Hi all! Need some help on choosing a good dry food replacement for our senior cat as he no longer likes the Wellness chicken dry food. Note we do NOT feed dry food exclusively and he also has a good mix of WET food (favorites include the pate types such as Natural BalanceTurkey & Giblets, Nature's Variety Instinct Chicken Formula, Wellness Core Grain-Free Chicken Turkey and Liver). Understand there are 100% wet food advocates but really I would like some advice on how to find a replacement for the best dry food for my senior cat. Long post below...
Some background
My cat is currently 14 years old. He is a male Turkish Angora and has been relatively healthy except for a case of some crystals a couple of years ago. Following that incident, we've had check-ups since and his bloodwork looked fine as of about 18 months ago (we go for health check-ups every 18 months, as going to the vet really, really stresses him out and I don't want to put him through that too frequently). We've noticed in the past year or so, he definitely has aged, and is not as active anymore and sleeps a lot throughout the day. Also, noticed his back legs are not as strong, and is quite careful about jumping now, so also worried about joint/bone health. I also really want to be careful about his kidney health.
What criteria should I look for in DRY food for a SENIOR CAT? (I supplement with wet too!)
The below are my understanding and what I've tried to base my dry food decisions on. I hope that I have got this right and appreciate it if some experts can correct my understanding if I'm wrong... And when I look at the percentages of certain ingredients, I should refer to the "Guaranteed Analysis" correct? Is this the right way of looking at it?
- Protein levels / not grain-free: I understand it's fine to feed grain-free WET food, but for dry-food I understand that grain-free DRY may be bad for male cats especially seniors as it puts their kidneys under pressure? So I should aim for something <40% in the guaranteed analysis?
- Flavors: Stick to chicken/duck/poultry flavors as fish may contain mercury and may be bad for urinary health (especially since he got crystals before)?
- Ash: Stay away from high ash levels as too many minerals can again harm kidneys? Is over 0.6% considered high?
- Phosphorous: The lower the better? Aim not over 1%?
- Taurine: Should be present in chicken food, good for muscle health?
- DL Methionine: Try to find dry cat food with this ingredient as it helps to avoid crystal formation.
Brands he has tried
- Wellness Complete Health Chicken - This was his most recent dry food, but he stopped liking it. He seemed to do well on it though. I'm not sure if it's due to the shape of the kibble, his teeth might be weaker now, but he just doesn't seem to like it as much. I also heard that Wellness has had some issues with recalls...
- Innova Elderly Cat - I thought the ingredients were pretty good, but my cat didn't like it. I guess the flavor was too bland. I also heard that Innova similar to Wellness has had issues with recalls etc...
- Artemis Adult Cat - He liked this too but the ash level was 6.1-6.7%, wasn't sure if I should be concerned.
- Fromm Duck A La Veg - He was fine eating this, but noticed it made him constipated so we stopped.
- Holistic Select Chicken Red Rice - He was ok eating this too, but noticed he seemed to vomit more (not sure if a coincidence with his routine "hairball vomiting), so we stopped to be on the safe side.
- Almo Nature Holistic Croquettes Chicken - He loved this but second ingredient was maize gluten meal which put me off. Also had beet pulp.
Help me choose!
What do you think of the below selection? Perhaps they are all okay and I could use them in rotation (since his tastes seem to change now and then)? Any no-nos? OR if there is another good senior cat dry food that you would recommend?
1) Oven-Baked Tradition Chicken Cat Food - He has tried a sample of this before and quite likes it. I like how it has DL-methionine but not too keen on the dried beet pulp, and fish and herring meal. Should I be concerned? Also, would the protein level of 28% be on the low end? Is ash level of 6% and phosphorous level of 0.8% acceptable?
Fresh deboned chicken, chicken meal, ground pearled barley, ground brown rice, fresh chicken liver, oatmeal, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), dried beet pulp, pumpkin puree, brewer’s yeast, fresh fish, fish meal, dried egg product, ground whole flaxseed, herring oil, inulin (prebiotic), yucca schidigera extract, fresh cranberries, fresh blueberries, fresh sweet potato, fresh carrots, fresh apples, fresh spinach, DL-methionine, dried pineapple, choline chloride, potassium chloride, taurine, green tea extract (catechin), parsley, glucosamine hydrochloride, chondroitin sulfate, lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, lactobacillus lactis fermentation product, lactobacillus casei fermentation product, vitamins and minerals [ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, niacin, vitamin E, folic acid, vitamin B12, copper sulfate, manganous oxide, vitamin A, selenium, thiamine mononitrate, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin , pyridoxine hydrochloride, biotin, vitamin D3, calcium iodate], natural flavor, rosemary extract.
2) Oven-Baked Tradition Senior Chicken Cat Food - Lower fat levels than the regular version above, but somehow ash and phosphorus levels are higher... is that strange? I like how it has glucosamine though.
Fresh deboned chicken, chicken meal, ground brown rice, ground pearled barley, fresh chicken liver, fresh fish, dried beet pulp, brewer’s yeast, fresh cranberries, fresh spinach, ground whole flaxseed, dried egg product, potassium chloride, fresh blueberries, fresh sweet potato, fresh carrots, fresh apples, fresh bananas, fresh broccoli, dried kelp, dried alfalfa, canola oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), salmon oil, choline chloride, glucosamine hydrochloride, dehydrated pineapple, inulin (prebiotic), yucca schidigera extract, chondroitin sulfate, vitamine E, vitamine C, DL-methionine, green tea extract (catechin), zinc proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation solubles, lactobacillus lactis fermentation solubles, lactobacillus casei fermentation solubles, vitamins and minerals [calcium sulfate, taurine, ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, niacin, folic acid, vitamin B12, copper sulfate, manganese oxide, vitamin A, selenium, thiamin mononitrate, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, biotin, vitamin D3, calcium iodate], natural flavor, rosemary extract. (May contain trace amount of peanuts).
3) Organix Adult Cat Food - He has tried a sample too and seems to like it. What is powdered cellulose? It also doesn't have DL-methionine. Protein levels higher than Oven-Baked, though ash and phosphorus are higher..
Organic Chicken, Poultry Meal, Organic Peas, Organic Brown Rice, Organic Barley, Pea Protein, Organic Poultry Fat (Naturally Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), Salmon Meal, Organic Flaxseed, Natural Chicken Flavor, Dried Egg Product, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Calcium Sulfate, Salt, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin, Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Choline Chloride, Taurine, Potassium Chloride, Yeast Culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus niger Fermentation Extract, Dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum Fermentation Extract, Dried Bacillus subtilis, Fermentation Solubles, Rosemary Extract.
4) Taste of the Wild Rocky Moutain Feline Formula (Roasted Venison & Smoked Salmon) - My main gripe is this is GRAIN-FREE which makes the protein levels skyrocket and I think is not good for a dry food for a senior cat. Also doesn't disclose phosphorous and ash levels.
Chicken meal, peas, sweet potatoes, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), pea protein, potato protein, roasted venison, smoked salmon, natural flavor, ocean fish meal, DL-methionine, potassium chloride, taurine, choline chloride, dried chicory root, tomatoes, blueberries, raspberries, yucca schidigera extract, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis, zinc proteinate, vitamin E supplement, niacin, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, zinc sulfate, manganese sulfate, copper sulfate, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), vitamin A supplement, biotin, potassium iodide, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin (vitamin B2), pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, manganous oxide, sodium selenite, vitamin D supplement, folic acid.
5) Eagle Pack Indoor Adult Cat - I received a sample of the normal version (not indoor cat) and my cat seemed to like it. However, I have never heard of this brand before at all! So not sure if it is tried and trusted. Phosphorous seems on high side and also doesn't disclose ash levels.
Chicken Meal, Rice, Peas, Oatmeal, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Alfalfa Meal, Tomato Pomace, Flaxseed, Natural Chicken Flavor, Brewers Dried Yeast, Choline Chloride, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Inulin, Vitamins [Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Vitamin A Supplement, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Thiamine Mononitrate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid], Minerals [Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate], Calcium Carbonate, Mixed Tocopherols added to preserve freshness, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus licheniformis Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus oryzae Fermentation Product, Dried Trichoderma reesei Fermentation Product, Dried Rhizopus oryzae Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract, Green Tea Extract.
Sorry for this long post and thank you for reading... as you can imagine, choosing cat dry food that meets all of the above criteria (feel free to correct my understanding if I have got any of it wrong) is not an easy feat! I am highly concerned about my cat's health given he is in his senior years, so want to be extra extra careful about what I choose for him to eat. Thanks so much in advance!
Some background
My cat is currently 14 years old. He is a male Turkish Angora and has been relatively healthy except for a case of some crystals a couple of years ago. Following that incident, we've had check-ups since and his bloodwork looked fine as of about 18 months ago (we go for health check-ups every 18 months, as going to the vet really, really stresses him out and I don't want to put him through that too frequently). We've noticed in the past year or so, he definitely has aged, and is not as active anymore and sleeps a lot throughout the day. Also, noticed his back legs are not as strong, and is quite careful about jumping now, so also worried about joint/bone health. I also really want to be careful about his kidney health.
What criteria should I look for in DRY food for a SENIOR CAT? (I supplement with wet too!)
The below are my understanding and what I've tried to base my dry food decisions on. I hope that I have got this right and appreciate it if some experts can correct my understanding if I'm wrong... And when I look at the percentages of certain ingredients, I should refer to the "Guaranteed Analysis" correct? Is this the right way of looking at it?
- Protein levels / not grain-free: I understand it's fine to feed grain-free WET food, but for dry-food I understand that grain-free DRY may be bad for male cats especially seniors as it puts their kidneys under pressure? So I should aim for something <40% in the guaranteed analysis?
- Flavors: Stick to chicken/duck/poultry flavors as fish may contain mercury and may be bad for urinary health (especially since he got crystals before)?
- Ash: Stay away from high ash levels as too many minerals can again harm kidneys? Is over 0.6% considered high?
- Phosphorous: The lower the better? Aim not over 1%?
- Taurine: Should be present in chicken food, good for muscle health?
- DL Methionine: Try to find dry cat food with this ingredient as it helps to avoid crystal formation.
Brands he has tried
- Wellness Complete Health Chicken - This was his most recent dry food, but he stopped liking it. He seemed to do well on it though. I'm not sure if it's due to the shape of the kibble, his teeth might be weaker now, but he just doesn't seem to like it as much. I also heard that Wellness has had some issues with recalls...
- Innova Elderly Cat - I thought the ingredients were pretty good, but my cat didn't like it. I guess the flavor was too bland. I also heard that Innova similar to Wellness has had issues with recalls etc...
- Artemis Adult Cat - He liked this too but the ash level was 6.1-6.7%, wasn't sure if I should be concerned.
- Fromm Duck A La Veg - He was fine eating this, but noticed it made him constipated so we stopped.
- Holistic Select Chicken Red Rice - He was ok eating this too, but noticed he seemed to vomit more (not sure if a coincidence with his routine "hairball vomiting), so we stopped to be on the safe side.
- Almo Nature Holistic Croquettes Chicken - He loved this but second ingredient was maize gluten meal which put me off. Also had beet pulp.
Help me choose!
What do you think of the below selection? Perhaps they are all okay and I could use them in rotation (since his tastes seem to change now and then)? Any no-nos? OR if there is another good senior cat dry food that you would recommend?
1) Oven-Baked Tradition Chicken Cat Food - He has tried a sample of this before and quite likes it. I like how it has DL-methionine but not too keen on the dried beet pulp, and fish and herring meal. Should I be concerned? Also, would the protein level of 28% be on the low end? Is ash level of 6% and phosphorous level of 0.8% acceptable?
Fresh deboned chicken, chicken meal, ground pearled barley, ground brown rice, fresh chicken liver, oatmeal, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), dried beet pulp, pumpkin puree, brewer’s yeast, fresh fish, fish meal, dried egg product, ground whole flaxseed, herring oil, inulin (prebiotic), yucca schidigera extract, fresh cranberries, fresh blueberries, fresh sweet potato, fresh carrots, fresh apples, fresh spinach, DL-methionine, dried pineapple, choline chloride, potassium chloride, taurine, green tea extract (catechin), parsley, glucosamine hydrochloride, chondroitin sulfate, lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, lactobacillus lactis fermentation product, lactobacillus casei fermentation product, vitamins and minerals [ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, niacin, vitamin E, folic acid, vitamin B12, copper sulfate, manganous oxide, vitamin A, selenium, thiamine mononitrate, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin , pyridoxine hydrochloride, biotin, vitamin D3, calcium iodate], natural flavor, rosemary extract.
| Crude protein | Min. | 28.0% |
| Crude fat | Min. | 14.0% |
| Crude fiber | Max. | 3.0% |
| Moisture | Max. | 10.0% |
| Ash | Max. | 6.0% |
| Calcium | Min. | 0.9% |
| Phosphorus | Min. | 0.8% |
| Magnesium | Max. | 0.1% |
| Omega-6 fatty acids | Min. | 2.8% |
| Omega-3 fatty acids | Min. | 1.0% |
Fresh deboned chicken, chicken meal, ground brown rice, ground pearled barley, fresh chicken liver, fresh fish, dried beet pulp, brewer’s yeast, fresh cranberries, fresh spinach, ground whole flaxseed, dried egg product, potassium chloride, fresh blueberries, fresh sweet potato, fresh carrots, fresh apples, fresh bananas, fresh broccoli, dried kelp, dried alfalfa, canola oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), salmon oil, choline chloride, glucosamine hydrochloride, dehydrated pineapple, inulin (prebiotic), yucca schidigera extract, chondroitin sulfate, vitamine E, vitamine C, DL-methionine, green tea extract (catechin), zinc proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation solubles, lactobacillus lactis fermentation solubles, lactobacillus casei fermentation solubles, vitamins and minerals [calcium sulfate, taurine, ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, niacin, folic acid, vitamin B12, copper sulfate, manganese oxide, vitamin A, selenium, thiamin mononitrate, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, biotin, vitamin D3, calcium iodate], natural flavor, rosemary extract. (May contain trace amount of peanuts).
| Crude protein | Min. | 28.0% |
| Crude fat | Min. | 9.0% |
| Crude fiber | Max. | 2.5% |
| Moisture | Max. | 10.0% |
| Ash | Max. | 7.0% |
| Calcium | Min. | 1.1% |
| Phosphorus | Min. | 0.9% |
| Magnesium | Max. | 0.1% |
| Omega-6 fatty acids | Min. | 2.% |
| Omega-3 fatty acids | Min. | 0.5% |
| Glucosamine | mg/kg min | 500 |
| Chondroitin | mg/kg min | 400 |
Organic Chicken, Poultry Meal, Organic Peas, Organic Brown Rice, Organic Barley, Pea Protein, Organic Poultry Fat (Naturally Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), Salmon Meal, Organic Flaxseed, Natural Chicken Flavor, Dried Egg Product, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Calcium Sulfate, Salt, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin, Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Choline Chloride, Taurine, Potassium Chloride, Yeast Culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus niger Fermentation Extract, Dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum Fermentation Extract, Dried Bacillus subtilis, Fermentation Solubles, Rosemary Extract.
| Crude Protein (min.) | 31.00% |
| Crude Fat (min.) | 16.00% |
| Crude Fiber (max.) | 3.50% |
| Moisture (max.) | 10.00% |
| Ash (max.) | 7.00% |
| Calcium (min.) | 1.00% |
| Phosphorus (min.) | 0.90% |
| Vitamin E (min.) | 30 IU/kg |
| Taurine (min.) | 0.125% |
| Omega 6 Fatty Acids (min.)* | 2.75% |
| Omega 3 Fatty Acids (min.)* | 0.80% |
Chicken meal, peas, sweet potatoes, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), pea protein, potato protein, roasted venison, smoked salmon, natural flavor, ocean fish meal, DL-methionine, potassium chloride, taurine, choline chloride, dried chicory root, tomatoes, blueberries, raspberries, yucca schidigera extract, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis, zinc proteinate, vitamin E supplement, niacin, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, zinc sulfate, manganese sulfate, copper sulfate, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), vitamin A supplement, biotin, potassium iodide, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin (vitamin B2), pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, manganous oxide, sodium selenite, vitamin D supplement, folic acid.
| Crude Protein | 42.0% | Minimum |
| Crude Fat | 18.0% | Minimum |
| Crude Fiber | 3.0% | Maximum |
| Moisture | 10.0% | Maximum |
| Zinc | 120 mg/kg | Minimum |
| Selenium | 0.3 mg/kg | Minimum |
| Vitamin E | 150 IU/kg | Minimum |
| Taurine | 0.15% | Minimum |
| Omega-6 Fatty Acids * | 2.8% | Minimum |
| Omega-3 Fatty Acids * | 0.3% | Minimum |
| Total Live & Active Cultures (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis) * | 220,000,000 |
Chicken Meal, Rice, Peas, Oatmeal, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Alfalfa Meal, Tomato Pomace, Flaxseed, Natural Chicken Flavor, Brewers Dried Yeast, Choline Chloride, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Inulin, Vitamins [Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Vitamin A Supplement, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Thiamine Mononitrate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid], Minerals [Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate], Calcium Carbonate, Mixed Tocopherols added to preserve freshness, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus licheniformis Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus oryzae Fermentation Product, Dried Trichoderma reesei Fermentation Product, Dried Rhizopus oryzae Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract, Green Tea Extract.
| Crude Protein | (min.) | 32.00% |
| Crude Fat | (min.) | 14.00% |
| Crude Fiber | (max.) | 4.00% |
| Moisture | (max.) | 10.00% |
| Calcium | (min.) | 1.50% |
| Phosphorus | (min.) | 1.00% |
| Magnesium | (max.) | 0.135% |
| Vitamin E | (min.) | 75 IU/kg |
| Taurine | (min.) | 0.15% |
| Omega-6 Fatty Acids* | (min.) | 2.25% |
| Omega-3 Fatty Acids* | (min.) | 0.75% |
| Total Lactic Acid Microorganisms* | (min.) | 70,000,000 CFU/lb |
