It can be hard to pick the right dry food for your cat. You can find bags of pet food in stores that say they are high-protein, grain-free, have few ingredients and everything else in between. The amount of carbohydrates in cat food is one of the biggest differences in nutrition. This is especially true for dry diets that are high in carbs and those that are low in carbs. Cats are obligate carnivores, but many commercial foods have different amounts of carbohydrates depending on the ingredients, such as grains, starches and plant proteins.

This blog talks about the differences between high-carb and low-carb dry foods in terms of their ingredients, how cats interact with them and what behaviours and preferences you might see. This isn't medical advice; it's just a look at the differences and how they might affect feeding experiences.

How To Understand Carbohydrates In Cat Food

Carbohydrates are a source of energy. Some plant-based foods, like rice, corn, wheat, potatoes, peas and other things, are often used to add carbs to cat food. Cats are not like dogs, who can digest carbohydrates better. Instead, they do best on diets that are high in proteins and fats from animal sources.

The amount of carbohydrates in dry cat foods often goes up because carbohydrates help make the kibble structure and make up a large part of the product's bulk.

 

High-Carb Dry Cat Food

Dry diets that are high in carbs usually have more grains or plant-based foods in them. Corn, wheat, rice, barley and sometimes legumes like peas or lentils are common sources. These ingredients can raise the amount of carbohydrates in your body and give you energy that is different from proteins.

What High-Carb Dry Food Is Like:

• A higher concentration of carbohydrates, usually over 30% on a dry matter basis
• More grains or plant-based foods
• Kibble that might be made with cheaper ingredients
• More energy per cup most of the time

Some cats may be happy to eat high-carb diets and seem eager to eat at mealtime. Depending on the smell and feel, some people might show interest or not.

Low-Carb Dry Cat Food

Low-carb dry foods try to lower the amount of carbs by raising the amount of protein and fat. People usually do this by adding more animal-based foods like chicken, turkey, fish or beef meals and cutting back on grains or replacing them with foods that have more protein.

Features of Low-Carb Dry Food:

• Lower levels of carbohydrates (usually less than 25% on a dry matter basis)
• Animal sources have a higher protein profile.
• Often sold as "high-protein" or "grain-free"
• Could be interesting to owners who want a diet that is more meat-based.

Some cats get really excited about chewing on low-carb kibble, while others don't seem to notice the difference between it and other types of food.

Comparing High-Carb and Low-Carb Diets

Here’s a general comparison of high-carb and low-carb dry diets:

How Different Levels Of Carbs Affect Cats

Cats don't taste sweet things the same way that people do. They are better at tasting and smelling savoury foods that come from protein and fat. This means that the amount of carbohydrates in food is less about how it tastes to cats and more about how it smells and feels.

High-Carb Food For Cats

Some dry foods that are high in carbs are made to smell good, which can make them very tasty for cats. A lot of cats will eat them right away. High-carb kibbles usually have a crunchy, even texture that can be fun to chew.

 

Low-Carb Food For Cats

Low-carb dry foods often smell and feel more like meat from animals. Some cats may find this appealing, but not all of them will. A cat's level of excitement is based on its own likes and dislikes that it has developed over time.

Observations of Feeding Behaviour and Mealtime

When you give your pet different kinds of dry food, you might see some of these behaviours:

Excitement

Some cats get excited no matter how many carbs they eat, especially if they connect certain shapes, smells or serving routines with good times.

 

Texture Preference

The size and crunch of the kibble affect how a cat plays with it. Some cats like small, crisp pieces, while others like bigger or more irregular shapes.

 

Smell Reaction

Since smell is a big part of choosing what to eat, diets that smell more like meat may be more appealing.

 

Routine

Cats like to do things the same way every day. If you suddenly change your diet from high-carb to low-carb or the other way around, your dog might sniff, investigate and take longer to decide at the bowl, even if the food is fine.

Patterns Of Activity And Energy Levels

Cats get energy from all macronutrients, but proteins and fats are the most important. Some owners notice changes in their pets' energy levels when they switch between diets that have different amounts of carbohydrates, but these changes can be very different from one person to the next.

For instance, one cat may seem more energetic after eating a low-carb meal, while another cat may not change at all. There are many things that affect energy behaviours, such as a person's metabolism, age, environment and general eating habits.

Changes In Digestion And Stool

Digestibility is how well a cat's digestive system breaks down food and absorbs nutrients. Some people who take care of cats notice that their cats' poop changes in amount or consistency when they switch between diets with different amounts of carbohydrates.

Foods high in carbohydrates can sometimes make stools bigger because they have more plant fibres and undigested carbs. Some cats may have firmer, smaller stools if they eat foods that are low in carbs and high in protein. But these patterns are different for each cat.

Things To Think About When It Comes To Cost

It can cost more to buy dry food that has fewer carbs, especially if it has a lot of animal proteins. Meat meals and fish are usually more expensive than grains or plant proteins.

Diets high in carbs are often cheaper because foods like rice, corn and soy are cheaper to make. This is something that many people who have more than one cat or are on a tight budget think about when making long-term feeding plans.

 

Something To Think About

Some people and cats may like high-carb dry diets because they give them energy and taste good. Low-carb dry foods often have a lot of protein and a savoury smell, which cats like because they like meat-like foods.

Instead of thinking that one type of food is always "better," pay attention to how your cat eats, reacts to and interacts with different foods to get a better idea of what they like. Curiously looking into high-carb and low-carb options, while also paying attention to how your cat acts and enjoys them, makes feeding time a more enjoyable and fulfilling part of life with your cat.