Cats are adorable, cuddly, and can live for a long time if you take care of them. Picking the best food for your cat is a pretty important thing. Just like humans, they need proper nutrition in order to stay healthy and happy.
With the various cat food offered, picking the ideal one for your kitty can be pretty challenging. Every cat has different requirements based on its age, weight, and health conditions. So, how do you know which food is the most suitable for your cat?
We have put together this buying guide so that you can make the best choice possible about what food will be the best for your fluffy friend.
What Are The Most Essential Tips On Cat Food?
- When switching to new cat food, do it gradually by adding little amounts of the new food in with the cat's current food.
- Be sure to reassess your cat's needs from time as his age, weight, activity level, or health change.
- If your pet has a pretty sensitive tummy, then you will have to pick pet food very wisely.
- Be sure to buy cat food that comes from an animal source because cats digest animal protein better.
- Avoid giving out a lot of treats or human foods.
- Adjust the amount you feed to keep your cat's shape – don't overfeed or underfeed.
What Should You Consider When Buying Cat Food?
Life Stages
Kitties and adult cats have different food needs. So it is pretty crucial that you read the cat food label and look for a life stage description. For example, if the label says "balanced for all stages of life," that means that it is completely safe for an adult cat or kitten. But if it says "adult maintenance," then this cat food is meant only for adult cats.
Activity Level
When picking food, it's necessary to examine how active your cat is to make sure it is getting enough calories.
If you have an energetic, strong cat that likes to run around outside, then an adult formula would be the best option.
For less active cats who mainly stay home, look for an indoor formula. Indoor formulas have lower fat content and can help prevent your cat from getting overweight.
Ingredients
Another important factor you should put into considerations is the ingredients. You may want to pick a product that has at least 30% protein. So here are some ingredients that you should look for:
- Meat: Cats are meat-eating animals, so the main ingredient you should be looking for is meat, and you should avoid carbohydrates.
- Fat: Fat should also be listed as one of the first ingredients.
- Fiber: Cats require a large amount of fiber–found like brown rice–to maintain proper digestive health.
- Taurine: is quite essential for your cat. The lack of taurine might cause blindness, heart problems, or even death.
- Allergen-free: Grains, chicken, wheat, and soy are allergens, so avoid these ingredients if your cat is allergic.
Packaging
There are different packages, so try to pick a size that will fit your cat's needs for at least a week. It is good to take food in small packages so that it remains fresh. But if you have more than one kitty, consider buying a larger quantity of food.
Brand
You need to know that there are multiple brands to pick from when it comes to cat food. Be sure that you stick with a genuine and reputed brand because they will provide a completely balanced cat food that is backed with a lot of testing and experimental research.
What Is The Price Range of Cat Foods?
The price can vary depending on the brand, packaging, and ingredients. On average, you can expect to pay around $50 per month for your fluffy friend, which isn't a lot. Cat food usually runs from $10-$40 per packaging, but there are even expensive ones that can be up to $200.
For example, a 20-lb bag usually will cost you around $19. and will last for 20 days. So you will be spending only $1 per day on your cat's food.
What are the different types of cat food?
Dry cat food
Packed in bags or boxes, this food appears in the form of pellets, chips, or biscuits. It has a long shelf life and is one of the cheaper options for cat food. Choose dry food with the largest amount of protein you can.
Wet cat food
This type of cat food contains high moisture content and is usually stored in pouches or cans. Wet food contains more fats, protein, and water than dry cat foods. But it can be a bit more expensive than dry food, and it is less easy to store and serve.
Raw cat food
Raw food can be incredibly nutritious for your pet if done right. It is mostly composed of meat, vegetables, grains, and any extra supplements combined for health benefits. This type of diet imitates a cat's natural diet.
Conclusion
What you feed your cat can impact how long it lives. High-quality foods improve the quality of life. You should always pay attention to the first five ingredients on the label of the cat food. Picking food that is rich in protein is pretty important, so be sure that you use this buying guide in your next hunt for cat food.
Cat Food FAQ
Q: Dry or wet cat food?
A: Most of the cats have personal preferences, so you will see how they will react to the cat's food. Vegetarians recommend that cats should have a mix of wet and dry food. Cat's don't drink a lot of water because of their origins, so by giving them a mix, you will ensure a balanced and complete diet for your cat. But remember that, while the dry food can remain in a bow for the whole day, wet food should be thrown away after 20 minutes.
Q: Should I change my cat's food from time to time?
A: Changing the cat's food is completely up to your cat's needs. Most of the cats will be pretty happy to eat the same food for a long period. But if you want to change it up, you can purchase different flavors of the same food.
Q: Can my cat eat human food?
A: You can give your beloved pet some human food, but you shouldn't do it every time. Giving your cat food from your plate increases the risk of you supplying them with something poisonous.
Q: Is my cat overweight?
A: You can check if your cat is overweight by simply running your hands along their chest side. You should be able to feel their ribs easily but not actually see them. And if you're not able to feel their ribs, then we would advise you to go to the vet.