Gluten-free cat food is formulated without any gluten-containing ingredients such as wheat, barley, or rye. While cats don't have a biological requirement for carbohydrates in their diet, many cat food recipes are high-carb and heavily feature gluten-containing grains. Pet parents often choose cat food without gluten out of personal preference, or for cats with ingredient sensitivities or digestive concerns.
Chewy's selection of gluten-free cat food includes dry food, wet food, and treats made without any ingredients that contain gluten. Many use alternative carbohydrate sources such as rice, potatoes, and legumes, or focus more heavily on animal-based ingredients. Cat food without gluten is available for different life stages, feeding routines, and taste or texture preferences, and comes in nutritionally complete formulas as well as products intended for supplemental feeding. Here are some factors to consider when shopping for gluten-free cat food:
Food type: Consider your cat's preferences for dry kibble versus wet food.
Flavor: Shop an array of meat-focused flavors like chicken, beef, turkey, or fish.
Life stage: Gluten-free cat food is formulated differently for kittens, adults, and senior cats.
Nutritional balance: Nutritionally complete recipes should form the foundation of your cat's diet.
Special diets: Some formulas are made with limited ingredients or designed to support specific health concerns.
If you suspect your cat is sensitive to gluten, talk to your veterinarian before making any significant changes to your pet's diet. Because dietary needs vary, monitoring digestion, coat condition, and appetite help determine whether gluten-free feeding is beneficial. Once you find a gluten-free cat food that works well for your cat, Autoship can help ensure you always have it available so daily feeding routines remain consistent without interruptions.
In cat food, the term ‘gluten-free' means the product is made without any gluten-containing ingredients, such as wheat, barley, or rye. Cat food without gluten may still contain other grains or carbohydrates, so check the label if your cat has allergies or sensitivities.
Not all cats need gluten-free food, though an ideal feline diet focuses on animal-based ingredients over carbohydrates. Cats with sensitive digestion or diagnosed grain allergies may show improvement when fed cat food without gluten-containing ingredients.
Gluten-free cat food is not the same as grain-free cat food, though there is some overlap. Cat food without gluten doesn't contain wheat, barley, or rye but could contain other grains unless the product is labeled "grain-free."
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