The Vet's Picks for the Best Cats' Food.

Feeding your cat a balanced, nutrient-rich diet is essential, whether you have recently brought home a little kitten or have been a cat parent for years. It affects your pet's growth in addition to keeping cats from getting serious health problems including cancer, obesity, and diabetes. Finding the best kitten and cat food, however, can be complicated and frustrating because there are so many options to pick from, just like there are for dog food. But it doesn't have to be at all!

Dr. Carly Fox, a staff physician at the Animal Medical Center in NYC, advises consumers to simply look for the AAFCO seal of approval on food packaging. For those who don't know, an AAFCO certificate (Association of American Feed Control Officials) guarantees that the food is balanced and comprehensive in terms of nutrition.

Additionally, she advises using Google to see if the manufacturer has tested its food on cats and evaluated their reactions to it. You should also see if they have published any papers on nutrition.

As their compositions are supported by research and industry professionals, Dr. Fox also advises sticking with commercially accessible products. Additionally, they can be purchased cheaply and conveniently from most websites, including Amazon, Chewy, Petco, and PetSmart, to mention a few.

Buying Cat Food: A Guide

Dr. Fox cautions that cats must eat meat because they must, unlike dogs. They should not be following a vegan or vegetarian diet at all, according to me. You should make sure that whichever food you choose contains enough protein to fulfill your cat's demands for growth and development in order to give it the greatest possible chance at living.

Dr. Fox claims that due to the way a cat's digestive system works, only meat-based foods can be broken down and processed. Therefore, it is unquestionably inappropriate to feed your cat any plant-based foods.

Taurine, an essential amino acid with crucial roles in the heart and brain, including promoting nerve growth, is also necessary for cats. Another reason your cat has to eat mostly carnivorous foods is that taurine, which is only found in animal sources like chicken, meat, or shellfish, cannot be found in plant sources.

Food Selection: Fresh, Dry or Wet

In contrast to dogs, who enjoy both wet and dry foods, your cat prefers wet food and treats. Since cats are prone to kidney problems, Dr. Fox claims that it keeps them hydrated. She continues, "I also suggest to patients to put some chicken stock or tuna water in their cat's water bowls to make sure they drink enough water throughout the day.

Wet and dry food can be provided alternately, but make sure to introduce any new foods to your cat's diet gradually. As for leaving out dry food all day while serving wet food only at mealtimes, Dr. Fox adds, "Most people also do this, and I normally don't suggest this practice since your cat can soon develop weight concerns." Establishing good eating habits and enforcing regulations is essential since cats, unlike dogs, are more nimble and have easier access to kitchen items.

Fresh food is a big no-no, according to Dr. Fox. In order to maintain their healthy growth, cats require extremely specific components that are difficult to find in table food or food that has been taken straight from the refrigerator. She advises that cat-grade food will suffice in place of feeding your cat human-grade food.

There aren't many AAFCO-approved cat food subscription services, in contrast to dog food subscription services, therefore Dr. Fox advises sticking with commercially available brands that have been tested particularly for cats.

Leading Brands of Cat Food

1) Wellness

With no wheat, maize, soy, artificial flavors, colors, carrageenan, or preservatives added, Wellness Natural pet food is an all-natural pet food brand. To meet your pet's total nutritional needs, pick from a range of protein combinations made with chicken, turkey, salmon, beef, and herring. If you have more than one cat at home, shopping for Wellness Natural is handy because it comes in a variety of sizes, including 3 oz., 5 oz., and 12.5 oz. With no wheat, maize, soy, artificial flavors, colors, carrageenan, or preservatives added, Wellness Natural pet food is an all-natural pet food brand. To meet your pet's total nutritional needs, pick from a range of protein combinations made with chicken, turkey, salmon, beef, and herring.

2) Purina Pro Plan

A veterinary nutritionist developed the high-quality food offered by the well-known AAFCO-approved brand to cater to the particular requirements of your adult cat. To narrow your search and get quick results, enter your cat's health requirements into the search bar. There are a ton of dry and wet food options to choose from. Although Chewy currently offers bulk purchasing choices, Purina Pro is still freely accessible at the majority of large merchants, so stocking up now can save you money down the road.

3) Royal Canin Adult Cat Food

Royal Canin is the brand to choose if you want to add dry food to your cat's diet. It's a plus for cats who, ahem, are carrying a few extra pounds that their well-reviewed meal alternatives are made to maintain ideal weight and muscle mass. The fiber-rich dry food blend stops your cat's erratic snacking and grazing behaviors, which can lead to health problems. It also makes your cat feel fuller sooner. One of the few companies, Royal Canin, offers cat food categorized by breed. As a result, whether you have a Persian, Maine Coon, or Siamese cat, you're sure to discover something made just for it.

4) Weruva

Weruva, a family-owned business and another reputable brand with AAFCO certification, employs only natural ingredients to make delicately blended and incredibly tasty pates, stews, and soups. In addition to its entertaining branding, Weruva offers some of the most varied and mouthwatering dining selections. Anyone for a Mediterranean harvest with tuna and vegetables? A recipe for chicken in pumpkin consommé?

5) Hill's Science Diet

Cats with various health conditions, such as skin sensitivity, digestion problems, and weight control, can also find a variety of prescription foods from Hill's Science in addition to conventional pate selections. If your cat frequently passes hairballs, Hill's Science also produces a well regarded wet and dry food choice that helps prevent them and promotes the health of your cat's internal organs.