When shopping for cat food, make sure it contains high-quality ingredients with an appropriate balance of protein, fat and fiber.
Generally, higher-quality foods start with meat, chicken or fish as the primary ingredient and don’t include fillers like corn gluten meal or soybean meal.
Contents
1. Animal by-products
When reading the ingredients list on a can of cat food, you may come across the term “meat by-products”. This refers to any organs such as livers, hearts, kidneys and stomachs from animals not intended for human consumption that have not yet been slaughtered.
These may be beneficial for your cat, as they are packed with protein and essential vitamins A, C and D as well as calcium and potassium. Chicken by-product meals in particular contain up to 70% protein by weight.
Animal by-products are an excellent source of essential nutrients for dogs and cats, unlike muscle meat. Not only that, but they provide natural sources of fats as well as various minerals like zinc and magnesium.
Budget varieties of kibble often use low quality raw materials, meaning they contain more animal by-products than premium options. Furthermore, some may contain artificial colours which could be hazardous for pets if derived from coal-tar derivatives.
2. Corn
Corn is a widely-used ingredient in commercial pet foods and snacks. Not only is it easily accessible, but also an excellent source of fiber that aids digestion and regulates bowel movements.
Corn is not as nutritious as other human foods and should be consumed in moderation. Furthermore, it contains a significant amount of carbohydrates which could lead to obesity or diabetes in cats.
Fried kernels are the worst corn snack for cats, as they contain high levels of fats and sodium. For a safer option, grill or boil sweet corn without any seasoning.
Other corn products to avoid for your cat include polenta and tortillas. These are made with dried, ground maize or corn flour and may contain various poisonous seasonings.
3. Meat by-products
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning that they must primarily feed on meat protein for nutrition. While the nutrient content of muscle meat varies, high quality grade of meat product tends to offer more benefits nutritionally than by-products.
Cats often consume organs before other parts of their prey to maximize moisture and nutrients. Although organs may not be as appealing to humans as muscle meat, they provide higher levels of nutrition than muscle meat does, making them prime prey for cats when food supplies are scarce.
Meat by-products are typically ground into powders or “meals” that can then be added to pet foods. Rendering involves cooking certain animal tissues at high temperatures to separate their fats from proteins.
4. Grain
If you’re worried about your cat’s diet, grain free cat food might be the perfect solution. These diets are made without grains like wheat, corn or rice and contain only essential nutrients.
These foods are largely meat-based and should contain protein from sources such as chicken, turkey, fish, beef or eggs. Animal proteins also provide essential amino acids like arginine and taurine which your pet cannot synthesize on their own.
Kitty cat food should have a high meat content and minimal or no carbohydrate content. Furthermore, it should contain plenty of animal protein which helps ensure your cat gets all of the essential nutrients it requires for health.
Many people opt for a grain-free diet for their cats in the belief that it will reduce the likelihood of them developing allergies. It’s essential to note, though, that while this diet does reduce your cat’s chances of developing allergies, it doesn’t guarantee complete protection from them.
