Whiskas for kittens: A detailed review of the line of food for the little ones

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Whiskas for kittens is a balanced diet with all the necessary vitamins and microelements.

took care of creating both wet and dry food lines that are suitable from the first months of life. However, can a kitten have Whiskas from the first months of life?

• 2 Feed composition
• 3 Advantages and disadvantages of Whiskas feed
• 4 Specifics of food for kittens
• 5 Reviews and recommendations
• 6 Conclusion

Brand history

The Whiskas brand has been on the market since 1958. Now every developed country has a representative office of this brand, and you can buy finished products in almost any store. The same cannot be said about some other brands for cats, which are sold only in specialized pet stores.

Note! Cat owners began to call food from other manufacturers “Whiskas.” The name has become a common noun.

Whiskas feed composition

Cats are carnivores, so their diet should always include meat. The best brands are those with the highest percentage of meat. The manufacturer claims that Whiskas are complete and balanced. Whiskas cat food is formulated in collaboration with the Waltham Research Centre.

There are several classes of food for cats:

It is the quantity and quality of meat in the composition that determines whether a species belongs to one of the classes. What class does Whiskas dry cat food belong to? It's worth looking into in detail.

The holistic class option is the most expensive. These foods contain no dyes or flavors, and contain at least 80% meat. Many people may not be able to afford such food, and you can only buy it in specialized stores.

The super premium class contains less meat than holistic products. The composition may contain preservatives, flavors and various additives. This food is a little cheaper than holistic food.

Premium class is a budget segment. Low meat content (no more than 35%), moreover, it is of low quality. The composition contains flavorings and an impressive list of additives. It is to this class that Whiskas manufacturers classify their products.

For reference! Many veterinarians believe that this is just a marketing gimmick and that Whiskas does not actually stand up to the premium requirements.

The name "Economy" speaks for itself - this is the cheapest food for cats. The composition will consist mainly of plant ingredients and animal flour. To ensure that the pet does not refuse such food at all, manufacturers add more flavors and dyes. Preservatives are used for long-term storage of food, and some ingredients are simply not indicated so as not to alienate the buyer.

Composition of dry Whiskas for kittens

In order for a kitten to grow up healthy, its diet must be complete. He must receive all the necessary vitamins and microelements. Kittens are very active by nature and spend the entire day on the move, so the energy value of the food will be an important indicator.

Whiskas cat food for babies consists of pads with a soft filling, the first place in the composition (which means the most of these ingredients in the food) are vegetable and animal flour. It is quite difficult to determine what exactly animal meal was made from. The ideal option would be if it was made from dried meat. But for this price segment, the most you can count on is ground bones.

Whiskas wet food for kittens

There are many more types of Whiskas wet food for kittens. The composition of such mixtures is much more diverse and includes meat.

Variety of Whiskas line

The line is available in various flavors and consistencies:

Manufacturers made sure that the kitten menu was varied. In the future, the kitten can gradually be switched to dry food for adult cats.

What kind of food?

Whiskas is a brand of the transnational corporation MARS. Whiskas cat food is positioned in economy class. The name has long become a household name, mainly due to the growing popularity of foods in the more expensive segment, which become known thanks to marketing campaigns. If you are interested in whether Whiskas is harmful, in most cases you will receive an affirmative answer - however, it is often voiced by people who have never encountered this food in practice.

At the same time, the information that Whiskas is a completely balanced diet for cats is true. The latest developments from Waltham, MARS's own research center, allow us to confidently say that the products comply with the basic principles of feeding cats.

The analytical composition of the feed is distinguished by the correct ratio of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Evaluating the list of ingredients, we can conclude that Whiskas contains proteins not only of meat, but also of plant origin. And the presence of artificial additives is a popular practice for all manufacturers, because these components allow food to be stored for a longer time.

Which is better: wet food or jelly?

Veterinarians recommend not giving kittens jelly until they are 10 months old. The gelled form may contain components that are not recommended for small kittens. Of course, the manufacturer does not use natural meat broth to make the jelly, which means the composition may be questionable. Therefore, doctors recommend using wet food.

Stew or pate can be an excellent option for a growing body. Whiskas has chicken and lamb stew and chicken pate. It is important to note that not all kittens respond well to ready-made food.

Important! If your pet refuses to eat such food for some reason, then it is best to give him only natural food.

Specifics of food for kittens

British, Scottish, Abyssinian or any other popular breed has appeared in your home .

The first vaccinations have been done, the toilet , scratching post and even the cat's house have been prepared. There is one more question left: what to feed the kitten?

Important! The health and good mood of a pet depend 100% on how responsibly its diet is chosen for the coming year.

Hey master! I got into the bag! Where's the food?

Regular table food is completely unsuitable for a pet’s fragile and immature body.

Even products that are known for their benefits should not be used to feed kittens.

After all, their digestive system is completely different from that of humans.

And since not everyone has time to cook specifically for their pet, ready-made food can save the situation.

It’s just worth purchasing food not for adult cats, but for babies up to 1 year old.

One of the popular feeds is Whiskas, which belongs to the economy class.

As the manufacturers assure, it is suitable for both short-haired and long-haired breeds from the 5th week of life.

If Whiskas food for kittens is chosen for nutrition, in the first year of life it is recommended to adhere to the following scheme:

• Up to 1 month - mother's milk.
• From 1 to 3 months - mother's milk begins to be replaced with wet food. It is preferable to start with Whiskas pate. From the second month, in addition to wet types, you can also give dry pads. If the kitten has a hard time eating them, it is recommended to soak them a little in warm water. Number of meals – 6.
• From 4 to 5 months – it is necessary to gradually reduce the number of meals to 3-4. The optimal regimen is 2 meals of wet food (morning and evening) and 1 meal of dry food.
• From 6 to 12 months – it is recommended to continue the 2+1 scheme.

How can you give Whiskas to kittens?

To understand your pet’s taste preferences, it is recommended to buy one small bag at a time. It is worth starting with a small amount if we are talking about a small kitten that is only a few months old. It is best to give one teaspoon of wet food 4-5 times a day, gradually increasing the portion.

Kittens have small stomachs, so they don’t need large amounts of food. It is not advisable to overfeed them, because for normal development the kitten must be playful and active.

Whiskas for the playful and active

You can understand whether the diet offered to him is suitable for a kitten only based on his health and behavior. A normal pet that eats properly and feels well has a healthy and well-groomed coat, is active and playful, and has no bad breath. At the same time, the kitten goes to the toilet normally.

Pros and cons of Whiskas food

Whiskas for cats causes a lot of controversy among pet owners. Some are convinced that this is an excellent food and it is perfect for their pet, while others categorically urge you to refuse any product from this manufacturer, considering it harmful. But Whiskas is still in huge demand, so those considering this brand for their pet should know exactly all its advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages: favorite food at a low price

Advantages of Whiskas products:

• Affordable price. This is one of the most budget brands that everyone can afford. Feeding cats food from another manufacturer can cost several times more.
• Availability. Whiskas products are sold almost everywhere: from pet stores to regular supermarkets. If the food suddenly runs out, it will not be difficult for the owner of any breed to purchase it.
• Huge assortment. A variety of flavors will help you choose food for even the most picky cat. In addition, the brand has a line of special foods for sterilized and aged cats.
• Favorite pet food. Whiskas food always has an attractive appearance and smell. Cats really like it and they eat it with great appetite.

Food for a good appetite

Disadvantages: save on health

The disadvantages of Whiskas food include:

• Artificial additives. In the composition you can see preservatives, flavorings and many more different “E”. And the more additives there are in the recipe, the more harm they can cause to the health of the animal.
• Hidden composition. The manufacturer is either completely silent about many components or uses veiled concepts so as not to scare away the buyer. No one wants to buy food for their pet, the composition of which takes up a good half of the package and is replete with “chemicals”.
• Addiction. The additives contained in the composition are addictive to the animal. Because of this, the pet eats more than normal and may refuse other food altogether. Many owners have encountered this problem when they decide to replace Whiskas with another brand.
• Low quality. Offal and flour are not exactly what the animal’s body needs. Of course, even on this diet, many animals live a long time, without any health problems. But there is also a risk of disease. The ideal option would be holistic food, but not everyone can afford it.

Possible alternative

When choosing cat food, the principle works: “More expensive is better.” If cat food is more expensive, it means that higher quality products were used to make it.

Of course, switching from economy-class food straight to holistic will greatly affect the budget, so you can consider more economical options: Kitekat, Sheba, Pro Plan, Hills, Monge, 1st Choice, sold in kg.

Whiskas for kittens - finding a budget alternative is not too easy

There are situations when food, even of high quality, is not suitable for an animal. This does not mean that the food is “bad”, it just did not suit a particular animal.

Important! You should always “listen” to your pet; you should not hope that the first option purchased in the store will be ideal for him.

It may also happen that the food will have to be changed 2-4 times, you need to be prepared for this. Therefore, it is recommended to buy new food in small packages; if the cat willingly consumes it, then you can buy a large pack of this brand. In any case, only the owner decides which Whiskas for kittens or an adult cat to buy.

Features of Whiskas cat food

Many owners prefer to buy ready-made food for their cats. Now in almost every supermarket you can choose food with any taste. Prices for these foods are usually low. But for some reason, some cat owners choose only expensive food that cannot be found in a regular store. There are a number of reasons for this. To understand why this happens, you need to study the features of the “budget” options. One of them is Whiskas.

Whiskas cat food review

Whiskas dry and wet food is produced in Russia. The official website is https://whiskas.ru/, it contains basic information about the ingredients, as well as a lot of advertising text about how healthy this food is. But let's take a closer look at its composition and benefits.

This food belongs to the economy class. In addition to Whiskas, the Mars Corporation also produces such foods as Perfect Fit, Sheba, KiteKat, Royal Canin, Chappi, Pedigree, Cesar.

Whiskas feed composition

Let's look at the composition of Whiskas food using the example of the option “for kittens, delicious pads with milk, turkey and carrots.” You can see the composition below, left-click on the image to enlarge it for easier reading:

On the left is a photo of the composition from the food packaging, and on the right is a screenshot from the official website.

Whiskas cat food

Whiskas is one of the most popular brands of cat food. The trademark is owned by Mars, and the brand representative is Masterfoods. The manufacturer claims that the food formulation was developed based on numerous studies by the Waltham Research Center and approved by the Russian Association of Veterinarians.

Whiskas is one of the leaders in the economy class cat food market

Historical note: Frank S. Mars (Minnesota) was born in 1882. He suffered from polio, so as a child he was educated at home. His mother taught him how to make chocolate, and he spent all his time in the kitchen. In 1902, he married and started his own small business selling molasses chips. After 9 years, he began making and selling chocolate bars. In 1923, Mars began to be considered a successful businessman, as his product, Milky Way chocolate, gained popularity from the first days. After this, other products began to appear, which are now still selling successfully.

In 1934, Mars died, and his eldest son, Forest, had to take over the business. It was he who decided to add pet food to the company's treasury. True, this was only possible after the war. In 1960, Forest and the company merged. The first Russian enterprise from Mars appeared in 1995 (Moscow region). This is how the organization entered the world market. After 3 years, Forest Mars passed away, but once founded, it continued to gain momentum. The products of this manufacturer are in great demand all over the world. Currently, the company has representative offices in every progressive country in the world.

Assortment and features of feed

Whiskas has a truly wide range. Cat food can be presented in several versions:

1. Dry food (pads, etc.).
2. Wet food (canned food and pouches in the form of jellies, pates and stews).
3. Treats and special products.

And also all Whiskas products can be classified as follows:

• food for kittens;
• food for adult cats;
• food for older cats.

Each of these products is produced in several series, and the food in each series can be dry or wet. For example, kitten food from Whiskas is available in two versions:

• pate with chicken or veal;
• jelly with veal, turkey or beef and lamb;
• stew with salmon, lamb or chicken;
• pads with milk, turkey and carrots.

Kinds

Whiskas produces a huge range of feed. Wet and dry food in different volumes and tastes - this allows you to choose the right option for those pets who often refuse certain tastes.

There is Whiskas for kittens, castrated cats, and sterilized cats. Diets take into account age characteristics and produce special foods for different ages, as well as treats:

1. Whiskas for kittens. The line for babies from a month to a year includes a selection of food in stews, jelly and pate, as well as dry food. There are five options in total. Flavors used: chicken, veal, lamb. Dry food is created with the addition of milk and carrots.
2. For adult cats, Whiskas offers a wider selection: 17 wet foods, including jelly, stew, pate, mini-fillet and 3 varieties of dry pads. The main flavors are beef, turkey, chicken, salmon, rabbit, lamb, tuna, veal, trout, duck and various combinations thereof.
3. For cats over 7 years old, Whiskas offers 2 wet food: stew and pate, as well as one option of dry food in the form of assorted poultry.
4. For sterilized cats, we offer chicken- or beef-flavored wet food, as well as chicken-flavored dry food.
5. The brand has released a new product - an appetizing mix in four different variations: sauce, shrimp and salmon; tomato jelly, poultry and beef; cream sauce, lamb and beef; cheese sauce, chicken and duck.
6. The assortment also includes Duo Treats: salmon + cheese, beef + cheese, turkey + cheese, chicken + cheese.

What do veterinarians say about Whiskas? Feed reviews +Video

Whiskas food has been widely distributed for a long time, but there are always a lot of negative reviews about its composition, high costs of advertising rather than quality, and other negative aspects. Apparently, no one is indifferent. Is Whiskas cat food good - reviews from veterinarians and ordinary buyers?

Industrial feed significantly helps owners who do not have the opportunity to prepare natural food from meat, cereals and vegetables, adding vitamins and minerals for a balanced diet. The line of products for animals is the most popular, enjoying the trust of customers from all over the world.

The attitude of veterinarians to Whiskas food

Whiskas's circle of veterinarians claims that as long as this brand is sold, they will have work. The day of the death of Mars products will become black for the entire veterinary industry.

Whiskas is a synonym for the word “poison, toxin”; its use leads to the death of millions of consumers, and also causes dire consequences:

• - urolithiasis;
• -dermatitis, allergies, diathesis;
• - constipation, enteritis, diarrhea, gastrointestinal disorders, enteritis, colitis, gastritis;
• - loss of whiskers and fur;
• - liver diseases;
• - inflammation in any areas.

The most “terrible” consequence of taking whiskey is the most delicious (in the animal’s opinion) ingredients, which are sure to be addictive. These components are the strongest flavors and dyes that are so attractive to cats. “Try to switch your pet to a high-quality diet rather than an economy-class diet.” Attractant substances are a secret and almost narcotic component of food; their use makes your pet dependent on a particular brand of food.

Composition analysis

If you read the composition of the food indicated on its packaging, there are no attractants listed. This is what is described in “Whiskas for Kittens”: wheat flour, bone flour, poultry meat ground into flour - 4%, animal fats, plant extracts, vegetables - carrots, milk powder, vitamins and minerals. The manufacturer puts a seal - “recommended by the Association of Practicing Veterinarians.” The packaging also contains information about the absence of artificial additives that enhance the taste and flavor of the food.

Composition of the dry type of Whiskas in question: animal fat, ground wheat, poultry by-products, corn gluten, corn, choline chloride, flavoring additives (turkey and chicken) of natural origin, salt, rice, taurine, brewer's yeast, Vitamins A, B6 and B12 ,E, D and D3, potassium iodide, zinc sulfate, folic acid, magnesium sulfate, calcium carbonate.

In other words, the use of various discarded offal (beaks, fat, heads, kidneys, hooves, intestines, lungs, spleen, tendons, horns, blood) is always practiced in the production of food for mass demand. These ingredients contain concentrations of hormonal substances, carcinogens, antibiotics and tumor formations, including malignant ones.

What does the manufacturer put in economical varieties of food (Whiskas, Friskis, Kitekat and the like)?

Dry food with Whiskas chicken: to preserve nutrients in the diet, manufacturers often add special components. For example, the preservative ethoxykin has the task of increasing the shelf life and preserving micronutrients. This component has not been found to have any harmful effects on animals, which is why it is not prohibited by the FDA (USA).

Sodium nitrite (trade name E250) is a food preservative for adding to industrial products for indoor animals. The concentrate does not affect the body, but its pure form in large dosages can cause poisoning. Absorbed into the blood from the stomach, nitrites do not allow oxygen to move and bind hemoglobin. But this reaction is possible only with the absorption of a concentrated dose of the preservative.

Reviews from veterinarians describe diseases caused in cats by immune weakening, which occurs due to improperly selected food for the pet.

There is more information on the American Whiskas packaging (this is established at the legislative level). Let's get acquainted with the composition of Meaty Selections (Whiskas meat selection): protein - up to 36%, animal fat - 14%, fiber - up to 5%, moisture - 13%, phosphorus - 1%, calcium - about 2%, zinc -160 mg per 1 kg, chondroitin sulfate – 310 mg per 1 kg, linoleic acid – 1.5%. Responsible for the nervous state, vision and function of the heart and blood vessels, immunity taurine -0.2%. Vitamins A - 12000 units per 1 kg, E - 160 units. per 1 kg. Glucose (410 mg per 1 kg), like chondroitin, is needed to prevent diseases of cartilage surfaces and bones, to strengthen ligaments and joints. First of all, such components are recommended for representatives of the British breed for development and growth.

About the negative aspects of using Whiskas, they also note the lack of specific indications and numerical quantities of meat components, preservatives and organic dyes. Commonly found additives in cat foods are butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene, which are not used in human foods. Their use is necessary for quality and shelf life extension.

Pros: low price, wide distribution in all stores (retail chains and very small stores), availability of a vitamin-mineral complex, rich assortment - wet food, pate, dry food and treats.

Reviews

I heard that Whiskas is not the best option for cats. But we are buying for the country cat Vasily, who goes around all the houses in the summer and collects “tribute”. We feed Whiskas in the evenings. Every summer for the fourth year now, it provides variety and entertainment for the children. Varya, 19 years old

I bought Whiskas because I ran out of stock in the freezer. In general, the kitten grows up on natural food. I did, even though I know that you can’t mix. He ate it, didn’t wince, and asked for more. We were on it for several days, no negative consequences appeared. Marina, 26 years old

In line at the veterinarian, I observed a Brit with swollen eyes and fur that had seen better days. The owner said that this was the result of feeding Whiskas - an allergy. It started after a week of feeding dry food. As a result, the veterinarian discovered an allergy to chicken protein and prohibited the purchase of food with chicken (any kind, because if you are allergic to protein, it does not matter what is written on the packaging). I was shocked: how can you not know what a cat is allergic to, he’s already old((Our cat eats the same food, because I know for sure that he has no allergies. Katya, 23 years old

Reviews from veterinarians and Whiskas buyers

• “My cat and I’s choice is Whiskas canned food from MARS. We compared it with Proplan and Royal Canin, looked at the appetite of a non-pedigreed pet (before him, we had a Cornish Rex, who was fed premium and super class, but did not eat everything). So it is with the current one - he turns his nose up or ate without pleasure. We need to select. From a conversation with one friend, we learned that he was at the factory where Whiskas is produced, and so, all the components are of natural origin. I consider the downside of the food to be the percentage of protein ratio, which is lower in comparison with other types, the same for the rest. Royal Canin also makes MARS. The difference is in the mass and premium segments, and so does the price.”
• “Whiskas feed justifies its cost, it is of high quality. Consists of 13% meat protein obtained from bone meal, offal and meat. Owners who are not aware of the rules for healthy feeding of pets claim that it is bad to use offal. However, after reading the instructions on how to feed cats natural food, you can find instructions on the mandatory feeding of offal. Tripe and liver are rich in nutrients and beneficial elements that provide a balanced diet.”

Whiskas cat food - reviews

This food has long been present on the shelves of Russian supermarkets and pet stores, and is also actively advertised on TV and beyond. Therefore, many people managed to try it and there are a lot of reviews about Whiskas on the Internet. Below we publish a few of the ones we found.

Reviews from veterinarians

Evgenia Valerievna, a doctor from the Zoovet clinic, writes in response to a question about Whiskas:

Good afternoon Whiskas is certainly not the best food for cats. It is believed that the high content of flavors in economy class food makes it so attractive to animals, so try to switch your cat to a higher quality food. Taking into account the history of urolithiasis, medicinal food is most likely also needed. To prescribe a suitable diet, I recommend taking a urine test.

Customer Reviews

Hi all! Today I’m writing a review about food for our little brothers, for cats! I feed my cat natural food, but I always keep dry food in stock. Sometimes I’m not at home for a long time and in such cases you can add dry food for the whole day in advance so that the cat doesn’t go hungry.

I usually buy Purina One, but last time I bought Whiskas. The cat reacted unusually to it, ate it very appetizingly and then hovered around the bag asking for more. The food clearly contains strong flavoring and aroma additives.

Whiskas canned food is a product of MARS. The choice is mine and my cat's. Yes, comparison with ROYAL CANIN®, Pro Plan (rating based on the cat’s appetite.) Before our beloved cat, he is a simple house cat, we had our beloved Cornish Rex, who left after a long illness……. To the rainbow…………………………………..

So, I only ate ROYAL CANIN®, and not everyone was suitable for it..... Time passed and a new addition appeared in our family, for whom I also bought premium food, because... You won’t immediately understand what he likes, you have to select it. BUT. Neither ROYAL CANIN® nor Pro Plan took root in the diet; I ate without appetite and turned up my nose. And here.

In a conversation with my friend, I find out that he was at the factory where Whiskas is made, and so, all the ingredients there are natural, the only difference is that the percentage of protein in Whiskas is lower. The same goes for other indicators. By the way, Whiskas and ROYAL CANIN® are products of MARS. Only premium class and masses, that's all.

A user with the nickname NewSky writes:

Cat food "Whiskas" stew is very expensive in price, almost 20 rubles per bag. But its quality is noticeably better. Already, as soon as you take Whiskas food in your hands, you feel that the bag itself is pleasant to the touch, soft. It opens easily and is rarely not along the line, i.e., it does not tear askew, as happens with other feeds, for example, with Kitekat.

The smell is really strong and disgusting. In general, the smell of Whiskas canned food surprised me: it smells like dry food, with such a pungent, pungent odor. This is the first time I've seen this. More precisely, I smell it. However, the food itself looks fine, with solid pieces of meat, and the sauce does not spread from it. Sometimes even all the food comes out of the bag in one slab, like Felix.

The cat eats and purrs with joy, but there were no consequences after the “Whiskas” stew. Although it seemed to me that the cat is not very full of Whiskas, since after a bag she immediately asks for more, although I have not observed this with other foods.

And the composition is chemical-free. I take different flavors, but they all smell the same. As for the price. Thus, I recommend "Whiskas" stew for cats.

Important author's addition

My outbred cat is eight years old, seven of which she eats Whiskas economy food, during which time she went to the vet only once - when she developed a severe allergy that caused her pet to go bald. The analysis showed that the allergic reaction was caused by a change in diet (I will not indicate which diet, but of a different type). The rest of the blood parameters were within normal limits, so everything is individual.

Sources:

https://gafki.ru/koshki/viskas-dlya-kotyat.html https://prohvost.club/koshki/kormlenie-koshek/korm-dlya-koshek-viskas.html https://porodakoshek.ru/korma/ korm-dlya-koshek-viskas-otzyvy-veterinarov.html