Understand Your Cat's Nutritional Needs
When looking for the best low carb dry cat food, it's important to understand your cat's unique nutritional requirements first. While cats are obligate carnivores and require a high amount of protein from animal sources, the quality of that protein matters just as much.
High Protein is Crucial
Cats need a diet with at least 30% high quality protein to support muscle growth and organ function. Look for animal-based proteins like chicken, turkey, lamb or fish rather than plant proteins like corn, wheat or soy.
Also check that the first ingredient listed is a specific animal protein meal such as chicken meal or salmon meal rather than a vague meat meal. This ensures your cat is getting more muscle meat protein.
Moderate Fat Content
Cats also require a moderate fat content to meet energy needs. Kittens and pregnant/nursing cats need around 20% fat while adult cats do well with 15-18%.
Focus on omega-3 and -6 fatty acids from fish, chicken fat and flaxseed rather than corn or soybean oil. These support skin/coat health and limit inflammation.
Understand Carbohydrate Needs
While cats have no essential carbohydrate requirements, low carb cat food can still be beneficial. The right balance of protein, fat and carbs can help manage various health conditions.
Cats Don't Require Carbs
Since cats get energy from protein and fat, carbs in cat food supply no nutritional value. In the wild cats consume less than 2% carbs.
Many commercial cat foods contain up to 50% carbohydrates - mostly inexpensive fillers like corn, wheat and soy. This inappropriate ratio can lead to obesity and diabetes.
Benefits of Low Carb Food
Reducing carb content and increasing animal-based protein and fat provides a more appropriate balance for cats. This can help facilitate weight loss in obese cats while supporting lean muscle mass.
A low carb diet may also help manage certain medical conditions including diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, urinary crystals and chronic kidney disease. Always consult your veterinarian first.
Choose Quality Ingredients
When comparing low carb dry cat food options, the first step is assessing the quality of ingredients.
Seek Out Animal Proteins
The first several ingredients should be specific animal-based proteins like chicken, salmon, turkey, lamb or duck. Avoid generic terms like "meat" or "poultry" as the source is unclear.
Ingredient lists show components by weight. So quality proteins should make up the bulk of the food.
Avoid Unnecessary Fillers
Grains like corn, wheat, rice or soy provide no nutritional value and act as inexpensive filler to keep production costs down.
Avoid artificial preservatives, colors and flavors as well. Your cat's food should mirror the whole prey they would eat in the wild.
Assess Percentage of Carbs
Once you review the ingredients, take a look at the guaranteed analysis on the packaging. This will tell you the exact percentages of protein, fat, fiber and carbs.
Low Carb Foods Have Less Than 20% Carbs
The Association of American Feed Control Officials requires cat foods labeled as "low carb" must contain less than 20% carbs. This typically translates to under 10% in dry matter basis.
Since ingredients include water weight, you'll need to do some calculations. Subtract the percentages of protein, fat, fiber, ash and moisture from 100. The remainder represents the percentage of carbs.
Moisture Varies in Raw and Dry Food
While canned foods average around 78% moisture, dry foods only contain around 10% moisture. This means that dry food carbohydrate percentages are much higher.
So a 20% carb wet food converts to around 4% carbs. But that same 20% in a dry food actually equals nearly 40% carbs!
Add Supplemental Toppers
Transitioning to a low carb dry food can be challenging if your cat is picky. Adding tasty supplemental toppers encourages eating their new food.
Wet Food Adds Moisture
Mixing your cat's dry food with a spoonful of canned food boosts palatability. And since canned foods have much higher protein and lower carbs, it improves the overall nutrient profile.
Just avoid high carb fillers like gravy containing gums or starches. Or stick to plain protein like cooked chicken breast, lean beef or tuna packed in water.
Broths Enhance Flavor
Low sodium chicken, turkey or beef broth can make dry kibble more enticing. Opt for broth containing ingredients like vegetables, herbs and ginger for variety.
Broths add lots of aroma but little calories, allowing you to control caloric intake. Just avoid onion or garlic as this upsets some cat's stomachs.
Understand Health Implications
There are some additional health factors to consider when assessing low carbohydrate dry cat food options.
May Need Increased Hydration
Since dry foods already contain only around 10% moisture, dropping the carb content even further means they can be very dehydrating. Make sure plenty of fresh water is always available.
Adding tasty broths over the food or mixing in some canned food, meat baby food or plain yogurt increases fluid intake also.
Supports Various Health Issues
Studies show low carb cat food helps facilitate weight loss in obese cats more effectively than restricted feeding alone. It also helps minimize rises in blood sugar.
A low carbohydrate diet may also help manage diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, urinary tract infections and kidney disease. Check with your vet.
Compare Ten Top Low Carb Cat Foods
Once you know what to look for in low carbohydrate dry cat food, here is a comparison of 10 top options:
Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Mackerel & Lamb
Made from quality ingredients including antibiotic-free mackerel, lamb, chickpeas, brown rice and vitamins & minerals. Just 7% carbs make it very low carb.Dr. Elsey's cleanprotein Chicken Recipe
Features lean chicken breast as the first ingredient along with nutrient-dense oats and barley. Easy to digest with 18% carbs.Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Duck & Green Pea
Grain-free recipe with duck, duck meal, peas andCanola oil. Lower fat at 10% but higher 17% carbs.Merrick Purrfect Bistro Grain-Free Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe
Grain and gluten-free recipe with deboned chicken, chicken meal and sweet potatoes. Moderate 13% carbs.Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free
Features a blend of chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, peas and sweet potatoes. Higher 28% protein but also 20% carbs.Iams ProActive Health Adult Indoor Weight & Hairball Care
Chicken is the first ingredient. Whole grains provide fiber for digestion and weight management. Lower fat but 24% carbs.Purina ONE Urinary Tract Health Formula
Specially formulated with minerals and vitamins for urinary tract health. Higher 29% protein, 20% fat and 25% carbs.Hill's Prescription Diet Metabolic + Urinary Care
Veterinary formula manages metabolism and urinary issues. High protein and fat with 17% carbs. Requires veterinary authorization.Nutro Wholesome Essentials Indoor Adult Farm-Raised Chicken
Non-GMO chicken meal is first ingredient. Natural fiber sources include brown rice, brewers rice, peas and dried plain beet pulp. Moderate 22% carbs.Wellness Complete Health Natural Grain Free
Features a protein-rich blend of deboned turkey, chicken meal, peas and sweet potatoes. Lower 15% fat but 24% carbs.Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
Add Comment