What cat food should you not buy?
Let's remember what names of cat food we hear? Of course, the first to come to mind are Whiskas, Kitekat, Friskies, Darling. Their advertising is noisy, noticeable, and has become familiar... but is it worth believing all the manufacturers’ assurances? In this case, no. Cheap economy-class food (we’ll talk about food classes in general a little further) are the enemies of pets’ health. Only in emergency cases, when there really is nothing else at hand, can you give your cat such food. And even in this case, no one is immune from the prospect of poisoning. And the worst thing is that a constant diet of such food asymptomatically harms the cat, destroying its liver and kidneys.
Which brand of cat food is best?
Cat food is usually divided into classes: holistic , super-premium , premium and economy . You should consider food options starting from premium, but the best option, of course, would be super-premium or holistic. Companies of this level offer a variety of lines, where there is sure to be an option for even the most sensitive and picky pet. What you should pay attention to when choosing quality food is the country of origin, because it can be argued that the food is German, for example, but in fact this particular batch was produced in Russia.
Advantages and disadvantages of premium kitten food
Holistic food for cats: what is it, rating of the best
According to veterinarians, cats need to be fed super-premium food. Many cats do not do well with holistic foods, so it is best to give them a slightly simpler cat food.
Advantages:
- balanced composition;
- natural ingredients;
- abundance of nutrients;
- variety of lines and tastes;
- availability of a therapeutic diet;
- The composition is indicated in detail on the packaging.
Flaws:
- very high price;
- elite food is difficult to find in a store, so it is better to order it online;
- Counterfeits are common.
The veterinarian will prescribe a diet for the cat and select the appropriate food
The health and longevity of your pet depends on feeding quality food. First-class cat food will delight your pets with a wonderful taste and provide them with all the beneficial substances.
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The best cat foods in the category: holistic
There can be nothing better for your beloved pet than dry food from the Holistic series. These are new generation products that are created by professionals for professionals. The composition of this food is as natural as possible, it contains no preservatives and is as digestible as possible for the animal. In the line of companies producing holistic food, there is an offer for every taste, but not for every budget - such products are very expensive, because they require not only high-quality raw materials, but also special production technology.
Innova Cat and Kitten
Photo: www.catster.com
Average price in the Russian Federation : from 1200 rubles. for 2.7 kg
Why in the rating : this food’s composition is almost perfectly balanced, rich in all necessary substances, and even the protein in it is of animal origin. Thanks to the maximum nutritional value, a cat only needs a small portion to fill up. There are no ingredients in food of this level that could harm the animal.
Disadvantages : Innova Cat and Kitten is one of the most expensive foods and in Russia you can only get it on the Internet. It should be remembered that it contains quite a lot of protein, and therefore it should not be given to castrated animals.
Rating : 10 out of 10
From reviews of cat food Innova Cat and Kitten : “Food with a protein content of about 30% is suitable for extremely healthy and active cats, but will not be very good for neutered animals.”
Acana
Photo: www.tenfingers4paws.com
Average price in the Russian Federation : from 1000 rubles. for 2.27 kg
Why in the rating : this food consists of 80% natural high-quality meat ingredients, in addition, it is additionally rich in lactobacilli and probiotics necessary for animals. But, fortunately, there are no grain crops in it at all. In Russia you can buy both on the Internet and in some veterinary pharmacies.
Disadvantages : Acana's line of food is quite limited, divided by age, and therefore it cannot offer anything for cats with special needs or patients.
Rating : 9 out of 10
From reviews of Acana : “If the animal is healthy and reacts normally to protein, then there will be no problems with nutrition.”
N&D Natural and Delicious
Photo: www.shaggybrown.pl
Average price in the Russian Federation : from 860 rubles. for 1.5 kg
Why in the rating : the food has a very well balanced composition, which contains a maximum of meat ingredients, in addition, it also includes all the substances and vitamins that cats need.
Disadvantages : A couple of herbal ingredients are questionable. It can be difficult to buy in veterinary pharmacies, but the food is sold online in a full range.
Rating : 8 out of 10
From reviews N&D cat food : “Cats do not immediately get used to the taste of the food and are picky at first - it does not contain the usual taste enhancers and flavorings.”
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.
The best cat foods in the category: super premium
A food of this level is not so far removed from holistic in composition, but still contains natural preservatives and a little more ingredients of plant origin. This food is absolutely safe for cats if it is chosen correctly depending on the needs of the animal. As in the holistic category, there are also veterinary foods that are suitable for cats with illnesses or after operations. The cost of super-premium products is quite high.
Hills Science Diet (Prescription Diet)
Photo: www.petco.com
Average price in the Russian Federation : from 900 rubles. for 1.5 kg
Why in the rating : the brand has a wide selection of food varieties aimed at very specific requirements: anti-obesity, heart and kidney health, for allergy sufferers, post-operative feeding, and so on. Finding food on sale is not difficult if you go to a veterinary pharmacy, but you can also find it in regular pet stores.
Disadvantages : Hills has been produced in Russia for a long time, which causes felinologists to worry about the quality of the products. When buying this food, you should pay attention to the country of origin - pay attention to European factories.
Rating : 8.8 out of 10
From reviews of Hills Science Diet : “An excellent solution for a diet after surgery, but for the right choice it is better to consult a veterinarian.”
Eukanuba
Photo: www.petzilla.co.uk
Average price in the Russian Federation : from 1200 rubles. for 2 kg
Why in the rating : the company has both a veterinary and a daily series, and both belong to the super-premium class - and this does not happen so often. The food has a very well-balanced composition with a maximum of meat ingredients, and the daily portion of food will be quite small due to its nutritional value.
Disadvantages : the food contains vegetable protein. In addition to the fact that the assortment cannot be called very wide, it may not be available in most pet stores.
Rating : 8.5 out of 10
From reviews of Eukanuba : “When choosing the type of food, you should consider how well the cat tolerates plant protein.”
1st Choice
Photo: www.cty-fish.com
Average price in the Russian Federation : from 1200 rubles. for 2.27 kg
Why in the rating : the food is produced in Canada, which means it undergoes a very strict quality assessment. Proteins and carbohydrates are perfectly balanced in the composition, but there is also a completely safe hypoallergenic food option.
Disadvantages : the choice of food types is not very large. In addition, the composition contains a couple of undesirable ingredients: cellulose and so-called “poultry meal”. The problem with the last component is that it is impossible to determine what such flour consists of - you can only hope for the integrity of the manufacturer.
Rating : 8 out of 10
From reviews of 1st Choice : “Very small portions are enough for a cat to be satisfied.”
The best cat foods in the category: premium
Affordable, high-quality premium food can now be purchased at most pet stores, both in bags and in bulk. The composition of this food is quite decent, natural preservatives are used, but the amount of corn can be too large. However, premium food is a fairly good daily nutrition for a healthy animal. The lines also include offers for kittens, sterilized cats and aging cats.
Hills Science Plan
Photo: images.vet-medic.com
Average price in the Russian Federation : from 790 rubles. for 2 kg
Why in the rating : the range of food is very wide and there is an option for even the most picky cat. The composition is very carefully selected and balanced, and you can choose meals with different amounts of protein. There is also food for dental health, which is very important to monitor throughout the cat’s life.
Disadvantages : there is a risk of buying a batch produced at a Russian plant - the standards are completely different here. Contains vegetable protein and grains.
Rating : 7.9 out of 10
From reviews of Hills Science Plan : “It is important to choose nutrition based on the age of the animal.”
Royal Canin
Photo: static.shop033.com
Average price in the Russian Federation : from 650 rubles. for 2 kg
Why in the rating : food is available in almost every pet store, at a price slightly higher than economy class, and the composition is much more balanced and nutritious. The choice of food types is very large, and the specialized veterinary series even belongs to the super-premium class. There is food for dental health - it is not so often found in the lines of well-known companies.
Disadvantages : there has been a plant in Russia for a long time, and felinologists, as already mentioned, prefer European or American production. Contains ingredients of plant origin.
Rating : 7.5 out of 10
From reviews of Royal Canin : “The series for kittens and older cats are especially good.”
Purina ProPlan
Photo: nt.petplanet.co.uk
Average price in the Russian Federation : from 650 rubles. for 1.5 kg
Why in the rating : the composition of the food is perfectly balanced and does not require any dietary supplements; in addition, it contains the probiotics and enzymes that cats need. The price is very affordable and there is a fairly large assortment on sale everywhere.
Disadvantages : it contains a lot of herbal ingredients, liver (cats are allergic to it), animal fat of unknown origin.
Rating : 7 out of 10
From reviews of Purina ProPlan : “Under no circumstances should it be mixed with natural food, otherwise it will end in allergies.”
Features of dry super-premium food
Super premium food is the best food for cats in taste, nutrition and quality. Dry and wet food is prepared only from natural products, enriched with vitamins and nutrients, and does not contain preservatives. All luxury food manufacturers produce medicinal food that cats need for various serious illnesses.
The cat happily eats first-class food
One of the varieties of super premium products is holistic. This is food suitable for consumption not only by animals, but also by people.
For reference! Holistics are made from 100% natural, fresh ingredients. The name comes from the word Holistic or Holism, which means “whole.”
Premium dry cat food has a light natural smell that is extremely attractive to animals. Several features distinguish such food from lesser quality food:
- Natural protein of animal origin. The composition includes meat, fish, eggs, and offal.
- Does not contain corn gluten.
- The ash content does not exceed 6–7%.
- Rice, oats, potatoes, and barley are used as a source of carbohydrates.
- No flavorings, preservatives, dyes. Rosemary and tocopherol are used instead.
- The packaging indicates the ingredients and their quantity in grams or percentages.
- Vitamins, minerals and percentages of proteins, fats, carbohydrates are indicated.
In many soft foods you can see pieces of meat.
Important! Super-premium cat food should not be labeled “meat products” at all.
Premium feed
The best cat food in the category: economy
It is very difficult to say something good about economy class food. It can only be noted that they have a very affordable price. However, their quality is often so deplorable that it is better to save on at least natural food, if not premium food. Giving such food to sick or weakened animals will only cause harm. Moreover, in fact, the financial side of the issue here is questionable, since this food is absolutely not nutritious, and the cat is forced to eat much larger portions than if its food were well balanced. In case there is absolutely no way out, there are still a couple of more or less tolerable economical options.
Purina One
Photo: src.discounto.de
Average price in the Russian Federation : from 250 rubles. for 750 g
Why in the rating : a fairly popular food in an affordable price range, which can be purchased even in regular supermarkets. Meets the nutritional requirements of most healthy cats under 8 years of age.
Disadvantages : Lots of herbal ingredients and no options for animals with serious medical conditions or very specific needs.
Grade: 5
From reviews of Purina One : “Over time, the cat simply refuses the food, although at first it requires supplements.”
Purina Cat Chow
Photo: f1.ds-russia.ru
Average price in the Russian Federation : from 100 rubles. for 400 g
Why in the rating : it comes in a very small package, which allows you to take the food “for testing” or as a temporary measure for 1-2 days.
Disadvantages : poorly balanced composition with a small amount of meat ingredients of questionable quality. Cases of allergies to Cat Chow are not uncommon.
Grade: 4
From reviews of Purina Cat Chow : “Cats are often picky and refuse this food completely.”
Whiskey Special
Photo: povodok-shop.ru
Average price in the Russian Federation : from 90 rubles. for 400 g.
Why in the rating : it offers a food option for cats with sensitive digestion, which guarantees at least relative harmlessness to the animal’s body. Cats eat this food with gusto.
Disadvantages : the composition is the same as regular Whiskas, except with a couple of new ingredients. The choice is quite small and allergies are not uncommon.
Grade: 3
From reviews of Whiskas Special : “The portion for satiating a cat turns out to be very large compared to premium food, and therefore even the financial benefit here is very doubtful.”
