How to choose a healthy cat food

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By piusvic

If you are feeling confused about how to choose heathiest food for your cat, you are not alone. Particularly, the pet food recall in the spring of 2007 didn't help matter either. As we pets owner are well aware that pet food manufacturers are required by law to list all their product ingredients in order of weight. Though, that's helpful but still having an organized checklists is more useful when shopping for your cat food. Here are below few tips on how to choose a healthy food for your cat.

1) Proteins: Before you buy your cat food, look for meat or fish named on the manufacturer label with wording like--lamb, turkey, chicken, beef, salmon etc. Acceptable also are specific named concentrated meat proteins like; lamb meal, chicken meal, turkey meal etc.

You might be wondering why? You know, cats are among the animals what the scientists called "obligate carnivores". In other words, they are designed to eat meat diet. so, when choosing your cat food, you should make sure it has all the available nutrients for good energy, strong muscle tone and stable immune system so meat protein source should be the preference.

2) Carbonhydrates and Vegatable: Also look for whole grains like barley and brown rice or starch food like sweet potatoes or whole potatoes. And whole fruits and vegetables such as carrots, tomatoes, alfalfa, cranberries and apples etc.

Reasons: The whole grains and starch food are digestible hence, a good source of energy for the cat. While whole fruits and the vegetables are excellent source of fiber plus occuring natural vitamins and minerals.

3) Oils, Fats and Preservatives: In addition, you should look for named fats from reliable source like; lamb fat, chicken fat, sunflower oil, herring oil etc. Also preferable from whole food are natural preservatives like mixed tocopeherols and vitamin E.

Why?: Oils and fats from prescribed, nutrious animals and plants are a rich source of essential fatty acids that helps to produce healthy skin and lustrous coats.

4) And lastly, look for antioxidants from natural sources like vegetable and fruits. Also vitamins such as beta carotene, biotin, and ascorbic acid etc. Chelated minerals like iron proteinate, and manganese proteinate can also be added.

Reasons: They are all natural sources of quality nutrition and supplements ensuring your cat stays healthy and lives longer. Checkout healthy cat food here.

Healthy Cat Food Video

Comments

Kat07 profile image

Kat07 4 years ago

What kinds of things would I NOT want to see on a cat food label?

Whitney05 profile image

Whitney05 Level 2 Commenter 4 years ago

I find that a healthy pet is derived from healthy nutrition... Of course breedings, and vaccinations as well. But, proper nutrition helps.

piusvic Hub Author 4 years ago

Hi Katy07,

Thanks for your comment. You should avoid the following:

1) Food ingredients that are unnamed with wording like - poultry by products, meat meal, poultry meal, animal digest,meat and bone meal, etc. Also of note that protein fillers like - wheat germ meal, corn gluten meal, wheat gluten, egg product meal, soybean meal, should be avoided.

2) It has also been discovered that gluten and Vegetable proteins, which are indigestible and cause allergies for cats, are made from refined flours, brewer's rice, wheat, mill runs etc. You should also watch out for processed vegetables and fruits such as dehydrated potatoes, tomato pumice and alfalfa meal.

3) Fats from not well-defined sources such as animal fat, poultry fat, vegetable oil should be avoided. In addition, stay away from synthetic preservatives like ethoxyquin, BHA, and BHT.

4) Lastly, avoid artificial flavoring and colors. Propylene glycol, a less toxic version of antifreeze used in cars is another common additive you should stay away from.

I hope it answer your question and you find the tips useful.

Kat07 profile image

Kat07 4 years ago

WOW, this is very very detailed!!! Thank you so much, I'm going to compare the list to the ingredients on their food right now!!!

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