Industrial cat food. Dry food

More recently, even to imagine a cat food business would be ridiculous. But this inconspicuous market was already occupied by importers of goods from other countries. And only recently, foreign entrepreneurs began to create their own factories for the manufacture of food products for pets in our country. This is due to the high popularity of the product. Cat food Russian production practically does not differ in composition and quality from imported similar goods.

Our business valuation:

Starting investment 1,500,000 rubles.

Market saturation is average.

The complexity of starting a business is 5/10.

Produced feed products for cats are balanced in them nutrients, ease of use and, perhaps most importantly, saving time on caring for animals.

The largest enterprises for the manufacture of food for cats and dogs are currently located mainly in the central region of the Russian Federation.

By producing compound feed for meat-producing pets, these companies saw a completely new opportunity and began to reorient some of their capacities to food for furry pets. This turned out to be very beneficial, as for the rest of the pets, fish, birds and rodents, the need for food is much lower.

The bulk of Russian consumers prefer to buy food for economy class furry animals and can spend up to 600 rubles per month on average. Starting a cat food business is going to be a very profitable business right now. But before making the first expenses for opening a business, you need to decide exactly - what will be the future range of products? After all, pet food can be both dry and wet, it can also be made in canned form. It should also be taken into account that dry food is incomparably more popular all over the world. Exactly the same situation is observed in Russia.

Cat food production technology

Modern entrepreneurs use several technologies for the production of cat food. The most common method is the pressing of raw materials to a granular state. First, it is crushed with special crushers or mills, and then everything is mixed into a homogeneous mass using a ribbon mixer. It is very important that mixing is carried out in the most thorough way, then all feed units will be evenly present in each pellet.

Dry food

The most simple technology for the production of dry food for cats. During pressing, the prepared and mixed mixture is fed into the extruder, where the raw material is granulated. Then the granules are fed into the dryer, where drying continues for 20 minutes. It is very important that the dryer is maintained at a strictly set temperature, otherwise the granules may turn out to be either too brittle and dry, or too wet.

The final step in the preparation of dry cat food is its cooling after drying, glazing and packaging.

Wet food

If production is focused on wet food, the technologies are similar in many respects. But the temperature in the extruder is maintained much lower than in the manufacture of dry granules. Enriched with moisture and retaining a porous structure, the granules then require other storage conditions. Inhibitors are added to wet mixtures to prevent mold formation. special composition. In addition, the packaging of feed pellets is carried out in containers that are airtight and retain moisture.

canned food

Canned foods usually contain a large amount of meat and their production technology is completely different. The mixing of the components takes place already in the mixer, where the temperature gradually rises until the process of converting starch into a jelly-like mass is activated. The mixture is then packaged while still hot in jars that have been steamed beforehand. Then the closed jars are aged in a special sterilizer, where any bacteria dangerous to pets are destroyed. And only after cooling finished goods sent to the warehouse.

Classification of cat food

Manufacturers produce pet foods of varying nutritional value and content. To streamline commercial products, classes of cat food have been introduced. It seems that all the goods are beautifully packaged, well advertised in the media, cats and cats are very pleased with them. And yet the food differs significantly from each other.

For this, a special classification of products has been introduced:

• Economy class;
• premium class;
• super premium Class;
• holistic class.

Economy class products are the cheapest and their main purpose is to satisfy the hunger of animals. You can not talk about meat, about the substances required by the cat's body in these products. The well-advertised brands "Meow", "Kitikat" and "Darling" belong to the economy class goods. Feeds of commercial classes practically do not differ from the economy class in any way, except for brighter packaging and more persistent advertising in the media. It is undesirable to use products of this class as the main food for your pet. After all, they have practically no protein component, the quality of the raw materials used is very low, the nutritional value insignificant. Asking this product constantly, you can harm the health of the pet.

The production of premium cat food already involves the use of a natural meat component, although most of the composition is by-products. The price of goods of this class differs slightly from the economy class, but its quality is already much higher. This type of food does not pose any danger to animals, it is nutritious and its daily consumption rate is much less.

The premium class includes the brands Royal Canin, Hills, Matisse, Eukanuba, Bozita and others. But even here there are foods of completely different nutritional value. For example, Royal Canin is often referred to as super-premium, as this product is of higher quality, and the production of this type of cat food in Russia was one of the first to be mastered.

Those cat lovers who do not experience financial difficulties can choose super premium food for their pet. After all, it is made only from high-quality raw materials, perfectly balanced and does not contain harmful chemicals. Products in this class include Pro Nature Holistic, Bosch SANABELLE, Arden Grange and others.

Cat food making equipment

To organize production natural feed for cats, different equipment will be required. It is widely available for sale, both from domestic manufacturers and imported grade. To buy equipment for the production of cat food, you just need to go to the websites of companies that supply this equipment and make the right choice.

For the production of dry wet food for cats you need:

• raw material grinders;
• dough mixers;
• extruder machines;
• air conveyors;
• drying cabinets;
• drums for the introduction of flavors;
• equipment for packaging the finished product.

The line for the production of cat food, which includes all of the above equipment, now costs about 1 million 500 thousand rubles. Processing dehydrated raw materials, it receives ready-made marketable granules at the output. When the product is finally ready, it is subjected to final stage- Packing in original container.

If we compare cat food with human food, then cat's food does not have the taste that is familiar to us due to the large amount of salt and spices.

Usually a cat food plant is included in a large feed or meat processing complex as a smaller division. In this case, it gives the greatest profit, using mostly waste or unclaimed components of the main production. Given the great popularity of cat food in today's commodity market, the payback period for investing in a cat food business is about one year.

An important issue for the good maintenance of cats is the choice of food. What is the best cat food according to veterinarians, how often should the animal be fed? If you know the answers to these questions, the pet will delight the owner with its activity and health for a long time.

Veterinarians share 3 categories of commercial cat food:

• Dry.
• Wet.
• Canned food.

In addition, there is a division of feed into classes - holistic, super premium, premium, economy.

Many furry owners feed their pet food "from the table." But this is a different category of feeding. The food that industrial manufacturers offer for feeding cats takes into account the necessary need of the animal for vitamins, proteins, trace elements, depending on the breed, age, and the presence of diseases.

According to veterinarians, if the owners fed the cat with ready-made food, then it will be difficult to transfer the animal to food “from the table”.

Self-provide for a cat full set necessary substances are not possible.

The best views among dry brands

This category is most popular with breeders and amateur owners. The advantage of dry food is that this type of food is convenient as it does not require cooking and is cheap. Dry pieces well clean the surface of the cat's teeth from plaque. In addition, they can be stored long time without loss of quality. True, next to the container for dry food should always be water.

The best cat food according to veterinarians in this category must be determined in its class. For the full development of a cat, beautiful wool, professional breeders use holistic class food.

A distinctive feature of this choice is the high cost. This is due to the fact that the composition of the feed includes natural ingredients. High Quality, high energy calories. For a cat, 100-150 g of granules per day is enough to make him feel full and cheerful.

The composition of the holistic class feed includes additives that improve performance digestive organs cats, the components are absorbed by the body almost completely. Besides, artificial flavors, flavor enhancers are excluded from the composition, which are present in cheap samples. For proper feeding cats natural food, according to veterinarians, is the ideal solution.

The best brands of holistic dry food veterinarians include:

• Akana (Canada).
• Chicken soup (USA).
• Artemis (USA).
• Eagle Pack (USA).
• Felide (USA).
• Gow (Canada).
• Howe (Canada).
• Power of Nature (Germany).
• Innova Evo (USA).
• Orijen (Canada).

Super premium class dry granules are also completely balanced feed for a cat. They do not contain harmful impurities, the components are selected taking into account the needs of the animal - proteins, carbohydrates, fiber. This is usually chicken, turkey, lamb, as well as fish, eggs. These feeds are inferior in price to the previous class, but this does not mean that such food loses significantly in quality. Veterinarians note the high quality of super-premium nutrition and recommend it to cat owners.

The best super premium food according to experts:

• Almo Nature (Italy).
• Test of the Wild (USA).
• Nutra gold (USA).
• First Chase (Canada).
• Pronature Holistic (Canada).
• Bosch Sanabel (Germany).
• Leonardo (Germany).

Premium meals should be chosen carefully. Among it there are high-quality, well-chosen components, but also feed, the manufacturers of which wanted to save on raw materials.

In some brands, poultry meat is replaced with cartilage, low-quality rice, and corn. Such components are either not absorbed by the body of cats at all, or are poorly absorbed.

At the same time, the composition of the feed does not include components harmful to the animal. These foods fully compensate for the cat's need for nutrients, they are cheaper than super premium food, but more expensive than economy food. This is best option for thrifty cat owners who are following proper nutrition your pet.

Veterinarians name the best premium food:

• Eukanuba (Canada).
• Advance (Spain).
• Bosita (Sweden).
• Nutra Mix (USA).
• Royal Canin (Russia, France, Poland).

This is a good inexpensive cat food that ensures the normal development of the animal.

Economy food

Economy class food does not include natural ingredients. This is dictated by the establishment of a lower price for the product. But to stimulate the cat's appetite, the composition of the feed includes chemical components - flavorings, flavor enhancers. Veterinarians believe that the animal should be fed with such food carefully. The only advantage of such feeds is their cheapness. If you constantly feed a cat with economy class food, you can disrupt the functioning of its digestive system.

Among the best dry food of this class:

• Gourmet* (France).
• Friskes (Russia, France, Hungary).
• Kitiket (Russia, EU, USA).
• Whiskas (Russia, EU, USA).
• Purina Van (Russia, Hungary, France).

*this food is considered the best of the economy class. Experts put it on a par with premium food, so it is not surprising that veterinarians recommend it among inexpensive dry food.

Wet types - which one is the best

Manufacturers produce wet food in jars, special packages equipped with a zipper, in trays, etc. A distinctive feature of such food for cats is their consistency. These are pates, pieces of meat in jelly, stews, in sauces and broths. This food is not required. plentiful drink, as in the case of dry food. But, unlike dry food, this type of food deteriorates quickly if it is not used immediately. Therefore, food for cats is packed in small containers designed for one meal.

The cost of such food is much higher than dry food. The best wet food according to veterinarians is quite difficult to determine. But still there are a number of companies - leaders in this part of the production of cat food.

Among the class holistic recognized as the best:

• Appleus.
• Almo.
• Moonlight Dinner.

There are lines of food for cats suffering from certain diseases.

The best of the super premium class:

• Brit Care.
• Bosita.
• Gina.

Such food does not have components for sick animals. These are universal feeds, which include natural meat - turkey, rabbit, chicken. As well as vegetables - carrots, peas. Does not contain harmful ingredients.

In the premium class it is:

• Hills.
• About the Plan.
• Royal Canin.

Premium food is cheaper than previous options. But it is considered complete, and veterinarians speak of it quite flatteringly.

The best canned food for cats

Food for cats, which is produced in the form of canned food, can hardly be called everyday. It's more of a treat. The reason for this is simple - the high cost of food, as well as the composition.

Some canned foods contain a limited list of ingredients, so it is not wise to regularly feed such food to a cat.

Usually, canned food for cats produce the same firms as other types of food. Therefore, many cat owners and breeders regularly feed domestic cats a cheaper form of food. Canned food is used as complementary foods or a kind of encouragement for fluffy. It is convenient to use one brand, but options for combining food from different companies are also quite acceptable.

• Almo Necher Alternatives.
• Leonardo.
• Appleus.
• Evanges Signeisha Series.
• Petit Quizin.

Almo Nature Alternative

The composition of these canned food includes natural meat of animal origin or fish - tuna, sardines, seafood - crabs, shrimp. The first position is 95% of the main product, the last is 60%. The rest is broth, vegetables, which are also good for the development of the cat.

The advantage of this type of food is its composition - completely natural. In addition, the packaging is designed for one application. Therefore, there is no danger that the food will stand in the refrigerator and spoil over time. This food has many lines designed for various situations– for kittens, for old cats, for sick cats. Veterinarians recommend the inclusion of such complementary foods as a special dietary food for animals suffering from digestive problems.

The disadvantage of this food, veterinarians consider its soft texture. It does not clean the cat's teeth, as it does with dry food.

natural nutrition

Many cat owners start feeding animals by offering the animal the same food that they eat themselves. This approach is not correct. Cats require a specific set of vitamins and minerals that ordinary food cannot provide. You can often hear complaints - they fed their cat with natural food, but she often gets sick, behaves restlessly.

The problem is nutrient deficiencies. A cat is a predator, so an abundance of meat and fish is a must for such an animal.. Self-provide pet complete set of necessary useful substances almost impossible. Therefore, the best option is balanced diet approved by veterinarians. This is the diet offered by companies that produce special food for cats.

But if, nevertheless, a decision is made not to spend money on industrial food, then for normal development a cat needs to diversify the menu, include meat, vegetables, fish in the diet.

Nutrition for kittens and sick animals

All companies that produce food for cats produce lines designed for feeding kittens. They are selected components that are as close as possible to cat's milk.

Do not feed kittens natural cow's milk.

The purpose of milk from cows is to feed calves. Biologically, it is designed for the weight and digestive system of the calf. In its pure form, such milk is dangerous for a small kitten, which is several times smaller than even a newborn calf. For the normal development of kittens, the ideal option is mother's cat's milk.. If such feeding is not possible, use special feed for kittens.

Surely, every owner wants to give his pet only the best. And this applies not only to a bed, toys, a tray, a filler. First of all, it concerns food. Which better food choose: natural or dry (industrial)? Which company should you choose? What to look for when choosing dry food? Which is better to choose: super premium cat food or holistic class? There are many questions, so you need to understand.

Common myths

Let's start the study of the questions raised with common myths.

• Dry food for cats can cause urolithiasis. Here it is impossible to answer unambiguously. If the pet has urolithiasis disease, then this is a consequence (80%) of the absence enough water in the bowl of the animal. When consuming industrial pellets, a cat needs a large amount of water. Carelessness of the owners leads to disastrous results. No need to be surprised that after a short period of time, the pet will need the help of veterinarians.
• Dry food for adult cats can cause diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Again, there is no clear answer. Diseases of the stomach and intestines can occur due to overuse granules. If the cat ate everything, this does not mean at all that she needs to add more. Especially if it's economy class food.
• The composition of dry food contains continuous chemistry, natural ingredients there is absolutely none or there is a minimal amount of them. If the choice fell on economy-class granules, then naturally, it will be so. But premium, super premium, and holistic foods contain only natural ingredients(in different mass fractions). All products, starting from the premium class, undergo the strictest control. If in doubt, it is best to consult a veterinarian.

Feed classification

The division into classes contributes to the fact that the owner of the kitten can make the right choice in favor of the health of the pet.

• Economy class products - the composition of this product cannot please the owners of cats. Among the components there is no natural meat, fish or poultry; only bone meal and herbal ingredients. The quality of these granules leaves much to be desired. This food seems attractive to cats only because of the presence of flavors and flavors in the composition.
• Premium products - manufacturers use selected meat and fish for the production of pellets, containing minerals and vitamins in required quantities. As a plant component, corn enters here. All ingredients in the composition have a veterinary certificate. A distinctive feature can be called economical consumption and high digestibility.
• Super premium class products - only the highest quality ingredients become the basis of the granules. These are: salmon fillet, lamb meat, turkey, rice, egg, etc. The composition contains proteins, fats, carbohydrates in a balanced form. When consuming such food, the cat will receive all the essentials. Super premium class products refer to a specialized and balanced diet.
• Holistic class products - elite food, which contains only environmentally friendly ingredients. Distinctive features Such products are considered to be excellent digestibility and high palatability. In addition to the main components are fruits, vegetables, grains.

Before choosing dry cat food, you need to read the numerous reviews of cat owners and specialists. They may differ, but you need to draw your own conclusions. The best option is to contact your veterinarian about nutrition.

List of economy class dry food manufacturers

The composition of dry food for kittens and cats includes a lot of chemical components and low-quality raw materials. Chemical additives, flavors, flavor enhancers are persistently addictive in a pet.

In addition, in order for the animal to be full, it will take twice as many pellets as in products with more high class. In order for the kidneys not to “fail”, the cat should consume 2-3 times more water than food. To eat, the cat eats a lot (!) of food, it is not able to consume the same amount of water, so the kidneys become clogged, and this is the root cause of diseases of the urinary system.

Having studied the classes and composition of dry food for kittens and cats, the experts came to the conclusion which products belong to the economy class.

1. Kitekat;
2. Whiskas;
3. Friskies;
4. Purina
5. Felix;
6. OSCAR;
7. Katinka;
8. Perfect fit;
9. Darling;
10. Kitty;
11. Dr. Clauders;
12. Sheba etc.

List of premium industrial pellet manufacturers

Dry food for adult cats, belonging to the premium class, not as harmful as economy, but still not as healthy as super premium and holistic. It will be based on meat and fish, but in addition to them, soy, additives and substitutes will be contained. The norm of premium dry cat food will be lower than that of the economy class, respectively, there will be no such load on the kidneys.

It has been noticed that most owners buy premium dry cat food, because it is expensive (but not in the same way as super premium or holistic), but does not great harm for the health of your pet. Many cats eat this way and live long and healthy (!) lives.

Premium Dry Cat Food Rating:

1. Royal Canin is one of the most popular manufacturers with a wide range of products on the market;
2. PurinaProPlan;
3. Hills is a well-known manufacturer of industrial pellets with a wide range;
4. Natural Choice;
5. Belcando;
6. Brit is also a popular food that has won the trust of numerous cat owners;
7. happy cat
8. advance;
9. Matisse.

Royal Canin, Brit and Hills stand out from this list. Experts often classify them as super premium granules, since these manufacturers have a wide range of medicated feeds in their line. But you need to choose the food, the packaging and production of which took place in Europe. There is better quality control and control of all products. In Russia, there is no such control yet.

List of super premium industrial feed manufacturers

Choosing dry cat food is not a problem; which one is better - every cat owner will decide for himself. In super premium class granules, the amount of protein is balanced, there are practically no dyes and flavors. When feeding with such granules, the risk of getting sick in an animal is significantly reduced.

The best manufacturers of super premium cat food:

• 1st Choice;
• ProNature Holistic;
• Profine Adult Cat;
• Cimiao;
• Nutram.

Rating of manufacturers of dry food holistic class

The best dry food for cats is holistic grade granules. In nurseries, the wards are fed with just such pellets, produced by professionals for professionals. Such food, perhaps, only 2 minuses:

• high cost;
• lack of flavorings and additives, which is why a cat who is used to eating premium food will turn up his nose at expensive food (in the evening he will still go to eat, no one wants to sit hungry).

Rating of dry food for cats holistic class:

1. Orijen;
2. Acana;
3. Golden Eagle Holistic;
4. GO and NOW Natural holistic;
5. GRANDORF Natural & Healthy;
6. Almo Nature Holistic;
7. Gina Elite, etc.

Such feed does not cause allergies in animals. Each component in the composition is designed to preserve the health of the animal and prolong life. When feeding, the pet receives all the necessary substances, which eliminates the need to purchase an additional vitamin-mineral complex. The ingredients are selected in such a way that they do not interfere with each other's absorption. The owner of the cat must remember that feeding holistic pellets should not be combined with other foods and, moreover, with natural food. If you throw meat or fish into the bowl in addition to holistic food, then the pet will begin to have kidney problems, the cause of which will be an excess of protein.

Alternative rating of feed producers

The first place is rightfully occupied by:

• 1st choice;
• Acana is a Canadian manufacturer that has won the trust of millions of cat and dog owners (products undergo the strictest control at all stages of production);
• Brit Care Cocco;
• Grandorf - this line includes 6 hypoallergenic foods, two varieties contain probiotics necessary for digestion;
• Nutrivet;
• Orijen is a Canadian manufacturer that produces granules with a high content of protein and a vitamin-mineral complex (75% of meat (fish), eggs are displayed in the composition);
• Pro nature holistic.

Why were they given the palm? The composition contains only natural ingredients, high-quality meat. Food from these manufacturers is suitable for everyday feeding of a pet. Their only drawback is their high cost.

Second place was given to such manufacturers as:

• Animonda (grain free);
• Britcare;
• Hills Ideal balance;
• Nutram Sound;
• Power of nature.

In third place are:

• Brit;
• Golden Eagle is an American manufacturer that first put on the market a product developed by nutritionists, geneticists, famous veterinarians;
• Holistic Blend Perfect;
• Pronature Original.

These super premium and holistic foods are suitable for treatment allergic reactions and some diseases. For healthy animals, such food for every day is not suitable.

Knowing that the feed is divided into classes, the owner must pay attention to the composition. If it mentions offal, bone meal, you can safely refuse such a product.

• Super premium cat food, as well as holistic class, contains selected beef, rabbit meat, chicken, fish. No chemicals, no offal.
• The shorter the ingredient list, the better.
• In the first place in the list of components are those whose mass fraction prevails in the feed. Among the first should be meat, fish, poultry.
• You should not take industrial pellets because of the beautiful packaging or an enticing slogan. Dry food for adult cats and kittens must be of the highest quality, tested by time and the technical control department.
• Don't buy food from various manufacturers. It turns out that cats are very fussy, so it's hard to get used to a change in food.
• If the list of components contains cereals, then it is better to refuse such granules. It is desirable that legumes be present in the composition, since cereals can cause allergies. Feedback from veterinarians suggests that there will be no problems with the gastrointestinal tract in animals with feeds that contain rice.
• If the list of ingredients contains flavorings and dyes, it is better to refuse such a product. Responsible manufacturers have long abandoned the addition of chemicals.

Cat nutrition principles: how to feed and how much to give?

Before transferring a pet to industrial granules, many owners ask themselves: is it possible for cats to dry food? The answer of professionals: it is possible. But in moderation and following the recommendations.

The rate of dry cat food is indicated on the packaging from the manufacturer. It is categorically impossible to overfeed your ward with such food. Premium dry cat food can be used, but the diet should be consistent. Unlike humans, cats do not need a constant variety in their diet. Ideally one food for life. Harsh but true. The less variety in the diet of an animal, the less problems he will be healthy. If the owner is satisfied with the state of health, wool, teeth of the cat, then the best dry cat food is found, and there is no need to replace it with other granules.

If the owner purchased dry cat food based on the reviews of veterinarians, he must remember a few rules regarding the cat's diet.

• Access to water should always be. Ideally, the water in the bowl should be changed 1-2 times a day.
• If dry holistic or super premium cat food is used, then natural food should be removed from the pet's diet.
• The amount of food given depends on the age, physical health, activity and features of the breed. It is best to check with your veterinarian about the amount of pellets your cat should consume.
• The cat should eat 2 or 3 times a day. If the pet wakes up his owner early in the morning, then the last meal can be moved to the late evening.

From personal experience

When we got a lop-eared British kitten, we immediately turned to the veterinarian for advice on a variety of issues. Among them was the question of nutrition. In the first minutes of the conversation, the veterinarian indicated that it was not worth buying Friskas, Whiskas and similar cheap food for our baby (of course, if we don’t want to have a bouquet of diseases at the exit). We were advised by Royal Canin, Hill's, Pro Plan and Brit. Expensive, but will not cost the health and life of our pet. Subsequently, when the kitten got stronger and gained strength, we opted for Brit.

Initially, we bought Royal Canin by weight, our growing baby ate it at the speed of light. Reviews of the seller in the veterinary clinic about Royal Canin are only positive. She advised us to put in a bowl daily allowance so that the kitten does not think that he has run out of food, and he does not subsequently pounce on a new portion. We did just that. At first he tried to eat everything, but then he realized that he had enough food, no one was taking anything from him and he would not starve. It just so happened that in the morning I pour him a cup of food, he has enough until the night. He eats when he wants. Fresh water always in the bowl.

As for 2 or 3 meals a day, we do not adhere to this principle. Because the cat only walks and begs for food. And so, if there are granules in the plate, he comes up, eats about 3-5 things, drinks it with water and goes about his business. Everyone wins. Maybe wrong, but the cat is used to eating like this. And he has no health problems.

Not a single advertisement contains the phrase: "Buy our food." Manufacturers have a different policy - you yourself will buy this product if it is shown "face". In the store it is even more difficult - the windows are lined with bags and jars so spectacularly that most often we do not buy what we planned. And it is important for owners of cats and cats to choose the best food suitable for their pet. In order not to make a rash purchase, you need to study the features of different feeds in advance.

Types of cat food

The owner of the cat can feed his pet in one of two ways:

• store (industrial) feed.

Each way of feeding a cat involves several types of food.

Natural nutrition is cat food prepared by the owner from good quality products. It's not about homemade food people, but about dishes prepared specifically for the animal (taking into account its age, characteristics of the organism, breed and state of health).

Industrial feeds are divided into several categories by types and classes. Types can be as follows:

• (in the form of granules);
• wet food (canned food in the form of pastes, jelly);
• (for cats with special health conditions);
• (special treats that do not carry a calorie load).

All store-bought cat food is divided into 4 classes:

• economy class (these are budget products that contain almost no meat);
• premium class (they contain natural meat, but there are also artificial additives);
• super premium (expensive, contains practically no dyes, contains a lot of meat);
• holistic class (the most expensive, up to 90% meat, do not contain dyes and preservatives).

What food to choose for a cat

Pouches are for one full feeding cats

Mixing food of different brands is highly discouraged. But for cat nutrition, you can combine wet and dry food, if we are talking about products of the same brand.

Many of my friends leave cats dry food in a bowl for the whole day (while they are at work) and a full bowl of fresh water. And in the evening they pamper their pet with wet food. Yes, mustachioed pets prefer wet food. But dry during the day is the best option. Firstly, cat owners can calculate the daily allowance in advance and leave everything at once (and the cat will distribute this food for the required number of times). Secondly, dry food is good for teeth. Familiar cat breeders who feed cats with pellets never complain about the health of cat teeth.

The composition of the feed can tell about the quality of the feed. The food should be well balanced - a lot of meat, little carbohydrates. The word “meat” does not necessarily mean pieces of veal pulp or a lamb rack tenderloin, these are animal proteins:

• natural fresh meat;
• dehydrated meat and fish;
• by-products and products of meat and fish processing;
• bone flour.

When a cat owner asks the veterinarian what kind of food to choose, most likely there will be only one advice - the more expensive option. The fact is that veterinarians often encounter cat diseases that arise due to improperly balanced food. Dyes, artificial flavors, allergens - all this leads to various ailments. Therefore, professionals are trusted by high-quality feed, which simply cannot be cheap.

In addition, one of the recommendations of the veterinarian may be a warning about the diet itself. After all, no matter how good the store food is, the owner of the animal can adversely affect the health of the pet by violating the rules of feeding.

Choose among the expensive ones and feed only them, you do not need to dilute or alternate with natural ones.

DOCTOR-VeT, forum user, veterinarian

https://www.vetmedicus.ru/forum7/topic13573.php

Most often, veterinarians advise feeding pets with industrial feeds.

Experts often advise transferring pets to special (medical) nutrition. Our family has never had to go to the vet for cat nutrition, but my sister's cat has kidney stones. A couple of years ago he had a severe exacerbation, the veterinarian said that this was due to a metabolic disorder. Indeed, my sister fed Donut both meat and fish, but he never ate milk and dairy products. A lot of phosphorus accumulated in the body, but there was not enough calcium, so stones formed. The veterinarian advised them to switch to medicinal food(Urinary) - several brands have such a line.

For a cat who has given birth, I advise you to switch to feeding Hills for kittens, it is more high-calorie and will replenish the energy that is spent on feeding kittens and recovering from childbirth.

Vikki-Vikki, user, veterinarian

http://forum.webmvc.com/index.php?/topic/4361-cat-feeding/

According to veterinarians, it is better to immediately refuse the food if it contains one (or more) of the following ingredients:

• potatoes (this is a product with a high glycemic index, which means it can lead to diabetes);
• the liver of any birds and animals - it is believed that it is able to retain toxins for a long time, so its use is potentially dangerous;
• soy protein concentrate (it is an allergen, there are cases when soy in the feed is GMO);
• animal mixture (may contain hair, claws, hooves, feathers) - very allergenic;
• corn and products of its processing, wheat, flour from it, gluten are allergens;
• any artificial additives (letter E will help to detect them);
• salt in any quantity;
• yeast.

By memorizing this list, you can choose the most healthy food for cats even from an inexpensive series.

Video: Farmina veterinarian's opinion on cat food

2019 cat food rating

Economy feed

The following brands have been favorite economy class feeds for a long time:

• Felix;

Table: comparison of economy class feeds

Photo gallery: the best economy class feeds in 2019

Kitekat is a cheap food that can be found in any supermarket Although Purina One is an economy class food, vets often recommend it to their patients.
Whiskas quality dissatisfied with veterinarians and breeders purebred cats, but the animals themselves simply adore this product Felix food is more budget option Purina One

Video: examination of popular cheap cat food

Premium segment products

Popular premium foods include:

• Brit;
• Pro plan;
• Iams;
• gourmet.

Table: comparison of the most popular premium feeds

Photo gallery: premium cat food

Veterinarians trust Royal Canin as they offer a wide range of veterinary products
Sheba is only wet food, but this brand has many lines Hill’s brand has many food with different tastes and for animals different ages
Even with a limited number of Gourmet foods, you can choose the right variant with the right taste
Pro Plan is one of Purina's products, which has long been popular among Russian consumers.

Super premium food

The most popular super premium food among buyers:

• Pronature Original;
• Gina;
• bozita;
• flatazor;
• 1st Choice;
• Bosch;
• Britcare;

Super premium foods are harder to find than their cheaper counterparts. Some cat owners have to order them from suppliers (this also guarantees quality). In addition, now you can place an order through online stores, in which case you can receive the goods at home.

Table: popular super premium food

Photo gallery: super premium cat food

1st Choice Super Premium Foods Can't Boast large quantity species Pronature Original foods do not contain dyes and flavors Super premium Gina foods are highly valued by veterinarians for their high quality
Cats love Bozita unlike many other high quality foods Bosch products do not contain soy protein, all protein comes from animal products

Feed segment holistic

The best holistic foods, according to cat owners, include:

• Innova;
• Almo Nature;
• Pronature Holistic;
• Barking Heads;

Table: comparison of the best holistic foods

Photo gallery: popular elite cat food

When buying Almo Nature wet food in a package (for example, 12 cans), their price will be lower Not all cats eat expensive foods such as Pronature Holistic, because they do not contain taste and smell enhancers Even a person can eat food like Innova Feed Go! can only be ordered directly from the manufacturer Lesser known holistic foods such as Now can be purchased for the price of a premium product

Foods with different flavors

As soon as manufacturers do not innovate, so that the food is more attractive to the buyer and useful for cats. To do this, recipe developers and veterinary nutritionists create products with different tastes. Moreover, it is not at all necessary that the feed contains exactly the meat that is indicated on the label. Most economy, premium and super premium products contain fragrances. Of course, some owners understand this trick very well, but what can you do to please your pet.

The following flavors are available:

• chicken (Whiskas for kittens with chicken, 1st Choice Vitality);
• beef (Kitekat beef in jelly, Almo Nature Beef & Rice);
• rabbit (Monge Rabbit);
• beef tongue (Sheba from veal and tongue, Dinner Menu No. 7);
• lamb (Acana Grasslands);
• ducks (Innova Evo 95 Duck, Sheba mini, Monge Duck);
• turkeys (Sheba with turkey in Bechamel sauce);
• liver (Brit Premium with chicken and chicken liver);
• salmon (Sheba mini, Whiskas for kittens salmon stew);
• tuna (Monge Tonno Del Pacifico Con Salmone);
• shrimp, seafood (Monge Fantasia Di Mare Con Pollo, Schesir with chicken and shrimp);
• trout (Sanabelle Adult with trout);
• anchovies (Monge Anchovies);
• combinations of meat / fish with vegetables / fruits (Farmina N&D fish and orange, Pronature with turkey and cranberries).

Some manufacturers produce food with "rare" flavors (shrimp, seafood, fruits, etc.)

Best Specialty Cat Foods

Specialized feeds are those products, the formulation of which was developed taking into account the characteristics of cats:

Under physical condition animal, not only diseases are implied (food still cannot cure them), but also a predisposition to any ailments. Currently, products for mustachioed pets with the following diseases and conditions are being produced:

• diabetes mellitus (Monge Diabetic, Royal Canin Diabetic DS46);
• urolithiasis (Hill's series K/D or Urinary Care);
• diseases thyroid gland(Hill's y/d);
• tendency to be overweight (Monge Obesity, Hill's Metabolic);
• skin diseases (Monge Dermatosis);
• orthopedic problems (Hill's j/d series, Royal Canin Mobility MC28);
• prone to dental diseases (Royal Canin Dental DS029);
• liver pathologies (Monge Hepatic, Royal Canin Hepatic HF26);
• recovering from surgery (Hill's a/d);
• disorders of the gastrointestinal tract or sensitive digestion (Bosch Sanabelle Sensutive Lamb, Go! Sensitivity + Shine);
• poor appetite or capricious taste (Royal Canin Savor Exigent 35/30).

Many cats develop urolithiasis in parallel with weight gain, for such animals the Metabolic + Urinary food from Hill’s is suitable

A separate specialized line is food for pregnant and lactating mothers. It is important that the cat gets plenty of vitamins and nutrients that will be beneficial.and her, and future kittens. Most major manufacturers develop baby food lines in such a way that this food meets the needs of the expectant mother:

The best and most popular

Nutrients for sterilized animals and fattening cats have similar compositions - this is a low-calorie diet

Video: how dry pet food is made

Let's remember what names of food for cats and cats we hear about? Of course, Whiskas, Kitekat, Friskies, Darling will come to mind first. Their advertising is noisy, noticeable, become familiar ... but is it worth trusting all the assurances of manufacturers? In this case, no. Cheap economy-class food (in general, we will talk about food classes a little further) are the enemies of pet health. Only in emergency cases, when there really is nothing else at hand, you can give the 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 feed asymptomatically harms the cat, destroying its liver and kidneys.

What brand of cat food is best?

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

Best Cat Foods in Category: Holistic

There can be nothing better for your beloved pet than holistic dry food. This is a new generation product, which is created by professionals for professionals. The composition of this feed is as natural as possible, it does not contain preservatives and it is maximally absorbed by 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 a special production technology.

Innova Cat and Kitten

Photo: www.catster.com

Medium price on RF: from 1200 rub. for 2.7 kg

Why in the ranking: this feed has an almost perfectly balanced composition, saturated with all the necessary substances and even the protein in it is of animal origin. Due to the maximum nutritional content, a cat needs a very small portion to eat. There are no ingredients in the feed of this level that could harm the animal.

disadvantages: Innova Cat and Kitten is one of the most expensive foods and in Russia it can only be obtained via the Internet. It should be remembered that there is a lot of protein in its composition, and therefore it should not be given to castrated animals.

Grade: 10 of 10

From cat food reviewsInnova Cat and Kitten: "A food with a protein content of about 30% is suitable for cats that are extremely healthy and active, but will not be very good for castrated animals."

Acana

Photo: www.tenfingers4paws.com

Average price in Russia: from 1000 rub. for 2.27 kg

Why in the ranking: This food is 80% natural high quality meat ingredients, in addition, it is additionally saturated with 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.

Grade: 9 out of 10

From cat food reviewsAcana: "If the animal is healthy and responds normally to protein, then there are no problems with nutrition."

N&D Natural and Delicious

Photo: www.shaggybrown.pl

Medium price on RF: from 860 rub. for 1.5 kg

disadvantages: a couple of ingredients plant origin raise doubts. It can be difficult to buy in veterinary pharmacies, but the food is sold on the Internet to the full range.

Grade: 8 out of 10

From reviews about cat foodN&D: "Cats do not immediately get used to the taste of food and are picky at first - it does not contain the usual flavor enhancers and flavors."

The best cat food in the category: super-premium

Food of this level is not so far gone in composition from holistic, but still contains natural preservatives and slightly more ingredients of plant origin. This food is absolutely safe for cats, if you choose it 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

Medium price on RF: from 900 rub. for 1.5 kg

Why in the ranking: The brand has a wide range of foods that cater to very specific requirements: anti-obesity, heart and kidney health, allergy sufferers, post-op nutrition, and so on. Finding food for sale is not difficult if you contact a veterinary pharmacy, but you can also find it in ordinary pet stores.

disadvantages: Hills production has been in Russia for a long time, which causes concern among felinologists about product quality. When buying this feed, you should pay attention to the country of origin - pay attention to European plants.

Grade: 8.8 out of 10

From cat food reviewsHills Science Diet: “Great solution for a diet after surgery, but for right choice It's best to consult a veterinarian."

Eukanuba

Photo: www.petzilla.co.uk

Average price in Russia: from 1200 rub. for 2 kg

Why in the ranking: 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 feed has a very well balanced composition with a maximum of meat ingredients, and the daily portion of the feed will be quite small due to its nutritional value.

disadvantages: feed 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.

Grade: 8.5 out of 10

From feed reviewsEukanuba: "When choosing the type of food, consider how well the cat tolerates vegetable protein."

1st Choice

Photo: www.cty-fish.com

Average price in Russia: from 1200 rub. for 2.27 kg

disadvantages: the choice of food types is not very large. In addition, there are a couple of undesirable ingredients in the composition: cellulose and the so-called “poultry flour”. With the last component, the problem is that it is impossible to determine what such flour consists of - one can only hope for the integrity of the manufacturer.

Grade: 8 out of 10

From feed reviews1st Choice: "Very small portions are enough for a cat to get enough."

The best cat food in the category: premium

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

Hills Science Plan

Photo: images.vet-medic.com

Medium price on RF: from 790 rub. for 2 kg

Why in the ranking: the line of food is very wide and even for the most fastidious cat there is an option. The composition is very carefully selected and balanced, and you can choose food with different amounts of protein. There is food for dental health, which is very important to monitor throughout the life of a cat.

disadvantages: there is a risk of buying a batch produced at a Russian factory - there are completely different standards. Contains vegetable protein and cereals.

Grade: 7.9 out of 10

From feed reviewsHills Science Plan: "It is important to choose food based on the age of the animal."

Royal Canin

Photo: static.shop033.com

Average price in Russia: from 650 rub. for 2 kg

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

disadvantages: there has been a factory in Russia for a long time, and felinologists, as already mentioned, prefer European or American production. The composition contains ingredients of plant origin.

Grade: 7.5 out of 10

From feed reviewsRoyal Canin: "Series for kittens and older cats are especially good."

Purina ProPlan

Photo: nt.petplanet.co.uk

Average price in Russia: from 650 rub. for 1.5 kg

Why in the ranking: the composition of the feed is perfectly balanced and does not require any additions to the diet, in addition it contains necessary for cats probiotics and enzymes. The price is very affordable and everywhere is on sale in a fairly large assortment.

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

Grade: 7 out of 10

From feed reviewsPurina ProPlan: "Never mix with natural nutrition, otherwise it will end with an allergy. ”

The best cat food in the category: economy

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

Purina One

Photo: www.src.discounto.de

Average price in Russia: from 250 rub. for 750 g

disadvantages: many herbal ingredients in the composition and complete absence options for animals with serious illnesses or very specific needs.

Grade: 5

From feed reviewsPurina One: "Over time, the cat simply refuses food, even though at first it requires supplementation."

Purina Cat Chow

Photo: f1.ds-russia.ru

Average price in Russia: from 100 rub. for 400 g

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 feed reviewsPurina Cat Chow: "Cats are often picky and refuse this food altogether."

Whiska Special

Photo: povodok-shop.ru

Average price in Russia: from 90 rub. for 400 g.

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

Grade: 3

From feed reviewsWhiska Special: "A portion to satiate a cat is very large compared to premium food, and therefore even the financial benefit here is very doubtful."

What is the best dry food for your cat?

Every pet owner wants the best for their pet, which is why they try to buy the best cat food available. Nevertheless, the modern market is overflowing with offers, advertising “attacks” us from everywhere, and not everyone can understand tricky names and characteristics in English. This rating is intended to explain the essence of the division of feed into classes, as well as to recommend the most popular and high-quality manufacturers of different levels.