Cats are carnivores, and protein is their main source of energy. The highest proportion of ingredients in good cat food should be meat, of which:
1. Fresh meat is the best, and it is better to indicate specific parts. (Fresh meat refers to meat that has not been processed in any way except refrigerated.)
2. Dehydrated meat is second.
3. Meat meal is average.
4. It is better to have an appropriate amount (about 10%) of animal internal organs, which can supplement the fat and taurine needed by cats (chicken heart and beef heart are mainly muscles, generally not internal organs).
Controversial ingredients, try to avoid
1. Grains (wheat, rice, corn, soybeans, etc. )
Grain is generally used in dry food to help bulk. On the one hand, grains produce a lot of carbohydrates and sugars, which can easily make cats obese. On the other hand, gluten in grains can easily lead to indigestion and allergies in cats.
2. Potatoes, cassava, peas and other high-carb, high-sugar foods
Although many cat foods do not contain grains, there are still substitutes such as potatoes, cassava, and peas. These substitutes can help dry food puff up, while also stacking up crude protein content and beautifying the nutrient list. But these ingredients are generally high in carbohydrates and sugar.
3. Vegetable oil
Vegetable oil beautification nutrient composition table.
4. Montmorillonite/Montmorillonite
The role of montmorillonite/montmorillonite is bactericidal and antidiarrheal, which has been controversial. This ingredient is used in Baileys’ cat cans.
5. Fruits and vegetables
Cats eat meat but not vegetables and fruits, but the cellulose in fruits and vegetables Whether it can help cats with gastrointestinal digestion has been a topic of debate. Some cathouses believe that cooked squash is a good remedy for cat diarrhea. But cats really can’t absorb transformed carotene from carrots (humans can).
6. Beets, beet seeds, and beet roots
help dry food cohesion and expand, with higher sugar content.
7. Mar’s gum, guar gum, carrageenan
Thickening agent in wet food, it makes the food look thicker and the soup looks better.
Hazardous ingredients
1. BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin (ethoxyquin)
Artificial preservatives, long-term intake has the risk of cancer.
2. Propylene glycol (propylene glycol)
Antifreeze and hygroscopic agent can damage the internal organs of cats and cause anemia.
3. Sodium nitrite
Carcinogen.
4. Vitamin K3
A synthetic vitamin that is prone to cancer.
5. Attractants, flavoring agents
This substance will have a great taste and make cats love to eat, but it is easy to form food dependence. The worst bait attractants are purely synthetic, followed by substances extracted from liver and fish.
Additional points
1. Taurine
Taurine is necessary for cats.
2. Fish oil
Good fish oil is rich in omga-3 and omega-6.
3. Vitamins
Vitamin E, Vitamin B, etc.
