What To Look For In Cat Food?

Shopping for the best cat food isn’t easy. Most cat food is marketed as the “best” choice, but they may be lacking essential ingredients to help your pet grow strong, active, and healthy. They also contain terms you might not be familiar with like “meat by-products.” Online reviews vary in their choice of the best cat food as well, making it more confusing for us cat lovers.

To simplify your shopping experience, we researched the most recommended ingredients in cat food. Look for these ingredients the next time you go shopping for the best cat food.

Top 3 Ingredients to Look For in Cat Food

1. Animal Protein

Derived primarily from meat sources, protein is an important source of energy and essential amino acids for your furry friend. Domesticated cats descend from African wildcats (Felis silvestris lybica), and until today, they’re obligate carnivores like their ancestors. According to the International Society for Endangered Cats Canada, wildcats usually prey on rodents, hares, rabbits, birds, frogs, weasels, and livestock, poultry, and other animals. 

Of course, we don’t expect you to go hunting and scavenging while your cat lazily lounges at home. But you can easily provide the protein they need by looking for cat food that mentions specific sources such as beef, poultry, or fish as the first ingredient. Choose brands like Mo and Bear's Purr Delight, which is made from real tuna from reputable sources, without fillers or extenders. 

You might also come across certain terms like meat, meat by-products, and meal on pet food. The Association of American Feed Control (AAFCO) says that meat by-products are safe for your pets, but also says feeding them to your pet is a matter of personal choice. AAFCO explains each ingredient as such:

• Meat - muscle tissue of slaughtered animals, including skeletal muscle and certain tissues like fat and gristle excluding the bones. The manufacturer may specify the meat source, like beef or pork.
• Meat by-products - all parts of an animal including internal organs and bones but excluding muscle tissue
• Poultry - the clean mix of flesh and skin in poultry, with or without bone and excluding feathers, heads, feet, and entrails
• Poultry by-products - unprocessed, clean parts of poultry including parts like the heart, gizzard, liver, internal organs, heads, and feet
• Meal - ground meat product with most of the water removed, leaving primarily protein and minerals.

Note: There could be a different definition of these terms depending on where the cat food originated. For instance, in Australia, there is no standardized definition of these terms so Sydney Veterinary Emergency and Specialists recommends looking for food that names a specific protein source, like beef or chicken.

2. Fats 

Fats? Yes, fats are an important ingredient in cat food! Unlike humans, cats struggle to efficiently use carbohydrates, relying on fat for energy. Without fats, your cat might also experience slow growth, have dry and flaky skin, and become more sickly.

A fact sheet from the Global Alliance of Pet Food Associations says that fat is a highly concentrated energy source, providing twice as many calories per gram compared to carbohydrates or protein.  Moreover, fats supply essential fatty acids that the body cannot produce on its own and make it possible for essential vitamins (A, D, E, K) to be absorbed by the body. And if that’s not enough, cats rely on fats to have healthy skin and enhance the taste of food. Do you have a fussy feline who turns up their nose on their food? Then maybe they’re just missing some fats in their diet!

Today’s Veterinary Practice shows that the following essential fatty acids are required in cats since they cannot produce these on their own:

Omega-6 fatty acid - found in canola oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil, hemp seed oil

Omega-3 fatty acid - found in fish oil (e.g., sardines, salmon)

There are different types of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids for cats. You can look for cat food that contain alpha-linoleic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for Omega-3s. DHA is especially vital for kittens’ brain and eye health. Meanwhile, the Omega-6 fatty acids important for cats are arachidonic acid (AA) and linoleic acid (LA).

Of course, not all cats are created equal. Pets that are overweight or obese should lessen their fat intake. In the same way, senior pets may have lower energy requirements so they might not need as much fat as other pets. It’s always best to consult with your veterinarian when determining the amount of fat for each pet’s diet.

3. Fiber

Are you feeding your cat fiber-rich food? Petfoodology, the blog of the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, says that cats (and dogs, for that matter) don’t need fiber. However, there are cases where fiber is good for them. Fiber helps cats with certain conditions like diarrhea, constipation, diabetes, high-fat levels in the blood, or obesity. 

Unfortunately, the amount of fiber in commercial pet food may not be what your pet needs. There are two main types of fiber: soluble and insoluble fiber, which affect the body in different ways. The total amount of fiber you see in most pet food is “crude fiber”, which is not the same as “total dietary fiber” and only measures the amount of insoluble fiber. The cat food you buy may actually have much more total fiber or the amounts or types of fiber could be different. 

Your Cat’s Nutritional Needs, published by the National Academy of Sciences, says that a cat’s meals should not contain over 10% of fiber. But if your pet is suffering from constipation, diabetes, or any of the conditions we mentioned above, the best way to know how much fiber they need is to ask your vet. Too little or too much fiber can affect your cat’s health, so it's best to consult the experts.

Choosing the Purr-fect Cat Food

Looking for the best cat food doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Knowing the essential ingredients your cat needs simplifies the process and helps your favorite pet thrive. Remember to prioritize animal protein, essential fats, and when necessary, fiber to ensure your cat remains healthy. Also, remember to visit your vet regularly for personalized advice. Here’s to a happy and purr-fectly nourished feline companion!