People “go gluten free” all the time. But what about pets? Would a gluten free diet benefit your pet? The market today offers a variety of delicious, nutritionally-complete gluten free pet foods, including options for cats.
They are formulated to optimize nutritional benefit and support your pet’s overall health. If you are thinking of changing your cat’s diet, you should consider gluten free cat food.
What is Gluten Free Pet Food?
In pet food, “gluten” describes the portion of protein in grains such as barley, wheat, and rye. Gluten is naturally absent from potatoes, corn, quinoa, rice, and most oat varieties. Gluten provides a superb protein source for animals that are not sensitive to it.
It is important to keep in mind that gluten free does not always mean grain free. If you are considering a gluten free cat food option for your feline companion, you need to make sure to check the label.
It may say “gluten free” but that does not mean that it does not contain grains like corn, oats, quinoa, rice, and millet. If you do not want to feed your cat any grain at all, be sure to choose a cat food that is completely grain free.
Why Select Gluten Free Cat Food?
Contrary to popular belief, most cats can easily digest grains, including those that contain gluten.
But grains do not meet their nutritional needs. There are also a small percentage of cats that may have a negative reaction to gluten and exhibit skin and/or ear problems and gastrointestinal issues. Symptoms of sensitivity or intolerance to gluten may include:
Constipation
Vomiting
Redness, rashes, or bumps on skin
Chronic dry, flaky skin
Constant scratching
Hair loss
Diarrhea
Chronic ear infections
A gluten free diet may benefit cats exhibiting these symptoms on a regular basis. However, it is important to keep in mind that these same symptoms may be caused by problems other than gluten sensitivity or intolerance.
You should work closely with your veterinarian for a proper diagnosis before assuming that they are caused by gluten.
Give Your Cat the Benefits of a Gluten Free Diet
You will find a wide range of high-quality options if you are considering feeding your feline friend a gluten free diet.
You can be sit back and smile that you will find one that they love. With so many benefits of gluten free cat food, it is definitely the right choice for your pet. Tasty and nutritious, you can be sure that it will make your cat purr with satisfaction every time you feed him or her.