Here’s how you can select the best wet food for your feline pal
Water is the most crucial factor in a cat food. If you have a feline, you might be aware of the fact that cats have a low thirst drive. Subsequently, feeding your feline friend with the best grain-free wet cat food, either canned or homemade has its great health benefits.
The best wet food for cats will keep your cat happy and healthy. These wet cat foods come in a spread of flavors and contain high-quality ingredients that are rich in protein, vitamins, and fibers.
Finding the best wet food for cats
If you want to find the best wet food for your feline, start by looking for every non-prescription cat food on the market. These country-made or global brands should have one common thing, “complete and balanced” and these food brands should be certified by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Being complete and balanced simply means that the cat food formula has the nutrient profile, which can perfectly function as the cat’s sole nutrition source.
Cats are obligate carnivores, and therefore, their food needs to be meat-based. Eliminate low-quality animal products and mystery meats where the brand does not mention its clear origin. Sort the best wet food for cats based on these two types of meat, which are:
- Byproducts
The wet cat food should have byproducts like internal parts of an animal that are not meat but only the residue of bones and organs. - Meat
The best wet cat foods should have muscle tissues of an animal like that of chicken or steak. Look for meat meals that have muscle tissues that are rendered or “heat treated”. Rendering destroys bad bacteria and separates solids from moisture and fat, leaving a dry “meat concentrate”. It more nutritious and dense than meat alone.
Avoid unspecified sources of protein. It is also seen that several pet food brands add roadkill and expired groceries into the pet food. The FDA suggests that meat and its byproducts that are sourced from cattle, sheep, pig, and goats can make it difficult for you if your feline friend is a picky eater or is suffering from allergies. So make sure what kind of meat your cat prefers and if they are suffering from allergies before you serve them their favorite wet canned cat food.
Artificial products
Most of the wet foods for cat contain preservatives. This is the reason why unopened packages last for months without getting spoiled. The best wet food for cats contains ingredients like tocopherols, citric or ascorbic acid, clove, and sage in the form of preservatives. Synthetic preservatives such as TBHQ, BHA, ethoxyquin, and BHT are not cat-friendly
Artificial colors and flavorings have similar health implications on cats or pets in general. Most of the pet food brands do not mention the sources artificial flavoring; experts suggest that artificial colors and flavors are added to compensate for the lack of quality of ingredients. However, these ingredients can cause an allergic reaction in your pets. Artificial coloring can also lead to issues such as hyperactivity and behavioral issues.
Garlic
As surprising as it may seem, several formulas that used garlic as flavoring resulted in damaged blood cells in the species, causing anemia. This holds true for brands who used allium species such as chives, leeks, scallions, and shallots for flavoring. It has been observed that cats are more susceptible to anemia induced by garlic. The best wet food for cats will not contain formulas containing garlic anywhere on their ingredients list.
Based on the above factors, the best wet food brands for cats include ACANA Regionals, Canada Fresh, Holistic Health Extension, K9 Feline Natural™, Orijen, and Tiki Pets™, among many others. Do your research to select the best wet foods for your cat based on factors such as budget, your cat’s flavor and texture preferences, health concerns, and local availability.
