Veterinarians' advice on what food to feed your cat - rating + photo

Dry cat food, which brand is better to choose?

Safe cat food is produced only by trusted companies with a quality certificate. Companies that produce the best dry cat food:

• All Cats produces natural food for cats of different breeds that does not have harmful ingredients or chemical additives. The product is used for any age of animal. Fatty acids and Omega-3 present in the composition are essential for maintaining a beautiful coat and healthy skin.
• Whiskas - the brand appeared on the market in 1991, produces well-known and popular cat food, which is presented not only in dry form, but also in the form of pates. He was the first to offer cat food in different flavors.
• Royal Canin, a French manufacturer founded in 1967, creates healthy food for cats that has the necessary components for their growth, activity, and development. The products were first introduced to the markets of Asia, Eastern Europe and America.
• Brit – produces dry food for cats. The composition of the product is natural, does not cause abdominal pain, does not irritate the stomach.
• Hill's - a company since 1994, has been creating high-quality balanced cat food that saturates, fills with useful components and vitamins. Feed is exported to 48 countries, the annual volume is 58 thousand tons.
• Monge is an Italian brand that has been producing a variety of pet foods for over 50 years. The product line is represented by various flavors; new flavors rich in vitamins and healthy components are developed every year.
• Orijen, a Canadian brand, has been producing a diverse line of feeds that have a natural composition for more than 30 years. They are to the taste of adults and small cats that need additional saturation with useful ingredients.
• Primordial – creates complementary foods for pets that come in a variety of flavors. The product is high quality, natural, healthy. There are different weight options, the product is presented in volumes of 400 g, 2 and 12 kg.
• Grandorf is a Belgian company that produces cat food in different volumes and with all flavors. The product is suitable for pets of any age. The composition is natural, the food is certified.
• GO! – the brand produces balanced and healthy food for cats, which contains vitamins, useful additives, minerals for the growth and development of animals.

What diet do veterinarians recommend?

There is no convinced opinion that you should use only industrial food or natural food. The main thing is not to combine these two types of nutrition with each other.

But the opinions of professionals are inclined towards the use of ready-made nutritional mixtures, since they have a balanced composition.

Basic nutrition rules:

1. Choose premium or super-premium ready-made nutritional products.
2. When using dry nutritional mixtures, be sure to place a bowl of clean water nearby.
3. Food must have a high level of digestibility.
4. Do not mix canned and dry mixtures at the same time.
5. You need to select a dry product with small granules.
6. Do not pour large portions, as many pets do not have a sense of proportion.
7. Use a nutritional product in accordance with the age category.
8. Do not mix products of different qualities.

It is important to use not only high-quality food, but also to learn how to use it correctly. Only in this case will the pet be healthy, active, and its coat will become smooth and shiny.

Rating of dry cat food

The rating of the best dry cat food was built after analyzing the results of comparative tests, taking into account the opinions of veterinarians, and customer reviews. From them you can immediately conclude which product is truly beneficial for pets. In addition to this data, we also took into account:

• Compound;
• Smell;
• Consistency;
• The presence of synthetic additives;
• Volume;
• Feed size;
• Price.

After the assessment, a full conclusion was made about which food products deserve to be included in the rating. They seem to be a high-quality composition that does not contain harmful chemicals that can harm the animal.

The best foods for sterilized cats

Varieties by price

On the shelves of a regular retail outlet there are 3-4 options for dry food, but there are many more of them in the corresponding pet store. Therefore, if a person does not find a suitable option, then you can purchase products in a specialized place. They also often order products online. There is nothing wrong with this, the main thing is to find a responsible supplier.

According to their price, all dry food is divided into 3 classes:

• Budget or economy class. All popular products are sold in this segment, as they are affordable.
• Premium class. Many buyers have heard about these foods and even seen them in regular stores. But the pet didn’t appreciate them at all, as most owners say.
• Super-premium (Holistics). If a person cares about the health of his cat, he buys products only from this segment. Firstly, the food is completely balanced, the animal receives all the necessary minerals and vitamins. Secondly, there are no contraindications and there are no problems with urolithiasis.

The Best Inexpensive Dry Cat Foods

Proper nutrition of a pet is the key to its health, activity, and well-being. When choosing a product, you need to pay attention to the ingredients present. Also, when choosing, you need to look at the age restrictions, which are indicated on the front side of the product. For small kittens up to 6 months, nutrition should be more gentle and balanced. Dry food can have a negative impact on them. The rating is based on the results of comparative tests in which 5 candidates were evaluated, and from them two products were selected that were truly safe and beneficial for pets.

All Cats

The food is developed using the latest technologies and is intended for pets from 3 months. It contains many vitamins and minerals that a growing pet’s body needs for the proper formation of bones, teeth, and healthy skin. The product has a unique taste that all cats will like. Due to the presence of Omega 3 and Omega 6, pets develop beautiful, dense fluffy fur. The product is characterized by crispy granules that are easy to bite into. They help maintain oral hygiene and reduce the risk of tartar.

Advantages

• Good composition;
• Bulk packaging;
• Affordable price;
• Pleasant taste for the animal.

Flaws

• Not all cats eat it with pleasure.

Reviews show that not all pets are ready to consume this complementary food every day. Despite its healthy composition, many cats may not like crunchy kibble. To understand your pet’s desires, it’s wiser to start by purchasing a small package of food.

Whiskas

Whiskas belongs to economy class food because it contains not only natural ingredients, but also various by-products. The manufacturer creates a product for each age of the animal, producing granules of different sizes. The composition contains many components, namely: corn gluten, flour, animal fat, brewer's yeast.

The composition also contains fiber, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, and other minerals necessary for the growth of the pet. A daily portion of Whiskas provides the cat with the daily norm of all the necessary vitamins and minerals for full functioning. Inexpensive dry cat food can be used daily, providing your pet with the necessary ingredients.

Advantages

• Economical consumption;
• Pleasant taste;
• Good composition;
• Affordable price.

Flaws

• Little meat;
• Lots of additives.

Reviews show that Whiskas is a fairly popular food and is actively consumed by cats of any age. Despite the large number of additives, the product saturates the body with useful components that are responsible for its development, growth, and health.

HOW TO READ FEED LABELS?

It is important to pay attention to the list of ingredients on the packaging. Ingredients are listed in descending order of their proportion by weight. Accordingly, the first few ingredients indicate the main sources of protein. In canned food, the first ingredient is, of course, water.

You may see the word “offal” in the list of ingredients.

These include feathers, hooves, teeth, heads, fur, horns, and stomach or intestinal contents. Some owners are suspicious of foods that list by-products as one of the ingredients, but lungs, kidneys and other organs that are also classified as by-products are an excellent source of protein. Remember that when a cat eats a mouse, it also eats these by-products.

Among other things, the label also indicates the content of vitamin and mineral additives, as well as preservatives, in the food.

Next, we will consider the types of feed by class.

The best mid-priced dry cat foods

Average cost food has a more natural composition, which contains more meat, vitamins, and minerals. The price of the product is also affordable, allowing you to purchase it for daily feeding of your pet. High-quality food should contain a minimum amount of dyes, flavors, and harmful additives that do not bring any benefit to the pet. The rating was compiled after evaluating the results of comparative tests among 5 nominees. 3 varieties of cat food, which have a more natural and healthy composition, passed the test.

Royal Canin for kittens

The food is designed for kittens up to 12 months, who need a balanced diet for growth and bone development. The product is crispy granules that are easy to bite, do not remain on the teeth, and do not deform them. The series comes in many flavors, each one can meet the kitten's expectations.

Advantages

• Lots of vitamins;
• Does not cause addiction;
• The kitten likes it;
• Doesn't stay in your teeth.

Flaws

• Not detected.

Reviews indicate that even veterinarians recommend this dry cat food. It has a beneficial effect on the development of cats, maintains healthy teeth and bones. The cats happily wait for lunch, enjoying the pleasant taste of the product.

Brit Care Cocco

The improved series of food produces a tasty and natural product for cats, which consists of hypoallergenic, easily digestible ingredients. It comes in 4 different flavors: salmon, turkey, chicken and deer. The product contains additional vitamins, minerals, and other important components. Brit Care Cocco attracts with its distinct aroma that will attract every cat. Ingredients of dry cat food from the company: dehydrated chicken, dried apples, yeast, vitamins, minerals.

Advantages

• Large amount of meat;
• Pleasant aroma;
• There are enzymes;
• Lots of vitamins;
• The pet eats with pleasure.

Flaws

• Not detected.

Reviews indicate that Brit Care Cocco is suitable for many cats as a complete food product. It does not cause addiction or habit, and if desired, you can quickly switch to another brand without creating stress for the kitten.

Hill's Science Plan

The food is intended for adult cats from 1 to 6 years old. Available in dry form, it appears as small, sad granules that are quickly processed by the teeth. The product is low-calorie, so it will not increase body weight. It contains many vitamins that support the pet’s immunity and do not provoke the appearance of viral or infectious diseases. Ingredients: rice, corn gluten meal, lamb meal, fish oil and others.

Advantages

• Not inferior to the premium line;
• Good composition;
• Affordable price;
• Economical;
• Cats like it;

Flaws

• Not detected.

Reviews show that complementary feeding is suitable for almost all adult cats. Some point out that Hill's dry food for cats is the first food product that cats start consuming with pleasure.

What is better - buying or cooking?

Experts believe that everything depends on the capabilities of the owner and the preferences of the pet.
Both options have their pros and cons. Industrial feed is convenient - just open the package and measure out the desired portion. But it is difficult to fully understand their composition - it is not always indicated on the packaging, and it is simply impossible to check the quality of the ingredients.

You can choose products for natural nutrition yourself, but this requires the skills of both a nutritionist and a cook.

Pavel Klimov veterinarian

5,0 131

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Natural food is better than industrial food if three conditions are met: the diet is balanced, the quality of the products is high and there is time to prepare food for the animal.

The best premium dry cat foods

Premium food contains only natural ingredients and a large amount of meat, which significantly improves their taste. After consuming them, cats are noticeably transformed, have more activity, and acquire a more pronounced, fluffy coat. The list of premium dry cat food presented in the rating is based on the results of comparative tests conducted among 5 nominees. Only 2 nominees meet all quality requirements.

Monge Natural Super premium

A balanced diet for sterilized cats that need high-quality, low-calorie foods. It contains many antioxidants to support the immune system, as well as vitamins, in particular groups B and E. Due to xylooligosaccharides, the natural color of the coat is preserved, and the intestinal microflora is also supported. The food contains a lot of fiber, which is necessary not only to maintain immunity, but also for optimal stomach function. Ingredients: Chicken, wheat, corn gluten meal, oats, pea fiber, powdered eggs, fish, taurine, animal fat, hydrolyzed yeast.

Advantages

• No grains;
• A lot of meat;
• Affordable price;
• Pleasant taste and aroma;
• Economical consumption;
• Large packaging.

Flaws

• Difficult to find by weight.

Reviews show that Monge Natural Super premium is really liked by domestic cats, it saturates quickly and is economical. It is enough to consume up to 15 granules to get the optimal amount of vitamins and minerals necessary for full functioning. The pleasant taste and smell will attract the attention of even those cats who do not like dry food at all.

Rating of the best wet food for cats

Orijen Fit & Trim

Organic cat food that contains protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Due to the presence of whole meat and vitamins, the pet quickly becomes satiated, receives a charge of the necessary components for activity and increased immunity. Veterinarians recommend this diet for all cats over 1 year old. Complementary feeding components: chicken meat, eggs, turkey meat, mackerel, chicken cartilage and others.

Advantages

• Balanced composition;
• Economical consumption;
• Good volume;
• Pleasant aroma;
• Cats like it;
• Wide choice of tastes.

Flaws

• Not detected.

Reviews indicate that some cats can only enjoy this product during the first weeks. You should not initially buy a large amount of food; it is advisable to check your pet’s reaction to the arrival of a new product, and then draw conclusions.

Natural food: we create the menu ourselves

For those who decide to feed their cat natural food, there are several important recommendations.

• Do not try to repeat the menu from the wild - you do not need to get rodents and birds for your pet.
• You should not feed raw meat - it may contain parasites. The meat should be scalded with hot water or placed in the freezer for three days.
• Do not feed the animal from your table - most human food is contraindicated for cats. You need to either prepare special food for your pet or order properly frozen mixtures of natural products from pet stores on the Internet.

Natural foods: what you can and cannot give to cats

Tatyana Khleborad veterinarian

4,94 50

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Natural nutrition does not imply pure meat - it must contain vegetables, vitamins and microelements. Therefore, “natural food” should be considered by those who have free time, as well as the desire and skills to prepare separate food for their pet and monitor the balance of the diet.

What's wrong with fish and milk?

Cats eat fish and milk in books and cartoons. In real life, milk and dairy products cause diarrhea in most pets. Animals, like people, lose the ability to digest milk with age - the body gradually stops producing enzymes that break down lactose.

When it comes to fish, cat owners are divided into two camps. Opponents believe that raw fish provokes the development of urolithiasis. However, veterinarian Ksenia Kamenskaya notes that she has not come across scientific studies that would confirm this fact.

But there is still a real threat - intestinal parasites. Scalding and freezing fish does not always completely destroy worms. Therefore, if you want to feed your animal fish 1-2 times a week, you should boil it or give your cat anthelmintic drugs once every three months.

Is it possible to mix industrial and natural food?

Veterinarians recommend choosing one type of feeding and sticking to it. If you give your cat premium food, an additional piece of natural meat will upset the balance of the diet. Therefore, you should not mix.

But you can offer your pet vegetables in addition to canned food. In addition, if part of the animal protein is replaced with vegetable protein in the finished food, a little chicken breast or beef will not hurt.

The best holistic dry cat food

Holistic class food is created for adult and elderly cats that need to further strengthen their body and bones, maintain activity and health. They are presented as a medicinal composition with vitamins, minerals and other components. They contain much less dyes and harmful additives that are found in regular cheap complementary foods. The rating was compiled after the results of comparative tests in which 7 nominees were evaluated. Of these, only 3 were selected.

Primordial Grain Free Cat Adult Duck Turkey

Grain-free complementary food for adult and elderly cats that need high-quality and natural nutrition. It consists of selected types of meat and fish that have a low glycemic index. The food has a pleasant taste and aroma, attracts the attention of pets, and satisfies their taste needs. Each granule has a softer appearance and does not pose a danger to teeth. Ingredients: fresh turkey meat, dehydrated chicken and duck meat, peas, dried beet pulp, seaweed meal, liver digest, yeast, vitamins and minerals.

Advantages

• Cats like it;
• Affordable price;
• Lots of vitamins;
• Economical packaging.

Flaws

• Not detected.

Reviews show that Holistic complementary foods are suitable for most adult cats that need high-quality and balanced nutrition. It contains mainly natural ingredients, a large amount of meat and nutrients. Complementary feeding will be useful for adult cats in any condition.

What should you not feed your cat?

There are certain foods that are strictly forbidden to give to a cat. When planning your diet, you should completely exclude them.

You should not give your pet:

• fatty meat (pork, lamb);
• sweets and sugar analogues;
• spices;
• smoked meats, marinades;
• onion garlic;
• sour foods;
• fried food;
• sausages, sausages;
• fatty fish.

Attention! When preparing natural food, you should not add salt and spices, because... this leads to liver and kidney dysfunction.

Grandorf White fish with sweet potato Sensitive

Dry complementary food is created for adult cats from 1 to 6 years old who have stomach diseases, are prone to allergies, and intolerance to certain components. It is recommended by veterinarians as a safe complementary food that is easily tolerated by the body. The main ingredients are fish and meat; it also contains vitamins, minerals, micro- and macroelements. Ingredients: cod and herring meat, turkey meat and fat, dried apple, vitamins and others.

Advantages

• Suitable for allergy sufferers;
• Increases immunity;
• Easily tolerated by the body;
• Natural;
• Pleasant taste and smell.

Flaws

• Not detected.

Reviews show that complementary foods are allowed for consumption only after consultation and examination by a veterinarian. Before prescribing a diet for your pet, it is important to undergo a full course of examination, which will allow you to choose a safer remedy.

GO! Fit + Free grain-free, for healthy skin and coat

Grain-free complementary foods are intended for medicinal purposes for small, adult and elderly cats from 7 years of age. It is prescribed for weakened immunity, stomach disorders and other diseases diagnosed by a veterinarian. Regular intake of complementary foods improves the condition of the skin, gives shine to the coat, making it more lush and beautiful. Ingredients: fresh chicken, whole eggs, potatoes, vitamins and others.

The composition is quite extensive and natural, so complementary feeding is prescribed only for medicinal purposes. The course of treatment can be short-term or permanent, depending on the diagnosis and general condition of the pet.

Advantages

• Pleasant aroma;
• Medicinal properties;
• Convenient packaging;
• Economical consumption.

Flaws

• High price.

Reviews show that not all young cats are happy to consume this complementary food; it does not contain artificial flavorings. To force a cat to take GO! Fit + Free, you can top the kibble with delicious and safe cat sauce.

Types of feed

All ready-made food is divided into 2 large groups:

1. Dry.
2. Wet.

Dry food

They are produced in the form of dry granules, have different compositions and are intended for different breeds and ages. There are foods for sick, pregnant and lactating cats.

Advantages:

1. Saving money. It is more profitable to buy dry granules. To provide your pet with adequate nutrition with natural products, you will have to spend money. The dry granules contain all the ingredients necessary for cats.
2. Save time. Purchasing, calculating quantities and creating the right menu takes a lot of time. In dry granules, everything is calculated and put in the correct proportions. All you need to do is pour food into a bowl.
3. Long shelf life. In a natural diet, all products are perishable. They should not be left in the bowl for a long time. Dry granules do not spoil; if the cat does not finish its “dry ration”, it will not disappear until the next feeding.
4. Balance. For complete natural nutrition, you need to correctly calculate the amount of products, monitor their quality and constantly buy fresh milk, cottage cheese, meat, fish, eggs, offal and other ingredients.

Flaws:

1. Lack of moisture. There is practically no moisture in the granules, which means that the cat must always have a full bowl of water. Another disadvantage of dry texture is urolithiasis, which can appear as a result of “dry” nutrition and dehydration.
2. Large amount of carbohydrates. Too much carbohydrate is found in cheap foods and can lead to sudden spikes in blood sugar. This imbalance in cats, as in humans, often leads to diabetes.
3. Harm to teeth. Today, the myth that dry granules clean teeth has been dispelled. The cat does not carefully chew the granules, so the plaque does not disappear, but, on the contrary, accumulates. And if there are a lot of carbohydrates in the food, then they accumulate on the teeth and turn into plaque, which over time destroys the enamel.
4. Aromatic additives. To make food attractive, manufacturers add flavorings to it. They are called digests, have no nutritional value, and only attract cats by smell. The cat quickly gets used to a low-quality product. Good food without digests does not seem so tasty to her.

Wet food

Wet food is canned cat food. They are packaged in cans, plastic pots, lamisters or soft pouches - bags made of polyethylene or foil. They are large or small pieces of meat, fish, porridge and vegetables, drenched in liquid or jelly sauce.

Advantages:

1. Moisture. Canned food contains up to 80% moisture. The cat will not feel thirsty and will not be at risk of urolithiasis.
2. Gentle processing. Canned food retains more nutrients than kibble.
3. No carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are rarely found in wet food. The structure of canned food consists mainly of offal and meat. There are no protein substitutes either. This diet is as close as possible to the natural diet of cats.
4. Large selection of textures and flavors. The smell and taste of canned food is attractive to cats, and the variety of forms, textures and composition will allow you to choose the right option for any pet.

Flaws:

1. High price. Canned food is expensive, but it doesn't last long.
2. Short shelf life. Wet food is not recommended to be stored open for long periods of time. They lose their taste and quickly deteriorate.

All cat food is divided into 4 classes:

1. Economy The cheapest food contains about 4% meat and contains dyes and flavors. According to many, these foods can be considered cat “fast food”, which is better not to be used on an ongoing basis.
2. Premium The composition includes natural meat, usually chicken and good quality offal. They are highly digestible and safe for cats. But there is also a minus - the presence of preservatives.
3. Super premium. The structure contains a large amount of meat products. Food is rarely advertised and can only be purchased in special pet stores.
4. Holistic. Food of the highest quality. It is developed by veterinarians and professional nutritionists. It contains no chemical additives, dyes, or flavors. Meat, vegetables and other additives are only of organic origin.

Which dry cat food is best to buy?

Good dry food for cats, as reviews show, should not only be healthy, but also tasty and aromatic. To do this, you should choose complementary foods only from trusted brands that use high-quality ingredients, safe dyes and flavors. Among all the representatives of the rating, we chose the most delicious and safe complementary foods for cats, which will appeal to many:

• All Cats is a cheap product with a good composition;
• Whiskas is a popular food that is easily available and appealing to cats;
• Orijen Fit & Trim - budget complementary food with proteins and vitamins;
• Primordial Grain Free Cat Adult Duck Turkey – therapeutic grain-free complementary food;
• Grandorf White fish with sweet potato Sensitive - food for those pets who need to strengthen bones, whiskers, and improve coat;
• Monge Natural Super premium – premium balanced nutrition;

You need to carefully choose good food for your cat, looking at the composition, taking into account consumer reviews. It is also advisable to consult with a veterinarian, who will select the best product for each cat individually.

Dry mixes

This type of food is most popular due to the preservation of nutritional properties for a long time. It is convenient because you can pour it in once every few days without worrying about the food spoiling.

Be sure to place a bowl of clean water near the feeder, since a lack of moisture in food provokes increased thirst.

Crispy pieces are useful not only for their composition, but also for their ability to clean plaque from teeth. Store reserves of the dry mixture in closed packaging, since prolonged contact with air reduces the beneficial properties.

Summary

The purpose of this article is to focus the reader's attention on good dog foods. There is no need to be afraid of 2 or 3 places on the list - we chose from the top candidates. The bottom line is that you go to the store, see any of these brands and feel free to buy it. You really can't go wrong! All that remains is to focus on the price and observation of the animal - there is no friend according to taste and color. One dog may lack the elements in life that are found in fish, while another dog may lack the elements found in poultry or spinach.

Remember that when switching to a new food, your pet may begin to be capricious - this is normal. We people often do not immediately give up things that are already outdated and less good than the market offers, but then we try them and are happy. Therefore, there is no need to be afraid to buy new ones. Good purchases and a happy life with your four-legged friend.