| Choosing the best cat food for your kitty is one of | | | | Although the term "natural" doesn't have the meaning |
| the most important cat owner decisions you can | | | | attached to it that "organic" does, these pet food |
| make. Here are some key points to help you decide | | | | companies will sometimes state that the ingredients |
| which cuisine is the right one. Making sure your cat | | | | come from human-grade sources. Keep in mind that |
| gets adequate nutrition is the primary concern, so | | | | once incorporated into pet food, the product is not |
| feeding foods that meet AAFCO guidelines is | | | | technically human-grade, it's just that the source of |
| generally recommended. | | | | the meat, for example, might be cows that are |
| 1. Pick a food type. | | | | slaughtered for human consumption as well. |
| Are you going to feed dry food and allow free | | | | 5. Choose specifics and learn to read labels. |
| choice for your kitties? Or, are you going to feed | | | | When selecting a cat food, specifics on the label are |
| canned, wet food at specific feeding times. Some | | | | better than something more general. So, the term |
| people do a mix of the two. | | | | "meat" is not desirable, but "beef" is. Learn the terms |
| 2. Choose "healthy." | | | | used on the labels. For example, how much chicken |
| Generally, pricier foods will have better quality | | | | must be in a "Cat Food with Real Chicken" product? |
| ingredients. So, the best cat food is probably more | | | | You might be surprised to learn, not much. |
| expensive than your house brand at the grocery | | | | 6. Choose a manufacturer. |
| store or super store. | | | | When possible, it may be better to choose a product |
| More expensive isn't a guarantee of quality by itself, | | | | line from a company that makes its own food. Natura |
| though, on a case-by-case basis. Check ingredients | | | | Pet Products, for example, shows you a tour of their |
| and try to choose a healthy food. Healthier cat foods | | | | dry food manufacturing plant right on their website. |
| are made with wholesome ingredients, and tend to | | | | This should allow them to keep tight quality control. |
| avoid the use of artificial preservatives like BHA and | | | | 7. Listen to your cat. |
| BHT, or ethoxyquin. | | | | Pick a food type and a feeding schedule, and then |
| 3. Choose "organic." | | | | choose the healthiest food you can find. Learn to |
| Unlike some other terms, when a cat food is labeled | | | | read labels, and look for a product that lists specific |
| USDA certified organic it has a specific meaning, and | | | | ingredients rather than more general ones. If possible, |
| requires that certain inspections be carried out. Try | | | | choose a company that makes and packs its own |
| to choose organic if you can, since that should give | | | | food, or has control over the manufacturing. |
| you a high quality food. | | | | Then, listen to your cat and follow veterinarian |
| 4. Choose "natural." | | | | recommended food switching procedures. If your |
| If you can't find an organic food that your cat likes, | | | | kitty doesn't seem to like the food you select, |
| you can go with some of the cat food offerings on | | | | choose the one next on your list and try again. After |
| the market that avoid artificial ingredients, and include | | | | switching foods, watch your cat's weight, eating |
| real meat from free range cows and chickens. | | | | habits, and behavior. If everything appears normal, |
| These are often marketed as "natural" products. | | | | you've found a winner! |