Although this ingredient is more commonly known in human food circles as a dessert, recently it has proved to be a great addition to grain-free specialty cat foods. If your kitten, adult, or senior cat is experiencing a sensitive stomach or allergies, choosing a cat food with tapioca in it can make a world of a difference. Here’s our top reasons why tapioca is a great ingredient.
What is Tapioca?
Tapioca is a highly digestible carbohydrate, an excellent source of energy. Tapioca contains no added sugars and no protein
Why is Tapioca in Cat Food Important?
Protein in foods is the component most commonly responsible for adverse food reactions.. Because tapioca doesn’t contain protein it is not a common ingredient linked to food intolerances/allergies
This is especially important in limited ingredient diets that are designed for cats specifically with allergies or food sensitivities. A premium-quality cat food is nutritionist-formulated and made specifically for cats with sensitivities and food allergies. Manytimes, a premium-quality, limited ingredient diet can be the answer to some of the dietary issues your cat is experiencing.
Benefits of Tapioca in Cat Food
Carbohydrates such as tapioca are a highly digestible food source and are important in kibble, as well as wet cat food recipes for a variety of reasons. The shape, texture and density of kibble is dependent on the carbohydrate (starch) content of the food. In wet cat food recipes, tapioca is often used to provide a specific texture. This is very important, as mouthfeel and the structure of the kibble and wet food helps to determine palatability, which is especially important for cats that have a tendency to be picky eaters.
Although the glycemic index of individual ingredients is often scrutinized in recipes, preliminary research suggests that glycemic response in cats is not significantly different between diets that contain pulses, grains or other carbohydrate sources.
Since tapioca only supplies starch in a recipe, using it allows flexibility to create recipes with different nutrient profiles. For example, it can be used as a highly digestible energy source for cats that require less protein in their diet for cats that require less protein in their diet, or a specific nutrient level. Additionally, tapioca contains a small amount of resistant starch which has benefits similar to fibre which can help support digestive health.
In conclusion, tapioca in cat food can be beneficial for cats that are experiencing allergies and sensitivities.
