Though it may not always appear so, your cat is quite reliant on you, especially when it comes to their regular meals. Choose from the hundreds of cat food alternatives available today. Wet versus dry, raw versus cooked, and store-bought versus subscription.
This can be intimidating, especially when you consider that not all options are nutritionally balanced. Cats have extremely specific dietary needs, according to Bruce Kornreich, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, director of the Cornell Feline Health Center, and must have a meat-based diet to thrive. “They are not vegetarians or vegans.” Cats are carnivores by nature.”
So, what is the finest cat food for your carnivore? Examine the first few ingredients listed on the label: “If meat and meat by-products are among the first ingredients listed, the food likely has enough animal source ingredients which means it has essential amino acids and fatty acids,” Kornreich stated. “Cats can’t live on meat alone,” Kornreich remarked.
To help you narrow down your options, Select contacted veterinarians and asked them what cat owners should look for in a decent cat food and what components to avoid. We’ve developed a selection of the best cat food options, with expert approval, that are available from major retailers or online subscription services and will meet all of your cat’s nutritional demands at every stage of life.
How to Buy Quality Cat Food
According to Kornreich, you should first consult your vet about your cat’s specific dietary needs in relation to age, as well as get expert advice on what needs or restrictions your cat may be exhibiting. If your cats are pregnant or nursing, they might need additional vitamins and nutrients in their diets.
Once that’s determined, he suggests approaching cat food in the same manner you would breakfast: He believes it must be nutritionally balanced. “Cats must get the appropriate balance of carbs, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals at every life stage.”
For example, the experts we contacted advised that kittens be fed a food rich in energy-producing components such as proteins and fats, whereas senior cats should be fed a diet low in calories because older cats are typically less active (more on this below).
Kornreich also advised looking for a nutritional label from the Association of American Feed Control Officials, a non-profit organization that evaluates what’s in pet food and animal feed. This label specifies the life stage for which the food is appropriate, as well as a detailed list of components and the amount of each ingredient in the dish. Aside from that, you should search for the following characteristics:
Protein: Protein in cat food can originate from chicken, rabbit, deer, or duck, according to Kornreich, but “the important thing is that the sources of ingredients be reliable and combined carefully to achieve the right balance of nutrients.”
Ingredients that are natural and whole: Shelly Ferris, DVM, Petco Veterinary Services’ regional director, suggested looking for entire foods such as “fruits, vegetables, and high-quality carbohydrates like rice, oats, or potatoes.”
Vitamins and nutrients: Ferris advised looking for calcium (essential for bones, teeth, muscular control, and ion balance) and phosphorus (essential for cell membranes and energy), as well as vitamin D, which maintains the calcium and phosphorus balance in cats. According to AAFCO, omega-3 and amino acids are also excellent for maintaining your cat’s overall health, but they can also be provided separately as supplements.
What to stay away from
Kornreich recommends avoiding cat feeds that feature peas or beans as one of their top ten ingredients: “There is some evidence that these may lead to the development of a type of heart disease known as dilated cardiomyopathy,” Kornreich said, adding that this ailment has been observed primarily in dogs.
Raw cat food: According to Kornreich, certain raw cat meals include bacteria and parasites that can be dangerous to both cats and their owners.
“Exotic” ingredients include: Tim Julien, chief medical officer at Austin-based Paz Veterinary, suggests avoiding additives that are “more about sentiment and marketing than nutrition.” He cites colors that make food appear more enticing to humans (cats perceive color differently) and “exotic” foods such as kangaroo and lentils that are “less well studied in cats.”
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Best cat foods to consider in 2023
According to our experts, all of the following highly rated cat diets, including dry food and canned wet food, meet or exceed AAFCO criteria. Here are some of the most nutritionally balanced, highly rated recipes that our experts have authorized that can be found online and in most major retailers.
Purina Cat Chow Dry Cat Food Complete *
According to the manufacturer, this high-protein dish is suitable for cats of all ages and is created from farm-raised chickens. According to Purina, it’s also high in omega-6 fatty acids, carbohydrates for energy, and 25 vitamins and minerals. It received a 4.7-star average rating from over 3,889 Amazon reviews.
LiveClear Probiotic Chicken & Rice Formula By Purina *
The first two ingredients in our Amazon Choice dry cat food are chicken and rice, which are developed for a healthy coat and digestion. According to the brand, the sixth component, dried egg product, is intended to help eliminate cat allergies. On Amazon, this Purina choice has a 4.7-star average rating based on 2,058 reviews.
Indoor Weight & Hairball Care Iams Proactive Health *
Iams’ Proactive Health, a dry food choice for cats at least 12 months old, is high in protein thanks to a blend of chicken, turkey, and salmon, according to the manufacturer. According to Iams, the formula also adds beet pulp to minimize hairballs and L-carnitine, a natural molecule produced in the brain, liver, and kidneys that helps turn fat into energy. On Amazon, it received a 4.8-star average rating based on 35,005 reviews.
Kidney Care Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Stew with Chicken and Vegetables *
This wet food is sold in places such as PetSmart and Petco, but it is not normally suggested without the advice of your veterinarian. According to the brand, Hill created this mixture to assist in safeguarding your cat’s kidney function and increase muscular mass.
It has less phosphate and sodium and is higher in omega-3 fatty acids. According to the brand, it also contains high levels of vital amino acids and L-carnitine. On Amazon, this choice has a 4.5-star average rating based on 893 reviews.
Fancy Feast Gravy Addicts Ocean Feast of Whitefish and Tuna *
Purina, the creator of the Fancy Feast line, claims that this recipe delivers complete and balanced nourishment at every life stage: the whitefish is sliced into small, delicate chunks that are simple to chew and digest for both kittens and seniors. According to the brand, its first ingredient, fish broth, provides more hydration for your cat. On Chewy, it has a 4.5-star average rating based on 595 reviews.
Adult Indoor Chicken Recipe from Hill’s Science Diet *
According to the company, this cat food is a comprehensive, balanced diet for adult cats and contains no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. According to Hill, the antioxidants and vitamins in it strengthen cats’ immune systems, and the high dose of nutritious fiber in the form of dried beet pulp promotes digestion and helps decrease hairballs. On Amazon, it received a 4.7-star average rating based on 13,008 reviews.
Friskies Classic Pate Platter Poultry *
According to the company, this paté formula for kittens and adults delivers 100% complete and balanced nutrition as well as added moisture for your cat’s diet. The first 6 ingredients in this wet canned food are poultry, water, meat by-products, liver, poultry by-products, and fish. On Amazon, it received a 4.6-star average rating based on 16,896 reviews.
Royal Canin Kitten Food *
Kittens require a higher energy and protein content diet, according to Kornreich, and Royal Canin Kitten Food attempts to provide precisely that. According to the brand, it contains a high concentration of vital amino acids for proper functioning and development, as well as taurine to promote digestion and toxin elimination, which aids in the maintenance of your kitten’s reproductive and neurological systems.
According to Royal Canin, a full vitamin and mineral blend ensures healthy bone growth, blood, coat, and skin. On Amazon, this choice has a 4.7-star rating based on 4,700 reviews.
Dry Cat Food Open Farm Homestead Turkey & Chicken *
Companies like Open Farm, which employs humanely farmed beef from local farms and ranches; wild ocean whitefish captured using sustainable procedures; and fresh, locally harvested fruits and vegetables, are part of the farm-to-bowl trend, according to the brand. Homestead Turkey & Chicken from Open Farm Dry Cat Food contains turkey, chicken, non-GMO cranberries, and dandelion greens. According to Open Farm, it also comes in a moist form that can be used as a topper for dry food. On Amazon, it received a 4.4-star average rating based on 1,108 reviews.
Wet vs. dry cat food
As with any form of food, Kornreich advises that while there are wonderful options in both the wet and dry food categories, you should contact your veterinarian first. This ensures that the type you purchase is labeled as nutritionally balanced for your cat’s life stage and that you are informed if your cat has dietary restrictions.
Cats with kidney problems, for example, may have protein and phosphorus limits, but cats with diabetes may have carbohydrate restrictions. “While feeding wet food to cats with kidney disease may be advantageous in order for them to consume more water, there are also some very good dry foods in the market for cats with kidney disease, and water may be added to them in order for them to consume more water.” The most important thing is to talk to your veterinarian.”
Dry cat food is more popular than wet cat food, in part because it is more convenient. “Dry food is cost-effective, odorless, and it has a longer shelf life,” Ferris of Petco Veterinary Services explained. Wet food is more expensive and must be refrigerated once opened (though the smell may tempt a fussy cat to eat). Dry cat food, according to Julien at Paz Veterinary, can contain more carbs than wet/canned cat food. But if you have an active cat, he/she can absolutely use carbohydrates as an energy source. If your cat is a sedentary — aka indoor — cat, he/she will store excess carbohydrates as fat, so you need to keep your eye on his/her weight.
Wet food, on the other hand, “has higher levels of fat and protein, making it a great option for cats of all lifestyles and ages,” according to Kornreich.
The best nutrition for kittens, adults, and the elderly
Cats are typically grouped into three age groups when it comes to cat food: kitten, adult, and senior. “Kittens need more energy-producing nutrients like proteins and fats. They require more vitamins, minerals, and water than adult cats,” Ferris stated. “Formulas made specifically for kittens provide just that.”On their first birthday, most cats will progress from kitten kibbles to adult food.
Ferris advised pet owners to introduce new food gradually over a week to avoid upsetting your kitty friend’s tummy. Adult cat food will most likely have fewer calories than kitten food. However, senior food (for cats over the age of 10) will most likely be tailored to your cat’s unique needs, such as difficulty chewing or a reduced capacity to smell and taste. According to Kornreich, if the food you choose does not agree with your cat, your cat will become lethargic, might vomit, have diarrhea, and even lose weight.
To Conclude
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