Healthy Cat Food

Is there an easy way to tell healthy cat food from unhealthy cat food? Can anyone recommend a couple of healthy options for a kitten?

[PrettyKitty1]

Hi,

The link contains information on healthy, highly benefitial foods for kitties :)

http://www.catinfo.org/commercialcannedfoods.htm

[opus88]

hi...I like the more natural brands of food like CALIFORNIA NATURAL but currently I am feeding my one kitty another brand that also has less additives and NO GRAINS...its called INNOVA-EVO....my guy has been on it for 3 yrs and is very healthy and a beautiful coat.

[Thomas Dock, CVJ, Vet. Technician]

Anytime anyone brings up the topic of "what is your favorite pet food" there is going to be a lot of discussion and controversy.

Many millions of cats have done well on foods from the "big" companies, like Hill's, Iams, etc for many years and these companies have done a lot of research to show how important nutrition can be to the health of our pets.

Many other cats are doing well with the newer "grain free" diets as opus mentioned above.   As we understand more about cats nutritional needs as an obligate carnivore, I am sure there will be other advances and reformulations of many different brands.

As to what to feed...talk with your veterinarian (because he or she knows your cat best) and get several recommendations.   The "best" food in the world does you no good if the cat (kittens) won't eat it.   Between you, the cat, and your veterinarian, you should be able to find a diet that meets the cats nutritional needs, makes the DVM happy because it is balanced and adequate for the pet (meaning a healthier life) and makes you happy based on your own personal preferences (local company, no grains, etc, etc).

We have several veterinarians over in the Ask the Expert nutrition forum who could also help you with this question.  Sadly, there is no easy way to tell a good food from a bad food, but a real good idea is that if you are only paying a dollar for a 24 oz box of cat food, it's probably not the best nutrition for your cat!!

[somemonkey]

Wow! Thank you all so much for the suggestions! I meant to ask about wet verses dry foods as well. Should I be feeding my kitten wet, dry, or a mix of both. Thank you so much!

[HelpinUtah]

I used to feed my cats Science Diet, but last year switched to Purina One.  I have read the ingredients and they are pretty much identical and since we were watching our budget we switched for the lower cost.  Our vet said Purina One was a good alternative.

As for wet or dry foods, I was once told by a vet that wet foods were not as good as dry food because they did not help to get rid of the tartar build up on teeth.  But, then, I've also had others tell me that dry food is horrible for cats.  It's so difficult when even the vet community differs so widely on what is acceptable.  Others say that you should stick to one type of food and not switch between the two since it will hurt their digestion?  

I've been reading a lot about raw foods and I'm not sure how to use them or how expensive it is?  Any ideas?

My cats are given Purina One dry food (with yogurt already in the food) and they really like it.  I give them wet food a couple times a week as a treat.  They love that.  I also spoil them with cat treats and is that okay or are they bad for them?  Again, I get conflicting ideology.

Right now with my cat, Daisy, who is sick since she will NOT eat dry food at all, I am feeding her wet food, but she will only eat Friskies, except for the chicken and gravy from Iams.  Our vet said that as long as she eats that he didn't care what it was.  I tend to agree in her case.

It is quite confusing sometimes when the vet community itself tells each of us something different.

[babs824]

my kitty is diabetic and vet said low carb is the way to go. she wants him off dry food entirely but he is so unhappy i have added back some low carb dry. he has become quite a big financial investment since his diagnosis so i am open to money saving tips? babs

[opus88]

hi babs your Vet is so very correct in telling you low or no carbs...I will send you a site with excellent info and links to a list of foods, not all are real expensive and will save $$ on Vet bills. good luck♥

http://catinfo.org/?link=felinediabetes