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Kitten Basics: Do Kittens Get Hairballs?

A cat’s diet largely includes other smaller animals as they are carnivorous. However, most cats avoid consuming the animal’s intestinal tract which contains most fiber. This can lead to a lack of fiber in the cat’s diet. But do cats need fiber? Yes. Lack of fiber can result in irregular bowel movement, digestive issues, and other similar health concerns. 

Cats often munch on green grass and leaves to ease constipation. However, they might resist including fiber in their daily meal and only rely on it when ill. But, to ensure your cat’s best physical well-being, you should choose fiber-rich food for cats.

Understanding the classification of fiber for cats

Fiber-rich cat food is essential as it helps in maintaining their digestive health. Thus, pet parents should try to include the necessary amount of fiber in their kitty’s diet. It will help maintain their digestive health and overall well-being. Cat food fiber can be classified based on its solubility.

1. Soluble fiber: This type of fiber can easily dissolve in gastric juices and gut water. A certain type of soluble fiber also turns into a gel to make excretion easier for the cat. Fiber-rich cat food should include soluble fiber as it is necessary for their digestion and gut health. Cat food with fiber is easily available in the market and is necessary for their physical well-being.
2. Insoluble fiber: Fiber-rich cat food should contain insoluble fiber alongside soluble fiber. Insoluble fiber adds bulk to the food which ensures easy movement of food through the digestive system. This type of fiber also makes the stool consistent and reduces the chances of constipation.

While choosing cat food with fiber, you should make sure it includes both soluble and insoluble fiber. Besides, the cat’s gut bacteria can break down both soluble and insoluble fiber to produce new compound that helps in nourishing their colon cells.

Why do cats need fiber?

Fiber-rich cat food contains prebiotics, which means they also contain good bacteria that are necessary for a healthy intestine. So, as a cat parent, you should invest in high-quality cat food with fiber to keep your little fur baby’s gut health in check. However, how much fiber does a cat require??

Although fiber is essential for cats, they require it in limited quantities. Too much fiber can risk restricting absorption of nutrients in their body, whereas too little can lead to poor digestive health. The appropriate quantity of fiber for cats is between 1.4 to 3.5% of their daily calorie intake.

Good sources of fiber for cats

Planning to include cat food with fiber in your kitty’s daily diet? Consider adding the following food options to their meal to increase fiber content in your fur baby’s diet.

1. Animal fiber: Providing fiber-rich food made using a mixture of feathers, fur, bones, tendon, cartilage, and other animal organs can help improve your kitty’s intake of fiber while still sticking to a purely carnivorous diet.
2. Carrots: Occasionally, you can add a little piece of cooked carrot to the cat’s diet. Carrots are a good source of fiber and vitamin C. They are also non-toxic; hence, you can add a little piece of raw carrot or slightly steamed or boiled carrot along with their daily meal to turn their regular diet into a fiber-rich one.
3. Green beans: Another fiber-rich food for cats is green beans. This low-carbohydrate food is one of the richest sources of fiber. If planning to add fiber for cats, include a small amount of green beans to their diet.
4. Wheat bran: This byproduct of wheat is an expensive source of fiber for cats. Wheat bran’s nutty-sweet flavor intrigues cats and can easily provide them their daily fiber without much hassle.
5. Broccoli: Like most green food, broccoli is yet another good source of fiber. You can serve a small piece of blanched broccoli to your kitty’s diet to keep indigestion and constipation at bay.
6. Spinach: Rich in vitamins C and K, spinach is a very good plant-based fiber for cats. You can add a few leaves of cooked spinach to your kitty’s daily meal and ensure they get their daily dose of fiber for better gut health.
7. Lettuce: Lettuce contains a good amount of fiber and water. Allowing your kitty to nibble on a lettuce leaf occasionally will ensure sufficient fiber consumption while also keeping it hydrated.

Besides relying on the above-mentioned plant-based and animal-based fiber, you can also buy IAMS high-fiber cat food to ensure that your kitty gets the right amount of fiber in its meal. IAMS high-fiber cat food such as IAMS ProActive Health Adult Original with Chicken contains a moderate quantity of fermentable fiber along with the chicken. This cat food with fiber is made using fermentable fiber and chicken that your cat is sure to relish. Besides, IAMS is a popular cat food brand that is known for using best-quality ingredients, so your furry friend gets nothing but the best.