Expert Guide: Choosing the Best Cat Food & Canned Meals

Part 1: How to Choose the Healthiest Food for Your Cat?

1. Understanding Nutritional Needs

Before selecting a diet for your feline friend, it's crucial to understand their specific nutritional requirements.

2. The Nutritional Needs of Cats

Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning their diet should primarily consist of meat. Grains can only serve to fill them up, as they do not provide any nutritional value and can lead to a host of health issues when consumed over time.

3. Ingredient List

According to the "GB 77182011 National Standard for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods," ingredients should be listed in descending order of their weight in the food at the time of manufacture or processing.

This means that the more of an ingredient is added, the higher it will be ranked on the ingredient list. This regulation allows us to make more informed choices when selecting cat food and canned goods.

Part 2: Cat Food

When choosing cat food, focus on the top five ingredients listed on the label. The higher the quality of meat on this list, and the greater the proportion, the better the quality of the food.

The best option is for the first five ingredients to be clearly identified as meat or meat products with known sources. If the label simply states "fish" or "fresh meat," it's advisable to be cautious.

1. Benefits

Clear meat labeling

Meat is ranked high in the ingredient list

High meat content in the formula

2. Drawbacks

Generalized meat labeling

Grains are ranked high in the ingredient list

High grain content in the formula

Meat also varies in nutritional value, with fresh meat being the most nutritious, followed by meat meal, meat byproducts, and meat byproduct meal. Opt for higher nutritional value over lower ones whenever possible.

There is much controversy online about meat byproducts, which generally refer to meat from nonessential parts like organs, necks, and skins. While they may not be harmful to cats, they are often of unknown origin, low in nutrition, and difficult to digest. Some unscrupulous manufacturers may also use 4D meat to pass off lowquality products. Therefore, it's best to avoid meat byproducts and meat byproduct meals.

Part 3: Canned Goods

The first ingredient in canned goods must be a clearly identified meat source to ensure the quality of the product.

Opt for grainfree canned goods, as cats do not require grains to support their nutritional needs and development. When choosing canned food, aim for higher quality options.

Since canned food has a high water content, usually between 70% and 80%, some brands may add excessive water to reduce the meat content, which can lower the quality of the product. If water is ranked high on the ingredient list, the quality of the canned food may not be very high.

1. Benefits

Clear meat labeling

Meat is ranked high in the ingredient list

Grainfree

2. Drawbacks

Unclear meat labeling

Water is ranked high in the ingredient list

Grain inclusion

Canned goods can be categorized into three types: main course, supplementary, and snack cans.

Representative brands and categories include:

Main Course Cans: Brands from New Zealand, the United States (like巅峰, K9, 百利, zeal)

Supplementary Cans: Brands from Germany (like小李子, catz, bozita)

Snack Cans: Brands from Thailand These offer balanced nutrition and can be used as a regular food source for cats, replacing kibble.

Supplementary cans are not nutritionally balanced, often focusing on organs, and should be used in conjunction with kibble.

Snack cans are also nutritionally imbalanced and low in value, containing high amounts of attractants and flavorings. They can be used to encourage water intake but are not suitable for longterm consumption.

Many fish cans from Southeast Asian regions do not have good fish quality. If you must give your cat fish cans, opt for those from European regions.

Harmful Ingredients

Besides the top five ingredients, the rest should also be scrutinized. Some toxic ingredients should never be allowed in your cat's diet over a long period.

1. Ingredients that should not be present but sometimes are:

Artificial preservatives These can hinder the oxidation of fats in food, delaying spoilage, but can pose a cancer risk if consumed longterm by cats.

Nitrites/nitrates Carcinogenic substances

Vitamin K3 An artificial vitamin that can be toxic to liver cells and is now banned in many European countries.

Flavorings/Attractants These increase the palatability of canned food and can lead to addiction, making cats picky and reluctant to eat kibble.

2. Ingredients that are often present but should be avoided:

Grains Corn, rice, soybeans, wheat These are unnecessary carbohydrates for cats and can cause gastrointestinal sensitivity.

Montmorillonite This is essentially a diarrhea medication used as a food additive.

Vegetable oils Soybean oil, corn oil These are used to boost the protein content but are not as beneficial as animal proteins.

Sugar Provides no nutritional value and can lead to diabetes or obesity in cats.

Vegetables and fruits Mainly for fiber, which can be replaced with cat grass.

Sodium chloride/salt Cats cannot consume too much salt, as it can lead to a range of health issues.

Carrageenan Used for thickening, it is controversial and suspected to be carcinogenic, causing inflammation, but no definitive conclusions have been made. It's best to avoid it.

3. Bonus Points

Fish oil Specifically from fish Rich in omega3 fatty acids essential for cats.

Vitamins Taurine, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin D Essential nutrients for cats, with vitamin C also serving as a natural preservative.

Rosemary oil/extract A natural preservative.

Yeast extract/liver powder Natural flavoring that also supplements vitamin B.

Lysine Helps improve the absorption of nutrients and enhances the immune system.

Yucca/s extract Reduces the odor of cat feces after use.

Cranberry Antioxidant properties that can improve urinary tract health.

Before selecting cat food or canned goods, always review the ingredient list. Some online retailers may not provide this information, so you may need to ask customer service or check the official website for more details.

Ultimately, the most important factor is choosing a food that suits your cat's needs and fits within your budget.