The best liquid food for cats. The best cat foods: veterinarian ratings

Most owners of domestic cats do not have the opportunity to prepare their pet a balanced, complete breakfast, lunch and dinner every day.
According to veterinarians, the most ideal food for cats is small pieces of meat or fish. But in addition to such a diet, the mustachioed pet must receive the minerals and vitamins necessary for the body. Therefore, it is much more convenient for owners and healthier for cats to purchase ready-made cat food, but which ones are better than others? What to choose?

Choosing cat food

In the wild, felines are carnivores that obtain all their valuable nutrients from the raw meat and stomach contents of their prey. A domestic cat should also receive a certain amount of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, which any living organism needs for a comfortable life. For a caring owner, it is very important to choose the right type of food for your mustachioed pet.

Types of cat food

There are three main types of food for domestic cats. They differ in the method of preparation, serving, shelf life and other properties.

Natural

Some owners still do not trust their pet’s food to be fed from bags and prefer to prepare cat food themselves. The menu is selected individually: for fluffy and smooth-haired cats, for young and adult cats, for thin and well-fed cats.

It is important to remember that food from the human table is absolutely contraindicated for pets. Delicious sausages, scrambled eggs and fried potatoes will not bring any benefit to the cat.

Advantages of natural food:

• Accurate knowledge of product composition;
• No dangerous chemicals or harmful additives;
• Nutrition is closer to natural conditions.

Disadvantages of natural food:

• The need to frequently prepare new dishes to prevent food from spoiling;
• It takes a lot of time to prepare;
• It is advisable to have certain skills and knowledge in the field of pet nutrition.

Dry

Many owners are confident that dry food is the most versatile and balanced nutrition for a domestic cat.

Pros of dry food:

• Saving money compared to natural food;
• Time saving;
• Does not spoil for a long time both in the package and in the cat’s plate;
• A good dry food is properly balanced.

Cons of dry food:

• The lack of water in dry food can lead to kidney and bladder problems in a cat if used incorrectly;
• Dry food does not put enough stress on your pet’s teeth;
• Cheap dry food is likely to contain a lot of carbohydrates. Its use may cause diabetes in cats;
• Some foods contain special additives that are addictive.

Wet food (liquid food)

Wet food for cats can be used as an alternative to dry food when you want to properly care for your pet, but there is no time to prepare it separately. It is often fed with “liquid” cat food.

• Time saving;
• Saving money compared to natural nutrition;
• Quite a long shelf life in the package;
• Composition, properties and taste close to natural.

Cons of wet food:

• Bad food contains ingredients that are addictive to animals;
• Wet food does not retain vitamins well in its composition compared to dry food;
• A large amount of liquid in low-quality food leads to poor saturation of the animal;
• If you leave wet food out in the air, it will quickly dry out and lose its nutritional value.

Cat food classes

Cat food is divided not only by type, but also by other parameters. Feed classes are a rating system that categorizes feed based on composition, benefit and price category.

Economy class food

The class of food that can most often be seen in advertising on TV. This food is suitable solely for suppressing the animal’s hunger. There's nothing in it that's healthy for cats, and it certainly doesn't contain meat. Solid soy, by-products, preservatives, cellulose, flavor enhancers and food additives are not at all what mustachioed pets need.

The only plus is the cheap price. Veterinarians do not recommend using economy class food as the main menu for domestic cats.

Watch the following video, do not pay attention to the quality of the picture, the main thing is information!

There are also feeds of the so-called “commercial” class. Their composition is no different from economy, and the cost increases due to the promoted brand. Good owners should not rely on advice from commercials, because behind them there is only a successful marketing ploy.

Manufacturers: Darling, Meow, Whiskas, Doctor Zoo, Kitekat, Frieskies, Felix, etc.

Medium class food

Medium class feeds have a correspondingly average product quality.

Compared to economy food, this food contains less soy, grains and flavoring additives, and there are no chemicals. The composition already contains a small amount of meat and a balanced vitamin and mineral complex. Also, medium class food is already divided into categories: for sterilized cats, for kittens, furry animals, for adults, etc.

Manufacturers: Bozita, Happy Cat, Perfect fit, Belcando, Eukanuba, Iams, Brit, PRO PAK, Karma Organic, Natural Choice, etc.

Premium food

You won't see premium food in TV commercials. They contain an almost perfect balance of micro and macroelements needed by the animal. Almost no vegetable protein. The price is noticeably different from food of a lower class, but you can trust everything that is written on the packaging about the ingredients included. After all, each food of this class has its own quality certificate. You can purchase it in special pet stores or veterinary clinics.

Manufacturers: ProNature Holistic, Royal Canin, 1stChoice, Bosch SANABELLE, Pro Plan, Hills, Nutra Gold, Leonardo, Cimiao, etc.

Holistic food

Holistic food is the ideal professional food for a mustachioed pet. But not everyone has the opportunity to purchase a line of these foods. They can only be ordered directly from manufacturers in online stores. This best food is used mainly for exhibition and breeding animals in special nurseries. All animal and plant components of holistic food are grown on special farms without the addition of pesticides and hormones. Only natural ingredients are also used as preservatives.

Manufacturers: Orijen, Acana, Wellness, Innova, Natural&Delicious, Evo, Felidae, Almo Nature, Golden Eagle, Earthborn Holistic, etc.

Liquid cat food

High-quality wet (liquid) cat food can be compared to real meat or fish. The only difference is that the food contains additional nutritional components necessary for a properly balanced diet for your pet.

You shouldn’t skimp on your pet’s health and buy food below the medium class - here are veterinarians’ recommendations regarding dry food. If finances allow, then it is better to purchase healthy premium dry food, it contains more meat and an excellent set of microelements necessary for old and young cats to fully develop. That is, the food rating is not as important as its class. Well, then it all depends on the cat’s individual perception of a particular dry food.

Which food is better, dry or wet?

There are still discussions among both veterinarians and caring cat owners about which food is better for cats, dry or wet. Research by scientists has shown that these types of feed have their pros and cons, but, in general, do not differ from each other in nutritional value and composition. Some veterinarians advise balancing your cat's diet by including dry food as the main component and wet food as an additional component. On the contrary, many do not recommend mixing different types of food, as this can have a bad effect on the cat’s stomach. Therefore, it is up to the owner to choose the optimal nutritional diet for his pet and depends on his desires and capabilities.

Every cat is unique. When choosing its diet, it is necessary to take into account the animal’s age, weight, health, gender and other individual characteristics.

Which cat food contains more meat?

The largest amount of natural meat is, of course, contained in holistic foods. Most foods in this class contain about 70 percent meat or fish. There are some manufacturers whose products contain up to 95% meat. Thanks to special processing, these foods retain all the beneficial substances necessary for the cat’s body.

High percentage of meat in premium food. This is enough for optimal nutrition, excellent health and good activity of domestic cats.

Popular medium-class foods must contain at least 20 percent meat in their composition.

It’s not worth even talking about the economy class - you won’t find meat or fish in these foods.

As soon as a loving owner gets a kitten, he tries to provide him with maximum comfort and care. Regarding food for your domestic cat, it would be a good idea to consult with veterinarians, as well as look at reviews of various foods on the Internet.

Veterinarians advise first of all to provide the cat with constant access to fresh water, especially when feeding dry food. We must not forget about the daily allowance of cat food, which is written on each package; it is not advisable to exceed it. A mustachioed pet should be fed twice a day. This is enough for the full development of the animal’s body.

You should also not save on your pet, because cheap ready-made food not only does not benefit the animal, but can also cause harm.

You can’t change food often either, because it’s not easy for a cat’s stomach to adjust from one food to another. If you still need to do this, then you need to gradually add new food to the old one, increasing the portions over a period of at least ten days.

You can chat on forums with the request: “recommend a good food for a cat.” But no one knows his pet better than his owner. In order to properly organize your pet’s diet, you need not only to listen to the advice of breeders and veterinarians, but also to take into account the level of activity, health status and other individual characteristics of your cat.

Pet owners quite often feed their pets prepared dry food or canned food. This is very convenient: preparing food for your cat takes up virtually no free time. In addition, high-quality feed is balanced, containing vitamins and microelements necessary for the normal development of the animal.

Today, the choice of food in specialized stores is huge. Understanding this diversity is not easy, especially if the packaging indicates the word “holistic,” which is unknown to many, and it is not clear what advantages or disadvantages this or that composition has. In this article we will present to you the rating of these products is made up of many publications devoted to the topic of keeping pets. We want to supplement the list with a description of the composition, the presence of useful substances and disadvantages, if any.

Features of feed

The term “holistic” comes from the word “holism” (translated from Greek as “whole”, “complete”). Holism, in turn, is an everyday philosophy that implies the idyll and unity of the surrounding world, the human soul and body. The principle of this philosophy was formed by Aristotle, and it sounds like this: “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”

Which we present to you today are products that occupy leading positions in sales, reviews from experts and animal owners. They are as close as possible to natural conditions.

The Holistic Advantage

Most holistic foods contain about 70% selected meat or fish; there are products in which this figure reaches 95%. Such products are manufactured using a special technology based on minimal heat treatment. Thanks to this, many useful substances are retained in the finished formulations.

Holistic food is considered to be professional nutrition. They are ideal for feeding purebred, show and breeding animals, although many fanciers have switched their pets to these foods. Holistics do not contain flavorings, preservatives, or flavor enhancers. The product is preserved thanks to the natural preservatives it contains - rosemary, vitamins E and C.

Features of the feed composition

We have already said that the basis of any holistic approach is natural meat or fish. These products are a priority for cats in natural conditions. However, meat alone is not enough for them to develop harmoniously. When a wild cat, the ancestor of our domestic pets, caught game, it first ate the contents of the intestines and stomach. It always contained at least a small amount of plant food, also necessary for the animal. Therefore, holistic food contains such important components as fruits, vegetables, healthy herbs, and berries. Some formulations have added lentils, peas or brown rice. But their quantity is strictly dosed and does not exceed 10%.

Holistic cost

Considering all of the above, we can conclude that the arguments in favor of these foods are truly impressive. Therefore, it is only natural that they are more expensive than many advertised products. Their price ranges from 600 rubles for 400 grams to 7,500 rubles for a large package of 7 kilograms.

But if you take into account the high level of digestibility of these feeds, which ensures that the animal is saturated with a smaller amount of product, and calculate its consumption, then it will not be too expensive. A complete holistic food allows you to pay money for quality and natural ingredients. Therefore, when purchasing such formulations, do not be lazy to read the composition indicated on the package. Responsible feed manufacturers list all ingredients on their products.

Holistic food for cats: rating

These days, cat food is made by many manufacturers. Some of them are widely advertised and well known to Russian animal lovers, others are less popular, although they produce a truly high-quality product.

• Orijen Cat.
• Acana.
• Golden Eagle.
• Innova.
• Wellness.
• Grandorf.
• GO! Natural Holistic.

Orijen Cat

Orijen food from Canadian manufacturers is a super premium product and is distinguished by a high content of protein and vitamins necessary for the development, health and vitality of the animal. It contains about 75% meat (or fish), chicken eggs.

Canadian herbs are a unique component. Judging by the reviews of the owners, they improve the digestion of animals and have a beneficial effect on their health. The healthy and vitamin-rich composition makes Orijen food truly high-quality. Additionally, anchovies and salmon are added to it as a source of Omega-3 and Omega-6.

Reviews

According to the owners, this holistic product is actually a quality product. Animals eat it with pleasure, the condition of the coat noticeably improves, and digestion improves. But at the same time, the food also has some disadvantages: high price, small selection of ingredients, lack of canned food and wet options.

Golden Eagle

The product of American manufacturers is the first nutrigenomic holistic food, developed in collaboration with nutritionists, geneticists, and renowned veterinarians. The company offers a wide range of food for different age groups of animals, as well as medicinal diets.

The food contains a large amount of meat, fresh vegetables and fruits and other high-quality sources of carbohydrates and minerals and trace elements important for the health of cats.

Acana

Food from the famous Canadian company Champion Petfoods, which has been producing cat and dog food products for many years, is extremely popular among owners who are concerned about the health of their pets. This is due to the quality of the ingredients used. A well-known manufacturer exercises strict control at all stages of production.

In addition, in Canada it is almost impossible to write on the packaging that the food contains fresh meat, but only put corn and bone meal inside, which, unfortunately, is often the sin of Russian manufacturers. Acana food is a complete, balanced product that does not require any additives in your cat's diet. It contains no grains, allergens, or chemical additives.

Surely, every owner wants to give their pet only the best. And this applies not only to a sleeping place, toys, tray, filler. First of all, this concerns food. Which food is better to choose: natural or dry (industrial)? Which company should you choose? What to look for when choosing dry food? What is better to choose: super premium cat food or holistic class? Many questions arise, so you need to figure it out.

Common Myths

Let's start studying the questions posed with common myths.

• Dry cat food can cause urolithiasis. There is no clear answer here. If a pet develops urolithiasis, it is a consequence (80%) of the lack of sufficient water in the animal’s bowl. When consuming industrial pellets, a cat requires a large amount of water. The carelessness of the owners leads to disastrous results. It should not be surprising that after a short period of time the pet will need the help of veterinarians.
• Dry food for adult cats can cause gastrointestinal diseases. Again, there is no clear answer. Stomach and intestinal diseases can occur due to excessive consumption of granules. If the cat has eaten everything, this does not mean that she needs to add more. Especially if it is economy class food.
• The composition of dry food contains solid chemicals; there are absolutely no natural ingredients or there is a minimal amount of them. If the choice fell on economy class pellets, then naturally it will be so. But premium, super premium and holistic food contains only natural ingredients (in different mass fractions). All products, starting from the premium class, undergo the strictest control. If in doubt, it is best to consult a veterinarian.

Feed classification

The division into classes helps the kitten owner to make the right choice in favor of the pet's health.

• Economy class products - the composition of these products cannot please cat owners. The ingredients do not contain natural meat, fish or poultry; only bone meal and plant ingredients. The quality of such granules leaves much to be desired. This food seems attractive to cats only because of the presence of flavorings and flavoring additives.
• Premium products - manufacturers use selected meat and fish to make pellets, containing minerals and vitamins in the required quantities. Corn is supplied here as a vegetable component. All ingredients contained in the composition have a veterinary certificate. A distinctive feature is economical consumption and high digestibility.
• Super premium class products - only the highest quality ingredients become the basis of the granules. These include: salmon fillet, lamb, turkey, rice, egg, etc. The composition contains proteins, fats, carbohydrates in a balanced form. When consuming this food, the cat will receive everything it needs. Super premium products belong to a specialized and balanced diet.
• Holistic class products are elite food that contains only environmentally friendly ingredients. The distinctive features of such products are excellent digestibility and high taste. In addition to the main components there are fruits, vegetables, and grains.

Before choosing dry cat food, you need to read numerous reviews from cat owners and experts. They may vary, but you need to draw your own conclusions. The best option is to contact a veterinarian regarding nutrition.

List of manufacturers of economy class dry food

Dry food for kittens and cats contains many chemical components and low-quality raw materials. Chemical additives, flavors, and taste enhancers cause persistent addiction in your pet.

In addition, to keep the animal well-fed, it will require twice as many pellets as in higher-class products. To prevent kidney failure, the cat must consume 2-3 times more water than food. To get enough food, the cat eats a lot (!) of food; she is not able to consume as much water, so her kidneys become clogged, and this is the root cause of diseases of the urinary system.

Having studied the classes and composition of dry food for kittens and cats, experts came to the conclusion which products belong to the economy class.

1. Kitekat;
2. Whiskeys;
3. Friskies;
4. Purina
5. Felix;
6. OSCAR;
7. Katinka;
8. Perfect Fit;
9. Darling;
10. Kitti;
11. Dr.Clauders;
12. Sheba, etc.

List of premium industrial pellet manufacturers

Dry food for adult cats, which belongs to the premium class, is not as harmful as economy, but still not as healthy as superpremium and holistic. It will contain meat and fish as a base, but in addition to them it will contain soy, additives and substitutes. The amount of dry food for premium cats will be lower than that of economy class, and accordingly, there will not be such a load on the kidneys.

It has been noticed that most owners buy premium dry cat food because it is expensive (but not as expensive as super premium or holistic food), but does not cause much harm to the pet’s health. Many cats eat this way and live long and healthy (!) lives.

Rating of premium dry cat food:

1. Royal Canin is one of the most popular manufacturers, supplying the market with a wide range of products;
2. PurinaProPlan;
3. Hills is a renowned manufacturer of industrial pellets with a wide range of products;
4. Natural Choice;
5. Belcando;
6. Brit is also a popular food that has won the trust of many cat owners;
7. Happy Cat;
8. Advance;
9. Matisse.

Royal Canin, Brit and Hills stand out from this list. Experts often classify them as super-premium pellets, since these manufacturers have a large assortment of medicinal foods in their product line. But you need to choose the food that was packaged and produced in Europe. They monitor quality better and control all products. In Russia there is no such control yet.

List of super premium industrial feed manufacturers

Choosing dry cat food is not a problem; Which one is better - every cat owner will decide for himself. In super-premium class granules the amount of protein is balanced, there are practically no dyes or flavors. When feeding such granules, the animal’s risk of getting sick is significantly reduced.

The best manufacturers of super premium cat food:

• 1st Choice;
• ProNature Holistic;
• Profine Adult Cat;
• Cimiao;
• Nutram.

Rating of holistic class dry food manufacturers

The best dry food for cats is holistic grade granules. In nurseries, their children are fed exactly these pellets, produced by professionals for professionals. This food has, perhaps, only 2 disadvantages:

• high cost;
• lack of flavorings and additives, which is why a cat, accustomed to eating premium food, will turn up his nose at expensive food (in the evening he will still go to eat, no one wants to sit hungry).

Rating of holistic dry cat food:

1. Orijen;
2. Acana;
3. Golden Eagle Holistic;
4. GO and NOW Natural holistic;
5. GRANDORF Natural & Healthy;
6. Almo Nature Holistic;
7. Gina Elite, etc.

Such food does not cause allergies in animals. Each component in the composition is designed to preserve the health of the animal and prolong life. When feeding, the pet receives all the necessary substances, which eliminates the need to purchase an additional vitamin and mineral complex. The ingredients are selected in such a way that they do not interfere with the absorption of each other. The cat owner needs to remember that feeding holistic granules should not be combined with other foods and, especially, with natural food. If you add meat or fish to the bowl in addition to holistic food, your pet will develop kidney problems, which will be caused by an excess of protein.

Alternative rating of feed manufacturers

First place is rightfully taken by:

• 1st choice;
• Acana is a Canadian manufacturer that has won the trust of millions of cat and dog owners (products undergo the strictest control at all stages of production);
• Brit Care Cocco;
• Grandorf - this line includes 6 hypoallergenic foods, two varieties contain probiotics necessary for digestion;
• Nutrivet;
• Orijen is a Canadian manufacturer that produces granules with a high content of protein and a vitamin-mineral complex (the composition contains 75% meat (fish), eggs);
• Pro nature holistic.

Why were they given the palm? The composition contains only natural ingredients and high-quality meat. Food from these manufacturers is suitable for daily feeding of your pet. Their only drawback is their high cost.

Second place was given to such manufacturers as:

• Animonda (grain-free);
• Brit Care;
• Hills Ideal balance;
• Nutram Sound;
• Power of Nature.

In third place are:

• Brit;
• Golden Eagle is an American manufacturer that for the first time put on the market a product developed by nutritionists, geneticists, and famous veterinarians;
• Holistic Blend Perfect;
• Pronature Original.

These super premium and holistic foods are suitable for the treatment of allergic reactions and certain diseases. Such food for every day is not suitable for healthy animals.

Knowing that feed is divided into classes, the owner should pay attention to the composition. If it mentions by-products or bone meal, you can safely refuse such a product.

• Super premium cat food, as well as holistic class, contains selected beef, rabbit, chicken, and fish. No chemicals, no by-products.
• The shorter the ingredient list, the better.
• In first place in the list of components are those whose mass fraction predominates in the feed. Meat, fish, and poultry should be among the first.
• You shouldn’t buy industrial granules because of their beautiful packaging or enticing slogan. Dry food for adult cats and kittens must be of the highest quality, tested by time and the technical control department.
• You should not purchase food from different manufacturers. It turns out that cats are very picky, so they have a hard time getting used to a change in food.
• If the list of ingredients contains grains, then it is better to avoid such granules. It is desirable that the composition contains legumes, since grains can cause allergies. Reviews from veterinarians indicate that animals will not have problems with the gastrointestinal tract with food that contains rice.
• If the list of ingredients contains flavors and dyes, it is better to avoid such a product. Responsible manufacturers have long abandoned the addition of chemicals.

Principles of cat nutrition: how to feed and how much to give?

Before switching their pet to industrial granules, many owners wonder: can cats eat dry food? The answer from the professionals: you can. But in moderation and following the recommendations.

The amount of dry cat food is indicated on the packaging from the manufacturer. It is strictly forbidden to overfeed your ward with such food. You can use premium dry cat food, but the diet should be monotonous. Unlike humans, cats do not require constant variety in their diet. Ideally, one food will last a lifetime. Tough, but true. The less variety in an animal's diet, the fewer health problems it will have. If the owner is satisfied with the state of health, fur, and teeth of the cat, then the best dry food for cats has been found, and there is no need to replace it with other granules.

If the owner has purchased dry cat food based on veterinarian reviews, he must remember several rules regarding the cat’s diet.

• There must always be access to water. Ideally, the water in the bowl should be changed 1-2 times a day.
• If you use holistic or super premium dry cat food, then you need to remove natural food from your pet’s diet.
• The amount of food given depends on age, physical health, activity and breed characteristics. It is best to consult your veterinarian about the amount of kibble your cat should consume.
• The cat should eat 2 or 3 times a day. If a pet wakes up its owner early in the morning, then the last meal can be moved to late evening.

From personal experience

When we got a British Fold kitten, we immediately turned to the veterinarian for advice on many issues. Among them was the question of nutrition. In the first minutes of the conversation, the veterinarian indicated that it was not worth buying Friskas, Whiskas and similar cheap food for our baby (of course, if we don’t want to have a bunch of diseases at the end of the day). We were recommended Royal Canin, Hill's, Pro Plan and Brit. A little expensive, but it won’t cost our pet’s health and life. Subsequently, when the kitten got stronger and gained strength, we chose Brit.

Initially, we bought Royal Canin by weight; our growing baby devoured it at the speed of light. Feedback from the seller at the veterinary clinic regarding Royal Canin is only positive. She advised us to put the daily amount in a bowl so that the kitten would not think that he had run out of food, and he would not later pounce on a new portion. That's what we did. At first he tried to eat everything, but then he realized that he had enough food, no one was taking anything from him and he would not starve. So it happened that in the morning I pour him a cup of food, it lasts him until the night. He eats when he wants. There is always fresh water in the bowl.

As for 2 or 3 meals a day, we do not adhere to this principle. Because the cat just walks around and begs for food. And so, if there are granules in the plate, he comes up, eats about 3-5 pieces, washes it down with water and goes about his business. Everyone wins. It may be wrong, but the cat is used to eating this way. And he has no health problems.

A cat's diet is an important component of its health and general condition. When it comes to the question of what is the best way to feed cats, veterinarian advice will certainly help the animal owner, because saving on pet food can result in expensive treatment. Many people feed their cats scraps from their table. This diet is not suitable for animals. They need a balanced diet.

Each cat is individual and therefore has its own tastes. If you choose the right menu for your pet, it will live much longer. It has been experimentally proven that cats fed a balanced cat food lived on average up to 14-15 years, while poorly fed animals barely lived to be 9 years old.

“Calculating” the correct and suitable food for a particular cat is doubly useful: in addition to excellent health, such a pet will be easy to raise. It is unlikely that a cat, accustomed to its own food, will encroach on its owner’s lunch. When it comes to the question of what food is best to feed your cat, advice from veterinarians will help you determine the optimal diet for your furry friend.

It is the owner who chooses food for his pet, taking into account the animal’s tastes, the presence of allergies to certain foods, as well as sensitivity to the quality of food. There are two types of diet for cats: ready-made professional food and natural food. In addition, cat food can be: canned, wet, dry.

Sometimes owners decide to buy canned food for cats, pampering their pet with a similar treat. Here it is important to adhere to the sales deadline and compliance with the composition of the canned food. Canned food can be stored in the refrigerator for a long time, but as soon as the can is opened, the contents must be consumed immediately. If the portion is smaller than the volume of a can of canned food, the excess is transferred to a glass container and stored in the refrigerator.

Wet food is a cross between canned food and dry food. The bags are made for one feeding. Owners who decide, for example, to buy Arden grange for cats, should provide their pet with plenty of clean water.

By class, cat food is divided into economy, commercial, premium and super premium.

Economy class food (“Meow”, “Kitikat”, “Darling”) are cheap, but they simply suppress the feeling of hunger and do not bring any benefit, since the meat in them is replaced with soy protein. Commercial-grade food "Whiskas" and "Friskies", for example, have a quality similar to economy class. It is better not to use either the first or the second as the main diet. When it comes to the question of what food is best to feed your cat, the advice of veterinarians is clear: cheap food contains dangerous dyes and preservatives.

Variety of professional feeds

Professional food is practical, convenient and economical. Ready-made food will cost the owner less than all the products needed to prepare a natural menu. If dispensing ready-made food distracts a busy owner for a couple of minutes, then preparing a natural lunch for your beloved cat can take much longer. Another advantage is balance: the finished food has all the vitamins and minerals in the prescribed doses. For example, Felix cat food advertising claims that this food has natural ingredients.

The convenience of professional food is that it is developed for pets, taking into account their individual characteristics:

• sedentary and very active cats;
• nursing cats;
• for actively growing kittens;
• for castrated cats.

Professional food has many options. For example, you can buy Felix cat food with turkey, chicken, salmon, beef, rabbit, and trout. Among the disadvantages of this type of feeding cats is the need to understand different types of food. Before offering your pet a certain type of food, you should not be lazy and consult with a good felinologist. Relying on advertising or a private veterinarian is very dangerous. Some cats are allergic to ready-made food, so only natural food is recommended for them.

A more important disadvantage of ready-made food is the discrepancy between the ingredients listed on the packaging and the internal contents. Marketers often replace high-quality food with cheap analogues. And manufacturers are being cunning: instead of “meat products,” the food may contain ground bones, tendons and other “waste,” but not meat. Feeds that combine meat and vegetables are cheaper. For example, you can buy Felix cat food cheaply with the addition of tomatoes, green beans, carrots and other vegetable ingredients to different types of meat.

Popular brands of different types of food

High-quality dry food helps prevent urolithiasis and removes plaque from the teeth of animals, which leads to the formation of stones. This type of food can be left in the bowl as it will not spoil or dry out. Any veterinarian will advise you to use only food from well-known companies and brands for your cat. This includes the Happy cat brand. It produces balanced, high-quality, appetizing food for the harmonious growth of adult cats and kittens. Owners of furry pets can buy Happy cat cat food in specialized stores.

This dry food has a pleasant smell without artificial chemical additives. Happy Cat Junior is perfect for kittens aged 5 weeks to one year. This food is suitable for all breeds and is also indicated for sensitive cats.

Veterinarians say that animals eat Happy cat dry cat food with appetite, the main thing is not to overfeed your pet.

This food is based on poultry, salmon and rabbit. It is important before you buy Happy Cat cat food to check your pet for an allergic reaction to the components of the food.

High-quality Felix has a specific grilling technology, so it presents tender pieces of meat in a juicy jelly. The original food of this brand does not contain dyes. Veterinarians say that for a medium-sized cat you need 3 packs per day, which should be divided into 2 doses. Felix cat food is given to pregnant and lactating animals without restrictions. After opening, the packaging can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than a day. Before eating, your cat needs to warm the food to room temperature.

The English company Arden Grange produces dry grain-free food that belongs to the super-premium category. The balanced formula of Arden grange cat food is “meat + rice + healthy vegetables + vitamin-mineral complexes + probiotics.” Dietary food has been developed for sensitive animals. Therefore, buying Arden grange cat food means taking the best possible care of your pet.

Cat Chow Special Care 3in1 is able to act in three different directions: protects teeth, monitors the urinary system and prevents the formation of hairballs in the cat’s gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, many believe that Cat Chow cat food is most suitable for the constant nutrition of a pet.

Large breed cats require special food, since such animals are often at risk of joint diseases, skin diseases, and also require more energy.

Bosch Sanabelle Grande is the best food for large breed cats because it has a balanced nutritional formula. With this food, your mustachioed pet will always be active and energetic, because the energy value of this food is within 16.3 MJ per 1 kg.

Secrets of natural nutrition

The main disadvantages of natural food for cats include the length of preparation and the special purchase of additional products. A cat's diet must contain meat, and this is an expensive product.

The list of benefits of natural nutrition includes the following main points:

It is important to be responsible when preparing the diet, since too much or too little of substances will not be noticeable until the cat gets sick.

What is the composition of natural food?

In addition to regular meat, the cat should be given meat by-products. The necessary vitamins and fiber are contained in vegetables, which the cat should eat boiled and pureed every day. It happens that cats disdain plant foods, so they mix it with meat. Once a week, the cat should receive eggs, fermented milk products (but not milk), and fish oil. It is useful when a cat's diet includes sprouted oats or wheat.

It should be noted that the best food for cats, according to veterinarians, is pieces of meat. But at the same time, your furry friend should receive mineral or vitamin supplements from time to time.

What should not be in a natural diet?

This may seem strange, but fish and seafood can lead to urolithiasis. Experts have long argued about the presence of fish in a cat’s diet. The main thing is not to have too much of it. In addition, cats should not eat:

Not all cats can dose their food, so you need to leave food in a certain portion. Constant access to food is unacceptable, otherwise the pet faces obesity. But clean and fresh water should always be within the animal’s field of vision. The more often the water is changed (2-3 times a day), the better for the pet. The bowl for water should be large. Read about how many times a day you need to feed your cat.

Combining several types of food when feeding an animal is harmful to the cat’s stomach. There should be one type of food (store-bought food or homemade food). It is better to stick to one brand of food. Then the cat will be healthy, active and live long.