Good food for kittens: reviews of veterinarians. The best food for cats and cats according to veterinarians


Choosing the right food for a kitten is not an easy task not only for new owners, but even for quite experienced owners. It's no secret that in the first months of life, the pet grows literally before our eyes, which is why it really needs certain vitamins and microelements. The quality of food during this period is of particular importance. It determines the growth, development and health of a fluffy baby, has a huge impact on his future. Therefore, it is better to take the choice of diet seriously so that later you do not have to regret and spend a fortune on veterinary services.

Despite the abundance of food from a variety of manufacturers, finding a truly balanced kitten food is very difficult. After all, in addition to obviously unhealthy options like Wiskas, Friskies, Kitekat and other food from the supermarket, the dangers of which everyone already knows, there are many premium and super-premium brands that differ from budget goods only in a high price. Therefore, in this case, expensive does not always mean quality. Fortunately, there are no less worthy feeds in pet stores, you just need to know what to look for.

The main sign of the best diet for a kitten is a good composition. A food can be considered safe for a kitten if it does not contain propylene glycol, cellulose, sweeteners, artificial colors, chemical preservatives, and similar substances that have a detrimental effect on the cat's body. Among the components, corn should not be listed, because in kittens it is not only not absorbed, but can also cause allergies. At the same time, in the composition of the best feed, meat, as it should be the main ingredient, always comes first. The most honest premium brands and above can list the exact percentage and specific grade of meat, which is indicative of the quality of the product.

The best wet food for kittens

Wet food is the best solution for babies. Unlike a dry diet, canned food can be used as a first food for kittens from four weeks old. In this case, it is recommended to pay special attention to pâtés, mousses and soufflés of a full-fledged premium or super-premium class. Their texture allows babies to easily and quickly learn to eat on their own. For kittens older than two months, not only creamy foods are suitable, but also pieces in jelly or broth.

Many wet foods are complete foods that do not require any supplements. At the same time, they are easily digestible and suitable for everyone, including kittens who drink relatively little water.

5 Organix meat soufflé for kittens with lamister beef (0.15 kg)

Decent inexpensive premium food. Optimal price-portion ratio
Country Russia
Average price: 40 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.5

Souffle for kittens from a young domestic brand will be a real find for those who have every penny in the account. Being a premium class, Organix, nevertheless, is even slightly cheaper than some economy canned food, but noticeably surpasses them in terms of cost-per-portion ratio. After all, most competitors at a similar or even slightly higher price contain only 80 - 100 grams of feed, while the Organix lamister contains as much as 150 grams of tender soufflé. The composition is also very good. In these canned food there are no dyes, no flavors, no corn, only beef, offal, vegetable oil, as well as a little rice cereal and a vitamin and mineral complex.

The only drawback was the predominance of offal over meat, which is quite expected at such an affordable price. But, unlike analogues, this food is natural, it has a lot of meat components and, according to reviews, it has a pleasant smell and kittens like it.

4 Brit Care Kitten Chicken (0.08 kg)

The simplicity and usefulness of the components. Approved by veterinarians and breeders
Country: Czech Republic
Average price: 81 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.5

Brit Care, the cheaper version of which is often compared with Royal Canin and Pro Plan, unlike these feeds, belongs to the super-premium category and stands out from their background with a basic but useful composition. Juicy chicken pieces with rice and a little water is an easy combination that most kittens love. However, the chicken itself is not suitable for everyone, so it is better to start with a small jar in order to exclude individual intolerance. However, in most cases, the food is well suited to pets of various breeds, which is why it is often recommended by veterinarians and breeders.

Since Brit Care is one of the most popular kitten menus, it has a lot of reviews. All buyers note very small pieces of chicken, fragrant broth and special interest from the smallest, because this consistency is very convenient for kittens who are just starting to get acquainted with meat and are just learning to eat on their own.

3 Schesir Chunks in jelly. Tuna (0.1 kg)

An ideal choice for the most demanding. Suitable for dry food training
Country: Italy
Average price: 100 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.6

A well-known Italian company, which for many years has been prominent in various ratings and lists of recommended products for cats from leading experts, is especially valued for successful wet food. One of them was the diet that received the maximum number of positive reviews, which is not surprising. Schesir contains only tuna, vegetable jelly and vitamins. Tuna is a favorite cat fish, dietary, tasty and hypoallergenic. Therefore, wet food with this ingredient is suitable for everyone: from a simple pet to thoroughbred British and Scottish kittens. In addition, Schesir with tuna is enjoyed by all cats, even the pickiest ones.

Despite the numerous advantages, canned food is positioned as an additional diet. Therefore, it is better to combine them with a complete diet. According to the manufacturer and a number of veterinarians, the product is ideal for accustoming to dry food. It is only necessary to mix a few granules into it, gradually replacing canned food with them.

2 Animonda Vom Feinsten Baby-Pate for kittens from 4 weeks (0.1 kg)

The best food for the little ones. Recommended from 4 weeks
Country: Germany
Average price: 83 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.7

Pate Animonda for the little ones, as befits a German product, pleases with an excellent composition, which includes only the really necessary components. This is the very rare case when the price corresponds to the quality, and it is not scary to give food to your beloved pet. Grain-free pate with a pleasant and light texture contains 58% meat, fish broth, fish products, minerals and is suitable for feeding kittens from four weeks. At the same time, it comes in a practical form, which will be especially convenient for the owners of several furry friends. After all, thanks to the lamister with a completely removable lid, there is no need for a bowl. It is enough to put the canned food on the floor and the kittens will eat their portion directly from the package.

According to many cat lovers, the Baby-Pate is the best solution for both starting and continuing to feed. Kittens willingly eat pate, are full of energy and look great. Of course, it costs a lot, but still less than other representatives of the super-premium class.

1 Animonda Carny Kitten with beef and turkey heart (0.2 kg)

Good quality ingredients and pleasant fragrance. Hypoallergenic Grain Free Canned Foods
Country: Germany
Average price: 114 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

Wet food of truly German quality led the review, becoming the best representative of the category due to the first-class composition without artificial flavors, colors, grains and other unnecessary, and often even harmful substances. Animonda Carny contains only hypoallergenic ingredients. The basis of the feed was beef of various types, including a high percentage of meat and offal, including the heart, liver, lungs, kidneys and udder. The composition also included fragrant broth, turkey heart and vitamins.

Thus, wet food is very close to the natural diet of cats and is suitable for everyone, even kittens with sensitive digestion and allergies, which is confirmed by numerous reviews, including from Sphynx owners, who are often prone to allergies. Buyers note a pleasant aroma, good meat texture and pet health. At the same time, the percentage of fat is low, so the food is ideal for Scottish and British cats, as well as other breeds prone to overweight.

The best dry food for kittens

Dry food is rich in vitamins and minerals. Their composition is much more diverse than the composition of canned food. Often, in addition to meat components, representatives of this category contain healthy vegetables, fruits, herbs, and sometimes berries. Thus, the best dry food gives the cat everything that she would get in her natural environment.

However, they are not suitable for everyone. Despite the availability of rulers for the smallest, veterinarians do not recommend giving dry food in its pure form for at least three and a half months, because the stomach of a kitten at such an early age can be injured by hard food. A grown kitten should be transferred to such food carefully, gradually adding it to canned food or soaking it in water.

5 Royal Canin British Shorthair Kitten (2 kg)

Easy to find in the store. Original form of granules
Country: France (produced in Russia)
Average price: 1,360 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.0

The top five dry food is opened by the diet from the most famous brand, which has become widespread thanks to an extensive line of therapeutic foods. Although this food for British kittens does not apply to veterinary diets, it is also well-known and is a typical representative of the brand. Of course, popularity does not make a product of the highest quality, but against the background of most popular analogues, it can be called a good replacement option for a time when there is no more balanced nutrition at hand.

Although Royal Canin contains corn and corn gluten, as well as some other unhealthy substances, like other mass-produced foods, it does not contain dyes or chemical flavors. Therefore, some owners transfer kittens from Whiskas, Felix and similar budget solutions to it. The pluses in their reviews include the fact that cats eat it well, a nice packaging design with the image of a British kitten, availability in stores and crescent-shaped granules.

4 Brit Care Crazy I "m Kitten (2 kg)

The most profitable quality dry food super-premium
Country: Czech Republic
Average price: 860 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.6

Dry food Brit Care, unlike Brit Premium, Royal Canin and Pro Plan, is the best ratio of price and adequate composition in the entire super-premium class. At an affordable cost, this Czech development has a very worthy composition approved by veterinarians. The predominant components of the diet were dehydrated chicken and chicken fillet. They are followed in percentage by rice, chicken fat and rice bran. Rice is the most digestible cereal, which is safe in small quantities, and even useful for some gastrointestinal problems and excess weight, so Brit Care is often used not only as daily food, but also as a dietary treatment. It also contains sources of vitamins such as dried apples, salmon oil, yucca schidigera extract and sea buckthorn.

According to many owners, this dry food is an order of magnitude better than all the closest competitors. Kittens eat it with appetite, feel great, their coat quality improves. The owners of Scottish Fold cats especially praise the food.

3 Grandorf Lamb with rice KITTEN (2 kg)

Organic ingredients at the lowest price. without chicken
Country: Belgium
Average price: 1,400 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

Grandorf dry food, like its neighbor in the rating, can be called an excellent combination of price and quality, but in a different special category. The diet developed by Belgian experts is the most profitable organic food for kittens. All of its ingredients have been grown far from industrial plants without the use of pesticides, various artificial growth accelerators, chemical fertilizers and other harmful substances. At the same time, the components of the feed are selected really well. Dehydrated and fresh rabbit and turkey meat are the perfect basis for a balanced diet suitable for even the most sensitive. Rice, dried Antarctic krill, sweet potato, carrots, dietary fiber, as well as vitamin-rich herbs and berries go well with meat.

Thus, the food does not contain chicken and other elements that can cause allergies. Also, buyers note the natural smell and very small granules, optimal for kittens.

2GO! Sensitivity + Shine Duck Cat Recipe Limited Ingredient Diet, Grain Free (1.82 kg)

Hypoallergenic therapeutic and dietary composition for sensitive digestion
Country: Canada
Average price: 1,426 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

Canadian feeds are famous for the best quality and combination of ingredients, which is why veterinarians often call them professional. The development of the Petcurian company, which has a history of almost twenty years, is no exception, taking a special place among hypoallergenic feeds, and is often used for therapeutic and dietary purposes. However, GO is not a veterinary product and is suitable for everyday feeding. Grain-free holistic recipe with fillet, dehydrated duck meat and whole eggs as main ingredients, supplemented with peas, chickpeas, lentils, chicory root, flax seeds and a vitamin complex. Therefore, it is not only dietary, but also very nutritious food.

According to reviews from veterinarians and buyers, the only downside is the small amount of chicken fat, which may not be entirely appropriate for kittens with chicken allergies. However, GO is usually great for pets and therefore is one of the few foods that everyone rated at five points.

1 Orijen Cat & Kitten (1.8 kg)

The best holistic. Biologically Appropriate Nutrition
Country: Canada
Average price: 1,800 rubles.
Rating (2019): 5.0

All-purpose food for cats and kittens is considered the best due to the organic composition, which includes 85% meat and fish and 15% vegetables, berries, fruits and herbs. No wonder the company emphasizes the advantages of the recipe over other holistics, highlighting it and Acana in a separate category called "biologically appropriate nutrition." Dry food really corresponds to the natural diet of cats. Chicken meat, turkey, eggs, chicken necks, liver, heart and offal of a turkey go well with flounder, herring and some other types of fish. The plant side is no less diverse, which even includes cranberries, which prevent KSD and gastrointestinal problems.

The rich composition will provide the kitten with everything necessary, including meat and what the cat naturally receives by eating its prey along with the contents of its stomach. Buyers praise the food for its quality and economy. Indeed, due to the high nutritional value, the daily allowance of Orijen is lower than other diets.

Anyone who one day decides to have a cat in the house has to face the question of what kind of food is best for a kitten.

Industrial feed or natural food

Natural food, of course, is very beneficial for the health of the baby. But is it possible to independently balance the daily diet in such a way that the animal receives the necessary daily norm of nutrients, trace elements and vitamins? Given the modern rhythm of life, most owners are unlikely to have time to cook for their pet. For many, it is much more convenient to use premium kitten food. Good industrial feed will cost no more than natural balanced food. In addition, today the market and price range of these products has expanded. There has also been an increase in the number of manufacturers offering premium cat food. Taking into account the fact that these are not yet adult cats, which means that proper nutrition requires a special approach, special ones have been developed for these babies.

The benefits of dry food

Which food is better for a kitten: dry or wet? The advantages of "drying" are obvious: such food does not spoil, and therefore it can be kept in a bowl for a long time. This is very convenient if you have to leave for a long time. For such cases, you can purchase a special feeder equipped with a timer and dispenser. Universal dry food on a long journey or when at an exhibition. Contrary to prejudice, the likelihood of an animal developing various diseases from such food is extremely small. But for this you need to follow some rules: provide your pet with clean water in a bowl; do not mix natural food with dry food; dose "drying" strictly according to the weight of the baby. Premium kitten food must be selected based on the physiological state of the pet. In violation or non-compliance with these conditions, there is a risk of pet urolithiasis and digestive problems.

Features of wet food

Another possible option is canned food. However, this premium kitten food is not exactly user-friendly. Due to the fact that it tends to deteriorate quickly, canned food should not be allowed to stay in a bowl for a long time. For the same reason, wet kitten food is sold in compact packages, which significantly increases its price.

In order to provide a pet with high-quality canned food, you need to be prepared to pay a round sum. In addition, if you have to leave the house for a long time, you will not be able to feed the animal with canned food, so they are less convenient than dry food.

Premium Kitten Food: How to Choose

When choosing, it is important to focus not on the classification, but on the composition. At the moment, the legislative framework is not precise enough, in connection with this, the division of feed into classes is conditional. For the most part, this applies to domestically produced feed. Premium food may be of lower quality than advertised by the manufacturer. This is due to the fact that such manufacturers determine the category of their feed based on pricing policy.

What is the best food for a kitten

Several brands of premium kitten food rightfully occupy a leading position in the market. These include:

-Hills food ("Hills"). The antioxidants and amino acids included in its composition contribute to good digestion and the development of immunity in kittens. This food supports the health of the bladder in order to prevent urolithiasis. Hills is produced in packages weighing 400 grams, 2 kilograms, 5 kilograms and 10 kilograms. Prices range from 219 to 3450 rubles, depending on the weight.

-Acana ("Akana"). Since the appearance of this food on sale, he managed to fall in love with kittens. Thanks to the thoughtful composition of the diet, which includes eggs, lamb meat, pike perch, pets grow up healthy and strong. "Akana" is produced in packages: 400 grams, 2 kilograms, 5 kilograms, 7 kilograms and 18 kilograms. The price of feed is from 250 to 5890 rubles.

The most affordable premium food in the price category is deservedly considered Royal Canin ("Royal Canin"). It contains only the most necessary substances needed by a growing cat's body. It contains L-carnitine, which contributes to the normal formation of the skeletal system in the animal. Food "Royal" for kittens is available in 400 grams, 2 kilograms, 4 kilograms and 10 kilograms. The price of this food is from 187 to 3280 rubles, depending on the weight.


When pricing, one of the main roles is played by advertising costs. In this regard, it is recommended to carefully study the composition before buying premium kitten food. To do this, it is enough to navigate by the main important points of the ingredients. The content of animal protein should form the basis of the feed, that is, this item comes at the very beginning of the list. Protein of plant origin does not contain the amino acids necessary for the animal, and is also poorly absorbed. The proportion of chicken or turkey meat in the feed directly proportionally affects the cost of the latter. The meat of tender lamb, salmon, duck is used as a marketing ploy, and if it is added, then in a minimal amount.

How to evaluate the class of feed

You can independently evaluate the quality of the feed in accordance with the Fredalina scale. The starting point is 100 points. Based on the composition of the feed, points are added / subtracted to the initial amount. Based on the result obtained, a conclusion is made according to a special table.

Thus, before you get a kitten, you should decide on the type of feeding it. If you have free time, you can give him natural food, carefully considering the daily diet. It will be necessary to take into account that for normal growth and development, the pet needs to consume food that will contain the necessary set of trace elements, vitamins, and nutrients. Otherwise, there is a risk of developmental pathologies and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

An easier and hassle-free option is premium ready-made industrial feeds. Thanks to sophisticated technology, they contain the right set of nutrients, minerals and vitamins. Using such feed to feed a kitten, you can be sure that the pet will grow up active and healthy.

Many people now prefer to have cats and cats as pets. They do not need special care and do not cause much trouble. But these animals, like people, need a balanced diet. The health and appearance of the pet depends on what the pet consumes. That is why it is necessary to carefully approach the preparation of the diet of pets. But what kind of food for cats is better, how to feed and what to feed? Answers to these questions can be found in this article.

To correctly compose a menu for a pet, it is better to contact a zoo doctor. But many owners prefer to decide for themselves what is better to feed a cat, starting from the cost and preferences of the animal. But this is wrong. So, let's find out what kind of food for cats exist.

natural food

Natural food is prepared by the owners themselves. For this, meat, fish products, vitamins and supplements are purchased. Such feeding is most useful for cats, as you can be sure of its naturalness, as well as adjust its composition to the characteristics of the pet. Some people prefer to give pets leftovers from the table, but this can harm the health of the animal, as the needs for various substances in humans are different from those of cats.

Unfortunately, not everyone finds time to cook food for their pets. In this case, you have to resort to the help of purchased feed.

Purchased food

To date, 2 types of purchased feed are known: wet and dry. Dry food is the most useful, as it is more concentrated and the animal gorges on it faster. The risk of poisoning them is minimal, because the granules do not fade in the bowl. Such food supports the microflora of the stomach and intestines, contains all the elements, cleans and strengthens the teeth. The manufacturing process consists of grinding products, distributing them into granules and completely drying them. Dry food is provided as a complete food, that is, you do not need to give the cat other products besides it.

Wet foods contain pieces of meat and fish. They allow you to maintain water balance. They can be combined with other foods. But wet food spoils quickly, which threatens with problems with the gastrointestinal tract. To choose the best wet food for cats, you need to study the composition: it must have a sufficient amount of meat in its pure form.

Cat food classes

All feeds will be divided into several classes according to quality, products included in the composition and other factors: economy, medium, premium and super-premium. To choose the best cat food, you need to know which class it belongs to.

Economy

Answering the question: what is the best cat food, it cannot be said that this is an economy class food. These feeds can be easily purchased at any store for a small amount. Most of them are very popular thanks to advertisements: Whiskas, Kitekat, Frieskies. They have a pungent odor that makes cats hungry. But these feeds consist of harmful substances and practically do not contain natural products.

The constant use of it by a cat leads to a malfunction of the kidneys, stomach, intestines, and a decrease in immunity. It is also only half assimilated, which indicates that the pet will have to be fed such food very often.

Medium

Medium class feeds contain a certain amount of natural products. They are somewhat more expensive than economy class feed. You can only buy them at pet stores. These include Sheba, Heinz and others.

Premium

If the question arose: which cat food to choose, then you should pay attention to. They are rich in all essential trace elements and vitamins. Regular use of them by a cat will strengthen his health, improve his appearance.

Despite the high price of this product, it is very economical, so it is almost completely absorbed.

Super Premium

If we were to make the top food for cats, then its top would be occupied by super-premium class food. These feeds have been carefully developed by experts. They are great for pets of rare breeds, animals with poor health. These feeds cost a lot of money and can only be purchased by order. The super-premium class includes Profine Adult Cat, Cimiao, Nutram.

What should be the composition of cat food?

To keep your pet healthy, you need to know how to choose cat food, and many people do not think about it. The first step is to study the composition: the first place should be occupied by meat and its content in good feed is at least 20%. It should not be replaced by by-products.

Mandatory components are protein and taurine, since the body of cats is not able to produce amino acids on its own, and they are necessary for normal life.

The food is also based on various cereals and vegetables. Contains the best food for cats in its composition, various vitamins, as well as meat meal. Feeds containing E-additives, flour, salt and sugar should be avoided. Grains should not be in the first places, as a large amount of fiber is harmful to the health of cats. Foods with colored granules contain various harmful dyes, so it is also better to bypass them. The composition should not contain general concepts, such as "vegetables". It must be clearly indicated which vegetables have been added to the feed.

Feed varieties

Premium and super-premium feeds are made taking into account the characteristics of pets. You can compare cat food specialized with conventional.

For kittens

Kitten food contains more calories, various components, vitamins. After all, in childhood, the animal needs energy for growth. What food for kittens is the best can be judged by the content of fats, proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates in it. There are many more of them than usual. It is strongly not recommended to feed an adult animal with such food, as this can lead to obesity. Kitten food also has smaller kibbles for comfort when eating. Read about Royal Canin kitten food.

For animals with health problems

On sale there are special feeds for pets with poor health. For example, it is a food for cats with problems of digestion, kidneys and other organs, with a weakened immune system. They have a composition adapted to maintain health. So, in the feed for cats with obesity, there is a low energy value, and the composition of the feed for cats after castration includes a smaller amount of protein than in the usual one.

For cats and cats over 7 years old

Feed for aging animals helps prevent signs of aging, improve health and immunity.

For different breeds

Each cat breed has its own characteristics of anatomy and physiology. Some brands produce food adapted to certain breeds. This is the best food for cats, as it perfectly takes into account all the characteristics of the pet.

Famous brands of cat food

How not to get lost in the variety of pet food? Let's compare different brands and find out what kind of food is better to feed a cat without harm to health.

Savarra

One of the best is Savara's super-premium cat food. Savara is an honest and open project that produces products for cats and dogs. The feed has an excellent natural composition. All of them are hypoallergenic and are made on the basis of fresh meat and rice, do not contain dyes and GMOs. Manufactured in the UK using the latest technology. The price is about 1000 rubles for 2 kg.

Pronature

Another high-quality premium product is Pronatur cat food, which does not contain grains. When it was created, the culinary features of different countries and the secrets of all generations were taken into account. The food contains one source of protein, as some pets do not digest grain. Pronature produces three lines: Mediterranea, Asiato and Nordiko. The average price for a package of 2.72 kg is 1150 rubles.

Gourmet

Wet gourmet cat food is presented in a large assortment: pate, meatballs, pieces in gravy, fillets. Natural meat and fish are used for cooking: beef, salmon, trout, chicken and others. A package of feed weighing 85 grams costs from 30 to 50 rubles.

Perfect fit

Wet or liquid food Perfect Fit for kittens ensures the healthy development of the pet. All products of this brand are adapted to different lifestyles of pets: for active or couch potato and others. For a package of 650g, you will have to pay a little more than 200 rubles, and for a serving of pouches - about 30.

To eat healthy, you need to follow some rules. The country of origin plays an important role. So, for example, Italian cat food may not be made in Italy at all. Thus, a fake can be calculated. When feeding dry food, it is necessary to give the animal plenty of water. It must be clean, which means it must be changed regularly. If purchased, it should be reheated before serving.

It is necessary to monitor the freshness of the product and do not store it for more than two days, even in the refrigerator. Dishes also play a big role. For food and water, it is better to use ceramics, as plastic can accumulate unpleasant odors, and metal utensils can be distracting by reflection, which will lead to poor absorption. Now we know which dry and wet cat food is the best, as well as how to choose the right food.

Surely, every owner wants to give his pet only the best. And this applies not only to a bed, toys, a tray, a filler. First of all, it concerns food. What is the best food to choose: natural or dry (industrial)? Which company should you choose? What to look for when choosing dry food? Which is better to choose: super premium cat food or holistic class? There are many questions, so you need to understand.

Common myths

Let's start the study of the questions raised with common myths.

  • Dry food for cats can cause urolithiasis. Here it is impossible to answer unambiguously. If a pet has urolithiasis, then this is a consequence (80%) of the lack of sufficient water in the animal's bowl. When consuming industrial pellets, a cat needs a large amount of water. Carelessness of the owners leads to disastrous results. No need to be surprised that after a short period of time, the pet will need the help of veterinarians.
  • Dry food for adult cats can cause diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Again, there is no clear answer. Diseases of the stomach and intestines can occur due to excessive consumption of granules. If the cat ate everything, this does not mean at all that she needs to add more. Especially if it's economy class food.
  • The composition of dry food contains continuous chemistry, there are absolutely no natural components or there is a minimum amount of them. If the choice fell on economy-class granules, then naturally, it will be so. But premium, super premium and holistic class feeds contain only natural ingredients (in different mass fractions). All products, starting from the premium class, undergo the strictest control. If in doubt, it is best to consult a veterinarian.

Feed classification

The division into classes contributes to the fact that the owner of the kitten can make the right choice in favor of the health of the pet.

  • Economy class products - the composition of this product cannot please the owners of cats. Among the components there is no natural meat, fish or poultry; only bone meal and herbal ingredients. The quality of these granules leaves much to be desired. This food seems attractive to cats only because of the presence of flavors and flavors in the composition.
  • Premium-class products - manufacturers use selected meat and fish for the manufacture of pellets, containing minerals and vitamins in the required quantities. As a plant component, corn enters here. All ingredients in the composition have a veterinary certificate. A distinctive feature can be called economical consumption and high digestibility.
  • Super premium class products - only the highest quality ingredients become the basis of the granules. These are: salmon fillet, lamb meat, turkey, rice, egg, etc. The composition contains proteins, fats, carbohydrates in a balanced form. When consuming such food, the cat will receive all the essentials. Super premium class products refer to a specialized and balanced diet.
  • Holistic class products - elite food, which contains only environmentally friendly ingredients. Distinctive features of such products are excellent digestibility and high taste. In addition to the main components are fruits, vegetables, grains.

Before choosing dry cat food, you need to read the numerous reviews of cat owners and specialists. They may differ, but you need to draw your own conclusions. The best option is to contact your veterinarian about nutrition.

List of economy class dry food manufacturers

The composition of dry food for kittens and cats includes a lot of chemical components and low-quality raw materials. Chemical additives, flavors, flavor enhancers are persistently addictive in a pet.

In addition, in order for the animal to be full, it will take twice as many pellets as in higher-class products. In order for the kidneys not to fail, the cat must consume 2-3 times more water than food. To eat, the cat eats a lot (!) of food, it is not able to consume the same amount of water, so the kidneys become clogged, and this is the root cause of diseases of the urinary system.

Having studied the classes and composition of dry food for kittens and cats, the experts came to the conclusion which products belong to the economy class.

  1. Kitekat;
  2. Whiskas;
  3. Friskies;
  4. Purina
  5. Felix;
  6. OSCAR;
  7. Katinka;
  8. Perfect fit;
  9. Darling;
  10. Kitty;
  11. Dr. Clauders;
  12. Sheba etc.

List of premium industrial pellet manufacturers

Dry food for adult cats, belonging to the premium class, not as harmful as economy, but still not as healthy as super premium and holistic. It will be based on meat and fish, but in addition to them, soy, additives and substitutes will be contained. The norm of premium dry cat food will be lower than that of the economy class, respectively, there will be no such load on the kidneys.

It has been observed that most owners buy premium dry cat food, as it is expensive (but not in the same way as super premium or holistic), but does not do much harm to the pet's health. Many cats eat this way and live long and healthy (!) lives.

Premium Dry Cat Food Rating:

  1. Royal Canin is one of the most popular manufacturers with a wide range of products on the market;
  2. PurinaProPlan;
  3. Hills is a well-known manufacturer of industrial pellets with a wide range;
  4. Natural Choice;
  5. Belcando;
  6. Brit is also a popular food that has won the trust of numerous cat owners;
  7. happy cat
  8. advance;
  9. Matisse.

Royal Canin, Brit and Hills stand out from this list. Experts often classify them as super premium granules, since these manufacturers have a wide range of therapeutic feeds in their line. But you need to choose the food, the packaging and production of which took place in Europe. There is better quality control and control of all products. In Russia, there is no such control yet.

List of super premium industrial feed manufacturers

Choosing dry cat food is not a problem; which one is better - every cat owner will decide for himself. In super premium class granules, the amount of protein is balanced, there are practically no dyes and flavors. When feeding with such granules, the risk of getting sick in an animal is significantly reduced.

The best manufacturers of super premium cat food:

  • 1st Choice;
  • ProNature Holistic;
  • Profine Adult Cat;
  • Cimiao;
  • Nutram.

Rating of manufacturers of dry food holistic class

The best dry food for cats is holistic grade granules. In nurseries, the wards are fed with just such pellets, produced by professionals for professionals. Such food, perhaps, only 2 minuses:

  • high cost;
  • lack of flavorings and additives, which is why a cat who is used to eating premium food will turn up his nose at expensive food (in the evening he will still go to eat, no one wants to sit hungry).

Rating of dry food for cats holistic class:

  1. Orijen;
  2. Acana;
  3. Golden Eagle Holistic;
  4. GO and NOW Natural holistic;
  5. GRANDORF Natural & Healthy;
  6. Almo Nature Holistic;
  7. Gina Elite, etc.

Such feed does not cause allergies in animals. Each component in the composition is designed to preserve the health of the animal and prolong life. When feeding, the pet receives all the necessary substances, which eliminates the need to purchase an additional vitamin-mineral complex. The ingredients are selected in such a way that they do not interfere with each other's absorption. The owner of the cat must remember that feeding holistic pellets should not be combined with other foods and, moreover, with natural food. If you throw meat or fish into the bowl in addition to holistic food, then the pet will begin to have kidney problems, the cause of which will be an excess of protein.

Alternative rating of feed producers

The first place is rightfully occupied by:

  • 1st choice;
  • Acana is a Canadian manufacturer that has won the trust of millions of cat and dog owners (products undergo the strictest control at all stages of production);
  • Brit Care Cocco;
  • Grandorf - this line includes 6 hypoallergenic foods, two varieties contain probiotics necessary for digestion;
  • Nutrivet;
  • Orijen is a Canadian manufacturer that produces granules with a high content of protein and a vitamin-mineral complex (75% of meat (fish), eggs are displayed in the composition);
  • Pro nature holistic.

Why were they given the palm? The composition contains only natural ingredients, high-quality meat. Food from these manufacturers is suitable for everyday feeding of a pet. Their only drawback is their high cost.

Second place was given to such manufacturers as:

  • Animonda (grain free);
  • Britcare;
  • Hills Ideal balance;
  • Nutram Sound;
  • Power of nature.

In third place are:

  • Brit;
  • Golden Eagle is an American manufacturer that first put on the market a product developed by nutritionists, geneticists, famous veterinarians;
  • Holistic Blend Perfect;
  • Pronature Original.

These super premium and holistic foods are suitable for the treatment of allergic reactions and certain diseases. For healthy animals, such food for every day is not suitable.

Knowing that the feed is divided into classes, the owner must pay attention to the composition. If it mentions offal, bone meal, you can safely refuse such a product.

  • Super premium cat food, as well as holistic class, contains selected beef, rabbit meat, chicken, fish. No chemicals, no offal.
  • The shorter the ingredient list, the better.
  • In the first place in the list of components are those whose mass fraction prevails in the feed. Among the first should be meat, fish, poultry.
  • You should not take industrial pellets because of the beautiful packaging or an enticing slogan. Dry food for adult cats and kittens must be of the highest quality, tested by time and the technical control department.
  • Do not buy food from different manufacturers. It turns out that cats are very fussy, so it's hard to get used to a change in food.
  • If the list of components contains cereals, then it is better to refuse such granules. It is desirable that legumes be present in the composition, since cereals can cause allergies. Feedback from veterinarians suggests that there will be no problems with the gastrointestinal tract in animals with feeds that contain rice.
  • If the list of ingredients contains flavorings and dyes, it is better to refuse such a product. Responsible manufacturers have long abandoned the addition of chemicals.

Cat nutrition principles: how to feed and how much to give?

Before transferring a pet to industrial granules, many owners ask themselves: is it possible for cats to dry food? The answer of professionals: it is possible. But in moderation and following the recommendations.

The rate of dry cat food is indicated on the packaging from the manufacturer. It is categorically impossible to overfeed your ward with such food. Premium dry cat food can be used, but the diet should be consistent. Unlike humans, cats do not need a constant variety in their diet. Ideally one food for life. Harsh but true. The less variety in the diet of an animal, the less health problems it will have. If the owner is satisfied with the state of health, wool, teeth of the cat, then the best dry cat food is found, and there is no need to replace it with other granules.

If the owner purchased dry cat food based on veterinary reviews, he must remember a few rules regarding the cat's diet.

  • Access to water should always be. Ideally, the water in the bowl should be changed 1-2 times a day.
  • If dry holistic or super premium cat food is used, then natural food should be removed from the pet's diet.
  • The amount of food given out depends on age, physical health, activity and breed characteristics. It is best to check with your veterinarian about the amount of pellets your cat should consume.
  • The cat should eat 2 or 3 times a day. If the pet wakes up his owner early in the morning, then the last meal can be moved to the late evening.

From personal experience

When we got a lop-eared British kitten, we immediately turned to the veterinarian for advice on a variety of issues. Among them was the question of nutrition. In the first minutes of the conversation, the veterinarian indicated that it was not worth buying Friskas, Whiskas and similar cheap food for our baby (of course, if we don’t want to have a bouquet of diseases at the exit). We were advised by Royal Canin, Hill's, Pro Plan and Brit. Expensive, but will not cost the health and life of our pet. Subsequently, when the kitten got stronger and gained strength, we opted for Brit.

Initially, we bought Royal Canin by weight, our growing baby ate it at the speed of light. Reviews of the seller in the veterinary clinic about Royal Canin are only positive. She advised us to put the daily allowance in the bowl so that the kitten would not think that he had run out of food, and he would not pounce on a new portion later. We did just that. At first he tried to eat everything, but then he realized that he had enough food, no one was taking anything from him and he would not starve. It just so happened that in the morning I pour him a cup of food, he has enough until the night. He eats when he wants. There is always fresh water in the bowl.

As for 2 or 3 meals a day, we do not adhere to this principle. Because the cat only walks and begs for food. And so, if there are granules in the plate, he comes up, eats about 3-5 things, drinks it with water and goes about his business. Everyone wins. Maybe wrong, but the cat is used to eating like this. And he has no health problems.

Industrial rations have their own application features. To choose the right wet food for cats, you need to know many important nuances: what types are there, release forms, shelf life, optimal composition. It's a good idea to pre-read the latest ratings and user reviews. And also get acquainted with the advantages and disadvantages of canned food.

Like all ready-to-eat foods, wet cat food comes in three price ranges:

  • economy Not recommended for permanent use. Many artificial additives, opaque content, cheap raw materials, low calorie;
  • premium. Acceptable calorie content and quality, artificial additives are possible, the content is not always clear, the lack of a medical line and feed for certain categories of cats. According to reviews, even with an individual approach to cats, many leading brands slide into this category due to the nature of the production process and the raw materials used;
  • super premium, in which holistics are a separate line. Excellent content, no harmful artificial additives and a complete benefit for cats. In the case of holistics, raw materials are taken from products suitable for humans.

This division implies not so much the cost of feed as its quality characteristics and diversity. It happens that an expensive jar with an attractive label costs fabulous money, but in reality it has nothing good for a cat, and the reviews from experienced owners are not the most pleasant.

Actually wet food is divided into two broad categories:

  • goodies. Not suitable for basic diet. The recipe contains an insufficient balance of vitamins, amino acids and minerals. Sometimes even essential nutrients are not balanced for cats. You can buy for a change, to give medicines or just to pamper your favorite gourmet;
  • complete nutrition, including for certain categories of cats, including therapeutic diets. It is based on a serious recipe that includes everything necessary for the life of cats: the balance of nutrients, vitamin and mineral composition, amino acids and other components.

Wet food is produced in classic tin cans (with or without a key), all kinds of lamisters, plastic trays or pouches (with or without a zipper). There are different sizes and textures. Patés, pieces in stews, jellies, broths or sauces.

Advantages and disadvantages

It would seem that wet food, which contains everything you need, is more natural for a cat than a dry diet. If you do not take into account the natural girl, of course. In fact, this is a delusion. Industrial, ready-made diets have their advantages and disadvantages. You need to know about them before buying basic food for a cat.

Benefits of using wet food include:

  1. A high percentage of moisture. On average 75-80%. For cats who are reluctant to drink clean water, this is the best way to prevent health problems.
  2. Diversity. The lines of leading brands produce complete feeds, treats with a variety of flavors and additions. You can go on a therapeutic diet without stress. Wet cat food for spayed cats is good as the main menu after surgery.
  3. Natural texture. In a good product, you can visually determine the fibers of the type of meat that is stated on the package. In addition, this is the best option for feeding kittens. When switching from mother's milk to regular food, breeders recommend feeding with wet food. So the kitten better adapts to self-feeding.
  4. Dosing convenience. If it is difficult to adjust the daily portion with a natural woman, then on canned food information is usually given how much to give to cats, depending on weight.
  5. The integrity of the packaging guarantees a long shelf life, unlike natural products.

However, not everything is as good as we would like. There are also disadvantages:

  1. Wet food is much more expensive than dry food.
  2. There is no prevention of tartar. The texture does not contribute to the proper formation of the jaw muscles. In turn, this leads to deviations from the breed exterior and diseases of the oral cavity.
  3. Opened packaging can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than two days. It is good to transfer to an airtight glass container, but this will not extend the shelf life, just prevent oxidation and chapping of the food.

What to look for when choosing wet food

Given the serious cost of complete wet food, be sure to pay attention to the following features when choosing:

  1. Compound. Transparent and understandable. If meat, what kind and how much. Meat offal must be deciphered. General statements should alert. If it says "meat and offal", no one will forbid the manufacturer to use 0.01% of the meat declared on the label. The rest is made up with skin or cartilage, because these are also by-products. Be sure to bring the balance of nutrients and vitamin and mineral composition.
  2. Reviews and country of origin. Royal Canin of French and Russian origin are two different foods. You can learn about these features only in the reviews. No one is immune from custom reviews, but on the forums you can weed out the necessary information from the frankly paid.
  3. Price. Trite, but good food is expensive. Sometimes very.
  4. Individual characteristics of a cat. It is unlikely that a breeder will buy wet food for neutered cats for an active titled male sire. With a greater degree of probability it will be, of course, straight. However, for a change, he will be given high-calorie and high-protein menus for active animals. Wet kitten food is not suitable for adult cats, except for pregnant and lactating cats.

Wet Food Overview

However, there is no guarantee that no one will remove them. On the other hand, a one-time hit in the rating of good feed is an incentive to keep the brand.

Premium class

There are recognized leaders in the premium class:

  • Hill's. A huge assortment in the medical line - about 16 feeds. In addition, there is a good possibility of individual feeding of different categories of cats on a daily basis: neutered, kittens, elderly or active cats. Hills is a super premium brand, but the composition of the daily diet, according to reviews, is slightly inferior to this high rank;
  • Pro plan. A complete menu for kittens, adults and older cats. The presence of therapeutic diets for cats of different ages and physical condition;
  • Royal Canin. Everyday food from milk replacers for kittens to nutrition for cats in extreme old age. About 19 proposals, taking into account age characteristics, physiology and lifestyle. There is a medical line and even food for introduction through a tube for weakened cats.

Super premium

The list of the best foods in the super premium segment includes:

  • British care. The line provides food for different age groups, taking into account their individual characteristics. There is a huge selection of meats of different types with additions of carrots, cheese or gourmet peas;
  • Bozita.Despite the versatility of the feed and the lack of a medical line, the brand, due to its reputation and balance, belongs to the super premium. Its dignity is also in a huge variety of tastes, because it is made from animal meat, fish and game;
  • Gina. Italian feeds have a universal purpose, but the use of the best raw materials makes them full participants in the rating in the super premium segment.

holistics

Among the best wet food for cats, there are, of course, holistics:

  • Applaws. Wet gluten-free food of the highest quality and an excellent range. Various tastes and textures. Neither a small kitten nor a neutered cat will be left without attention: canned food is universal;
  • Almo Completely balanced feeding with a huge choice of tastes. Recipe and raw materials adapted to cat needs. There is a menu for the prevention of urolithiasis;
  • Moonlight Dinner. Completely natural food for cats without harmful additives. Plus a German reputation.


Success in choosing a diet not least depends on the cat. A thoroughbred refined beauty, on the exterior of which breeders have worked for several decades, will almost certainly not withstand feeding experiments. A pure-blooded nobleman, who has experienced many hardships in his lifetime, will flourish already from good treatment, a roof over his head and will understand the stern without reviews.