Gluten-free cat food, is it really necessary?

What is gluten-free cat food?

Gluten is the protein component of grains, so all grain-free cat foods are gluten-free by default.
Until recently, grain-free cat diets were mostly reserved for specialists. Veterinary nutritionists and dermatologists recommend grain-free foods as part of a treatment plan for cats with unusual sensitivities, allergies or other inflammatory conditions.
After the spread of gluten-free diets for humans in the early 2000s, the pet food sector also underwent changes, with the belief that the benefits of a diet designed for humans could also apply to pets if fed with the same diet. We have seen an increase in the variety of pet foods that are now high in protein and low in carbohydrates. In these grain-free diets, ingredients such as corn and rice have been replaced with other sources of carbohydrates such as potatoes and legumes.

Do cats need grain-free food?
The argument for grain-free cat food was simple: cats in the wild don’t eat grains. You don’t see the lions eating the grain. So, if my cat is descended from wild cats, why would he need grain?
However, the assumption that wild animals naturally consume a diet that perfectly matches their nutritional needs is not entirely accurate. Although feral cats and dogs do not typically ingest starch, dietary studies show that domestic cats can still digest more than 95% of starch.
Grains are added to pet food not as fillers, but as an easily obtainable source of vitamins and energy. When grains are added to cat food, there are no visible negative effects and no reduction in the quality or length of a cat’s life.

What about cats with grain allergies?
Cats diagnosed with allergies to grains such as rice, corn or barley should, of course, eat a diet that does not contain these ingredients.
Food allergies are diagnosed through specific tests and the diagnosis is made by a veterinarian. However, many pet owners decide on their own that their cat is gluten intolerant, without any evidence. Or take the advice of a friend or breeder. They should know that grain food allergies in cats are generally much less common than you think. It could rather be allergies to animal proteins, such as chicken or fish, but this also needs to be proven through laboratory analysis.

What symptoms might a cat with food intolerances exhibit?
If your cat has any health problems, however, you should also consider that diet may be to blame. Here are some of the symptoms that may occur in cats that could suggest celiac disease:
Hair loss
itching
Chronic diarrhea
ASTM
Scabs on the skin
Intestinal problems
Behavioral changes

In specific circumstances, such as cats with documented food allergies, irritable bowel, or other inflammatory conditions, grain-free diets may provide some benefit, as can any diet with ingredients tailored to each individual’s sensitivities and dietary needs..

On our pet food site you will also find products that claim not to contain gluten. Why would you choose such products from the huge variety of cat foods from different manufacturers?
Many pet owners are turning to «trendy» pet foods: vegan, vegetarian, raw, holistic, organic, human-grade, limited ingredient, or grain-free. Although each of these diets has its advantages and disadvantages, over the last 20 years grain-free, i.e. gluten-free, cat foods have proven to be among the most popular.

What is gluten-free cat food?

Gluten is the protein component of grains, so all grain-free cat foods are gluten-free by default.
Until recently, grain-free cat diets were mostly reserved for specialists. Veterinary nutritionists and dermatologists recommend grain-free foods as part of a treatment plan for cats with unusual sensitivities, allergies or other inflammatory conditions.
After the spread of gluten-free diets for humans in the early 2000s, the pet food sector also underwent changes, with the belief that the benefits of a diet designed for humans could also apply to pets if fed with the same diet. We have seen an increase in the variety of pet foods that are now high in protein and low in carbohydrates. In these grain-free diets, ingredients such as corn and rice have been replaced with other sources of carbohydrates such as potatoes and legumes.

Do cats need grain-free food?

The argument for grain-free cat food was simple: cats in the wild don’t eat grains. You don’t see the lions eating the grain. So, if my cat is descended from wild cats, why would he need grain?
However, the assumption that wild animals naturally consume a diet that perfectly matches their nutritional needs is not entirely accurate. Although feral cats and dogs do not typically ingest starch, dietary studies show that domestic cats can still digest more than 95% of starch.
Grains are added to pet food not as fillers, but as an easily obtainable source of vitamins and energy. When grains are added to cat food, there are no visible negative effects and no reduction in the quality or length of a cat’s life.

What about cats with grain allergies?

Cats diagnosed with allergies to grains such as rice, corn or barley should, of course, eat a diet that does not contain these ingredients.
Food allergies are diagnosed through specific tests and the diagnosis is made by a veterinarian. However, many pet owners decide on their own that their cat is gluten intolerant, without any evidence. Or take the advice of a friend or breeder. They should know that grain food allergies in cats are generally much less common than you think. It could rather be allergies to animal proteins, such as chicken or fish, but this also needs to be proven through laboratory analysis.

What symptoms might a cat with food intolerances exhibit?
If your cat has any health problems, however, you should also consider that diet may be to blame. Here are some of the symptoms that may occur in cats that could suggest celiac disease:
Hair loss
itching
Chronic diarrhea
ASTM
Scabs on the skin
Intestinal problems
Behavioral changes

In specific circumstances, such as cats with documented food allergies, irritable bowel, or other inflammatory conditions, grain-free diets may provide some benefit, as can any diet with ingredients tailored to each individual’s sensitivities and dietary needs.

The bottom line is that cat food should be chosen on the advice of your veterinarian. If you are advised to eliminate gluten from your pet’s diet, then suggests you try the special products for cats with food intolerances from the Advance or Versele Laga range.