The highest quality dry cat food of 2021 - rating from veterinarians

When a small kitten appears in the house, owners immediately have a lot of questions related to its care. First of all, you need to monitor your pet’s nutrition so that it develops properly and delights with its little pranks. When choosing food for kittens, it is better to study reviews about it in advance. The growing body of an animal requires a special approach, so the food offered may not suit it, which will cause an upset stomach.

The importance of feed quality

Kittens often go to a new home at the age of 2-3 months. Usually, responsible breeders have already completed the necessary vaccinations by this time and accustomed the animal to regular food. When choosing food for kittens, owners should study veterinarian reviews especially carefully, especially if the pet is considered a purebred. But it is also important for an ordinary kitten to receive all the necessary vitamins and minerals from food for harmonious development.

The pet supply market offers many products from different manufacturers. Sometimes it can be difficult for the average cat lover to understand them. But the food must contain the necessary microelements and vitamins so that the pet’s digestive, muscular and skeletal systems do not suffer. Kitten food (reviews confirm this) also has a great influence on the quality of the coat.

What and how often to feed a kitten

The first question that comes to the mind of kitten owners is what to feed the baby. If a small animal has been fed its mother's milk, from the first days of being in a new home you should not offer it food intended for adult cats.

The smallest kittens need to be fed from a pacifier, as they do not yet know how to feed themselves.

The smallest kittens (at least up to 1 month) need nutrition similar in properties to cat milk. There are special cat milk substitutes. Such complementary foods should be given up to 8 times a day (depending on the weight and general condition of the baby). To feed newborn kittens with this mixture, you will need a syringe (10 ml) without a needle or a small bottle with a nipple (can be bought at a pet pharmacy).

Gradually, the number of feedings can be reduced to 6 times a day. At the same time, the food should become a little harder. Many owners begin to introduce fermented milk products, meat purees, etc. into the kitten’s diet at one month of age.

In 2–3 months, the diet should be fully formed. It is recommended to reduce the number of feedings to 4–5 by the end of the third month. It is important that the baby’s diet is properly balanced. Kittens can be gradually introduced to ready-made food (specially formulated for babies) or natural food. With natural feeding, the diet can be made up of the same products that an adult cat eats. There are only 2 exceptions:

• Kittens up to 4 months can still be given cow's or goat's milk (diluted with water in a 1:1 ratio). In older kittens, milk is no longer digestible due to lactose intolerance (but lactose-free formulas can be found).
• The number of feedings should be reduced without reducing the energy value of the food (a growing body needs a lot of energy).

By the end of the third month, the kitten’s diet should already be formed.

I know a family where the cat produces 3-4 fluffies every year. The kittens in this family are taught to eat “from the table” from birth. The head of the family believes that natural food is the same as the food that people eat. At the same time, the kittens are fed as if “for slaughter.” But in fact, you can’t overfeed babies, especially with this kind of food. After all, a kitten’s body is not designed to digest many foods. Besides, being overweight wasn't doing anyone any good. As the cat grows up, it will begin to experience health problems (diabetes mellitus, urolithiasis, metabolic disorders, etc.).

Mandatory composition of good food

A lack of nutrients and vitamins leads to stunted growth in a young individual and can provoke the appearance of various diseases.

Veterinarians in reviews of kitten food indicate that they should contain the following components:

• Microelements for growth and development: taurine, iron, iodine, zinc, L-carnitine. Without them, the growth of an animal and the full development of all systems of its body are impossible.
• Vitamin A, which is responsible for the kitten’s vision and bone growth.
• Vitamin C is indispensable for the development of the digestive system, excellent immunity and promotes the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels.
• Vitamin D is responsible for blood circulation.
• Vitamin E is responsible for the future reproductive function of the kitten.
• B vitamins improve metabolism, help strengthen blood vessels and muscle tissue.

Therefore, to choose a good food for kittens, reviews from veterinarians should be taken into account. Experts have different opinions about the types of animal diet, which we will consider below.

Feed components

Considering the fact that all components of Felix food are supposedly natural, it can be used both as the main food and as bait or treats.

For example, chicken meat or fish fillet, which are used to make canned food, are first tested for quality, as are other components.

Various additional components are added in the correct proportions. Thus, vegetable protein, which can be found in any Felix food, allows you to protect your pet from various diseases and maintain its immunity. In addition, it is worth remembering that plant proteins are much easier to digest and absorption is much higher than their animal counterparts. This type of canned food is perfect as the main food for pets suffering from diseases of the stomach or digestive tract.

Mineral salts and sugar, which are contained in small quantities in food, allow your pet to eat food with a greater appetite.

In addition to the standard components, Felix food also includes some additional vitamins. Namely:

— Vitamin A Allows the pet to replenish energy reserves. In addition, this component completely protects the body from pathogenic bacteria, regulating metabolism.

— Vitamin D This component allows the cat to receive those elements that are fully supplied during a walk. This factor especially applies to animals that are very rarely outdoors.

Iron and iodine help your pet the most in the formation and maintenance of normal red blood cells.

What's better?

Even experts sometimes argue which food is better to choose for a small pet - dry or wet. In this case, it is better to focus on the breed of the animal, its age, the personal preferences of the owner and his financial capabilities.

But you should remember that you should not feed your animal food from economy-class manufacturers. They do not contain natural meat, and the amount of vitamins and nutrients is negligible. In addition, flavorings and preservatives are added to them to ensure shelf life and improve taste.

Types of cat food

A cat owner can feed his pet in one of two ways:

• natural food;
• store-bought (industrial) feed.

Each method of feeding a cat involves several types of food.

Natural food is food for the cat prepared by the owner from good quality products. We are not talking about home-cooked food for people, but about dishes prepared specifically for the animal (taking into account its age, body characteristics, breed and health status).

You can also purchase ready-made balanced natural diets in online stores. This food is usually delivered frozen and is an excellent choice for those who prefer to feed their pets a natural diet.

Industrial feeds are divided into several categories by type and class. The types may be as follows:

• dry food (in the form of granules);
• wet food (canned food in the form of pates, jellies);
• raw natural food;
• medical lines (for cats with health problems);
• treats (special treats that do not carry a calorie load).

All store-bought cat food is divided into 4 classes:

• economy class (these are budget products that contain almost no meat);
• premium class (they contain natural meat, but also artificial additives);
• super premium (expensive, practically no dyes, contains a lot of meat);
• holistic class (the most expensive, up to 90% meat, do not contain dyes or preservatives).

What food to choose for a cat

When choosing food for your pet, pay attention to a few points:

1. Age and health of the cat. The food must correspond to the condition of the animal: a kitten should not be fed with food for adult cats, a cat prone to obesity should not be fed with fatty food, etc.
2. Type of food (dry or wet, raw natural).
3. Composition of the future purchase.

It is important to decide on the type of food in advance. The fact is that these products are different in their composition and digestibility. Feeding with dry food should be accompanied by plenty of drinking (pellets contain approximately 10% moisture, and this is not enough for the animal to fully nourish itself). Wet food contains 80–85% moisture and does not need to be washed down. But feeding only canned food can be expensive. Some brands of canned food are packaged in small pouches (one pouch is designed for 1 time, but in total you may need up to 7 pieces per day). Raw natural food has the required amount of moisture, is high in calories - sometimes one bag a day is enough, and is perfectly digestible.

Pouches are intended for one complete feeding of a cat.

Mixing different brands of food is not recommended. But to feed a cat, you can combine wet and dry food if we are talking about products of the same brand.

Many of my friends leave their cats dry food in a bowl for the whole day (while they are at work) and a full bowl of fresh water. And in the evening they pamper their pets with wet food. Yes, mustachioed pets prefer wet food. But dry during the day is the best option. Firstly, cat owners can calculate the daily requirement in advance and leave everything at once (and the cat will distribute this food over the required number of times). Secondly, dry food is good for teeth. Cat breeders I know who feed their cats pellets never complain about the health of their cat's teeth.

If you feed natural diets, we recommend feeding them twice a day, morning and evening, with an interval of 6 to 10 hours. This type of food is natural for the animal and has the most beneficial effect on the health of both the entire body and the teeth in particular.

The quality of the food can be determined by its composition. The food should be well balanced - a lot of meat, few carbohydrates. The word “meat” does not necessarily mean pieces of veal pulp or tenderloin from a rack of lamb, but proteins of animal origin:

• natural fresh meat;
• dehydrated meat and fish;
• by-products and processed meat and fish products;
• bone flour.

The record holders for the quality and quantity of fresh meat, fish and eggs used in the production are Acana, Orijen and SUPERPET feeds, 75–85% and even 93% consisting of meat ingredients, up to 2/3 of which are added fresh. In addition to muscle meat, these foods also contain high-quality by-products - heart, cartilage and tripe, which attract animals and are a rich source of nutrients. Considering that Acana and Orijen and SUPERPET foods are grain- and potato-free and have very low carbohydrate content, they are an excellent choice for feeding obligate carnivores such as cats. It is not without reason that Acana, Orijen and SUPERPET belong to the class of biologically appropriate feeds, whose composition is as close as possible to the diet that animals eat in nature.

SUPERPET food consists of 93% meat ingredients

Veterinarian advice

When a cat owner asks a veterinarian which food is best to choose, most likely the advice will be the same - the more expensive option. The fact is that veterinarians often encounter cat diseases that arise from improperly balanced food. Dyes, artificial flavors, allergens - all this leads to various ailments. Therefore, professionals are trusted by high-quality food, which simply cannot be cheap.

However, now Russian-made food of very decent quality and affordable price, belonging to the super-premium class, is appearing on the market. Among such brands we can name the Blitz trademark, which is distinguished by its high content of meat components - chicken, turkey, lamb, as well as the absence of wheat as the most allergenic of grains. Blitz food does not contain dyes or artificial preservatives, but is enriched with live probiotics, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids and other valuable additives that help maintain animal health.

Excellent quality and attractive prices for the SUPERPET line of food. These natural, balanced foods contain more than 93% meat, do not undergo high-temperature processing, therefore retain all nutrients and, in addition, are enriched with vitamins and microelements. Does not contain grains, dyes, preservatives or flavor enhancers.

Blitz is a Russian-made food of very decent quality, which does not contain wheat, which often causes allergies in cats.

When purchasing food, look at the percentage of meat by-products.
The Pro-Plan that my cat eats contains 20% turkey, which is a super premium food. In Whiskas, Kitiket and others like them - 4%. Good feeds are Pro-Plan, Hills, Eukanuba, Yams, Advance. Royal Canina does not indicate the amount of meat. As for money, a 7 kg bag of Pro-Plan will be cheaper than Whiskas, where you pay mainly for advertising. There is no need to give anything other than food, since it is complete and was invented for this purpose, so that the owners do not fool themselves. Simba, forum user, veterinarian https://www.veterinarka.ru/forum/t15307.html

In addition, one of the veterinarian’s recommendations may be a warning about the diet itself. After all, no matter how good the store-bought food is, the owner of the animal can negatively affect the health of the pet by violating the feeding rules.

Choose among the expensive ones and feed only it; there is no need to dilute or alternate with natural food.
DOCTOR-VeT, forum user, veterinarian https://www.vetmedicus.ru/forum7/topic13573.php

Most often, veterinarians advise feeding pets industrial food.

Experts often advise switching pets to a special (therapeutic) diet. Our family has never had to go to the vet for our cat's diet, but my sister's cat suffers from urolithiasis. A couple of years ago he had a severe exacerbation, the veterinarian said that it was due to a metabolic disorder. Indeed, my sister fed Donut both meat and fish, but he never ate milk or dairy products. A lot of phosphorus accumulated in the body, but there was not enough calcium, so stones formed. The veterinarian recommended that they switch to medicinal food (Urinary) - several brands have such a line.

For a cat who has given birth, I advise you to switch to Hills feeding for kittens, it is higher in calories and will replenish the energy that is spent on feeding kittens and recovering after birth.
Vikki-Vikki, user, veterinarian https://forum.webmvc.com/index.php?/topic/4361-feeding-cats/

According to veterinarians, it is better to immediately discard food if it contains one (or more) of the following ingredients:

• potatoes (this is a product with a high glycemic index, which means it can lead to diabetes);
• the liver of any birds and animals - it is believed that it is capable of retaining toxins for a long time, so its consumption is potentially dangerous;
• soy protein concentrate (it is an allergen; there are cases when soy in the feed is classified as GMO);
• animal mixture (may contain hair, claws, hooves, feathers) - very allergenic;
• corn and its processed products, wheat, flour made from it, gluten are allergens;
• any artificial additives (the letter E will help you detect them);
• salt in any quantity;
• yeast.

By remembering this list, you will be able to choose the most healthy cat food, even from an inexpensive series.

Video: Farmina veterinarian's opinion on cat food

Dry food

Veterinarians, in reviews of good food for kittens, claim that the product of high-quality brands, as a rule, is completely balanced.

It should be remembered that this type of food is suitable for pets from two months of age. The pieces themselves are quite hard, so it will be difficult for the kitten to handle it if he is still too small. But, according to experts, eating solid food is a good prevention of such a scourge as tartar.

Reviews of kitten food show that it is better to choose premium brands. Only they contain all the useful substances necessary for the development of a pet.

The best specialized cat foods

Specialized foods are those products whose formulation was developed taking into account the characteristics of cats:

1. Belonging to a certain breed. For example, long-haired cats need more fiber, and Siamese and Oriental cats eat a lot, so their food should be more dietary, etc.

   Siamese cats can eat a lot, so their food contains fewer calories.

2. The age of the animal. Kittens need high-calorie foods, but older cats need less energy.
3. Cat activities. For example, animals that spend a lot of time outdoors need more dense food.
4. The physical condition of the animal.

The physical condition of the animal means not only diseases (food still cannot cure them), but also a predisposition to any ailments. Currently, products are produced for mustachioed pets with the following diseases and conditions:

• diabetes mellitus (Monge Diabetic, Royal Canin Diabetic DS46);
• urolithiasis (Hill's K/D or Urinary Care series);
• thyroid diseases (Hill's y/d);
• tendency to be overweight (Monge Obesity, Hill's Metabolic);
• skin diseases (Monge Dermatosis);
• orthopedic problems (Hill's j/d series, Royal Canin Mobility MC28);
• prone to dental diseases (Royal Canin Dental DS029);
• liver pathologies (Monge Hepatic, Royal Canin Hepatic HF26);
• recovering from operations (Hill's a/d);
• disorders of the gastrointestinal tract or sensitive digestion (Bosch Sanabelle Sensitive Lamb, Go! Sensitivity + Shine);
• poor appetite or capricious taste (Royal Canin Savour Exigent 35/30).

In many cats, urolithiasis develops in parallel with weight gain; for such animals, Metabolic + Urinary food from Hill's is suitable

A separate specialized line includes food for pregnant and nursing mothers. It is important that the cat receives a lot of vitamins and nutrients that will be beneficial to both her and future kittens. Most large manufacturers develop baby food lines in such a way that the nutrition meets the needs of the expectant mother:

• Monge Kitten;
• Royal Canin Pediatric Queen;
• Now Natural Holistic (complete food for all cats);
• Royal Canin Mother & Babycat (for kittens, pregnant and lactating cats);

  Kitten food is also suitable for pregnant and lactating cats, as it contains all the nutrients necessary for healthy growth of the baby.

• Pro Plan Junior (for kittens and their mothers);
• Brit Care Cat Crazy Kitten (everyday food for kittens and nursing cats);
• Bozita Feline Kitten.

The best and most popular foods for sterilized cats are the following products:

• Pro Plan Sterilized;
• Monge Sterilized Cat;
• Royal Canin Young male;
• Almo Nature Functional Adult Sterilized;
• 1st Choice Sterilized;
• Grandorf 4 Meat & Brown Rice Sterilized

Foods for sterilized animals and fattening cats have similar compositions - this is a low-calorie diet

Video: how dry animal food is made

Cat food reviews

I have two cats living at home: 1 and 1.5–2 years old.
Both are outbred. For 6–8 months they ate kitiket, whiskey and food “from the table”. Both are still healthy. I decided to switch them to a normal diet. I have very little money, so I can hardly afford to constantly feed them with expensive super-premiums. For now I'm taking perfect fit: in home. Maxim_1, forum newcomer https://www.veterinarka.ru/forum/t15307.html

And we had problems with Royal Canin food at first.
I bought it for Persian cats, it didn’t suit us, although I have a Persian at home. Individual intolerance began. I switched to food for allergy sufferers and everything went back to normal. My Marishka ate the food normally, without much zeal, but then over time she got used to it and eats it with pleasure. The main thing is that the food suits her and her health problems have gone away. I think this is important. Elena, forum user https://www.vetmedicus.ru/forum7/topic13573.php

Any premium food that you like, I advise as a breeder, not as a veterinarian.
I feed mine with royals, there were several attempts to change them, both were not very successful, I decided why bother if the cats like it and their condition suits me with this food. They love digestive, outdoor, and sometimes I take a couple more for variety. Delicate, forum user https://www.u-mama.ru/forum/family/pets/563524/

I only gave canned brit, the cats seemed to like it, now I switched to alma nature, they like canned food more (although they look and smell similar to brit).
sunnik, forum visitor https://www.zoovet.ru/forum/?tid=35&tem=694003

We have been eating Grandorf fish for 2 months.
With gusto. Both cats' stools returned to normal - one became softer, the other's diarrhea decreased, the stool became more regular, she can't eat chicken, so she eats fish food. Eyes and ears are clean. They scamper like trotters. But today I saw abundant dandruff on both of them, large, on the back. Once a day I give each person an additional 50g. Happy cat with jelly + 50 gr. water as additional moisture. But mostly the cat eats. Vuber, forum user https://mauforum.ru/viewtopic.php?p=2771720

But Grendorf's 2 kg bags are gorgeous.
Farmina fell apart after a week. ShotKot, forum user https://mauforum.ru/viewtopic.php?p=2771720

At one time I fed my cat only food from the table, but on one of the stormy days my pet got poisoned.
As a result, I had to take him to the veterinary clinic. The doctor advised me to feed my cats dry food, as it contains a lot of proteins and nutrients. I spent a long time selecting different types of food and now I only use Acana. Valeria, forum user https://forum.veterinar.by/topic/91-a-kto-chem-kormit-koshku/page__st__20

I wonder what the composition of canned GO food is.
We don't have them for sale. But I was disappointed with the composition of Shezir dry food. I saw it on sale here. It turned out to be with corn. brau, forum visitor https://www.zoovet.ru/forum/?tid=35.&tem=800111

Yesterday I bought Hills for older cats and dry and a jar of canned food to try.
I mixed it with whiskey and he eats it with pleasure, and Hills eats it first. Marisol, forum user https://www.veterinarka.ru/forum/t173.html

I transferred the cats to Pronature Holistic.
Grandorf can be added a little to the main food to relieve constipation: this food does an excellent job with this. marlah, forum user https://mauforum.ru/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=53439&start=110

My cat got away from Whiskas earlier, by starving the cat we moved to Hills too.
You just need to not coddle with him, but use tough methods. He won’t die of hunger, but he will switch to normal food and there will be no problems! Mavr, forum user https://www.veterinarka.ru/forum/t173.html

The best brands of dry food

As a rule, veterinarians recommend choosing the following types of dry food:

• Royal Canin. The composition mostly consists of meat, in addition, indigestible substances are excluded from it. The food is balanced and easily digested by the stomach.
• ProPlan. Premium kitten food (reviews from professional breeders confirm this) do not contain preservatives and have a natural composition.
• Eagle Pack Holistic Select. The most suitable food for kittens, according to veterinarians. It contains probiotics. Enzymes are easily absorbed. Contains a fully balanced vitamin and mineral complex. Meets the requirements for protein, fat and carbohydrate content.
• Canidae The food is free of preservatives and has a natural composition.

Professional cat breeders do not recommend purchasing food in supermarkets, because only economy-class brands are supplied there. To purchase, it is better to go to a specialized pet store or veterinary pharmacy.

Dry diets for adult cats

Hill's Science Plan with Duck

The Hill's company (Netherlands) produces high-quality and fairly affordable super-premium cat food. The Science Plan series produces a diet with a dietary, hypoallergenic protein - duck. It is of good quality and high meat content - 24%. Dry granules can be given to cats aged from one year to six or seven years. This is a complete product - your pet can be kept on only one food without harm to health.

Pros:

• the food contains taurine, which is necessary for the heart health of cats;
• balanced composition of minerals - less risk of developing kidney and bladder diseases;
• the complex with vitamins and microelements in the feed strengthens the immune barrier.

Minuses:

• the food contains wheat and corn - their gluten can cause allergies;
• insufficient detail of the composition - in particular, the origin of chicken fat is not indicated.

Purina Pro Plan Original Adult salmon flavor

Pro Plan Original Adult is a popular and widespread line of food for cats aged one year and older. There are many flavors and types, and there are options for sterilized animals. The salmon diet is of good quality. It is enriched with a special OPTISENSES complex, which contains arginine and antioxidants to prolong the age of activity and improve the functioning of the cat's brain.

Pros:

• high content of valuable salmon meat - it is 18% in the feed, and the total proportion of protein in the volume is 36% (one of the best indicators);
• contains valuable polyunsaturated acids that improve the condition of the coat and skin of cats;
• teeth protection - the food granules are hard, they clean well from plaque and stone.

Minuses:

• contains allergenic gluten - corn and wheat;
• the composition of animal protein and poultry fat is poorly detailed in the feed

Brit Premium Cat Adult Chicken

Affordable cat food with chicken is suitable for adult pets who are not allergic to this protein. There is a lot of protein in the diet - 40%, which includes dried and ground meat. The food also contains chicken and fish oils, which improve brain function and coat condition, and fiber from beet pulp. It improves digestion and helps remove hairballs from the cat's body.

Pros:

• contains rice - it is less allergenic than wheat;
• the diet has a good quality vitamin-mineral complex - there are B vitamins, omega acids and amino acids;
• The food contains a natural preservative - vitamin E (tocopherol).

Minuses:

• the food contains corn - but not much (10%), which reduces the risk of allergies;
• The composition of dry chicken is not detailed - there is no data on the percentage and type of by-products.

Royal Canin Digestive Care

One of the most successful lines of food from Royal Canin. It is safe and of good quality, suitable for cats with sensitive digestion, “problematic” gastrointestinal tract and the habit of regurgitating some of the swallowed granules. Digestive Care food contains a special complex of nutrients to maintain the health of your pet's intestines and stomach.

Pros:

• high protein digestibility - it is presented in the feed in a special LIP form;
• the presence of prebiotics to improve intestinal microflora;
• The food granules have a toric shape, thanks to which they are eaten slowly - cats carefully chew the kibble, so they are easily digested.

Minuses:

• cat food contains wheat and corn, which can cause allergenic reactions in some animals;
• There is no detailing of animal fats in the composition.

Bewi Cat Crocinis with Poultry, Turkey and Fish

German cat food containing three different types of crispy kibble - a total of 25% chicken, 4% turkey and 4% Atlantic herring (as flour). The diet is characterized by a high concentration of nutrients, a “rich” vitamin-mineral complex and good quality.

Pros:

• improves the condition of the coat and skin due to the high concentration of brewer's yeast in the feed (this is a source of vitamin B);
• contains a natural and healthy flavor enhancer - poultry liver hydrolysate;
• Thanks to the different types of granules in the food, even capricious cats eat it willingly.

Advantages of dry food and its disadvantages

Cat breeders have positive reviews of dry kitten food. Many of them found it easy to use. They highlight its following advantages:

• Balance. Each piece contains a lot of nutrients necessary for the development of the kitten.
• Eliminates errors in feed. This means that the owner cannot accidentally include inappropriate food in the diet, which will cause digestive tract upset.
• Dry food does not require any processing and is completely ready for consumption.

The main disadvantage of such feeds is the high cost of a quality product. Veterinarians advise feeding your kitten only premium brands, so the price may be a turn-off for some.

But cheap foods contain too many preservatives, increasing their shelf life. Instead of meat, as a rule, the composition includes sinews, bones and skins.

Premium and super-premium food for kittens - is it healthier than food in a cheaper price category?

Basically, premium food is the choice of most cat owners. Popular manufacturers in this category include: Royal Canin, Brit, Natural Choice, Hill's, Advance and others. Royal Canin food for kittens was developed specifically taking into account the needs of the animal, so the line offers several options:

1. For kittens aged from 1 to 4 months;
2. For older animals from 4 to 12 months;
3. Special food for castrated kittens under one year of age and others.

Every cat owner can buy food that is most suitable for their pet.

Premium kitten food mainly contains a balanced content of natural meat and vitamin and mineral supplements, so this option is the most optimal for a growing kitten. At the same time, there are unscrupulous manufacturers who add cartilage and other components that are not the most beneficial for the pet’s health to food for mustaches. Therefore, when determining which food is the best for kittens, it is very important to pay attention to the label where the composition is indicated.

Super premium kitten food – the choice of caring owners

Such nutrition promotes the formation of excellent immunity, improves the condition of the animal’s coat and prevents the development of urolithiasis. The price of these products is quite high, but the owner will be sure that the package contains everything that is indicated in the composition on the label. An example of a product is Royal Canin dry food for kittens, which is produced in France and belongs to the super premium category.

Separately, it is worth highlighting the “holistic” type of food, which owners order for their show and breeding animals. In this case, manufacturers use exclusively natural ingredients of animal and plant origin, without adding preservatives. Popular manufacturers include: Orijen, Acana, Wellness, Innova and Natural&Delicious. In this case, the price really justifies the quality and super premium kitten food will be the best choice for your pet.

Wet bait

The main difference between these types of food is their constitution. The composition of wet products is almost the same as that of dry products. As with previous species, there are economy and premium food.

The main advantage of wet food is that it can be offered to the kitten a little earlier. The soft pieces easily yield to the weak jaws of a small animal, so an already month-old pet can handle them.

When choosing, you should pay attention to the “for kittens” labeling. The pieces for them are made even smaller and enriched with an additional complex of nutrients that promote growth and development.

Manufacturers produce a variety of wet food for kittens. Reviews show that mousses and delicate creamy meat purees are very popular with pets and prepare the animal well when transitioning from mother's milk to adult food.

Kitten food

Some veterinarians believe that commercial food is better than natural food. The fact is that when developing a recipe, nutritionists take into account the needs of a small organism. Kitten food already combines nutrients, vitamins and minerals in the right proportions. Many manufacturing companies specializing in pet food produce “baby food”:

• special milk formulas (milk substitutes) from 0 months;
• wet food from 1 month;
• dry food from 2 months.

A sudden switch to dry food can lead to digestive problems

Some manufacturers offer customers dry food 1+, but this is not entirely correct. Even if the packaging says that such food is intended for a kitten from 1 month, you should not be happy about it. The basis of the baby’s diet should still be soft food. Therefore, even if you decide to accustom your cat to such solid food, you should give it no more than 2 times a day, and everything else should be soft. And, of course, you need to remember a few rules related to ready-made food:

1. With this diet, no vitamin supplements are needed (the food already contains everything you need).
2. If it seems to you that the kitten is not getting enough to eat, then you can grow (or buy) special grass for cats.
3. Wet and dry food (if combined) should be of only one brand (ideally from the same series).
4. You should not give your baby as much food as indicated on the package (kittens need about 4/5 of the amount recommended by manufacturers).

Dry and wet food

There are two types of wet food for kittens - pouches (bags) and canned food. The main difference between them is the length of shelf life (food in cans lasts longer). Wet food contains a lot of liquid, while dry food contains only 5-12% moisture. But dry food lasts longer than wet food. However, when feeding a kitten with dry food, you need to observe a special drinking regime.

If your kitten eats dry food, he should drink a lot. There should always be a bowl of clean, fresh water next to your food. The cat will not drink excess liquid, so there should always be water. It needs to be replaced daily with a fresh one (even if it seems that the kitten is not drinking).

When feeding with dry food, the kitten needs to drink a lot

Wet food can be introduced into the menu faster than dry food. The liquid consistency (for example, pate for kittens) is designed in such a way that the transition to such food is almost unnoticeable. And you need to switch to dry food gradually. When I introduced my kitten to dry food, on the first day it was just a few granules - I soaked them in water. For a few more days I soaked a teaspoon of food in water. It took us about 3 weeks to completely switch to dry food.

Important: ready-made food for kittens must be of the highest class. Veterinarians recommend super premium and holistic foods to their young patients. Budget options (for example, Whiskas or Kitiket) are strictly criticized. Not only its price, but also its composition and quality depend on the class of the product.

High-quality kitten food includes products from the following brands:

• Hills, Chicken Soup, Almo Nature (wet and dry food);
• Bozita, Petreet, Gourmet (wet food);
• Eukanuba, Eagle Pack, Royal Canin, Brit (dry food);
• Iams, Pro Plan, 1st Choice (canned and dry food);
• Merrick, Gimpet, Felidae (wet food);
• Innova, Bocsh, Pro Nature, Acana (dry food).

Photo gallery: examples of quality food for kittens

"Fest Choice" is a Canadian brand food (packaging: 350 g, 907 g, 2.72 kg and 10 kg)

"Sanabel" belongs to premium and super premium food

Eucanuba is not inferior in quality to other feeds, but is cheaper

Gimpet offers customers not only wet food for kittens, but also special treats

They claim that their food does not contain dyes or preservatives

How to choose ready-made food

The opinions of veterinarians about the age suitable for introducing ready-made food into the diet are divided. Some believe that kittens should not be fed commercial food until they are 3 months old. Others believe that a kitten can be fed such food even from birth. Particularly vivid discussions arise about dry food. Those veterinarians who allow their charges the so-called drying process believe that special food is produced for kittens. The granules in it are small, and the composition is specially designed for the healthy development of the baby. However, kitten owners follow the manufacturers' recommendations. Some people simply choose a pack that has the appropriate age on it. But when choosing this product, you need to consider other factors:

• Natural ingredients (in the composition of the feed they should prevail over artificial ones: meat, offal, plant raw materials, etc.).
• The more meat in a product, the better (meat and a product of processed raw materials of animal origin are not the same thing).
• There should be a minimum amount of dyes, preservatives and flavors (ideally, when there are none at all).
• Expiration date (it should expire tomorrow, in a week, etc.).
• Packaging volume.

Of course, buying, for example, 85 g pouches every day is inconvenient. Buying them in a whole package at once is unprofitable, and they will spoil quickly. Dry food in large packages can spoil (moisture, bacteria, etc.). I try to buy medium-sized packages. If I need dry food, then I choose bags or boxes of 0.4–1 kg. Canned food is more convenient in cans, for example, 195 g. Otherwise, everything depends on the brand of food. Some manufacturers produce a suitable product in only one form, in which case the cat owner will have to go to the store more often.

Before purchasing kitten food, carefully read the packaging.

Is it possible to feed a kitten cat food?

The age at which you need to switch from baby food to adult food depends on several factors:

1. Type of food. With natural nutrition, this transition occurs smoothly and imperceptibly.
2. Type of feed. Commercial baby food is designed for kittens of a specific age.
3. Kitten health. The veterinarian may recommend a certain diet, etc.

Typically, kittens reach the size of an adult cat at about 7–8 months, but until the age of 1 year the animal is still considered a kitten. I bought my cat spiders that said “0–12.” The cat is just over a year old, but she still doesn’t refuse soft baby pies. True, now it’s just a delicacy, and not the main food. I know a person who allows his kitten to eat dry food for an adult cat. He says that he feels sorry for the kitten who eats the same thing all the time, and sometimes he really wants to pamper the baby.

If a kitten lives with an adult cat, then it may have access to a bowl of adult food. Nothing bad will happen if a cat (for example, at the age of 2-3 months) tries a couple of pieces. But you should not constantly feed your baby such food. Special food for small kittens is different from food for adult cats. The main differences are as follows:

1. Energy value. Kittens are more active and faster than adult animals, they are constantly growing, so they need to get more energy from food. A kitten that eats adult food will not receive enough necessary substances, this will lead to disturbances in growth and development.
2. Vitamins. Little kittens need a different combination (and ratio) of vitamins than adults.
3. Size of dry food fractions. Food for adult cats consists of large granules, while children's food contains smaller grains (they are easier to chew, since they are softer and they fit whole in the mouth).

Typically, kittens are switched to adult food from 8–12 months. The main thing is to make sure that by the age of one year the kitten eats adult food. Some “stretch” this shift for 1–2 weeks, gradually replacing the old food with new one.

Until approximately 8 months of age, it is not recommended to feed a kitten food for adult cats.

How to accustom a kitten to food

There are usually no problems with accustoming a kitten to wet food - you just need to touch the piece to its nose. Good quality wet food smells like meat, so cats are usually happy to eat this food. But with dry food some difficulties may arise.

If the kitten refuses food even after you have soaked it in water, then the food does not seem appetizing to the animal. In this case, you can buy special lactose-free milk or prepare low-fat broth (kefir, fermented baked milk with a low fat content, etc. are also suitable). Moreover, you need to not just put the granules into the liquid, but preferably knead it so that it turns into a paste. The kitten will like this treat more, and the solid fraction can damage the kitten’s esophagus or stomach. When the kitten gets used to such a treat, the amount of liquid can be reduced.

Veterinarians advise mixing a little food into regular food, gradually increasing the proportion of food. He's very small, he'll get used to it little by little. Try taking wet cat food - he should like it and mix dry food with it.

bishuk, regular forum visitor

https://www.u-mama.ru/forum/family/pets/292982/

The cat may not be happy with the new food - the baby needs to be accustomed to the food

Comparison table: examples of the best dry and wet food for kittens

Natural nutrition

When feeding a kitten naturally, you cannot feed everything

The first complementary feeding with natural food should contain delicate foods (fermented milk products, egg yolk, etc.). Gradually, you can introduce fish, meat, vegetables and cereals to your baby’s menu.

Each kitten fed on natural food may have its own preferences. Some people love watermelons and melons, some love canned peas, and others are crazy about ice cream and candy. However, the kitten’s menu can only be made up of approved products. Moreover, food for the pet must be prepared specially, separately from the owner’s.

What can and cannot be given to a kitten

Permitted products include:

1. Lean meat (beef, turkey, chicken, lamb) boiled or raw (frozen).
2. Boiled low-fat sea or ocean fish (1-2 times a week).
3. Meat broths and porridges cooked in broth.
4. Porridges cooked in water or milk (rice, oatmeal, semolina). Porridge cooked in water can be mixed with meat or fish.
5. Fermented milk products (the main thing is that they are not fatty or sour).
6. Egg yolk (1 time per week).
7. Vegetables and fruits in any form (it is better to boil vegetables for up to 2 months; fruits should not be allergenic).
8. As delicacies: grated cheese, boiled shrimp, chicken offal.

Food should be moderately soft, so it is recommended to chop meat and vegetables. For better development and growth of a pet that eats natural food, veterinarians recommend supporting it with special vitamins (Farmavit, Doctor Zoo, Kitzim, etc.) Such supplements can be purchased at any pet pharmacy.

You should not give the kitten food from the owner's table.

The following products are prohibited:

1. Pork, duck and geese meat (it may be contaminated with parasites).
2. River fish (may be infected with parasites).
3. Any bones (the kitten may choke).
4. Cow's milk (especially after 4 months).
5. Smokedness and saltiness.
6. Potatoes (not digestible, and potatoes contain too much starch, this can lead to diabetes).
7. Legumes (peas, beans, etc.).
8. Corn (not digestible).
9. Egg white (may cause protein poisoning).
10. Sweets (increases blood sugar levels, ruins teeth).
11. Floury (too many carbohydrates).
12. Eggplants (cause poisoning).
13. Salt, spices, seasonings.

Kittens can make very sad faces, you just want to feel sorry for them. Especially if you have some kind of “yummy” food in your hands. For example, when my cat sees ice cream, she stands up on her hind legs, and her pupils become large and meaningful. It’s very difficult to resist this, so sometimes I don’t hold back. True, over time, my family learned to pamper cats without harming their health. So, as sweets, we buy creamy “Korovka” (we give half a candy once a month).

Natural food recipes for kittens

Owners of kittens can have a separate recipe book

The first recipes for preparing food for the smallest kittens (up to 1 month) are prepared mainly from milk. The formula for artificial feeding of babies includes:

• diluted goat milk (1:1) or cat milk replacer - 1 cup (200 ml);
• chicken egg yolk (2 pieces);
• vegetable oil (preferably olive) - 1 teaspoon;
• vitamin supplement (for example, Tetravit) - 1 drop.

For weak kittens, you can prepare a “healing” mixture:

• cow's milk (3.2% fat) - half a glass (100 ml);
• chicken egg yolk - 1 piece;
• glucose solution 5% - 20 ml.

Some owners add baby formula to such mixtures (for example, “Nutrilon fermented milk” - 2 scoops). Important: you need to prepare the formula for the kitten immediately before feeding (prepared formulas cannot be stored). For kittens up to 1 month, it is advisable to strain the mixture through a fine sieve. The temperature of the mixture should be 38 degrees. Moreover, this food needs to be heated in a water bath - you cannot use a microwave (heating will be uneven, and the kitten can burn the esophagus).

Before preparing the mixture with the egg, you need to carefully separate the yolk from the white.

Slightly older kittens (from 1 month) can be offered pates and mousses with meat or offal. To prepare a simple pate you will need:

• offal (chicken kidneys, hearts or liver) - 1 kg;
• medium-sized carrots (1 piece);
• good quality butter (50 g);
• chicken broth - glass (200 ml).

This delicate pate is prepared according to the following scheme:

• Boil offal and carrots (separately), cool.
• Grind the by-products to a pulp, separately the carrots, then mix everything.
• Add broth and butter to the minced meat, mix thoroughly.
• If you add 100 g of crushed (to powder) walnuts to the pate, the pate will become a delicacy. Such a treat can be given, for example, in a day or two.
• Place the product in the refrigerator; part of the pate can be frozen and defrosted as needed.

I immediately divide any food that I prepare for my pets into portions, placing them in small jars. I leave a couple of servings in the refrigerator and freeze the rest. Before feeding the kitten again, I take out one portion in advance and defrost it. This helps save time and effort.

The first pate for a kitten can be prepared from offal and carrots

And after 1 month, you can introduce cereals into the kitten’s diet. Porridge gets boring, owners want to pamper their pet with something new. Meatballs are an option; they can be fed to both kittens and adult cats. Here is the prescription:

1. Boil 2 kg of beef and cut into small pieces.
2. Boil 400 g of vegetables (carrots, broccoli, cabbage or bell peppers) separately and cool.
3. Boil and cool 200 g of rice.
4. Pass all ingredients through a meat grinder.
5. Add half a glass of beef broth and 2 tbsp to the minced meat. spoons of olive oil.
6. Form into portioned balls and freeze.

Some kitten owners make meatballs with raw meat, because it is preferable for the kitten. However, veterinarians do not recommend mixing boiled and raw foods during natural feeding.

As a special summer treat for your kitten, you can prepare special children's ice cream. After all, kittens love ice cream not for its sweetness, but for the combination of flavors (cream + vanillin). Therefore, only approved products (without sugar and dyes) can be used as ingredients:

• cottage cheese with low fat content (200 g);
• low-fat kefir or fermented baked milk (ideally Varenets) - 100 ml;
• vanillin - half a teaspoon.

Everything is simple here: you need to mix all the ingredients and put them in small plastic cups. You need to insert an ice cream stick into the glass with the resulting mass (you can use a stick from sushi, lollipop or lollipop). After being in the refrigerator for six hours, the mass will harden a little. If you warm the cup a little with your hands, the ice cream can be pulled out. Any kitten will love this popsicle, especially on a hot summer day.

Which is better: natural or prepared food?

Any diet has its pros and cons

The owner of a kitten may make the wrong decision when choosing a diet. To determine what kind of nutrition your pet needs, evaluate your capabilities. Natural nutrition requires spending time cooking every day. But the baby’s diet will be varied. However, natural food is not always properly balanced, so the animal may require vitamin supplements (consult your veterinarian).

Ready-made feeds do not require adjustment. It is enough just to follow the feeding regime. Some owners think that the animal gets tired of monotonous food, but in reality everything is a little different. Cats are carnivores by nature, they need nourishing meat food. The kitten will not be upset if he is given the same meat dishes two days in a row. But the animal owner will save a lot of time. And if it seems to you that your baby is waiting for sausages from you because he hasn’t had enough of the same food, then know: he will ask for this tasty and aromatic food even if he eats natural food. You just need to teach your kitten from an early age not to beg.

Even more heated debates arise on the topic of saving money. Some people think that industrial food (for example, super premium food) is much more expensive than home-cooked food. This is also a misconception. With the right diet, a store-bought product will even cost a little less. The fact is that good food is quite nutritious, a single serving can be quite small, but a pack of food can last for a long time. In order for the baby to receive the same amount of useful and nutritious substances, he needs to eat a lot of natural food (this is beyond the strength of the animal’s small body). Therefore, what to feed the kitten is up to you to decide.

Recommended wet food

Among manufacturers, there are many companies that produce quality products. However, there are also fakes, so it is imperative to pay attention to the quality of the packaging.

The most popular brands of wet food are:

• Flatazor. It contains dietary meat and phytoactive components.
• Doctor Alders. It has a wide range of different flavors. The composition contains only natural ingredients that exclude the development of allergic reactions.
• Felidae Inexpensive and good food for kittens. Reviews from breeders confirm that the composition is natural, it contains all the necessary microelements and recommended vitamins.
• Hills. The composition contains only natural meat. Enriched with magnesium, phosphorus and calcium, necessary for a growing body.

Premium kitten food has only positive reviews from breeders. Their composition meets all the requirements of specialists and does not cause problems with the kitten’s digestive system.

Veterinarian recommendations

Veterinarians advise checking your pet for intolerance and allergic reactions before starting complementary feeding. Afterwards, you should focus on the pet’s age: the younger he is, the smaller the share of food in his diet. From 9-10 months you can completely switch the cat to food. At a younger age, use soft creamy consistencies; it is allowed to soak the food in broth and water.

Pros and cons of wet food

The benefits of wet food are generally exactly the same as those of dry food. But its main difference is that it can partially satisfy the pet in liquid. In addition, after consumption you do not need as much water as after dry.

The disadvantages of the wet option also relate to its price, especially if you purchase a premium quality brand. It should be taken into account that if you constantly feed wet kibble, you need to take care of anti-tartar agents.

What food is best for kittens? Reviews on the Internet can be found contradictory. The choice primarily depends on the composition of the product and the personal preferences of the pet.

Super premium food - balanced and healthy. Great choice!

To create super-premium food, we use really high-quality ingredients, they contain a balanced amount of protein, and there are practically no chemicals or dyes. With such food you can be sure that the animal gets everything it needs and at the same time its health is not at risk.

Super premium class: 1st Choice, Bosch SANABELLE, Arden Grange, ProNature Holistic, Profine Adult Cat, Cimiao, Nutram, Schesir, Savarra, Nutra Gold, Guabi Natural, Brit Care, Leonardo, Duke's Farm, Gina Elite Super Premium Nutrition, Nero Gold, Bozita Feline Function

Selection rules

Despite the same advantages of dry and wet food, many pet owners are faced with the problem of choice. Professional breeders advise choosing the following brands of dry food:

1. Royal Canin.
2. ProPlan.
3. Eagle Pack Holistic Select.

These manufacturers offer a wide range of feeds, but their prices are not suitable for everyone. It is worth noting that feeding cheap analogues can negatively affect the kitten’s health. The thing is that the economy version always contains too much salt and preservatives.

Many people prefer canned kitten food. Which is better? Reviews from veterinarians indicate that it is better to prefer a type that completely excludes flavorings. Of course, premium brands cannot be stored for long. Therefore, they are placed on a plate immediately before consumption.

Cat food rating 2021

In different food ratings, some products change places, but the meaning remains the same - only the most popular among pet owners for a certain period are included in the TOP.

Economy class feed

The following brands have been the favorite economy class foods for a long time:

• Purina One;
• "Night Hunter";
• "Every day";
• Whiskeys;
• Wellkiss;
• Felix;
• Kitekat.

Table: comparison of economy class feeds

Photo gallery: the best economy class food in 2021

Kitekat is a cheap food that can be found in any supermarket

Although Purina One is an economy class food, veterinarians often recommend it to their patients

Night Hunter cat food is a relatively new brand of pet food, which from the first days began to enjoy the trust of customers

Veterinarians and breeders of purebred cats are dissatisfied with the quality of Whiskas, but the animals themselves simply adore this product

Felix food is a more budget-friendly option for Purina One

Video: examination of popular cheap cat food

Premium segment products

Popular premium segment foods include:

• Royal Canin;
• Hill's;
• Brit;
• "Our brand";
• Berkley;
• Pro Plan;
• ProBalance
• Sheba;
• Happy Cat;
• Iams;
• 1ST Choica;
• Gourmet.

Table: comparison of the most popular premium foods

Photo gallery: premium cat food

Veterinarians trust Royal Canin food, as manufacturers offer a wide veterinary line

Sheba is only wet food, but this brand has many lines

The Hill's brand has many foods with different flavors and for animals of different ages.

Even with a limited number of Gourmet foods, you can choose the right option with the right taste

Pro Plan is one of the products of Purina, which has long been popular among Russian consumers

Super premium food

The most popular super premium food among buyers:

• Pronature Original;
• Gina;
• Bozita;
• Flatazor;
• 1st Choice;
• Bosch;
• Organix;
• Schesir;
• Brit Care;
• Leonardo;
• Monge.

Super premium foods are harder to find than their cheaper counterparts. Some cat owners have to order them from suppliers (this also guarantees quality). In addition, now you can place an order through online stores, in which case you can receive the goods at home.

Table: popular super premium foods

Photo gallery: super premium cat food

1st Choice super premium food cannot boast of a large number of types

Pronature Original food does not contain dyes or flavors

Gina super premium food is highly valued by veterinarians for its high quality

Unlike many other high quality foods, cats like Bozita

Bosch products do not contain soy protein, all protein comes from animal products

Holistic segment feed

The best holistic foods, according to cat owners, include:

• Innova;
• Acana;
• Almo Nature;
• Farmina N&D;
• Nature Holistic;
• Orijen;
• Gina Elite;
• Grandorf;
• Barking Heads;
• Savarra;
• !;
• Now;
• SUPERPET.

Table: comparison of the best holistic foods

Photo gallery: popular luxury cat food

When purchasing Almo Nature wet food in packaging (for example, 12 cans), their price will be lower

Not all cats eat expensive foods such as Pronature Holistic because they do not contain flavor or odor enhancers.

Even humans can eat food like Innova

Feed Go! can only be ordered directly from class=”aligncenter” width=”600″ height=”588″[/img] Lesser-known holistic foods, such as Now, can be purchased at the price of a premium product

SUPERPET food with turkey will appeal to even picky pets

Food with different flavors

Manufacturers try their best to make food more attractive to consumers and healthier for cats. To do this, recipe developers and veterinary nutritionists create products with different flavors. Moreover, it is absolutely not necessary that the food contains exactly the meat that is indicated on the label. Most economy, premium and super premium class products contain flavorings. Of course, some owners understand this trick perfectly well, but what can you do to please your pet?

However, raw natural food does not suffer from this, since you yourself can see what kind of meat the product is made from; the ingredients are visible to the naked eye. For example, SUPERPET food is made from natural chicken, turkey, beef, duck and rabbit. And without the use of fragrances.

There are foods with the following flavors:

• chicken (Whiskas for kittens with chicken, 1st Choice Vitality);
• beef (Kitekat beef in jelly, Almo Nature Beef&Rice);
• rabbit (Monge Rabbit);
• beef tongue (Sheba from veal and tongue, Dinner Menu No. 7);
• lamb (Acana Grasslands);
• ducks (Innova Evo 95 Duck, Sheba mini, Monge Duck);
• turkey (Sheba with turkey in Bechamel sauce);
• liver (Brit Premium with chicken and chicken liver);
• salmon (Sheba mini, Whiskas for kittens stew with salmon);
• tuna (Monge Tonno Del Pacifico Con Salmone);
• shrimp, seafood (Monge Fantasia Di Mare Con Pollo, Schesir with chicken and shrimp);
• trout (Sanabelle Adult with trout);
• anchovies (Monge Anchovies);
• combinations of meat/fish with vegetables/fruits (Farmina N&D fish and orange, Pronature with turkey and cranberries).

Some manufacturers produce food with “rare” flavors (shrimp, seafood, fruit, etc.)

Key points about feeding a kitten

Veterinarians in reviews of kitten food indicate that it is better to prefer premium products. High-quality brands are fully balanced and meet the needs of a young animal’s body.

But often owners want to pamper their pet with homemade food. In this case, you should follow some rules:

1. Do not salt the finished product.
2. Raw meat can be given only after freezing. This eliminates possible microorganisms.
3. If the animal is castrated, then it should not be offered fish.
4. Fatty foods and butter are contraindicated for kittens.
5. The fish must be boiled before serving to prevent the appearance of worms.
6. Sausage, frankfurters and pork should absolutely not be given to kittens.

Holistic – “aerobatics” in professional feeds

Holistic Class is the best cat food produced by professionals for professionals. What do they feed purebred animals in expensive nurseries? This is exactly the food. The only negative is that holistic food does not add any flavorings or flavor enhancers, so at first a cat, accustomed to the “fragrant” premium food, may be picky and refuse to eat. Well, hunger is no problem, and by evening the whims are already crunching with might and main at the bowl.

Holistic class food: Innova, Golden Eagle Holistic, GO and NOW Natural holistic, GRANDORF Natural & Healthy, Almo Nature Holistic, Orijen, Acana, Earthborn Holistic, Eagle Pack Cat Holistic, Chicken Soup, Felidae, ANF holistic, Canidae, Taste of the wild, Meowing Heads, Wellness, Carnilove, Applaws, Natural&Delicious (N&D), Nutram Grain Free, Gina Elite, AATU, Wildcat, Bosch Sanabelle DELICIOUS, Naturea, Grandin

General feeding rules

1. Fresh drinking water should ALWAYS be freely available. Ideally, it should be in a large container and replaced 1-2 times a day, even if the cat has not finished drinking it.
2. Do not overfeed your animal with dry food! Carefully study the recommendations on the pack of food, follow the daily norms indicated there (the daily norm is not the norm for one feeding, it is the norm for the whole day!).
3. It is best to feed your cat twice - in the morning and in the evening. Three meals a day can also be introduced. If you don’t want your animal to wake you up with a hungry meow at five in the morning, postpone evening feeding until later.
4. Food preferences vary from person to person. Your cat may be allergic to some food - that's okay, it just means you need to try a different brand. However, an animal with allergies must be shown to a veterinarian.
5. Ideally, you should choose food ONCE and FOREVER. Changing food is harmful because the animal's stomach has to adapt to the new food. Cats do not need such a variety of tastes as humans do; they have significantly fewer taste buds on their tongue.

And remember that saving on quality food for your cat now will save you on treatment costs in the future.

Author of the article: Alena Oleynikova, artist and cat lover, especially for Kota Obormot