Guiding principals of food??

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hs4816

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There's an overwhelming number of posts about food - and I just don't know where to start.

Would you experienced people be able to compile a list of general tips/hints for analyzing the quality of cat food. I'm not looking for anything brand specific, just guiding principals so I can do my own decision making.

Things like:
Different meat types (better or worse?)
Corn vs. rice, etc. (are there always fillers, are some better/worse)
Supplements/additives (herbs, lysine, etc.)
Minimum percentages
Things to look for
Things to avoid

etc.

Just basically if someone could explain the important components that make up high quality cat food.

Thanks!!
 
sharky

sharky

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Originally Posted by hs4816

There's an overwhelming number of posts about food - and I just don't know where to start.

Would you experienced people be able to compile a list of general tips/hints for analyzing the quality of cat food. I'm not looking for anything brand specific, just guiding principals so I can do my own decision making.

Things like:
Different meat types (better or worse?)I like chn since in the wild small birds would be on the menu, along that line would be turkey and rabbit
Corn vs. rice, etc. (are there always fillers, are some better/worse)rice is easier to digest less come out
Supplements/additives (herbs, lysine, etc.)Vitamins have to be added as for herbs I think some could be good but read up on the ones your looking at
Minimum percentages accourding to a "older " vet 28% plus... I aim for 30-34 for my youngest
Things to look for... probiotics, ease of digestability , how bad the litter box smells and what the solids look like
Things to avoid.. by products other than liver and kidneys( these are what many wild cats do eat)

etc.

Just basically if someone could explain the important components that make up high quality cat food.
to me the right amount of meat ( no by products ) , limited grains and digestailty of them , good viatimins and knowing the sourcces , and any special things ( hairball control ,wt mgmt ,indoor)
Hope this help clear the mud a little

Thanks!!
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nano

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Let's see...

I avoid meat by-products.

I try to get the best value for quality amongst the premium foods.

I pick a brand that is consistently available.

Then I look at the specific pet:

For Nano, she has/had problems so I went out of my way to find a food that promotes easy digestion and does not cause bad litter box odors. I also needed something that was easy for her to chew.

I ended up with Authority Indoor Cat Formula (Petsmart's generic). But if I had a different cat with different issues, I'd probably end up with something completely different.

(If I suddenly had to take care of a new cat with unknown circumstances, I'd guess its age and then go buy the most appropriate Nutro brand. Jn my analysis, it was the best "all-around" brand without knowing anything about the cat.)
 
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hs4816

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Thanks


But how do you know what promotes digestion and decreases litter box odours?? Is there any science behind it?

Is there some science/evidence to back up their claims... is there anywhere I can do some reading that's written by a non-biased sourse (ie. a vet association or something)?
 
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nano

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There's no science here. Just think of all the human weight loss diets and all the claims and all the disagreements -- no one has any FINAL WORDS that are accepted and recognized by all.

For instance, brewer's rice and beet pulp (#2 and #7 ingredients) help with digestion and reduce the litter box waste. So my current brand of cat food works for Nano. But if she had weak kidneys or chronic urinary issues, I'd need to pick a brand that minimizes things like ash and or magnesium.

I just figured things out by listing Nano's physical strengths and weaknesses, then experimenting with free samples from most major premium brands for trial and error, followed by maybe 2-3 hours of Google time...check what people say here to make sure I am not really going off on a wild hair...then made a decision.
 
sharky

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Read the "holistic type pet sites " I found many vet schools sites had good info... for dogs there is the whole food journal not sure if there is one cats.. it is not a bible but it can help with the basics
 
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