{"id":36854,"date":"2021-11-08T08:06:13","date_gmt":"2021-11-08T08:06:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/afihstaging.wpengine.com\/?p=36698"},"modified":"2021-11-09T00:08:56","modified_gmt":"2021-11-09T00:08:56","slug":"a-first-time-cat-parents-guide-to-buying-the-right-cat-food","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/addictionpet.com\/en-sg\/blog\/a-first-time-cat-parents-guide-to-buying-the-right-cat-food\/","title":{"rendered":"A first-time cat parent\u2019s guide to buying the right cat food"},"content":{"rendered":"

Choosing the right cat food, especially for first-time owners can be challenging.\u00a0You have to consider not just the nutrient content and the ingredients, but also whether it\u2019s fit for the current life stage of your pet.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Still, even if you go through such a selection process, it still boils down to\u00a0your cat\u2019s individual preferences\u00a0whether they like it or not.\u00a0<\/span>Palatability or the overall taste, smell, and texture matter more to cats than dogs.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking for the best cat food to buy, here are some important criteria to consider next time you go shopping.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Things to look for:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Approval from the experts<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

The\u00a0<\/span>Association of American Feed Control Officials<\/span><\/a>\u00a0(AAFCO)’s\u00a0\u201cnutritional adequacy\u201d\u00a0and\u00a0their\u00a0\u201ccomplete and balanced\u201d label\u00a0are two things to look out for in the packaging labels.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The AAFCO is an\u00a0advisory body\u00a0that has one of the strictest standards when labeling pet food.\u00a0If the brand you\u2019re getting\u00a0<\/span>meets AAFCO’s nutrient profiles,\u00a0you can be sure that it has the required amounts of nutrition needed for your cat\u00a0and for what specific life stage the food is intended for.<\/span>\u00a0The\u00a0“suitable for all life stages” statement in your pet food means\u00a0that its\u00a0formulation meets\u00a0all the nutritional requirements of kittens, adults, and senior cats.\u00a0Make sure to review the feeding guide\u00a0to help your pets maintain a healthy weight and ensure they get complete nutrition\u00a0appropriate for their age.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2. A clearly defined protein source<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Meat-based diets are a given for cats.\u00a0This is why it\u2019s always best to give them food with a\u00a0<\/span>clearly defined primary protein ingredient<\/span><\/a>\u00a0to get the best nutritional value out of each meal.\u00a0It also helps if even the\u00a0<\/span>meat meal\u2019s\u00a0protein\u00a0source<\/span>\u00a0is clearly stated on the label so that you can be sure that it\u2019s not just a filler ingredient.\u00a0\u00a0Some of the common sources of animal-based protein for cats are Salmon, Duck, Turkey, and Lamb.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Amino Acids and Minerals<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The one thing cats need for a healthy heart and muscles is\u00a0<\/span>Taurine<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Taurine is\u00a0an amino acid that\u2019s crucial\u00a0to\u00a0maintaining\u00a0eyesight and heart health.\u00a0While most mammals (including dogs\u00a0and\u00a0humans) can synthesize Taurine in their bodies, cats can’t.\u00a0They need to obtain this nutrient from\u00a0other\u00a0food sources.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Aside from\u00a0Taurine,\u00a0there are\u00a012\u00a0other amino acids cats need in their diet.\u00a0Among these are:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n