home Auditorium 7 Classes of food for cats and kittens. The best food according to veterinarians The best food for cats

Classes of food for cats and kittens. The best food according to veterinarians The best food for cats

Recently, among pet owners, when it comes to industrial food, the topic of classes of cat food is often raised. And the majority, as it turns out, have a very vague idea of the classification of food, limiting themselves to templates from the series - economy class is poison for the animal, premium means good, super-premium is just excellent. Well, if it’s canvas, then wow. What no one can specify. Let's try to understand the issue of the class of cat food: their features and differences.

The name of the class of cat food “economy” speaks for itself. These are the most inexpensive, and therefore the lowest quality feeds. Everything is correct and logical. But are they so bad? There are a lot of myths about such food, ranging from the fact that special additives are added there for addiction (after all, supposedly an animal in its right mind will not eat it), ending with the banal excuse that it is poison.

Let's be constructive and face the truth. Economy class cat food is definitely not poison, and no matter how much it wants, the manufacturer cannot add “secret” powders to the food to make it taste attractive and addictive. Information about the contents of the packaging of any product on the territory of the Russian Federation is an extremely important responsibility of any manufacturer, and if any component is found that is not included there, it faces at least a recall of all products, colossal fines, not to mention a hopelessly damaged reputation. After all, the category economy in this sense is always under “special control” of the public in one form or another - just give a reason.

Composition and prices

What about the composition? After all, this is the key question. When producing a complete, balanced diet for cats, the manufacturer always faces a choice between the price of the product and the quality of the product. And speaking about the economy segment, the manufacturer is guided by the following principle:

Ensure that the food is completely nutritious (that is, by eating only it, the cat will receive all the nutrients necessary for a healthy life)
Ensure good palatability of the food (after all, if you make food only from corn, not a single cat will eat it)
Provide an affordable price on the shelf. But we will dwell on the price in more detail.

How can you reduce the price if you look at the composition of the feed?

Purchase cheaper raw materials
Develop a recipe in which the composition will be complete, but at the same time with a minimum content of “expensive calories” - meat.
Buy cheaper packaging for feed.

Here lies the answer to why economy class food for cats is really economical. If we talk about the purchase of raw materials, by-products of lower quality are purchased (that is, not the stomach, but ears, for example, or something worse). If we talk about the recipe, then the composition will be dominated by cereals. The same is with packaging, which also has its own significance - after all, its tightness and integrity are extremely important for maintaining the quality of the product.

It is important to understand that one of the serious criteria for assessing the class of food is the cost of the “conditional protein” in the food. The more of it, the faster the cat eats, the less food is needed. Economy food contains little protein, cats eat worse and require more food on average. Therefore, the savings are in a sense imaginary - if you really approach this issue scrupulously, then you need to take a calculator and consider what is more profitable.

There are also unscrupulous manufacturers who do not care about cats at all and add dyes, flavors, preservatives, etc. to the composition. Read the ingredients - everything is always there.

List of brands

Economy class cat food includes the following brands:

Kiteket
Whiskas
Friskies
Felix
Gourmet

These are the most famous representatives of this class. You can also take the price on the shelf as a guide. If a pouch costs less than 20 rubles = consider it an economy price.

Premium class

Perhaps there is no point in dwelling on the premium class for cats for a long time. Why? In essence, this is a rather vague class in terms of positioning. Yes, the food seems to be more expensive. Yes, and in advertising they tell us that the food is special, but in essence there are few differences from economy class. But! Of course they are:

As a rule, there is a wider selection of textures and types of food packaging. This is important, because cats, as you know, for the most part are gourmets and cannot eat the same thing for a long time. We need variety, even in textures.
There are definitely no preservatives, dyes or other unnecessary “chemicals”.
As a rule, the composition is better balanced in terms of the ratio of proteins, fats, carbohydrates and other components.
As a rule, higher quality by-products and a wider range of flavors are used.

List of the most common brands of premium cat food:

In the store, as a guide, a premium bag of cat food will cost in the range from 20 to 40 rubles.

Super premium class

Super-premium cat food is the most common food in pet stores in Russia, as well as in professional online stores. Why do sellers pay such increased attention to this class? It's simple - they are expensive, and they are high quality. Which ensures good earnings and grateful customers.

How does this class of cat food compare favorably with premium food? Let's figure it out:

Super-premium brands often have breed, medical and dietary lines. After all, healthy eating is a top priority in this class.
The composition uses only the highest quality by-products, a minimum of cereals (or their absence - grain free), an excellent balance of vitamins, minerals and other components and, of course, the absence of preservatives and other “chemicals”.
The special structure of the granules of dry food is most conveniently suitable for the teeth of whiskers.
As a rule, the best combination is amount of protein vs price. That is, it is in this category that the food is the most nutritious, and it is quickly enough to saturate cats.
The best possible packaging.

The most popular brands of super-premium cat food include:

Holistic class

So, the most mysterious class of cat food of all is holistic. Everyone talks about it with anticipation, but few people can clearly find real, super-premium cat food. This is not because it’s complicated, but rather because there are actually no significant differences, except for the price. Main differences from super-premium cat foods:

Detailed display of the composition - with a clear name of the source of protein, carbohydrates, fats. In practice, it will be clearly written on the pack which animal this or that offal is from, this also applies to the carbohydrate and fat components.
Exclusion of gluten from the composition. (although many even economy feeds don’t have it).
Price, they cost an order of magnitude more.

Which manufacturers produce holistic food for cats? Evo, Innova, Acana, Felidae, Eagle Pack Holistic.

What to look for when choosing food

Be sure to study the composition. The fewer impurities, dyes, preservatives and grain/soy additives, the better. The closer to the beginning of the list the name of the product, the higher its content in this food. What else should you pay attention to when choosing food?

Look up the acronym AAFCO	It indicates that this product has not only passed the necessary tests of the American Feed Control Association, but also that the nutrients in this product are balanced. That is, the use of such food will provide your pet with everything it needs without “supplementary feeding” with natural food.
Protein (its nature)	If you see the word “protein” in the ingredients, then look to see if the manufacturer explains what kind of protein they use. And also whether there are percentages of its content. Conscientious manufacturers, who care not only about profit, but also about the buyers themselves, will always indicate the percentage content and type of this protein.
Feed quantity	Find out how much food you should give your pet. The lower this number, the better quality product you have in your hands. The high nutritional value of the food will provide your pet with the necessary energy.
Compound	Avoid products that contain bone meal, large amounts of grains or soy (they should not exceed half of the diet), many different dyes and preservatives. Give preference to those foods that contain not only vitamins (in particular E and C), but also liver and fish. This way you will provide your pet with iron and phosphorus, which are necessary for its bone and circulatory systems.
Best before date	Pay attention to expiration dates, as well as where and how the food was stored.

Most cat owners are careful when choosing food for them. Pet stores offer a variety of foods. But how to choose the one that suits your cat?

The most correct answer to this question will be given by qualified veterinarians.

Important! If you like to cook, and it does not take much time, then it is better to feed your pet freshly prepared food. We must not forget about balanced food for your pet.

Be sure to supplement your cat’s diet with important vitamin complexes, which include minerals and trace elements. More than half of veterinarians share this opinion.

Ingredients included in balanced feed:

Poultry (chicken, turkey);
Lean beef;
Sea fish;
Vitamins, amino acids and minerals,
Amino acid - taurine.

Rating of the best food: dry and wet

The second half of veterinarians believe that the best food is ready-made.

It is already balanced and does not require additional ingredients. What food is best for cats? The food rating based on reviews from veterinarians will help us answer this question.

Remember to pour clean water into the bowl if you feed your pet dry food. This food is important for the teeth and digestive tract. By chewing it, the pet cleanses plaque from the teeth.

The food is quite rough; it cleanses the gastric tract well of toxins. It must be stored in closed plastic containers without access to air.

Breeders and veterinarians believe that a pet’s daily diet should include not only dry food, but also soft food in the form of canned food.

Canned cat food

Canned food is a favorite treat for cats. They taste good and are liquid because they contain water. This is useful if the cat drinks little water.

One jar of canned food is enough for one feeding. It's comfortable. If your cat doesn't eat the portion, put the leftover food in the refrigerator. It will be possible to offer them at the next feeding.

Wet canned food is good for feeding older cats. It is difficult for an older cat to chew dry food. She will swallow soft ones without difficulty.

The best canned food, according to veterinarians, are:

Types of feed

An important problem that cat owners need to understand is the classes of food:

Economy class;
premium class;
super premium class;
holistic

Economy class. It contains only protein substitutes, it does not contain natural ingredients.

If you picked up a cat on the street or adopted it from a shelter, then calmly feed it with food of this class. These are Kitikat, Whiskas and Friskies. But it is highly not recommended to feed purebred domestic cats with such food.

Premium and super premium class. This class of food is made from the highest quality ingredients. Does not contain soy protein. There are also no unnatural dyes or preservatives. They contain vitamins, minerals and trace elements in the required quantities.

Among premium and super premium foods, veterinarians recommend: Golden Eagle, Acana, Royal Canin, Arden Grange.

Manufacturers also took care of animals who are allergic to certain products. A special hypoallergenic food has been created for them. A good and inexpensive food for allergy sufferers is the Hill’s Prescription Diet line.

Manufacturers paid special attention to creating a diet for castrated and sterilized cats. It is lower in calories and contains less protein. What brand of food is popular for sterilized cats? Veterinarians consider Royal Canin Sterilized.

Holistic class food. This class consists of the best cat foods. Their composition is closest to the natural diet.

Breeders and veterinarians agree that holistic foods are the ideal nutrition for pets. It perfectly combines the highest quality ingredients.

Holistic products from different manufacturers differ in composition. Some use only meat, others combine meat and vegetables. Third manufacturers produce grain-free food.

The cat owner must understand that whatever holistic product he chooses, it will be the best quality food.

Veterinarians consider the best holistic foods to be:

Innova Evo;
Felidae;
Nature Holistic;
Orijen;

Read the labels

Discussion: 5 comments

Are these foods suitable for all cats and kittens? For example, my cat had urolithiasis and certain types were recommended for him. And as a result, he didn’t eat half of it because he didn’t like it. My friends' cats generally only eat homemade food. How harmful or beneficial is it?

Answer

It is best to feed your cat natural products. So at least you know exactly the composition of the food. My cat started to feel much better after giving up food!

Answer

After consulting a veterinarian, we switched to dry food for my cat. Before that, I ate exclusively homemade food, and did not experience any health problems. While my cat happily eats dry food, I buy expensive food.

Answer

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.

Any pet owner wants their pet to be healthy and happy. To do this, he must receive adequate nutrition.

The types of cat food that exist today can easily solve this problem. All that remains is to make the right choice.

Natural food

Feeding with natural food is a traditional diet for cats, the basis of which is meat (lean beef, rabbit, lamb). It is recommended to feed raw fish in limited quantities; it is better to use boiled fish to prevent infection with helminths.

From time to time, the cat can be given offal (liver, kidneys, spleen, heart), after pre-processing them and removing fat.

A balanced diet must necessarily contain plant components. The cat's diet should include porridge, boiled and grated vegetables. Milk is digested very poorly by adult animals; fermented milk products will provide much more benefit.

No matter how varied the cat menu may be, it should additionally include vitamins and various mineral supplements. You cannot feed your pets food from your table - spicy, salty, smoked or sweet food.

Types of industrial feeds

Using ready-made food is a very convenient option, especially for owners who do not have the free time to prepare a complete diet for their pet. In addition, most manufacturers care about the quality of their products, enriching them with all the necessary substances.

The composition of the feed was developed by specialists and is completely balanced, therefore it meets all the needs of the body. A big advantage is the fairly long shelf life.

Today there is a huge assortment of such feeds, so in order not to make a mistake when choosing, you need to have an idea of their main types.

Canned food

Even the most picky pets will never refuse canned cat food. This food consists of juicy pieces of meat or fish with the addition of vegetables and cereals. Sealed in a tin container, it can be stored for quite a long time.

Once opened, this food should be kept in the refrigerator for no more than two days. It is best to transfer it to a glass container. It needs to be warmed up a bit before feeding.

Remains of food from the cat's bowl must be removed in time, otherwise the canned food will dry out and lose its nutritional value.

Wet food

Unlike canned food, it is usually packaged in foil and contains less moisture. Pieces of fish or meat drenched in sauce have a moisture content of no more than 35%. As a rule, the bag is designed for one feeding.

The remains of the cat's dinner must be removed immediately, otherwise when it dries out, its beneficial properties are lost. Wet food, like canned food, has a short shelf life - when buying it, you need to pay attention to the date of manufacture and shelf life.

Dry food

Compared to other foods, it is more popular, but contains virtually no moisture. Therefore, it is worth making sure that your cat has clean water available at all times. This food is easy to use - you can leave it in a cup without fear of it spoiling.

The granulated form allows you to completely preserve all vitamins and nutrients.

Manufacturers produce a wide variety of product lines - dry food for cats with sensitive digestion, for the prevention of urolithiasis, to improve the condition of the coat, etc.

Another advantage of dry food is that chewing the granules helps the cat get rid of plaque.

It is impossible to definitively answer the question of whether it is possible to mix dry and wet food. This is acceptable provided it is one brand. But it is undesirable, because the cat’s digestive system is adjusted to a certain type of nutrition.

Feed classes

All industrial pet food belongs to one class or another, which allows you to choose food for your pet taking into account its individual characteristics, as well as the financial capabilities of the owner.

At the same time, sometimes advertised food for cats in colorful and attractive packaging can cause serious harm to the health of your pet. Today, the classification distinguishes 4 types of industrial feeds - economy, premium, super premium and holistic.

Economy class

Foods belonging to this category can only satisfy hunger, nothing more. They contain such a small amount of vitamins and nutrients that they are not enough for the normal functioning of the body.

It is not recommended to give them as the main food, as this can cause harm to the animal - economy class food is made from low quality raw materials, with the addition of dyes, preservatives and flavor enhancers.

Many manufacturers add mint to the food, which causes addiction in cats. In the future, it can be very difficult to wean your pet off dry food of this class.

The most famous brands are Whiskas, Perfect Fit, Darling, Felix, Kitikat, Friskas, etc. Economy class food can only be used for mixed nutrition, supplementing the diet with natural products (meat, fish, vegetables), as well as vitamins and mineral supplements.

Premium class

These are higher quality and more expensive feeds with a completely balanced composition. They contain real meat. And although there are also food additives, dyes and vegetable oils, they are in much smaller quantities than in budget analogues.

It may well replace natural food with Royal Canin brand food. It is known for having a variety of lines, especially those intended for the treatment of specific diseases, their prevention, obesity, etc.
The Hill's Filine brand is no less popular. A wide range allows you to choose food for both healthy, young cats and older animals. Veterinarians often prescribe Hill's medicated food to cats with health problems.
There are also many positive reviews about the Acana brand, produced in Canada. It is based on high-quality natural products. There are no dyes, grains or by-products in these foods.

This is an excellent food for cats that are allergic to certain types of food. This manufacturer has only one drawback - the lack of canned food in the line.

Yams food attracts pet owners with a wide range of products. The manufacturer of this brand offers food for pregnant animals, kittens, and old cats.

Premium food such as Pro Plan, Bozita, Happy Cat and others are in demand among pet owners.

Super premium

The price of food in this class is much higher than previous ones, but they are worth it. Contains all essential nutrients and a minimum of preservatives, soy and grains.

Due to the high nutritional value of this food, saturation occurs in small portions, which makes the product very economical. Its digestibility is up to 95%; accordingly, all vitamins and microelements enter the animal’s body almost completely.

The leader of this class is Chicken Soup Adult Cat, the most hypoallergenic product. It contains at least 30% protein and consists of natural meat and fish. The grain component is no more than 35%.
Innova EVO Dry Cat Food has an almost natural composition. The amount of protein reaches 42%. In addition to meat and fish, the food contains fruits and vegetables.
The products Orijen 6 Fish Cat Dry Cat Food, Solid Gold Indigo Moon, Wellness CORE Fish & Fowl, etc. were highly appreciated by experts.

Holistics

For production, only natural products are used in the complete absence of dyes and additives to improve the taste. Therefore, cats are not always willing to eat such food; they gradually become accustomed to it.

The meat used in production is taken from animals that have not been subjected to hormonal or antibacterial treatment. Herbal ingredients are also environmentally friendly.

This class includes food brands Pronature, Golden Eagle Holistic, Natural&Delicious, Felidae, Eagle Pack Cat Holistic, Wellness, etc.

When choosing food for your cat, first of all, you need to think about its health. It is worth listening to the veterinarian's recommendations.

If possible, it is best to purchase high-quality feed. A diet consisting of natural food must be supplemented with a vitamin and mineral complex.

A complete and balanced diet is one of the most important conditions for the health and longevity of a pet.

TELL YOUR FRIENDS

In contact with

The appearance of a cat in the house is accompanied by a number of questions regarding care and education. Each owner takes care of the health of his animal, surrounding him with care: he monitors hygiene, arranges a comfortable place for sleep and rest, and prepares a diet of healthy products.

A complete and balanced diet is the key to cat health. Includes:

Protein or protein
Fats of vegetable and animal origin
Carbohydrates
Vitamins and minerals

Homemade cat food

Preparing dry food for an animal at home is a labor-intensive process. It is important to understand that it is inferior in quality to products from popular brands. Home-cooked food is an indispensable way to organize your animal’s nutrition with natural products for two to three months.

This method of feeding is indispensable if the owners leave for a week and leave the cat with friends or neighbors. This way they guarantee adequate nutrition for the pet even while the owners are away.

Dry food prepared at home can be stored for up to three months. You can prepare food for future use.

Dry cat food

Ready-made types are practical to use: they save time on preparing natural food, can be stored for up to six months, and cats are not indifferent to them. There are: economy class, premium class and holistic on the market.

Industrial nutrition contains a complex of nutrients necessary for the growth and normal functioning of the body. These products are intended for daily use.

To make the right decision on what type of food to prefer, you should familiarize yourself with the characteristics and types of ready-made treats.

Economy class cat food

Ingredients for inexpensive pet food:

Soy protein
Waste from meat factories
Starch
Cellulose
Vitamins and minerals do not exceed the 5% mark
Dyes
Flavors
Flavoring additives
Preservatives

The only advantage of economy class products is their low cost. An animal that regularly receives a similar composition as food can acquire a number of serious diseases of the stomach, liver and kidneys with age.

Premium cat food

Divided into premium and super premium class. In the premium class, the protein content of animal origin is higher than in the economy class. Less second-class raw materials: soy, cereals, flavorings. The amount of vitamins and minerals is higher.

Such food meets the needs of the animal, but the meat content in such products does not exceed 20%, which is less than the physiological norm. The price of the product is higher than that of the economy class, but it is consumed more economically due to its high absorption by the body.

Manufacturers of premium products develop types of nutrition for their intended purpose:

For pregnant and lactating women.
Kittens and the elderly.
Suffering from diseases of the digestive or genitourinary system, prone to allergic reactions.

Super premium products lack vegetable protein, and the meat content is close to 50%. The amount of grains and soy is less than a third of the amount of ingredients.

It is enriched with vitamins and microelements in full, so when feeding this species there is no need for supplements. The composition contains not only meat and cereals, but also vegetables and fruits.

It is absorbed by the body and requires a much smaller amount of food to satisfy you. Super premium food is divided according to purpose, breed and physical characteristics.

The use of high-quality raw materials increases the cost of production, which not all animal owners can afford.

Holistic class cat food

Environmentally friendly products, the ingredients of which are thoroughly tested for the presence of hormones, antibiotics, preservatives, and dyes.

The highest quality raw materials are used, which directly affects the price and prevalence on sale, making it inaccessible to the average consumer.

In addition to the listed classes, cat food is divided into types and subspecies according to its purpose, ability to influence the prevention and recovery process from diseases, for cats with additional needs due to a special physiological condition.

In pet stores and veterinary pharmacies you can purchase food for animals:

those suffering from allergies,
diseases of the stomach and gastrointestinal tract,
constipation,
problems with hair, teeth,
pregnant and lactating women,
prone to obesity
as well as cats that lead an exclusively domestic lifestyle, have undergone surgery and have been neutered.

If your pet suffers from any of the above, you will need to pay more attention and time, and involve specialists in the process of selecting a suitable diet and products in it.

Hypoallergenic cat food

Animals, like people, are susceptible to allergies. There are reactions of the body to allergies to foods with a high content of foreign protein - milk, chicken meat and eggs, cereals, vegetables and fruits.

If you suspect your pet has a food allergy, the first thing to do is eliminate the allergen from the diet. Your pet runs the risk of not getting enough essential nutrients. The best solution is to switch your cat to hypoallergenic products.

In such compositions, the protein is replaced by its hydrolyzate. The body will not perceive hydrolyzed protein as an allergen because it is broken down into small particles, which improves absorption.

Such food includes non-allergenic meat (lamb, pork, horse meat, rabbit, turkey), gluten-free grains (rice, buckwheat), corn starch, vegetable oils, fish oil, minerals, vitamins, soy protein.

Hypoallergenic is presented in the premium and super premium food segment, so harmful dyes and flavoring additives are excluded. The price for this type is high, but the effect is observed after two to three days.

The low cost of products for the production of cheap feed speaks for itself - there simply cannot be meat or nutrients there.

If the selected hypoallergenic composition is suitable: manifestations of allergies have disappeared, and the animal eats it with pleasure, there is no need to experiment and change the diet.

Cat food for stomach diseases

The mucous membrane of the stomach walls in cats is sensitive and prone to damage. Animals often suffer from gastritis (inflammation of the upper layers of the stomach) and gastric ulcers (changes in the tissues of the deeper layers).

The reason lies in poor nutrition: food from the master's table, fried, fatty foods, sausages, sausages.

They are present in the medical line of premium and super-premium animal food manufacturers. It is advisable to soak dry food in warm boiled water or milk.

The composition contains highly digestible ingredients that have a positive effect on the gastric mucosa.

Soluble fiber is an essential ingredient. It helps normalize the acid balance.

You can switch your cat to a canned mixture in the form of a stew with a semi-liquid consistency. The diet should be followed until the symptoms disappear completely, then with caution you can switch to high-quality dry food.

Food for cats for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

Cats are curious creatures. This quality makes them often suffer from diseases of the digestive system. The food eaten may be spoiled, indigestible, inedible or poisoned.

Once in the stomach and intestines, it causes vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. These conditions require immediate human intervention.

It will be necessary to use special nutrition that does not irritate the diseased organ, helping to normalize the microflora and restore the functions of the gastrointestinal tract.

In therapeutic cat nutrition for diseases of the digestive system, depending on the diagnosis, the phosphorus content may be reduced, the amount of calories, fat, and carbohydrates may be reduced. Suitable compositions of different consistencies, both wet and dry.

If an animal suffers from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, special nutrition is required; fatty and heavy foods fade into the background.

Depending on which option is familiar to the cat (natural or dry), you should consult with a veterinarian what to give to your pet.

If a representative of the cat family is accustomed to eating only natural food, you should not switch her to dry food, so as not to make the animal worse.

Light chicken broth with a small amount of potatoes and carrots will benefit your pet. Oatmeal coats the walls of the stomach, is easily poisoned and passes through the gastrointestinal tract without difficulty.

It is allowed to add a piece of boiled chicken egg as a side dish; the food should not be salty, a pinch of salt will be enough. Fresh boiled milk neutralizes high acidity and strengthens bones.

If the cat is accustomed to dry food, then you should pay attention to what components are included in its composition. Chicken, rabbit, turkey meat, rice, buckwheat are a good option for your pet.

And most importantly, you cannot change the food manufacturer, this can have negative consequences. Products from different manufacturers contain different amounts of vitamins and microelements.

No matter what food the animal eats, it should always have fresh water in its plate, this is necessary to facilitate the digestion of food.

Cat food for constipation

Cats are more prone to constipation than other pets. This is facilitated by a sedentary lifestyle, an unbalanced diet, and the habit of licking fur (this is why constipation occurs more often in long-haired breeds).

You can talk about constipation if the cat has not had a bowel movement for two or more days. Be sure to pay attention to whether your cat drinks enough water, moves a lot, plays, and eats vegetables.

Many premium product manufacturers produce a composition designed to help cats suffering from frequent and prolonged constipation.

Such products do not contain ingredients that have fixing properties and, on the contrary, increase the content of fiber and protein. Sometimes switching from a dry to a wet look works well.

If constipation in a cat occurs too often, other diseases should be excluded, the symptoms of which may manifest themselves in the form of delayed bowel movements.

If your pet is used to eating industrially produced dry food, it is recommended to switch to wet food. It is advisable that there is only one manufacturer; any light canned food will be suitable as a new type of food; it is better to give preference to chicken.

If the animal is accustomed to simple food, you can create a menu yourself. Buckwheat is rich in vitamins and microelements, it is easily absorbed by the body, does not create heaviness in the stomach and helps ease the passage of feces.

After eating, your pet must drink water. You should provide your pet with constant access to fresh water. Cats love to drink water not from their plate, but from a vase, bucket or something else interesting.

If dietary nutrition does not help, then add a laxative to the food in the morning and evening. Don’t worry, your cat’s health is not in danger.

If a cat cannot go to the toilet for several days, you need to help her. Do not give her food that is difficult for the stomach to digest, switch the cat to a diet food and see the result.

Food for cats permanently living indoors

Domestic cats lead a sedentary lifestyle, which leads to a decrease in the ability of the intestines to digest food, the appearance of an unpleasant odor in feces, obesity, and constant licking of fur.

These deficiencies are corrected by proper nutrition with a reduced calorie content, a high content of a special combination of fiber and individually processed protein.

The special composition helps eliminate unpleasant odors, prevents the appearance of excess weight, and helps remove hairballs from the body.

A proper diet and healthy lifestyle prolongs the life of an animal, so think about what you give it as food.

But if the cat refuses to eat such food or you do not want to switch to this type of feeding, then you provide balanced nutrition.

Meat, fish, cereals, dairy products, and vegetables must be included in the animal’s diet. All products must be fresh so as not to poison your pet or cause gastrointestinal diseases.

Vitamin supplements not only make the coat beautiful, they contain the daily norm of nutrients that allow the cat to feel healthy and happy.

Some breeders believe that mixing chemical and natural products when feeding an animal is normal. This is incorrect because you should feed either dry food or regular food.

By consuming the same type of food, the cat produces gastric juice in equal portions, which promotes complete digestion of food.

And if you add something new to your usual food, the digestive balance will be disrupted, thereby causing diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Considering that a cat is a carnivorous animal, it is very difficult to achieve a balanced diet with homemade food, so you should pay attention to dry ingredients and canned food.

There is no need to worry that the animal will lack something; cat food manufacturers have studied in detail the complete needs of the body and based on this they have created a completely balanced diet.

There are some animals that do not like dry food, this problem can be easily solved by soaking the food in a small amount of water. The animal will eat the resulting porridge with appetite.

To ensure your pet lives a long life, provide it with a complete, balanced diet. Pamper your cat with canned food from time to time.

Cat food after surgery

After surgery, the pet needs to be given special attention; all elements of care are important.

If your pet has recently had surgery or is about to undergo surgery in the near future, it's time to make sure to choose a food that is easy to eat and that will help speed recovery.

In addition, surgery is often preceded by impaired appetite, which is characteristic of the disease.

Criteria that distinguish a quality composition for cats that have undergone surgery:

High nutritional value for a relatively small serving size
Wet consistency
Small pieces
Balanced composition
Appetizing appearance and smell

After surgery, your pet should be fed every two hours and little by little. Warm food to body temperature: this way the food will be better absorbed.

The composition intended for feeding a pet after surgery contains easily digestible components with a high concentration of nutritional components.

The increased content of high-quality proteins has a positive effect on the body's recovery from injuries and the maintenance of body weight.

Long chain fatty acids are an essential component that reduces inflammatory reactions in the body. A high percentage of zinc has a beneficial effect on the rapid healing of wounds and postoperative sutures.

Cat food after birth

During pregnancy and after childbirth, your pet needs an increased content of protein, vitamins, calcium, magnesium, and iron. The ideal option is feeding with natural products.

The diet must include meat, dairy products, eggs, cereals and vegetables, and occasionally liver and fish. If the cat is feeding kittens, make sure there is sufficient fluid intake in the body using clean water.

If there is a shortage of milk, make special milk formulas. In the postpartum period, it is worth doubling the number of feedings and the volume of food.

Don't be surprised if taste preferences change after childbirth. Sometimes cats that eat exclusively home-cooked food begin to eat dry and wet ready-made food with pleasure.

When choosing an industrial one, prefer special formulations during pregnancy and after childbirth. The composition of this food is developed by veterinarians taking into account the increased needs of the cat after the birth of offspring.

Monitor your cat's condition. You can check whether she eats enough food and whether she has enough vitamins and microelements by her appearance and mood: there is no bad breath, her coat is shiny, her mood is playful, her ribs do not stick out.

If these signs are present, food and care are chosen correctly.

All the necessary minerals, vitamins and nutrients can be found in the dry formula intended for feeding the cat after birth. It is useful to add a little kitten food to the young mother’s diet.

It contains a high content of essential nutrients that have a positive effect on the growth of a young body.

Pet stores offer a wide range of wet food (canned food) made specifically for nursing cats.

They balance all the vitamins and microelements that the animal needs to quickly restore the body and produce fatty milk for feeding kittens. It is advisable that the wet food be the same brand as the dry food.

Don't skimp on your pet's food. Cheap food will cause irreparable harm to health. Premium segment food has a high energy value, is quickly and easily digested and does not contain unnecessary ingredients.