How to choose the right food for cats

The vast majority of people love cats and dogs, and many take them home. It seems that such an act should always be praised. However, you should not forget that in this case, you are taking on a responsibility that cannot be abandoned. The animal considers itself a member of the family, and it needs to be cared for and fed. In this article, we'll try to figure out how to approach cat feeding the right way.

Why human food is not suitable

Some people feed their cats human food because they don't want to waste extra time. Some people simply don't have the budget to buy specialized food on a regular basis. Others try to think logically: if the cat likes meat and fish, then there is no need to invent anything. In fact, you need to understand that a cat, like a human, needs a certain set of elements for a healthy life. For example, if a person lacks calcium, he or she will have dental problems. For a cat, this set of elements will be significantly different, but it will also suffer from a lack of even one of the elements.

Some cat owners feed their cats porridge. It provides carbohydrates, which the cat needs in very limited quantities. Porridge artificially fills the stomach, but it is almost useless. This diet can lead to weight gain and gastrointestinal problems.

Meat and fish look more logical, but the key problem here is the imbalance of food and the lack of critical elements. If meat becomes the basis of the diet, the cat may develop bone and heart problems, and its eyesight may deteriorate.

The right set of key nutrients for nutrition

There are four components of a healthy cat's diet.

1. Animal protein is the basis of the diet. It supports muscles and internal organs, provides immunity, and is a source of amino acids.
2. Fats help protein work more efficiently. They are a source of energy, are responsible for the health of the skin and coat, and help to absorb vitamins. Omega-3 and omega-6 are especially important.
3. Vitamins and minerals. Vitamins are responsible for metabolism. Among the important minerals are calcium and phosphorus, which are responsible for bones, and iron, which saturates the blood.
4. Taurine is an amino acid that is extremely important in the diet of cats. Unlike humans and dogs, cats cannot produce it in sufficient quantities. Lack of taurine leads to heart problems, impaired vision up to blindness, impaired reproductive function, and weakened immunity.

In addition to the "big four," it is also worth mentioning carbohydrates, which serve as a source of energy. They are not essential for a cat and are acceptable in limited quantities.

There is no ideal formula for the combination of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates in cat food, as a number of nuances (age, breed, and health status) must also be taken into account. However, the following guidelines can be given. A diet with a high content of animal protein (30-45%) and a sufficient level of fat (12-25%) can be considered optimal. The remaining elements are carbohydrates, ash, fiber, and liquid.

How to read the package correctly

Of course, we are not interested in advertising, but in the composition of the feed components.

1. Let's look at the first ingredient - it forms the basis of the feed. It's good if it says "fresh meat", "dehydrated meat", or a specific type of meat is indicated: chicken, turkey, salmon. It's bad if it says "cereals", "corn", "processed foods", "meat and offal".
2. It is good if the first ingredient has a percentage. For example, "chicken 30%". It is bad if there is no percentage, for example, "meat ingredients". It is understandable that a manufacturer would want to give unclear wording if the product has defects.
3. If there is a percentage, it must meet the requirements. We already know something about the required percentages of proteins and fats. So it's not good if the percentage of proteins is less than 25 and fats is less than 10.
4. Overload of cereals. If there are corn, wheat, and rice in a row, we have a negative signal that the feed is overloaded with cereals.
5. The presence of taurine. If not, the feed is questionable.
6. The amount of ash is up to 8-9%. If the percentage is higher, there is a danger to the kidneys and urinary system.
7. Unnecessary additives - dyes, flavor enhancers, etc. For example, "flavorings", "EU additives", "sensory additives", "processed products". The less specifics there are, the more the manufacturer hides the content.

Gradation of cat food

1. Economy class. This includes Kitekat, Whiskas, Friskies, Felix. This group of foods is characterized by a low percentage of proteins (sometimes 4-10%), a significant amount of cereals, meat offal, and flavor enhancers. Such foods allow you to fill the stomach, but do not provide a balanced diet. If used for a long time, they increase the risk of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and urinary system.
2. Mediocre. There are more proteins (15-25%), but less than the normal amount of vitamins. There are still a lot of cereals and partially vegetable protein. The risk to the health of cats can be defined as moderate.
3. Good. There is the right balance of proteins and fats, the right amount of taurine and trace elements. The disadvantages can be a significant amount of cereals, partially vegetable protein, and some blurring of the content. This is a basic food option that is often recommended by veterinarians.
4. Excellent. There is a lot of animal protein, no or minimal grain, and overall high quality ingredients.
5. Elite. We have 60-80% of animal ingredients, transparent composition, no cheap fillers and cereals, and added functional ingredients (herbs, berries, etc.). The food is as close to natural nutrition as possible, and it is well-balanced.

Should I combine dry food, canned food, and soup?

If dry food is of good quality, it is considered to fully meet the cat's needs. Its only drawback is the limited amount of moisture in its content (about 7-10%). The owner should make sure that the cat has fresh water at all times and, if possible, stimulate its consumption.

It is also possible to combine dry food with canned food. The cat gets more moisture. This can also be beneficial for the kidneys and urinary system.

As for soups, they cannot be recommended at all. They contain excessive amounts of salt and fat and have an unbalanced composition.

Олег Пархітько