How to Pick the Best Food for Your Cat
Nutritional Food is Key to Cat Health
Proper nutrition is vital for ensuring the health and happiness of your cat. But what should you look for when picking a dry or canned food for your cat?
First and foremost, the brand of food you pick should have a label from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) that verifies the nutritional balance of the food. The association regulates nutrition and labeling in cat food products and you're only guaranteed that the food is complete if there is an AAFCO label on the food you purchase. For your convenience, all foods reviewed on this website are AAFCO approved.
Next, since cats are carnivores by nature, you want a meat to be the primary ingredient in the food you purchase. Just like with regular human food ingredients, the first item listed is the one that is found in the greatest quantity, then the next, and the next and so on. The last ingredient is the one with the smallest quantity in the food.
Make sure your cat foods also has the nutrient taurine which is important for your cats health. Quality cat foods should have this along with a lower amount of carbohydrates. Carbs are inexpensive fillers for cat food manufacturers and the best cat foods are mostly made with meats and proteins, not carbs.
If your cat has a history of urinary tract problems, try to avoid foods with fish in them and try to provide your cat with wet or canned food. Other things to look for are foods that advertise a pH balance and include cranberries.
Finally, choose a cat food that your cat enjoys and stick with it. Changing your cats diet stresses her out and could cause her to become ill. Sometimes changing her food is necessary (to prevent or treat urinary tract diseases, help her lose weight, etc) in which case the food should be changed gradually.
Be sure to consult your veterinarian about what the best food for your cat is at her stage in life. As cats age, senior cat foods helps them remain healthy in their older age and address their changing nutritional needs.
Check out our articles on switching your cat from dry food to canned food, and which cat foods are best for a healthy urinary tract, too.
