Cat nutrition is a fascinating and broad topic. There are a huge variety of brands and types of food on the market, and new options are emerging every day. If you own a cat or are thinking of adopting one, you've probably faced the difficult decision of choosing which type of food is best for your cat. And with the growing popularity of more natural diets, such as BARF diet, it can be even more complicated to decide between so many alternatives.
Below, we offer you a complete guide to the main cat food options, from natural food to commercial feeds. After reading this article, you will have all the information you need to make the best choice for your feline.
Natural food: the BARF diet
Cats are strictly carnivorous animals, meaning that in the wild they get all the nutrients they need from the prey they hunt, such as mice, small birds, or even insects. This natural diet has inspired the BARF diet (acronym for "Biologically Appropriate Raw Food").
What is the BARF diet?
The BARF diet consists of feeding your cat raw meat, offal and bones in proportions similar to what they would consume in the wild. Generally, the formula of 80% meat, 10% meaty bones and 10% offal is followed. Some keepers also add small amounts of Herbs (such as parsley or thyme) or dietary supplements to ensure a balanced diet.
However, it is important to take into account some precautions:
- Freeze the meat beforehand: This helps to eliminate parasites that may be present.
- Cooking offal and fish: Although the BARF diet promotes raw foods, certain ingredients, such as fish and organ meats, should be lightly cooked to reduce risks.
- Veterinary supervision: Before starting a BARF diet, consult a veterinarian specialized in feline nutrition to ensure that your cat receives all the essential nutrients.
This diet can provide numerous benefits, such as a shinier coat and better digestion. However, not all cats adapt immediately, so the transition must be done gradually.
Commercial feeds: dry and wet
Commercial feeds are the most popular choice among cat owners due to their convenience. There are two main types: I think dry y wet feed, each with its advantages and disadvantages.
I think dry
Dry food, also known as kibble, is characterized by its long shelf life and easy storage. Some benefits of this type of food are:
- It is more economical than other options.
- It allows for moderate dental cleaning by encouraging chewing.
- It is easy to dose and can be left in the feeder for the cat to eat throughout the day.
When choosing a dry food, it is crucial to read the ingredients. The options high quality They are usually high in meat and free of grains such as corn or wheat, which can cause allergies in some cats. There are also mid-range brands that include rice as the main grain, a more affordable option but less optimal from a nutritional point of view.
I think wet
Wet feed, on the other hand, has a high water content, making it ideal for Cats that don't drink enough fluidsThis is particularly important to prevent urinary and kidney problems, which are common in felines.
Wet food is also usually more appealing to cats due to its texture and flavour. However, it is more expensive and, once opened, it must be consumed quickly to prevent spoilage.
Cat food according to their needs
Not all cats have the same nutritional needs. Factors such as age, activity level, health status or spaying can influence the type of food that is most suitable for them.
- Kittens: Cats under one year old need foods rich in protein and fat to support their growth. Small, soft kibbles are ideal for their developing jaws.
- Adult cats: Your diet should be balanced to maintain your energy and optimal health. Choose foods that combine high-quality proteins with essential vitamins and minerals.
- older cats: From a certain age, cats require foods with fewer calories to avoid being overweight and with ingredients that promote joint health and cognitive function.
- Sterilized cats: After sterilization, the cat's metabolism changes, increasing the risk of obesity. It is important to choose foods low in fat and calories but rich in protein.
For cats with specific needs, such as food sensitivities, allergies or chronic diseases, there are veterinary foods specially formulated to treat these problems.
Find out how much food your cat needs depending on su age and activity.
Choosing the best food for your cat will not only improve their quality of life, but can also prevent long-term health problems. Always consider their age, lifestyle and nutritional needs before making a decision. And remember that it is always advisable to consult with a veterinarian, who will be able to guide you towards the most suitable type of food for your pet.
To know what is the best food for the cat, I would mainly let you choose him, who is the wisest. Interested sources such as feed or canned food producers do not serve, for obvious reasons.
On giving the cats vegetables and cereals, I have already given my opinion several times, they are doing well and also proven. I have 9 cats and I see the results of giving them a balanced diet or not.
A very basic and simple law would be: "Don't give the cat something you wouldn't eat."
Advantages of giving your cat a homemade meal or feed:
- You know what you give it, both the feed and the wet food will always be made with elements that cannot be put in a refrigerator to cut and serve people, and if that were the case, then it would be more worthwhile to go buy it at the market directly .
- It will conserve more vitamins and nutrients. When processed at such high temperatures, feed loses most of its properties, which are then compensated by adding chemical products.
- As for wet or packaged food, if you want quality, it comes out at a much higher price / kg than if we bought a chicken breast directly.
- There are even products in the supermarket for human consumption, made from turkey or chicken, whose price / kg continues to be more affordable.
If even so, if you prefer to give the cat food or cans for convenience, it is best to give it to try several types and brands, so that it can choose this dish or the other, and thus find out which one eats more comfortably.
There are many stores on the Internet, it is good to compare prices and transport. I like those that publish the components or ingredients of the products, and I also value the opinions of other customers.
About the BARF diet, I personally don't like it. The good thing about cooking food is that the nutrients are better absorbed and digested, and it is also preserved optimally for a longer time, especially in hot weather, since the meat decomposes very quickly.
Cooking food is important because it is a good way to avoid toxicities from parasites and bacteria. Everyone knows that it is not advisable to touch chicken skin in case it is contaminated with Salmonella.
Hello Mercè.
I am also much more in favor of giving animals food as natural as possible. Still, my cats don't want to eat meat, not even cooked. Once we were even trying to make them change their minds, introducing them more and more natural food and putting less feed on it, and one of my cats stopped eating for 3 days 🙁. After that, I decided that I would give him the most 'premium' feed I could find. I get a 45kg bag for about 7 euros.
Whenever possible, it is best to give it a natural, biologically appropriate diet, be it BARF or any other. But if not, there are very good feed that satiates the cat's appetite and keeps it healthy.