Discover the best grain-free dry food for cats
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What is the best grain-free dry cat food in 2024?
Cats are strict carnivores, which means they have high protein needs and meat has to be an essential part of their diet. Grain-free cat food is the closest thing to the natural cat diet.
Do you have to give your cat grain-free food? Unlike dogs, cats are carnivorous animals whose bodies require a much higher amount of protein than dogs. As a result, only the kibbles adapted to their body provide cats with all the nutrients they need.
There are different types of grain-free cat food: kibbles for overweight cats, neutered adult cats as well as for kittens and seniors. Grain-free dry food is also available in a range of flavours, including chicken, turkey and fish.
Faced with such a wide range of products on the market, you are probably wondering which is the best grain-free dry food for cats and what is the point of giving this type of kibble to your pet in the first place. Our comparison will help you choose the best kibbles for your cat.
Summary
- What is the point of giving my cat grain-free dry food?
- Grain-free cat food vs. natural cat food: what is the difference?
- How do I get my cat used to grain-free dry food?
- At what age can I start giving grain-free kibble to my cat?
- Where do I buy grain-free food for my cat?
- How much grain-free dry cat food should I give my cat?
What is the point of giving my cat grain-free dry food?
Cats are strict carnivores. In other words, their diet must consist primarily of animal proteins such as meat, poultry, fish, and include a small portion of vegetables or fruit. It is estimated that protein should make up 40% of a cat's daily diet. Giving your cat cereal-free dry food means staying very close to the natural diet of felines because such cat food contains more protein and essential amino acids. In addition, grain-free kibbles are generally very digestible and are suitable for sensitive cats with food allergies or intolerances. The fibres and minerals in these grain-free dry cat foods provide relief for animals suffering from digestive problems such as diarrhoea and constipation.
Grain-free cat food vs. natural cat food: what is the difference?
Cats are hyper-carnivores, which means that they feed largely on animal proteins. Cereal-free cat food is the closest thing to a natural cat diet. It contains a high level of animal protein and provides a sufficient supply of amino acids, which are essential for your cat's vitality and maintaining muscle mass. It also has small amounts of vegetables and special nutrients that aid digestion.
Natural cat food, on the other hand, consists exclusively of organic ingredients. At first glance, the idea of buying natural kibbles seems interesting, but they contain large amounts of cereals and legumes. These ingredients do not meet the requirements of an adult cat, whose diet should consist primarily of protein.
How do I get my cat used to grain-free dry food?
If you are considering changing your cat's diet, it is important to take a step-by-step approach to avoid the digestive problems that might occur during the transition, such as diarrhoea. You should create a transition phase between your cat's old food and their new grain-free kibble. Be patient, as this transition will take several weeks. We recommend mixing the old kibble with the new grain-free dry cat food, gradually increasing the proportion of the new one. On the first day, your cat's bowl should have 80% old kibble and 20% new one. Increase the amount of the new food every day until it completely replaces the old kibble.
At what age can I start giving grain-free kibble to my cat?
During their first month, kittens feed on their mother's milk. After the first month, they can be fed dry food specially designed for kittens. In other words, as soon as the kittens are weaned, they can be given grain-free dry food for kittens. However, certain feeding practices are recommended. For example, it is advisable to vary the diet until the age of six months by offering fresh or canned food as well as kibble.
Where do I buy grain-free food for my cat?
The range of cat food on offer is constantly growing. If you want to buy inexpensive grain-free dry cat food, you can opt either for traditional supermarkets, which offer a wide choice or for specialised sites or generalist online shops. These e-commerce sites offer numerous types of product. You will be spoilt for choice depending on the needs of your cat.
How much grain-free dry cat food should I give my cat?
Every cat is different. A cat's diet varies according to their weight, sex, age, breed, character and whether they live indoors or outdoors. This makes perfect sense: the nutritional requirements of a kitten are not the same as those of an older cat or a nursing female. Another point to consider is that cats eat in small portions – up to ten times a day!
