Cats are beloved pets and deserve the best care and treatment. This applies to all aspects of keeping a cat, even what dry food to give a cat. But with so many brands and options to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which dry food to choose for your pet. With a little consideration for your pet’s specific health needs and some research on the available brand options, you can choose the right dry cat food for your pet and your budget.
Identify Specific Health Needs
Consider Your Cat’s Age
Dry cat food usually classifies cats by age. There are formulas that provide extra energy for a growing kitten. For older cats, there are options that can provide the essential nutrients needed by older kittens.
- These specialized formulas are designed to provide your cat with nutrients appropriate for their age, size, and health.
- If your cat is 12 months old or younger, choose kitten food.
- If your cat is 1-7 years old, choose adult food.
- Choose only senior cat food over 8 years old.
Consider Any Dietary Restrictions
Some cats have special dietary needs, such as allergies or weight issues. For overweight cats, these specialized formulas can help cats maintain a healthy diet that leads to a more ideal and healthy weight. There are dry food options for indoor cats, and there are also some dry food options for outdoor cats.
- Some dry cat foods are made specifically for cats that have been neutered.
- There are even special formulas for cats that are prone to hairball or urinary tract problems.
Consult Your Veterinarian
The best way to determine what specific health requirements your cat has is to discuss the issue with your veterinarian. At your cat’s next health check-up, ask your veterinarian what dietary issues they think you should be concerned about when considering different dry food options.
- Your veterinarian has the most knowledge and expertise when it comes to determining your pet’s specific needs. Trust their advice.
Research Different Options
Research the brand. There are many different brands of dry cat food to choose from. Look for a brand that has been around for a while and has a good reputation for producing high-quality food.
- You should also look for a brand that has a variety of different options in case your cat’s dietary needs change over time. Changing to a different brand of food will put much less pressure on the cat’s digestive tract.
- Check to see if the brand has ever been recalled online.
Check the Various Costs
Most dry cat food brands offer several different levels of “premium” food at different prices. Most offer economy or basic foods, regular formulas, and quality foods. In general, there is no need to opt for the premium version unless your cat has special dietary requirements.
Read the Label
Learn how to read the label on the dry cat food package. They provide you with a lot of valuable information as a consumer and pet owner. You can find a list of ingredients contained in foods here.
The most important thing to remember is to look for the quality ingredients listed first. You want a food that lists real meat, such as poultry, beef, lamb, or fish, as the first ingredient. If not, then the food contains more fillers designed to make your pet feel full, but does not provide the nutrients it needs.
Decide Which Size to Buy
Dry cat food comes in a variety of sizes. As you try to figure out what your cat likes and what works for you, consider buying the smallest package of each food item to avoid wasting money and food unnecessarily.
Once you’ve decided on the brand, breed, and flavor your cat prefers, you can consider buying a larger package. Usually, it’s cheaper to buy a larger package in the long run, as you can get a discount for buying more items at once.
Consider Your Cat’s Preferences
Just like humans, cats have a natural preference for foods they like and don’t like. Your cat may prefer a larger kibble or a smaller kibble. Cats may prefer one flavor of dry cat food over another. The only way to know for sure is to monitor the cat’s eating habits and try to determine which food the cat prefers the most.
For example, when you feed a cat food made with tuna or other fish products, its appetite may increase significantly, while when you feed it food with beef as the main ingredient, the cat may seem less hungry at mealtimes. This could mean that your cat prefers foods that contain fish products, and you should consider buying these products more often than others.
Avoid Unnecessary Costs
Keep a Budget
Owning a pet can sometimes come with a considerable financial burden. But there is no need to spend too much money to maintain your pet’s daily diet. In general, there is little evidence that high-quality dry cat food has any additional health benefits over more affordable options.
- Think about how much you can spend each month on dry food for your cat, and then choose an option that is within your budget.
Don’t feel bad about avoiding more expensive options. They are usually not worth it. - Keeping a budget also depends on how much food you feed your cat, as if you feed too much, your food will run out faster. When a cat meows in search of food, try petting it, or adhere to a strict schedule specified by a veterinarian.
Avoid Trendy Products
When it comes to a pet’s diet, it needs to be a fairly stable thing in a cat’s life. Choose a trusted brand that has been around for a while, rather than a new popular company that may change products or go out of business in a short period of time. This will save you from having to choose another dry cat food in the near future.
- Choose a product that you know and trust, or even a friend or veterinarian recommending it.
- You don’t want to choose it just because of the current popularity of dry cat food, as this may not be the healthiest or most affordable option.
Ignore Unnecessary Ingredients
Many dry cat foods contain active ingredients that are believed to be beneficial for your cat’s health, but there is actually no scientific evidence to support these claims. Focus on foods that provide protein, calcium, fat, and vitamins.
- Again, avoid any dry foods that contain the word “dietary”(e.g., corn flour) as the main ingredient.
- You’ll also want to avoid consuming too many carbs, as this is usually just a filler ingredient. It’s designed to keep your cat full, but it doesn’t provide any real nutritional value.