Why Do Cats Need a Low-Grain Diet?

Cats and dogs, both members of the mammalian class, are classified as carnivores based on their dietary characteristics. However, there is a significant difference between the two species: cats are strict carnivores, while dogs show more dietary flexibility.

Cats: Strict Carnivores
Cats, much like their wild relatives are entirely dependent on animal-based nutrition. Their anatomy and metabolism are not adapted to efficiently process plant-based nutrients. For this reason, they are referred to as “strict carnivores”.
This biological reality makes low grain diets the most appropriate nutritional approach for our feline companions.

Dogs: Omnivores
Dogs, on the other hand, have developed a more adaptable metabolism over time, allowing them to digest and utilize both animal- and plant-based foods. Much like humans, they can convert a wide variety of nutrients into energy.
Therefore, dogs are best described as omnivores, meaning they are suited to a diet including both meat and plants.

Our Responsibility in Food Selection
Unlike their wild counterparts, our companions do not have a chance to choose what they eat—that responsibility lies entirely with us.
Our duty is to select diets that align with their biological and metabolic needs. Offering them nutritionally balanced, species-appropriate, and palatable food is essential to safeguarding their long-term health.

Science-Based Nutrition from NICKY
At NICKY, we design our formulas with full consideration of the strict carnivorous nature of cats. Our low-grain recipes, rich in high-quality animal protein, are developed very close to their natural eating habits.
According to us, the right nutrition is the most valuable investment we can make in their well-being.
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Our pets can´t choose what they eat — we do.
While both cats and dogs are classified as carnivores, their nutritional needs differ significantly.
Cats are strict carnivores — their bodies are designed to rely entirely on animal-based nutrients. Plant-based ingredients simply don’t meet their biological requirements. That’s why low-grain or grain-free diets are essential to support their natural metabolism.
Dogs, on the other hand, have evolved with a more adaptable digestive system. They can benefit from both animal and plant-based foods — making them more like omnivores.
Selecting a diet that respects our pawed friends’ natural biology is one of the most important decisions we make for their health.
At NICKY, we craft our formulas with science-backed precision, using high-quality animal proteins and low-grain recipes that align with their true nature.
Because proper nutrition isn’t just food — it´s long-term wellbeing.