What is the best cat food?

The best cat food brands should be easy to tell apart from the rest. But you should do some research out in the field. When choosing food for your cat, you should consider its age, how active it is, how well it digests food, and how healthy it is. Also, the food must meet standards set by veterinarians and businesses (more on that below). Oh, and you might also want to look for food cats like. The medical director of the VCA Cat Hospital of Philadelphia, Aimee Simpson, VMD, says that cat food does not come in one size that fits all cats. You can choose the best cat food brand with the help of an expert and some research.

What should I keep an eye out for when I buy food for my cat?

The American Association of Feed Control Officials has set nutritional standards for cat food that must be met to be considered good (AAFCO). The AAFCO is not a governing body, as SELF has often said. Instead, it sets up requirements for a healthy, well-balanced diet that apply to the whole industry. Dr. Simpson says that the AAFCO recommends that dry cat food for adults has at least 26% protein and dry kitten food has at least 30% protein. Look for an AAFCO declaration on the label to tell if the cat food is good.

She says that too much calcium can cause crystals and stones to form in the urinary tract, and too much protein, phosphorus, and sodium can make chronic kidney disease worse. Dr. Simpson also talks about the international dietary guidelines of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA), which deal with the quality of pet food manufacturers. Again, these are just general rules, but they can help you distinguish between good cat food and food that meets the basics. You can always call the company’s customer service line or talk to your vet if you need to know how good a particular brand is.

What should I look for on the list of things that cat food is made of?

Dr. Simpson says it can be hard to read pet food labels because of how the ingredients are written down. According to the author, dried products like chicken meal are listed before things like chicken meat, which may have more nutrients because they hold more water and weigh more.

Your cat’s food may have grains and good sources of protein like liver and other organ meats. This is good food for your cat. Dr. Simpson says that cats must eat meat but that most carbohydrates in cat food can still be broken down. Despite what most people think, grains and corn are full of fiber, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and other vital nutrients.

Here are some of the best cat foods that vets recommend:

Because of this, we can only name some brands of high-protein and nutrient-dense cat food on the market. But we’ve put together a list of some of the best cat foods for you based on what Dr. Simpson and the most passionate reviewers on the internet have to say.

Hill’s Science Diet:

You can often find Hill’s Science Diet and Hill’s Prescription Diet on the shelves of veterinary clinics. These meals are suitable for a healthy weight and conditions like upset stomachs and problems with the urinary tract. This was not a coincidence. Over 200 scientists work at this company’s Global Pet Nutrition Center, which sets the rules for foods that meet AAFCO and WSAVA standards.

The dog’s head:

Before it is sold to customers, each Royal Canin meal is made by a team of nutritionists and veterinarians. It has food for older and senior cats and kittens and recipes high in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to make the fur shine.

The business plan for PetSmart:

If you want scientifically-backed meals that are full of healthy proteins and carbs but won’t break the bank, Purina Pro Plan is a great choice. This brand has a product that will keep your indoor cat, older cat, or cat that gets hairballs healthy and fed. Purina One is an option from the same brand that is less expensive. Even though some less healthy recipes exist, it still gives cats a well-rounded diet.

Merrick Merrick is different from other pet food brands because it uses nutritionists, runs its canneries and factories, and doesn’t add artificial flavors, preservatives, or fillers to its food. Purrfect Bistro cat food has all the vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and fiber that a healthy cat needs. Chicken, beef, and salmon recipes help keep the skin and coat healthy and stop hairballs.

Farmina:

Even though this brand isn’t as well-known as Purina, it’s popular because it’s good for your pet’s health. The Farmina Vet Research team works with independent veterinarians to develop recipes that will improve pet nutrition in the future. Because the ingredients in these recipes come from farms and suppliers that have been carefully checked, you can be sure that your cat is getting good food.

VetDiet:

VetDiet works hard to make food that is good for your cat’s health and happiness. This is done with the help of high-quality ingredients and a growing Health and Nutrition Advisory Board. This family-run business, which has been around for 25 years, sells tasty cat food for all stages of a cat’s life, from kittens to old cats, as well as for special needs like boosting the immune system and controlling weight. You can give your cat even healthy treats when it has been perfect (in other words, always).

Ethereal and moving:

Earthborn Holistic cat food has been made in the United States by businesses run by the same family for almost 100 years. It has both wet and dry food for cats. The moist snack is made without grains or gluten and has high-protein ingredients like chicken liver. Fish, chicken, duck, and beef are always the main ingredients in all its recipes because they are all animal protein sources.

What shouldn’t you give your cat?

Dr. Simpson says that people who own cats should give them dry, moist, and wet cat food and raw or home-cooked food. She says that the first one doesn’t have any more nutrients than regular store-bought cat food and may even cause nutrient deficiencies and diseases that come from food. On the other hand, the second one makes it more likely that cats will have problems. Dr. Simpson suggests you talk to a veterinary nutritionist through the American College of Veterinary Nutrition if you want to make your cat food.

This is the best way to talk to a professional if you need to know if canned or dry cat food is better for your cat. Dr. Simpson says it can be hard and confusing to find the best food for your cat because there are so many different brands and because ads and online information can be misleading. The best way to decide is to talk to your vet about what a healthy diet would be for your pet.