All About Cat Food!

Have you ever stopped to wonder what you should be feeding your cat? Have you ever asked the opinion of your fellow owners, only to be given a different answer from each person? Food is a tricky subject and everyone has their own opinion and therefore, their own advice. Just like no two cats are the same, no two cat foods are the same. Using another owner’s opinion as a launching point is a good idea, but making an informed decision for you and your cat is the wisest thing you can do!

We’re here to help! Here we will compare cat food products, show you how to pick the right brand, teach you how to safely make homemade cat food, discuss organic versus non-organic and review every brand of cat food on the market. Grab a cup of tea, sit down, relax and read through the information. Once you have armed yourself with knowledge, you can be comforted by the fact that you have the ability to make the best possible food choice for the well-being of your cat.

Here are some of the things we will be talking about:

Wet versus dry

There are varying opinions on which type of food your cat should eat. Wet food is thought to be most similar to a wild diet because a cat, in the wild, eats preys’ intestines which are 90% water. Dry food, on the other hand, may be more convenient for the owner. But is it better? Does it really keep teeth clean? Nutritionally, which is more sound?

Organic versus non-organic

There is a growing trend these days to ‘go green’ and it’s effecting the way we feed ourselves and our pets. Trying to get healthy is never a bad thing and it’s not a bad thing for our companion animals either…but! Are you getting what you think you’re getting? What are the current restrictions on the ability to label a pet food ‘natural’ or ‘organic’…or are there any? Is organic worth the extra money? Like with most things green, organic pet food is more expensive than ‘regular’ pet food. We’ll try to help you understand why you’re forking over that extra cash and if you should be.

Homemade cat food

Food recalls scare everyone and maybe none so much as people who’s children or pets may be effected! With the pet food recalls of the past few years, many owners have decided to take matters into their own hands and try a little bit of home cooking.

Home cooked meals can definitely be a safer alternative but are they a nutritional alternative? Is it simply a matter of baking some chicken or fish and putting in on a plate or is it more involved? Home cooking can be time consuming but with practice and knowledge, it does become less so. Some owners even choose to create a week’s worth of meals on one day and then refrigerate or freeze them. We’ll share some of our favorite recipes and point you in the right direction so that you can ensure your cat’s nutritional requirements are being met.

Food brands and packaging

Many owners new to the world of cats simply pick out a bag of food because they like the way it looks. Or because it has a catchy name. Or because they saw a dancing cat on a television commercial. Do you know how many companies actually make cat food? Is every brand made by its own company or is one company making several brands? Your cat doesn’t care if the container has a pretty picture or the food comes in lovely colors and shapes. But you know who does? You do! Don’t be lulled into buying a food by marketing gimmicks. Which brands are high-quality?

Which brands just know how to advertise well? We’re going to help you navigate the mine field of colorful bags and pretty cans and get down to the nitty-gritty of who and what is behind the brand name.

How to read a label

Guaranteed analysis, ingredients lists and AAFCO standards. Sometimes it feels like you need a science degree just to make it through a food label! We’ll break it down for you, show you what to look for and explain what it all means!

Food reviews

Let’s get past the marketing hype! Just like packaging doesn’t make the brand, packaging doesn’t make the food. What do cats really need? Well, let’s take a look:

• Cats are obligate carnivores meaning their bodies are designed to eat and process meat and protein
• Food should contain more meat (turkey, chicken or fish) and less grain (corn, wheat and soy)
• Try to stay away from dyes and preservatives if you can
• Try to avoid animal by-products

Once you pick a food, become familiar with the label and check it occasionally. Recipes and formulas can change from time to time, and if your cat is particularly sensitive to one ingredient or another, you’ll want to make sure it hasn’t been added or moved higher up on the ingredient list. And check the Food and Drug Administration’s website from time to time. They’ll announce any pet food recalls as they are issued.

Keeping these things in mind, we rate the cat foods available to consumers. Both grocery brand and premium foods will be looked at. Not everyone can afford high-end, premium foods but armed with a bit of knowledge, you can buy the best that you can afford!

Supplements

Pet foods (cat and dog) are scientifically formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of the animal. Since that’s the case, why do we see supplements lining the pet store shelves? Are they necessary? And if so, when? From vitacaps to omega-3, from Missing Link to multi-vitamins, there is a wide array of supplementation available. Is this another marketing gimmick geared towards the human owner or are there some worth while supplements out there?

Treats and catnip

So many treats, so little time! Do cats need treats? About as much as children need candy! But it makes us feel good to give them little tidbits, doesn’t it? And treats are also a great way to hide pills should your cat require medication. Remember, though, treats add calories and the number of treats given per day should be taken into consideration when deciding how much food your cat gets at meal time! Healthy treats are always preferable and we have our favorites.

Does it all seem a bit overwhelming? Not to worry…it all just takes a little bit of reading and a little bit of time. Once you know what to look for (if you feed ready made food) or the recipes to use (if home-cooking) it all becomes very simple. And remember, we’re here if you need us! If, after browsing the site and reading the information, you still have questions (or develop new questions) feel free to contact us! We’ll do our best to help!