Grain-Free Cat Food: Is It the Right Choice for Your Cat?

Is it time to eat yet? ---Truffles

My natural instinct when faced with a problem is to research and hoard information in order to move forward. Over the past 10 years I've lived with two cats with serious health issues which required me to learn everything I could about their disorders, most importantly with regards to their diet. Now that Truffles is in my life, the youngest cat I've ever adopted, it's my mission to keep her healthy and happy for many years to come, therefore adding another layer to my study of feline nutrition - to find the best diet available for a young, growing cat. When the wonderful people at Hill's Science Diet chose me as one of 25 cat bloggers to share information about topics such as Grain-Free Cat Food and Nutrition for Aging Pets, I was given a fresh opportunity to learn even more about subjects that are extremely important to me.

As pet parents, we all want what's best for our pets, and the fact of the matter is, there's no "one size fits all" in cat food. Grain-free cat food is certainly generating a lot of buzz lately, but what is it and how do you know if it's the right choice for you and your cat?

Grain-free cat food was developed for cats with allergies or stomach sensitivities due to corn and other grains which can result in itchy, dry skin and upset tummies. Grain-free does not mean carb-free or that the food is high in protein. Grains are replaced with ingredients such as sweet potatoes that provide similar or even higher carb levels, allowing for grain-free foods to still provide complete nutrition for your cat.

Grain free or not, the most important factor in choosing a cat food is determining that it's nutritionally balanced. Nutrient excess or deficiency can lead to health problems. I found this article from Hill's very interesting, listing the optimal nutrients in cat food and their benefits.

Here's the exciting news: NEW Hill’s® Science Diet® Grain-Free cat food offers the precise balance of nutrients your cat needs for optimal health without any grains! Plus, it’s made with REAL CHICKEN as the FIRST ingredient and no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. The grain-free natural ingredients in Science Diet support healthy kidneys, immune system and good vision while providing nourishment for a radiant and lustrous skin and coat. Prebiotics promote nutrient absorption and digestive health, too.

It gets even better...you and your cat can enter to win 1 of 4 10 pound bags of Hill’s® Science Diet® Adult Grain-Free cat food. Simply leave a comment with your email address (4 separate winners, entries are limited to the USA and Canada, ending 9/15).

Let Hill’s know how much your cat loves their new Grain-Free food!
Visit http://www.hillspet.com/products/sd-feline-adult-grain-free-dry.html and click “Write a Review.”

This post is sponsored by Hill’s. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Hill’s Science Diet for Cats, but Mochas, Mysteries and More only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. is not responsible for the content of this article.