Ingredient A-Z

Wheat gluten

plant protein concentrate and binderalso called: vital gluten

What it is

The elastic protein fraction separated from wheat starch. It serves double duty: raising protein while also binding the product together.

Why it gets discussed

Most discussion is about its name colliding with gluten sensitivity in people, a topic that does not transfer cleanly to cats. Structurally it is doing the same job pea protein does in grain-free food.

Where it sits on the label

Common in gravy-format wet foods, usually within the first few ingredients.

Foods in our database that list wheat gluten

• Grilled Chicken Feast in Gravy by Fancy Feast
• Meaty Bits With Ocean Fish in Sauce by Friskies

Foods in our database that do not list it

• Fresh Ground Bird / Smooth Bird by Smalls
• Fresh Pulled Bird by Smalls
• Fresh Ground Other Bird / Smooth Other Bird by Smalls
• Fresh Pulled Other Bird by Smalls
• Fresh Smooth Fish by Smalls
• Fresh Ground Cow / Smooth Cow by Smalls
• Fresh Smooth Pig by Smalls
• Fresh Smooth Bird & Fish Dish by Smalls
• Gravy Lovers Ocean Whitefish & Tuna Feast Pate in Gravy by Fancy Feast
• Wilderness Chicken Recipe (Adult Dry) by Blue Buffalo
• Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Flaked Trout Feast by Blue Buffalo
• Seafood Sensations (Salmon, Tuna & Shrimp Flavors) by Friskies
• Tender & Crunchy Combo (Chicken, Beef, Carrots & Green Beans Flavors) by Friskies
• Land & Sea Adventures (Chicken & Ocean Fish Flavors) by Friskies
• Gravy Swirlers (Chicken, Salmon & Gravy Flavors) by Friskies
• Pate Salmon Dinner by Friskies
• Extra Gravy Pate With Tuna in Savory Gravy by Friskies

"Do not list" means the ingredient does not appear on the label text we transcribed for that product. It is not a certification, and recipes change - always confirm on the current packaging.