Visit any grocery store aisle and you are certain to find more and more shoppers scanning labels to make sure their food is "free" of one thing or another: gluten free, fat free, sugar free… the list grows longer each day. Now, these preferences have extended beyond the dinner table and into the food bowl, as discerning pet parents strive to make similar food choices for their beloved four-legged family members. After all, who doesn’t want their furry friend to have a healthy and happy life?

It’s no wonder that the pet food market has reacted in kind, with an array of grain-free cat food options appearing within the recent years. But is grain-free food for cats the right option for your favorite kitty? Contrary to what can be found on the internet (which is anything), grains can actually be good for your cat. Here are answers to some of the most common questions about grain-free cat food — and whether you should consider for your own pet.

What Is grain-free cat food?

Grain-free cat food is just what its name describes — a cat food made free of grains. Common grains found in cat food include wheat, corn, oats, barley and rice.

Most cats don't require a grain-free food and cats with diagnosed grain allergies are unusual. In a study published in Veterinary Dermatology, corn was found to be one of the least likely sources of food allergy in a cat. Of the 56 cats in the study with food allergies, corn was responsible for four cases of allergy issues. Forty-five cats, meanwhile, suffered from allergies associated with eating beef, dairy and/or fish. So how can you know if your cat has a food allergy? Some possible signs of a food allergy include:

• Itchiness
• Excessive grooming
• Excessive hair loss
• Bald patches
• Inflamed skin
• Sores and scabs
• "Hot spots"

Cats can have allergic reactions to grooming products, food and environmental irritants, such as pollen or flea bites which are more common than food allergies. Feline acne, mites, lice, and bacteria and fungus infections of the skin all can lead to similar signs as food allergies in your kitty. You can narrow down what type of allergy your cat has by having your vet do a thorough examination and if food is suspected, your vet may recommend an elimination trial, the gold standard for diagnosing a food allergy, that can help you determine what the cause of your cat's discomfort is. If there is ever a question, your vet should be your number one source for discovering if any allergies do exist.