Before deciding to get a pet, you need to carefully consider its living conditions. By the time a kitten arrives, everything should be prepared. Furthermore, it's important to decide on its diet right away to ensure its long and healthy life. Cat food varies in quality and preparation methods, and can be commercial or homemade.
Content
Types of finished products for cats
Of course, no one can say which food is best for a pet. But many breeders and veterinarians believe that nutrition should be varied, in other words, it is necessary to add different types of feed to the diet.
Canned productsThis type of food is a treat for pets. It's hard to find a cat that won't eat canned food. Many owners prefer to replace natural foods with this type of food.
This is because, thanks to their airtight packaging, they can be stored for quite a long time. Furthermore, using canned food saves time on preparation.
Wet foodThe main advantage of this product is that it's a cross between dry and canned food. The delicious chunks in sauce have less moisture than canned food.
One package of wet food is enough to satisfy a cat's hunger. The downside is that your cat may not eat the entire portion, so any leftovers will quickly dry out and lose their nutritional value.
Dry cat foodThis product is moisture-free. Therefore, if you feed your pet dry food, ensure it has constant access to water.
However, this food is considered beneficial for pets' teeth, as chewing on the dry kibble removes plaque. Furthermore, this food won't spoil even if left in the bowl, as long as you store the dry kibble in a sealed container. This will preserve the kibble's flavor and nutritional value.
Classes and ratings of cat food
Economy-class dry and wet food is the cheapest option; it only creates a feeling of fullness. It contains no nutrients or beneficial substances, especially meat. Such foods include such well-known brands as Meow, Darling, and Kittycat.
Often the term "commercial grade" is used for such foods, but in terms of their characteristics they are no different from economy-class products; the only difference is in the colorful packaging and the level of advertising.
Veterinary doctors do not recommend Feeding cats dry Kitekat is not recommended, as it contains a lot of dyes, carbohydrates, flavorings, and preservatives. However, this food is made using by-products, mineral and vitamin supplements, and soy protein.
Experts are no better with Whiskas. If you constantly feed your pet cheap dry or canned food, it may develop:
- Vomiting and colic.
- Urolithiasis.
- Hair loss.
- Disruption of the stomach.
Here's why you shouldn't use it economy products as a staple food. Keep in mind that they are made from low-quality ingredients and contain no animal proteins.
However, they contain too many preservatives and colorings. Cheap food, when consumed daily, can seriously harm an animal's health.
Premium products
Such cat foods have a dual character. Some brands are as good as expensive ones. However, there are also premium foods that save on components, they contain a lot of gluten and corn grits.
In addition, they may contain wheat and inferior rice, which are difficult for a cat's body to digest, leading to allergies and intestinal disorders.
In premium products, the protein source may be not only animal but also plant-based, and of poor quality. Quite often, these foods contain cartilage and organ meats instead of meat.
Feed your pet premium food frequently also undesirableTheir price is not much different from economy-class products, although the quality is still better. The pellets in these foods do not contain harmful ingredients, so they are still better than cheaper foods.
Super premium cat food
If there are no financial difficulties, then preference should be given to super premium food. It consists of exclusively from high-quality ingredients.
Moreover, they contain a balanced content of minerals, nutrients, and vitamins. Manufacturers of super-premium products strive to avoid using dyes or chemicals in their production.
Such products can be fed daily your cat without worrying about its well-being and health. Rating of good super premium cat foods:
- Arden Grange.
- Cimiao.
- Bosh Sanabelle.
- Profine Adult Cat.
Holistic pet food
There's another class of prepared cat food—holistic. The manufacturers of these products don't spend money on advertising; it's clear to everyone that they're are of high quality.
In most respects, holistic foods are similar to premium foods; the only difference is the raw materials used. high-quality meat and fish, which is not fed with hormones and antibiotics during cultivation.
Holistic pet foods help owners fully meet their beloved pet's nutritional needs. However, these products are only available from manufacturers through online stores. Popular holistic pet foods are listed below: Origen, Felidae, Evo, Chicken Sou, Eagle Pack Holistic.
What to feed a sterilized cat
When animals undergo a procedure such as sterilization, changes occur in their bodies that can completely disrupt their lifestyle. In cats hormonal levels change, because of which she stops participating in mating games and begins to treat food differently.
In most cases, good food becomes the animal's main pleasure, which leads to rapid weight gain.
During this period, the owner should try to distract the cat from eating. But if all else fails, then you'll have to switch your four-legged beauty to low-calorie foodVeterinarians advise owners to add the following foods to their pet's diet:
- milk porridges;
- poultry or beef;
- vegetables;
- offal.
However, ready-made dry food should be selected specifically for sterilized cats. Especially since a huge number of manufacturers are now expanding this line of food.
However, you should only choose premium or super premium products. Top Brand Rating: Hills, Iams, Royal Canin and Purina. It's best to buy them from pet stores, taking into account the cat's weight, physiological characteristics, and age.
By the way, according to many veterinarians, although Royal Canin contains preservatives, dyes, by-products, shock absorbers and soy, the therapeutic line of this food is good balanced and high-quality.
It can be used as a substitute for natural products, as it contains many beneficial substances. Experts often prescribe Royal Canin-based diets for cats, demonstrating the high quality of this therapeutic line.
Rules for feeding animals with prepared food
First, ensure access to drinking water, and make sure it's available at all times. It should be changed several times a day, even if your beloved cat hasn't touched it. Giving your pet more than the daily allowance is not recommended, so be sure to read the package directions.
You need to feed your furry pet twice a dayOf course, you can switch to three meals a day if you don't want to wake up early in the morning from the meowing of hunger, but then the evening feeding will have to be moved to late evening.
It's possible for a cat to develop an allergy to dry food. In this case, the owner shouldn't worry; they can try a different brand.
Don't forget anyway show the animal to the veterinarian, because it is not recommended to constantly change food, since the pet's stomach will have to re-adapt to new products.
When choosing food for your cat, you need to based on the recommendations of professionalsDon't rely on advice from friends, attractive packaging, or advertising. And remember that cheap food can be very harmful to your cat's health. If your cat is full of energy and strength, then the food you're using is perfect for them.
