Advanced Guide: Mastering Cat Food Selection Techniques

How to Choose Cat Food?

Selection Principles

Before selecting cat food, it's essential to consider your cat's age, gender, and overall health. Look for cat food that aligns with your pet's specific needs. Always base your choice on practical considerations rather than blindly following trends. What works for one cat may not be suitable for another.

What Constitutes HighQuality Cat Food?

Highquality cat food is made up of a combination of ingredients (single meat or mixed) with a high meat content, plus taurine and essential nutrients. The ingredient list on cat food labels is arranged from most to least abundant. The first five ingredients should ideally be meat, with meat always preceding grains and vegetables. The higher the meat content, the better.

How to Choose?

With the vast array of cat food brands available, it's crucial to be selective. When choosing cat food, aside from examining the ingredient list, opt for brands with high customer ratings and a reputation for reliability.

[Choosing a Quality Brand]: Familiarize yourself with the brand's history, production location, and product features. Research multiple brands and narrow down your options.

[Examine the Ingredient List]: The names of the ingredients in cat food are listed in order of quantity, with the most abundant ingredients listed first. Highquality cat food typically starts with animal protein sources like beef, chicken, fish, or turkey. The more diverse the animal protein sources, the better.

What to Avoid:

1. Meat that is not specified (e.g., poultry meat/contains a lot of poultry byproducts) is not recommended.

2. Cat food that only lists animal fats or poultry fats is not recommended.

3. Cat food where the first ingredient is a grain or there are many grains listed is not recommended.

4. Be cautious of excessive or excessive amounts of preservatives (antioxidants) or synthetic colors.

5. Avoid cat food with BHA, BHT, or ETHOXYQUIN as preservatives.

The Dangers of LongTerm Dry Cat Food Consumption:

1. Can lead to feline lower urinary tract syndrome (FLUTD).

2. Cats should be encouraged to drink more water after eating dry food.

3. Cats absorb most of their water from their food.

4. Their thirst mechanism is not as sensitive as dogs, which is why many cats do not drink much water.

5. Dry food has a moisture content of only 6% to 10%. Cats that eat dry food as their main diet may drink more water than those on wet food, but they still absorb less water.

6. This can lead to chronic dehydration in cats that only eat dry food, causing a decrease in urine output and concentrated urine, which can lead to urinary tract problems in the future.

Types of Cat Food:

Cat food can be broadly categorized into three types: dry food, wet food (canned), and freezedried cat food. These types differ in their production processes and ingredients but all meet a cat's daily nutritional needs.

1. Dry Food:

Mainly used as a staple: Low in moisture content, dry food is often the main component of a cat's diet. It makes a crunchy sound when eaten and is typically in small, pellet form, produced using a膨化 process.

Advantages: Hightemperature extrusion makes the food light and durable, with a hard texture that can help prevent dental issues. Dry food is nutritionally balanced and offers a variety of flavors.

Disadvantages: Low moisture content can lead to dehydration symptoms and an increased risk of FLUTD. The extrusion process introduces excess carbohydrates, which can raise the risk of diabetes and obesity. Dry food is not easily digestible, and quality can vary greatly. It's best to pair it with probiotics.

2. Wet Food (Canned):

Made from highquality ingredients like shrimp and fish: There are many varieties to choose from, with delicious flavors that cats tend to prefer over dry food.

Advantages: High moisture content helps cats stay hydrated, offers high nutritional value, and is close to a cat's natural diet. It doesn't add extra carbohydrates, making it less likely to cause obesity. Wet food is particularly beneficial for cats with kidney or urinary tract issues.

Disadvantages: More expensive, with prices around 2030 yuan per day. Opened wet food is difficult to store and can spoil quickly. Brushing your cat's teeth is important after feeding wet food to prevent dental issues.

3. FreezeDried Cat Food:

Essentially raw food in a convenient package: It uses freezing and drying technology to remove moisture while preserving the color, flavor, and nutritional value of the ingredients. It is made at temperatures as low as 36 degrees Celsius and does not require preservatives.

Advantages: The freezing and drying process locks in all the freshness of the food, reducing the loss of enzymes and nutrients. It can be rehydrated with water to increase a cat's water intake, has a long shelf life, and is easy to store.

Disadvantages: More expensive, with monthly costs potentially reaching 6001000 yuan. Brushing your cat's teeth is important to prevent dental issues. Freezedried food has a low moisture content and should be rehydrated with warm water.

Use of FreezeDried Cat Food:

1. Treats for anorexia: If a cat is not eating, you can grind the freezedried food into powder and mix it with regular cat food. The powder will have a strong aroma that can entice picky eaters to eat, and cats with poor appetites may start to eat again.

2. Training and rewards: Use freezedried food as a reward during training sessions to encourage good behavior.

3. As a main diet: While it can be expensive, highquality freezedried food that includes taurine is beneficial for cats. Taurine is an amino acid that is essential for cats and can affect their night vision. It is important to use highquality food to ensure your cat's health.

Should Cats Eat Raw Meat? It's Better Not to!

1. The environment for raw meat in China often does not meet the standards for direct consumption.

2. For safety reasons, do not feed cats raw meat purchased from markets or supermarkets, as it can contain parasites, bacteria, and other harmful substances.

3. Eating raw meat is one of the main ways cats can contract parasites, so it's best to avoid it.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your cat receives the best possible nutrition and care.