Even if you aren’t a health nut yourself, you are most likely knowledgeable about the gluten-free pattern sweeping the nation. Gluten-free food products are appearing on grocery store racks all over the country and increasingly more individuals are switching to the gluten-free diet. What numerous family pet owners do not realize is that the gluten-free diet can be adjusted for felines. In fact, gluten can cause severe digestive problems in cats and even felines that do not experience these issues can take advantage of gluten-free feline food.
Gluten Free Cat Food
Gluten-free feline food does not have to be made with any special active ingredients. The key is to simply select an item that does not count on grains (specifically gluten-containing brains like wheat and barley) for carbs. By meaning, all grain-free cat foods are likewise gluten-free but gluten-free feline foods are not necessarily grain-free. Before you change your feline to a gluten-free cat food, make the effort to learn more about why gluten is bad for felines, how to pick a quality gluten-free feline food, and how to shift your feline onto his brand-new gluten-free cat food.
Why is Gluten Bad for Cats?
Before you can learn why gluten is bad for cats, you need to discover what gluten is. Gluten is a type of plant protein discovered in specific grains like wheat, barley, and rye. This protein serves as a sort of binder, helping to give wheat-based doughs their classic elasticity – gluten is always what offers bread its spongy texture. Gluten can likewise be used as a stabilizing agent in particular foods like ice cream and catsup. In feline food, gluten is not used for any specific purpose most of the times, it is merely a component of grain-based fillers and thickeners that lots of pet food producers use in their items.
There are a number of reasons that gluten is bad for cats. For something, it is a component of many grain-based ingredients which are low in dietary worth for felines. Lots of pet food manufacturers use things like wheat flour or wheat gluten to include bulk to their products without increasing the cost or the meat content. Not only are wheat-based active ingredients low in nutritional value for felines, however they are also among the most common causes of food allergies in animals. Some felines can eat gluten without any issues, but many felines experience gluten allergic reactions or gluten intolerance.
For cats that suffer from gluten allergic reactions, sensitivities, or intolerance, consuming a feline food which contains gluten can cause a variety of undesirable symptoms consisting of the following:
- Diarrhea
- Indigestion
- Vomiting
- Asthma
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Skin problems
Although gluten is a kind of protein, it is not one that can be quickly digested by your cat. Plant proteins are less biologically valuable than animal proteins for this reason. Another reason pet food producers in some cases use gluten-containing components in their products is to increase the protein material without in fact adding more meat. The guaranteed analysis on an animal food label only reveals the minimum worth or protein by percentage, it doesn’t inform you where that protein comes from. You have to in fact evaluate the ingredients list to see what protein sources are used.
Gluten-Free vs. Grain-Free Food
If your cat has trouble tolerating gluten, you should seriously think about changing to a gluten-free or grain-free cat food. Because gluten is a protein found in certain types of grains, grain-free cat foods are inherently gluten-free, however the opposite is not always true. For instance, gluten-free feline foods can still contain gluten-free grains like rice, oats, millet, quinoa, and others. A few of these grains are fairly digestible for cats as long as they are effectively prepared and minimally processed. For instance, entire grain wild rice or entire grain oats are normally thought about to be absorbable carbohydrates for felines and they are included in numerous premium commercial feline foods.
Though gluten-free feline food and grain-free cat food is not constantly the same, they both offer comparable benefits. Aside from relieving digestive issues caused by gluten consumption, both gluten-free and grain-free feline foods have the tendency to be lower in carbohydrate material than traditional kibbles. If you take a look at the components list for a low-grade kibble from an affordable brand you will likely see half a lots carbohydrate sources (or more) with a limited variety of healthy animal proteins and fats. It is essential to bear in mind that cats are obligate predators which indicates that their bodies are adapted to digesting animal items, not plant products. The higher the carbohydrate material of the feline foodstuff, the more difficult it will be for your cat’s body to absorb. If your cat can’t absorb the food you give him, he will not get the crucial nutrients he needs and he might suffer from any variety of nutritional deficiencies or other illness as a result.
It is likewise worth keeping in mind that numerous gluten-free and grain-free feline foods are also low glycemic feline foods. The glycemic index is merely a scale that measures the degree to which certain foodstuff impact the blood sugar level of your feline. High-glycemic foods include things like refined sugar, processed grains, corn, and wheat. When your cat eats these components, it causes his blood glucose levels to spike unexpectedly as the easy sugars enter his blood stream. This spike in blood glucose is regularly followed by a sudden crash. This cycle can result in metabolic stress in felines and it adds to diabetes as well. Low-glycemic components, on the other hand, normally consist of complex grains like brown rice and whole grain oats along with grain-free carbohydrates like tapioca and sweet potato. These ingredients have a lower impact on your cat’s blood sugar level level.
Selecting a High-Protein, Gluten-Free Food
Due to the fact that cats are obligate predators they require a diet that is made up mainly of animal proteins and fats with a limited amount of carbohydrate. When shopping for high-protein, gluten-free feline food you have to take note of two essential parts of the animal food label – the surefire analysis and the components list. The surefire analysis reveals the minimum values for crude protein, crude fat, unrefined fiber and moisture as portions. The greater the protein worth for the item, the much better it is for your feline – it is likewise great to see a low fiber material, no more than 5%. Gluten-free feline food and grain-free feline foods tend to have lower fiber and carb content, though that is not always the case.
While you can start evaluating the quality of a gluten-free cat food by looking at the surefire analysis, you likewise have to take a look at the components list. Remember, protein can originate from either animal-based or plant-based sources and the surefire analysis does not distinguish. The components list will reveal all of the ingredients that are consisted of in the product in descending order by volume. The components at the top of the list exist in the greatest volume, so this is where you wish to see quality animal proteins like fresh meat, meat meals, poultry, fish, and eggs. The first ingredient in a quality animal food will always be a source of animal protein, though numerous quality cat foods include numerous protein sources.
After ensuring that the gluten-free cat food contains a minimum of one quality source of animal protein, you likewise need to check for healthy fats. Fats are the most highly focused source of energy available to cats and, like proteins, they are most biologically valuable when they come from animal-based sources. Things like chicken fat, salmon oil, and other fish oils are important fat sources for felines. Plant-based proteins like flaxseed or canola oil are not always bad for your feline however they are best used as extra sources of fat, not as the sole source of fat.
When it concerns the carbohydrates used in gluten-free cat foods, you desire them to be as digestible as possible. If the dish consists of gluten-free grains you want them to be entire grains, not processed grains – whole grain brown rice, whole grain oats, and whole grain quinoa are some outstanding gluten-free grains. If you want a recipe that is both gluten-free and grain-free you should try to find an item that uses tapioca starch, green peas, potatoes, or sweet potatoes as the primary carb sources. Fresh vegetables and fruits can also be included for a boost of dietary fiber in addition to vital minerals and vitamins. Just be wary of things like tomato pomace, rice hulls, beet pulp, and soybean hulls since these items offer very limited nutritional value.
Transitioning Your Cat onto a Gluten-Free Diet
Even if your cat is experiencing gastrointestinal issues on his present food, you still have to be careful about transitioning him onto a brand-new gluten-free cat food. Making unexpected changes to your cat’s diet can cause additional indigestion which can be undesirable for both you and your cat. When you’ve chosen your new gluten-free feline food you must blend a small amount of it into your feline’s existing food for a couple of days to help start the transition. Start with about 25% of the new food and mix it with 75% of your feline’s old food. After two or 3 days (if your feline doesn’t have a reaction) you can up it to 50% of each food. After another two or 3 days, increase it to 75% new food and 25% old food. Lastly, make the switch to 100% new food once your feline is devoid of digestive issues for a couple of days.
Top Recommended Gluten-Free Cat Food Brands:
If you are thinking about switching your cat over to a gluten-free feline food you will discover that you have numerous choices to pick from. To help you get going in your search, think about some of these top-rated brands of gluten-free and grain-free feline foods.
Timberwolf Organics Serengeti Cat Food Formula
The Timberwolf Organics pet food company markets its products as “natural predator particular animal foods”. Each of their items is designed to supply optimum nutrition while minimizing allergic symptoms. Their items assist to make sure great coat growth and skin health as well as healthy weight upkeep and general health and health and wellbeing. Since Timberwolf Organics family pet food are developed for carnivores, they are made with lots of top quality proteins consisting of meat, poultry and fish with minimal carb content. While other natural pet foods use high volumes of gluten-free grains and carbs, Timberwolf Organics uses percentages of entire grains, vegetables and tumors to provide dietary fiber and healthy nutrients without using too much carbohydrate.
When it concerns high-quality pet products for felines, Timberwolf Organics provides the Serengeti Grain-Free Felid Diet. This diet was influenced by the natural diet of wild felines and it consists of all-natural ingredients in a carnivore-specific dish which contains more than 8 pounds of chicken and fish meal for every single 16.5 pounds of food. This dish offers an unique balance of top quality proteins, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids along with focused sources of natural nutrients that are essential for the whole-body health and health of felines in all life stages. This Serengeti Grain-Free Felid Diet includes digestible carbohydrates like green peas, garbanzo beans, and sweet potatoes so it is naturally gluten-free. It provides a minimum of 36% protein and 18% fat without any more than 2.5% fiber. So, not just is this product gluten-free, but it is high-protein and extremely digestible also.
Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain-Free
The name Blue Buffalo has actually ended up being synonymous with “quality” when it comes to pet food. The Blue Buffalo Company was founded by a pair of concerned family pet owners who wished to create a quality product for their dog and it has blossomed into one of the greatest natural animal food business on the marketplace. Blue Buffalo provides 5 various line of product for cats and dogs including a Natural Veterinary Diet line of products. The other 4 product lines include the BLUE line of natural pet foods, the Basics line of Limited Ingredient Diets, the Wilderness line of protein-rich products, and the Freedom line of grain-free animal foods. All Blue Buffalo’s products likewise include their LifeSource bits which are made from an exclusive mix of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to assist ensure well balanced nutrition.
When it comes to gluten-free cat food, the Blue Buffalo Freedom line of grain-free items is an excellent option. This line includes 5 dry food alternatives and 5 wet food options. Amongst the 5 dry food options there are two traditional adult indoor dishes, one indoor kittycat recipe, one indoor mature adult recipe, and one indoor weight control recipe. For wet foods, the same tastes are available in canned food form. Blue Buffalo Freedom feline foods feature quality proteins like chicken, whitefish, and turkey along with gluten-free carbohydrates like carrots, peas, and sweet potatoes. Each recipe is free from corn, wheat, and soy active ingredients in addition to artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. Not only are these recipes gluten-free, but they are made with dried fermentation items for probiotics as well as chelated minerals to ensure maximum nutrient absorption.
Nature’s Variety Instinct Grain-Free
When it concerns grain-free and gluten-free cat food, few business provide as numerous choices as Nature’s Variety. Nature’s Variety uses two various brands – the Prairie brand name of affordable animal foods and the Instinct line of natural animal foods. Within the Instinct brand there is a variety of line of product. The Instinct Raw line includes a choice of raw bites and raw medallions, both of which are comprised of 95% animal protein with 0% grains and gluten. These raw frozen diets are created to imitate the ancestral diet of wild felines and they are total and balanced for cats in all life stages. If you wish to provide your feline the nutritional advantages of raw food with the benefit of dry food, Nature’s Variety Instinct Raw Boost formulas are a great way to go. These items include grain-free kibble with freeze-dried raw pieces mixed in. You can also acquire Raw Boost Mixers if you want to include freeze-dried nutrition to your cat’s existing diet.
Another option in grain-free and gluten-free nutrition for cats is the Nature’s Variety Instinct Ultimate Protein line of items. This line consists of two dry food alternatives and one damp food option. The two dry food choices are made with either chicken or duck as the primary sources of protein and they are completely gluten- and grain-free, packed with 95% real animal protein. These kibbles are also made with a freeze-dried raw coating for added nutrition and taste your feline makes sure to like. The Instinct Originals line of products consists of four kibble dishes and seven wet food alternatives. Each dish is grain-free and gluten-free, loaded with real animal proteins and healthy vegetables and fruits. These recipes are nutrient-dense, extremely absorbable, and influenced by the ancestral diet of wild cats. No matter which one of Nature’s Variety’s products you choose, your cat is sure to like it.
Halo Grain-Free
The Halo, Purely for Pets Company has actually existed for more than 25 years and they have actually gone far on their own within the holistic family pet food market. This company thinks that quality nutrition is the single essential determining factor in the health and wellness of animals. Halo was established in 1986 when the owner of a feline called Spot set out to develop a homemade diet to address his unique dietary requirements. Ever since, Halo has been an innovator in the natural family pet food industry and they have gained a credibility for offering their customers with honest info and quality nutrition for family pets. The Halo Difference assures that none of their formulas will consist of any chicken meal, rendered meats, or spin-off meals. They use only the best, most top quality components in dishes that are created to provide ideal nutrition for felines in all life stages.
When it concerns gluten-free cat food, Halo uses a variety of grain-free products. For dry food, Halo provides two lines of items – the Vigor line of grain-free alternatives and the Spot’s Stew line of products. Halo Vigor Grain-Free cat foods assure top quality protein sources to build strong muscles, natural plant enzymes for digestive assistance, complex carbs for fiber and energy, and a balance of healthy minerals and vitamins for optimum nutrition. The Spot’s Stew line of grain-free feline foods includes quality proteins like chicken, whitefish, salmon, and game birds with gluten-free carbs like entire peas, sweet potatoes, and green beans. Each recipe is free from artificial colors, tastes, and preservatives, plus they are supplemented with dried fermentation products and chelated minerals to ensure maximum nutrient absorption.
Nutro Grain-Free
The Nutro Natural Choice brand name was established in 1926 and in the years given that their beginning they have actually ended up being a leading name in the family pet nutrition market. Not just do they follow the highest standards for quality in production but they also use the best, most natural active ingredients available. Nutro uses real animal proteins like farm-raised chicken and New Zealand lamb in their solutions as well as whole grains and other natural ingredients. Their recipes are made with a blend of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to guarantee healthy skin and coat in addition to immune system assistance. Nutro grain-free feline foods are supplemented with antioxidants, DHA, and a variety of minerals and vitamins to assist support your feline’s whole body health and health. Their products are also packed with natural flavor!
When it comes to gluten-free feline food, Nutro provides two dry food recipes and a wide array of canned food choices. The two dry recipes are the Salmon & Potato recipe and the Duck & Potato recipe. Each of these dishes includes 0% grains and they are highly absorbable which is essential for felines with sensitivities to grains. Nutro grain-free feline foods are supplemented with anti-oxidants for healthy immunity and nutrient-rich potatoes and peas to offer all-day energy. For grain-free wet foods, Nutro uses a wide variety of products consisting of sliced up meals, minced cuisine, chunky loaf suppers, meat and egg skillets, and more. Their products include quality proteins like salmon, tuna, chicken, turkey, and duck in addition to all the healthy supplements your feline requires for optimal nutrition.
Not all cats have a negative reaction to gluten, however it is undeniable that gluten-containing grains use really minimal nutritional value for felines. If you want to maximize your feline’s nutrition with an animal food product that is likewise extremely digestible, try to find a gluten-free and possibly grain-free product. If you need assistance beginning with your search, think about one of the premier gluten-free feline food brands reviewed above.
Also read: Grain Free Cat Food: Is It Right Choice for Your Pet?
