Choosing The Best Food For Your Cat Since you love your cat, please take the time to read the information below. Then read the labels on your cat food to make an informed choice about your cat's nutrition.

Have you read the ingredients in your cat's food? Most cat foods have some really impressive claims on the packages. However, the bottom line is what it says after the word ingredients. Here are some ingredients that you should avoid in your cat's food.

"By products" are what's left of an animal after the edible parts are used. For example, if your cat food has chicken by products, then your cat is eating heads, beaks, intestines, etc. Real chicken meat is easier to digest and assimilate than chicken by products.

Are any of the protein sources listed as "meat"? Not specifying the kind of animal the meat comes from is a red flag. The same is true for "animal fat".

Animal digest is chemically treated skin, connective tissue and organs. There are more healthy alternatives for animal protein, such as chicken and chicken meal.

Cheaper ingredients are put into cat food to reduce the cost of production and create greater profits. Cats are obligate carnivores. Cat food consisting mostly of corn, rice and oats is not as good for them as food made from clearly identified meat sources. The first few ingredients on the label should not be any type of grain. 

Processed grains convert into sugar. That isn't good for people and it's even worse for cats. Concentrated grain proteins (corn gluten, wheat glutein, rice protein concentrate) are used by some pet food companies to increase the protein percentage on the label. Cats aren't able to fully utilize grain protein, so glutens should be avoided. Whole grains are good for your cat as long as they are not at the top of the ingredient list. They can help promote good urinary tract health.

Holistic cat food formulas have clearly identified real meat as the first ingredient, whole grains, fruits, veggies, probiotics, vitamins and minerals. They don't have by products, chemical preservatives, processed grains, glutens, artificial colors or artificial flavors. They sometimes cost a little more but in terms of your cat's health they are well worth it.  

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