Sugar in cat food: How harmful is it for cats?

Can Cats Eat Sugar? Why It's Not a Good Idea

Cats: Pure Carnivores

Historically, cats have had little need for sugar. Scientists analyzing the nutritional composition of mice found that they contain only small amounts of carbohydrates in the form of simple and complex sugars . The majority of the mouse diet consists of proteins , fats and water.

Cats are pure carnivores in their biological diet, as are tigers, lions and many other species. Unlike dogs , which are omnivores , cats' diet consists almost exclusively of meat.

Cats can't taste sugar

Our cats have between 400 and 500 taste receptors on the top of their tongues. Unfortunately, they cannot detect sweetness . These receptors mainly help cats to detect fresh meat . This allows them to distinguish between fresh and spoiled meat in the wild.

Cats are also very sensitive to bitterness , which helps them avoid ingesting potentially harmful substances. Cats' umami receptors also make our furry friends very fond of both chicken and fish.

Cats cannot digest sugar well

Our beloved cats are also physiologically unable to process sugar. Unfortunately, their saliva does not contain amylase . This is an enzyme that breaks down starch and sugar in food into smaller molecules that the body can absorb more easily.

Cats are pure carnivores and therefore do not have the enzymes to process large amounts of carbohydrates. Therefore, excessive sugar intake by cats cannot be effectively metabolized and is easily converted into fat .

How does sugar harm cats' health?

While sugar can provide cats with quick energy, it can also cause a number of health problems. First, excessive sugar intake can lead to obesity . This is because cats' bodies cannot metabolize the sugar in cat food very well. Therefore, it stores the sugar as fat, causing the cat to gain weight. This makes the cat less agile and increases the risk of heart disease and joint problems .

Cats have short intestines and, as mentioned above, no amylase in their saliva or intestines. This undigested sugar passes quickly through the intestines and causes problems such as indigestion, bloating or diarrhea.

Long-term consumption of foods high in sugar can also lead to diabetes. This is the same for humans. If cats eat too much sugar, it can lead to insulin resistance, which in turn can cause diabetes. This disease can become chronic in cats. The cat then needs treatment for its entire life. The disease can severely limit the cat's quality of life.

Sugar also has a negative effect on cats' dental health . Too much sugar can lead to the formation of plaque and tartar . And this in turn can lead to gingivitis and other dental problems.

What should be in a healthy cat food?

Now you know why cats should avoid sugar when choosing cat food. Of course, in addition to sugar, cats should also avoid gluten, starch, colorings, gelatine and preservatives.

A nutritious cat food should be based on high-quality animal protein . In addition, the right amount of fat and clean water are also important factors for a cat's health.

Our tip: Healthy, sugar-free cat snacks

We recommend the Rumblebox cat treats because all cat snacks are free of sugar, gluten, starch, coloring, gelatin and preservatives.

Here we recommend two ways to pamper your cat: The Bite 's Box with 100% pure meat , soaked in water, or the Try Feast Box with plenty of moisture and meat. In any case, it will bring health and happiness to our cats.