This observation appears to have led to speculation that long term feeding of carbohydrates may have detrimental effects on the health of cats. Studies have shown that cats are less efficient than some other mammals are at metabolizing dietary carbohydrates under certain circumstances.

Cats are recognized to have evolved as obligate carnivores, consuming foods (small mammals, insects, birds) containing mostly water, protein, and relatively little carbohydrate or fat. Despite the fact that the recall was for toxicological rather than nutritional reasons, it provided the opportunity for some to question the nutritional adequacy of pet foods.ДЄ commonly raised issue with regard to cat foods is the suitability of carbohydrates in dry foods for cats. The pet food recall was the result of an inadvertent inclusion of a toxin that made the foods unsafe there was no evidence that the foods were nutritionally unsatisfactory in any other way. The purpose of this paper is to review some of the issues surrounding dry diets for cats.ДЇor a diet to be satisfactory, it must contain all of the necessary nutrients in the proper proportions (complete and balanced), be sufficiently palatable and digestible for the pets consuming it to meet their nutritional needs in the volume consumed, and it must be safe ( 1). Since diet plays an important role in petsвЂ™ well-being, client concerns about pet foods are readily understandable, and their questions deserve honest, empathic responses. Many clients have a strong emotional bond with their pet and naturally want to do their best for their petвЂ™s health and welfare. One may need to act in the face of significant uncertainty about the extent of the threat, and the stakes, petsвЂ™ lives, are high.

Recalls can be frightening for pet owners and veterinarians alike. The recent pet food recall seems to have resurrected concerns about the suitability of feeding dry diets to cats.

Healthy food for cats