what ingredients to look for in cat food

Avoid Artificial Ingredients 11. Yay, we finally have a singular, specific meat, folks! Ideally, you would feed a product that fits under this rule and only names meat-based ingredients. Cat food ingredients you'll find in kitten-specific formulas include DHA (a fatty acid that aids brain and eye development), taurine (an amino acid that cats need at all life stages), and folic acid (for cell growth), all of which are necessary for your kitty as she grows up. Artificial preservatives and additives aren't just bad for people, they're bad for your cat, too. Foods With Meat As The First Source Of Protein 2. Prepared with controlled levels of magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus, the food is pretty good in keeping the urinary crystals at bay. Specific fat source. Health problems can occur if the ratio is out. Certain food dyes, such as Blue 2, Red 40, and Yellow 5 and 6, have been proven to cause allergic-type reactions and behavior problems. Tuna, whitefish, salmon are great in cat foods. The great thing about this particular food is that it's a wet dish, so you can also help things move smoothly in your cat's stomach with the extra moisture. Orijen Regional Red: This dry food is made with 90% protein-rich animal sources and 10% fruits and vegetables. Rachel Ray Nutrish Super Premium food for cats is our pick for the best value. This ratio is 5 to 1 for Omega-6 to -3. If you see chicken as the number one ingredient, look at the next ingredient. The main downside of this product is the price and mixed taste reviews. Cat food made with high-quality meat will name the source of the protein; for example, you may see "turkey", "lamb", or "chicken" on the label. Magnesium, which your cat needs to stay healthy, does not react to acidic urine in the same way. They are organic components that play a vital role in cell formation and metabolism. Cats need protein from an animal source, preferably chicken or fish or lean beef. Instead, look for sources like chicken, salmon, beef, and turkey. Beef tallow, as the name suggests, is fat made from beef. Avoid Cat Food Fillers Here are some things to look for and avoid when picking out cat food: Contents [ hide] 1. Some carbohydrates like barley, oats, rice, wheat, corn, and potatoes show up in cat foods that help give your kitty the energy she needs to stay playful. They need to be present in the correct ratio/balance in cat food. High-quality extra ingredients in the best dry cat food include: Omega fatty acid rich foods that promote a healthy skin and coat. These include taurine, omegas, minerals, vitamins, cranberries, kelp, and pumpkin. You may have heard about caramel color, which contains 4-methylimidazole (4-MIE), an animal carcinogen. Taurine Taurine is a type of amino acid that is found in a variety of sources, such as meat, fish, and poultry. Determine the total dry matter by subtracting the percentage moisture from 100 (100% - 12% moisture = 88% dry matter). Fats - Fats absorb vitamins and contribute to shiny coats. Orijen Tundra: Formulated with 85% protein, 15% fruits, and vegetables, this grain-free food is easy to digest. Divide the percentage of the nutrient by the percentage of dry matter then multiply by 100 (26% / 88% x 100 = 29%). Fish is a great source of protein, but low in fat. There's Omega 3, and vitamin E included for a healthier coat, and you get tons of high-quality protein to support your cat in maintaining their strength. Carbohydrates 4. Some pet owners will use onions or garlic when preparing a raw food meal for their cat, which can have serious adverse health reactions. Furthermore, the food contains high moisture content that helps to keep the cat hydrated, dissolving excess minerals, and flushing them out before they can form urinary crystals. Supporting skin and heart health, the food is a good choice for adult and senior cats. Cats are obligate carnivores unlike dogs or us. Cats need taurine because their bodies cannot naturally produce it. The rule of thumb for buying cat food says that you should pay attention not only to the ingredients but the order of the ingredients as well. The next time you are at the grocery store or looking online for cat food ingredients, keep an eye out for the following: High-quality protein source - Most cats will need 35-45% protein. Whole Ingredients Instead, focus on foods that contain whole meat sources, like wild caught fish, poultry and other sources of whole proteins such as: Chicken . The fat content of this product is around the 'sweet spot' for best taste results (22% on a dry matter basis). They are all quite effective, but there are concerns about how these ingredients might affect a dog's health. Phosphate: Recommended Level- Less than 100mg/100kcal While protein is good for your cat's health, excess of the same can cause urinary issues in the long run. Give your cat a fresh meal with every peel of Nutro Perfect Portions Adult Cat Food Trays. Avoid any cat food that contains too many additives or chemical ingredients. Fat: Cats need fat in their diet for energy and maintaining a healthy coat. Before purchasing a cat food with limited ingredients, research it thoroughly. Avoid Meat by-products 9. Pea Protein Conclusion. Look for food that has a meat content of at least 24%. Sometimes it may even be names of the specific organs, like chicken liver and heart. It's absolutely worth the time and effort it takes to find a dog food that's full of healthy vegetables. Meat Not Included Among the First Ingredients Get $5 off use code VETS5 Ingredients like chicken and beef are seen mostly in wet dog food, like the Purina Pro Plan Dog Food , containing as much as 60% water, while chicken meal or chicken byproducts have little to no water. Real Meat These types of pet foods contain ingredients that are easier for the body to digest and assimilate. STEP #1. Dogs require essential amino acids that cant all be found in the right balance in single plant-protein sources thats why animal-protein sources are an important part of doggie diets. Find the percentage of the nutrient (like protein) for Cat Food A (ex: 28%). Guaranteed analysis: States the. Linoleic acid is an essential fatty acid for cats. A high-quality dry cat food will ensure complete and balanced nutrition for your cat, with additional supplements and superfoods that will help your cat look and feel their best, inside and out. Each twin pack contains two individual meals made with high-quality protein as the foundation of the recipe.Ingredients are carefully sourced from a trusted network of farmers and suppliers, and have no corn, wheat, or soy protein, no chicken by-product meal, and no artificial preservatives, flavors, or . Our ingredients are USDA-certified, humanely-harvested, and sustainably-sourcedno BPAs, preservatives, fillers, or mystery-ingredients, ever.Smalls Freeze-Dried Raw retains the nutritional benefits of a raw, high-protein diet. Calories: 386 kcal/cup. Key Ingredients A cat absolutely needs several ingredients for their basic health. Propylene glycol has a different molecular structure . BHT, BHA, and Ethoxyquin Chemical preservatives like butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) are very effective at preserving dry cat food but are suspected to be potentially cancer-causing agents. Reply Joan on September 18, 2017 at 10:31 pm Funny because my cat culls the insides. This is followed by healthy whole foods, like kale and coconut, and the food is packed with essential omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, which are essential for healthy skin and coat. -Omega 6 Commonly found in chicken fat. Whether you're looking for a low-carbohydrate cat food in particular or just a balanced and complete meal, counting carbs counts for cats! These cheap fillers can: Include deadly mold Encourage diabetes Avoid Cow Milk Taurine. Quality is an important factor when it comes to any type of product. Seniors: Senior cats can vary in range depending on if they have any medical problems. Featuring farm-raised chicken as the first ingredient on the list means this food is high in protein, making it healthy for your kitty. Smalls fresh cat food is made with 100% human-grade ingredients and produced in small batches to preserve nutrition and maximize flavor. Common dog food protein sources include meat, poultry, fish and some plant ingredients like corn gluten and soybean meal. For the healthiest cat food, look for these ingredients: Specific meat source. Unless strongly suggested by the veterinarian, a low magnesium diet should be avoided. While the main ingredient in this food is still protein, you also get extra value through things like beet pulp for wholesome fiber and prebiotics. Adult cats tend to not be active and do not need as much protein as kittens. IDENTIFY TYPES OF PET FOOD INGREDIENTS. High-quality added ingredients include: Omega fatty acid rich foods like salmon oil and flaxseed. Allergic reactions are triggered by proteins, so this makes sense. Crude fat: 14%. 1. Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids play a vital role in healing inflammation. First and foremost, you should know what quality means. Choose the best cat food with limited ingredients by considering these factors: Quality. Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and butylated hydroxy anisole (BHA) are widely used to preserve dry cat foods but they are the major reason for cancer in pet animals. Focusing on magnesium rather than grain is the . The recipe is free of grains, wheat, corn but contains superfoods that promote your kitten's overall health. Example: "Paw Lickin' Chicken Cat Food Dinner" = between 25-94.9% chicken. It's a popular ingredient in a vegan diet, because you can use it to make a high-protein, meat-like food called seitan. The first 3 ingredients (preferably the first 5) must be named meat or meat organ like chicken, chicken liver, chicken heart, etc. This dry cat food benefits picky eaters due to the use of 90% animal-based ingredients and freeze-dried meat coating to boost flavor. A canned cat food should also have taurine, an essential amino acid. Fiber 5. Animal Digest 24. Adults: Adult cats can stay a little on the lower end of the range at 35% to 40% protein. It's rich in iron, zinc, and a variety of B vitamins. Cats require particular types of fats, including linoleic acid, arachidonic acid, and DHA. If your cat is suffering from food allergies and you're looking for the best way to manage them, hypoallergenic cat food . Sodium Acid Pyrophosphates (SAPP) - This food additive is used to make pet food taste better - it's a flavor enhancer. Top 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Liver, Green Beans, Peas, Water. 2. It's a great source of energy for the cat, and it works great as an anti-aging supplement. However Ethoxyquin is not strictly banned. These are more concentrated sources of protein. It is also important for you to check the quality of the protein going into your cat's food, and you should stay away form anything vague or nondescript. It's illegal to include Ethoxyquin in the cat's food. 3. They must also get a sufficient amount of various minerals and vitamins. . So ingredients that are moisture-heavy, such as chicken or lamb, are listed higher on the ingredient list than the same ingredient that is added in a dry form. Avoid pet foods that simply list the protein as meat or meat derivatives, or meat byproducts. (May be followed by named organs, e.g. These chemicals are often added to oils and fats. It doesn't include anything indigestible, like hooves or horns, teeth, hair, or feathers. that you have: If your post already includes this information please disregard this message. Eggs can be a good choice in case your cat is not allergic to eggs. You can find iron, zinc, selenium, riboflavin, niacin, vitamins B6 and B12, potassium, pantothenate, magnesium, and phosphorus in this type of meat. You need to make sure the meat is identified, not just labeled as "meat.". The other ingredients on the list should be fats, fiber and moisture. If there are other ingredients on your cat food's label that you don't fully . Fatty acids contain anti-inflammatory properties and are essential nutrients for skin and coat health.

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