Does Your Cat Really Need to Go Grain-Free?

You’ve got questions. Dr. Bruce Kornreich, director of the Cornell Feline Health Center, has answers.

Updated March 20, 2023

When I started to write about grain-free cat food, I didn’t have a clue as to whether a grain-free diet was actually good for cats. I might have had a very vague notion that grain-free food contained more meat, and therefore had more of what my cat wanted to eat. But I wasn’t confident in that assessment, either.

It wasn’t long after I began working on this story that I realized the food my cat eats is, in fact, grain-free. Go figure. The next time I paid a visit to my local bougie pet boutique, I couldn’t find a single food product for cats (or dogs, for that matter) that wasn’t labeled as grain-free. Strange. Next, I went to a big-box pet store to see if I could find cat food with grains in the ingredient list, and here, too, I struggled to locate more than a few items that were not billed as being grain-free.

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It seemed like everywhere I turned, brands were touting their grain-free pet foods. Was it a conspiracy? There had to be a point to all this, right? Some actual nutritional reason for the great removal of grain from every cat’s diet? I reached out to the director of the Cornell Feline Health Center, Dr. Bruce Kornreich, to get some answers.

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What is it about grain-free diets that makes for controversy?

While grain-free advocates and contrarians may disagree on the cut-and-dry notion of grain versus no grain, they can often find middle ground on the topic of harmful ingredients as it pertains to their beloved pets. The additives used to replace grain, namely, legumes, in some brands that produce grain-free food can cause short-term and long-term sickness in pets, including heart issues.

Although grain-free has come to be seen as a designer diet, the impetus for feeding your pet specialized food is always situational and not all grain-free foods use the additives that can lead to these health problems. If pet parents are searching for grain-free diets that don’t use high-carb fillers, they should explore human-grade food options, such as Raised Right pets.

A cat eating wet food from a dish in the kitchen.

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What kind of food should a cat be eating?

In general, when shopping for cat food, Dr. Kornreich advises that you look for several things, such as ensuring you’re buying food for the right life stage (either kitten or adult). Veterinarian and medical writer Dr. Amy Fox recommends looking for a statement on the product’s label that says it meets the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) guidelines for a nutritionally complete and balanced diet.

The most important thing is to check in with your veterinarian if you’re switching foods or have other concerns related to your cat’s diet. Changing a cat’s diet could have adverse effects on the gastrointestinal system, so Dr. Fox says it’s best to slowly introduce a new food over several weeks.

Should a cat be eating a grain-free diet?

While cats do sometimes develop allergies to foods, they’re more likely to be allergic to proteins rather than carbohydrates. Dr. Kornreich says, “The incidence of a true sensitivity to grain is very low, both in people and in animals.” A sensitivity to food can be identified through an allergy panel and/or an elimination diet with the help of your vet.

Very effective marketing, combined with whatever people have come to believe about the presence of grains in human diets, is ultimately what influences many people’s decisions to buy grain-free food for their dog or cat, while others are simply searching for the healthiest option for their pet.

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What’s the problem with grain-free food?

There have been cases of adverse effects in pets that are given grain-free diets. They can develop a heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy that has been, at times, fatal. According to Dr. Fox, “In cats, dilated cardiomyopathy was historically associated with diets low in taurine, and this is another possible cause that is still under investigation with grain-free diet.” Although the occurrence is most often in dogs and more research needs to be done on the exact causes (the FDA is conducting an investigation), it is possible that high concentrations of pulses, peas, and other legumes in grain-free foods are to blame.

What if the food you’re currently giving your cat is grain-free — should you be concerned?

Maybe? But maybe not? It’s unclear for now. “There are certainly grain-free diets that have the AAFCO label on them, and many, if not most of them, may turn out to be fine,” Dr. Kornreich says, “but until more research is completed, this recommendation is made out of an abundance of caution.” As always, consult with your veterinarian if you have specific questions pertaining to your cat’s nutritional health.

Disclaimer alert: This article is here to share information. But, much like pineapple on pizza, the topic may be controversial. Meaning, not all vets or pet professionals agree. Because every pet is a unique weirdo with specific needs. So, don’t take this as fact or medical advice. Talk things over with your vet when making decisions, and use your best judgment (about both your pet’s health and pizza toppings).

Best Grain-Free Cat Food Options

Btw, our editors (and their pets) picked out these products. They’re always in stock at the time we publish, but there’s a chance they’ll sell out. If you do buy through our links, we may earn a commission. (We’ve got a lot of toys to buy over here, you know?)

Smalls Smooth Bird Recipe

With ingredient transparency at the heart of their mission, Smalls’ human-grade fresh cat food is made with natural and healthy ingredients, such as chicken, green beans, peas, and kale. It’s also formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages, so you know it’s a winner.

Sustainable

$4 at Smalls

Open Farm Homestead Turkey & Chicken Grain-Free Dry Cat Food

$15

A combination of humanely raised and 100 percent Animal Welfare Certified chicken and turkey, Open Farm’s homestead recipe is ideal for cats who require a high-protein diet. Open Farm is made with nutrient-rich chickpeas and pumpkin and ingredients, such as non-GMO cranberries and dandelion greens, that protect against UTIs. With this option, there’s no doubt that your cat will have a balanced meal.

Sustainable

$15 at Open Farm

The Honest Kitchen Grain-Free Salmon & Cod Pate Wet Cat Food

$39

The Honest Kitchen’s high-moisture food is best suited for adult cats and kittens who are always eyeing the fish bowl. Made with cod and salmon, as well as other coveted ingredients, including fish broth, pumpkin, carrots, blueberries, and cranberries, the protein-packed recipe helps keep cats fuller for longer, so you can replace their midnight meowing routine with healthier habits.

Women Owned

$39 at Chewy

Lucy Pet Products Formulas For Life Salmon, Pumpkin & Quinoa Formula

$20

Quinoa isn’t just an amazing base for salads — it’s also a high-quality, easily digestible seed that packs a punch when it comes to protein. The ideal meal for the cat who needs to balance their microflora, Lucy Pet’s grain-free dry food is carefully formulated with ingredients that support a healthy immune system.

Gives Back

$20 at Chewy

Made by Nacho Grain-Free Pollock & Salmon Pâté

$35

Cats can’t get enough of your very ’60s shrimp cocktail and fondue appetizers? Let them in on the action with Made by Nacho’s pâté recipe. Made with sustainably caught fish, hydrating bone broth, and flaxseed packed with Omega-6 vitamins, it’s a meal with a satisfying texture they’ll want to sink their teeth into.

$35 at Made by Nacho

Cat Person Wet Food

$10

Containing the majority of your cat’s necessary water intake, Cat Person’s wet meals have 85 person more protein than the industry-standard cat food, allowing your cat to maintain a leaner weight. Formulated for cats of all ages, Cat Person’s meal plans have 16 wet and three dry foods to choose from, so even the pickiest of cats can get their pick of the crop.

$10 at Cat Person

ZIWI Peak Original Wet Mackerel Recipe

$80

ZIWI Peak’s mackerel recipe is made with a natural, whole-prey diet and is comprised of 92 percent fish and New Zealand green mussels. It’s low-carb and skips the grain-and-potato fillers to deliver a meal your cat will truly love. It’s also a purchase for the planet. Formulated from sustainable and ethically sourced ingredients, ZIWI Peak’s meals are made from 100 percent free-range, grass-fed meats, cage-free poultry, and wild-caught seafood, all raised without any added hormones or antibiotics.

Sustainable

$80 at Amazon

Iams Perfect Portions Indoor Chicken Recipe

$22

Iams’ perfectly portioned cat food makes maintaining your cat’s health as easy as possible — and bonus: It comes in convenient, easy-to-peel trays. This nutritious mixture has a blend of antioxidant vitamin E that supports a healthy immune system and fish oil that maintains skin health, prevents heart disease, and tames inflammation. Those are all words your vet loves to hear.

$22 at Chewy