Ad
related to: does your cat need adult cat food amazonGet deals and low prices on cat food for adult on Amazon. We offer an extensive selection of cat supplies and furniture at Amazon.
Search results
It delivers the nutrition and support they need, featuring an ideal fiber blend to help keep them feeling full. Over 90% of slightly overweight cats that were fed this adult cat food lost weight within two months. It's formulated for cats with a body condition score of up to 6/9, to help provide muscle support and a more ideal body condition ...
1 offer from $13.97. #19. IAMS Proactive Health Adult Dry Cat Food Hairball Care, Chicken and Salmon, 7.26kg (Pack of 1) 4,934. 3 offers from $32.37. #20. IAMS Proactive Health Dry Cat Food Adult - Indoor Weight & Hairball Care with Salmon, Blue, 7.26 kg (Pack of 1) 856. 2 offers from $34.84.
From the manufacturer. The Feline Care Nutrition range has been specially formulated by veterinarians and nutritionists to address cats' particular care needs: dull coat and sensitive skin, tartar and dental plaque formation, tendency to gain weight, hairballs and digestive issues. Cats have around 475 taste buds while dogs have 1,700 and ...
- (694)
- ROYAL CANIN
- Adult
- Chicken
Oct 11, 2024 · First Ingredient. Salmon. Our pick for the best cat food for adult cats for the money is the Nutro Wholesome Essentials Salmon & Brown Rice Dry Cat Food. With salmon as the first ingredient, it is ...
- Overview
- How to shop for quality cat food
- What to avoid
- Best cat foods to consider in February 2024
- Dry cat food versus wet
- Best nutrients for kittens, adults and seniors
- Meet our experts
Cat owners, rejoice: your cat truly does need you — not just for tasty treats and fun toys, but also to provide consistent nutritionally balanced meals. With so many options on the market, finding the best food for your feline friend can sometimes feel overwhelming. Cats require very specific dietary needs for optimal health, which includes having a meat-based diet. “They cannot be vegetarians or vegans. Cats are obligate carnivores,” says Dr. Bruce Kornreich, a veterinarian and director of the Cornell Feline Health Center.
SKIP AHEAD The best cat food | Dry cat food versus wet or canned cat food
So what’s the best cat food for your obligate carnivore? Check the first few ingredients on the label: “If meat and meat by-products are among the first ingredients listed, it suggests the food likely has enough animal source ingredients to provide essential amino acids and fatty acids,” said Kornreich. That said, “cats can’t live on meat alone,” added Kornreich.
To help you narrow down your choices, we spoke to veterinarians about what cat owners should consider when shopping for quality cat food and what ingredients to avoid. We’ve taken their expert advice to help compile our list of the best cat food — below, you’ll find options from both major retailers and online subscription services that are formulated to help meet your cat’s basic nutritional needs at every stage in their life.
According to Kornreich, first and foremost, you should consult your veterinarian about your cat’s specific dietary needs in conjunction with age and to get an expert read on what needs or restrictions your cat might be exhibiting – for example, if they are pregnant or nursing (more on this below in "Dry cat food versus wet"). Once that’s established, he said, you should approach buying cat food the same way you would breakfast: It needs to be nutritionally balanced, he said. “Cats must get the appropriate balance of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals at every life stage.” For example, the experts we consulted recommended that kittens be given a diet consisting of more energy-producing nutrients, like proteins and fats, while a senior cat is given a diet that is lower in calories because older cats are usually less active (more on this below).
Kornreich also recommended looking for a nutritional adequacy label from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), a nonprofit that assesses what’s in pet food and animal feed. This label states what life stage the food is suitable for, provides a complete listing of ingredients and the amount of each ingredient in the recipe.Beyond that, you’ll want to look for the following qualities:
Protein: Kornreich noted that protein in cat food can come from chicken, rabbit, venison or duck, but “the important thing is that the sources of the raw materials be reliable and combined in a way that achieves the right balance of nutrients.”
Natural, whole ingredients: Shelly Ferris, DVM, the regional director of Petco Veterinary Services recommended looking for whole ingredients such as “such as fruits, vegetables and high-quality carbohydrates like rice, oats or potatoes,” she said.
As for what to avoid, Kornreich says to stay away from cat foods that list:
•Peas or legumes as one of their top 10 ingredients: “There is some evidence that these may lead to the development of a type of heart disease referred to as dilated cardiomyopathy,” said Kornreich, though he added that this syndrome primarily has been reported in dogs.
•Raw cat food: Kornreich noted that some raw cat foods have been known to contain bacteria and parasites that can be harmful to both cats and their owners.
•“Exotic” ingredients: Tim Julien, chief medical officer at Paz Veterinary in Austin, recommended avoiding ingredients that are “more about sentiment and marketing than nutrition.” He points to dyes that make food look more appealing to people (cats perceive color differently) and “exotic” ingredients like kangaroo and lentils, which are “less well studied in cats.”
In line with our experts’ guidance, all of the following highly rated cat foods — including dry food and canned wet food — meet or exceed the regulations set by the AAFCO. Here are some of the most nutritionally balanced, highly-rated recipes approved by our experts that are found online and in most major retailers.
As with any type of food you’re considering, Kornreich says that while there are excellent choices in both the wet and dry food sectors, it’s important to consult with your veterinarian. This will ensure that the type you choose is labeled as being nutritionally balanced for the life stage of your cat and to be aware if your cat has dietary restrictions.
For example, cats with kidney disease may have protein and phosphorus restrictions; cats with diabetes may have carbohydrate restrictions. “Feeding wet food to cats with kidney disease may be advantageous so they consume more water, but there are also some very good dry diets for cats with kidney disease, and water may be added to them to increase their water intake. The important thing is to consult with your veterinarian.”
Dry cat food is a popular choice partly because it is more convenient than wet cat food. “Dry food is cost effective, odorless, and it can be stored for long periods of time without spoiling,” said Ferris of Petco Veterinary Services. Wet food can be more expensive and has to be refrigerated once the can or pouch is opened (though its smell might entice a picky cat to eat). According to Julien at Paz Veterinary, dry cat food can be higher in carbohydrates than wet cat food. “An active cat can absolutely use carbohydrates as an energy source,” he says, adding that “a sedentary — aka indoor — cat will store extra carbs as fat.”
Comparatively, wet food “has higher levels of protein and fat, making it a great option for cats of various lifestyles and ages,” says Kornreich.
When it comes to cat food, cats are roughly divided into three age groups — kitten, adult and senior. “Kittens need more energy-producing nutrients — like proteins and fats — and more vitamins, minerals and water than adult cats,” said Ferris. “Formulas made specifically for kittens provide these nutrients in the right amounts.”Most cats will move from kitten kibbles to adult food on their first birthday.
Ferris recommended that pet owners gradually introduce new food over a week to help avoid upsetting your feline friend’s stomach. Adult cat food likely has less calories than kitten cuisine, while senior food (for cats around the age of 10) will likely be geared toward the specific health of your cat — they might have trouble chewing or a reduced ability to smell and taste, for example. If the food you choose is not agreeing with your cat, it will be obvious: lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea and weight loss are some of the telltale signs, says Kornreich.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
•Bruce Kornreich, DVM, PhD, DACVIM is director of the Cornell Feline Health Center in Ithaca, New York.
•Shelly Ferris, DVM, is the regional director of Petco Veterinary Services in Vista, California.
•Tim Julien, DVM, is chief medical officer at Paz Veterinary Services in Austin, Texas.
- Associate Updates Editor
Feb 27, 2023 · Tasty cat food is a combination of the right nutrient balance with a satisfying texture, savory aroma, adapted kibble shape, specific kibble size and desirable flavors. Royal Canin knows that some cats need more advanced nutritional support than a maintenance diet offers.
People also ask
Which cat food should I Feed my Cat?
What is feline care nutrition?
What is the best wet cat food?
What is Royal Canin feline weight care adult dry cat food?
Should I Feed my Cat dry or wet food?
How do I choose the right dry or wet cat food?
Sep 30, 2004 · Top off their bowl with your cat’s favorite Royal Canin Adult Instinctive Wet Cat Food for a texture that pleases even the finickiest eater. With over 50 years of scientific research and observation, Royal Canin continues to deliver targeted nutrition to feed every pet’s magnificence.
