How low should carbs in food go?

[lepick]

Has anyone ever noticed a difference in feeding the lowest possible carbs in wet food? In other words, if low carb is better, is lower carb better yet? Or is it totally dependent on the cat? I'm currently feeding Wellness 4% wet but am wondering if there is any advantage to switching to even lower carb, such as some out there that are 0%-2%?

I apologize as this has probably been addressed at some point, but as a newbie I wasn't able to find any specif conversations about it through the search.

So what is your experience? Does is matter how low you go? I'm really curious. Thanks for your input.

Lea, mama to Xalli who is doing so much better thanks to these boards!

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

It's one of those every cat is different things. There are some kitties here who are very carb sensitive. So try some experiments. Feed really low carb and check bg levels. Then feed some still under 10%, but a little higher than previously. Regardless, stay away from fish except a couple times a week (too much mercury)

 

[Hillary & Maui (GA)]

As Sue said, it really depends on the cat. I'll give you an example.

I took care of a cat this summer - Blue (Alexia's Blue) and discovered he was super carb sensitive. I labeled each can with the carb #. I had foods ranging from 2 - 7% carbs.

I would use the 2-4% carbs as his regular low carb foods and when he dropped bg's quickly, I would use the 5-7% to bring him up, which in his case I called "high" carb.

With Maui, I gave her 0-4% carb only and she did and continues to do fine with that.

So, yes, carbs can make a big difference. I suggest you label your cans, so you know what you have and then experiment to see how the different percentages affect your cat. 10% may be high or medium carb for you cat. But at least you will know and will be able to better manipulate the BG's accordingly.