Gluten free cat food, also sometimes referred to as “grain-free” cat food, has grown quite popular among pet parents. But is it a healthier choice? Read on to learn how to choose the best diet for your kitty.
Humans aren’t the only ones obsessed with gluten-free diet. The hype associated with eating gluten-free foods has apparently clawed its way into the billion-dollar cat food industry as well (pun intended).
Many scientists believe that a gluten free diet is more suitable for the feline population since they are carnivores. In other words, a diet rich in proteins more closely resembles their natural diet than grain-based carbs.
But how do you determine if gluten-free is the way to go for your cat?
The Problem with Grains
It’s true that mass-consumed grains like wheat, corn, and rice make the base for several cat food brands in the market. These grains are cheap to grow and they allow the food producers to meet the minimum carbohydrate requirements for their foods.
However, consuming these grains can be majorly harmful for some cats. Just like humans, some cats are naturally allergic to grains while others are simply unable to digest them properly. That’s because cats weren’t designed to do so, according to some experts.
Cats lack a salivary enzyme known as amylase which helps break down carbs like wheat and corn before they get to the stomach.
If you look at the diet of wild cats, they consume more protein and only a very small amount of carbs which is naturally present in the proteins (or animals) they eat.
Benefits of Gluten Free Cat Food
While some cats thrive on a gluten-free diet, not all do. Here are the most common advantages of gluten/grain-free cat food:
Healthy cat food that is free of grains could include more of the natural ingredients that your feline baby would be consuming in the wild. For example, proteins such as fish and other meats are abundant in some grain-free cat food brands.
Note: It’s important to know that many grain-free cat food manufacturers simply substitute other glycemic carb sources like tapioca and potato, which are pretty similar to grains nutrient-wise.
Since some cats are allergic to grains, a grain-free diet helps eliminate the ingredients that may spell trouble for the cat’s health.
How to Buy Gluten Free Cat Food
You should consider talking to your veterinarian first regarding whether gluten-free cat food is a good choice for your cat.
If you’re looking for a brand that offers all-natural, premium cat food, we recommend choosing Snappy Tom. Our #1 priority is to make sure your cat remains healthy and happy, and that’s why our main ingredient is real fish and chicken. Go ahead and try it. Your cat will thank you.