Do cats need any carbohydrates in their diet?

No -- AAFCO sets no minimum carbohydrate requirement for cats. Cats can synthesise the glucose they need through gluconeogenesis (from protein and fat). This doesn't mean carbohydrates are harmful in small amounts, but cats have no dietary requirement for them the way they do for protein and specific fats.

How much carbohydrate is in typical dry cat food?

Most dry cat kibble contains roughly 25–45% carbohydrate on a dry matter basis, depending on the formulation. Grain-free dry foods often have similar carbohydrate totals to grain-inclusive foods -- the starch source changes (peas, lentils, potato instead of corn or rice) but the amount doesn't necessarily drop significantly.

Is a low-carbohydrate diet better for cats?

For healthy cats at an ideal weight, the evidence doesn't clearly show harm from moderate carbohydrate intake. For cats with diabetes or obesity, a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet is often recommended as part of management -- some diabetic cats on low-carbohydrate diets can achieve remission. Dietary changes for health conditions should be guided by a vet.

Is wet food better than dry food for cats because of carbohydrates?

Wet food typically has a much lower carbohydrate content (under 5% dry matter basis for many products) and higher moisture content than dry food, which aligns more closely with a cat's evolutionary dietary profile. Whether that makes it definitively 'better' depends on the individual cat's health needs, preferences, and the specific foods being compared. For cats with urinary issues, diabetes, or obesity, wet food's lower carbohydrate and higher moisture content are often considered advantages.

Can cats digest starch?

Yes, to a degree -- cats do have some amylase and digestive enzymes that break down starch, just at lower levels than omnivores. Cats can absorb moderate amounts of digestible starch, but they handle large glucose loads from starchy meals less efficiently than dogs or humans, and their blood glucose takes longer to normalise after high-carbohydrate meals.

Cat Carbohydrate Requirements | PetCalculator

Cats have no dietary requirement for carbohydrates -- yet most dry cat foods contain significant amounts. Here's what that means for their physiology and how to think about dry versus wet food choices.