What do I want to look for in cat food ingredients when picking a food?

Mar 1, 2018

Hi there,

Thanks for your question. There are literally whole textbooks dedicated to answering this question. Nutrition for humans and for our pets is a subject that is vast and complicated. I’ll give you a reasonable and realistic plan for achieving some success with this issue.

A cat has fundamental requirements in their diet. Specific examples are a sufficient level of Taurine, appropriate protein to supply essential amino acids, an optimal balance of omega fatty acids, antioxidants, elemental minerals and vitamins. These attributes will be taken care of in a diet from a reputable pet food company. By reputable, I mean a company that has performed trials on their diet with a sufficient number of animals before bringing it to market. This is easily confirmed by contacting a pet food company before trying their product. I’m always amazed at how few clients actually do this. This is a fundamental place to start.

Next, it’s important to realize that cat food ingredients for one feline, may not work for another. If I told you that chicken is the best protein source, but your cat has a sensitivity to it, the diet will create havoc for you and your cat. For this reason, any diet you offer to your cat will always be a trial for her. I always tell clients that a good diet is one that you’re cat enjoys eating, helps maintain a healthy weight, creates a beautiful hair coat, and doesn’t cause vomiting, soft stools, or any other illness. Monitoring your cat’s response to the diet is an important feature of evaluating the diet you select.

Beyond these strategies, select a diet that addresses an existing or future health issue with your pet. Cats invariably develop health concerns. If her stool is typically large and hard, pick a diet with appropriate fibre balance to prevent constipation. If she is overweight, use a low-calorie option. With a healthy cat like yours, go with a diet that will prevent a condition that most cats develop such as a food designed to reduce tartar accumulation and future dental disease. Your veterinarian will be able to point you in the right direction.