Cats have no dietary requirement for carbohydrates. As obligate carnivores, their metabolism is adapted to derive energy from protein and fat rather than starches and sugars. Cats lack significant salivary amylase and have reduced intestinal carbohydrate-digesting enzymes compared to omnivores. However, cats can digest and utilize moderate amounts of cooked carbohydrates, and many commercial cat foods contain 20–40% carbohydrates as an energy source and kibble binder. The debate over optimal carbohydrate levels in cat food continues among veterinary nutritionists.
Your cat has no minimum carbohydrate requirement. Commercial dry foods typically contain 25–50% carbohydrates on a dry-matter basis, while wet foods contain 5–15%. For healthy cats, moderate carbohydrate intake from quality commercial food is well tolerated. For diabetic or obese cats, your veterinarian may recommend reducing carbohydrates to under 10–15% of calories.
There are no deficiency signs because carbohydrates are not a required nutrient for cats. Cats thrive on carbohydrate-free diets as long as protein and fat needs are met.
High-carbohydrate diets may contribute to obesity and diabetes in predisposed cats, as their insulin response to carbohydrate loads is slower and less efficient than in omnivores. Overweight cats and diabetic cats often benefit from lower-carbohydrate, higher-protein diets.
