Most cat parents don’t count carbs in cat food because they think it would be on the bag if it was important. Did you know that cats don’t have a nutritional requirement for carbs in their diet? Carbohydrates in dry cat food is one of the leading causes of diabetes and obesity among other feline ailments.
In order to make a “bite sized crunch” of kibble, it requires a high amount of carbs. They haven’t found a way to hold it together without them. These carbohydrates convert to sugar in the body and create weight gain and inflammation in the body.
Why Aren’t Carbs Listed On The Bag?
Because it is not required for pet food manufacturers to list the amount of carbohydrates in their food, they don’t. It’s a pretty smart marketing scheme because the pet parent has to work for it. And most pet parents won’t. It’s likely that pet food companies would lose a lot of money if they listed the amount of carbs in cat food. We simply wouldn’t buy it if we knew the truth.
And here’s the truth: Cats can process and utilize about 2% of carbohydrates in their diet. The amount of carbs in the majority of cat food is over twenty-five percent. Essentially we are feeding our cats sugar-filled diets by giving them kibble.
How To Count Carbs In Cat Food
If you want to know how many carbohydrates you’re feeding your kitty, here’s a simple equation to count carbs in cat food.
Look at the nutrient profile and add up the protein, fat, moisture and ash. Take that number, subtract it by 100 and you’ll have the percentage of carbs in your cat’s food. If that number scares you (and it should), maybe it’s time to start transitioning your kitty to a more species appropriate diet!
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