Selecting the proper cat food for your cat is one of the more important
decisions you will make. But heading into the store unprepared can be an overwhelming experience. There
are more colors, brands and options than you could ever hope to comprehend, but with a few easy to follow
tips you can make your cat food shopping experience a much more enjoyable one.
Look for the Best Ingredients
The first thing to look for when narrowing down your choices are bags that say
they are complete and balanced, or natural balance, premium natural, or any combination of the words. These
often have been approved by the AAFCO and that is the next thing you will look for. Any bags that do not have a
statement on them from the AAFCO should be ignored. Here is a sample AAFCO statement:
"OwnerBrand Cat Food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established
by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profile for all life stages."
Be sure you pick bags that specify a stage of life your cat is in such as kitten or senior, or say all life
stages. Also, ignore store brands, generics, or brands that you don't recognize. Though they are cheap, these
cat foods are often full of unhealthy fillers that can cause any number of problems such as diabetes or urinary
tract infections. Stick to popular brands or those you have experience with. Now that your selection is
narrowed down, flip the bags over and look at the ingredients. The first ingredient should always be an
animal protein, not a by product, and preferably not a meal. If the very first ingredient is not Chicken, Beef,
Liver, or Fish move on. Next, move to the Guaranteed Analysis. This is often a second little section near or
beneath the ingredients. The Dry weight or crude protein should be at least 26%. Also be sure the contact
information for the company is visible.
You also want to avoid any food that have a corn product listed in the first five ingredients. Though some
manufacturers may claim this is a healthy staple of the feline diet, it is linked to allergies and
gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea. It is also a good idea to avoid foods high in wheats and grains.
High-carb foods have been link to problems such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes. Cats are not meant to
process plants and therefore eat more of the food to get the nutrition they need.
Cat Food Example
Below is a sample of the ingredients and guaranteed analysis from a package of Orijen Natural Cat
food:
Ingredients: Fresh boneless chicken*, chicken meal, fresh boneless salmon*, turkey meal, fresh chicken liver*,
herring meal, russet potato, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), sweet potato, peas, fresh boneless
walleye*, fresh whole eggs*, fresh boneless turkey*, fresh boneless lake whitefish*, sun-cured alfalfa, pea
fiber, fresh boneless herring*, organic kelp, pumpkin, chicory root, carrots, spinach, turnip greens, apples,
cranberries, blueberries, licorice root, angelica root, fenugreek, marigold flowers, sweet fennel, peppermint
leaf, chamomile, dandelion, summer savory, rosemary, vitamin A, vitamin D3, vitamin E, niacin, thiamine
mononitrate, riboflavin, d-calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12, zinc proteinate,
iron proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, selenium yeast, Lactobacillus acidophilus,
Enterococcus faecium.
Crude protein (min.) 42 %
Crude fat (min.) 20 %
Crude fiber (max.) 2.5 %
Moisture (max.) 10 %
Calcium (min./max.) 1.5 % / 1.7 %
Phosphorus (min./max.) 1.2 % / 1.4 %
Ash (max.)7%
Omega-6 (min.) 3.5 %
Omega-3 (min.) 1.2 %
DHA (min.) 0.7 %
EPA (min.) 0.4 %
AA (min.) 0.16 %
Taurine (min.) 0.5 %
Magnesium (max.) 0.09 %
pH 5
Notice that the first ingredient is chicken and the crude protein is over 26%.
Avoid foods with additives such as ethoxyquin, BHA, and BHT at all costs. Be sure to feed your cat according to
the instructions and give treats sparingly.
When choosing a canned cat food these same things should be kept in mind. Canned cat food is excellent
for older cats, cats who have recently been ill, and cats who have digestive problems. Most Veterinarians
recommend a dry cat food be served to younger cats as the kibble helps to keep teeth cleaner. Dry foods also
contain less fat than wet food and fewer additives. They also usually contain a larger amount of dietary
fiber.
Vegetarian and Vegan Diets
If you are considering changing your cats diet to a vegetarian or vegan diet,
please reconsider and discuss this option carefully with your Vet. Remember that felines are obligate (strict)
carnivores. Their bodies are made to digest meat, not plants. They need animal-based proteins in order to
meet their nutritional needs. They lack the metabolic pathways necessary to utilize plant proteins effectively.
Plant based proteins are not bioavailable for your cat. By missing out on important nutrients such as Vitamin
A, Taurine, and some fatty acids you are opening your cat up to all sorts of future medical problems. Taurine
is the most important amino acid found in meat and a deficiency can lead to blindness, heart failure and other
problems.
Raw Food Diet
Those considering a raw food diet should have no problems. It is recommended
that you make the food yourself at home as there is an increased risk of bacteria if you buy it at the store
and you can better control what things are added to your food if you make it yourself. Investigate recipes for
making your food at home and avoid any recipe that adds things like onion or garlic, salt, any dairy, grapes or
raisins. It is important to research what goes in to making a balanced cat food for your cat so that all their
nutritional needs are met.
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