Is Grain-Free bad for cats?π€
Grain-free cat food is a rather recent development in the feline nutrition. There are still studies going on on whether this type of diet is actually healthy for our cats, but it’s clear that there are some benefits to feeding your friend grain-free cat food.
An often brought-up an argument against feeding your cats with grain-free cat food is that they lack essential nutrients and have less energy than their peers fed with more traditional dry or canned foods.
However, these claims have been debunked by several different researchers and the vast majority of veterinarians will tell you that a quality grain-free diet can be perfectly healthy, even if it lacks some nutrients from grains.
If you’ve been following my blog , I talk about nothing but cat food and diets, so you probably already know that I’m a big advocate of grain-free cat food.
I’ve been feeding my cats with this type of diet for years now, and it’s always worked out well for me and them.
Even though they’re not all strictly grain-free (I feed one of them both wet and dry foods), the ones on pure grain-free cat food have all done very well on their diet.
Of course there are some downsides to feeding your cat(s) only with grain-free cat food too. For example, we risk to run into deficiencies in certain nutrients if our kitty has never eaten any other type of food before.
However, even this is easily remedied by feeding your cat a bit of grain once in a while (small amounts and for short periods).
So, what’s the verdict?
Contents
- 1 So, what’s the verdict?
- 1.1 Do Cats have dog food?
- 1.2 Is grain-free bad for cats?
- 1.2.1 1. Wellness: Simply 8 Chicken and Turkey Cat Foods
- 1.2.2 2. Orijen: Six Fish Cat Foods
- 1.2.3 3. Acana: Heritage Meats Cat Foods
- 1.2.4 4. NomNomNow: Fresh Mix Grain-Free Cat Food
- 1.2.5 5. Instinct: Limited Ingredient Diet Grain Free Cat Food
- 1.2.6 6. Blue Buffalo: Wilderness Grain Free Cat Food
- 1.2.7 7. Wellness: Core Grain Free Cat Food
- 1.2.8 8. Tiki: CatCans Grain Free Wet Food
- 1.2.9 9. Purina: ONE True Nature Indoor Advantage Cat Food
- 1.2.10 10. Taste of the Wild: High Prairie Grain Free Dog Food
Feeding your cats with only grain-free food is not necessarily bad for them. As long as they can digest it well, don’t suffer from allergies and get all the nutrients they need through their diet, this type of feline nutrition can be perfectly healthy.
If you want to feed your kitty on grain-free food but are afraid that she might miss out on some essential nutrients, consult your veterinarian first and start adding very small amounts of grains back into her diet.
Doing so should give you peace of mind and still allow your furry friend to enjoy her favorite food: good old cat biscuits!
Do Cats have dog food?
Yes, cats can eat dog food, but it’s not recommended. Dog food is typically higher in fat and protein than cat food, so it can cause weight gain and other health problems in cats.
Cats also need more taurine (an essential amino acid) than dogs do, and commercial dog food doesn’t always have enough taurine to meet a cat’s needs.
If you do choose to feed your cat dog food, make sure that it’s a high-quality product designed for cats and that you’re providing her with plenty of fresh water to drink. You should also consult your veterinarian to make sure that your cat’s diet is still meeting all her nutritional needs.
Is grain-free bad for cats?
Grain-free cat food is a rather recent development in feline nutrition. There are still studies going on whether this type of diet is actually healthy for our cats, but it’s clear that there are some benefits to feeding your friend grain-free cat food.
An often brought-up argument against feeding your cats with grain-free cat food is that they lack essential nutrients and have less energy than their peers fed with more traditional dry or canned foods.
However, these claims have been debunked by several different researchers and the vast majority of veterinarians will tell you that a quality grain-free diet can be perfectly healthy, even if it lacks some nutrients from grains.
What is the best grain-free wet cat food?
The best grain-free wet food will vary by preference and ingredient concern. You may want to choose one that will help with weight management if your cat is overweight or contains supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health.
If your cat has allergies, consider looking at specific ingredients used in the formula as well as where the ingredients come from (i.e., North America versus other countries). This research can help determine which options will best fit your cat’s health and dietary needs.
Whether you want to feed your indoor or outdoor cat, we’ve compiled a list of the top ten best grain free cat food brands based on our extensive research:
1. Wellness: Simply 8 Chicken and Turkey Cat Foods
The Wellness: Simply 8 line is grain-free and offers a variety of formulas that are high in protein and contain no fillers or by-products. The recipes use whole meats as the No. 1 ingredient and all include eight superfoods like sweet potatoes, kale, flax seed, blueberries, etc., which provide antioxidants for improved heart health and immune system function. Offered in wet, dry, and freeze-dried raw options;
2. Orijen: Six Fish Cat Foods
Orijen’s cat foods are grain-free and made with regional ingredients from sustainably managed fisheries across North America. The recipes are 85% meat and organs, providing a biologically appropriate diet for cats. All formulas are low in carbohydrates and high in healthy Omega-3 fatty acids. Offered in wet, dry, and freeze-dried raw options;
3. Acana: Heritage Meats Cat Foods
Acana’s cat foods are grain-free and made with fresh regional ingredients including heritage red meats, free-run poultry, and wild-caught fish. The recipes are designed to mirror your cat’s natural diet and are 85% meat or fish with no grains, potato, or plant proteins. All formulas are low in carbohydrates and rich in healthy Omega-3 fatty acids. Offered in wet, dry, and freeze-dried raw options;
4. NomNomNow: Fresh Mix Grain-Free Cat Food
This company offers fresh, preservative-free, made-to-order meals for cats that are grain-free and designed to meet the individual nutritional needs of each cat. The recipes are made with human-grade ingredients and cooked at low temperatures to preserve nutrients. Meals can be customized to include specific supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health.
5. Instinct: Limited Ingredient Diet Grain Free Cat Food
Instinct’s limited ingredient diet grain-free cat food is made with a single source of animal protein and carbohydrate. This is ideal for cats with food allergies or sensitivities. The recipe is also gluten free and potato free. It is made with freeze-dried raw ingredients for maximum nutrition and flavor.
6. Blue Buffalo: Wilderness Grain Free Cat Food
The Blue Buffalo wilderness line of cat food is grain-free and features high quality, natural ingredients including healthy fruits and vegetables. The recipes are based on the diet of wild cats and are rich in protein as well as Omega-3 fatty acids for skin and coat health. The line includes wet, dry, and freeze-dried raw options;
7. Wellness: Core Grain Free Cat Food
Wellness’ core grain free cat food is made with rich meats like turkey, chicken, and salmon that are slow-cooked for maximum nutrition. The recipes contain no wheat or flour and include healthy ingredients like chelated minerals for improved nutrient absorption and kelp meal for a natural source of essential fatty acids. Wellness provides wet, dry, and freeze-dried raw options;
8. Tiki: CatCans Grain Free Wet Food
Tiki’s canned foods come in easy to serve pouches and cans and provide complete and balanced diets for cats of all life stages. All formulas are grain free and made with fresh regional ingredients including cold water fish from pristine waters off the coast of New Zealand. They also don’t add any grains like corn, wheat, or rice to their recipes;
9. Purina: ONE True Nature Indoor Advantage Cat Food
The Purina Pro Plan one indoor advantage line of cat food is grain-free and contains zero artificial flavors or preservatives. It features real turkey as the No. 1 ingredient, which provides high levels of natural protein for lean muscles and energy. The food’s low in carbohydrates and sodium with added vitamins and minerals for complete nutrition. Available in wet, dry, and freeze-dried raw options;
10. Taste of the Wild: High Prairie Grain Free Dog Food
Taste of the Wild’s formula is made with hearty cuts of meat that are oven baked to seal in the flavors without any need for artificial preservatives or flavors. The recipe is grain-free and includes sweet potatoes, peas, and other healthy vegetables for a balanced diet. It is also enriched with antioxidants, omega fatty acids, and probiotics for digestive health;
There you have it β the 10 best grain-free cat food brands according to our experts. As you can see, there are many great options to choose from, so no matter what your cat’s individual needs may be, you’re sure to find a formula that’s perfect for them. Remember to always consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your pet’s diet.
What is a grain-free diet?
A grain-free diet is a diet that excludes all grains, including wheat, corn, and rice. This can be beneficial for cats with food allergies or sensitivities to grains.
What are the benefits of a grain-free diet for cats?
There are many benefits of a grain-free diet for cats. Grain-free diets are typically high in protein and low in carbohydrates. This can be beneficial for cats who are prone to weight gain or who have diabetes or other metabolic disorders. Grain-free diets can also help to reduce inflammation in cats with allergies or sensitivities to grains.
If your cat is on a grain-free diet, you should not feed them any type of dry food that contains wheat gluten. It can be fatal for cats who are allergic to it.