Carbohydrates Don’t Belong in a Domestic Cat’s Food Bowl

Cats are carnivores, yet a large proportion of domestic cats eat carbohydrate-rich food every day. According to veterinarian Johanna Anturaniemi, cats do not need grains or any other carbohydrates in their diet. A meat-based, moist diet best supports a cat’s metabolism, digestion, and fluid balance.

A cat vocalizes when its stomach is upset. The best way to keep your own whiskered companion’s stomach happy is to avoid grains and other carbohydrates in a cat’s diet.

“Cats are able to digest carbohydrates, but their further processing in the body is not as efficient as in omnivores or herbivores,” says veterinarian and nutrition planner Johanna Anturaniemi.

In recent years, awareness of feline nutrition has increased. Grain-free feeding has also become a strong trend in the pet food industry.

“Grain-free options are available in dry food, wet food, and treats, which reflects consumer interest. Grain-free products have expanded from specialty diets into mainstream options on supermarket shelves as well,” says Reija Hoffrén, Innovation Director at Prima Pet.

Still, one essential point is often overlooked. Along with grains, cats do not need other carbohydrates in their diet either.

“Many cats appear to do well even on food that contains grains. However, it is important to remember that not all health effects are immediately visible,” Anturaniemi says.

At a veterinary clinic, a cat suffering from stomach problems is a common patient. Cats experience a relatively high number of gastrointestinal issues. Symptoms often ease with dietary changes, in practice, by reducing carbohydrates.

The Effects of Carbohydrates on a Cat’s Stomach

“A high amount of carbohydrates can cause loose stools and digestive problems in cats. When carbohydrates are removed, stools often begin to firm up and the cat’s overall well-being improves,” Anturaniemi says.

Although research data on the subject remains limited, extensive clinical experience has been accumulated over time. Observations of the negative effects of carbohydrates and plant-based proteins are clear.

“In the long run, carbohydrates can cause irritation in a cat’s gastrointestinal tract. The stomach is certainly painful if the stool is loose all the time. A cat’s intestines can become inflamed if their function is constantly disrupted,” Anturaniemi says.

Dry Food Is an Easy Choice for Cat Owners

When Anturaniemi closes the clinic door in the afternoon, everyday life surrounded by animals continues. At home, she has cats and dogs.

“I have never given dry food to my own cats, and they have always been well,” Anturaniemi says.

Dry foods almost without exception contain carbohydrates, as they cannot be manufactured without starch.

“Even if dry food does not contain traditional grains, they must be replaced with corn, legumes, or other plant-based proteins, which also do not belong in the natural diet of a prey-eating cat,” Anturaniemi says.

Why Wet Food Is Better for a Cat’s Health

A carbohydrate-rich diet is also easily reflected in a cat’s blood sugar levels. Instead of remaining stable, blood glucose fluctuates sharply. Anturaniemi recommends a meat-based, moist diet rather than carbohydrates, as it supports both metabolism and fluid balance.

“When a cat gets its primary energy from fat and protein, it is able to maintain muscle mass. The feeling of satiety is better when a cat produces the glucose it needs from protein. In this way, glucose is released into the bloodstream more slowly than when starch is broken down,” Anturaniemi explains.

In recent years, the product ranges in grocery stores have become more diverse. Stomach-friendly cat food is easy to purchase during a regular shopping trip.

“Cat food must contain sufficient animal-based protein and essential amino acids such as taurine. In addition, nutrients must be balanced to meet a cat’s species-specific needs,” Hoffrén says.

Feeding Is Guided by Trends Rather Than Biology

Cats tolerate different grains individually, but focusing on individual grains is beside the point.

“I would consider it most essential that cats do not need carbohydrates, but rather plenty of protein and an appropriate amount of fat. In other words, stomach-friendly feeding for cats is not very complicated, if you don’t make it so,” Anturaniemi says.

This raises the question: why are carbohydrates still fed to cats? The explanation lies in habits and marketing.

“Cat food is often kept available all day, but wet food cannot sit in the bowl all day. It is better to feed a cat three wet food meals a day, so the cat is fed often enough.”

“Cats are carnivores for whom the nutritional value of grains is minimal. For this reason, grain-free feeding is also seen as a way to provide cats with a more species-appropriate diet,” Hoffrén says.