Cat food and supplements

Classes of food for cats: differences and nuances of choice

Classes of food for cats: differences and nuances of choice
Content
  1. What are they?
  2. Composition differences
  3. Rating of the best manufacturers
  4. How to choose?

Many people who keep cats at home prefer to feed them not natural, but ready-made foods, which are sold in many stores. Some owners are afraid to give their pets such food, because it is often notoriously notorious - the same dry food often leads to kidney disease of animals. In fact, there is nothing to be afraid of if quality food of a good class is selected for the cat. Today we will analyze in detail what classes exist, and how to choose the right treats for your favorites.

What are they?

Finished feed should be selected very carefully. Such products are presented in a large assortment and are sold in many stores. When choosing such food for a cat, due attention must be paid to the immediate class to which it belongs. Let's take a closer look at the different options.

Economy class

As a rule, ready-made food of economy class is purchased by owners who trust advertising and bright packaging. Also, such food is purchased by those people who are not ready to spend a lot of money on pet food. Experts strongly advise against turning to such formulations too often, comparing their quality with cheap instant noodles. If the cat eats these things for a long period, then it will inevitably develop ailments concerning the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys.

The composition of these feeds is not rich and balanced. There is practically no meat component in them. Of course, in rare cases, such foods can be given to pets that eat natural food.

However, you do not need to do this too often - only as one-time exceptions.In this case, it is not advisable to give dry food - it is better to treat the animal with a wet version of economy class delicacies.

The lion's share of foods that relate to economy class, very well advertised. The most common brands offering products in this class are:

  • Friskies;
  • Whiskas;
  • Kitekat;
  • Gourmet;
  • Felix.

However, it is these products that are the most harmful and poor in composition.

If the feed premium class If you cannot afford it, then you should turn to more moderate quality options with a low cost. These include:

  • Cat Chow (manufactured in America, Russia, Hungary);
  • Gemon (Italian production);
  • Purina One (made in America, France, Italy, Russia);
  • "Stout" (Russian production);
  • Perfect Fit (made in the USA, Germany, Hungary, Russia).

Premium class

Treats for cats that belong to the premium group, in many qualities and characteristics, differ significantly from the cheap options in the economy category. As for their cost - usually it is not too high. But it should be borne in mind that industrial waste takes place as a meat base in these feeds, and wheat and corn act as a source of carbohydrates, which sometimes cause allergic reactions in pets.

It should be noted that the presence of meat in the food of the premium group is several times higher than in budget copies of the economy class. Based on this, the volume of animal protein increases, due to which food is absorbed much better. These products also contain vitamin and mineral complexes.

True, the direct origin of antioxidants and preservatives is also unknown here.

The feed of the described category is the middle between economy and super-premium class products. Some manufacturers rely on low-cost component parts, while others rely on higher-end component parts. This explains the variety in the assortment of such feeds. That is why it is so important to pay due attention to the composition of the selected products. In terms of price and quality, the following premium delicacies are recognized as the best:

  • Brit Premium (made in the Czech Republic);
  • Organix (manufactured in the Netherlands);
  • Probalance (made in Russia);
  • Hill's (made in America and the Netherlands);
  • Eukanuba (domestic production);
  • Science Plan (manufactured in the Netherlands, Czech Republic).

Pro Plan and Royal Canin are well known due to the widespread advertising. However, do not expect from them a "wow" effect for furry pets. Based on the reviews, the cost of these products is unreasonably overstated, and they are not much different from the other premium feeds mentioned earlier.

Super premium

The specified group of food for animals is recognized as a luxury one. The main advantage of such popular products is that they show themselves to be highly effective suppliers of protein from animal sources and not from other sources. Thanks to this, the digestibility of food is greatly simplified, which has a beneficial effect on the health of the pet. The meat component in such products is represented precisely by the meat of the first category and by-products - liver, tongue, kidneys, hearts.

These feeds contain cereals. Most often it is rice and oats. Even potatoes are found in certain foods. These components are absorbed very easily and usually do not provoke allergies. Wheat and corn cannot boast of these properties.

Super-premium food is also characterized by the fact that there are no flavors in it. But there is an excellent base of vitamins and minerals. In the role of antioxidants and preservatives of natural origin, vitamins E are used here, as well as industrial rosemary.

The food that belongs to this elite class is similar.As for the differences, they can be expressed in the ratio of meat, cereals. Treats of a super-premium company type are recognized as optimal in terms of price and quality:

  • Fitmin For Life (made in the Czech Republic);
  • Brit Care (Czech production);
  • Summit (this product is made by a Canadian firm);
  • Blitz (manufactured in Russia);
  • Leonardo (German production);
  • Flatazor (France).

The group of the described treats also includes special treating and dietary treats for cats. They are added to the pet menu on the recommendation of a veterinarian. Such products include hypoallergenic feed, which are divided by their composition into several separate types. It is necessary to choose the best option based on which component the animal is allergic to.

For pets who are allergic to vegetable protein (gluten), a special diet is being developed, where there is no wheat and corn. Instead of these elements, the feed contains oats, millet or rice. There are no cereals at all in the recipes for certain treats of this class of cereals.

If a pet has an intolerance to animal proteins, then it is necessary for him to purchase food, in which there is no chicken, pork or beef meat. Alternatively, lamb or rabbit meat and herring or salmon fillets can be used. Such products are easily absorbed by the feline body and rarely lead to allergies.

Pets who suffer from intolerance to dairy products, eggs and yeast can eat special super-premium food, on the boxes or bags with which there is a special mark - "with a limited number of components." These also include medicated foods.

Holistic

On sale it is possible to meet special food for cats, which belong to the category of holistic. According to experts, such food is optimal for pets. Initially, such feeds were included in the super-premium class, but today they are classified in a separate category. The elements that are in the content of these delicacies are characterized by the highest quality and nutritional value. They are similar to the food people are used to.

These products are produced using a special technology, thanks to which it is possible to preserve all the useful properties of the substances used. The level of digestibility of the specified food is not less than 80%.

These products lack components such as by-products. They only contain meat. It can be either fresh or dehydrated. Pitted fish meat is acceptable. The choice of meat ingredients is wide, not the meager ones found in budget cat treats. There is no corn, wheat or cornmeal here. Holistic feeds are characterized by a fairly rich vitamin and mineral base. In this case, the indicated elements are present in a greater ratio, even if we make a comparison with super-premium foods.

Popular and well-known brands offering high quality feed are:

  • Acana (Made in Canada)
  • Carnilove (made in the Czech Republic);
  • Go Natural (made in Canada);
  • Grandorf (made in Belgium, France);
  • Farmina N&D (production based in Italy, Serbia).

Composition differences

Choosing the right food for a cat, you need to very carefully and carefully understand its composition, which is usually applied on a branded box or can. This must also be done because the classification of such products is not always perfectly accurate. It should be borne in mind that the ingredients are usually listed in descending order of their percentage in the selected feed. It is desirable that the meat component is in the first positions, since the cat is a predator and must eat meat regularly.

Foods of different classes differ in their ingredients.So, in the cheapest economy class products, the quality of meat components raises strong doubts, especially if you find a combination of the words "bird meal" or "meat and its derivatives" in the composition. Such products are production waste - these are processed beaks, hooves, skin, entrails, and tumors. Such components are very poorly enriched in protein. The main protein sources in budget feed are plant elements, mainly corn gluten, protein extracts.

In the feline body, such components are difficult to assimilate. This must not be forgotten.

In economy class feeds, vitamin and mineral complexes are little used. In addition, preservatives and antioxidants, coloring agents and flavor enhancers are very often present in such products, which are not found in luxury food. Moreover, the last indicated components differ in that their origin remains unknown.

As for the most useful and safe premium food, it is worth considering that the meat component takes place in a larger percentage, due to which there is more protein in these treats. The vitamin and mineral base in the described delicacies is also pleasing, in contrast to the cheapest products. The composition of the super-premium class food is also distinguished by the presence of quickly digestible components that do not "awaken" allergic reactions in pets. Corn gluten is usually not available here, as well as flavorings. Antioxidants and preservatives of natural origin.

The safest foods in the holistic category have a high price, but you will not see offal in the table of ingredients present in their composition. There is only clean meat or fish fillets. Corn, corn flour and wheat flour, pea protein and gluten are not included here. Potatoes, peas, lentils and rice act as carbohydrates in such products, and fruit and berry mixes act as fiber. Available preservatives, which are observed in the content of these foods, are of natural origin.

The division of food for mustachioed pets is based on their composition. That is why it is so important to keep track of what is in the content of the selected product.

Rating of the best manufacturers

Today the market is replete with well-known and not-so-famous manufacturers of pet food for domestic cats. The assortment of such delicacies is wide and varied. Let's take a look at a small rating of the best manufacturers that produce high-quality and safe food for mustachioed pets.

Pro Plan

Our rating is opened by an inexpensive, but high-quality premium class product for cats. Pro Plan feeds are presented in a wide range. You can choose food for both a kitten and an adult cat, as well as pets with specific diseases. There are dry, wet and medicated feeds of this manufacturer on sale. It should be borne in mind that it is permissible to give medicinal products to pets only on the recommendations of veterinarians. The main positive qualities of these feeds are:

  • perfectly balanced composition designed for individuals of different ages;
  • the highest quality;
  • have a positive effect on the health of pets.

These feeds have one not too serious drawback - sometimes they can only be found in special pet stores.

Brit premium

This brand has been on the market for over 20 years, but Brit Premium products have appeared in Russian stores relatively recently, which is why many consumers treat such feeds with caution. This food is of high quality. During its production, all the necessary standards are provided. Such food is easily digested without harming the gastrointestinal tract of seals. The main advantages of these products are:

  • the highest quality of production - only natural meat is used;
  • some time after taking this food, the cats' hair becomes shiny, soft and silky;
  • the pet becomes more active and energetic.

As for the cons - in some cases, such products contain corn and wheat. These ingredients are not nutritious.

Royal canin

These premium foods are produced not only for healthy individuals, but also for cats suffering from various diseases. You can easily find excellent food for your elderly pets. There are products on sale that can satisfy the tastes of even the most demanding and capricious cats. The Royal Canin treats contain all the necessary ingredients. The main advantages of such products are:

  • a wide range of various feeds;
  • acceptable price;
  • perfect quality.

The only disadvantage is that it is not always easy to choose the most suitable one in a huge assortment of feed.

Hills

The products of this manufacturer collect a lot of positive reviews. They meet all the highest quality requirements. The product line also pleases with its diversity. Hills dry and wet treats are sold as well as canned treats. Mostly on sale there are universal delicacies, but you can also pick up options for pets suffering from diseases of the stomach and intestines. The advantages of such feeds include:

  • affordable cost;
  • a large list of products;
  • the presence of a large amount of nutrients in the composition.

However, such feeds are very high in carbohydrates and plant proteins. This must be taken into account. Also, the rating of high-quality treats for cats includes products of such brands as:

  • Sheba;
  • Arden Grange;
  • Bosh Sanabelle;
  • Now Natural;
  • Acana;
  • Leonardo;
  • Brit Care.

How to choose?

Food for cats should be chosen based on the following parameters.

  • Composition. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the composition of the feed. It is advisable to choose foods that have a sufficient amount of nutrients. It is better not to take feed with offal, allergenic components and other cheap components.
  • Class. It is not recommended to constantly feed cats with economy class food. Despite widespread advertising, such food can seriously harm the mustachioed pet.
  • Cat health... If a pet has a certain disease, it is necessary to select high-class medicated feed for it. Their choice should be discussed with your veterinarian.
  • Price. Too cheap feed should not be taken.
  • Age... Choose food according to the age of the cat. For kittens, many brands have specialty products that are different from those for adults or seniors.

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