The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Cat Food for Your Feline Friend

What you feed your cat can affect how they act, how much they shed, their litter box habits and even how long they live. Cats need to consume certain vitamins, minerals and amino acids in their diet in order to be healthy. Next to veterinary care, the cat food you choose is one of the most important expenses cat parents will have. So how can you be sure you’re feeding the right food to your feline friend? We’ve got 7 tips to help you pick the right cat food.

AAFCO approved cat food

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) proposes regulations for pet foods in the United States. AAFCO approved pet foods must meet certain nutritional and labeling standards. Choose an AAFCO approved cat food that is complete and balanced for all life stages so that you know your cat will be getting all of the vitamins and minerals they need in their diet.    

Named protein source in cat food

Take a look at the ingredients in the cat food you’re choosing to feed your cat. Only choose cat foods with named protein sources like chicken, turkey, duck, rabbit and pork. The ingredients are also listed by weight so the ingredients at the front of the list make up the largest part of the cat food.

Grain free cat food

Check for ingredients like corn, wheat, soybean or other grains or gluten meals in the cat food you choose. When you feed these ingredients to your cat you can expect them to have larger, more frequent, more stinky poops because their body can’t digest the ingredients so they just pass right through. They may make your cat feel full, but they serve no health purposes. Grain free, gluten free cat foods are the right choice. 

Limited ingredient cat food

The amount of ingredients are just as important as the quality. Your cat doesn’t need 15 different ingredients in their diet and that really isn’t like the diet their body was naturally made to digest. For cats with food allergies or sensitivities, choosing limited ingredient cat food also makes it easier to determine what ingredients may not be settling right with your cat’s body so you can avoid those ingredients in the future. Less ingredients also makes it less likely for an allergy-triggering ingredient to be included in the cat food.

Cat food preservatives 

Check out what type of preservatives your cat food uses. A good cat food will only have natural preservatives like Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) or Vitamin A (ascorbic acid).  Scientific studies indicate chemical preservatives like BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) may not be safe for cats in any amount. 

Ethical cat food brand

Do some research into the cat food brands you’re interested in supporting. Do they use ethically sourced and humanely harvested ingredients? Do they use sustainable production methods? Are they honest and transparent with their ingredients and production methods? Remember that the cat food you choose affects more than just your cat, it also affects the environment. 

When in doubt, consult an expert

If after reading all these tips you’re still unsure about what cat food is best to feed your cat, consult with a feline nutritionist. That’s what Vital Essentials does! Check out these podcasts with animal nutritionist Dr. Richard Patton and hear it straight from the expert’s mouth.

For more information on Vital Essentials and our full product line, follow us on TikTok and Instagram. And if you have any questions, be sure to check out our FAQ page for answers. Together, we can ensure your pet gets the proper nutrition they deserve.