What Kind of cat food should I feed my cats?

Answer 1

you want to make sure that whatever food you give them is approved by AAFCO (its like the FDA for cats). You also want to make sure that you dont ONLY feed them wet food. Wet is good for thier urinary tract system, but not so good for thier teeth. Dry food helps keep their teeth clean. I give my cats a combination of both. Wet in the morning and more dry at night. Things with more real meat are better, as opposed to fillers like grains and soy etc...those are not beneficial for cats because they have no nutritional value for felines.

Answer 2

I feed my cats both canned and dry food. One of my cats is finickier than Morris when it comes to canned food, but she likes the dry. Some of my friends feed their cats only moist food and others feed them only dry food. I think what to feed cats is what they like and what is easiest for you.

They have access to dry food all of the time and only one is overweight, but she was this way when I got her from the shelter. She had been horribly abused to the point where the vet tried to save her tail, but she bit them and her tail had to be amputated. She was at the shelter for a year and a half. She does not overeat, but, having two other cats I can't put her on a diet.

I see no benefit that the more expensive cat foods have over the lesser expensive ones. It is the quality of the food.

There is an organization, the AAFCO - Association of American Feed Control Officials, that few people have heard of. They make sure the food meets certain standards and provides the essential ingredients animals need. You will see AAFCO on the cat food that meets the nutritional requirements. I have seen this on the cheapest brands of cat food only because I could not get to the grocery store and had to get my cats food at a dollar store.

As with human food, I see no reason to pay more money for "premium" brands when the generic ones are just as nutritional.

Answer 3

If you can afford it (and in the long run you would be able to afford it), please go to your nearest pet store. Ask for a cat expert-they usually all can help tho. Ask them about the best, next to the best cat food's they have available. They will be more helpful if you can give them an idea of what kind of cats they are, and the approx. age of the cats, if they have hairball problems, etc. The foods they sell are better quality than most you find in regualr stores. As someone once said, who owns a cat, he would rather pay more for the food, and keep the cat healthy, then to pay for vet bills I agree. Also, when in the pet store, ask which is best-wet or dry cat food. Each has it's own benefit. Take care.

Answer 4

Kim is correct on the food. Please read this article http://www.belfield.com/article3.html before you choose which food to buy. Pet stores carry many quality foods. If you are in a rural area then try the local feed store. Some of them carry an excellent selection. Our local Wal-Mart just started to carry serveral brands of natural foods for cats and dogs. Ask at your local store if you don't see it. Many pet owners will buy it if they can find it.

You should also give your cat a feline vitamin every day because even the best foods may only meet minimum requirements. You will not believe the difference a quality food will make for your cat. Not only will they have a great looking coat but they will also be less prone to illness. It's the same for people of course, but we choose to eat junk food. Your cat depends on you.

Answer 5

Whatever you do, do not buy food from a grocery store. It's like feeding a cat McDonald's everyday. Wet food is great because it has the highest protein content. Dry food doesn't really help their teeth - that's old info, you can feed your cat only wet food if you want. I feed my cats Innova EVO dry and multiple brands of wet: Wellness, Innova, Natural Balance, Precise, etc. The small independent stores carry the highest quality pet food followed by PetSmart or Petco.

Answer 6

All the above is great advice! Just remember that typically the higher quality food cost more. I feed my cats science diet foods and I highly recommend them. Stay away from the cheap foods like meow mix, deli cat, etc... Those foods tend to be high in fat and in fillers so that your cat does not get proper nutrition

Answer 7

All commercial pet foods are "approved" by AAFCO so that is not a guide at all in choosing a food. There are very expensive foods of poor quality like Science Diet, Purina, Iams because they use by-product meat for the meat protein. There are foods, not always the most expensive, and usually somewhat more than the grocery store brands, which use high quality protein for 60% of the protein in their foods because it is meat protein alone that is a benefit for your cat. You can look at Natural Balance, Blue, Lick Your Chops, Avoderm, Innova Evo, Wellness for canned foods. Natural Balance, Solid Gold, Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul, Felidae (also canned), CA Natural for quality dry foods.

Answer 8

Deana P gave a good answer...cats should get both wet and dry food.

Answer 9

All cats love meow mix, my cat wont eat anything else

Answer 10

Everything you want to know is here.