Is Kibble Bad For Cats? What You Need To Know.

When you really start looking into what cats require nutritionally, it doesn’t take long to think “Wait – is kibble bad for cats?”

For the record, we’re not fans of a blanket ‘bad’ label. Twenty years ago, we only fed our cats kibble – for several reasons – but it really boiled down to 2 things: Budget and knowledge.

We certainly didn’t prioritize a line item in our budget for cat food (or our food at the time). We purchased what we could afford. We also just assumed that anything being sold on a shelf in the cat food aisle was good.

While this article  won’t deep dive into the history of the pet food industry or the biology of our cats, let’s explore kibble and why it is not the best option for our cats.

How Kibble Is Processed and Why It Matters

 

Understanding how kibble is made provides important context for why many dry foods fall short of supporting longevity.

A big reason kibble is ‘bad’ for cats is that most dry cat foods are produced using rendered ingredients. Rendering involves cooking animal materials at very high temperatures to separate fats and proteins, which are then processed further and formed into kibble through a method called extrusion.

Extrusion uses intense heat and pressure to create dry pieces of “food”. While this process allows kibble to be shelf-stable and convenient, it also reduces the nutritional value needed by cats. This is why synthetic vitamins and minerals are typically added back into kibble after processing to meet basic nutritional standards.

Pet food regulations allow certain animal by-products to be used and labeling laws do not require companies to list every individual source ingredient. As a result, cat parents often have limited transparency into sourcing and processing.

 

Hydration and the Low Thirst Drive of Cats

 

One of our biggest concerns with feeding kibble is hydration. Cats have a naturally low thirst drive and are biologically designed to get most of their moisture from food rather than from a water bowl.

Unlike dogs, cats tend to take in very small amounts of water when they drink. Even cats that visit the water bowl regularly may not consume enough to meet what is needed to keep them hydrated.

This is why a moisture-rich diet is vital for cats. Diets lacking adequate moisture have been associated with increased risks of urinary tract issues, kidney stress, and other chronic health concerns.

 

The Myth That Kibble Cleans Cats’ Teeth

 

Another widely shared belief is that kibble helps clean a cat’s teeth. This idea does not reflect how cats eat. Most cats do not chew their food thoroughly. Kibble is often swallowed whole. Because of this, there is little to no abrasive action on the teeth.

Additionally, kibble contains a significant amount of carbohydrates that are used as binders during manufacturing. These starches can contribute to plaque buildup in the mouth. Much like dry, starchy foods do not improve dental health in humans, kibble does not provide reliable dental benefits for cats.

In fact, it’s estimated that about 90% of domestic cats in the US eat a kibble only diet. If kibble did clean teeth, we would not see 70% of cat suffering from dental disease by the age of just 3 years old – or more than 85% of cats aged 6 and older.

 

The Carbohydrate Content of Kibble

Even premium dry cat foods typically contain 40 to 60 percent carbohydrates, while a cat’s natural prey-based diet contains less than 2 percent carbohydrates.

Carbohydrates are not biologically required by cats. However, they are necessary to form and hold together dry kibble. Ingredients such as grains, potatoes, and legumes are commonly used for this purpose.

Carbohydrate content is not required to be listed on pet food labels, which can make it difficult for cat parents to assess how much starch their cat is consuming. Diets consistently high in carbohydrates may be associated with obesity, diabetes, and chronic kidney issues in cats.

 

A Practical and Compassionate Approach to Feeding Cats

 

We understand that not every cat parent is able to feed a fully moisture-rich diet. We know from experience that financial considerations, household dynamics, and picky eaters are real challenges.

The good news is that adding even small amounts of fresh food to each meal can help increase overall moisture intake and support long-term health and longevity.

For cats who are resistant to change, we recommend using a gradual approach. Our Transitioning Diets Guide was shared globally in 2025 with cat parents, veterinarians, and pet health professionals. This guide has been proven to help cat parents successfully transition their cat to a healthier diet over time – with patience being key.