If you found this page you probably were wondering what food to feed your cat. Or perhaps you’re looking for advice on what’s the best wet cat food. You probably care deeply about your cat as well or you wouldn’t be searching, instead you’d be picking the cheapest can you could from the Wal-Mart cat food isle. We want to provide insight on how to pick the absolute best cat food because we’re cat people and downright cat lovers. We also don’t work for Science Diet, Royal Canin or Purina so we are impartial. The answer isn’t super simple and contains some factors which will be different for every cat and cat owner.
Budget for Cat Food
The first factor is going to be your budget. Nobody wants to say you need to feed your cat $10 worth of food per day if you simply can’t afford to feed yourself $10 of food per day. However it’s likely you’re not in that situation or you again wouldn’t be here. It’s important to know whole heatedly that I believe a proper diet of highly nutritious food for your cat is going to save you money in the long run. A well fed cat will require less vet visits and will have less health problems through its lifespan which will undoubtedly save you money over the time your cat is in your life. Please remember this factor the next time you’re tempted to buy your cat that cheap bag of Meow Mix at Wal-Mart to save a couple bucks.
I picked on Meow Mix a little but they are not alone in what I’ve referred to in the past as “McDonald’s For Cats.” It’s no secret cats lap this stuff up happily, just like your kids love fries and a chocolate shake. Feeding your cat cheaper cat food brands like this once in a while is not going to hurt them long term but it’s also not a great option for them long term. My two cats actually eat double the amount of lower quality food than that of high protein, grain free, high nutrient rich ‘more expensive’ food. When I buy them good quality cat food it lasts me twice as long, and they’re weight stays constant and they don’t blimp up. They have shinier coats, more energy. Having two orange tabby cat voracious eaters is a major factor for me here.
Picky Cat Eaters
The next factor in your choice is going to be your cat itself. If you have a cat who is a picky eater or your vet decides needs a special diet well then first things first. You go with what your expert vet recommends. If you have a picky eater cat then you need to test out some brands and flavors to see what fits them best. Not all cats like the same things.
We feed our cats a mix of dry kibble and wet food. We provide them a set amount of kibble per day to munch on and they eat wet cat food in the morning and after our dinner in the evening. Wet cat food is important for your cat because a large portion of their water intake will come from wet food. Cats also need to eat a wet food meal twice a day to keep their urine pH in balance. This is a huge factor in UTI risk reduction. They are not huge drinkers but do require water just like you and I do. (A pet water fountain helps with cat fluid intake).
As a forty something cat dad, I’ve spent my time talking and reading and feeding my little buddies. I’ve come to the conclusion there are a number of great options for wet food for your cats. The good options sometimes get lost in the mass marketing of big brand junk food for cats. What’s the best cat food? I don’t believe there’s just one, but choosing something from this list will keep your cat healthy, happy and active.
Is Nom Nom the Absolute Number 1 Wet Cat Food?
A relative newcomer to the cat food world. Nom Nom is a purely subscription based service with prices comparable to the top brands above. High quality fresh food developed by a top vet nutritionist. That’s right, their chef is a top veterinarian doctor. When you pour this food into your cats bowls it looks like you could eat it yourself. They have cat treats and a service which tests your cats micro biome levels to better tailor their diet and help them stay healthy. You’d be amiss to not try their service and product and are currently offering a 50% discount on your first order. Doing some more research on Nom Nom by visiting their page, is a good start to how to pick the absolute best cat food?
If you were looking for what’s the best cat food for recommendations of what to feed your cat, any of the three options are worth the go to see how your cat responds. Why not try them all? I know my two cats enjoy some variety in their food and are currently enjoying Nom Nom’s offerings. I believe for those looking to feed their cats only the best wet food available, Nom Nom is the top choice.
We’ve done a specialized full review of Nom Nom in a dedicated page because we love it so much. Read more about arguably the best wet cat food here.
Nom Nom Chicken Formula Cat Food Ingredients
Chicken thigh, chicken breast, chicken liver, carrots, asparagus, cantaloupe, spinach, dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, salt, taurine, choline bitartrate, zinc gluconate, ferrous sulfate, vitamin E supplement, copper gluconate, manganese gluconate, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), selenium yeast, riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin B12 supplement, cholecalciferol (source of vitamin D3), potassium iodide.
Royal Canin is a Top Cat Food
Royal Canin is one of the most well respected and vet recommended cat foods on the market today. High nutrient rich food. How to pick the absolute best cat food? I rescued a cat from the outdoors who was emaciated and starving, the vet recommended we feed him Royal Canin Kitten Food. For me, when a vet I trust recommends a certain food for a sick animal especially will go to the top of the list. Since then I’ve felt highly confident recommending this brand. They have formulas for hairball, urinary health, renal and aging cats to support your cats in any stage of life. Can be bought pretty much in any established pet food store, or online at Amazon.
Royal Canin Ingredients:
Water sufficient for processing, pork by-products, chicken by-products, chicken liver, pork liver, salmon, wheat flour, wheat gluten, gelatin, pork plasma, powdered cellulose, natural flavors, modified corn starch, calcium sulfate, guar gum, potassium chloride, sodium tripolyphosphate, carrageenan, taurine, vitamins (DL-alpha tocopherol acetate (source of vitamin E), thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), niacin supplement, biotin, D-calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6)
Hill’s Science Diet is another top cat food
One of the most recognized and respected brands of pet food on the market. No conversation about what’s the best cat food should be had without Science Diet mentioned. Provides your cat with high quality protein to help maintain lean muscle. Another brand you can find just about anywhere. We recommended a subscription from Amazon so you never run out.
Science Diet Cat Food Ingredients
Water, Chicken, Turkey Giblets, Pork By-Products, Pork Liver, Corn Starch, Powdered Cellulose, Chicken Liver Flavor, Wheat Flour, Soybean Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken Fat, Natural Flavor, Titanium Dioxide color, Guar Gum, Fish Oil, Potassium Chloride, Brewers Dried Yeast, Locust Bean Gum, Carrageenan, Choline Chloride, Iodized Salt, Taurine, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Calcium Sulfate, Potassium Citrate, Dicalcium Phosphate, minerals (Zinc Oxide, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate), DL-Methionine.
Darwin’s Raw Cat Food is a Great Choice
Darwin’s Natural Raw Cat Food has been creating and selling natural Raw Pet Food since 2003. A tried and true formula that helps cats and dogs stay healthy and energetic. The benefits of this diet are lengthy, from reduction of illnesses in your cat like FLUTD and Kidney problems. Shiney coats, energetic happy animals and peace of mind to the cat mom or dad that your baby is getting highly nutritious food. Darwin’s allows you to order a sample for a low cost of their super food. A company that creates custom diets through your vet as well, with a prescription. How to pick the absolute best cat food? Check out Darwin’s for sure while you’re investigating.
Darwin’s Cat Food Ingredients
Chicken Meat, Chicken Necks (Including Bone), Chicken Gizzard, Chicken Livers, and Chicken Hearts. Tomato Pomace, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Magnesium Proteinate, Choline Chloride, Inulin, Sea Salt, Zinc Proteinate, Vitamin E, Iron Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin B12, Iodine (EDDI), Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Fish Oil 18/12 EPA/DHA (Derived from sea-harvested wild Sardines), Cod Liver Oil (Derived from sea-harvested wild Alaska Cod)
Some More Tips for Healthy Cats
As some further tips, the quality of your dry kibble is also important. High quality kibble food from Royal Canin, Science Diet or another we like, First Mate are good options. Our orange tabby cats love First Mate Chicken and Blueberries formula. It’s a great dry cat food kibble with 92% protein. Orange tabby cats love food, and if given crappy kibble they over eat it. Our two manage to not gorge on this high quality kibble and I highly recommend it.
Remember your cats like to drink water from moving sources. Much like the kitchen sink or bath tap or garden hose. We recommend a fountain for them. Below are some options.
Our final and last tip when feeding your cat there high quality food is to do so in elevated bowls. You should elevate your cats bowls to change the angle of their necks to aid in food being pushed into their stomach without blocking up. Blockage creates barfing. Elevated bowls help with this a lot. We recommend the below bowls, since they’re elevated, and cute.
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