Carb % In Wet Food?

[Joe & Kushi]

I have been wondering??? what are the ranges in percentages of carbs in wet food? In other words, where do LCs stop and MCs begin and end and likewise for HC? i.e. LC 4-8%; MC 9-13% and HC anything above 13% (arbitrary numbers). Are there any absolute values?

 

[Kathy and Kitty]

Interesting question. I'll add what I think, but I bet others will be able to help more.

First, sounds like you're aware of Janet & Binky's list, with the carb content? http://binkyspage.tripod.com/canfood.html

I think there are ranges like the ones you suggest, but no hard and fast absolutes -- this is an ECID (every cat is different) area. Some cats are extremely carb sensitive. Eating 8% on a regular basis will keep numbers higher, and an 11% carb will send their numbers up quickly. Others are less sensitive; they can eat 8% and still be low blue.

I'll look forward to input from more experienced people. For myself, we picked FF, which its very low carb content, and did well. I'll add that when Purina changed its formula about 15 months ago, Kitty suddenly spiked up from 70 BG to 130 (as he was nearing an OTJ trial, no less) on the same food he'd always eaten (Tender Beef). We switched to chicken, and the numbers went right back to where they'd been.

 

[Ann & Tess GA]

I think the generally accepted cutoff are 10% and 18%, but as Kathy said ECID. Tess seems to need the mid to low range of LC, but be careful of too really low carb food too. Many of us have found that we get more sudden drops followed by severe bounces when on too low carb a diet. The "Mouse Diet" is about 5%, the carbs in a mouse as food, close to a cat's natural prey.

Even if foods have the same percentage rating they can have different effects on your cat. I tried a different food for a day, only 2% different than Tess's normal 4% Wellness and she spiked for 5 cycles. The makeup of the food is as important as the carbs. Try to find one or two foods and stick w/ them.

 

[Kathy and Kitty]

Ann, I hadn't heard about the not-too-low concept. I think that would include the FF I feed, which is around 3%. Got any more info on this? Kitty doesn't like the Turkey I feed him, but the Beef raised his numbers, the chicken makes him barf, and he rejects everything, and I mean I have tried EVERYTHING else! (Except raw, which is another issue).

Sorry, Joe, didn't mean to hijack your condo!

 

[Ann & Tess GA]

I've just been trying to keep it in the 4 or 5% range and lately several people have mentioned going to a different brand can really change the numbers. I think the idea now is to limit the variety and stick w/ one thing. I think we worry about the variety we would like, but the cats don't really care. :lol:

What we had the "too low" trouble with was raw which I figured out to under 1%, I used the Feline Futures mix w/ chicken. I also had some Sophisticat 0 to 2% varities. Tess loved it but did bounce a lot. It sounds like Kitty may have food allergies that you need to work out. Right now I've got Tess on Wellness Chicken and Wellness Turkey. She didn't like it for a long time, finally someone mentioned really watering it down to soup consistency and she loves it. A lot of the better foods seem to have a really sticky consistency. If you can get Wellness in the 12.5 oz. cans it works out to about the same cost per ounce as FF. You are paying a lot for the packaging.

 

[Joe & Kushi]

Sorry, Joe, didn't mean to hijack your condo!

Hey you didn't hijack my condo. The very reason I asked the question was to develop a discussion. I have never even considered the details involved in pet nutrition; however, I am focused on it now! :smile:

I love the comment about not worrying about getting a variety; that's just what I did yesterday...went to Pet Smart to get a variety of Friskies LC with the th ought that I didn't want Kushi to get "bored" with her food. :lol:
She seems to like both the Special Diet Chicken and Beef varieties which are listed as 4% in Janet & Binky's list.
Thanks for the input.

 

[Kathy and Kitty]

Many cats thrive on an all-mouse diet, don't they? :lol:

Some of the kitties here seem to like variety, but a lot want the same thing all the time, and will resist a change. It's their right - heck, their responsibility! - as cats to be individuals.

I just wish Kitty were more enthusiastic about the food he seems to tolerate the best (FF turkey). I've tried the more natural foods, like Wellness and Evo, but they have higher fat content that seems to upset Kitty's stomach.

Sounds like you have a winner, though, to which I say... lucky you!! :lol:

 

[Nicole & Baby]

I too have a variety of foods, I have always understood that rotation is good & therefore rotate flavors & brands.
I primarily feed Raw & Wellness, neither of my cats are "eaters" though..mealtime(s) are always a struggle!
I wish I had eager eaters.. but neither need to lose or gain weight, so I won't worry :lol:
I agree with what has been said as far as LC/MC/HC.. understand that each cat is different though ;-)