All about dry food for cats and cats

It is not easy to choose dry food for cats - the market today presents a huge number of ready-made food options. They differ in composition, balance and variety of names. To choose dry food specifically for your cat, you need to consider some of the dietary habits of the feline family. It is also advisable to understand the different types of this product designed for different periods of your pet's life.

There are many myths about formulating the right diet for cats. Every pet owner, veterinarian, or cat nutritionist has a different opinion on this matter. That's why creating the perfect diet for every pet is nearly impossible.

When buying dry food you need to pay attention, first of all, to the amount of animal protein that is part of the food. As we know, cats are carnivores. Therefore, such ingredients should enter the pet's body at every meal. However, low-calorie food manufacturers are substituting plant-based protein for animal protein. Unfortunately, the consequences of such eating can be very unpleasant, because the digestive tract of the cat is not adapted to the digestion of plant proteins.

Cat food has its own characteristics depending on the age of the animal.

During the first month of a cat's life, it is better to use a special food for kittens for feeding, which is produced in the form of a breast milk substitute. Such food is given to a kitten separated from its mother, every 2-4 hours... During this period, kitten food can become a staple food.

From 3-5 weeks of age, kittens are fed milk replacer, which is poured into a shallow dish to encourage weaning from the bottle. You can also use moisturized, easy-to-chew food consisting of a mixture of warm milk replacer and high quality dry kitten food. This mixture is given 4-6 times a day.

By 5-8 weeks, the kitten should learn to chew food confidently with its teeth. He needs a diet rich in protein. You need to feed your pet 3-4 times a day. Here, a good diet option could be a combination of canned food and dry food.

Kitten food is usually high in protein, calories and fat, which are necessary to support the healthy growth and functioning of the animal. Proper feeding of a kitten consists in giving him a certain amount of food at a certain time. This is extremely important for growing animals.

From about 7 years of age, cats begin to move into the aging stage of life. This transition causes changes in the health and lifestyle of the animal, which are expressed in variability:

• weight;
• skin;
• joints;
• teeth;
• internal organs.

If your cat is happy with her current diet, then it may not be necessary to switch to a different diet. Some manufacturers produce special food for older cats. They contain ingredients that are easier to digest than standard pet foods. Older pets are more likely to have health problems associated with intestinal dysfunction and kidney disease. There are specially formulated dietary products that can help slow the progression of disease.

Your veterinarian can help you choose the best food for your cat. Taking into account medical indications and contraindications, the current state of health and lifestyle of the animal (constantly indoors or outdoors; leads a passive or active lifestyle), the veterinarian will prescribe the type of dry food or its combination with other types of food.

Cats, like all living things, need certain nutrients. Therefore, when using dry cat food in the diet, it is necessary to observe their presence.

Water is the most important ingredient in maintaining cell health and overall body function. Cats lose water through:

• lungs;
• skin;
• urine;
• feces.

In the process of evolution, felines have adapted to receive most of their water through food. Therefore, good feline nutrition includes a protein-rich diet combined with constant access to water.

Protein is an essential component of a cat's diet to maintain:

• muscles;
• bones;
• ligaments;
• tendons.

All proteins have a different absorption rate. Some foods, such as fish and chicken, contain proteins that are better absorbed by cats than plant and dairy sources of protein. Dry food can also contain both animal and vegetable proteins.

Essential Fatty Acids - Also known as fats, are a source of energy for cats. This property of the body of representatives of the feline family makes it unnecessary to use carbohydrates as energy-supplying ingredients. Fats also contain the vital fat-soluble vitamins D, E, A, and K.In addition, they contain linoleic and arachidonic acids, which play an important role in maintaining the overall health of the animal. Fat-deficient cats will exhibit the following symptoms:

• growth retardation;
• dry hair, dandruff;
• lethargy;
• susceptibility to infections.

4. Vitamins are organic substances (found in plants or animals), which are very important components of a cat's diet as they help regulate various biochemical and physiological processes in the body, including:

• increased immunity;
• support for growth and development;
• help cells and organs to function normally.

There are 2 types of vitamins: fat-soluble and water-soluble. The difference between them is as follows:

• fat-soluble vitamins processed and stored in fat cells (the so-called fat depots) of the animal body;
• water-soluble vitamins must dissolve in water before the body can use them, they cannot be stored and therefore must be constantly replenished with food.

Raw or minimally processed cat food usually meets vitamin requirements. From natural foods such as chicken, meat and fish, your cat's body gets almost all the vitamins it needs. Synthetic vitamins are usually added to dry food. They compensate for the lack of natural vitamins that are removed during the processing of food in the production of feed.

In addition to vitamins, cats require a certain amount of various micro and macro elements for the normal functioning of the body.

Minerals are inorganic substances that can be found in soil or water. Plants and animals consume macro and micronutrients to regulate:

• acid-base balance;
• correct metabolism in cells and tissues;
• enzymatic reactions of the body.

The following types of minerals should be present in the diet of cats:

• calcium;
• phosphorus;
• sodium;
• potassium;
• magnesium;
• iron;
• copper;
• zinc;
• iodine.

All dry food has its positive and negative sides. They have many advantages over wet ones.

• First of all, feeding with dry food is quite comfortable for the pet owner. If the owner of the cat does not have the opportunity to prepare special cat food, then the option of feeding with dry food will be an excellent solution to this issue.
• Dry food contains fewer artificial ingredients... Thanks to the drying process, the nutrients in the feed can be stored for a longer time without deteriorating or losing their value.
• An additional advantage of high-quality dry food is its beneficial effects on oral hygiene: The feed pellets systematically grind tartar and thus reduce the risk of gum disease.
• Feeding dry food costs cheaperthan fresh food.
• Saving time - just open the package and pour the food into a bowl.
• Dry food does not spoil and therefore you can leave it in the pet's bowl "with a margin". Cats usually eat a certain amount of dry food and do not overeat.
• Dry food has the right balanced composition of ingredientsspecially designed for the physiological needs of cats.

But there are also some downsides.

• Dry food does not contain water, and the body of cats is adapted to receive a certain amount of moisture through food. Therefore, dry food can lead to dehydration.Therefore, you should always put a bowl of clean water next to it, constantly replenishing it. To prevent dehydration or kidney disease, cats need to drink a little more than wet food. Remember that your cat must have access to fresh water at all times, regardless of whether it is fed dry or wet food. Especially during the summer heat.
• Eating low-quality dry food relieves the teeth of the animal from stress, which negatively affects dental health. In addition, the carbohydrates found in cheap varieties of food leave plaque, which eventually turns into tartar.
• Carbohydrates, found in many inexpensive dry food brands, disrupt the metabolism of cats, which can subsequently lead to diabetes.
• In cheap feed there may be flavor enhancersthat make animals addictive to these types of food.

When looking at the list of ingredients on a dry food label, it is very important to remember that nothing is said about the exact amount of each ingredient. But nevertheless, it helps in some cases. For example, if we know what specific allergen our pet has a reaction to, then we will not purchase food containing that ingredient. In this case, the label showing the composition of the feed really matters.

Below are some general guidelines on how to use the nutritional values ​​indicated on the food label.

• The main part of a cat's diet should include poultry meat (chicken, turkey) or rabbit. Therefore, it is better to buy food where a high meat content is indicated in the feed.

• Liver contains a huge amount of vitamins A and D. If the cat receives an excess of liver food - this can lead to hypervitaminosis. Therefore, the liver should only make up about 5% of the cat's diet. However, the liver is a cheap product and therefore often appears first in the list of ingredients in some feeds.

• A fish not always desirable for cats for the following reasons:
  • high probability of allergiesthat manifests itself in the form of skin rashes or inflammatory bowel disease and possibly asthma;
  • toxin / mercury contamination of fish, which will lead to poisoning or intoxication of animals;
  • addictive - the cat then does not want to eat anything else.

• Beef is often a food allergen for some cats, although many cats tolerate this type of food well.

• High protein, low fat feed especially important for cats that need to lose weight. However, high protein foods often contain a lot of fish. Therefore, you must carefully choose the feed.

• note that wheat is an allergenic ingredient that should not be given to cats. Some companies add wheat to their feed to improve the profitability of their business.

• Another important point. Don't blindly believe the labels that say “95% meat”. After all, "meat" can just be a high-fat meat filling. By this word, the manufacturer can mean the inclusion of both fats and proteins. Just because a company says “meat” on the label doesn’t mean that the feed will be high in protein.

• So called by-products, or in another way by-products, are normal constituents of a carnivore's diet. They consist of fairly nutritious meats like liver, spleen, and kidney. On the other hand, by-products can also include paws and feathers, which are very low in nutritional value.The problem is that the consumer cannot correctly assess the quality of the by-products contained in the feed. And the quality can vary depending on which company produces the feed and the batch of raw materials that were used in the production process.

The fact that cats eat offal in the wild is beyond question. However, it is preferable to have more muscle meat in the feed. (chicken or turkey) and only a few by-products. The combination of muscle meat with by-products mimics the natural diet of cats, which are still potential predators.

Many cats love the Friskies, 9-Lives, and Fancy Feast strains, which contain byproducts. And we all know how picky cats can be, and how important good nutrition is to them. This is especially important when they are sick or diabetic and must eat on schedule.

It is far more sensible to include animal by-products in a predator's diet than to include high-carbohydrate allergenic grains such as corn, wheat, rice, or soybeans.

First-time food pickers find that the choice is truly overwhelming. Kitten food, dry food, semi-dry food, diet and natural foods, nutritional supplements, health diets, canned food, sealed bag food, chicken flavored food, cat food with tuna, cereals and so on. The list goes on and on in terms of ingredients, flavors, and the types of cat food available.

Dry food is usually divided into several main classes.

• Economy class. This feed, which consists mainly of bone meal and plant components. And to enhance the taste and appeal to cats include flavors and flavorings. There is practically no natural meat or fish in these feeds.

• Premium class. This type of food contains selected meat and fish components. They have a balanced composition of vitamins and microelements. Corn is added from plant substances. A veterinary certificate is issued for these feeds. This food is well absorbed by the cat's body, and due to this, food consumption is quite economical.

• Super premium class... The feed consists of pellets, which may contain salmon fillets, selected meat (turkey or lamb), eggs, rice groats and other ingredients of the highest quality. All nutrients are balanced according to the guidelines for a healthy cat diet.

• Holistic. This is a dry food of an elite series with environmentally friendly ingredients. In addition to the high content of meat components, this type of dietary food includes natural fruit, vegetable and grain additives. This super balanced composition has excellent taste and is easy to digest.

Despite the differences in grades, all dry foods have common qualities.

• In general, these feeds have quite reasonable prices.
• Long shelf life. One bag of food can last for several months.
• Dry food is not very tasty, but it has an advantage. Cats are known for being picky eaters. They can easily turn away from the food offered if their diet consists exclusively of dry food. But the feeling of hunger will still force the cat to consume dry food. And that's why your pet will always have a decent appetite. But at the same time, you can be sure that your pet will not overeat.

Your pet's nutritional needs change throughout life, so it's important to make adjustments to your diet over time. For example, kittens should consume about 2 times more nutrients per 0.5 kg of body weight than an adult cat. Also, pregnant and lactating cats need more food to stay strong and healthy.

The main contents of a cat bowl should be food containing good quality dry food. But when buying dry food, keep in mind that price is not always a reflection of quality. Below is an overview of the best brands in cat and cat food.

One of the best dry cat food on the market. The manufacturer informs:

• 95% of the protein in his feed comes from farm chicken;
• Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids derived from turkey and salmon oils;
• very high level of protein with low fat content - all of animal origin (protein 52%, fat 21%);
• does not contain potatoes, flakes, peas;
• includes probiotics, which are very important for the proper functioning of the digestive system;
• the amount of taurine is up to 3.3 mg;
• the percentage of carbohydrates in dry matter is 4% (food is ideal for diabetic cats);
• contains supplements of vitamins A, D, E and minerals iron, iodine, calcium, copper, zinc, selenium, potassium.

Minuses:

• perhaps a high price, but for such quality - it's worth it;
• relatively low amounts of calcium and phosphorus, but in such a high protein food, this is probably inevitable.

In second place in the ranking among dry cat food.

Pros:

• Omega-3 and Omega-6 acids from New Zealand mussels;
• the manufacturer writes that the feed contains lamb meat;
• lack of cereals, potatoes;
• a lot of taurine - 2.8 mg;
• jerky, thanks to which nutrients and vitamins are preserved;
• the carbohydrate content in dry matter is 10%;
• contains supplements of vitamins A, D, E and minerals iron, iodine, calcium, copper, zinc, selenium, potassium.

Minuses:

• high price;
• are available in small packages;
• it is very difficult to get it online.

Advantages:

• a source of various types of meat - fresh chicken (20%), dried chicken (15%), fresh chicken liver (4%), fresh herring (4%), fresh turkey meat (4%), dried turkey meat (4%), fresh turkey liver (3%), fresh eggs (3%), fresh boneless pike perch (3%), fresh salmon (3%), fresh poultry hearts (3%), poultry cartilage (3%), dried herring (3 %), dried salmon (3%), chicken liver oil (3%), chicken liver fat (2%);
• good protein to fat ratio (42% and 20%, respectively);
• the composition contains chicken meat, which comes from free-range chickens;
• Omega-3 and Omega-6 acids from marine fish;
• a lot of taurine - 2.5 mg;
• supplements of vitamins A, D, E and minerals iron, iodine, calcium, copper, zinc, selenium, potassium;
• contains a variety of fruits.

Minuses:

• unfortunately, it contains lentils and peas;
• rather high carbohydrate content - 18%.

Advantages:

• quite a lot of meat of various origins - rabbit, poultry;
• lots of fruits, vegetables and spices - thyme, marjoram, oregano, parsley, sage;
• protein - 43%, the optimal amount of fat - 18%;
• a large amount of taurine - 3.25 mg;
• no corn, soybeans, cereals;
• a lot of Omega-3 and Omega-6 acids;
• a large amount of vitamins and minerals - A, D, E, B, C, zinc, niacin, copper, iron, iodine, selenium.

Disadvantages:

• little calcium and phosphorus

Advantages:

• dried poultry protein - digested by cats much better than any vegetable protein;
• corn - in cats, corn is well digested and assimilated in any way;
• Vegetable Protein Isolate - is a secreted and dried protein in a form that allows for fairly good digestion;
• plant fibers, which make up a small percentage of the feed, contribute to normal and healthy bowel function;
• animal protein hydrolyzate is one of the best forms for assimilation;
• The animal fats in cat food are better absorbed and healthier than vegetable fats.

There are also disadvantages.

• Poultry protein is obtained not only from meat, but also from the feathers, beaks or claws of various bird species.
• Corn gluten free. One of the additional fillers in cat food. It is not very beneficial for the feline body - it is difficult to digest, difficult to assimilate.

Choosing cat food seems like a simple task. But take a walk around the pet food shops and you will be faced with a myriad of options.

When choosing food, you can use the advice of professional dog handlers.

• According to GOST R 55984–2014 The composition of the food on the package should begin with the ingredients that are most contained, then the ingredients are listed as their quantitative content decreases.

• It is advisable to purchase food, whose composition starts with meat ingredients... Better if their number exceeds 35%.

• Number of offal should not be higher than 10%.

• Protein content should be from 30 to 40% (in holistic no more than 60%).

• Better if the feed contains whole eggs, not egg powders (the latter have no nutritional value).

• It is advisable to buy feed in which corn and wheat are at the bottom of the ingredient list. Plant fibers should be no more than 25%.

• The fat content should not exceed 20%. Feed containing pork fat and soybean oil is not recommended.

• Ash content should not exceed 10%.

• Ratio calcium and phosphorus should be from 0.9 to 1.5 parts of calcium to 1 part of phosphorus.

• The lower the manufacturer's recommended daily feed intake, the better the quality of the food. This means that less feed is needed to keep your cat full at the expense of better quality and balanced nutrients.

• Pay attention on the shelf life of the feed.

• Buy feeds designed specially for cats of a certain age. In addition, special feeds are produced for:
  • lactating cats;
  • pregnant females;
  • enhancing the growth of kittens;
  • pets kept in the apartment;
  • cats kept on the street.

• When it comes to choosing cat food, the name of the product plays a major role. For example, a “chicken” cat food is very different from a “chicken” cat food in terms of how much chicken is in the product.

• After you figure out the riddle of the product name, take pictures of the ingredients listed on the product label. This photo will come in handy in the future to document the type of food your cat's favorite ingredient is in.

• Don't waste too much time trying to decipher the entire ingredient list. Sherri Sanderson, M.D. from the University of Georgia, says animals need nutrients, not ingredients. This is where the so-called "Guaranteed Analysis" comes into play. It lists the essential and auxiliary nutrients found in cat food. These animals need a variety of nutrients to survive, including protein, water, carbohydrates (fiber), vitamins, and minerals.

• Preservatives in animal feed got a bad namebut they actually have a very important function in dry food. These are antioxidants that prevent the deterioration of fat in foods.Once fat begins to deteriorate, it loses its nutritional value, not to mention the fact that it can become dangerous when eaten. Preservatives can be natural or artificial. Naturally occurring commonly found in cat foods include vitamin E (tocopherol) or vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Artificial substances include butylated hydroxytoluene and butylated hydroxyanisole. Both chemical compounds are synthetic derivatives of vitamin E.

• When it comes to pet food, there is no official separation of the terms "natural" and "organic". But these two terms are not the same thing. "Organic" is a method of obtaining a food source using organic substances, which are determined by the certification body. “Natural” can mean that the product has no artificial flavors or colors, although chemical compounds may be used for cultivation.

Your cat's health and physical activity will depend on the correct nutrition of the cat. Let's list the basic rules for feeding cats.

• Many cat and dog owners give their pets leftover food from the table. This is very irresponsible because human food cannot be used for quadrupeds. In cats, the gastrointestinal tract and metabolism in the body are different from that of humans. Their digestive system is not adapted to the digestion of spices, including salt or mixtures such as Vegeta.

• However, nothing prevents the cat from feeding ready-made meals.... But such a diet will take a lot of effort. First, you will need to familiarize yourself with the needs of the cat's body and formulate the diet necessary to provide the four-legged with nutrients. Such feeding will require food preparation every day. It will take too long.

• Cats are carnivores and eating a vegetarian or vegan diet can lead to health problems and even become blind from such a diet. They will suffer from other debilitating diseases and will eventually die if they eat only vegetarian food. Unlike dogs, for which the meat shortage will not be as severe, cats need meat products for the body to function properly. Vegetables and plant foods should be added to the diet. But they shouldn't be its basis.

• Most people think that a cat's diet should consist mainly of milk. In fact, adult animals do not need milk for normal functioning. Too much can even lead to digestive problems. Cat bowls should always contain fresh water, while milk can sometimes appear as a dietary food. If you decide to give your pet a dairy product, make sure you feed only specially prepared "cat milk".

• When your cat reaches maturity (after about 12 months), you can start feeding it regularly. For a healthy pet, the diet should include the correct balance of the main nutritional groups: proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates and water.

• Many types of food are designed to meet the specific needs of the cat. For example, if your cat has an inactive “home” lifestyle and is mostly indoors, you can feed him a special formula that prevents the animal from gaining weight.Unless the circumstances of your pet's life change dramatically, you can continue feeding as usual until your cat reaches old age.

• You can feed your cat dry food or a dry and wet mixture, depending on your pet's preference. For example, some cats like to be fed wet food in the morning and have dry food snacks throughout the day.

• If you choose dry food, expect your cat to chew more actively. eat for a longer period and drink more water. Dry food stays fresh all day. Leave it well enough for the cat to have a snack throughout the day.

• Serve all food at room temperature so the cat can taste and smell the food. You may need to hold any food out of the refrigerator for a period of time to do this, which takes about 2 hours. You can reheat food for a short time, but be careful with hot dishes. Avoid serving food that is too hot or very cold.

• Fresh, clean drinking water should always be available for the cat. Pour the water into a large metal or ceramic bowl. The constant availability of fresh water helps maintain kidney health and reduces the risk of urinary tract infections.

• Carefully designed cat food technology provide great taste and can be used to complement other main courses without upsetting the balance of food ingredients. Many foods contain special useful "additives", for example, to strengthen teeth.

• In cats, digestion is sensitive to changes in food composition. It can quickly get upset if you change your pet's diet in any way. Therefore, move from one type of food to another gradually, gradually increasing the amount of new food introduced over a period of 7 to 10 days. During this time, your pet will have time to get used to the new diet.

• Adult cats have a natural tendency to gain weight. Overweight animals are more likely to develop diabetes, heart and respiratory problems, bladder stones, and joint damage. If your pet is constantly growing in weight, try feeding your pet a specially formulated dry food. This food contains less fat. Moreover, it contains a sufficient concentration of all essential vitamins and minerals.

Veterinarians say that in order to live a long and healthy life, the cat must be provided with proper, balanced nutrition.

When choosing a suitable diet for a cat, it is advisable to be guided by the recommendations and reviews of experts.

• High-quality dry food always contains a lot of meat and a little less fat. Cats are carnivores, which means they need the nutrients found only in animal products. Therefore, when choosing food, look at the composition of the food. It should be high in protein, moderate in fat, and minimal in carbohydrates. This balance of ingredients is optimal for cats.
• Good dry food contains more than 10 nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and amino acids. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain the correct balance of ingredients and calories in dry food.
• Reading the composition on the food label is the best way to compare different types of food for cats to make the right choice.These data allow you to choose a balanced food specifically for your cat, taking into account its age, diseases and other individual characteristics.
• When choosing a food, read the list of ingredients. They are listed in order of decreasing weight. Choose food that has the meat ingredient first on the label. This means that the meat content will be relatively higher than the amount of other cat food ingredients.
• Veterinarians recommend Royal Canin. In their experience, cats that consume this type of food become more active and playful. Their coat becomes shiny and beautiful. Cats stop shedding hair (if there was such a problem).
• The Grandorf food is also recommended. They are hypoallergenic as they do not contain corn, soy, grains, flavors, bone meal or flavor enhancers. The composition also does not include eggs and beef.
• Some experts do not recommend dry food for cats because of the risk of developing urolithiasis. However, with the correct selection of the type of feed and the recommendations indicated above, it is quite possible to avoid the appearance of this pathology.

For an examination of dry food for cats and cats, see the video below.