Canned cat foodhas many advantages over dry cat food. It tends to have less fillers and has more critical nutrients. Let’s look at what your cat needs, canned cat food, and checking the ingredient labels to make sure that you choose a premium cat food.
High Protein Content
No matter your cat’s age they should be eating cat food that contain far more protein ingredients than other ingredients. Canned cat food that is high in protein starts at 15%.
For maintaining a standard weight, you cat’s fat percentage should be between 30% and 70% of its protein content. Anything higher is more likely gong to give excess calories than your cat can use, which means your cat will start gaining weight.
The source of protein matters, too. Animal proteins are what you want to see on a label. Plant protein come with undesirable features like too much starch or fiber. Also, your cat is a carnivore by nature.
Fiber and Water
Your cat needs some fiber with its meal to successfully digest the food. The exact percentage that is ideal for your cat varies, but 1% to 5% is the range. However, fiber is useless without water.
Cats are not as good about drinking water, so the moisture content of their food matters. If you don’t provide enough water in their diet, then they will become constipated with the fiber in the diet. Canned cat food provides a high percentage of water content 70% to 85%.
Vitamins and Minerals
There is a specific balance of vitamins and minerals that your cat needs. Specifically, cats require taurine, an amino acid that is present in nutrient complete proteins. Taurine is an essential nutrient that helps their eyesight.
Growing cats need minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus to build strong bones, and adult cats need these nutrients to stay strong.
Grains and Fillers
As previously mentioned above canned cat food tend to have less fillers than dry cat food. However still check the ingredient labels to confirm that the cat food doesn’t have any.
Carbohydrates are hard for your cat to digest and they tend to have indigestion when they are forced to try. While many brands do not add rice, corn, or wheat, they can add in lentils or chickpeas which act as a filler, decrease production costs, but they are not good for your cat’s digestion either. These two ingredients are very heavy in fiber, which can be a problem.
Benefits
There are some additional benefits to canned cat food that have not been mentioned above.
Helps develop strong bones and muscles.
Kittens prefer canned cat food as it is easier for them to eat and digest.
Older cats that have kidney problems or urinary tract disease do better with canned cat food since the water content is higher, and it alleviates problems.
Help with overweight cats. They feel fuller longer because of the higher water content.
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