If you’re wondering if your kitty can lap up some of your tapioca pudding without getting poisoned, you’ve come to the right place. Tapioca is not toxic to cats, as it is found in the ingredient lists of many reputable dry kibble brands. But if you make a tapioca pudding and serve a big bowl to your feline friend, he might suffer from some gastrointestinal issues afterward. However, this would be mainly due to a large amount of sugar and milk used in this recipe, and not tapioca.
Is Tapioca Healthy for Cats?
Tapioca is a starch from cassava, a tuberous edible plant of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) from the American tropics. It is also called manioc, mandioca, or yuca. It is widely used in Asian countries and also in South America. Since the flavor of tapioca is very neutral, it is suitable for both savory and sweet dishes. However, it should not be confused with yucca, a perennial shrub in the Agavaceae family, which is toxic to cats, dogs, and horses.
Here are the main characteristics of tapioca and its health benefits for humans:
- Rich in starch: Tapioca is high in carbohydrates and therefore enriches the diet when looking for an extra dose of energy without adding fat.
- High in energy: Since tapioca is a starch, it is high in carbohydrates and energy. It has a high glycemic index, which means it has the ability to raise blood glucose levels. People with diabetes should therefore be careful about the amount of tapioca they eat.
- Regulates intestinal transit: The fibers contained in tapioca promote good intestinal transit and reduce constipation.
- Good source of iron, potassium, and magnesium: Thanks to its high content of iron, magnesium, and potassium, tapioca helps reduce the risk of anemia.
- Very satiating: Tapioca is a very good thickener for desserts or soups, so it fills up quickly by occupying more volume in the stomach.
- Does not contain gluten. Tapioca is, therefore, suitable for people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
However, cats don’t digest carbs and starch the same way as humans (or even dogs!), which limits the nutritional benefits of tapioca for felines. Nevertheless, since tapioca is gluten-free, it can be considered a good source of energy for cats with gluten allergies or intolerances. But, unlike humans, it is extremely rare for cats to suffer from gluten intolerance. In the event they do have a food allergy, it is most likely the protein source in their food.
In short, tapioca does not really provide any interesting nutritional benefits for your cat. But if your kitty has taken a liking to your favorite tapioca dessert, you could prepare him a small portion without adding sugar or milk, in order to avoid certain gastrointestinal problems (diarrhea, vomiting, gas) that can be caused by the ingestion of these foods.
Why Does Cat Food Contain Tapioca Starch?
Grains, such as barley, wheat, and corn, are ingredients found in most commercial brands of cat food. There are also grain by-products, which include bran, flour, and starch. Tapioca, being composed mainly of starch, is also frequently found in the list of ingredients for dry kibbles. Let’s demystify their (often) demonized role in pet food.
Carbohydrates, such as grains, potatoes, legumes, and tapioca, are composed primarily of starches. These are ingredients that have an important role in pet food processing. Indeed, dry food for cats and dogs must contain a certain level of starch for the final product to be adequate.
Their main function is to provide structural integrity to the kibble. Indeed, dry kibbles cannot retain their shape or structure without the binding capacities of carbohydrates. It is cooked and gelatinized starch that binds the kibbles and prevents them from crumbling. Additionally, the carbohydrate-protein interactions that occur also contribute to texture and flavor.
In other words, the starch ensures that the kibble is appetizing for your beloved little feline while preventing you from ending up with a bag full of crumbs.
Don’t Cats Need Grain-Free Food to Be Healthy?
Not really.
The wild ancestors of the domestic cat (Felis silvestris) are known to be obligate carnivores. This means that, in their natural habitat, cats consume prey high in protein, moderate in fat, and containing only a minimum of carbohydrates.
These eating habits have led to specific and unique nutritional needs. Thus, in cats, the dietary requirements of protein, arginine, taurine, and vitamin A and D, among others, are greater than in omnivores due to metabolic differences. But this ancestral diet has fueled several myths about cat nutrition.
For example, the fact that cats are strict carnivores is sometimes interpreted as cats can only meet their nutritional needs by consuming animal protein. But cats are also able to digest grains, although they are naturally inclined to consume animal prey.
Thus, the fact that cats have evolved to consume high-protein, low-carb prey has led to a myth that diets containing carbs may be detrimental to feline health. Indeed, the most commonly expressed concern is that cats are not able to metabolize carbohydrates.
But, the truth is, although wild cats are not generally prone to ingest starch, dietary studies show that domestic cats can still digest over 95% of starches.
How Many Carbs Do Cats Need In Their Diet?
There is no scientific consensus on the appropriate amount of carbohydrates that commercial cat foods should contain. It is true that many brands of dry kibble for cats contain more carbohydrates than a wild cat would consume, or domestic cats prefer when given the choice. This data, however, do not show what carbohydrate level is optimal for feline health. Additionally, lifestyle differences (e.g., whether the cat is neutered, if he goes outside or not, if he regularly consumes table scraps, etc.) between domestic and feral cats affect also their optimal nutritional needs.
Furthermore, grains and grain by-products that are added to cat foods are not used as fillers, but as cost-effective and easily digestible sources of vitamins and energy. So, contrary to popular belief, grains added to commercial cat food will have no noticeable harmful effects and no reduction in the quality or length of a cat’s life.
Bottom Line
If your cat ingests tapioca, he will not get sick. However, although tapioca is an ingredient in the majority of commercial brands of dry cat food, it does not have any real health benefits for your feline. This gluten-free starch is mainly used to bind the kibbles to prevent them from crumbling and add a little flavor to your kitty’s dry food. So, keep your tapioca pudding to yourself and offer your cat another treat with more nutritional benefits.
Featured Image Credit: Romix Image, Shutterstock
