Cats are completely carnivorous animals, so their natural diet is a grain-free one. The main reason most cat foods contain grains is the price of the ingredients, as meat and fish are more expensive than rice and wheat.
That said, grain-free cat food is a more digestible option for our feline friends, especially suitable for cats with sensitive stomachs or problems with allergies and intolerances.
What are the benefits of grain-free cat food?
Grain-free food for cats is an ideal option for pets with digestive problems. Here are all the benefits that a grain-free diet offers our furry companions:
- Fewer allergies and intolerances. Many cats are allergic to certain cereals. That is why grain-free food significantly reduces the chances of triggering allergic reactions.
- Easy digestion. Felines digest proteins and fats better than carbohydrates. The high digestibility of grain-free food promotes gut health and increases nutrient absorption.
- Sustained energy supply. With grain-free cat food, your cat gets its energy more gradually, without blood sugar spikes and with less chance of accumulating fat.
- Maintenance of oral and dental health. Grain-free food reduces the build-up of tartar and bad-breath problems.
- Hairball control. Grain-free food is usually rich in dietary fibre, which prevents the formation of hairballs and avoids intestinal blockages.
What features should a grain-free cat food have?
Not all grain-free foods on the market are safe, healthy and high-quality options. If you want to choose the best grain-free cat food, it is important to make sure it meets the following characteristics:
- It contains no meat meals or other animal by-products. Check the labels and rule out foods made with animal by-products. They are not good-quality protein sources, and therefore the digestive system of our feline friends has trouble digesting them.
- It includes quality proteins. Give priority to foods made with a single source of quality animal protein, whether fish such as salmon or hake, or meats such as turkey, chicken, rabbit and lamb.
- It uses digestible carbohydrate sources. Grain-free cat food should use light, healthy carbohydrate sources such as pumpkin, which can easily be absorbed by our cats' digestive system.
- It adds dietary fibre and probiotics. To look after the gastrointestinal health of our pets, the best grain-free cat foods include dietary fibre and probiotics, which improve kidney function and prevent the formation of hairballs.
Why is grain-free food recommended for neutered cats?
Cats that have been neutered have a greater tendency to develop weight problems. This is due to a decrease in physical activity and a loss of control over the amount of food they eat.
To prevent obesity, it is advisable to adjust the daily amount of food and even switch to a special diet for neutered cats. Grain-free food for neutered cats is an ideal option for controlling the weight of neutered cats, thanks to its low proportion of carbohydrates and high fibre content. Dietary fibres are satiating components that help prevent your cat from eating more food than it really needs.
