How Do I Choose The Right Food For My Cat

Providing a well-balanced and high-quality diet is crucial for maintaining your pet's physical and mental well-being. As far as cats are concerned, they are considered more like a family member than just a pet.  So, cat parents always make sure to provide them with the best food available to ensure that your kitty enjoys good health.

However, with so many cat food brands in the market (each claiming to be the best), many cat parents feel overwhelmed while choosing the food for their fluffy friends. If you also wonder “How do I choose the right food for my cat?” or “What does my cat need?" keep reading till the end. In this guide, we have comprehensively answered all the questions related to cats' diets and how to choose the best food for your cat.

Dietary Requirements Of Cats / What A Cat Needs

Unlike dogs or humans (which are omnivores and can digest both plant and meat-based diets), cats are obligate carnivores. Which means a major portion of their diet should be meat-based. To maintain optimal health, a cat needs nutrients like arachidonic acid, taurine (an essential amino acid for cats), and certain vitamins that are only present in animal-based foods. So the first thing to memorize is that cat food must have 70-80% animal-based protein to meet the basic dietary requirements of a cat.

Factors To Consider While Choosing Cat Food

Apart from the carnivore nature of cats, there are some other factors that should be taken into consideration when selecting food for them. 

Age And Activity Level

Compared to adults, young kittens need more protein, fat, minerals, and vitamins to support their rapid growth. Since adult cats are no longer growing, their protein (and other nutrients) requirements are less than kittens. As a thumb rule, kitten and adult foods must have at least 30% and 26% protein respectively.  Furthermore, the activity level of your cat also matters. If your cat is highly active and loves to play games and go for outdoor walks, it requires more calories, and vice versa.  

As far as senior cats are concerned, they need a diet with fewer calories, more fiber, and ingredients that support joint health.

Health Status

If your cat is suffering from a medical condition, he may need a diet with a specific or adjusted formulation.  For example, 

• Cats with kidney issues need a diet low in protein and phosphorus to minimize stress on the kidneys. 

• Cats with urinary tract problems need a diet with ingredients that prevent crystal formation. 
• Cats with sensitive stomachs or food allergies need a diet without ingredients that disturb their digestive tract or cause allergies.  
• A lower-calorie diet should be offered to obese or overweight cats.

Types Of Cat Foods Available

Understanding the different types of cat food is also essential to selecting the best option when it comes to choosing the right food for your cat. Generally, the following four types of cat foods are available in the market. Let’s briefly discuss their pros and cons. 

Dry Food Or Kibbles

It is the most widely accepted form of food among pet parents. As the name indicates, this food comes in dry form, so it's more convenient to handle and store and has a longer shelf life. In addition, dry food is generally economical as compared to other types of foods. However, some brands may have higher concentrations of carbohydrates, which is not recommended in the case of cats. 

Wet Or Canned Food

Wet food help keep your cat hydrated due to their high moisture level. Most pet owners may not prefer this type of food because wet foods are generally expensive, need to be refrigerated once opened, and have a shorter shelf life. However, many cats may prefer wet food over dry food, due to their better taste and palatability. Furthermore, the carbohydrate contents of most wet foods are within the recommended range.  

Semi-Moist Cat Food

This food comes in pouches with a medium level of moisture. However, experts don't recommend semi-moist food for cats because such foods are more likely to contain artificial flavors and preservatives.  

Freeze Dried And Raw Diets 

This type of diet has gained popularity in recent years because it contains high-quality, raw ingredients and is not too processed. However, they are not ready for use and may need little preparation. They are expensive and the possibility of bacterial infection is there. 

Important Points (How To Choose The Right Food For My Cat?)

Now you know everything about the dietary requirements of a cat, factors to consider while choosing their food, and the different types of foods available in the market. So next time you go to the pet store to buy cat food, consider the following points to choose the right food for your cat. 

• Get advice from your vet about what type of food is best, specifically for the type of cat you have (depending on its age, activity level, breed, and health status). 

• Read the label carefully. Prefer foods with chicken, fish, turkey, etc. (as protein sources) and avoid foods with corn, wheat, soya, etc.

• AAFCO (Association Of American Feed Control Officials) provides reference values for pet foods. So opt for pet foods with an AAFCO stamp stating "complete and balanced" as per AAFCO standards. 

Where To Find The Best Cat Food In Dubai

If you are in Dubai, Pet Lounge is an ideal place where you can find the best diet for your cat. Here you can discuss your cat’s status with a team of pet experts and choose the best food for your cat.