Rating of feed for kittens and selection rules

Cats are among the most popular and most beloved pets. The appearance of a small fluffy kitten in the house brings not only joy to the owners, but also worries. Very often, owners ask themselves the question: what is the best way to feed a kitten and how to choose the right food for it? Let's try to figure it out.

Although the digestive system of small kittens does not fundamentally differ in structure from the system of adults, it still requires a certain approach when compiling a diet. Some enzymes that facilitate the digestion of food in the gastrointestinal tract of adults are absent in kittens, so the composition of the food for them is somewhat different from the food for adult animals.

In order for a little kitten to grow into a healthy and nimble pet, it is necessary to choose the right food for the age. According to the accepted classification, kittens are divided by age into 3 categories. The first category includes individuals whose age does not exceed 4 months, the second includes kittens from 4 to 8 months of age. The third group includes animals from 8 months to 1 year inclusive.

The composition of the food for each age is strictly balanced for all the components necessary for the healthy development of the kitten. Fats, proteins, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins are not only present in the right amount, but also in the correct proportion. Each component of the composition influences a particular process in the growing organism.

Fat-soluble vitamin A promotes growth, affects the eyesight, skin and coat of the animal.Vitamin D, which belongs to the same fat-soluble group, has an effect on the skeletal system and prevents the development of rickets. Without vitamin E, the full development of reproductive function is impossible, and vitamin K is involved in the regulation of blood clotting and prevents hemorrhages. Water-soluble vitamin C is the key to good immunity, in addition, it participates in the development of the digestive system and affects the elasticity of muscle tissue and blood vessels.

Mineral trace elements such as zinc, potassium, copper, calcium, phosphorus, iron, manganese and even silicon are necessary for the full development of a young body. Each of them affects metabolic processes and the vital activity of individual organs, therefore, the lack of even one of them in the body can lead to the development of a particular disease.

It is quite simple to accustom small kittens to food, the main thing is not to rush, the ideal age for getting used to is 2-4 weeks. Before this period, it is not worth experimenting, since the kitten also has enough mother's milk, the composition of which is ideally balanced in all respects. Complete refusal of milk occurs, as a rule, from 8-10 weeks of age. It is this period that is considered the most optimal from a physiological point of view for the transition to industrial feed.

As you know, two types of food are produced for cats: dry and wet. Both are ready-to-eat and perfectly balanced. The wet look is the best option for the smallest kittens under 4 weeks of age. Its soft and moisturized consistency is perfectly chewed by milk teeth that have not yet matured. In addition, due to constantly cutting teeth at this age, the gums are irritated, and the dry consistency of the food can lead to even greater irritation of the delicate gum surface, and as a result, a complete refusal to eat.

The percentage of water in the wet type of food is close to 80, so kittens do not need additional liquid or its amount should be minimal. Very often, babies eat hastily and the pieces of food in the oral cavity simply do not have time to undergo saliva processing, which, of course, affects the quality of digestion. Insufficient time to process small pieces in jelly or broth is unlikely to harm the delicate mucous membrane of the stomach, but dry large granules can injure it.

But there are also some negative points. Wet food is sold in hermetically sealed bags or cans. It will not be difficult to choose the appropriate packaging, but after opening, its shelf life is not as long as that of a dry one, so it is better to buy a very small package for babies.

Dry food consists of small pieces of dense and fairly dry consistency. The water content in it does not exceed, as a rule, 6%. Kittens should be accustomed to this type of pii not earlier than 2 months of age, but it is better if the age of the pet reaches 4 or 5 months.

Dry type of feed is a fairly economical option. In order for an animal to be satiated, a very small amount of pellets is needed, and the feeling of satiety in an animal lasts much longer compared to wet food.

The solid structure of the feed plays a significant role in the prevention of calculus. Solid particles act on the enamel of the teeth no worse than a brush, they perfectly clean the surface and prevent the remains of food from attaching to it.

In order not to injure the delicate gums of the fluffy little friend and to minimize digestive problems, it is better to soak the food before serving. It is quite simple to do this, you just need to fill the granules with a small amount of water and leave them to swell for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a bowl for your pet. When the kitten reaches 8 months of age, dry food can be fed without soaking.

The shelf life of a dry form, although limited, is much longer than that of a wet one, even if the pack remains open for quite a long time. It does not need to be kept in the refrigerator and a suitable container must be selected for storing it; it is enough just to put it in a dark place, protected from direct sunlight.

But there are also disadvantages to this type of feed. Salt is a part of any type of dry food, which means that the animal must have fresh, clean water all the time.

Today there are quite a number of companies that produce the most varied in taste and composition of food for kittens. It is rather difficult to navigate this "sea", because a high price does not always mean a quality product.

The composition is the most important indicator due to which the feed can be attributed to a certain category. Today there are only 4 of them: economy, premium, super-premium and holistic.

Foods in this category are the most well-known, widely advertised and affordable. The advantage of economy class forages lies, perhaps, only in their low price, otherwise it is quite controversial regarding its usefulness and quality of the product.

Low price implies not important, but in most cases and harmful to the health of a small kitten composition: meat and fish production waste (less than 5% of the volume), unknown types of cereals, a minimum of vitamins, flavor enhancers and salt as a preservative. The presence of amplifiers leads to addiction and completely manic dependence of cats on the composition, which is successfully used by manufacturers. In the future, it is very difficult to wean a kitten from such "chemically stuffed" food.

In addition, budget foods are often oversaturated with micronutrients such as Mg (manganese), P (phosphorus) and Ca (calcium). Their presence, not balanced to the required proportions, can lead to a variety of diseases and pathological changes in the bone, muscular and nervous systems. And the ratio between proteins, fats and carbohydrates is not at the proper level, because in good feed the percentage of proteins is higher than carbohydrates, and in this category carbohydrates take 1st place.

This group includes feed of the middle price category. They are better than the economy class line, balanced in terms of protein, carbohydrates and fats. In addition, this category is much more widely represented, it is possible to select food for a specific group of animals, which include pets with allergic reactions and individuals with sensitive digestion.

The source of proteins in this line is most often chicken or its processed products, but in some formulations the proportion of proteins of plant origin is higher than the proportion of proteins of animal origin.

Crushed corn or wheat kernels are present in some formulations as a source of carbohydrates, which often causes allergic reactions in sensitive animals. The share of carbohydrates in most premium feeds is slightly higher than the generally accepted norm.

While the premium food line is better than the economy food, it is not ideal either. Almost all formulations contain preservatives and antioxidants to ensure that the feed remains usable for a long time.But their presence is not the worst if the manufacturer indicates this on the packaging.

Organix canned food from a Dutch company is produced in Russia, so their price is quite acceptableMoreover, they are even slightly inferior in cost to economy-class forages, but significantly surpass them in quality.

The share of proteins is represented by beef and by-products, the source of fats is vegetable oil, and the share of carbohydrates is rice cereal. In addition, canned food is well balanced in vitamins and minerals.

But there is also a small disadvantage to these canned food. The share of by-products is much higher than the share of meat, so they are only premium products.

Feed produced under the brand name Royal Kanin, stand out among the rest of the products in this line with their wide assortment. For kittens, they produce both a dry look (from 4 months) and wet food intended for a younger group (up to 4 months).

Kitten food is well fortified and rich in minerals. But the percentage ratio between proteins of plant and animal origin is not in favor of the latter. As a source of carbohydrates, manufacturers used rice, wheat and flour from unknown (not indicated on the package) crops. The use of animal fats, soybean oil and fish oil as a source of fatty acids is a definite plus, but the manufacturer did not bother to indicate the sources of fiber.

Purina Pro Plan foods are affordable and widely available... For kittens, they produce 1 version of dry and 2 types of wet food.

The composition contains proteins (about 36%), of which 21% is chicken, and manufacturers do not specifically indicate whether this is meat or other parts of poultry. The source of carbohydrates in this case is corn, and fats are represented by fish and other fats, but already of plant origin.

The feed proved to be excellent Probalance... Their composition is quite good; meat is present as a source of protein, and not just offal. The food is well enriched with vitamin and mineral supplements, as a source of saturated fatty acids, manufacturers included chicken, not vegetable fat in the composition. The only drawback of this product is the declared, but not specified flavoring additives.

Italian food Schesir widespread in Russia. It is positioned by manufacturers as super-premium food, but its composition is still closer to the premium group.

Proteins, and their share is only 15%, are declared only after carbohydrates, represented by rice and barley, the share of each of which is about 19%. Proteins of vegetable origin, fiber in the form of beet pulp, and fats of vegetable and animal origin are also present in the composition. In addition, the composition is enriched with a prebiotic in the form of chicory pulp and various antioxidants of plant origin. This feed contains a good addition of vitamins and minerals.

This line of feed differs from premium in the highest percentage of protein content.The food is well balanced in terms of vitamins and minerals, which allows owners to not spend money on supplements.

One of the good ones in this line is food from the Canadian company 1st Choice. In addition to animal proteins, the feed contains plant proteins, which occupy a larger than necessary proportion (about 30%). The share of meat in the protein portion is not very high and is within 17%. Fatty acids are found in chicken and fish oils, and the source of carbohydrates is a complex of cereals. There are no artificial colors in the composition, and vitamin E (tocopherol) is used as a preservative.

Feed produced by a Czech company Brit Care I'kitten, It is rich in proteins of animal and vegetable origin, with meat accounting for 22%, and the remaining 25% for dehydrated protein. Present in the composition and rice in the form of bran, and fiber in the form of crushed particles of dried apples, and high-quality sources of fat, and prebiotics that have a beneficial effect on the intestinal microflora, and even plant extracts.

Brit Care I'kitten food is the best option for kittens, it is not only perfectly balanced in all components, but also hypoallergenic, since the composition does not contain wheat and corn. A small disadvantage of the feed is the presence, along with meat, by-products.

Grain-free feed Arden grange is perhaps the best option for kittens. The protein content of the composition deserves the highest mark. It is represented by white fish (26%), fish meal (24%) and dry whole eggs. But other components are no worse than the protein part. Contains potatoes, chicken and salmon fats, natural flavors, peas as a fiber source and other natural ingredients. The only drawback of this feed is its high price.

This category includes feed with a special improved composition. They differ from the super-premium category not only in their higher protein content, but also in a higher-quality composition of protein, carbohydrate and fat parts.

The protein portion consists only of fresh or dehydrated meat or fish. The carbohydrate portion can consist of either potatoes, lentils, or peas, and sometimes rice is also present.

There are no artificial colors or preservatives that are harmful to animal health.... For long-term storage, fat-soluble vitamins are used.

Made by a British company, Applaws is 84% ​​animal protein. The protein part consists of dehydrated chicken flour (47%), similar to processed duck flour (21%) and minced chicken (16%).

The carbohydrate part is represented by the fibers of potatoes, and the producers added salmon fat as a source of unsaturated acids. The feed is enriched with beet pulp (fiber), brewer's yeast (B vitamins) and other useful additives. As preservatives, in addition to tocopherol, manufacturers have added rosemary and citrus fruits to the feed.

Aft Carnilove from Czech producers, proteins make up 63% of the total composition. The food is very good in its composition, since all the ingredients are of natural origin. It is well fortified and enriched with minerals. Among the shortcomings, one can only name the insufficiently accurate indication of the ingredients in the protein part and the high price.

The food from British producers Canagan contains about 65% animal protein.In addition to meat ingredients, the protein part also contains a dehydrated egg (4%). This grain-free food, in addition to various additives and vitamins, also contains prebiotics, which is an undoubted advantage.

The most common holistic in Russia from Canadian manufacturers Acana. In its composition, all the ingredients are described most accurately in comparison with similar feeds in this category. The protein portion of the feed consists of meat, fish and high quality offal. It contains all the necessary vitamins and minerals, and ingredients of natural origin are used as preservatives.

When choosing food for your little pet, you should be guided primarily by common sense. In order to choose the right food, you need to take into account both age and general condition, and, of course, carefully study the composition indicated on the packaging by the manufacturer.

When choosing a feed, it is worth focusing not so much on the category indicated by the manufacturer, but on the composition, since some the declared grades often do not correlate with the ingredients. A high price is not always a guarantee of impeccable quality, you can always find a feed with a better composition at a lower price.

You need to choose the food in which proteins prevail in percentage over other components, since protein is the main source of growth and development of a kitten.

There are many different opinions about which food is best for a kitten. According to most veterinarians, you should choose at least a premium class feed, and up to 4 months you should completely prefer super-premium and holistic feeds. They are the best fortified and enriched with minerals.

Although wet food is somewhat more expensive than dry food, you cannot do without them.... It is not necessary to give a kitten dry food until 4-5 months of age, as it not only spoils the tooth enamel, but can also lead to digestive problems.

For sick and weakened animals, there is a special line of feed, and before buying this or that type, you need to consult a veterinarian. Only the attending veterinarian can give the correct advice on the choice of such a specific diet.

See below for an overview of the different foods for kittens.