The domestic cat (Felis domesticus) is metabolically adapted to low-carbohydrate diets that provide about 2% of metabolic energy (ME). These adaptations limit the rate and the amount of carbohydrate utilization in the cat compared to omnivorous species. High-carbohydrate intake and carbohydrate excess have been implicated in certain health disorders, but evidence for a cause and effect relationship is lacking. Because of the variability in carbohydrate source, processing, nutrient interaction, and the health status of cats, the identification of uniform recommendations for carbohydrate excess is not possible. While recommendations to limit carbohydrates to 4-8 g/100 Kcal ME are published, evidence that higher carbohydrate intake represents an excess is lacking.