Cat Nutrition Myths Debunked: Truths Your Vet Wants You to Know đž
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Cat Nutrition Myths Debunked: Truths Your Vet Wants You to Know đž
By Dr.âŻDuncanâŻHouston BVSc
From âbreed-specificâ kibble to grain-free claims and glossy kitten food bags, the pet food industry is loaded with marketing buzzwords â not real biology.
This article debunks the biggest myths about feline nutrition and highlights the truths that matter most for raising a healthy cat, straight from a veterinarianâs perspective. đž
đŤ LIE #1: âCats need grain-free food.â
The truth: Cats donât need grains â but many âgrain-freeâ foods just swap grains for peas, lentils, or potatoes, which are still carbs and still unnecessary.
âĄď¸ High-starch âgrain-freeâ diets are linked to obesity, gut issues, and even urinary tract disorders[1].
đŤ LIE #2: âKitten food is specially formulated.â
The truth: Most âkitten foodâ is just higher-calorie kibble â often still full of fillers. Â You donât need a kitten label â you need a food labeled for âall life stagesâ with high protein, high fat, and real meat.
âĄď¸ Brands like Ziwi and Feline Natural are all-life-stage approved with no fluff.
đŤ LIE #3: âDry food cleans your catâs teeth.â
The truth: It doesnât. In fact, many dental issues are caused or worsened by dry food diets.Â
- Most cats barely chew kibble â they swallow it wholeÂ
- Starch residue sticks to teeth and feeds the mouth bacteriaÂ
- Freeze-dried meat treats or raw bones are better dental tools
đŤ LIE #4: âVet-recommended = healthiestâ
The truth: Many vet-endorsed brands are backed by corporate partnerships and use marketing terms like âscience-basedâ to cover up low meat content, high filler, and artificial additives.
âĄď¸ A vet-written label isnât a guarantee of quality â look at the ingredients.
â Truths You Can Trust
âď¸ Cats are obligate carnivores
- They need protein and fat from animal sources
- They do not need carbs â at all
âď¸ Moisture mattersÂ
- Dry food is 10% water; raw prey is 70â75%Â
- Hydration supports kidneys, digestion, and urinary tract health
âď¸ Simple, whole-ingredient diets are bestÂ
- Look for named proteins, organs, bone, and fatÂ
- Short ingredient lists win â no mystery âmealsâ or âflavorsâ
đ Want to Feed What Actually Works?
- đĽ Ziwi Air-Dried Raw (NZ meat, organs, no fillers)Â
- đĽ Feline Natural Freeze-Dried or Canned (high moisture, clean meat)Â
- đĽ Raw (homemade or brands like Big Dog or Balanced Life â balanced with calcium & taurine)
đĄ Transition slowly using bone broth, raw goat milk, or freeze-dried toppers.
đŹ From Dr. Duncan Houston
âPet food marketing exists to sell bags â not to educate. If your catâs food contains more starch than meat, itâs not species-appropriate. Meat, moisture, and simplicity are what matter.â
đ Up next: How to Know If Your Kittenâs Diet Is Actually Working