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. 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]
    • 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. 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]
    • 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. 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]
    • 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. 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]
    • 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.
  2. 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]
  3. 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]
    • 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. 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]
    • 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. 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]
    • 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. 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]
    • 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.
    • If you're trying to change the brand of dry food you buy for your cat, introduce the new food gradually over a few days to avoid wastage. You can do this on a four day timetable: [10]
      • Day one: Three-quarters of the old food with a quarter of the new food
      • Day two: Half of the old food with half of the new food
      • Day three: A quarter of the old food with three-quarters of the new food
      • Day four: All of the new food
  2. 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, such as one recommended by a friend or veterinarian.
    • Look for dry foods marked with the word 'complete' on the container. There are legal requirements set out for pet food manufacturers when using this term. Any food marked as 'complete' must contain sufficient nutrients and ingredients for a balanced diet. [11] Look beyond the premium health promises of expensive brands and look for affordable (sometimes supermarket own brands) marked with this word.
    • There may be various certifications on the packaging to look for to verify nutritional value, depending on which country you are in. In the UK, look out for brands who are members of UK Pet Food, which will be safe for your cat to eat and high quality. [12] In the USA, foods carrying an AAFCO-approved nutritional guarantee (also known as an "AAFCO statement") are considered to be nutritionally complete and balanced. [13]
    • 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. Many dry cat food options contain active ingredients that are touted 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. [14]
    • 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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      Tips

      • Store unused portions of dry, food in a cool, dry place and do not use once expired. It is important to check this if you have bought and stored portions for long periods of time. [15]
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      • Before you make any purchase, read, and understand, the ingredients.
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      Warnings

        • Storing dry food for a long time increases the chance of fats turning rancid. Additionally, nutrients in the food deteriorate over time. If possible, store your dry food in an airtight container or seal the packet once used to keep it flavorsome and maximise its nutritional value. [16]
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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.petful.com/food/what-is-the-best-cat-food-how-to-choose/
      2. ↑ http://www.catological.com/cat-food/
      3. ↑ http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/Health_Information/brochure_feedingcat.cfm
      4. ↑ https://www.consumeraffairs.com/pets/cat-food/
      5. ↑ http://www.thecatsite.com/a/how-to-choose-the-right-food-for-your-cat
      6. ↑ http://pets.webmd.com/cats/guide/how-to-read-cat-food-labels
      7. ↑ https://www.royalcanin.com/products/cat
      8. ↑ https://www.purina.com/cats/understanding-cat-food/wet-vs-dry-cat-food-whats-better-for-my-cat
      9. ↑ http://www.tractorsupply.com/know-how_pets-livestock_cat_how-to-choose-between-wet-and-dry-cat-food-for-your-older-cat
      1. ↑ https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/cat/wellbeing-and-care/cat-care-on-a-budget
      2. ↑ https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/cat/wellbeing-and-care/cat-care-on-a-budget
      3. ↑ https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/diet/types-of-cat-food
      4. ↑ https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feeding-your-cat
      5. ↑ http://www.hillspet.com/en/us/cat-care/nutrition-feeding/cat-food-with-right-vitamins-and-minerals
      6. ↑ https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feeding-your-cat
      7. ↑ https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feeding-your-cat

      About this article

      Article Summary X

      To find the right dry food for your cat, consider its specific health needs. For example, if your cat is younger than 12 months, look for specialized kitten food that has the extra calories and nutrition to support your kitten’s growth. When you’re at the pet store, read the labels on the food packages and look for meat – like poultry, beef, lamb, or fish – listed as the first ingredient. Otherwise, the food likely contains more fillers intended to make your pet feel full without providing the kind of nutrition it needs. You might also need to try a few different brands to find one that your cat prefers! For more tips from our Veterinary co-author, like how to avoid unnecessary costs when buying cat food, keep reading!

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