For many cat owners, it seems strange. After all, your feline friend is a carnivore, right?
Yet these plant-based ingredients are increasingly common in modern commercial cat foods, from dry biscuits to gourmet pouches. So why are they there, and do cats even like them?
Let’s unpack this curious trend in pet nutrition.
Cats Are Obligate Carnivores: So What Gives?
First things first: cats are obligate carnivores. This means they must consume meat to thrive. Their bodies are finely tuned to digest and extract nutrients from animal tissue, not plants.
Unlike omnivores like dogs (or us humans), cats don’t naturally seek out fruit, veg or grains. In the wild, a cat might ingest trace amounts of plant matter via the stomach contents of its prey, but that's about it.
Given that, the idea of feeding a cat wild rice or tomatoes can seem, frankly, a bit daft. And plenty of cat owners report their furry companions picking around those suspicious orange chunks in their dinner. So why do pet food manufacturers persist?
The Marketing Angle: Selling to Humans
The answer, in part, lies in who pet food is really being marketed to: you, the owner. Modern cat food packaging is often designed to appeal to human sensibilities—phrases like “with antioxidant-rich tomatoes” or “with superfood seaweed” are aimed at health-conscious shoppers, not their feline companions.
Many of us now expect our own food to include "functional" ingredients, such as kale, quinoa, chia seeds, etc., so we’re subconsciously drawn to similar features in pet foods. Brands know that a product that looks nutritious to us is more likely to end up in the shopping trolley, even if our cats would rather it didn’t.
Functional Claims: Nutrients and Additives
That said, these ingredients aren’t entirely for show. Some, like carrots and tomatoes, contain antioxidants like beta-carotene and lycopene, which are thought to support immune health. Seaweed is sometimes included as a source of iodine and minerals, and wild rice may be added as a fibre source or alternative carbohydrate.
However, it's worth noting that the actual quantities used are usually small, and any claimed benefits are often marginal, especially when compared to the essential amino acids, taurine, and fatty acids cats get from meat.
Fillers and Fibre: A Cheap Bulk Option?
Another reason for including these ingredients is cost. Some vegetables and grains act as fillers, helping to bulk out the food without adding much expense.
They may also be used to aid with texture or binding in dry kibble. While fibre can support digestion in small amounts, too much can reduce the overall protein content, which isn’t ideal for cats.
Do Cats Like Vegetables in Their Food?
The short answer: many don’t. Some cats will eat around the veg chunks or turn their noses up at certain flavours. Others may tolerate it, especially if the vegetables are pureed or hidden in a meat-based gravy. However, preference varies widely between individual cats.
It’s important to remember that even though cats might eat food containing these ingredients, they aren’t necessarily choosing to eat the vegetables themselves. they’re likely going for the meat-based elements and simply tolerating the rest.
Should You Avoid Cat Foods With Vegetables?
Not necessarily. A small amount of plant-based ingredients isn’t harmful, and some high-quality cat foods include them as part of a well-balanced formulation. But if you notice your cat consistently rejecting food with visible veg, or if you're concerned about the protein content, you might want to opt for a product with a simpler, more meat-heavy ingredient list.
Look for foods that list high-quality animal proteins (like chicken, turkey or tuna) as the first ingredients, and keep an eye on the overall nutritional breakdown—your cat’s protein needs should come first.
Final Thoughts
The inclusion of ingredients like seaweed, carrots, tomatoes or wild rice in cat food is more about marketing to humans and, occasionally, cost-saving than it is about feline nutrition. While these additions aren’t necessarily harmful in small amounts, they’re not vital to your cat’s diet either.
In the end, your cat’s instincts still know best: if they sniff, nibble, and walk away from a “wild rice and tomato delight”, they might just be telling you they’d prefer something a little less trendy—and a little more meaty.
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