Whiskas is an economy class food,which first appeared on The Russian market several decades ago. Over the years of sales in Russia, this food has become surrounded by various myths and prejudices. It's time to find out how true these rumors are., and can you feed Whiskas to your cat? We'll try to answer this important question for most pet owners.
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Can you feed Whiskas to your cat? What are the benefits and risks of the food?
This is probably the question most often asked by cat owners. AndAlthough the forums are filled with a wide variety of reviews, from positive experiences to strong negativity, interest in these products among cat owners and breeders remains strong. What's the reason?
- This is an affordable cat food.
- Cats love him.
At the same time, all owners love to pamper their pets with treats. Kittens are like children; who wouldn't hesitate to give their furry companion a treat? That's why cat owners often look at the Whiskas display cases. But to properly understand whether feeding Whiskas is safe, it's important to understand the benefits and risks for cats. You can read about the specific foods your cat needs in specialized literature.
Cat nutrition must be balanced and close to the food they eat in the wild. Therefore, cats require fat and protein, which are found in meat, as well as a certain amount of carbohydrates. It's easy to find out whether Whiskas meets these requirements by looking at the ingredients.
Composition of economy class cat food
The manufacturer of the most popular brands of budget cat food Whiskas, Kitekat and dog food Pedigree, Chappie is Mars Corporation, which works 
In almost all countries of the former Soviet Union, this "monster" of an industry enjoys strong media coverage and a huge selection of flavors, so ordinary cat breeders trust this manufacturer when feeding their pets.a product of such a big brand.The manufacturer offers a wide range of dry and wet Whiskas food:
- for cats over 7 years old;
- for adult cats;
- for kittens up to one year old;
- for a treat;
- for sterilized cats.
Attractive advertising, attractive packaging, and catchy food names. What's behind all this? Let's take a look at the ingredients in Whiskas dry cat food and read the reviews.
In the US, manufacturers are required to publish the ingredients of their pet food on the packaging. In our country, this requirement isn't legally mandated, so full information on ingredients can be found online. only on the website of the Whiskas manufacturer in the USALet's look at the example of food such as Whiskas "Meaty Selections".
Fat minimum 14.0%, protein minimum 36.0%, moisture maximum 13.0%, fiber maximum 5.0%, chondroitin sulfate minimum 310 mg/kg, calcium minimum 2.0%, linoleic acid minimum 1.5%, zinc minimum 160 mg/kg, phosphorus minimum 0.9%, vitamin E minimum 160 U/kg, vitamin A minimum 12,000 U/kg, glucose minimum 410 mg/kg, taurine minimum 0.2%.
XA good composition that contains:
- Chondroitin and glucose to prevent bone and cartilage surface diseases, as well as strengthen joints and ligaments. These elements are especially necessary for British cats during their growth period.
- Taurine, this element is responsible for vision, cardiovascular function of the body, and the normal functioning of the immune and nervous systems.
- Vitamins, their benefits probably don't need reminding.
The main components of WHISKAS dry food
Corn gluten meal and corn, poultry by-products, ground wheat, animal fat, wheat flour, natural turkey and chicken flavors, brewer's yeast, rice, salt, potassium chloride, taurine, choline chloride, calcium carbonate, DL-methionine, potassium iodide, zinc sulfate, DL-alpha-tocopherol acetate (source of vitamin E), niacin, yucca schidigera extract, vitamin A supplement, copper sulfate, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), vitamin B12 supplement, magnesium sulfate, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), D-calcium pantothenate, folic acid, biotin, vitamin D3.
In other words, during the production of economy class feeds they addvarious offal: such as:Horns, heads, beaks, hooves, esophagi, intestines, spleen, kidneys, blood, lungs, carcass parts, tendons, and fat. These are products that are rejected during the production of food for humans (they may contain tumors, including malignant ones, and may be sites of antibiotic and hormone accumulation, etc.).
Overall, Whiskas is a high-quality food and well worth the money. It contains 13% protein, derived from meat, offal, and bone meal. Those unfamiliar with proper pet nutrition might say that offal is bad. However, if you read the recommendations for feeding cats natural food, you'll find that feeding offal is a MUST. This is because the liver and tripe contain the largest amount of beneficial and nutritious substances.
What does the manufacturer add to economy class food (Kitikat, Whiskas, etc.)?
To preserve nutrients in feed, manufacturers often use special additives. A substance called ethoxyquin is added to feed to extend shelf life and preserve nutrients. This preservative has not been banned by the FDA in the US for use in pet food, as there has been no evidence of its harmful effects on health.
Butylated hydroxytoluene and butylated hydroxyanisole are food additives used in cat food. They are rarely used in humans, but are often found in pet foods. Their purpose is to extend the shelf life and quality of the food.
Food concentrate E250, or sodium nitrite, is used as a preservative in cat food and other pet foods. The additive has no harmful effects on the body, but an overdose of pure nitrites can cause poisoning.be quickly absorbed from the stomach into the bloodand, by binding hemoglobin, prevent oxygen from passing through. This reaction requires a concentrated dose of the substance.
As veterinarians say in reviews, many illnesses associated with weakened immunity in cats occur due to improperly selected nutrition for the pet.
Whiskas or natural food? Opinions and reviews
Naturally, there are different types of picky eaters among cats. Some are perfectly happy with Whiskas and natural food, and if their owner forgot or didn't have time to serve dry food for dinner, they can easily eat meat and wash it down with milk. But then there are cats who simply go on strike without Whiskas. And that's a disaster.
Therefore, owners need to think carefully when deciding whether to feed their kitten Whiskas?To avoid problems with the animal's nutrition and health, you need to visit a veterinarian several times a year. There's no such thing as right or wrong food, only food that's right for your pet. Moreover, manufacturers warn consumers about the importance of choosing the right diet.
However, Whiskas continues to thrive on store shelves, and cat owners continue to buy it for their pets. Why?
Perhaps they don't trust online reviews, or because they want to see for themselves the harm of this food, or perhaps they simply have no other choice (although there are plenty of alternatives in the commercial cat food industry today). Still, considering that Whiskas sometimes doesn't contain even 5% of the nutrients cats need, and most often contains starch, soy, and only a very small amount of meat—the main source of much-needed protein—the conclusion suggests itself: it's best to feed your pet natural and homemade foodNaturally, there are some nuances here too: this food is difficult to balance and a hassle to prepare all the time, but what won't you do for the love of your furry family member?
Of course, feeding a kitten cheap food can't lead to anything good. But what should you do when your cat is already hooked on the dependent food? How can you wean a cat off Whiskas?
If your cat refuses other foods, begin introducing them to a higher-quality food gradually by mixing it with Whiskas. This should be done discreetly, starting with small amounts and gradually building up to completely eliminating the low-quality food from the pet's diet. This can take months, or even years.
There are always exceptions to every rule. This applies to the health of cats fed Whiskas, too. Some cats are so robust that they can tolerate a wide variety of foods, while others show alarming symptoms after just a few feedings of the wrong food. If you do buy commercial food, it should be high-quality, at least premium. Feeding natural food is possible, provided you choose the right combination of meat, dairy products, vegetables, and grains.
I'm adamantly opposed to this type of cat food and only write negative reviews. I used to feed them to my cats occasionally, though. It's so much easier and more convenient—you just pour some kibble into a bowl and no worries.
And, of course, when we had a little kitten at home, we also gave him Whiskas. He was a mixed-breed cat, we picked him up in the yard, and he was happy with any food. He gobbled up almost everything we offered until he tried the food. The changes were almost immediate: he became much more aggressive, completely rejected any other food, and wouldn't even eat fish or meat. Attempts to retrain him were unsuccessful; he simply began to starve. As a result,disease of the genitourinary system, the cause was dry food.
It's a perfectly good food for daily feeding. But as they say, everything needs to be approached responsibly. It's important to feed a balanced diet, at least several times a day with natural food or wet food, and also to take your kitty to the vet once a year. If you only feed dry food 24/7 and don't monitor its health, various illnesses are likely to crop up. This food is sold in 20 countries worldwide, and the ingredients are roughly the same everywhere. So, you need to start with yourself. Best of luck to everyone and pay attention to our furry friends.
Denis 
Galina
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