Cat food premium: components, brands, choice

When a cat appears in the house, I want to create the most favorable conditions for life, and one of the components of pet care is feeding it. The cat can be fed with natural products or ready-made feed of industrial production. Veterinarians believe that a completely healthy animal can consume only natural products, while ready-made feeds have their own distinctive properties in terms of the composition of the components and can be used for various indicators of health and age of the pet.

First faced with the question of choosing a suitable food for a cat, a person can easily become confused in the variety of cat products, their qualities and properties.

All feeds are divided into 4 categories: Holistiki - the most good and expensive food, super-premium - where price and quality are in high ranges, premium - inexpensive food of average quality and economy - the cheapest and lowest quality of all possible options.

As a rule, the buyer chooses the product that is available to him at a price. Beginner cat breeders mistakenly assume that the word "premium" requires the product to be of high quality. However, in the world of animal feed is not at all the case.

Premium cat food suggests a quality that can be called average, since such food contains food flavorings, flavor enhancers of synthetic origin, as well as preservative additives. Professional food such harmful additives do not contain, so the price they have higher, but the quality is better.

Fodder, which belong to the premium class, manufacturers make from products with low cost, most often it is meat by-products and vegetable cereals. Under offal can be understood not only liver or chicken offal, it can be skin, beaks, tails, chicken legs and so on. However, along with bone meal or fish meal, such products are a valuable source of protein, and they are simply necessary for a cat for a healthy lifestyle, regardless of the source of their production.

Gluten is used as an inexpensive filler in the manufacture of inexpensive feed. Under the gluten should be understood mixture, which consists of molasses and cornstarch.

If you compare quality holistic feed and budget premium feed, you will notice that professional products with high quality have a uniform brownish color. It is possible that it does not look very attractive, but there are no dyes in it. Granular food of the budget segment will always have a color of bright colors - this is how artificial dyes appear.

When feeding a cat it is very important that the food it receives is absorbed by the cat's body to the maximum. Granular products of various categories are absorbed by animals in different ways, and this process directly depends on the composition of the feed and its quality. More clearly the difference between the dry feed of industrial production will show us a comparative table:

Analyzing the data in the table, it can be concluded that the premium segment feeds have some positive qualities. With a low price of the product and its absolute availability, you can purchase cat food that will be well digested and does not contain components harmful to health. In the segment of premium feed, you can pick up food for cats of any age and health.

Another type of food for cats are canned food. At cost, canned goods are more expensive for a buyer than dry granules, therefore they are used as an infrequent delicacy for a fluffy pet or as an integral part of a mixed diet, when dry and wet formulas are used for feeding.

Canned food for cats can be various forms of preparation and packaging.

• Mousse - is a product of soft consistency, where all components are very crushed to a homogeneous mass. It is used mainly for the introduction of the first complementary foods to little kittens.

• Pate - is a homogeneous crushed mass of a much denser consistency than mousse.

• Chopped meat or fish - all ingredients, including meat or fish, have a finely chopped fraction and are mixed with jelly, sauce or broth.

• Pieces - Meat, fish and other ingredients have a large minced fraction of the pieces and are mixed with jelly, sauce or broth.

Cat food in the form of canned food, like dry food, is subdivided into the same quality classes, they are even produced by manufacturers under similar brands and often constitute a common product line.

Premium canned food can contain the following ingredients:

• meat - muscle, connective and cartilage tissue, fat, heart and tongue;
• meat offal - any internal organs, bones, stomach, intestines, lung, liver, kidneys, intestines;
• bird - muscle tissue, bones, skin;
• bird offal - any internal organs, bones, neck, head;
• flour from meat or poultry - dried and crushed muscle, connective and cartilage tissue and offal;
• meat and bone meal - dried and crushed muscle, connective and cartilage tissue, offal and bones;
• hydrolyzed protein - protein component, divided into individual amino acids;
• broth - a decoction obtained from meat and bones, sometimes contains a flavor enhancer;
• chicken oil - melted from the internal fat of chickens;
• skimmed milk - a natural product, consists of lactose and protein;
• porcine plasma - pork blood as a source of protein;
• egg powder - crushed eggs that have passed culling;
• bean flour - a natural component of low-quality vegetable protein;
• gluten is a mixture of molasses and cornstarch;
• starch or flour from corn, wheat, oats, beer rice, tapioca, potatoes - a natural auxiliary component;
• unpolished rice is a natural ingredient;
• barley sprouts, sweet potatoes, cranberries, blackberries, alfalfa, zucchini zucchini, carrots, parsley, plantain, pumpkin, blueberries - natural sources of plant fibers;
• molasses is a natural component of sugarcane;
• rosemary, blueberry extract - preservatives of natural origin;
• thyme, garlic - natural products used against worms;
• lactobacilli and prebiotics;
• bran oat, rice;
• oat, pea fibers;
• Brewer's yeast;
• beet pulp, tomato;
• chicory root;
• flax seeds;
• tomato paste;
• cellulose;
• gelatin, carrageenan and guar gum, cassia carob;
• vitamins and minerals;
• flavors and flavor enhancers - synthetic and natural;
• synthetic and natural preservatives;
• natural and synthetic dyes;
• sodium nitrite - preserves the color of meat products;
• salt.

Premium class feeds are in the middle price category., they are much inferior to the formulas of super premium and holistics, but they can still be considered a complete cat food. In addition to the above ingredients, moisture in canned food can contain up to 80%, whereas in dry granules this figure is 6%. Feed moisture is always indicated by the manufacturer on the label.

Sometimes the manufacturer writes the phrase “with taste” on the packaging, but this does not mean at all that there, in general, there is a declared component, since this taste does not come from the product, but from the flavor.

In Russia, food for cats and dogs began to be produced on an industrial scale quite recently. The list of domestic manufacturers is increasing every year. Many technologies of production processes were borrowed from Western countries, where such products have been produced for many decades. Today, Russian food is not inferior in quality to their foreign counterparts.

The ranking of the best cat food manufacturers in Russia is as follows.

In 2000, Alpintech started operating under this brand. For two decades, the company has become popular not only in Russia, but also abroad. Cat food is prepared here using a special technology that preserves valuable nutrients and vitamins. This product always contains a reduced amount of fat.

As a result of cooking, all components have a natural taste and smell - it is for this that cats love them. Nutrition for cats of this brand is often recommended by veterinarians to prevent diseases of the stomach and intestines, as well as to restore the body after a long and serious illness.

The owner of this brand is Valta Pet Products JSC. The company produces its feed in Europe, as evidenced by certificates for products issued in Austria, the Netherlands and Germany. The quality of the product of this brand is high and meets modern international standards. The basis of all formulas is increased content of animal proteins, its amount is declared by manufacturers to 93% of the total volume of ingredients, which refers to the feed of the holistic class.

For the preparation of food used natural ingredients, processed by a special gentle method, so the nutritional value and digestibility of these compounds is very high and does not require the introduction of additional additives and vitamins into the diet. The company produces not only dry food for cats, but also canned food.

The product under this brand is manufactured by ZooGurman LLC, which entered the animal feed market more than 10 years ago and, thanks to the excellent quality of its products, gained high popularity. Feed of this brand does not contain in its composition genetically modified products, dyes, flavors and preservatives. The basis of the formulas are only natural ingredients - meat, poultry, fish, offal, vegetables and cereals. The company offers a wide range of nutritious foods for cats - dry food, canned food, pies, sausages, stews, mousses and even instant cereals.

Another trademark owned by Valta Pet Products. Under this brand canned food and dry granules from natural raw materials are produced. In the formulas there are no GMOs, soy and flavors. All raw materials are evaluated by the Human Grade quality standard. The meat content in the feed stated by the manufacturer to 97%, in addition, the products have a gelling additive and sea salt.

According to reviews of cat breeders, these canned foods are fat, but they contain 100% meat. Open canned foods are stored fresh for no more than two days. In addition, they add beef scar, which enriches the intestinal microflora of the cat.

The feed of this brand is produced by Pet-Product LLC from St. Petersburg. The company carries out all production processes for the production of dry granules in the Netherlands, and canned food in the Moscow region in the territory of the Naro-Fominsk canning factory. As part of the feed manufacturer claims 100% natural ingredients without the presence of GMOs, soy and flavorings.

Feed of this brand is produced in the territory of a large agricultural holding JSC “Gatchina Feed Mill”, where other feed is also produced under other brands. The production of dog and cat feeds in the holding started in 2006. Cat food produced in the form of dry granules and canned food. Granulated dry foods are made with tastes of quail, Norwegian salmon, chicken and beef. Canned goods are packaged in pauchi and have tastes of salmon, quails, and also mutton, rabbit and turkey liver.

According to cat owners, in dry food there are no flavors and dyes, the granules are not colored, they almost do not smell and do not attract a cat. However, getting used to these feeds, the animals feel good, they are full of energy, while drinking water in moderation.

You can buy food for Russian-made cats not only in specialized stores and on Internet sites. Today, the range of these products occupies large spaces, even in ordinary supermarkets. The choice of food for pets is large and you can always find food that matches the age, state of health and activity of the pet.

Foreign feed produced for feeding cats, are widely distributed in Russia and compete with products of domestic producers. Cat breeders in the post-Soviet space learned about the existence of ready-made feeds from European manufacturers.

Let's look at the most well-known foreign brands of feed, included in the top 10 best foreign manufacturers.

• Orijen - released by the Canadian manufacturer Champion Petfoods. These feeds are holistic, since the share of natural raw materials of animal origin in them is 85-95%. All natural products are selected based on their low hypoglycemic index. Food is quite expensive, it can not always be found in the public domain.

• Acana - Another type of cat food, produced by Canadian manufacturer Champion Petfoods. This is a holistic, not containing in its composition of cereals. This food is considered complete, it is suitable for daily feeding and contains up to 75% of meat or fish natural ingredients. In this line there is no specialized and medicinal feed.

• AATU - the food is made in the UK and belongs to the class of holistic. The main ingredients used are poultry meat and fish, which make up 80-85% of the finished product. The rest of this volume consists of fruits, vegetables, berries, legumes, herbs. Salmon fish oil is used as a source of fatty acids. The product is great for pets with allergies.

• Wildcat - German holistic feed class. The main component of the product are meat ingredients in the amount of 75-80% of the total. Carbohydrates in these feeds represent the Jerusalem artichoke vegetable. The food is enriched with spicy herbs, berries, probiotics. This line does not contain medical and specialized feeds.

• Go natural holistic - Canadian product from the company Petcurean. The advantage of this brand is the absence or insignificantly small percentage of cereals in the form of rice or legumes, which are part of the feed. It is a balanced product that is suitable for daily consumption and is identical to the food that a cat could eat in the wild.

• Applaws - A hypoallergenic English-made product is a cat food that does not contain cereals. The food is enriched with proteins of animal origin, and 80% of its composition consists of natural meat components. The line is represented by dry granules and canned food, designed for all ages of cats. The product contains prebiotics, minerals and vitamins.

• Grandorf - Italian and Belgian manufacturers produce these hypoallergenic holistic feeds for Russian customers. The product has a certified European quality, in its composition dietary varieties of meat and fish occupy 70-75% of the formula. It is produced in the form of dry granules and canned food. Maintains a normal level of acidity of urine, does not contain preservatives and dyes.

• Carnilove - The Czech manufacturer presents a line of specialized cat food of all ages, sterilized and neutered animals, as well as for representatives of very large breeds. As a protein component, natural types of meat, poultry and fish act - their content is claimed to be at least 60% of the total formula.

• Baskerville - A German-made full-featured product that belongs to the super premium class. To prepare canned food, up to 70% of meat, fish, poultry and their by-products are used; in dry feed of these components, up to 35-36% is contained. As carbohydrates used sweet potatoes. Distributed goods mainly through online shopping.

• Nutram Total Grain Free - Canadian grainless product that has two kinds of tastes - chicken and fish. Suitable for cats of different breeds of any age. Animal protein in the formula contains up to 35-36%, and legumes are a source of carbohydrates. For the production of the product only fresh meat is used, this formula is rich in vitamins and minerals, does not contain GMOs and soy.

The feeds that we have reviewed have good feedback from Russian cat breeders and veterinarians. The only disadvantage of these products can be called high prices and relative inaccessibility. However, it is very advisable to buy these feeds, since they are nutritious, almost completely absorbed and economical in consumption.

In order to choose the best, most suitable food for your furry pet, first of all, you should pay attention to the manufacturer. Veterinarians and many experienced breeders believe that the highest quality products are produced abroad - in Canada, Germany, England, the United States and Denmark.

The main element in any cat food is its constituent ingredients. In good feeds of holistic and super-premium class, all components are of natural origin only, and there are no dyes, preservatives or flavors in them. The cheap price segment of feed, on the contrary, incorporates all these ingredients.

If you see sugar, molasses, cellulose, caramel, gluten or propylene glycol in the product, you should know that all these components are harmful and can cause an allergic reaction or digestive problems in the cat. Synthetic dyes and preservatives are a provoking factor for the development of oncology in your pet, and chemical antioxidants can cause convulsions, neuroses, and liver disease.

Choosing food, you need to consider the following points.

• Pet's age - There are formulas for small kittens and products for adults. In different periods of life, the diet of cats looks different and these features must be considered.
• Feed Type - some owners feed cats with dry food and add natural ingredients to the diet. There is a food scheme that combines dry and wet feeding options. Choosing the right diet is best, after consulting with a veterinarian, after an assessment of the health status of your furry friend.
• Pet breed - feed may differ in composition for short-haired cats and for long-haired breeds. Any cat by virtue of its natural instincts licks wool, which at the same time gets into her stomach. In nature, a wild cat eats grass, and it contributes to the removal of lumps of wool from its stomach. It is especially important to remove long villi from the stomach, since the volume of such a lump in long-haired cats becomes much larger than in short-haired counterparts. Specialized feed for long-haired pets are designed to solve this problem due to the special composition of the formula of the product, enriched with dietary fiber and herbs.
• Digestibility - when feeding a pet it is very important that the food he eats be as fully as possible absorbed by him. Only in this case the animal will be fully provided with proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. By purchasing products of the holistic and super-premium class, you can be sure that the food you eat will be absorbed by 80-95%, while other types of food are digested at best by 60%, which means that your pet will receive less important products for it. life components. Lack of nutrients will significantly reduce the vital activity of your furry friend, the ability to resist diseases, worsen the condition of joints, wool, teeth, claws.
• Health status - This is one of the most important factors when choosing cat food. For example, there are specialized products that are used for cats that have undergone a castration procedure or for cats after sterilization. The hormonal background of these animals is changed, so the food for them should be special to avoid problems with the heart, blood vessels, liver and kidneys.If your pet is allergic to one or another product, then it will have to be fed exclusively with hypoallergenic feeds in order not to aggravate its condition.

Today it does not seem to be a problem to purchase ready-made food for cats. The choice is large enough and varied. Speaking of high-quality and balanced options, the opinions of veterinarians agree that the best cat food products are holistic and super-premium formulas. They are quite expensive for the price but their quality fully justifies such costs.

When it comes to more economical premium and economy class options, the pet's reaction to such foods may be different - strong and young individuals cope with the increased load of dangerous ingredients, and the general well-being of sick and old individuals may fail.

On the rules for the selection of premium feed, see the following video.