Today, there are hundreds of brands of cat food products on the market, which can make providing the best nutrition for your cat a little confusing. The different types are endless, with variations in texture, nutritional value, flavor, and dietary needs. Choosing the right food for your cat depends mostly on your pet’s age, health and personal preferences.
There are three major textures in cat food; dry, moist, and canned or “wet.” Dry food, also called kibble, is hard and crunchy. It is usually the least expensive, but it is often snubbed by finicky eaters, which many cats are.
Moist food resembles the dry kibbles, but it is soft and chewy. This type is usually acceptable to most cats. Wet cat food, packaged in cans or foil packets, is available in chunks with sauce or as a ground consistency. Some cats will only eat this type of food.
Not all cat food is created equal. Cats are carnivores, which means that their natural diet consists exclusively of meat. Some types of cat food contain less meat than they should in order to make a little go a long way. A good product will list meat as the first ingredient rather than corn products. You should also look for a food that has low ash content, as this helps to prevent urinary tract infections and urinary blockages in males.
Cat food comes in a variety of different flavors. Dry, wet and moist varieties are all available in seafood, lamb, beef and poultry flavors. There are also combinations, such as chicken and lamb or lamb and beef. Some cats are really picky about the flavors of their food, so don’t be surprised if a certain flavor is snubbed.
There are many brands of cat food that cater to the special dietary needs of cats. Some is designed for different age groups, with higher caloric content for kittens and low mineral content for seniors. Kidney disease is very common for felines, and you can find food to protect urinary health and prevent kidney problems, as well as food designed for cats that already suffer from kidney failure. There are also prescription foods that cater to many specific health problems affecting cats, like heart disease, diabetes, fur balls, and immune deficiencies, among others.