Pet parents might be living in a modern age having fancy cat litter boxes or stylish perches however, selecting the right food for cats can still be tough due to very confusing labels & availability of a wide range of products. In short, each brand is trying hard to grab the buyer’s attention. Due to all this, selecting the best cat food is not always an easy and straightforward process. The purpose should be to select a healthy diet for the beloved felines.
It is a well-known fact that pet parents always want their precious cats to enjoy a life that is as pleasant and as long as possible. It can be said that the biggest part of supporting the feline’s health is to ensure that he/she consumes a balanced diet. Due to this, choosing the best grain free cat food is surely an important decision & this is proved by the availability of numerous cat food choices than ever before.
The majority of pet parents are now having their eyes on the increasingly plentiful offerings of lavish pet foods such as grain-free, freeze-dried, limited ingredient, human-grade, organic, holistic, raw, vegetarian, and vegan. Even though every diet has its advantages and disadvantages, but grain-free cat food has proven to be the most preferred, most popular, & quite polarizing development when it comes to pet nutrition during the last 20-yrs.
Apart from this, cat owners should try to select the food items made of premium-quality ingredients & contain all the required nutrients which cats need in order to stay safe and healthy. No doubt, the best grain-free cat food is especially designed to mimic the feline’s ancestral diet. As, felines are carnivores therefore, they are completely free from grains that might lead to different health problems such as digestive disorders and allergies. So, if pet parents are in the marketplace in search of the best grain-free cat food then, they have landed at the right place as this guide is all about the best grain-free cat food along with the pros and cons of each diet.
What Actually a Grain-Free Diet is?
Nowadays, the most ubiquitous label that pet parents can see on the feline food items is “Grain-free”. It simply means that feline food items labeled as grain-free, do not contain grain ingredients. Usually, grains such as oats, wheat, barley, and rice are found in different cat food items as filler ingredients. It is important to share that many cats do not need grain-free food.
As grains are usually rich in carbohydrates and low in proteins, they are not quite nutritious or healthy for cats. Likewise, if the feline is overweight & prone to diabetes then, it might not be good to select a grain-free food, especially if the diet has a high fat content.
Is it Safe to Give Grain-Food to Cats?
A balanced and nutritious grain-free food can be a great choice for the majority of cats. However, the recommended practice is to go for a diet that is high in protein & low in carbohydrates. Moreover, many grain-free food items include balanced and healthy recipes, where the main ingredient is fish or meat, followed by the perfect balance of some other ingredients in order to give felines balanced nutrition & vitamins.
Generally, grain-free cat food is more costly but no doubt healthier and safer as compared to other high-end food items. The best thing is that grain-free food can serve the best purpose for felines who have different grain-allergies. Although many feline allergens are present in chicken, fish, and beef, some felines are actually allergic to grains, it means grain-free is surely the right solution.
Also Read: Can Cat eat apples?
What are the Symptoms of Grain Allergies?
It is advised to take to your veterinarian, if your cat is having the following symptoms:
- Itchiness
- Hair loss
- Intestinal issues
- Scabs on cat’s skin
Reviewed: Best Grain Free Cat Food
When it comes to keeping the cats happy and healthy, it is important for pet parents to select the premium-quality ingredients for them. Keeping this in mind, the article has curated a complete list of the top-selling grain-free cat foods, based on the combination of quality ingredients, customer reviews, & price.
Furthermore, whether the cats’ fancies wet or dry food, the ultimate goal should be to keep them in optimal health. Therefore, all the brands I recommend give the protein and nutrition which cats need in order to fulfil this major goal. Continue reading the article to find the best product for your precious little mate, depending upon his/her age, & preferences.
CRAVE Grain-Free Cat Food
The 1st product on this list is offered by a well-known brand namely, CRAVE. Being advertised for indoor felines, this product has a low calorie content & a high fiber content as compared to commonly available cat foods. Well, there is a logical reason behind this, felines that live or play indoors only are not as active as outdoor felines therefore, and they need more fiber to ensure healthy digestion & few calories. The brand is my favorite for specially grain-free cat food because 90% of felines are satisfied with this food.
It is important to share that this product comes under the category of the premium option. The CRAVE cat food is available in different flavors including duck blend, chicken, turkey, salmon with ocean fish, and chicken. Well, real chicken is the 1st ingredient in order to give felines the flavors they love & the high protein diet they need for developing muscle, supporting a healthy & strong immune system, and helping in digestion.
User Experience:
According to the cat owners, the best thing about the CRAVE food is that it offers different sources of the real animal protein. Other buyers have commented that the diet does not have any harmful or artificial flavors and ingredients however, it is very high carb as compared to others. It simply means that the CRAVE cat food should be given to adult felines.
Weruva Cat Food
This amazing cat food has been formulated by a famous brand, namely Weruva who offers a wide range of flavors and texture & focus on high-quality proteins and hydration through wholesome ingredients. All the recipes are a balanced and complete meal in order to satisfy the needs of felines. This specific wet feline food has 2 main ingredients namely tuna and duck. It is basically a chunky stew with the addition of potato starch to make it thick.
Furthermore, it is formulated in human food facilities & with ingredients also recommended for humans & the protein content is carefully derived from sustainable and ethical sources. It is vital to mention that Weruva food is enriched with minerals and vitamins which all felines need. Likewise, it is much better than other commonly available cheaper options, & the most important thing is that it does not contain added oils or fats.
User Experience:
Many cat owners have recommended the Weruva cat food due to the quality ingredients. According to them, this is the only flavor cats will eat happily. This cat food is made with digestible sources of protein therefore, worth buying when it comes to make your precious cats happy and healthy in the longer run.
Wellness Complete Health Cat Food
It is a well-accepted fact that felines certainly need a lot of premium-quality proteins in the regular diet & fortunately, the wellness complete cat food gives just that in the best way possible. It is available in a wide range of different recipes however, the most famous is chicken pate & smooth loaf. Furthermore, the most noticeable thing about this cat food is that it is grain free and low-carb thus, it is a completely safe and healthy option to give adult cats.
In short, this healthy and all-natural food is considered a great source of essential fatty acids & proteins for balanced and complete nutrition. Apart from this, I would like to share that hydration is very important to a feline’s overall health and well-being & since felines don’t have a strong thirst drive, this delicious recipe is a simple way of increasing the feline’s moisture intake to maintain urinary tract health.
User Experience:
According to the cat owners, this food seems to be extremely famous as the majority of pet parents have recommended it. Many buyers have said, this is a great quality cat food & these large cans are worth buying. However, be very careful as not all the flavors are grain-free. It is better to read the labels carefully before ordering it.
Blue Buffalo Cat Food
Before moving ahead, I would like to share that this is the typical adult cat option however, there are some other options available that are being offered by the same brand to cater to the needs of kittens and mature cats too. The blue buffalo cat food is grain-free but it has tapioca starch, peas, and pea protein, and according to my opinion these ingredients are not healthy.
Furthermore, this cat food is enriched in antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins therefore, it is good at protecting the feline’s immune system. No doubt, it is a better option than others particularly for indoor felines who can gain a lot of weight easily due to lack of exercise. Essential nutrients have been added in order to ensure cat’s optimum health over different areas ranging from joint to healthy eyesight and strong muscles. The cat food is surely a way to go when it comes to supporting the cat’s immune system, life stage requirements & a good oxidative balance.
User Experience:
According to the cat owners, this food is truly what real cat lovers feed their precious little mates. The Blue buffalo cat food gives cats a longer lifespan, a more energetic and healthier life. Other buyers have commented that this is surely the premium-quality cat food we have ever used.
Hill’s Science Cat Food
Especially formulated for felines who have a sensitive skin and stomach while supporting the digestive system with prebiotic fiber. This delicious cat food is made of all-natural ingredients without any added preservatives, flavors, and colors. It is worth sharing that in this yummy and easily digestible cat food, there are simply no grains. The diet only consists of natural fibers to ensure easy stool pickup thus, making it more acceptable for a cat’s sensitive stomach. This cat food also helps in fueling up the adult feline’s beneficial gut bacteria while supporting balanced microbiome.
The 1st ingredient is salmon, by being the premium-quality source of protein, it helps the feline to maintain her lean muscles in older years. Furthermore, with clinically tested and proven antioxidants, including Vitamin E, and C, pet parents can be rest assured that the Hill’s science cat food is good at supporting the cat’s immune system.
User Experience:
Many pet parents have bought this cat food and according to them, the product is worth buying, it has minimal odor, in fact it smells like a generic feline food. The pieces are quite small to let cats chew them easily. In short, cats do not have problems when it comes to flavor, texture, and smell.
Buying Guide: Best Grain-Free Cat Food
If pet parents are ready to switch their cats to the grain-free diet then, where do they start with the provided information? Well, the recommended source of help is surely an experienced vet, who can give the best advice based on this knowledge about cat’s nutrition along with the different ways of maintaining the cat’s overall health.
Furthermore, prospective buyers should look for the evidence that the diet they are considering is balanced and complete. It simply indicated that the selected food complies with the AAFCO, nutritional guidelines especially laid down for cats. Apart from this, it is advised that pet parents should consider this buying guide before selecting the best grain-free cat foods.
What should be considered Before Buying the Best Grain-Free Cat Food?
The following factors can make the buying process easy:
Suitable 1st Ingredients
While looking for the best cat food, it is better to check the 1st few ingredients listed. Pet parents should select the cat food that has such ingredients, animal meat, boneless meat & organs listed.
Essential Ingredients
It is vital to mention that felines need few specific nutrients to grow well such as minerals, vitamins, and amino acids. For example, taurine is considered an important amino acid that felines need in order to absorb through food items. Try to look for the best dry feline food that can meet her minimum daily requirements particularly for minerals, vitamins, and amino acids. Always remember that cats do not need carbs in their diet.
Life Stage
It is advised to match the feline’s life stage to the selected food. Kittens always have unique food & nutritional requirements as they develop and grow therefore, it is good to feed kittens accordingly. During the adult life stage, feed the feline a balanced and healthy diet that can supply different nutrients while providing energy to keep the feline happy and healthy.
No Fillers
Apart from selecting a grain-free cat food, it is equally important that the selected cat food should not contain any filler ingredients such as soybean meat and meal, fish etc.
Flavor
Finding the grain-free cat food that cats can eat & enjoy is sometimes a real challenge particularly, when pet parents are transitioning from dry to wet food. The recommended practice is to experiment with multiple ingredients and protein sources in order to find the cat food that cats will happily eat up.
What is the best Grain-Free Cat Food?
Well, there is not any straightforward answer & that is due to the fact that every cat is different from another. Some cats are young & have a faster and better metabolism whereas some might be old therefore, they are vulnerable to gain weight easily. In short, a specific diet cannot be considered as the best grain-free cat food. However, usually it is acknowledged by veterinarians that the worth buying grain-free cat is certainly the one that is free from artificial flavors and ingredients.
What are Pros and Cons of Cat’s Grain-Free Food?
Before moving ahead, I would like to make it clear that over the years, there is a lot of discussion going on concerning whether or not cat’s grain-free food is worth eating. Some pros and cons are as follows to let pet parents decide on their own:
The Pros:
The noted benefits of feeding the cats with grain-free diet include:
- Easy to digest
- Improvement in cat’s overall health
- Help increase in cat’s activity levels
- Foster metabolism
- Good for digestive system
- Help support healthy skin and coat
The Cons:
I would like to share that there is no best cat food. The below-mentioned are some of the prominent negatives of cat’s grain-free food.
- Much expensive
- Contains a lot of carbohydrates
- Weight gain in cats has also been reported due to grain-free diet
Final Thoughts:
In the end, it can be concluded that the perfect place to begin in selecting grain-free cat food is a premium-quality formula made from good animal protein as the 1st ingredient. So, afterwards. Pet parents can select a certain type of protein depending upon the cat’s preferences.
Hopefully, the concerned cat lovers will purchase the right one from the above-shared grain-free foods depending upon the cat’s age, preferences, and lifestyle. Always remember that it is simply impossible to change the feline’s eating habits instantly. The best practice is to try out different products & watch the ultimate goodness that will surely come along.
