High Fiber Cat Foods
Cats in the wild are accustomed to a strictly carnivorous diet --- meaning that they eat only meat. As fiber is a carbohydrate, it is not considered an essential nutrient in keeping your cat healthy, even though it is one of the main ingredients in most dry kibble forms of cat food on the market.
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Commercial Cat Food
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Even though experts don't consider fiber to be an essential nutrient for cats, just about every commercial cat food contains some sort of fiber in the form of corn, rice hulls, soybeans, bran and peanuts. According to online veterinarians Doctors Foster and Smith, fiber can improve the colon health of cats even though it's not necessary in their diet.
When a High Fiber Diet Is Necessary
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Cats who are prone to anal gland disease are often put on a high fiber diet to make elimination more efficient. Your veterinarian may recommend feeding your cat a high fiber kibble or adding a fiber laxative like psyllium powder to its food. If your cat drags its bottom across the ground, it's likely that anal disease is the cause. Don't attempt to diagnose the disease on your own, however. Have your vet check your cat to rule out any other health concerns before instituting a high fiber diet.
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When a High Fiber Diet Is Bad for Cats
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If your cat has feline diabetes, it may be dangerous to feed it food containing fiber, because fiber can cause insulin levels to become unhealthy. According to veterinarian Lisa A. Pierson at Cat Info, a high protein, low carbohydrate diet is the healthiest option for diabetic cats, as it will bring their insulin to more normal levels and assist in weight loss.
Fiber in Canned Food Versus Dry Kibble
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While both wet cat food and dry food contain carbohydrates, dry food wins out for the amount of fiber --- sometimes containing as much as 50 percent fiber and carbohydrates. Because cats' teeth are designed for chewing meat, the hard food sometimes cause dental problems when fiber-dense bits get stuck in their teeth and cause decay. Dr. Marcus Brown, veterinarian for the Capital Cat Clinic, recommends canned wet food over dry as it contains less fiber and carbohydrates.
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References
- Photo Credit House Cat image by phizics from Fotolia.com
