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How Wheat Is Used in Our Cat Foods

Why Use Wheat in Cat Food?

Wheat is a grain used as a high-quality carbohydrate source in dry cat foods. It provides energy for daily activity, as well as processing characteristics for the food. IAMS™ research has shown that including wheat in a complete and balanced diet resulted in a moderate glycemic response in dogs and cats, lower in general than that observed when a rice-based diet was fed.1,2

Misconception About Cat Food Allergies

A common misconception is that feeding wheat causes food allergies. Here are the facts:

• The cat must have a hypersensitivity to the food or ingredient. It is an adverse reaction of an individual animal to proteins in the diet.
• Food allergies are rare in animals and account for a very low percentage of allergic reactions in cats.
• If your cat has a food allergy, he is most likely allergic to one ingredient or a combination of ingredients in his diet.

¹ Sunvold GD. The role of novel nutrients in managing obesity. In: Recent Advances in Canine and Feline Nutrition, Vol II: 1998 IAMS Nutrition Symposium Proceedings. Carey DP, Norton SA, Bolser SM, eds. Wilmington, OH: Orange Frazer Press, 1998; 123-133.

² Bouchard GF. Effect of dietary carbohydrate source on posprandial plasma glucose and insulin concentration in cats. In: Recent Advances in Canine and Feline Nutrition, Vol III: 2000 IAMS Nutrition Symposium Proceedings. Reinhart GA, Carey DP eds. Wilmington, OH: Orange Frazer Press, 2000; 91-101.