Along with veterinary care, meeting a feline’s daily nutrition needs is an important aspect of its health and wellbeing. Therefore, one must never compromise on research before buying cat food. There are several brands that claim to offer healthy and tasty cat food, however, not all of these are true. To help you make the best selection for your feline, we have noted down a few tips and the top five most trustworthy cat food brands.
Three tips to select healthy food
Here are three important tips that will help you select the most nutrient-rich food for your cat.
- Wet or dry food?
Kibble is a popular choice as it is easy to store, has a longer shelf life, and is convenient. It is also affordable and odorless. On the other hand, wet food needs to be refrigerated once opened and is comparatively expensive, but adds a significant amount of water to a cat’s diet. But as any other creature, cats get bored of eating the same thing every day, so a balance between the two is advisable.
- The cat’s age
Cats need differing amounts of nutrients as they age and the food for them is tailored accordingly. There are usually three age groups: kitten, adult, and senior. Kitty food is full of carbs and fats to provide for kittens with high amounts of energy. Adult cat meals have lesser carbs and senior cat ones are designed to match the requirements of older cats.
- The nutrition label
Cheaper brands may go easy on your wallet, but they can be really bad for your kitty’s health. Therefore, it is advisable to check the nutrition label before buying a bag of cat food. Look for the protein source rather than just the word “meat.” Avoid those that mention “meat by-products,” “meat and bone meal,” or “added sugars and salts.” Also, always check the expiration date to ensure freshness.
Top five cat food brands
Here are the top five best brands for cats available in the market.
- Purina® Pro Plan® LiveClear Probiotic Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Cat Food: This cat food is created using real chicken and live probiotics to help your kitty maintain their overall health. It also helps reduce an allergen that is usually present in the saliva and fur of a cat. Additionally, the food contains other healthy products such as eggs, rice, and fish meal. This product costs around $12.98 for 3.5 lbs.
- BLUE™ Buffalo Weight Control Natural Adult Dry Cat Food, Chicken & Brown Rice: BLUE™ Buffalo ensures that they use great ingredients like chicken and wheat while creating their range of cat food. Each recipe is formulated by expert nutritionists to ensure your pet gets the best of everything. It contains proteins, and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to promote a shiny coat and a healthy immune system. A 7 lb. bag costs around $22.98.
- Hill’s® Science Diet® Adult Indoor Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food: This food is created using premium ingredients and lacks any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Moreover, it contains antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber that help maintain the digestive and immune system health of your cat. It comes in different sizes and costs around $17.99 for a 3.5 lb. bag.
- Wellness® Complete Health™ Kitten Formula Grain-Free Canned Cat Food: This grain-free recipe is created using high quality chicken, broth, and carrots. It contains fish oil to help facilitate a healthy coat and skin. The broth and cranberries present in the food hydrate your pet while promoting a healthy digestive and immune system. A 3-oz case of 24 costs around $31.92.
- Royal Canin Feline Digestive Care Dry Cat Food: Royal Canin’s Digestive Care food is specially formulated for cats with sensitive stomachs. It contains prebiotics and fiber to help facilitate better functioning of their digestive system and improve overall health. Its kibble shape ensures that your cat eats slowly and chews its kibble completely. A 3 lb. bag costs around $20.45.
