How to Choose Dry Cat Food

Cats are beloved pets who deserve the best care and treatment. This holds true for every aspect of cat ownership, even what dry food to give your cat. But with so many brands and options to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which dry food to settle on for your pet. With a little consideration of your pet’s specific health needs and some research on the available brand options, you can choose a dry cat food that will work for your pet and for your budget.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Determining Specific Health Needs

1
Consider your cat’s age. Dry cat foods are often categorized for cats by age. There are formulas that provide extra energy for growing kittens. There are options for older cats that provide necessary nutrients that aging kitties need.^{[1]XResearch source}
- These specialized formulas are intended to provide your cat with the right kind of nutrition for its age, size, and health.
- Pick a kitten food if your cat is 12 months old or younger.
- Choose an adult food if your cat is 1-7 years old.
- Only pick a senior cat food if they’re over age 8.
2
Think about any dietary restrictions. Some cats have special dietary needs – like allergies or weight problems. For cats who are overweight, these specialized formulas help cats maintain a healthy diet so they can reach a more optimal and healthy weight. There are dry food options made for indoor cats, and some for outdoor cats.^{[2]XResearch source}
- Some dry cat foods are made specifically for cats who have been spayed or neutered.
- There are even special formulas for cats who are prone to hairballs or urinary tract problems.
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3
Consult your vet. The best way to determine what specific health requirements your cat has is to discuss the issue with your veterinarian. At your cat’s next health checkup, ask your vet what kinds of dietary issues they think you should focus on when considering different dry food options.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Your vet has the most knowledge and know-how when it comes to determining what your specific pet needs. Trust their advice.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Investigating Different Options

1
Research brands. There are many different brands to choose from when it comes to dry cat food. Look for a brand that has been around for a while and that has a good reputation for producing high-quality food.^{[4]XResearch source}
- You should also look for a brand that has several different options in case your cat’s dietary needs change over time. Switching foods between brands will be much less stressful on your cat’s digestive tract.
- See if the brand has ever been recalled online.
Most dry cat food brands offer several different levels of “quality” foods that are available at different prices. Most offer a budget or basic food, a normal formula, and a premium style. In general, it’s not necessary to choose the premium version unless your cat has a special dietary requirement.^{[5]XResearch source}
3
Read the labels. Learn how to read the labels on packages of dry cat food. They provide a lot of valuable information for you as a consumer and a pet owner. This is where you’ll find the list of ingredients contained in the food.^{[6]XResearch source}
- The most important thing to remember is to look for a quality ingredient listed first. You want a food that has a real kind of meat – like poultry, beef, lamb, or fish – listed as the first ingredient. If it doesn’t, then the food contains more fillers intended to make your pet feel full without providing the kind of nutrition it needs.
4
Decide which size to purchase. Dry cat foods come packaged in various sizes. While you are trying to figure out what your cat likes and what works for you, consider buying the smallest sized package of each food to avoid wasting money and food products unnecessarily.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Once you have determined a brand, variety, and flavor your cat likes, you can consider purchasing larger packages. Typically, buying a larger package is cheaper in the long run because you get a discount for purchasing more at one time.
5
Consider your cat’s preferences. Just like people, cats have natural preferences regarding what kinds of food they like and dislike. Your cat may prefer larger kibbles or smaller kibbles. The cat may like one flavor of dry cat food more than another. The only way to know for sure is to monitor your cat’s eating habits and try to determine which food your cat likes best.^{[8]XResearch source}
- For example, your cat may show a noticeably increased appetite when you feed it food made with tuna or other fish products, whereas the cat seems less hungry at mealtimes when you feed it food that includes beef as its main ingredient. This could mean that your cat prefers the food containing the fish products and you should consider purchasing these products more often than others.
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Avoiding Unnecessary Costs

1
Stay on budget. Owning a pet can be quite a financial burden at times. But there is no need to spend inordinate amounts of money on the daily upkeep of your pet’s diet. In general, there is little evidence that fancy premium dry cat foods have any additional health benefits over more affordable options.^{[9]XResearch source}
- Consider how much money you can afford to spend on your cat’s dry food each month and choose an option that is within your budget range.
- Don’t feel bad about avoiding the more expensive options. They typically aren’t worth it.
- Staying on budget also depends on how much you feed your cat because if you feed it a lot, you run out of food quicker. Try stroking your cat instead when it meows for food or sticking to a strict timetable assigned by your vet.
2
Avoid trendy products. When it comes to your pet’s diet, it needs to be a pretty stable thing in the cat’s life. Choose a trusted brand that has been around for a while, not a new popular company that may change their products or go out of business in a short period of time. This will keep you from having to choose another dry cat food in the near future.
- Choose a product that you know and trust, maybe even one that was recommended by a friend or veterinarian.
- You don’t want to choose a dry cat food just because it’s popular at the moment, as this may not be the healthiest or most affordable option.
3
Ignore unnecessary ingredients. Many dry cat food options contain active ingredients that are toted as beneficial for your cat’s health, but really don’t have any scientific evidence to back up those claims. Focus on foods that provide protein, calcium, fats, and vitamins.^{[10]XResearch source}
- Again, avoid dry food products that contain anything with the word “meal” (like cornmeal) as the primary ingredient.
- You’ll also want to steer clear of too many carbohydrates, as this is often just a filler ingredient. It is meant to make your cat feel full without providing any real nutritional value.
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