This article was written by Zera’s general practice veterinarian, Dr. Angie Krause, who holds a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, Certified Veterinarian (DVM), and Certified Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) credentials!
Canned cat foods often contain guar gum, a substance derived from guar beans. Recently, there has been a lot of debate about this ingredient, leaving many cat owners feeling overwhelmed. But before you decide to change your cat food, let’s take a look at why guar gum is used and how it affects your cat’s health.
Why do pet food companies use guar gum?
Guar gum plays an important role in the production of canned cat food. During the manufacturing process, meat, fruits, vegetables and other ingredients are mixed to make large batches of food. These foods are then portioned into individual cans. Guar gum helps prevent heavier ingredients from settling to the bottom, ensuring an even mix of nutrients in each can of food. It also prevents the contents of each can from separating, so there’s no need to stir the can when you open it. In short, guar gum ensures your cat gets a nutritionally balanced meal every time.
How does guar gum affect my cat’s health?
Guar gum is essentially a fiber. The right amount of fiber is good for your cat’s digestive health. It promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestines, which reduces inflammation and strengthens the cat’s immune system. Fiber also helps protect the mucous membranes of a cat’s gastrointestinal tract. However, too much fiber can have the opposite effect. Too much fiber can decrease nutrient absorption and lead to thinning stools or increased bowel movements. As with anything, balance is key.
Should you feed your cat a canned food containing guar gum?
In my practice, I often recommend canned food for cats. While some cats prefer a raw diet, this is not possible in every home. Canned food is an excellent choice for a low-carb, high-moisture and high-protein diet. To maintain stability and quality, most canned foods contain small amounts of gums such as guar gum, xanthan gum or acacia bean gum. These ingredients are usually listed at the bottom of the label, which means they are in small quantities. The fiber in guar gum can be a healthy addition to cat food when consumed in moderation.
Over the years, I’ve seen many cats live happy, healthy lives fed canned food, including my own. If you want to learn about cat behavior and health, our guide to cat sleeping habits may be helpful.
What if you want to avoid guar gum?
If you don’t want to use guar gum and other gums at all, then canned food may not be the best choice for your cat. In this case, I recommend trying homemade cat food. This method gives you complete control over the ingredients in your cat’s food. If cooking for your cat isn’t feasible, Zera’s Naked Essentialsâ„¢ cat food is another excellent option. This grain-free cat food is enriched with real meat, prebiotics, and probiotics that aid in your cat’s digestion while avoiding the use of gum altogether.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this! Feel free to leave a comment below with your questions or give your opinion.
Lots of love.
Dr. Angie.