4 Things To Remember While Buying Cat Food
Shopping for cat food may sound like an easy task. But only cat owners know how complex it can get. You need to consider many factors before finding the best, most nutritious cat food that fits your feline’s specific needs.
If you need any help with that decision, you have come to the right place. Here is a detailed explanation for finding the right cat food.
1) Know Which Type Of Cat Food You Should Buy
The most important thing while shopping for cat food is knowing which type you need to buy. You need to consider two things to make this decision – your cat’s age and the amount of moisture in the cat food.
Here are the different cat foods depending on moisture content:
*Raw Cat Food: This type of cat food is closest to a cat’s natural diet. It consists of meat, grains, and vegetables. Additionally, it may contain added supplements.
*Dry Cat Food: Dry cat food is usually sold in small pieces. It is rich in protein but also has a high level of carbohydrates. Additionally, it is low in moisture content.
*Wet Cat Food: The best wet cat food has a high moisture content. Therefore, it is soft and wet. It has fewer calories than other types of cat food.
*Special Formula Cat Food: You should only buy special formula cat food if your veterinarian advises you. It addresses specific health problems in cats, such as obesity and joint problems.
Here are the different cat foods depending on how old your cat is:
*Kitten Formula: This type of cat food is highly nutritious to promote your kitten’s healthy growth. It is high in protein, calcium, calories, fat and phosphorous.
*Adult Cat Formula: Adult cat formula has a balanced amount of the necessary nutrients that your cat needs to be healthy and active.
*Senior Cat Formula: This type of cat food has a high amount of calcium to keep your cat’s bones and joints healthy and has fewer calories than regular cat food.
2) Know How To Read Product Labels
You must learn how to read food labels. This trick will tell you the exact ingredients and nutritional benefits of the cat food that you are buying.
Here is how you can know the amount of meat content in a product:
*Meat: If a product has this label, it consists of the flesh of animals like fish, chicken, tuna, etc. It does not contain any vital organs.
*Meat byproduct: This label means that a product contains vital organs or intestines of an animal. These products usually do not have any bones.
Meal: This label signifies that a product contains finely ground animal tissue.
*Bone meal: This label signifies that a product contains finely ground bones.
Make sure that the meat products in the cat food are of the best quality. Another factor to consider is the distribution of nutrients in the cat food you are buying.
Your cat needs protein, calcium, and phosphorus to grow and remain healthy. It also needs carbohydrates and fats to produce energy. So, make sure that the food label includes these significant nutrients in sufficient amounts.
3) Know What Health Benefits The Product Offers
You should buy cat food according to the specific dietary and hydrational needs of your cat. So, before purchasing a product, ensure that you know what health benefits it provides.
For example, wet foods have a high moisture content which keeps your cat hydrated. So, if your cat does not drink a lot of water, it is a good idea to incorporate more wet foods into its diet.
Similarly, the number of carbohydrates and fats in your cat’s diet depends upon your cat’s body weight. Although these nutrients are essential, and you should not eliminate them from your cat’s diet, it is best to limit them if your cat is overweight.
However, you should provide a balanced diet to your cat. Thus, you should feed your cat both wet and dry food.
4) Consult Your Veterinarian For Advice
Finally, if you are unsure about what type of food to buy for your cat, it is best to consult your veterinarian for professional advice.
Your vet can recommend a specific diet for your cat, depending upon their body weight and hydration levels. They may recommend more wet foods in your cat’s diet if it is dehydrated. On the other hand, your cat might need low-calorie food if it is overweight.
Moreover, your veterinarian may also conduct tests for any health problems that your cat may have. If this is the case, then they might recommend special formula cat food.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, as we reach the end of this article, you now know what to look for the next time you buy cat food. Keep in mind that the best choice of cat food should cater to your cat’s dietary needs, body weight, hydration levels, and age.
