Modern industry offers a wide range of finished products for feeding pets. Cat food greatly facilitate the care of the pet, provide everything necessary for its full development and growth, free up the time of the owner. However, not all brands are equally good, and when choosing it is necessary to focus on specialist advice, composition and recommendations on the packaging. The feline feed rating presented in our article will also help to make the right choice.
Varieties of Cat Food
On the shelves of veterinary points and supermarkets you can find cat food of various types. There are three main forms:
- Canned food. Any pet perceives such food as a treat, and rarely does any cat refuse such a menu. Many breeders compare canned goods with homemade products and try to purchase it for their cat. As a rule, canned food is sold in a hermetically sealed tin can. Appetizing pieces have a long shelf life and contain a lot of water.
- Wet food. Wet cat food is the middle link between canned food and "drying." The pieces are in the sauce and are also saturated with moisture, but in smaller quantities. Usually wet food is sold in individual packages, which are enough for one feeding. But if the cat has not mastered the offered portion, then the remains need to be thrown out.
- Dry cat food. In dry granules moisture is completely absent. Therefore, providing clean water is a priority with this type of feeding. However, "drying" does not deteriorate for a long time and does not require disposal if the animal has not eaten everything offered.
Pellet feed has many advantages. Among the main veterinarians call self-cleaning of tooth enamel and the long preservation of taste.
Economy Catering
Economy-class cat foods are the most budgetary, but give only a temporary feeling of satiety, not enriched with useful vitamins and minerals. There is nothing useful in such packages, and from meat you can find only skins and offal there. Such brands include:
Veterinarians do not recommend constantly feeding your pet these foods, because they contain a large amount of flavorings, colorings and preservatives. The main ingredients for the production of economy-class feeds are offal, soy and mineral additives.
The consequences of the economy class menu
Veterinarians warn that if you constantly get cat food of not the best quality, then the animal may experience a number of health problems. Among them are:
- urolithiasis;
- hair loss;
- vomiting and diarrhea;
- failures in the digestive tract.
Feed from the economy series is produced from the lowest raw materials. Also, they have virtually no animal protein. A similar menu can be considered as a temporary option. Constant use will significantly affect the health of the pet.
Premium feed
Premium cat food sometimes provokes a double opinion among different specialists. There are brands that have high rates and are comparable in quality to the most expensive samples. However, most manufacturers, in order to reduce the cost of production, try to save on components. Therefore, there are so many corn grits, wheat and, accordingly, gluten in the composition. Premium cat food often contains chicken, which is a source of allergy in cats. Poor rice can also lead to allergic reactions and indigestion.
The source of protein for pets should be only animal protein. In premium feeds, it is often replaced by vegetable. In reviews, one can often find the opinion that meat is replaced by offal and cartilage is added.
Of course, the composition of cat food from the super-premium series is much better than budget counterparts. But still, most veterinarians do not recommend their use on an ongoing basis.
Super Premium Products
Most specialists and experienced breeders are of the opinion that the superpremium line is the best for feeding furry pets. Only high-quality components are present in its composition, and enriched with a vitamin-mineral complex.
Manufacturers try to keep the brand and do not add dyes or flavors. All nutrients, minerals and vitamins are strictly balanced.
The rating of cat food in super-premium class is as follows:
3rd place - Hills.
2nd place - Eukanuba.
1st place - 1 ST Choice.
Let's consider each of them in more detail.
Hills - satisfying any request
Dry cat food "Hills" is not without reason is in the top three. The manufacturer produces a wide variety of feeds that solves a variety of problems:
- recovery from illness;
- fight against excess weight;
- tendency to allergic manifestations;
- postoperative feeding;
- nutrition after castration and sterilization;
- restoration of the cardiovascular system and so on.
However, the Hills brand refers to European products, but production lines appeared in Russia. Experts note the appearance of a large number of samples of domestic production, where quality sometimes suffers, therefore, it is advised to pay attention to the country of origin when buying.
Eukanuba Balanced Feed
Breeders are satisfied that the manufacturer produces two series - designed for daily consumption and veterinary. Moreover, both lines can be safely attributed to the super-premium class. Sometimes a manufacturer saves and chooses lower-quality ingredients for a daily diet.
This mark was not accidental in the rating of cat food. Specialists distinguish a balanced composition and a large number of natural meat ingredients. In reviews, it is often noted that a daily portion is required small, but due to nutrition, the cat receives everything necessary and for a long time experiences satiety.
Of course, shortcomings are also distinguished in feed. The composition contains vegetable protein, to the detriment of the animal. In addition, the assortment is not wide enough and not all breeders can choose the necessary variety of feed. In supermarkets, products from this manufacturer are rather rare, and in Russian veterinary pharmacies fodder is not very widespread. In general, the composition is well enriched with meat components and supplemented with a vitamin and mineral complex.
1STChoice - completely safe and versatile
The best cat food from the super-premium series. He fully justifies his first place, because the production undergoes a multi-stage quality assessment. Despite the fact that all the components here are strictly balanced, the line also contains completely hypoallergenic options. The food is produced in Canada and meets all standards.
However, breeders highlight a number of shortcomings. The list of ingredients in the line for daily use includes poultry flour and cellulose, which is acceptable, but does not add nutritional value, but only contributes to rapid saturation. In addition, it is not known reliably what this flour consists of and what else the producer added to it, except for chicken. Many do not like the limited choice of food and the inability to choose a diet based on the characteristics of the cat’s health.
Poop class holistic
A review of cat food ends with a holistic class. In this case, manufacturers do not spend money on advertising, but everything speaks of the use of high-quality raw materials. Basically, the composition of this line is similar to the super-premium class, but the main difference is in the quality of the ingredients themselves. All meat is strictly tested for the absence of antibiotics and growth hormones in it. Therefore, the food is completely safe for cats of any age and in any state of health.
Only food from a series of holistic can satisfy an animal in nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Despite the fact that packs are quite expensive, a little daily portion is required. Due to this, it turns out to save.
The rating of the best feeds is as follows:
- Innova Cat and Kitten.
- Acana
- N&D Natural and Delicious.
About their features below.
Balanced - Innova Cat and Kitten
Food can be called almost perfectly balanced. Protein is only of animal origin. In order for a cat to be satisfied and get everything necessary for full development, she needs a small portion. This makes it possible to rationally use quite expensive packs. Experts note that the composition is completely free of harmful ingredients and components that can harm.
However, the food is very expensive. In addition, it is not available for sale and you can buy it only through official representatives on Internet resources. Also, veterinarians note that in packs intended for daily use, a lot of animal protein. Therefore, such a menu is not suitable for neutered cats. It is necessary to consider a special treatment series with a low protein content.
Acana - a line for healthy cats
The brand takes the second position, because it includes food only for healthy individuals. Unfortunately, there is no menu for weakened animals. However, all packs have a high-quality composition. Composed of about 80% of meat ingredients. In addition, all dry food is enriched with lactobacilli and prebiotics, which significantly improves digestion.
Interestingly, the producer produces feed completely devoid of crops. This is a fairly rare occurrence, even in the holistic lineup. If the assortment were more expanded, Akana would boldly be in the first place. In addition, the brand is not found in free sale as often as we would like. Basically, breeders purchase feed over the Internet.
The disadvantage of feed is only in the limited range, and besides, it is distributed by age. Breeders whose cats have particular health problems have to look for another option to maintain their immunity.
Peculiar N&D Natural and Delicious
A harmonious composition is noted, where meat ingredients from trusted suppliers are in the first place. In addition, other components that the cat needs are included - vitamins, minerals. However, plant components of unknown origin were noticed in the composition. Experts doubt this fact. Also, the taste of the granules is quite peculiar, because there is nothing to improve the aroma. But the cat quickly gets used to it and already abruptly perceives the substitution.
The manufacturer offers a wide variety of flavors. Many breeders choose this brand because the cat feels great when used. But buying food in ordinary stores is difficult. However, on Internet resources it is presented in a wide range.
What to choose
Sometimes an ordinary breeder gets lost and does not know which cat food to choose. Inexpensive, but high-quality will apply to the premium class. If the cat is healthy, does not experience problems with the gastrointestinal tract and does not suffer from allergic reactions, then you can stop the choice on this line. Among the presented samples, you can always choose the appropriate option.
If the cat suffered a serious illness, is neutered, or the treatment menu is shown to him, then it is necessary to consider food from the Superpremium series. In this case, you can choose a diet that fully meets the needs of the animal and helps him maintain normal health.
Feed from a series of holistic is recommended for exhibition cats and individuals, which are used to breed and continue the pedigree. This menu supports the natural beauty of wool, teeth and a general standard of appearance.
Owners who have different animals in the house often ask if the dogs eat cat food. Of course, in terms of taste, he fully satisfies them, but nutritional value may not be enough. Therefore, they have a completely different menu.