Cat food: what should be in the composition?

Ensuring your cat is well-nourished is essential to their excellent health and quality of life. The best way to keep your pet healthy is to study the ingredients in his food that are perfect for him and that benefit him.

The label on a cat food package lists the ingredients in the tin or pouch, but doesn’t tell you why or how the ingredients are good for your cat, so it’s a good idea to arm yourself with some knowledge before heading to the store. Each cat food manufacturer has their own vision of what your cat should consume, and they don’t always come to a consensus. Hill’s nutritional philosophy is based on the following principles: high-quality ingredients, research and innovation that “provide the right ratio of essential nutrients that are the key to pet health.” Every Hill’s formula is based on scientific research. The study of the biological characteristics of cats allows you to understand the importance of each ingredient in the body of an animal in order to provide him with an optimal diet. What’s more, high-quality ingredients not only meet the nutritional needs of animals, but also taste good.

Reading the label

Pet food labels must comply with the requirements of the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), an association that defines and controls the ingredients of any pet food. for animals on the market. The FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, AAFCO, and FEDIAF’s requirements are very detailed, right down to how and how each ingredient is labeled. Ingredients must be listed in descending order by weight. 

For example, a common misconception is that dog and cat food contains poor quality animal by-products. AAFCO defines the term “meat” in pet food, right down to the part of the animal that may or may not be used, and explains how it is prepared. The association requires companies to list the ingredients (such as ascorbic acid or vitamin C) that are present as supplements to provide a balanced pet diet.

The composition of cat food and the benefits of ingredients

According to the Cornell Center for Cat Health, a division of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University, the most important nutritional ingredients to look for when choosing a cat food are proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Cat food must meet the requirements for these nutrients. As an absolute predator (cats biologically require meat to survive), your kitten needs these ingredients to maintain excellent health. However, the definition of “unconditional predator” does not mean that a cat cannot get nutrients from vegetables, fruits and grains in addition to meat. The type of meat your cat enjoys eating is also not as important as the protein it contains. Healthy proteins can also be obtained from other sources, such as eggs and peas.

VetInfo reports that certain vitamins and minerals, namely calcium, vitamin A, iron, magnesium, and sodium, are essential for your pet’s health and well-being. Formulated specifically for kittens, this cat food formula includes docosahexaenoic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid essential for brain and eye development), taurine (an amino acid essential for cats of all ages) and folic acid (for cell growth), which are essential for your kitten during development and growth.

In the wild, cats get all the nutrients they need from prey – bones and other parts of the body. And the necessary nutrients for domestic cats must be provided by the food that the owner buys.

Wanted and unwanted ingredients

When choosing the best formulated food for your pet, look for a food that provides all the nutrients without any additives.

Ingredients such as meats, vegetables and grains have a lot of nutritional value for your cat, but before you cook her a homemade meal, remember the recommendations of the Cornell Center and buy food rather than cook it yourself. Coming up with a recipe that provides the right ratio of nutrients is extremely difficult. Instead, you and your veterinarian can jointly decide what food can meet your pet’s needs and taste. That’s why Hills employs over 220 veterinarians and pet nutritionists to provide the right balance of nutrients for every stage and lifestyle of a cat.

According to AAFCO regulations, “natural” ingredients are “ingredients that have not been chemically synthesized or have not been chemically synthesized and do not contain any chemically synthesized additives or excipients, except in amounts that may be present. in good manufacturing practice.” When choosing the best formulated cat food, consider Hill’s, which contains essential chicken proteins, vegetables and grains as a source of vitamins and minerals. So, choose a food with the right balance of nutrients for your cat’s health, not just natural ingredients.

According to AAFCO, certain ingredients, including spices and extracts such as ginger, chamomile, rosemary, and fennel, are used to enhance flavor rather than as a source of nutrition. Thus, these ingredients are not added in accordance with the mandatory requirements for a balanced cat diet. The Food and Drug Administration regularly monitors which ingredients are harmful to cats, such as propylene glycol, a synthetic additive that was banned from use in cat food in 2017.

Other supplements are sources of amino acids: L-lysine, L-threonine, DL-tryptophan and many others. According to AAFCO, these ingredients must be listed in the composition of cat food (there are also rules for specifying their allowable volume).

Wet and dry food

Another question to ask yourself when choosing the best cat food formula is whether to choose wet food, dry food, or both. Both types of feed are nutritionally complete, so they equally satisfy the nutritional needs of the animals. Both dry and wet food have their pros and cons.

Canned food is suitable for portion control and contains more water to ensure adequate water intake, especially in sick cats. However, this type of food is more expensive than dry food and is more inconvenient to use, because after opening the package, leftover food must be stored in the refrigerator, and your cat may refuse to eat cold food. (You can reheat leftovers in the microwave and cool hot food to the desired temperature.)

Dry food is a great option as it can be stored in a sealed bag and can save you money if you buy in bulk. However, keep in mind that even dry food has an expiration date, so make sure you give your pet fresh food.

As you know, cats are quite picky eaters, so you need to choose what they like. Try feeding her both dry and wet food. You can add some water to the dry food to make it easier for the animal to chew, but milk should not be added.

Studying the composition of cat food

When you study the composition of cat food, you definitely want to provide your cat with the best possible care. An experienced host is the best host. As you study the composition and ingredients, most likely you will come across different nutritional philosophies (as if you were choosing food for yourself), as well as a lot of unconfirmed information based on someone’s personal opinion. It’s important not to fall prey to this opinion because you could put your cat’s health at risk if you try to follow advice on the internet. You can trust the recommendations of close friends or family members who no doubt give them with the best of intentions. Each cat is unique, so it is worth treating it properly. Talk to your veterinarian about your doubts about what is in a particular food to see if the information you have is reliable. Doctors are the most reliable and qualified source of information when it comes to choosing the best cat food.

If you want to completely change the food, contact your veterinarian first. Making your own choices based on ingredient information alone can be problematic, especially if you want to remove a particular ingredient from your pet’s diet. 

Consult your veterinarian to select the ideal cat food formula so you can determine the most balanced diet for your furry friend.