Industrially produced food forms the basis of the daily diet for many domestic cats and cats. Their balanced composition and the correct amount of vitamins and microelements allow you to provide your pet with a complete diet and a healthy, long life. To check whether the declared properties of the products comply with established standards, an examination of cat food is carried out.
The best premium food
7th place Matisse
The Matisse product is on the 7th line of the rating. It does not contain dangerous chemicals and GMOs. It doesn't have a lot of meat or healthy fats, but it has everything you need. In addition, it contains fiber, vitamins and taurine that are beneficial for cats. The downside of this diet is a fairly large proportion of plant components, the use of harmful corn, and the use of dehydrated rather than fresh meat. The average cost of a 10 kg bag of this food is 3,506 rubles.
Matisse for cats
Advantages:
- different lines for cats of different ages and conditions (pregnant cats, neutered, etc.);
- yeast in the composition;
- small proportion of grains relative to meat.
Flaws:
- in some feeds there is a small amount of meat.
6th place Perfect Fit
In 6th place is Perfect Fit food. The main disadvantage is the lack of natural meat. It contains harmful ingredients, corn, flavorings, meat flour, etc. In addition, there is too much vegetable protein. But the low cost is a plus. In addition, the manufacturer focuses on food for animals with various health problems. So there are lines for those pets who experience problems with the gastrointestinal tract, sterilized animals, as well as for “fluffies” of different ages. The cost of a 3 kg bag of this food is 698 rubles.
Perfect Fit for cats
Advantages:
- the widest range of products;
- rich vitamin composition.
Flaws:
- very “low meat composition”.
5th place Royal Canin
Royal Canin cat food, which received 5th place, can be a good substitute for natural food for your pet. It contains many natural ingredients, but at the same time it also contains flavor enhancers and preservatives. The medicinal versions of this brand have a higher quality composition. It can be purchased at a specialty store at an affordable price. Price of this food: 4201 rub. for 15 kg.
Royal Canin for cats
Advantages:
- you can choose food very individually, there are options for different breeds;
- many flavor variations and forms of food (dry, wet, pate);
- There is a wide range of treatments.
Flaws:
- the composition of the main feed is far from ideal; treated lines are preferable.
4th place Hills
Hills brand products are in 4th place. These are specialized foods for sedentary animals suffering from obesity, allergies, and heart and excretory diseases. The line also includes an option for cats who have undergone surgery. Food of this brand is sold only in veterinary pharmacies. A 12 kg bag costs 3810 rubles.
Hills for cats
Advantages:
- contains microelements and vitamins;
- many highly targeted medicinal products;
- There is food for both adults and those who are not yet one year old.
Flaws:
- Finding natural meat in the composition is almost impossible.
3rd place Happy Cat
German-made Happy Cat food has a unique composition. The manufacturer includes only natural ingredients of plant and meat origin. Also included for the health of cats are beneficial herbs that have a good effect on the stomach and circulatory system. For a 10 kg bag of this food you will pay 3380 rubles.
Happy Cat for cats
Advantages:
- the food actually has a healthy composition;
- There are grain-free options;
- natural meat included;
- There is a wide range depending on the age and health of the pet.
Flaws:
- some report an unpleasant odor.
2nd place Guabi
Brazilian food Guabi contains natural meat components, meat flour, rice and liver. It does not cause allergies in animals. In addition, the composition includes vitamins, gluten and brewer's yeast. There are no harmful substances in them. But since food is not always on sale, we put it on line 2. The cost of packaging 1.5 kg of feed is 720 rubles.
Guabi for cats
Advantages:
- excellent composition with natural meat and vitamin-mineral complex;
- There is food for adult cats as well as kittens.
Flaws:
- Not a large selection of food for individuals with health problems.
1st place Flatazor
The 1st line is occupied by French-made food Flatazor. In addition to natural meat, they contain healthy plant components. The food does not contain harmful chemical additives or GMOs. A big advantage compared to other brands is the presence of amino acids that are beneficial for the animal. They are necessary for immunity and improve animal fur. A package of 8 kg costs 3220 rubles.
Flatazor for cats
Advantages:
- useful vitamin and mineral composition;
- a wide selection for cats with health conditions and different ages.
Flaws:
- There are separate foods that contain a small percentage of meat, and it is in dehydrated form.
In our time
Over the course of a century and a half, industrial animal feed has undergone significant changes, but not all owners are inclined to trust ready-made diets, doubting the quality of the original products. Therefore, owners continue to feed cats “human” food. Is this acceptable? And what is better for four-legged pets - ready-made food or natural products? This issue needs to be carefully looked into so as not to risk the health of our little brothers. To understand whether prepared foods are healthy, you need to understand what they are actually made from.
When choosing a product to feed your pet, it is important to analyze the composition of the first one by carefully reading the labels on the packaging. What is dry cat food made from?
What are the best cat foods?
The properties of food of this class are as close as possible to the usual food of a cat in its natural habitat. It contains exclusively meat or fish components. They very rarely include offal. And grains, which are very often included in lower-class products, are not contained in holistic products at all.
Meat components in holistic products are at least 70%, but there are some products in which the meat content is up to 95%. In this case, natural protein undergoes minimal heat treatment. These canned foods are fed to purebred cats as they do not contain any flavor enhancers or preservatives. The only drawback of holistics is that they are very expensive. But at the same time, they significantly satiate the animal, so ultimately the animal needs less food.
High-quality holistic feeds
5th place Orijen Cat
Orijen Cat food produced in Canada is in fifth place in the ranking. The difference is that it contains 75% natural meat and chicken eggs. In addition, the composition includes special Canadian herbs. This can significantly improve your cat's digestion and overall health. This food contains anchovies and salmon as sources of healthy fats. The cost of a 6.8 kg package is 4,789 rubles.
Advantages:
- balanced composition;
- lots of meat and healthy vegetables;
- different forms of feed;
- eats rulers designed for different individuals based on age and health status.
Flaws:
- not identified.
4th place Golden Eagle
American food Golden Eagle is in fourth place in the ranking. Its advantage is that it was created under the supervision of nutritionists and veterinarians. The range includes food for cats of different ages and for sick animals. In addition to a large proportion of meat, canned food includes vegetables and fruits, minerals and trace elements. Price of a 4 kg bag: 3320 rubles.
Advantages:
- useful composition;
- all ingredients are natural.
Flaws:
- in some cases, the local component loses as a percentage of all other components.
3rd place Acana
The third place in the ranking is occupied by the Canadian product Acana. This food is of very high quality as the manufacturer strictly monitors all stages of production. This is a complete, balanced option that does not require additional supplements when feeding the cat. The price of a 17 kg bag is 5,756 rubles.
Advantages:
- absolutely natural composition;
- all components are flawless;
- There are universal foods, as well as those designed for specific pets, depending on age and health;
- meat/fish component is the main one in feed.
Flaws:
- No.
2nd place Wellness Core
In second place is the Wellness Core product. The ingredients include only high-quality ingredients and other nutrients required for the good health of the cat. The canned food contains five types of meat, cranberries, tomatoes, potatoes and other ingredients. Cost of packaging 1.8 kg: 1200 rubles.
Advantages:
- natural composition;
- cats like the taste;
- meat component in sufficient volume.
Flaws:
- meat is not always in its natural form; it can be mixed with dried meat or with meat flour.
What to look for when choosing food
You should not focus on beautiful, color advertising, as was the case with Whiskas products in their time. An owner who respects himself and his pets will not buy cheap cat food. Especially those sold by weight. You immediately need to shift your gaze to premium products, higher. The highest quality dry food and wet food are produced in America and Europe. There, the relevant authorities control the composition of cat food and the percentage of acceptable ingredients. There is some kind of control. The same cannot be said about domestically produced products. No matter how much it is praised or described in advertising, it is difficult to believe that there is high-quality meat there. We have practically nothing of quality left even for people.
The next stage is composition analysis. Pay attention to the percentage. High-quality dry food looks something like this:
- Meat of chicken, rabbit, turkey, veal, beef, fish – 35%;
- Milk, egg white – 20%;
- By-products – 10%;
- Plant fibers – rice, corn, wheat, potatoes, peas – no more than 25%;
- Special additives – vitamins, substances that improve the functioning of the digestive system and strengthen the immune system.
What shouldn't happen?
- Sahara;
- Pulp;
- Caramel;
- Propylene glycol;
- Dyes E 127;
- Antioxidants E320, 321, 324;
- Flavors;
- Flavor enhancers;
- Preservatives.
It is desirable that the composition be clear, with a transcript. That is, if it is meat, then what kind. By-products - what the manufacturer means. Budget dry food has a digestibility of only 65%, they put a lot of strain on the liver and kidneys, and subsequently lead to diseases of the internal organs. Premium dry food is digestible by 75%, super premium - 85%. Holistic dry food is the most preferred. But due to their high cost, it is difficult to find them on sale. There is a high probability that you will have to order online from other countries.
It is advisable, before going to the store to shop, to type the name of the product on the Internet and read what people write about it. Detailed composition of the food, how dry food differs, what are the advantages of wet food. There is currently no shortage of information. And whoever is aware is armed!
Best dry food, wet, according to buyers
Vitamins and minerals
The processed raw materials from which cat food is produced are a source of proteins and carbohydrates. Vitamins and minerals are not preserved after processing, so they are added artificially. The manufacturer describes them:
- by simple enumeration - copper, iron, sodium, zinc, calcium;
- indicating specific substances containing minerals.
The sources of minerals are synthetic additives: iron amino acid complex, zinc polysaccharide complex. It is believed that minerals are better absorbed from such compounds.
Vitamins are also added in the form of artificial substances: cholecalciferol (vitamin D from animal sources), ergocalciferol (vitamin D from plants), riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin A, vitamin E, thiamine mononitrate (source of vitamin B1), vitamin B6.
So, behind complex chemical names are hidden artificial analogues of natural components that disappeared from the feed during processing. Amino acids (DL-methionine, L-lysine, DL-tryptophan) are also replaced.
Instead of meat
What else is included in cat food?
- Meat by-products. These are the remaining edible parts of mammals, for example, liver, kidneys, tripe. There may also be lungs and udders, although they are not edible for humans, animals can eat them.
- Bird. This refers to all edible parts of birds, except feathers, entrails, heads and legs. This also includes bones and skin. They are ground together with the pulp, and the bones are also a valuable source of calcium. The manufacturer often indicates the type of poultry - chicken, turkey.
- Poultry by-products. This includes heads, legs and intestines, as well as the heart, liver and stomach.
What is cat food made from? Inexpensive products called “Meat” and “Poultry” use by-products at best.
Lyrical introduction
Margaret Gates, founder of the Feline Nutrition Foundation, an educational foundation for cat owners, recalls:
“I remember how, as a child, I opened a can of canned food for my cat, and he just sniffed it and ran away! And to me, too, cat food always smelled terrible. I shudder to think what it could have been made of. None of the cats that lived with me as a child crossed the 11-year mark. However, none of them died from an accident; they all died from illness. I think the cat food contributed to their health problems.”
Of course, cat food is made much better now than it was when Margaret Gates was a little girl. Today the quality of the ingredients has improved and some foods actually have excellent ingredients and most smell quite good.
And manufacturing companies have become much more educated. Now they know much more about what cats need. But that still doesn't mean that all products made by the pet food industry are great for your cat.
