Ensuring a balanced and healthy diet is as important to cats as it is to humans. Our furry felines need a nutritious diet plan to ensure they grow up strong and healthy! However, the wide variety of dry cat food available in the market can be daunting even for experienced cat owners. If you’re not sure which is the best dry cat food for your fur friend, we’re here to help! Read on down below to find out more about dry cat food and pick one that’s best suited for your cat.
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Dry vs wet cat food
Many cat owners are often caught up in a dry vs wet cat food debate. But the truth is that dry kibbles can benefit both you and your cat, if fed in moderation. Here are some of the factors to consider when you’re deciding between dry and wet cat food.
| Factors to consider | Dry cat food | Wet cat food |
| Convenience | Easy to store, pack and feed, even on-the-go | Not as convenient |
| Food safety | Don’t spoil easily, good for free feeding | May spoil if left out for too long |
| Dental Health | Come in odd shapes to help scrape plaque off cat’s teeth | No benefits |
| Hydration | Not hydrating, may need to add water to increase moisture levels in dry kibbles | Good for keeping cats hydrated |
| Protein content | Lower | Higher |
| Cost | More budget-friendly | Usually cost more than dry cat food |
How to choose the best dry cat food?
When shopping for the best cat food for your feline friends, studying the ingredients list is a must. This gives you a good idea of what goes into your cat’s diet and whether the dry kibbles are supplementing what your cat needs. Here are a few things to look out for when you’re examining the ingredients list of your cat food.
Pro Tip: Ingredients lists are created based on descending quantity. That means the higher an item is on the ingredients list, the greater its amount included in the dry cat food.
- Poultry protein: This should be listed as the first ingredient to ensure your cat is receiving a high-quality protein meal.
- Omega 3s and 6s: The best dry cat food is one that includes this ingredient to support immunity and promotes a smooth fur coat. This ingredient can be found in fish oil, eggs and flaxseed.
- Vitamins and minerals: The more vitamins included in the list, the better the dry kibbles. Some essential ones to check for include vitamin B12, vitamin C, calcium, iron and zinc.
- Healthy fats: In general, cats need at least 20% fat in their food. This supplies them energy to live life to the fullest.
- Probiotics: The best dry cat food should include probiotics, a healthy bacteria that helps support digestion in your cat.
- Carbohydrate fillers: These can come in the form of wheat gluten or corn meal and should be avoided as much as possible. Carbohydrates can cause obesity in cats, especially senior ones that are not as active.
- Food dyes: Avoid dry kibbles with food dyes — they do nothing for your cat and can even cause allergic reactions in some.
Best dry cat food recommended by vets
1. Best for digestion: Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dry Cat Food
While cats are hardy pets, they can easily get an upset stomach for a variety of reasons. This includes trying a new food or even eating too fast. In such cases, your cat may vomit, pass gas or have diarrhea. However, when you cats start to exhibit these signs more often than before, your cat may have a sensitive stomach. Consider changing your cat’s food to the Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dry Cat Food (available on Hill’s Pet Nutrition Official Store). This is one of the best dry cat food for adult cats with sensitive stomachs as it contains prebiotic fiber. Prebiotic fiber allows beneficial gut bacteria to grow and thrive to support the digestive system. In addition, the Hill’s Science cat food is specifically formulated to be highly digestamel for better nutrient absorption and also contains a variety of vitamins, minerals and amino acids for your cat’s overall health.
2. Best protein source: Instinct Ultimate Protein Chicken Dry Cat Food
Protein is a cat’s most important source of energy — even for lazy indoor cats. However, it may be a challenge to look for a high protein dry kibbles as some brands may use carbohydrate fillers to supplement the lack of protein in their formula. Thankfully, you can always turn to the Instinct Ultimate Protein Chicken Dry Cat Food (available on Instinct Pet Food) for a high quality protein meal for Mr Whiskers. This premium formula contains three times more real chicken meat, achieving a high 47% crude protein intake. This is relatively higher compared to other kibbles formulated for indoor cats. In addition, it’s created with grains, by-product meals, artificial colouring or preservatives to offer your cat the best nutrition.
3. Best kitten food: Royal Canin Second Age Kitten Food
Kittens are a bundle of joy (and chaos), but that also means they have higher energy levels as compared to adult cats. Thus, it’s important to buy the best dry cat food that’s higher in calories to supply them the energy they need. The Royal Canin Second Age Kitten Food (available on Pet Lovers Centre Official Store) is a reliable brand of kitten food recommended by vets for cats 12 months and below. It’s jam packed with high energy content (36% protein) to supplement your kitten’s intensive growth stage. In addition, it contains a complex of antioxidants and vitamins to help support your little pal’s immune system. It’s also formulated with digestible poultry protein and prebiotics to enhance your cat’s digestive health.
4. Best for shiny fur coat: Sanabelle Hair & Skin Dry Cat Food
There’s a common misconception that only long haired cats require a diet that supports healthy hair growth. This is not true, as even short haired cats can benefit from the Sanabelle Hair & Skin Dry Cat Food (available on brioPets). Rich in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, zinc, biotin and complex vitamins, this best dry cat food helps to keep your cat’s fur thick and shiny. In addition, the formula also works to retain moisture in the skin to prevent dry and flaky skin. Aside from its fur and skin benefits, the kibbles also contain mussel meat meal that’s rich in glucosamine to maintain bone cartilage and taurine to boost immunity.
5. Best yummy grain-free recipe: Taste of the Wild Lowland Creek with Roasted Quail & Roasted Duck Cat Dry Food
Does your cat spend most of its time chirping at the birds by the window? Perhaps Mr Whiskers is craving for some fowl! The Taste of the Wild Lowland Creek with Roasted Quail & Roasted Duck Cat Dry Food (available on Pets Club) is mostly made up of cage-free quail and ducks that provide highly digestible protein with unparalleled great taste. Moreover, this best dry cat food boasts a grain-free formula which translates into low carbohydrates and high protein. Cats who are allergic to grains like corn, rice and barley will benefit from this grain-free cat food.
6. Best for obese cats: Hill’s Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Chicken Dry Cat Food
Let’s be honest, we have all enjoyed a video or two on chonky cats. However, there’s nothing funny about obesity when it comes to your cat’s health. Obese cats are at a greater risk for diabetes, urinary problems, skin issues, pancreatitis and more. In addition, older cats who are more sedentary can put on weight quickly. This takes a toll on their joints and may even cause arthritis. As such, it’s important to watch your cat’s weight and switch out to a weight management diet such as the Hill’s Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Chicken Dry Cat Food (available on Hill’s Pet Nutrition Official Store). This high protein (40.2%), high fiber formula is enriched with L-carnitine and coconut oil. Together, they boost metabolism and support healthy weight loss with visible results within 10 weeks.The cat food also supports lean muscle development to attain a healthy muscle mass.
7. Best for senior cats: Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Indoor Adult 7+ (Senior)
Is your cat getting on in years? Despite the cute kitten antics your feline friend may still be exhibiting, cats are considered old when they hit the seven years mark. At this life stage, your cat may become more inactive and lose its appetite. This is commonly due to dental problems and a weakened sense of smell and taste. Now’s a good time to give your cat the Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Indoor Adult 7+ (Senior) (available on Pet Lovers Centre Official Store) to cater to its dietary needs at maturity. It’s enriched with nutrients like green tea polyphenols, vitamin C, EPA and DHA. Green tea polyphenols help to reduce risk of heart disease, lung cancer and high blood pressure which are more prone in older cats. In addition, vitamin C plays an important role in tissue growth and immune regulation. All these help to ensure your cat lives a happy and healthy life even in its old age.
Go the extra mile for Mr Whiskers
Aside from the best dry cat food, you can also whip out some delicious homemade cat food for your feline in the kitchen! This includes soups, treats and wet food. Also own a pup? Check out the best dog food that will keep your fur friend happy. Join our Shopee Pawrents Club to enjoy fantastic deals on pet food, supplies and more.
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