The basis for maintaining the activity, health and longevity of pets, according to experts, is a well-chosen diet . Therefore, many breeders and ordinary cat owners, trying to create optimal living conditions for their pets, prefer to purchase products from well-known brands for them. However, if you take into account the wide range of similar products on the market, it is quite difficult to make the right choice.
Veterinarians recommend using elite, balanced food that fully satisfies the needs of cats of any age, not only for basic nutrients, but also for mineral supplements. In addition, leading manufacturers of premium products, in particular brands such as Hill's, ProPlan. They produce a wide range of dietary feeds that promote the speedy recovery of animals.
Which is better dry or wet dog food?
Feeding wet food
- more expensive than
dry ones
, because due to the high moisture content their daily consumption rate is much higher.
And if for dogs
and cats this difference is not so noticeable, although in this case it certainly exists, then when we talk about the nutrition of a large dog, it becomes critical.
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Proplan from Purina
Thanks to collaboration with veterinarians and nutritionists, Purina Corporation specialists were able to develop three areas of food production and offer cat owners:
- Products produced in the form of dry granules.
- Canned foods.
- Dietary rations with a therapeutic effect.
The manufacturer has tried to create unique complexes where combinations of ingredients help maintain the health of the pet and slow down the aging process.
The following additives are included in the diet:
- Optistart is intended for kittens, as it is able to support the functionality of the intestines and affect its microflora.
- Optirenal helps optimize kidney function in adults and animals that have undergone castration.
- Longevis , containing antioxidants and prebiotics, increasing the vitality of cats over seven years of age,
They are original developments patented by the company.
Therefore, the owner of an animal, when choosing ProPlan dry food for his pet, does not have to worry about the variety of the diet and the inclusion of any additions to it.
The manufacturer claims a fairly high content of protein components in the feed. However, it should be borne in mind that approximately half of them are proteins of plant origin.
The sources of carbohydrates in Purina ProPlan are:
- Wheat.
- Rice.
- Corn.
- Wheat and corn gluten.
Dry food of this brand includes animal and fish oil, as well as several natural additives, for example:
- Chicory helps strengthen the animal's immunity and stabilize blood sugar levels.
- Yeast that helps improve metabolism in a cat's body.
which, given the wide range of products offered by the brand and based on the recommendations of a veterinarian, makes it possible to provide the pet with proper nutrition.
Hills – Hills Science Plan
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The cost of a 0.3 kg bag of dry food is about 160 rubles.
Under the Science Plan brand, Hills produces universal food for pets that do not have health problems. The advantages of the line are a balanced composition, high-quality ingredients, an easily digestible formula, excellent taste and appetizing aroma.
The cat food series is presented in several lines:
- For kittens (with the flavors of chicken, tuna, as well as chicken and vegetables);
- For castrated and sterilized pets;
- For adult cats without health problems (1-6 years, 7-11 years, over 11 years).
According to the manufacturer's website, Science Plan series foods contain 50 nutrients that correspond to different stages of animal life. All varieties are characterized by an optimal ratio of protein, fats, minerals, vitamins and fiber.
The company claims that all cats will enjoy its food, as it is made from natural raw materials and tastes good. The packs even have a stamp on them with a 100% money back guarantee if the cat doesn’t like the treat.
Characteristic differences
It is known that in the natural environment the basis of a cat’s diet is animal protein, therefore, at home, a pet should not experience a lack of it.
According to the manufacturers, the products contain up to 40% protein ingredients, however, in Hill's food it is mainly vegetable protein.
However, in terms of the composition of offal, breeders and veterinarians have more complaints about the ProPlan brand, since in addition to ground bones, it adds liver and animal fat of dubious origin, which is harmful for the pet.
Unlike the daily feeding diets offered by Hill's, Proplan products contain soy and cellulose powder as filler, which can cause allergic reactions in cats. Therefore, when choosing a permanent balanced food, it is necessary to consult an experienced veterinarian.
In addition, the manufacturer Hill's initially specialized in the development of therapeutic and preventive foods, while the Proplan product line is more focused on absolutely healthy cats.
Royal Canin Composition
Royal Canin is cheaper than Pro Plan; almost everyone can buy it.
There are often discounts on products in large pet stores, so you just want to grab a couple of packages while the promotion is going on. Before buying food, study its composition: The first place is taken by plant protein isolate. The manufacturer states that these proteins are highly digestible and are specially selected for the production of feed. The second line reports the presence of dehydrated (dried) poultry proteins. At number three is rice, wheat is in fourth place. Animal fats complete the list.
General properties
According to experts, products from the Hills and Proplan brands deservedly belong to the premium class , since eating lower quality food by a pet can cause urolithiasis. The brands under consideration offer the buyer a large selection of high-quality feeds that have:
- High nutritional value.
- Excellent organoleptic characteristics.
- Optimal balance of protein components, vitamins and mineral supplements.
In addition, manufacturers produce a whole line of specialized diets that help restore or maintain cat health.
A reasonable price for products of sufficiently high quality is an equally important factor, however, in order to accurately choose the optimal nutrition for a particular animal, you should consult a veterinarian.
Experts combined Hills and Proplan products for cats with the slogan: “The best of the cheap!”
Due to the physiological characteristics of the body, the age of the pet, temperament and possible diseases, the food offered by these manufacturers for the same categories of animals may contain some ingredients that can adversely affect the condition of cats.
Grandorf for cats - feeding rate
The basic principles of eating for your pet, which are recommended by the Grandorf company, are as follows:
- It is optimal to feed your cat twice a day - morning and evening.
- In addition to food, your pet should always have access to clean drinking water.
- The amount of food is calculated individually based on the pet’s weight and level of physical activity. Exact recommendations for each type of food are given on the packaging.
- Grandorf (canned food for cats) is served to the pet at room temperature at the rate of 1 jar per day per 4 kg of cat’s weight.
Brit Premium
Brit Premium is a premium product line. The food has a well-balanced composition and is suitable for daily feeding. The product is manufactured in the Czech Republic, which can guarantee European quality control. The disadvantages include the presence of cheaper ingredients than in super premium food from the same company - Brit Care. Brit Premium, unlike higher grades, contains artificial colors and flavors. Also, these foods are not available in every pet store. The advantage of this line is its wide range: you can choose the right food for even the most picky pet at an affordable price.
Royal Canin Composition
“Royal Canin” is cheaper than “Pro Plan”, almost everyone can buy it. There are often discounts on products in large pet stores, so you just want to grab a couple of packages while the promotion is going on. Before buying food, study its composition:
- The first place is occupied by plant protein isolate. The manufacturer states that these proteins are highly digestible and are specially selected for the production of feed.
- The second line reports the presence of dehydrated (dried) poultry proteins.
- Rice is number three; wheat is in fourth place.
- Animal fats complete the list.
Detailed analysis of the composition
Chicken is a dietary product that is good for cat health. The question just arises: what is hidden under this word? According to American standards, chicken includes offal, skin, bones and feathers. Therefore, it remains a mystery what is in Pro Plan food: real meat or industrial waste. Veterinarians note that the amount of chicken is negligible and does not reach the level of super-premium food.
Now about wheat, its percentage component is not indicated. Wheat is a source of carbohydrates, but its place in the feed composition is alarming. A cat is a predator; the first three lines in dry food should be occupied by meat products. Wheat is not one of these; it is a cheap and filling filler. It is suitable for economy-class products, but hardly for food that claims to be super-premium.
Poultry protein powder contains proteins. Again, its quantity in the composition is not indicated. Rice is another source of carbohydrates. Too many carbohydrates for a complete cat diet. The manufacturer replaced the natural meat component with them.
Wheat gluten contains plant protein. The key word is plant-based, let’s take that into account. Based on the above, the conclusion is drawn: the food does not correspond to a super-premium product. It contains too many plant proteins and carbohydrates. Veterinarians rarely recommend the product to cat owners.
Let's analyze the composition of French food to find out which is better: Proplan or Royal Canin.
General conclusion
more honest with customers. Vague formulations are less common in the list of components of these diets. However, it is still difficult to call food quality. Although meat ingredients come first, their relative share in the dry residue is small. The indicators are brought to normal levels by adding poultry protein. Even the food with rice, which is most often purchased by owners of pets with allergies, contains wheat, corn and gluten, which is not very good for consumers.
In the case of Royal Canin products, a more ambiguous picture is observed. The first places in the composition are usually dehydrated proteins of animal origin. The exact source of their production is not indicated, so one can only guess what the manufacturer uses: muscle tissue or offal with almost zero nutritional value. In any case, the use of isolated protein in place of whole meat in everyday foods is discouraged. In addition, the composition includes plant proteins, i.e. there are not enough animal amino acids to create an attractive balance.
Both manufacturers use questionable ingredients: sugars, flavorings without specifying their origin, yeast, etc. Purina Corporation includes propylene glycol in its dog food. It is officially recognized as safe, but it is prohibited from being added to cat foods, which is alarming. It is possible that negative reactions may occur with prolonged use and accumulation of the substance in the body. Propylene glycol is used primarily as a flavoring agent, so the manufacturer could avoid using it.
