4 common questions about grain-free dry cat food

Grain-free dry cat food does not have any grain-based or cereal-based ingredients like wheat, barley, corn, or rice. This type of cat food has a high proportion of proteins based on meat meals or fish meals. It is usually recommended for cats that need a high protein and low carbohydrates diet. Thus, cats that are diabetic are given grain-free dry food in their diet.

Grain-free dry cat food is also recommended for cats that have digestion problems. Many grain-free dry cat foods are fortified with probiotics that are beneficial to the gut health of cats. Grain-free dry cat food can also be given to cats who are required to eat gluten-free foods since gluten is a protein usually found in cereals and grains. However, not all gluten-free cat foods are grain-free. Read on to know more about grain-free dry cat food.

What are the benefits of grain-free dry cat food?

• One of the major benefits of giving your cat grain-free dry cat food is that they will get plenty of proteins that meet their dietary requirements. Grain-free dry cat foods contain a greater proportion of meat, fish, and other protein sources such as tapioca and potato. These foods are similar to what cats will find in the wild.
• Some cats can be allergic to grains like barley, rice, corn, and wheat that can cause an upset stomach, or can lead to flaky or itchy coats. Grain-free dry cat foods do not contain any ingredients that may cause allergic reactions in cats that are sensitive to grains. Thus, another benefit of grain-free dry cat food is that it meets all their nutritional requirements without harming the cat.
• Grains are high in carbohydrates and carbohydrates could be unhealthy for cats that are diabetic. Grain-free dry cat food helps control your pet’s insulin levels and prevents unnecessary complications.

What are the drawbacks of grain-free dry cat food?

• Grain-free dry cat foods have high amounts of protein obtained from meat or fish meals. These protein sources also contain high amounts of phosphorus. Although phosphorus is an essential nutrient, foods with high levels of phosphorus can lead to kidney diseases. Grain-free dry cat food is not recommended for cats with kidney disorders.
• Grain-free dry cat food is relatively expensive as dry cat foods usually use grains or cereals as fillers to bring down the cost of cat food. Grain-free dry cat food is more expensive as it has high amounts of meat meal which costs more than grains or cereals.
• Due to a lack of high carbohydrate sources, most grain-free dry cat foods may contain high levels of fats. A constant diet of grain-free dry cat food can lead to weight issues in cats, especially those cats that tend to stay indoors.

What to look for while buying grain-free dry cat food?

• Check the label : It is essential to read the label of cat foods as it contains all the essential information regarding the ingredients and nutritional value of the grain-free dry cat food. You will also find allergy alerts on the label.
• Cost of the dry cat food : Depending on the ingredients used and the brand, the cost of grain-free dry cat food products will vary. Premium cat food will always cost more. These products have exotic flavors and often contain ingredients of the highest quality.
• Artificial preservatives and flavors: The lesser amount of artificial preservatives and flavors present in your cat’s food, the better it is for your cat’s health. Dry cat food has more preservatives than wet cat food to increase their shelf life. Pick the ones that have the lowest percentage of artificial ingredients.

Which are some popular gluten-free dry cat food products?

• Nature’s Variety® Instinct® Grain-Free : This dry cat food is available in two sizes—5 lb. and 11 lb. The price ranges from $20 to $30 approximately. With 81% animal-based ingredients, it does not contain any potato, grain, wheat, corn, soy, or artificial ingredients. It is fortified with probiotics, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids.
• Blue Buffalo for Cats Natural Adult Dry Cat Food : Available in eight different flavors, this dry food for cats is fortified with brown rice along with healthy protein sources. Thus, it is only gluten-free and not grain-free dry cat food. It is available in three different sizes—3 lb, 7 lb, and 15 lb. The price ranges from $10 to $30 approximately.
• Taste of the Wild Grain-Free High Protein Dry Cat Food : Fortified with natural vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and high-quality proteins derived from smoked salmon and roasted venison, this dry cat food is grain-free as well as gluten-free. Available in two sizes (5lb and 15lb), the price ranges from $12 to $30 approximately.

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