When it comes to your pet, you cannot be too careful. Your animals at home are not mere members of the animal kingdom. They are a part of your life and your family. You definitely would not want them undernourished, unhappy or worse.
You need to ensure that your feline friend is always full, healthy and happy. To do that, you should use the best cat food available. Picking one might be a challenge especially for first-timers.
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Selecting the right kind of cat food
Selecting the right kind of cat food
Understanding the different considerations of your pet’s diet is a good start. You can do your research to get a clearer picture of what they need. It is not just about the food itself. You need to consider that as well as your cat’s own characteristics.
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The regular cat food comes with multiple very important ingredients. The following are some of them.
1. Protein Content
2. Grains
3. Arachidonic Acid and Taurine
The nutrients content of your cat’s food should include both taurine and arachidonic acid. The first one is essential to ensure a healthy vision, digestion, heart functions, and immune system. The latter has a significant function in inflammation and signaling in the cell membranes.
4. Vitamins and Minerals
The best cat food should contain the right kinds and amounts of vitamins and minerals. Vitamin A is for perfect eyesight and a strong immune system. Vitamin B is for a healthy metabolism, body growth, nervous system, and gastrointestinal function to name a few. Minerals work to keep your cat’s bones, joints, and teeth in the peak of health.
4. Vitamins and Minerals
5. By-products
Animal by-products such as the liver and lungs bring nutrients to a cat’s diet. However, they should be specified in the list of ingredients. This is because other by-products like feathers and fur are actually not easy to digest. They can cause discomfort and possible sickness to your pet.
AFFCO-Certified
To ensure your pet’s wellbeing, you should choose a cat food that is safe and healthy. One way to do that is by checking if it is certified by the Association of American Feed Control Officials. An AFFCO-certified product has undergone testing and confirmed to be safe.
Types of Cat Food
Another consideration to think of is the type of cat food to buy. Here are three of the main cat food types.
1. Dry Food
Dry food usually comes with less cost. Maintenance is also easier, and it does not go bad right away. As long as it is of high quality, your cat will be happy, full and healthy. The main requirement is for it to contain animal proteins at the top of the list. In most cases, it is preferred than the wet variety, especially by kittens.
2. Wet Food
Wet food is highly recommended for pets who get dehydrated fast. It is also best for those who have urinary tract problems. It also helps with weight loss and maintenance because of lesser calorie content. However, it easily gets bad, so it should be consumed right away. Wet cat food is often more expensive as well.
3. A Combination of Dry and Wet
The perfect type is a combination of both. This helps keep the cat disciplined and flexible in case of unavailability of one type or another. You can choose to alternate between the two by following a schedule that rotates them.
Age of Cat
Your pet’s nutritional requirements vary at different points of their life. Their age is another thing to consider when choosing the right cat food.
1. Kittens
Because they are still growing, kittens need fat and protein in high amounts. These are required for their growth. You cannot choose one simply because it is marketed as made for kittens. It should clearly specify ingredients that are rich in the required minerals and nutrients.
2. Adult Cats
Active adult cats require vitamins such as Vitamins C and E as well as calcium. These are very important for ensuring that their immune system remains strong. If your adult cat is a little lazy or starting to get overweight, you should consider a low-calorie cat food. You can have a word with your vet regarding your cat’s possible journey towards obesity before it actually happens.
3. Seniors
Elderly cats require fewer calories since they tend to have lower activity levels. Lower levels of fat, phosphorus, and sodium are also better for cats that are 10 years and older. Kidney diseases are common among older cats. Because of this, the diet designed for them has a goal of lessening the stress on this organ.
Top 5 Cat Food Reviews
Knowing what you need to consider when choosing the right cat food is the first step. You can now have a look at the top options available in the market.
Fussie Cat Premium Tuna Formula
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It is prepared in an FDA-approved kitchen, so you are assured of its quality, cleanliness, and safety levels. Its mixture containing 78% water will help keep your cat hydrated. It does not contain corn, potato, soy, and wheat, so you are sure to be giving a minimal amount of carbohydrates. You will not have to worry about making your pet overweight. Since its first ingredient is tuna and ocean fish, you are sure that your cat is getting as much protein as it needs.
Since it comes in different flavors, you have a variety to choose from based on what your pet likes the most. In short, your cat ends up full, happy and healthy.
Acana Regionals Protein-Rich, Real Meat, Grain-Free, Dry Cat Food
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Acana Regionals offers four different mixtures of various high-protein ingredients. This leaves you with different options to choose from, giving your cat a taste of nature’s various flavors. If they have a favorite, then you can choose the one that they would enjoy eating the most.
This formula comes with half-raw and half-dried meat. So your pet gets the perfect natural and concentrated combo. It has whole vegetables and fruits making up 25% of its contents. It is free from potatoes, tapioca, grains and any other items containing gluten. You also do not have to worry about the presence or possibility of allergic reactions. It follows the WholePrey philosophy. This means your cat gets the meat and organs in the same quantity as found in their natural prey.
Purina Fancy Tender Feast Cat Food
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Its first listed ingredient is poultry or seafood. You, therefore, get the protein that you need for your pet cat. Since it is specially formulated for kittens, it comes with a portion of real milk. This is to support the kitty’s growing bones and muscles. The mixture is in soft pate, so your little one does not hurt itself when feeding.
It also includes the required portion of vitamins and minerals needed by cats to be healthy. Its delicious flavor will make it easy for your kitten to enjoy its food.
Dr. Elsey’s Cleanprotein Formula Dry Cat Food
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This formula is made up of at least 90% of protein from animal and fish meat. More so, its first ingredient is meat. You, therefore, get an assurance that your cat gets the amount of protein it needs. With this cat food, your cat will be eating less yet staying full longer. You will be assured of less belly fat as well because of its low carbohydrate content. It is completely free from grains and other items containing gluten.
You might notice that it is priced more than its competitors. however, you still get the value for your money in the end because your cat is healthy. The food pellets are smaller than other cat food. it also comes with a little bit of moisture. these two characteristics elicit a positive response from the feline population though.
Meow Mix Grain-Free Wet Cat Food
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With zero fillers, by-products and preservatives, your cat ends up with the good stuff from Meow Mix. It is made with either real chicken with gravy or real fish with sauce. You get your pet’s requirement for protein completed. It does not have grains or other items with gluten. You get the vitamins and minerals needed for your cat’s health and nourishment instead.
You also do not have to break your pocket or monthly budget as it is quite affordable. The taste has been proven to be pleasant and liked by most felines.
Conclusion
When it comes to your pet’s food, you cannot take things lightly. The many options in the market today will make the selection process a bit harder. However, if you know what is good for them, you will never go wrong.
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