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Corn is found in many cat foods — but not all corn is created equal. Learn more about this ingredient, its forms and its role as a source of energy for your cat.
Corn is included in cat food formulas in various forms, such as ground corn, corn meal, corn grits, corn gluten meal and corn bran. When reviewing the ingredients list on cat food packaging, you may see one or more of the following corn ingredients:
Corn Ingredient | What It Is |
Ground corn or corn meal | Finely ground and chopped whole corn |
Corn grits | The portion of ground corn containing little or none of the bran (fiber) or germ (the small protein portion at the end of the kernel) |
Corn bran | The outer coating of the corn kernel; largely fiber |
Corn gluten meal | A dried protein source that remains after the corn’s bran has been separated and removed and a large portion of the carbohydrate and germ have been removed |
Corn is included in the formulas for all IAMS cat foods, including IAMS™ ProActive Health™ Healthy Adult and ProActive Health™ Healthy Kitten. It is more appropriate to associate the corn used in our products with “corn bread” rather than “corn on the cob.” The difference is similar to cooked corn versus raw corn. We use only the highest-quality corn in our products. The corn is finely ground to a meal, which breaks up the outside covering of each kernel, and then it is cooked, which increases its digestibility.
Corn grits and corn meal are used in our foods as high-quality sources of carbohydrates, which are an important source of energy. Corn generally also results in lower glycemic and insulin response than rice. This can be especially beneficial for senior and overweight cats.
What is it about owning a cat that just makes life better? After all, cat ownership isn’t all snuggles and purrs — it can be a big responsibility. They eat every day. (Who would’ve guessed?) They need routine health care, just like their owner. Some cats are serious fur factories, and some will hack up hairballs the size of a kitten. Despite all of the duties and challenges, owning a cat improves our lives. Let’s dive into how cats help humans.
You’ve probably heard that cats are aloof, but that’s not always the case. They can be affectionate, playful and highly attached to their owners, much like a dog. It’s just that cats are at a disadvantage versus dogs because they don’t have the facial physiology that lets their canine counterparts “smile” all the time.
So, don’t be fooled — cats are not only happy; they’re also immensely talented at bringing joy to their humans. In the market for crazy antics one minute, soft cuddles the next? Cats are a low-risk, high-yield investment in complex personalities.
With any cat adoption, you are literally saving that animal’s life. Plus, you’re supporting the organization you adopt from, which in turn allows them to help more animals in need, so you’re basically a hero. And all these good feelings happen before you even bring your new kitty home!
Who couldn’t use another friend? Especially one that’s a furry, adorable biscuit factory. Research shows that having a cat can reduce stress and increase confidence, and it’s hard to beat quality time with a cat for anxiety relief. Journalist Jane Pauley once said, “You cannot look at a sleeping cat and feel tense.”
Adopting a cat can be a great move for children, too. There’s no better way to nurture values such as responsibility and empathy than with a frolicky, purr-motored pal. A survey of parents found that children who had bonded with a feline friend enjoyed a higher quality of life. (They wanted to survey the cats too, but there was a sunny spot on the carpet that needed to be napped in, so …)
Cats are amazing. They entertain us by defying gravity and contorting themselves into spine-twisting postures. An inquisitive meow or a nudge with their head can totally banish a bad mood. They are the perfect companion to all. If you’re thinking about adding a cute, fluffy, serotonin-boosting kitty cat, this is your sign: Do it!
