Cooked carbohydrates from the grains listed above are readily available to cats. While rice is usually considered the most digestible grain, the others listed above are all readily available to the pet. Another class of carbohydrates provides bulk to the food and are generally regarded as being beneficial in promoting the proper digestion and movement of food in the animal. These carbohydrates are referred to as fiber and common sources include beet pulp, rice bran, corn bran and cellulose. Since these fiber sources are not well digested, they are commonly found in lite pet foods to decrease the calories in the food.
Fats have three important roles in a pet's diet.
They provide energy, and there is more than twice the amount of energy in an ounce of fat than an ounce of protein or carbohydrate. They help in making the food more palatable, as long as the fat is of high quality and is properly protected from spoilage. Fats provide essential fatty acids to the pet, which they need for a healthy skin and shiny coat. Cats require an extra fatty acid, arachidonic acid, that dogs do not which is only found in fats from animals, poultry or fish. Check the label to make sure the food you are using meets these standards.