The best and worst brands of cat food
Your cat's health and happiness can be greatly affected by the food you feed them.
We polled 3,240 cat owners to find out which brands are favoured by both pets and their owners, as well as factors like the food's perceived value and level of enjoyment for the cat.
In addition, our team of pet nutrition specialists has provided advice on how to choose the healthiest diet for your feline.
We polled 3,240 cat owners to find out which brands are favoured by both pets and their owners, as well as factors like the food's perceived value and level of enjoyment for the cat.
In addition, our team of pet nutrition specialists has provided advice on how to choose the healthiest diet for your feline.
Top brands of cat food
Customer satisfaction survey ratings for cat food brands
Customer satisfaction survey ratings for cat food brands
Impressively, our highest scorer received a 75% customer score.
On the other end of the spectrum, eight brands received a score of less than 50%; these included brands that received only one star out of five for value for money and one with a 40% overall low customer score.
On the other end of the spectrum, eight brands received a score of less than 50%; these included brands that received only one star out of five for value for money and one with a 40% overall low customer score.
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How to select the finest cat chow
To find out what factors are most important when selecting a cat food, we chatted with academics studying pet nutrition.
- overall well-being
- Lots of vigour
- Healthy sleeping practices
- Having regular, solid stools
- Keeping a healthy weight
Professor of Physiology at the University of Nottingham, Dr. David Gardner, advises us to:
Select a comprehensive cat food.
To begin with, confirm that the food you are giving your pet is "nutritionally complete."
With them, you may feed your pet the same item every day without worrying about creating a nutritional imbalance or deficiency because they are made to provide all the nutrients your pet requires.
With them, you may feed your pet the same item every day without worrying about creating a nutritional imbalance or deficiency because they are made to provide all the nutrients your pet requires.
Sort the cat food by weight.
It's possible you won't realise your pet is being overfed. The most secure method to prevent this is to ensure that your cat is fed the appropriate quantity of food at each meal.
Adapt the food you give your cat.
You are more likely to provide your cat with all the nutrients they require if you periodically switch up the food you feed them.
These adjustments could be as simple as changing the food's taste. But always remember to adjust your diet gradually. For the first few days, give your cat no more than 25% new food; over the course of a week, you can progressively increase this amount.
It's not necessary to switch up your pet food because some cats can be picky. Therefore, making sure your cat eats is more vital than providing them with a variety diet if they refuse to try new foods.
These adjustments could be as simple as changing the food's taste. But always remember to adjust your diet gradually. For the first few days, give your cat no more than 25% new food; over the course of a week, you can progressively increase this amount.
It's not necessary to switch up your pet food because some cats can be picky. Therefore, making sure your cat eats is more vital than providing them with a variety diet if they refuse to try new foods.
Which is better for cats: wet or dry food?
a feline searching for blue eyes
There's no real advantage to either sort of food—both wet and dry can be nutritionally full.
Feeding your pet a combination of dry and wet food is advised by Dr. Gardner. This is so that you can benefit from the best of each because there may be tiny variations in the nutrients they contain.
Pets who eat wet food are more likely to develop dental problems, but it is also frequently more expensive.
In addition to being healthier for a cat's teeth and gums, dry food is typically less expensive and simpler to use and store. Make sure your cat has access to lots of fresh water if you decide to feed them predominantly dry food so they may keep well hydrated.
There's no real advantage to either sort of food—both wet and dry can be nutritionally full.
Feeding your pet a combination of dry and wet food is advised by Dr. Gardner. This is so that you can benefit from the best of each because there may be tiny variations in the nutrients they contain.
Pets who eat wet food are more likely to develop dental problems, but it is also frequently more expensive.
In addition to being healthier for a cat's teeth and gums, dry food is typically less expensive and simpler to use and store. Make sure your cat has access to lots of fresh water if you decide to feed them predominantly dry food so they may keep well hydrated.
Although raw pet food has gained popularity in recent years, experts typically advise against it since handling and consuming raw meat around the house poses a health risk to humans.
Salmonella, listeria, campylobacter, and e. coli are among the bacteria that can be found in raw meat. Both humans and animals become seriously ill from them, especially the elderly, young, and those with weakened immune systems.
These can be dispersed about the house when food is being prepared, as well as after your pet kisses your face.
Salmonella, listeria, campylobacter, and e. coli are among the bacteria that can be found in raw meat. Both humans and animals become seriously ill from them, especially the elderly, young, and those with weakened immune systems.
These can be dispersed about the house when food is being prepared, as well as after your pet kisses your face.
Best and worst dog food brands - see our guide to the best-rated brands for pooches
Does my cat have an excess of weight?
As per a survey conducted by UK Pet Food in 2022
according to the top trade association, 50% of dogs and 43% of cats are overweight or obese.
Your pet's quality of life may be greatly impacted by being overweight, which may prevent them from getting enough activity or sleep. Additionally, it makes individuals more susceptible to conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
according to the top trade association, 50% of dogs and 43% of cats are overweight or obese.
Your pet's quality of life may be greatly impacted by being overweight, which may prevent them from getting enough activity or sleep. Additionally, it makes individuals more susceptible to conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
How to recognise an overweight cat
Dr. Teresa Hollands offers the following easy way to weigh your pet:
"Make a fist with your hand and use your fingers to feel your knuckles," she instructs. Your pet is underweight if their ribs feel that way. After that, flatten your hand and feel your knuckles once more. They are the ideal weight if their ribs feel that way.
Lastly, maintain your hand flat, turn it over, and run your fingertips over the pads at the base of your fingers on your palm. They are overweight if their ribs feel like that.
"Make a fist with your hand and use your fingers to feel your knuckles," she instructs. Your pet is underweight if their ribs feel that way. After that, flatten your hand and feel your knuckles once more. They are the ideal weight if their ribs feel that way.
Lastly, maintain your hand flat, turn it over, and run your fingertips over the pads at the base of your fingers on your palm. They are overweight if their ribs feel like that.
Physical indicators of your cat's obesity
Additionally, you can use visual cues to keep an eye on your cat's weight.
Additionally, you can use visual cues to keep an eye on your cat's weight.
- Extremely slender, with protruding ribs, a backbone, and hip bones, with very little muscle and body fat.
- Underweight: noticeable tucked-in waist, visible ribs and backbone, a little fat over hip bones.
- Perfect: a smooth, tucked-in waist, a slight abdominal fat pad evident, and detectable but not noticeable ribs, backbone, and hips.
- Overweight: no waist, big abdominal fat pad, hard to feel ribs, backbone, and hip bones.
- Obese: round body, fat pad dangling under the cat, unable to feel hip, back, or ribs.
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