What To Look For In Cat Food

Final Thoughts On Ingredients In Cat Food

Dont trust fancy marketing gimmicks on the label.

This will help you understand whats actually in your cats food.

Most ingredients in cat food are unnecessary, cheap fillers, and low-quality meats.

Long-term consumption of these poor-quality ingredients can cause a variety of health issues in our cats. Unfortunately, sometimes even death.

If you dont know what something is, look it up. Or call the manufacturer.

Best Wet Cat Food Formulas Of 2022

All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the author. However, Great Pet Care may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.

When you bring a new cat home, one of the first decisions you have to make as a new pet parent is what type of cat food to feed your feline. And while there are hundreds of foods and cat food brands on the market, most cat owners will choose between two types of formulationswet cat food and dry cat food.

While there are benefits and drawbacks to both, wet cat food can offer a variety of benefits to our feline friends. In general, wet food tends to be higher in fat and protein and lower in carbohydrates compared to dry food, says Dr. Ericka Carroll, a San Francisco-based veterinarian who works for Hello Ralphie, a telehealth platform. Wet food also has significantly high moisture content compared to dry food.

Finding the best wet cat food for your four-legged companion will come down to your cats individual needs and preferences. But this guide will provide information about what to look for and consider when shopping for wet cat food and which brands and formulas you should consider for optimum nutrition.

Research Your Cat Food Brand

Sourcing and quality control in manufacturing are other important considerations in choosing a pet food. Unfortunately, pet food labels are not required to provide this information. You may be able to find the information on the companys website. Alternatively, a call to the companys consumer relations department should provide you the answers you need. Any reputable company with a quality product will be happy to engage with its consumers.

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At The End Of The Day

Feline family members have their special nutritional needs you should consider them when choosing the diet. Cats living on all-natural products are less prone to diseases of the intestinal system and kidneys, not to mention that it allows carnivores to truly enjoy the meals. Now when you know how to make wet cat food, maintaining the proper balance of nutrients becomes simpler. But before you decide to switch your feline friend to raw or cooked meals, its important to consult a veterinarian a specialist will help you figure out a perfect formula for your pet.

Featured Image Credit: Africa Studio, Shutterstock

Contents

The Group Of Minerals:

Minerals are essential nutrients for cats to maintain good health and support their aesthetic value. These include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and chlorine. They are organic components that play a vital role in cell formation and metabolism. The presence of these components in food can also help in preventing urinary tract diseases.

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Put In Mind Your Cats Health Status

Select your food by considering the overall health status of your cat. Is it obese, diabetic, having hypertension, fur ball problems, hyperthyroidism, allergies, and inflammatory bowel disease, and so on?

Begin by seeking a vets help as symptoms may be due to something else before settling on any specific brand. Common health issues include:

How Much Protein Does A Cat Need

Your pet will need a high amount of protein in their diet. Proteins are needed to provide energy for every organ in their body. While protein is a good part of your cats nutrition, not all proteins are the same. A high-quality protein is needed to help maintain good health.

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When looking at the ingredient list, make sure that the listed proteins come from high-quality sources. Things such as chicken or fish will come from better sources than meat by-products or meat meal. These come from the unwanted parts of the animal.

The proteins in your cats diets when digested are broken down into amino acids. These are needed for your pets body to function correctly. Some amino acids, such as taurine is found in proteins that must be in your pets diet. Many amino acids your cats body can make taurine cannot be made by your pet and must be in their diet. Without taurine, a pet can be blind or have heart and reproductive problems.

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How Much Water Should I Give My Cat

Cats dont naturally like to drink water, but they need it! There should always be fresh water available for your cat. This will help them to digest their nutrients better and avoid health problems such as dehydration and urinary tract infections. Proper hydration is even more important if you are feeding your cat dry food, and wet food can be a great way to give your cat the extra moisture they need if they are not drinking from their bowl.

Q: What Are The Dangers Of A Dog Eating Cat Food

Dr. Leslie: Cats have a much higher safety tolerance than dogs to some nutrients. Cats appear to have evolved pathways that allow them to tolerate levels of Vitamin D that could make dogs very sick and even die. Fish- or marine-based cat foods should not be fed to dogs for this reason.

It’s not difficult to convince dogs to eat, well, anything. But cat foods are made with a bit more fat than dog foods. Dogs prone to fat intolerance should also not be allowed to eat cat foods, as this is a common cause of pancreatitis and digestive upset.

Canned cat foods tend to be higher in animal protein sources, which, in excess, can be tough on a dog’s system.

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Comparison Chart For Best Canned Cat Food For Senior Cats

In this article weve included our suggestions for the Canned Cat Food For Senior Cats after analyzing 70074 reviews.

• Breakthrough weight management cat food clinically proven for adult felines
• Over 70% of cats lost weight within 10 weeks
• Give your cat long-lasting weight support
• A good source of protein to help your grown cat maintain lean muscle
• Scrumptious wet food made with natural ingredients
• Give your cat variety with Hills Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Liver and Chicken Entrée
• Made in the USA with global ingredients you can trust

Recommendations For Owners Who Stick With Dry Food

Dry food can be fed but must be done by careful measure, specific meals and no snacking. Todays dry foods have much better ingredients allowing for a higher number of usable calories per cup, so even less is needed compared to the Little Friskies of 30 years ago.

Feeding multiple feedings a day is useful but can be a source of contention as the cat tries to get to be fed in between feedings. No open bowls of food should be available. Dry food is offered for a set amount of time, and any leftover food is removed until the next feeding. Sometimes, taking the bowls up, so there is no reminder of the lack of food is helpful to limit begging.

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Blue Buffalo Releases Wet Cat Food Portfolio To Replace Healthy Gourmet Line

WILTON, CONN. Blue Buffalo announced March 16 the official release of its latest wet cat food portfolio, BLUE Tastefuls. The company had teased the launch back in December 2020 in its second quarter earnings call.

BLUE Tastefuls will replace the premium pet food and treat brands Healthy Gourmet products, becoming Blue Buffalos new go-to wet cat food offering. The line currently includes three formats: BLUE Tastefuls Patés, Flaked Entrées and Tender Morsels.

The paté formats feature five protein options beef, chicken, salmon, turkey or whitefish with the chicken recipe available in three life-stage specific formulas. These include a Kitten formula with added DHA to support brain development, an Adult formula, and a Mature formula delivering energy from high-quality proteins and complex carbohydrates.

BLUE Tastefuls Flaked Entrées include chicken, fish, salmon and tuna protein options, each supplemented with brown rice and sweet potatoes in a gravy. The Tender Morsels are offered in chicken or tuna formats with brown rice and sweet potatoes in a sauce.

In each format and formula, real meat is the first ingredient, and all other ingredients are all-natural. The formulas do not contain chicken or poultry byproduct meals, corn, wheat, soy or artificial ingredients. BLUE Tastefuls are also fortified with vitamins, minerals and other key nutrients, and offer high moisture content to promote hydration, the company shared.

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Purina Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Wet Cat Food

This variety pack of Purina Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers wet cat food has three different flavors even the pickiest of felines will love. In chicken, turkey and beef flavors, this food is made from high-quality ingredients to give a 100% percent complete and balanced nutrition. With small, delicate bites slow cooked to perfection delivering a tempting texture, this food is great for a cats currently uninterested in food and aims to entice them with delicious flavors.

Included in this food are essential vitamins and minerals to support your cats overall health and wellness, allowing you to monitor their weight while not worrying about what youre feeding them. With this food you should feed an average size adult cat 1 can per 2.5 pounds of body weight daily, and so, while this food may not be the best for larger cats, it is perfect for kittens.

Key Features:

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Tip No : Natural Doesn’t Mean Organic

When it comes to pet foods, there are no official definitions for the terms “natural” and “organic.” But the two are not the same. “Organic” is about how a food source is grown and processed. Work is now under way to develop guidelines for the use of the word “organic” on cat food labels.

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“Natural” may mean the product has no artificial flavors or colors. Few pet foods ever use artificial flavors. Artificial coloring isn’t necessary other than to make the product look more appealing to the owners. Some manufacturers may use the term “natural” to indicate that there are no artificial or added preservatives, but, again, use caution here if you’re buying dry cat food.

Another label to watch out for is”100% All Natural.” But the Pet Food Institute says that most complete and balanced cat foods have vitamins and minerals in them, and those additives are usually man-made. Labels can say “Natural with added Vitamins and Minerals,” however.

Healthy Cat Food: What To Look For

Just as you read nutrition labels on food you buy for yourself, you should read the labels on your cats food too.

Some of the healthiest cat foods meet requirements set forth by the Association of American Feed Control Officials . I say some because even though the AAFCO requirements arent ideal or even enforced nationwide, they are the best guidelines pet food manufacturers have right now.

The AAFCO is an advisory group that oversees regulations for the production and labeling of animal feed. Its members include volunteers from government agencies, animal-interest groups, and veterinary schools. AAFCOs model standards have been adopted, and are enforced, by the majority of U.S. states. The standards specify terms for labeling, recommend the amounts of various ingredients depending on age and activity level of the animal, and set the criteria for the term complete and balanced to be used on the label.

A product can be considered a nutritionally-sound cat food if it is labeled complete and balanced. This means it is supposed to supply your cat with all the nutrients in the correct ratios that he needs for his stage of life.

Healthy cat foods may also contain fiber and antioxidants from vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots, and apples, and natural sources of fat to maintain smooth skin and coat. In small amounts, these can provide added health benefits. Natural preservatives such as vitamin E or mixed tocopherols may be used as well to prevent spoilage.

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What It Doesn’t Do

• AAFCO has no regulatory powers
• AAFCO does no testing, but recommends a protocol for testing, and works with independent laboratories which perform tests
• Does not determine “human grade” protein quality, as sometimes described on pet food labels
• Does not directly suggest standards for labeling foods specified as “Hairball Formula,” “Lite,” or “Dental Care,” although ingredient suggestions include certain quantities of protein, fat, etc., for food intended for adult cats vs. kittens or lactating queens

How To Transition Your Senior Cat To New Food

Making adjustments to the food your senior cat eats is important for their health and wellness, but try not to make the change too quickly. Sudden dietary changes can upset your cats stomach. Instead, transition in the new food slowly over the course of seven to 10 days. You can start by mixing 25% of the new food with your cats current diet and slowly increase the ratio as your kitty adjusts.

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Upsky Cat Dog Bowl Raised Cat Food Water Bowl With Detachable Elevated Stand Pet Feeder Bowl No

• 0-30°Free Tilt Design] The unique magnet designed allows adjusting the bowl position freely to the best feeding posture and suits different cats.
• Perfect Raised Stand] Comfortable 2.
• Easy To Clean] The cat bowls are removable and easy to take it out to wash and keep clean.
• Anti-spill & Anti-slip] Slightly inclined surface prevents food spill out.
• High-quality Material] The cat raised bowl is made of food grade melamine that is non-toxic, tasteless and safe.

Bad Cat Food Vs Good Cat Food

Domestic cats love and need meat just like their cousins in the wild. This means you want to look for cat foods with a lot of meat for protein. Try to avoid types of cat food that contain more grain and less meat. The three types of grain you want to avoid are soy, wheat, and corn. Many cats are allergic to one or more of those ingredients.

Wet cat food contains more protein less grains and, actual meat products. Your cat might be fine eating just dry food but if he isnt drinking enough water, dry food can lead to medical issues like urinary blockages. Wet and canned food will help him stay properly hydrated.

High-quality cat food brands list specific ingredients on their labels like turkey, chicken or rabbit. Lower quality cat food manufacturers, are often unclear or show a lot of fillers. They might say that their food contains meat, on the label, but they do not show what kind. This is why cat owners should always read the label and make sure the best ingredients are listed first.

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How To Choose The Best Cat Food For Your Cat

The best indication of a cat foods quality is the ingredient list. The Food and Drug Administration has approved any foods that carry an AAFCO-approved nutritional guarantee to be nutritionally balanced for cats.

• Youll also want to look out for any low-quality filler ingredients like corn, rice, soy, brewers yeast, wheat, sugar, meat by-products, or meat and bone meal. While most foods will have some filler ingredients, they should be low on the list of ingredients.
• As we mentioned above, the first ingredient should always be a meat product. This is especially true of dry foods where the meat will have been dehydrated. If meat is still the primary ingredient by weight after dehydration, the food will be more species-appropriate for cats.
• If your cat is a picky eater and turns its nose up at most dry foods, a semi-moist or canned food might stimulate its appetite. You can use the wet food as a topper to put on top of some kibble and see if you can use the aroma and texture of the wet food to stimulate your cats appetite and get them eating their kibble.

Pet Food: The Good The Bad And The Healthy

You pay close attention to what you and your family eat. You avoid processed foods, pay a premium for organic groceries and read labels religiously. But are you as persnickety when it comes to the diets of your cats and dogs?

For many pet parents, the answer is no. Their pets eat what is plucked from the grocery shelf and put in front of them. But careless dietary choices can expose pets to many of the same problems their parents experience if they arent thoughtful about what goes in their bodies: Heart disease, cancer, obesity, circulatory and digestion issues, diabetes, exposure to toxins and overall poor health.

Since pets and their health are at the heart of everything PetSafe does, we are pleased to provide some basic information on the importance of pet nutrition and how to go about ensuring your cats and dogs are eating as well as the rest of the family. Our automatic dog and cat feeders make caring for your pets convenient and hassle-free, and can control portion size, but its up to you to make sure the feeders are filled with goodness.

Lets consider why pet food may be a good or bad choice for your pet, starting with the good.

The Good

Automatic feeders can make feeding your pets even more convenient. Even with a busy schedule, you won’t have to worry if your pet has had their breakfast or dinner.

Convenience

Nutritionally Complete and Balanced

Labeled List of Ingredients and Recommended Feeding Guidelines

The Bad

Chemicals & Preservatives

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