A cat’s diet is an important aspect for its development and maintenance of good health. Its owner must therefore select the best kibble in order to provide him with all the essential nutrients. Given the number of brands available and the advantages of each type of food, it can be difficult to find your way around. A few tips will help each owner to know how to choose the best product.
The two types of croquettes
Before moving on to a particular type of kibble, it is important to know that cat kibble can be divided into two groups with the standard formula that corresponds to certain brands of supermarket kibble. The premium kibbles correspond to products specially formulated for the needs of cats and are part of the top of the range in the field. Standard kibbles have the advantage of being less expensive and are therefore often chosen by cat owners who think they are getting a good deal. It is important to know that even when buying the most renowned brand in this field, these foods are recognized for their low nutritional value because the selected meats are of lower quality. The fat content is also high, which will eventually cause intestinal or urinary discomfort in the animal.
The premium croquettes are formulated by veterinarians or specialized retailers. Their price is higher than the previous ones but the ratio between quality and price is exceptional. The advantage lies in the fact that every need is taken into account. With an ideal protein content for cats and the right proportion of cereals, these kibbles are also balanced in fat and carbohydrates. They contain the right amount of fiber and trace elements to ensure that your cat’s daily intake is sufficient but not excessive. With a particular range for each breed of cat and each need during the animal’s development, they are the product of choice. Digestion is easier with this type of product and urinary problems are limited thanks to a well thought-out product development. The cat concerned will produce well-molded and non-odorous stools with this type of product.
Adapt to the needs of your pet
Before choosing your cat’s kibble, it is important to understand that all cats do not have the same needs and that this should be taken into account when you buy it. Growing kittens need more protein than an already adult cat. It will be necessary to choose a brand of kibble specially designed for these small cats and check the corresponding label to make sure that the protein level and components have been precisely dosed to cover all their needs. For older cats, the kibble will also need to be adapted with a lower protein content because their energy expenditure is lower. On the other hand, a higher proportion of fiber is necessary to maintain a good gastrointestinal balance.
Depending on the situation of the cat concerned, it will be important to read the label of the product which indicates for which type of cat it has been formulated. Neutered cats have different needs in this area because the risk of urinary problems is greater so special attention is paid to the quality of their kibble. It is possible to find kibbles for Indoor cats or named Light. These kibbles represent a very interesting proposition because it is ideal for domestic cats who do not exercise much. More balanced, it allows not to overload the animal by offering him a too rich food. This type of kibble therefore allows the cat to stay in shape and avoid weight gain with an inappropriate food.
Learn how to decode a label
When choosing the kibble, certain reflexes must be adopted in order to be sure to always offer a quality product to your cat. The composition of the kibbles must be verified and no purchase of this type of food can be made without a preliminary study of the label. It must mention a minimum protein level of 28% for the product to be considered satisfactory. The type of protein must be specified as to which pieces of meat have been used in the preparation of the croquettes in order to avoid products based on carcasses that are absolutely prohibited. Even though cereals are important in a cat’s diet, they should never be the main component.
The level of certain elements in the kibble is very important because cats are characterized by their difficulty to eliminate a certain number of components. Care should be taken to ensure that the presence of calcium and phosphorus is less than 1%. Far from creating a deficiency, this percentage is sufficient for the health of the cat who will find the essential nutrients in the general composition of the kibble. The magnesium level must be less than 0.1% because these elements can cause kidney problems that are frequently found in cats who are fed with conventional kibbles. Reading the label of the kibble is therefore the most important aspect to feed your cat correctly.
