Cat food: types, features, how to choose

Cat food is products that are useful for animals and convenient for owners. They are completely ready for consumption. It is enough to pour dry food into a bowl, which is especially convenient when there is no time. Let's consider the types of cat food, their features. How to choose food for a cat?

Types of food for cats

The quality of products for cats varies. Features of economy class fodder:

• It is based on cereals, there are very few meat ingredients.
• The source of protein is animal flour from processed industrial waste.
• In the composition of cheap mineral additives, dyes, flavorings, preservatives.
• Such feed is inexpensive.

On the taste of cheap food is very attractive to animals because of the flavor enhancer, but they can harm the health of the pet. Due to low-quality additives, wool can fall out, urolithiasis develops, allergies, rashes on the skin.

Features of premium cat food:

• This is a more balanced feed than the economy diet. More meat products are added to it - liver, cartilage, a little chicken.
• Of the cereals in the composition of corn and wheat.
• Vitamins, minerals are added.

Features of super-premium cat food:

• It contains processed meat and by-products.
• Of cereals, the feed contains rice and oats, vegetables.
• Quality vitamins, minerals and fatty acids are added.
• This feed rarely causes allergies in animals.
• In the composition do not use flavor enhancers and harmful preservatives.

Features of holistic cat food:

• These are the highest quality products for animals. In terms of composition, they correspond as much as possible to natural food.
• In the basis - meat protein.
• Grains are not added. Components from legume crops or potatoes, sometimes rice, lentils are used.
• Completely excluded dyes, flavorings, GMOs.

Cat foods for cats differ in formulation. Two types of products are most common. Dry food in the form of pellets is almost completely dehydrated. Wet feeds consist of 70% moisture.

Features of dry food:

• Dry food is consumed sparingly.
• If the cat does not finish the dry food, the leftovers can be poured into a container.
• Dry food can be stored for a long time.
• Dry food is conveniently dosed and poured with a measuring spoon.

If the animal eats dry food frequently, enough water is necessary. There should be constant access to fluids as the cat will be thirsty.

Benefits of wet cat food:

• Wet food is more pleasant for the animal to consume because it is soft and moist. This texture is natural to the gastrointestinal tract and does not cause irritation.
• Wet food is better digested.
• Wet food spoils quickly when the packet is opened. It needs to be stored in the refrigerator.

How to choose food for a cat

The natural food for a cat in the wild is meat. It contains everything necessary for the health and vital activity of the animal. Therefore, in the home, it is desirable that the food consists of a maximum amount of meat.

Also important is the balance between the consumption of dry and wet food. In nature, the animal does not eat pellets. Of course, it is more convenient for the owner to pour a handful of feed. However, such nutrition is not natural for the cat.

It is desirable to buy feeds not lower than the premium grade, ideally - holistic. Also, cat food is chosen according to their age and needs. There are products for weakened and pregnant animals. They have a higher nutritional value. For cats with allergies choose hypoallergenic food.