So ingredients that are moisture-heavy, such as chicken or lamb, are listed higher on the ingredient list than the same ingredient that is added in a dry form. Cat food made with high-quality meat will name the source of the protein; for example, you may see "turkey", "lamb", or "chicken" on the label. 7) Leaves Out Artificial Preservatives That Aren't Approved for Humans. A canned cat food should also have taurine, an essential amino acid. Smalls fresh cat food is made with 100% human-grade ingredients and produced in small batches to preserve nutrition and maximize flavor. Certain food dyes, such as Blue 2, Red 40, and Yellow 5 and 6, have been proven to cause allergic-type reactions and behavior problems. Feline Natural contains meats, organs, and bones which give a kitten all the nutrients needed for growth. Food dyes are often added to foods to make them more appealing to humans - but offer no benefits to cats. Avoid plant-based proteins like soy and wheat gluten. Pea Protein Conclusion. The other ingredients on the list should be fats, fiber and moisture. Sodium Hexametaphosphate 22. If your cat IDENTIFY TYPES OF PET FOOD INGREDIENTS. Skin, blood, bones, and offal make up the meat by-product part of the ingredient list. Artificial preservatives and additives aren't just bad for people, they're bad for your cat, too. Some pet owners will use onions or garlic when preparing a raw food meal for their cat, which can have serious adverse health reactions. This is followed by healthy whole foods, like kale and coconut, and the food is packed with essential omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, which are essential for healthy skin and coat. It's been shown to help neutered, and spayed pets decrease their overall food intake, too, although these effects are short-term. They are all quite effective, but there are concerns about how these ingredients might affect a dog's health. Crude protein: 34%. This is by far the most important ingredient to look for in cat foods: a specific protein source other than "meat." Look for chicken, turkey, lamb, salmon, etc. Whether you're looking for a low-carbohydrate cat food in particular or just a balanced and complete meal, counting carbs counts for cats! Determine the total dry matter by subtracting the percentage moisture from 100 (100% - 12% moisture = 88% dry matter). Some carbohydrates like barley, oats, rice, wheat, corn, and potatoes show up in cat foods that help give your kitty the energy she needs to stay playful. Avoid Cow Milk Cat food ingredients you'll find in kitten-specific formulas include DHA (a fatty acid that aids brain and eye development), taurine (an amino acid that cats need at all life stages), and folic acid (for cell growth), all of which are necessary for your kitty as she grows up. Look for ingredients like spinach, beets, kale, carrots, and lentils. Meat is the most important ingredient in a cat's food. Cat food manufacturers use these ingredients to bump up the protein content. Avoid Cat Food Fillers Adults: Adult cats can stay a little on the lower end of the range at 35% to 40% protein. Top 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Liver, Green Beans, Peas, Water. Fatty acids contain anti-inflammatory properties and are essential nutrients for skin and coat health. Fat: Cats need fat in their diet for energy and maintaining a healthy coat. Moisture 6. These are known as prebiotics, and are usually fibers like inulin or chicory root. These ingredients should be mostly meat proteins, so you can be sure your cat will be getting enough of what they need. Example: "Paw Lickin' Chicken Cat Food Dinner" = between 25-94.9% chicken. You want the best food for your dog, but that's not easy when marketing and economics get in the way of what's healthful for your pet. Rachel Ray Nutrish Super Premium food for cats is our pick for the best value. The popular Duck and Goose recipe contains meat, organs, and ground bones from free-range birds. Ethylene glycol not propylene glycol is the active compound in most automobile radiator anti-freeze solutions, and is toxic to animals and humans when ingested. Prepared with controlled levels of magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus, the food is pretty good in keeping the urinary crystals at bay. 2. Grain, corn, soy, and rice ingredients are cheap fillers in cat food. They must also get a sufficient amount of various minerals and vitamins. High-quality added ingredients include: Omega fatty acid rich foods like salmon oil and flaxseed. and vitamins (such as A, C, and E). #1 Scan the First 3 Ingredients To ensure that your cat gets enough good sources of protein - think chicken, beef, fish and lamb -- check the first three ingredients on the label. The most common ones are ethoxyquin, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), propyl gallate, and tertiary butylhydroquinone (TBHQ). For example, ingredients that appeal to pet owners, like blueberries and kale, probably provide little nutritional benefit to your pet because of the relatively small quantities added, whereas poultry by-product sounds less appealing but is included as a primary ingredient because it provides your pet with essential nutrients. Perhaps most importantly, it's a novel source of animal protein for many cats. If you see chicken as the number one ingredient, look at the next ingredient. These are more concentrated sources of protein. Avoid Artificial Ingredients 11. Rich in premium animal protein. As an ingredient in a cat food, though, wheat gluten misses the mark. 3. chicken liver, chicken heart, both rich sources of taurine.) Propylene glycol is approved as a food additive in human food and in feed for animals, except cats, in the U.S. and Canada. The next time you are at the grocery store or looking online for cat food ingredients, keep an eye out for the following: High-quality protein source - Most cats will need 35-45% protein. Linoleic acid is an essential fatty acid for cats. Instead, look for sources like chicken, salmon, beef, and turkey. Featuring farm-raised chicken as the first ingredient on the list means this food is high in protein, making it healthy for your kitty. High-quality extra ingredients in the best dry cat food include: Omega fatty acid rich foods that promote a healthy skin and coat. Answer (1 of 8): Thanks for the A2A. The recipe is free of grains, wheat, corn but contains superfoods that promote your kitten's overall health. that you have: If your post already includes this information please disregard this message. Calories: 386 kcal/cup. However Ethoxyquin is not strictly banned. Stella & Chewy's Cat Food is real, freeze-dried raw food for your cat. Find the percentage of the nutrient (like protein) for Cat Food A (ex: 28%). You may have heard about caramel color, which contains 4-methylimidazole (4-MIE), an animal carcinogen. Generic "meat" on a label often indicates low-quality cuts . Once ingested, this substance causes symptoms such as asthma attacks, vomiting, diarrhea, general weakness, and anemia. All you do is add water and serve. A high-quality dry cat food will ensure complete and balanced nutrition for your cat, with additional supplements and superfoods that will help your cat look and feel their best, inside and out. Specific fat source. A new pet food usually starts with dreaming up what ingredients you want to include. If it's a canned/wet food one of the first ingredients will be broth or water so. Avoid any cat food that contains too many additives or chemical ingredients. Venison is a lean meat that delivers significant amounts of protein with less fat than other red meats. These include taurine, omegas, minerals, vitamins, cranberries, kelp, and pumpkin. Dogs require essential amino acids that cant all be found in the right balance in single plant-protein sources thats why animal-protein sources are an important part of doggie diets. Treats and Snacks 7. Here are seven key ingredients to look for in your cat's food: 1. Avoid pet foods that simply list the protein as meat or meat derivatives, or meat byproducts. Foods With Meat As The First Source Of Protein 2. It's expensive, and caused some cats digestive upset. The main downside of this product is the price and mixed taste reviews. Instead, focus on foods that contain whole meat sources, like wild caught fish, poultry and other sources of whole proteins such as: Chicken . There's Omega 3, and vitamin E included for a healthier coat, and you get tons of high-quality protein to support your cat in maintaining their strength. Orijen Tundra: Formulated with 85% protein, 15% fruits, and vegetables, this grain-free food is easy to digest. Key Ingredients A cat absolutely needs several ingredients for their basic health. Propylene glycol has a different molecular structure . In some cases, these may help prevent unhealthy bacteria from attaching to the digestive tract and otherwise help keep your pet's digestive system healthy. The first 3 ingredients (preferably the first 5) must be named meat or meat organ like chicken, chicken liver, chicken heart, etc. If your cat is suffering from food allergies and you're looking for the best way to manage them, hypoallergenic cat food . Smalls Human-Grade Fresh is protein-rich and picky cat-friendly. Give your cat a fresh meal with every peel of Nutro Perfect Portions Adult Cat Food Trays. Beef tallow, as the name suggests, is fat made from beef. These include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and chlorine. Table of Contents Ingredients to Avoid Corn Soy Wheat Potato Unspecified Meat or Meat Meal Propylene Glycol Preservatives Butylated-hydroxyanisole (BHA) Gum (guar, xanthan, agar) Artificial Colors and Flavors Ingredients Cats Love Poultry Game Fish Peas Potatoes Oats Fruits and Vegetables Omega 3 and 6 Adult cats tend to not be active and do not need as much protein as kittens. They contain riboflavin, vitamin B2, D, iron, zinc, calcium, potassium, selenium, a lot of omega-3 (it's good for the heart.) Breed: Body weight: History: Clinical signs: Duration: Your general location: Links to any test results, X-rays, vet reports etc. Ideally, you would feed a product that fits under this rule and only names meat-based ingredients. Learn what dog food ingredients to avoid in dog food so that you can feed your pet the high quality they deserve. Organ Meats Another surprising meat source to look for are organ meats. Magnesium, which your cat needs to stay healthy, does not react to acidic urine in the same way. These cheap fillers can: Include deadly mold Encourage diabetes Example: "Chicken and Rice Recipe" = between 25-94.9% chicken and rice combined. Taurine Taurine is a type of amino acid that is found in a variety of sources, such as meat, fish, and poultry. The more natural the food is, the more digestible it will be. Get $5 off use code VETS5 Allergenic cat foods are available in both dry and wet form, including cans of wet food. This dry cat food benefits picky eaters due to the use of 90% animal-based ingredients and freeze-dried meat coating to boost flavor. Fat 3. Look for salmon oil or flaxseed. Real cage-free chicken is the first two listed ingredients, which is an ideal, ethical, and natural source of protein, and the food contains a crude amount of 32% minimum. Phosphate: Recommended Level- Less than 100mg/100kcal While protein is good for your cat's health, excess of the same can cause urinary issues in the long run. Cats need taurine because their bodies cannot naturally produce it. Reply Joan on September 18, 2017 at 10:31 pm Funny because my cat culls the insides. It may come as a surprise, but beef is packed with nutrients that are essential for supporting your cat's health. (May be followed by named organs, e.g. Here Are Some Important Things To Look For In A Vet-recommended Cat Food: High-quality, natural ingredients. Following protein, the next most important component of a cat's diet is fat, making up about 30% to 50% of their diet. The most important ingredient to identify in cat food is the protein source. BHT, BHA, and Ethoxyquin Chemical preservatives like butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) are very effective at preserving dry cat food but are suspected to be potentially cancer-causing agents. Avoid Corn and Soy 10. Phosphates, pyrophosphates, and polyphosphates (inorganic phosphorus) Why are these ingredients in cat food bad? First and foremost, you should know what quality means. Fats. Look for food that has a meat content of at least 24%. Prebiotics, such as chicory root extract, help enhance digestion- better food absorption. The number one overall benefit of human grade cat food is that many brands that make these types of pet foods don't use artificial preservatives and additives. For the most part, wheat gluten is used to boost the crude protein numbers, without having to add more meat (meat is expensive for manufacturers). The best cat foods have a mix of protein, fats (chicken fat, oil, etc.) The toxic substance contained in both garlic and onions is called methylcysteine sulfoxide. Focusing on magnesium rather than grain is the . You need to make sure the meat is identified, not just labeled as "meat.".