Our bodies are made up of billions of individual cells. And modern medicine has us feed our bodies based upon the carbohydrate, protein, fat, and micronutrient content of the cells which make up our bodies.
However, feeding a living creature, based upon this scientific principle, is not the best way to stay healthy. It would be analogous to – your car engine is metal, and thus, it should have metal put into the fueling chamber for it to run properly. We know this is not how a car engine works. Then why do we think that the engine that fuels all living things (the cells in our body) is different?
I know, as a veterinarian, that the animal body is made up of cells, as well as the exact composition of each cell type within our body. What I also learned is that it is energy and electricity that run those cells. We do need raw materials to make cells; but they run best when they are fueled correctly, and the electrical system is running well.
When I look out my window, I do not see cats eating carbohydrates or diets cooked at high heats such as the canned or kibbled diets that we often feed them. I see cats eating mice and small birds. These are high protein meals, some fat and balanced electrolytes/ micronutrients. Mice and small birds are not made up of carbohydrates.
Cats are not meant to eat carbohydrates. It is a primary reason that we see obesity and eating disorders in our feline housemates.
Eating carbohydrates results in a spike in insulin levels. These spikes in insulin levels then result in fat being laid down. The cat will put on weight, despite any attempt to minimize calories.
The body automatically turns the calories into fat with the insulin spike that is related to carbohydrate consumption; no matter how few calories that you feed. Additionally, the spikes in insulin will result in hunger, usually with 3 – 5 hours.
Your cat will then be hungry again and will ask for more food. This cycle of fat storage and increased appetite will continue despite any efforts with reduced calories.
These insulin spikes will also increase the chances of inflammatory diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (which can transform into a type of cancer called lymphosarcoma) and arthritis, as well as other diseases, such as diabetes.
Although your cat is made up of carbohydrates, it is better to avoid carbohydrates in cats that are always hungry or overweight. They will likely remain healthier, and leaner without the carbohydrates in their diet.
I currently recommend either homemade diets that mimic the actual food that cats eat naturally or freeze-dried raw diets that have limited amounts of carbohydrates in this population of cats.