Choosing The Healthiest Dry Cat Food

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There are different types of cat food: wet/canned, moist, and dry. Also called kibble, dry food is crunchy and hard, and is usually the least expensive of the three. Moist cat food resembles kibble but is chewy and soft. On the other hand, wet cat food, packaged in foil packets or cans, is available as a ground consistency or in pieces with sauce. Cat food also comes in a variety of flavors. Moist, wet, and dry cat food varieties are all available in poultry, beef, lamb, and seafood flavors.

There are also combinations like lamb and chicken or beef and lamb. Some brands also cater to the unique dietary needs of cats. For instance, some brands are meant for different age groups, with low mineral content for older cats and higher caloric content for younger cats/kittens.

Cat owners can also find cat food to prevent kidney problems and protect urinary health, as well as food meant for cats that are already suffering from kidney failure, diabetes, heart disease, immune deficiencies, fur balls, and other conditions. Cats are different from humans and from dogs. When it comes to nutrition, they tend to be somewhat inflexible, and cat owners must understand that.

Compared to humans, cats need to consume a lot of meat for fat and protein. In fact, if humans ate like cats, they would probably suffer from a heart condition by age 20. However, some cat owners tend to treat their kitties the same way they treat their dogs. They forget that dogs can eat many different kinds of food and remain happy and healthy.

Actually, dog food can be deadly to cats over time since it does not meet their nutritional requirements and is laden with carbohydrates, which cats cannot process well.

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Choosing the Best Dry Cat Food

Today, there are numerous dry cat food brands on the market, which can make choosing the healthiest dry cat food a little confusing. The various types are endless, with differences in dietary needs, flavor, nutritional value, and texture. For example, cat owners may choose soft dry cat food or go for grain-free dry cat food. Choosing the right dry cat feed depends on the cat’s personal preferences, health, and age.

Pleasing a Cat’s Palate

When it comes to buying cat food, one should read the label to ensure it meets the standards set by AAFCO, the American Association of Feed Control Officials. This ensured that the cat food meets the minimum nutritional requirements. Terms like natural, super-premium, premium, and gourmet have no standard definition; therefore, cat owners should not place much significance on such terms.

After choosing the preferred cat food, one should then let the cat do a taste test. If the cat likes it and does not have a gastrointestinal problem afterward, then one has chosen well. On the other hand, if the cat rejects the food, one should be prepared to offer another option. Cats are fussy eaters and often go on hunger strikes rather than eat food they do not like.

A cat they will not eat can get fatally ill and suffer from liver failure. If one does not want to switch the cat food to another brand/type, one should introduce the new cat food in small portions, gradually over a week. This will help prevent the cat from rejecting it outright and reduces the risk of upsetting its stomach.

How Much Dry Food to Feed a Cat

The amount of dry food to feed a cat depends on several factors. For example, whether one’s cat is an outdoor or indoor pet, or whether it has been neutered or spayed. Both of these factors affect a cat’s dietary needs. In order to know the ideal amount of food to give one’s cat, one should seek advice from a vet, who will determine the cat’s daily calorie count and ideal weight.

Once one knows how much food the cat needs, one should stick to it to keep the cat at a healthy weight. Once cats get overweight, they find it hard to get it off. Next, one should schedule the cat’s meals. This is because cats tend to eat small meals several times a day. Cat owners, therefore, should plan to leave adequate food out so the cat can eat when he/she feels the need to.

Homeowners who spend a lot of time away from home should consider investing in an automatic cat feeder to ensure their cats are well fed at the appropriate time throughout the day. The most common mistake cat owners make is feeding their cats too much and too frequently. Most of them follow the manufacturer’s feeding guide on the label, which is why cat obesity has become an epidemic.

Obesity in cats comes with all the same problems it does in humans, for example, arthritis, diabetes compromised immune system, respiratory and heart problems, gastrointestinal problems, and other health problems. On the other hand, kittens and young cats need more food per pound of body weight than adult cats.

They also need to feed more frequently. Since their nutritional requirements vary widely, cat owners should remember to monitor their body condition and weight and adjust accordingly.

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The Best Dry Cat Food Brands

According to most dry cat food reviews, the best dry cat food is grain–free and meat–rich. Experts recommend giving cats a lot of moisture from other sources if their diet consists mainly of dry food. However, it is wise to choose a species-specific brand of cat food. Some high–grade dry cat food brands consist of high–quality meat and no grain.

Calorie content varies from one dry cat food brand to another. Not all disclose the calorie content on the label; therefore, one may need to browse the brand’s website to learn this information. The best cat food should range from 24 to 35 calories per pound of body weight.

In conclusion, cat owners should understand that dry cat food does not provide enough moisture for kitties to stay hydrated. Therefore, they should ensure there is plenty of fresh water available for the cat throughout the day. Every cat owner wants to keep his/her furry friend healthy for as long as possible. Feeding a high–quality diet is the best way to do that.