If you want to know more about iodine free cat food recipes, read the full article. Iodine is a mineral that your kitty needs to maintain his thyroid gland in good health.
The gland helps regulate the cat’s metabolism and affects energy levels, weight, and the ability to fight infections.
Foods that are rich in iodine include fish, seafood, and dairy products. Sometimes they can be included in dry or canned kitty foods, but even then, it is usually listed in the ingredient list. Some iodine-rich meats are also found in cat treats.
It’s important to note that cats need many other minerals, but generally speaking, these will have been included if you’re using high-quality commercial food.
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Iodine Deficiency In Cats
Cats are more susceptible to iodine deficiency than dogs, especially if they’re fed a vegan or vegetarian diet. Symptoms of an iodine deficiency include cat weight loss, lethargy, and the development of goiter.
If your kitty has any of these symptoms, you should take them to see the vet for iodine supplementation.
Cat Treats That Are Rich In Iodine
One of the best choices for cat treats is nutritional yeast. Instead of buying them in bulk, you can also buy them in smaller bags or online at your local health food store.
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Another great choice is seaweed-based products which are very popular here in Japan. You can feed these to your kitty either out of the bag or cut up.
Salmon cat treats are also iodine-rich, but they have a strong smell that most kitties love! There are many other brands on the market now that make all-natural low-carb treats for cats.
Why Cats Need Iodine-Free Cat Food?
Cats are strict carnivores. They need to eat meat in order to maintain their health constantly.
Iodine deficiency can cause major problems for your kitty or cat. It can lead to all kinds of illnesses and even death if not treated early enough.
Commercial brands of cat food do have iodine added, but it’s mostly in potassium and iodized salt.
For iodine-free homemade cat food, you can cook some fish and chicken and ensure no salt is added to the recipe.
How To Make Iodine Free Cat Food Recipes?
For your kitty’s main meals, be sure to use high-quality cat food that does not contain any seafood.
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Just as humans would do, you can include iodine-rich vegetables in your cooking. Foods such as kelp and dulse seaweed provide more than 50% of the daily iodine requirement for an adult cat.
Here are 3 best recipes make for iodine-free cat food that you can try at home.
1. Tuna And Egg White Casserole
This yummy meal is full of muscle-building proteins with added calcium for strong teeth and bones. Iodine-rich vegetables are also included, together with egg whites which provide all essential amino acids.
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2-3 cats
Ingredients
- 1 can tuna in spring water (drained)
- 1/2 cup of frozen peas
- 1/2 cup of frozen kale
- 1 whole egg (beaten)
Preparation
1. Place the thawed tuna in a bowl.
2. Crush it with a fork until it is finely shredded. Add all other ingredients and mix well.
3. Bake at 350F for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown. If you prefer your mixture to be crunchier, bake it for an additional 10-15 minutes.
4. Serve warm or cold.
Serving size
Makes 1 large casserole dish which can be stored in the fridge for 3 days or divided into 4 cat food pouches and frozen for later use.
Nutrition Fact:
- Calories: 119
- Protein: 4 g
- Carbs: 3 g
- Fat: 1g
2. Iodine-Rich Meal With Fish, Eggs, Carrots, And Apples
This basic recipe makes a well-balanced meal for your cat. The carrots and apples are higher in carbs, so you may want to reduce the amount of these ingredients if you have an overweight kitty.
Fish is rich in protein, so it can replace eggs if there are any allergies or sensitivities involved.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked fish (diced)
- 1/3 cup of cooked carrots (diced)
- 1/2 grated apple (no skin or seeds)
- 1 whole egg (beaten)
- 1 tablespoon of nutritional yeast for garnish
Preparation
Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Bake at 350F for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
Serving size
Makes 1 large casserole dish which can be stored in the fridge for 3 days or divided into 4 cat food pouches and frozen for later use.
3. Iodine-rich meal with salmon, eggs, broccoli, and apples
This is another tasty meal that includes all essential amino acids. The added broccoli and apples provide more iodine for a balanced diet that will keep your kitty healthy and strong.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked salmon (diced)
- 1/3 cup of steamed broccoli (diced)
- 1/2 grated apple (no skin or seeds)
- 1 whole egg (beaten)
- 1 tablespoon of nutritional yeast for garnish
Preparation
Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Bake at 350F for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
Serving size
Makes 1 large casserole dish which can be stored in the fridge for 3 days or divided into 4 cat food pouches and frozen for later use.
Also Read: How To Make Healthy Cat Food At Home
Pros and cons of using iodine-free cat food recipes
The main advantage of cooking your homemade cat food is knowing exactly what goes into the meals. You can include other vitamins and minerals if needed, plus you can adjust the recipes according to your kitty’s needs.
Fish and seafood are excellent sources of iodine, so it may be necessary to use them as ingredients for your cat’s meals if any sensitivities or allergies are present. If you prefer not to use seafood, it is best to get iodine from other sources such as vegetables.
Iodine free homemade cat food does not have the usual strong fish odor, so you may want to consider making your kitty’s meal instead of buying commercially canned food.
Cooked recipes are also more expensive than commercial food, but it is up to you and your budget whether this will be a problem.
Homemade cat food can be stored for 3 days in the fridge or frozen for later use. Just make sure all meals are labeled correctly with ingredients and the cooking date before storing them away.
Tips for feeding an iodine-free diet to your kitty
If you are concerned about your cat’s diet, check the ingredients of any commercial food. Cats may need iodine in their diet if they suffer from hairballs, bald patches, or frequent urination.
Commercial foods often contain larger amounts of iodine than homemade meals, so consider switching to homemade if needed. The same goes for cats that are pregnant or nursing.
Cats need at least 150mcg of iodine per day, but this may be higher depending on the cat’s size, age, and activity level. If you are feeding your kitty a homemade diet, it is best to ask your vet how much iodine should be included.
Always wash your hands after handling raw meat and before touching or preparing a meal for your kitty.
Avoid using iodine products when washing dishes after cooking since the iodine may affect the palatability of your cat’s food. Iodine can be removed from surfaces by wiping with lemon juice then rinsing with water.
How To Find Iodine Free Cat Food?
If your cat has a specific medical condition, ask your vet for advice before switching to iodine-free food.
Purchasing commercially canned food is the easiest way to ensure you are only giving your kitty iodine-free meals. There are many brands on the market, so choose one your cat enjoys and check their website or packaging for information on iodine content.
Organic cat food is another option that can help you avoid iodine since organic plants are grown in soil free from synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Since most commercial plants are grown in nutrient-enhanced soil, switching to organic for your kitty may reduce the need for using iodine-free food.
What Does Cat Food Not Have Iodine In It?
The following foods do not have added iodine:
- Organic cat food
- Whole grains such as brown rice and millet
- Seafood from the seaboard
- Cottage cheese and quark
Many websites provide a list of ingredients to avoid using when making your kitty’s meals. Reading a label or two should help you understand if any ingredients cannot be used.
Does Blue Buffalo Cat Food Have Iodine?
Blue Wilderness Cat Food contains a small amount of iodine since it contains fish meal from the Pacific Ocean. This is only around 2 mcg of iodine per 100 grams of food, which is less than half found in most commercial cat foods available today.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free, Natural Adult Indoor Dry Cat Food
Blue Freedom Grain-Free Adult Cat Food does not contain added iodine. This food is sourced from the seaboard US which means it does not contain any seafood.
Blue Life Protection Formula Adult Cat Food also contains a low amount of iodine since it is made with lamb and salmon meals. A 1 cup serving may have around 3-4 mcg of iodine, so this should only be an issue for severely sensitive cats.
Blue Basics Grain-Free Adult Cat Food does not contain added iodine since it is made with a fish meal from the Pacific Ocean. This food contains 130mcg of iodine per 100-gram serving which may be too much for some cats, especially those that are pregnant or nursing.
Conclusion
I hope this article has helped increase your knowledge about cat food and iodine-containing ingredients. There’s a lot more you can do to improve the health and wellbeing of your kitty.
Remember to keep your pet cats indoors and always provide them with clean water, healthy food, and lots of love!
Thank you so much for reading & watching! 🙂
Hi there! My name is Koushik; I am a cat lover. I specialize in writing about pet care & food. I have a wealth of knowledge on cat food niches and related subjects. I have worked in the pet industry for over 5 years and am passionate about helping cat owners provide the best care for their furry friends. With knowledge of cat food and nutrition, I aim to share their insights and help cat owners navigate the world of cat food niches. I enjoy playing with my two cats, reading, and exploring new cat food brands in my free time.
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