Why grain in cat food is bad: 7 alarming facts for cat owners
Why do some manufacturers use grain in cat food and why is this a problem?
Fact 1: Your cat is a carnivore by nature and NOT a vegetarian!
Just one look into the mouth of your velvet paw reveals that your cuddly kitty is a real carnivore with sharp little teeth. These are not for chewing grain, as cats lack the flat molars that are typical of herbivores. The entire gastrointestinal tract of carnivores is generally shorter than that of herbivores and is specially designed for high-protein, low-carbohydrate food.
Fact 2: Cats lack crucial enzymes for grain digestion
As true meat lovers, cats are not able to break down complex carbohydrates efficiently. They lack the necessary enzymes to do this. Grain in cat food places an enormous burden on your cat's digestive system, for which it is not evolutionarily designed.
Fact 3: Natural feeding behaviour speaks against grain feeding
In the wild, cats hunt small prey such as mice, fish and insects. As they are rich in proteins and fats but contain hardly any carbohydrates, they ideally cover the energy requirements of cats. Cats prefer to eat several small meals throughout the day.
If cats do eat small amounts of grain in the wild, this comes from the stomach of their prey and is already pre-digested. So why do so many cat foods contain grain? The answer is simple:
Fact 4: Cereals are a cheap filler, but contain no valuable nutrients
For manufacturers, grain is a relatively inexpensive filler. It increases the volume of the food and serves as a short-term filler. The nutrients that are really important for cats are usually added artificially to these types of food - a diversion that hardly fulfils their natural nutritional requirements. For this reason alone, you should definitely buy grain-free, high-quality food.
Grain in cat food can put a strain on digestion
Grain and vegetable by-products are difficult or impossible for your cat's digestive system to utilise. The consequences: Flatulence, diarrhoea and even vomiting. Your cat's little body has to expend a lot of energy to digest cat food containing grain and receives very few nutrients in comparison. This can lead to your cat feeling very tired.
Fact 6: Allergies and intolerances are on the rise
Many types of grain contain gluten - and this can trigger allergies in cats. Feeding a food with a high proportion of cereals over a long period of time can lead to skin problems, gastrointestinal complaints and other allergic reactions.
Fact 7: Long-term health risks are increasing
There are indications that a diet high in cereals could put a strain on the kidneys in cats. However, a clear scientific link has not yet been proven. However, as kidney problems are one of the most common diseases in older cats, this is an aspect that should not be underestimated. As you can see, cereals in a cat's diet are definitely problematic and should be avoided wherever possible.
How do I find the right grain-free food for my cat?
1. Pay attention to a transparent declaration
Take a close look when buying food so that you can guarantee your pet a healthy, balanced and species-appropriate diet. Take a look at the label to see the list of ingredients. Premium varieties, such as our PORTA21 Premium lines, usually provide precise information with exact percentages.
2. Avoid certain terms
You can recognise a good grain-free cat food by the absence of vague terms such as ‘animal by-products’ in the list of ingredients. It also contains no artificial flavourings. The more specific the name of the meat source is (e.g. ‘chicken’ instead of ‘meat and animal by-products’), the better.
3. Choose food with a high protein content
As cats are carnivores by nature and are active hunters, their food should have a high protein content. Quality grain-free cat food usually contains at least 30% protein, mainly from animal sources.
4. Look for alternative sources of carbohydrates
Grain-free food does not automatically mean that it contains no carbohydrates. This is because many manufacturers replace grain with alternative carbohydrate sources such as potatoes or peas. These are often better tolerated by cats, but they should not be the main component of the food.
What should I do if my cat doesn't like the grain-free food?
Cheap cat food often contains not only grain, but also flavour enhancers. That's why switching to a grain-free alternative can be quite difficult. But don't worry, we have some tips for you on how to make it work:
1. Slowly introduce your cat to the new food
Cats are creatures of habit. It is therefore better to mix small amounts of the new food with the usual food at first. Over a period of one to two weeks, you can slowly increase the proportion of the healthy alternative.
2. Be patient
Even if your cat is initially critical of the new food, you should not give up straight away. Change takes time, but at the same time you should remain steadfast. After all, you are doing something good for your pet in the long term with a high-quality, grain-free food.
3. Trick them with appetisers
Sometimes it can be a little extra treat to make the new food more palatable. For example, we recommend adding a few flakes of our grain-free Cat Caviar or freeze-dried snack cubes as a topping to the food.
Conclusion: A grain-free diet is the be-all and end-all for a healthier cat life
These facts show why a grain-free diet is important for cats and why you should definitely pay attention to a high-quality, grain-free cat diet. This is not only more species-appropriate, but also healthier for your furry four-legged friend. High-quality food is an investment in your cat's health - and can save vet costs in the long term. Your tiger will have fewer health problems and feel more vitality.
Our recommendations:
🐾 For all cats: If you're looking for high-quality, grain-free food, it's worth taking a look at our Porta21 Premium line, which contains no artificial additives.
🐾 For little sweet tooths: With our superfood ice cream mix, you can offer your cat a special treat. There are also matching ice cream moulds for homemade ice cream creations in our shop.
🐾 For health right from the start: Our kitten starter pack is perfectly tailored to small cat stomachs.
Which grain-free food do you think your cat will love? Try it out and say goodbye to grain in cat food once and for all!
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