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May 31, 2021

Here Is Why Tapioca in Cat Food Is Important

  • Ingredients
  • Cat Food
  • Nutrition
  • Cat
Two cats sitting on the floor eating GO! SOLUTIONS CARNIVORE Grain-Free Chicken, Turkey + Duck Recipe kibble

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 like our Go! Solutions Sensitivities
Limited Ingredient recipes
are nutritionist-formulated and made specifically for cats with sensitivities and food allergies. Many times, a premium-quality, limited ingredient diet can be the answer to some of the dietary issues your cat is experiencing.

Go! Solutions Sensitivities Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Duck Recipe for Cats

Recommended Solution

Limited ingredient recipes for your feline friend

Our Go! Solutions Sensitivities recipes are specially formulated by experts to help cats suffering from food sensitivities.

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, 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.


Author

Michele Dixon

Michele Dixon

Health and Nutrition Specialist

Michele studied animal nutrition through Colorado State University and the Companion Animal Sciences Institute. Involved in animals and nutrition for over 25 years, Michele had the pleasure of receiving a High in Trial with her first Borzoi Yascha at an early age.