High Quality Cat Food: Is It Worth the Cost?
Eating nutrient-rich, whole foods is essential for having a healthy diet as a human, so why should it be any different for your feline counterparts? Similarly to their big cat relatives, cats need a high protein diet to maintain good health. That’s why it’s important to invest in higher quality cat food to make sure your furry friend is getting proper nutrition to avoid future health issues and obesity.
So what makes a cat food “high quality”? A steep price tag doesn’t always correlate with the best option for your pet. But if you’re looking to swap out their food for a more premium option, consider the cost of better food versus more trips to the vet due to health issues from a poor diet. If you’re willing to invest in your pet’s health, there are a few factors to look out for when hunting down the perfect meal at the store.
The more, the merrier does not apply when checking out the ingredients in your pet’s food. In fact, you’ll want to search for the pet food that has the simplest ingredients as possible. Avoid an abundance of any ingredients that you aren’t familiar with or can’t pronounce. Try to avoid any kibbles or patés that include artificial colors and flavors, sweeteners, preservatives, or even corn and soy. These ingredients will be hard for your furry friend to digest, which could lead to a number of health issues.
While carbohydrates are essential for human energy, the same can’t be said for cats. Cats thrive off of a protein-based diet, and don’t have much need for any grains or carbs in their food. That’s why most experts don’t recommend kibble for cats, as they’re usually made up mostly of carbs. Dr. Elsey’s cleanprotein kibble on the other hand is formulated based on a cat’s natural prey, with protein levels that check all of the boxes when it comes to making sure your cat is getting all of the nutrients it needs. When searching for the perfect kibble, make sure any protein-based ingredients are higher up on the ingredients list, while any starchy products are listed lower.
The confusion of dry food versus wet food is more than understandable — why are there so many choices when it comes to feeding your pet? And which one is better? Experts claim that one isn’t necessarily better or more high quality than the other, unless your cat struggles to drink enough water throughout the day. If this sounds like your cat, then it might be time to either add some wet food into your cat’s kibble or switch over completely to wet food. If you’re thinking of making the switch, try out Dr. Elsey’s cleanprotein paté. The same rules apply when looking for wet food versus kibble — high protein and low carb is what’s best for any furry feline! It’s important to consider that cats are very texture-driven when it comes to their food. If you’re struggling to decide which is best for your pet, try doing a combination of both dry and wet food to see which your cat prefers. Some pet owners even find that regularly doing a combination of both wet and dry food is what works best for their felines.
Learn more tips and tricks for your cat’s health and wellness over on our Instagram!
