Selection of premium and super-premium food for kittens

What cat food should you not buy?

Let's remember what names of cat food we hear? Of course, the first to come to mind are Whiskas, Kitekat, Friskies, Darling. Their advertising is noisy, noticeable, and has become familiar... but is it worth believing all the manufacturers’ assurances? In this case, no. Cheap economy-class food (we’ll talk about food classes in general a little further) are the enemies of pets’ health. Only in emergency cases, when there really is nothing else at hand, can you give your cat such food. And even in this case, no one is immune from the prospect of poisoning. And the worst thing is that a constant diet of such food asymptomatically harms the cat, destroying its liver and kidneys.

Which brand of cat food is best?

Cat food is usually divided into classes: holistic , super-premium , premium and economy . You should consider food options starting from premium, but the best option, of course, would be super-premium or holistic. Companies of this level offer a variety of lines, where there is sure to be an option for even the most sensitive and picky pet. What you should pay attention to when choosing quality food is the country of origin, because it can be argued that the food is German, for example, but in fact this particular batch was produced in Russia.

Royal Canin

The Royal Canin veterinary line of food is one of the most popular, a worthy competitor to the previous brand, thanks to a more expanded range and financial accessibility.

The product is suitable for animals with allergies, spayed and neutered, cats that suffer from obesity and other diseases. The diet is complete and fully provides the pet with the necessary amount of protein, energy, vitamins and minerals. At the same time, it takes into account the special needs of an organism with a certain disease.

Advantages: variety of line, as noted above. There are foods for 6 breeds of cats of different ages. A pleasant combination of affordable cost and high quality. The composition is distinguished by careful selection of components, the absence of allergens and harmful additives. Food from the French brand Royal Canin is easy to find on sale, they are very popular and affordable for any buyer. They really help with digestive problems. Beneficial healing effect.

Disadvantages: feed that was made in Russia is more often sold. Finding European Royal Canin food is much more difficult. If it is possible to order feed made in Europe, then it is better to refuse Russian food.

The best cat foods in the category: holistic

There can be nothing better for your beloved pet than dry food from the Holistic series. These are new generation products that are created by professionals for professionals. The composition of this food is as natural as possible, it contains no preservatives and is as digestible as possible for the animal. In the line of companies producing holistic food, there is an offer for every taste, but not for every budget - such products are very expensive, because they require not only high-quality raw materials, but also special production technology.

Innova Cat and Kitten

Photo: www.catster.com

Average price in the Russian Federation : from 1200 rubles. for 2.7 kg

Why in the rating : this food’s composition is almost perfectly balanced, rich in all necessary substances, and even the protein in it is of animal origin. Thanks to the maximum nutritional value, a cat only needs a small portion to fill up. There are no ingredients in food of this level that could harm the animal.

Disadvantages : Innova Cat and Kitten is one of the most expensive foods and in Russia you can only get it on the Internet. It should be remembered that it contains quite a lot of protein, and therefore it should not be given to castrated animals.

Rating : 10 out of 10

From reviews of cat food Innova Cat and Kitten : “Food with a protein content of about 30% is suitable for extremely healthy and active cats, but will not be very good for neutered animals.”

Acana

Photo: www.tenfingers4paws.com

Average price in the Russian Federation : from 1000 rubles. for 2.27 kg

Why in the rating : this food consists of 80% natural high-quality meat ingredients, in addition, it is additionally rich in lactobacilli and probiotics necessary for animals. But, fortunately, there are no grain crops in it at all. In Russia you can buy both on the Internet and in some veterinary pharmacies.

Disadvantages : Acana's line of food is quite limited, divided by age, and therefore it cannot offer anything for cats with special needs or patients.

Rating : 9 out of 10

From reviews of Acana : “If the animal is healthy and reacts normally to protein, then there will be no problems with nutrition.”

N&D Natural and Delicious

Photo: www.shaggybrown.pl

Average price in the Russian Federation : from 860 rubles. for 1.5 kg

Why in the rating : the food has a very well balanced composition, which contains a maximum of meat ingredients, in addition, it also includes all the substances and vitamins that cats need.

Disadvantages : A couple of herbal ingredients are questionable. It can be difficult to buy in veterinary pharmacies, but the food is sold online in a full range.

Rating : 8 out of 10

From reviews N&D cat food : “Cats do not immediately get used to the taste of the food and are picky at first - it does not contain the usual taste enhancers and flavorings.”

Features of the holistic class

In this case we are talking about “holistic” products. This adjective was not chosen by chance, since in Greek “holistic” means exactly that. The products are manufactured in a special way, the amount of minerals and vitamins is strictly balanced.

Another important point. To produce economy, premium and super premium, manufacturers can use old preparation technologies. In the case of holistic people, this is unacceptable. In specialized factories you can only see those food products that we use to prepare our own dishes.

Among the distinctive characteristics of holistic cats you can see:

• Products of this highest level are sold on separate orders. It is extremely rare to purchase it in an expensive veterinary clinic, and even then not in every one;
• The cost of holistic services is maximum. Even the most expensive super premium food, which contains “elite” raw materials, will not be offered at such high prices;
• The taste of food for animals is very attractive. It is natural and natural. And here we should note another important advantage of holistic services over the premium class. Animals do not always accept the latter type of food due to the lack of attractive artificial flavors. Every pet will be happy with holistic treatment, despite the fact that there are no artificial components in such an expensive food;
• All components that are in the composition are used in preparing food for humans. Manufacturers are ready to offer cats turkey, lamb, chicken and fish. Only these four types of meat are included in holistic feeds. As for additives, they are natural. Balanced omega 3 fatty acids are another essential ingredient;
• To ensure that the level of digestibility of nutrition is 95-100 percent, manufacturers resort to the help of digestive enzymes and natural probiotics. In addition to improved digestibility of food, they improve the functioning of the digestive system;
• Products are not advertised. However, the price, as we have already said, is high.

The best cat foods in the category: super premium

A food of this level is not so far removed from holistic in composition, but still contains natural preservatives and a little more ingredients of plant origin. This food is absolutely safe for cats if it is chosen correctly depending on the needs of the animal. As in the holistic category, there are also veterinary foods that are suitable for cats with illnesses or after operations. The cost of super-premium products is quite high.

Hills Science Diet (Prescription Diet)

Photo: www.petco.com

Average price in the Russian Federation : from 900 rubles. for 1.5 kg

Why in the rating : the brand has a wide selection of food varieties aimed at very specific requirements: anti-obesity, heart and kidney health, for allergy sufferers, post-operative feeding, and so on. Finding food on sale is not difficult if you go to a veterinary pharmacy, but you can also find it in regular pet stores.

Disadvantages : Hills has been produced in Russia for a long time, which causes felinologists to worry about the quality of the products. When buying this food, you should pay attention to the country of origin - pay attention to European factories.

Rating : 8.8 out of 10

From reviews of Hills Science Diet : “An excellent solution for a diet after surgery, but for the right choice it is better to consult a veterinarian.”

Eukanuba

Photo: www.petzilla.co.uk

Average price in the Russian Federation : from 1200 rubles. for 2 kg

Why in the rating : the company has both a veterinary and a daily series, and both belong to the super-premium class - and this does not happen so often. The food has a very well-balanced composition with a maximum of meat ingredients, and the daily portion of food will be quite small due to its nutritional value.

Disadvantages : the food contains vegetable protein. In addition to the fact that the assortment cannot be called very wide, it may not be available in most pet stores.

Rating : 8.5 out of 10

From reviews of Eukanuba : “When choosing the type of food, you should consider how well the cat tolerates plant protein.”

1st Choice

Photo: www.cty-fish.com

Average price in the Russian Federation : from 1200 rubles. for 2.27 kg

Why in the rating : the food is produced in Canada, which means it undergoes a very strict quality assessment. Proteins and carbohydrates are perfectly balanced in the composition, but there is also a completely safe hypoallergenic food option.

Disadvantages : the choice of food types is not very large. In addition, the composition contains a couple of undesirable ingredients: cellulose and so-called “poultry meal”. The problem with the last component is that it is impossible to determine what such flour consists of - you can only hope for the integrity of the manufacturer.

Rating : 8 out of 10

From reviews of 1st Choice : “Very small portions are enough for a cat to be satisfied.”

The best cat foods in the category: premium

Affordable, high-quality premium food can now be purchased at most pet stores, both in bags and in bulk. The composition of this food is quite decent, natural preservatives are used, but the amount of corn can be too large. However, premium food is a fairly good daily nutrition for a healthy animal. The lines also include offers for kittens, sterilized cats and aging cats.

Hills Science Plan

Photo: images.vet-medic.com

Average price in the Russian Federation : from 790 rubles. for 2 kg

Why in the rating : the range of food is very wide and there is an option for even the most picky cat. The composition is very carefully selected and balanced, and you can choose meals with different amounts of protein. There is also food for dental health, which is very important to monitor throughout the cat’s life.

Disadvantages : there is a risk of buying a batch produced at a Russian plant - the standards are completely different here. Contains vegetable protein and grains.

Rating : 7.9 out of 10

From reviews of Hills Science Plan : “It is important to choose nutrition based on the age of the animal.”

Royal Canin

Photo: static.shop033.com

Average price in the Russian Federation : from 650 rubles. for 2 kg

Why in the rating : food is available in almost every pet store, at a price slightly higher than economy class, and the composition is much more balanced and nutritious. The choice of food types is very large, and the specialized veterinary series even belongs to the super-premium class. There is food for dental health - it is not so often found in the lines of well-known companies.

Disadvantages : there has been a plant in Russia for a long time, and felinologists, as already mentioned, prefer European or American production. Contains ingredients of plant origin.

Rating : 7.5 out of 10

From reviews of Royal Canin : “The series for kittens and older cats are especially good.”

Purina ProPlan

Photo: nt.petplanet.co.uk

Average price in the Russian Federation : from 650 rubles. for 1.5 kg

Why in the rating : the composition of the food is perfectly balanced and does not require any dietary supplements; in addition, it contains the probiotics and enzymes that cats need. The price is very affordable and there is a fairly large assortment on sale everywhere.

Disadvantages : it contains a lot of herbal ingredients, liver (cats are allergic to it), animal fat of unknown origin.

Rating : 7 out of 10

From reviews of Purina ProPlan : “Under no circumstances should it be mixed with natural food, otherwise it will end in allergies.”

Rating of the best wet food for cats

The best cat food in the category: economy

It is very difficult to say something good about economy class food. It can only be noted that they have a very affordable price. However, their quality is often so deplorable that it is better to save on at least natural food, if not premium food. Giving such food to sick or weakened animals will only cause harm. Moreover, in fact, the financial side of the issue here is questionable, since this food is absolutely not nutritious, and the cat is forced to eat much larger portions than if its food were well balanced. In case there is absolutely no way out, there are still a couple of more or less tolerable economical options.

Purina One

Photo: src.discounto.de

Average price in the Russian Federation : from 250 rubles. for 750 g

Why in the rating : a fairly popular food in an affordable price range, which can be purchased even in regular supermarkets. Meets the nutritional requirements of most healthy cats under 8 years of age.

Disadvantages : Lots of herbal ingredients and no options for animals with serious medical conditions or very specific needs.

Grade: 5

From reviews of Purina One : “Over time, the cat simply refuses the food, although at first it requires supplements.”

Purina Cat Chow

Photo: f1.ds-russia.ru

Average price in the Russian Federation : from 100 rubles. for 400 g

Why in the rating : it comes in a very small package, which allows you to take the food “for testing” or as a temporary measure for 1-2 days.

Disadvantages : poorly balanced composition with a small amount of meat ingredients of questionable quality. Cases of allergies to Cat Chow are not uncommon.

Grade: 4

From reviews of Purina Cat Chow : “Cats are often picky and refuse this food completely.”

Whiskey Special

Photo: povodok-shop.ru

Average price in the Russian Federation : from 90 rubles. for 400 g.

Why in the rating : it offers a food option for cats with sensitive digestion, which guarantees at least relative harmlessness to the animal’s body. Cats eat this food with gusto.

Disadvantages : the composition is the same as regular Whiskas, except with a couple of new ingredients. The choice is quite small and allergies are not uncommon.

Grade: 3

From reviews of Whiskas Special : “The portion for satiating a cat turns out to be very large compared to premium food, and therefore even the financial benefit here is very doubtful.”

Super Premium Features

In this case, we are talking about healthy food for cats. As a rule, a super premium diet is offered to animals by those owners who prepare their pets for participation in championships and exhibitions. In addition, professional breeders also delight animals with just such food. What's special about them?

Super premium food can be safely offered to cats every day. Such food contains all the necessary substances, and not in limited quantities. And in the exact daily norm. If you don't want to purchase additional nutritional supplements, pay for the super grade.

In the list of main characteristics we highlight:

• In order to purchase these products, you need to go to a veterinarian or a good pet store. You won’t see such products on the shelves of regular supermarkets;
• When choosing products, you can choose food that exactly matches all the parameters of your pet: from its size, weight and age, to health and breed. The range includes foods that help strengthen the immune system, provide nutritional support or have a preventive/therapeutic purpose;
• The food is truly balanced. The point is that a cat that lives at home will receive all the elements required for health;
• Complete absence of by-products, increased content of natural meat. Flavorings, preservatives and artificial colors are not contained even in minimal quantities. It would seem that this is a clear advantage of super premium products. But in reality it turns out that cats are not always ready to be tempted by such food. It is the flavorings that can attract her to economy and premium. In order not to have problems with feeding the animal, accustom it to super premium from the very first months;
• The level of digestibility of nutrition reaches 95 percent. Accordingly, the portion of food should be reduced (compared to economy and premium classes). And here an important point arises in determining the real cost of feed.

If you want to save money, do the calculations by comparing:

1. Cost of economy or premium food + price of supplements with vitamins and minerals.
2. Premium food prices. And no need for additional additives. As well as a reduced amount of food given to the pet. Don’t forget about the benefits for the cat itself that its body will receive thanks to a nutritious diet.

The product does not need advertising. Professional breeders and wealthy owners actively purchase it even without marketing tricks. Despite this, taking into account the high-quality raw materials, the cost of such products is invariably high.