Whether you’ve had your moggy for a while or they’re a new addition to the family, making sure that they’re satisfied during mealtimes should be one of your top priorities.
Your cat’s diet is incredibly important, and the key to keeping them happy and healthy. But with so many different types of cat food to choose from, it can be difficult to know which one is best – even for the most experienced cat owners.
Not to worry, though!
In this post, we’re here to share our top tips for choosing the best cat food for your kitty, as well as some recommendations to get you started.
Before you start your search
When shopping for cat food, it’s important that you have an understanding of their dietary requirements.
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they rely on the nutrients that are found only in meat products.
They require high amounts of protein, moderate amounts of fat and a minimal amount of carbohydrates as well as lots of other vitamins, minerals, fatty and amino acids.
It’s important to remember that not all cats are the same, and whilst they all will require the above nutrients, one cat may need more of something than the next.
Check animal protein content
As previously mentioned, cats are obligate carnivores. And all cat foods will contain some source of animal protein and fat to provide all the nutrients they need to thrive.
When shopping around, make sure to look at the list of ingredients on the back, paying particular attention to the amount of protein.
Remember: The more, the better.
Consider your cat’s age
A cat’s dietary needs change as they grow bigger and older.
As a kitten, they’ll need a food that contains a single source of protein (i.e. chicken, fish, lamb or beef) and, ideally, high in fat and folic acid to support their growth.
Around the age of 12-18 months, your cat is considered an adult.
They’ll be much less active than they were as a kitten and continue to grow more docile as they age. This is when they’ll start to need less protein and fats, so you should find a food that caters to their new requirements.
When your cat reaches 7 years of age, they officially gain their senior status.
You’ll need to look for food that’s rich in vitamins and minerals, with a low protein and fat content to boost their immune systems and ensure they don’t become overweight. Senior food will also help your cat steer clear of kidney disease, which is a common issue older cats face.
When transitioning your cat to new, age-appropriate foods, make sure to do it slowly over a couple of days so that they can adjust to the change comfortably.
Wet vs dry
Wet cat food or dry cat food?
It’s a question that many people ask themselves when picking out food for their cat.
The good news is that the majority of cat foods available in stores – both wet and dry varieties – are an excellent source of nutrition for your moggy, but selecting the perfect food for them will depend on a couple of different factors, including:
- Their weight – if your cat isn’t very active and overweight, you might be better off feeding them wet food, as dry foods contain more carbohydrates.
- Their health and any pre-existing conditions they may have – dry cat food tends to contain more vitamins, minerals and probiotics, which will help your cat stay healthy and build their immune system.
- Your budget – dry food tends to be much more budget-friendly, and – considering how long it lasts – it’s cost-effective too!
Here at Pet Shop Online, we stock a selection of some of the best dry cat foo on the market. And with a range of tasty flavours available, there’s something to satisfy even the pickiest of pussycats.
Think about grains
Your cat needs lots of energy – especially if they’re out exploring all day.
This means their diet needs to be high in carbohydrates, and grains are the perfect way to incorporate this into their diet.
However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that grain-free foods are carb-free, so if your kitty has a sensitive stomach, you may be better off opting for a grain-free alternative.
Need expert advice?
Here at Pet Shop Online, we supply a huge range of the best dry cat food and wet cat food from some of the UK’s most trusted pet care brands.
With so many different options available, picking out a cat food is easy to feel like an overwhelming task.
Not to worry though, our experts at Pet Shop Online are here to help!
Give our team a call today on 0161 728 4656 or email us at shop@pet-shop-online.co.uk and we’ll be in touch with further advice and recommendations!
