Cat owners often don't know how to choose the right food for their cats because cats are extremely picky eaters. Because there are so many choices and cats are very picky, it can be hard to find the best cat food. To make a smart choice, you should also know what your cat likes and doesn't like when it comes to food.
When you pick out food for your cat, keep these things in mind.
Things to Think About When Picking Cat Food
You should pick cat food that your cat really enjoys, but there's a lot more to picking cat food than just how good it tastes. You should choose food that is healthy, full of all the nutrients your cat needs, and right for its size.What the AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy Statement says
First things first, you need to look for the AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy Statement on any possible cat food candidates.
AAFCO is the Association of American Feed Control Officials, and they set the food standards for cats and dogs. The AAFCO statement should say that the food is full and balanced for a particular life stage or all life stages. It will include whether the food was designed to meet the nutrition needs for that life stage or whether the food received animal feeding studies.
Cat parents should not pick cat food to feed to their cats if it does not contain an AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy Statement. Foods without these words are only acceptable for treats or extra meals. 90% of a cat’s food intake should come from a meal that meets AAFCO’s standards.
An exception to the rule of needing an AAFCO statement is a homemade meal that has been adjusted by a veterinary dietitian.
Nutritional Requirements
Cats have species-specific food needs. They need specific amounts of fatty acids, amino acids, minerals, and vitamins to stay fit. Most often, these are in the form of basic standards that must be met by the cat’s food. However, more isn’t always better! Some nutrients, like vitamin D, can be dangerous when given in large amounts.Perhaps the most important food requirement for cat parents to know is that cats are dedicated eaters. This means cats have nutritional needs, such as taurine or arachidonic acid, that must be met by eating animal products. A cat needs significantly more protein than a dog does.
Ingredients
The most important item you should be looking for on a nutrition label is a protein source. The protein source should be one of the first items listed on the food label. The protein source should be clearly named, such as “chicken.”
Contrary to what pet parents may hear from various sources, grains are not bad for cats. When put in cat food, things like corn are changed to be more edible and can provide a quick source of energy for the cat. Cats do not require grain-free meals. However, grains and other carbs should not overtake the protein in the diet. An exception to this may be a limited protein diet, such as food for a cat with kidney disease.
Life Stage
A cat’s nutritional requirements also change during life, so you need to ensure the food you choose is right for their unique life stage.A diet should say whether the food is full and healthy for growth and reproduction (pregnancy or nursing), adult maintenance, or all life stages. Food designed for people that is fed to kittens will not meet their needs for growth. On the other hand, a food designed for a growing baby that’s fed to an adult may promote fat.
When it comes to senior cats, there aren’t set rules for a senior cat’s food needs. However, older cats often have drops in exercise levels and metabolism that increase their risk of obesity. Some senior foods may come with higher protein content to help keep muscle strength. However, keep in mind that needed amounts special to adults are not set. Senior cats should be fed food that meets the needs of adult cats or all life stages.
Health Considerations
Your cat’s health issues impact their food needs. Some chronic health problems are usually partly handled through diet!Here are several examples of health problems that require special cat food formulations:
• Food allergies: Pet parents should be aware that most cat food allergies occur due to the proteins in the food, not grains. Cats with food allergies may benefit from a new protein or hydrolyzed protein diet to lessen sensitivity to allergens, which you can speak to your doctor about.
• Kidney disease: Cats with kidney disease are often fed foods with higher moisture content, are limited in protein, and have reduced phosphorous.
• Urinary tract disease: Cats with a history of urinary tract disease, such as feline lower urinary tract disease or FLUTD, often benefit from foods that are designed to increase moisture content, reduce the formation of bladder stones, and make pee acidic.
• Diabetes: Diets for cats with diabetes may have reduced carbohydrate content. Diabetic cats can often go into diabetic recovery with proper food control, meaning they won’t need insulin.
Diets that cater to special health needs are often prescription diets. Your doctor can help you pick a good prescription food to meet your cat’s needs.
Types of Cat Food to Choose From
Pet parents have several choices for food types. Generally speaking, it's best to pick one food type as the main food in the diet. Sticking to one food type for at least 90% of your cat's caloric intake helps ensure they receive a fully complete diet.Dry Food
Dry food (kibble) is a good choice for a lot of pet parents. Dry food is usually the cheapest and has the longest shelf life. It can also be left out for longer than most canned foods and can easily be put in automatic feeders.
Wet Food
Canned food increases the liquid content that your cat takes in, so it’s a good choice for cats who have health problems that respond to increased water intake or for permanently dry cats.
Wet food may also be more palatable to some cats. Cats rely mainly on scent when eating, so the increased smelliness of wet food may be appealing to some cats.
Canned food may also be less painful to chew for cats with tooth problems.
Raw
Raw diets can be bought over the counter or made at home. These meals consist of raw foods, including raw animal products. Generally, veterinary experts do not suggest raw foods due to the risk of germ illness both for the pet and for the people in the family. Pet parents who make raw meals at home should speak with a veterinary expert to ensure the diet is fully complete.
Homemade
Homemade meals can be appropriate for cats as long as they’re properly balanced. A licensed veterinary nutritionist can help you create a homemade meal that meets all of your cat’s nutritional needs.