential diet changes for any cat you already might have before making them. From brands, flavors, amounts, and more, your vet will be able to steer you in the right direction when it comes to food for your cat.