1st Choice for cats and kittens: full description and composition of food

1st Choice cat food is a super premium product. Unfortunately, it is not one of the most popular foods. However, this is actually a consequence of its high quality. Even in zoological stores in large cities, Fest Choice food for cats is quite rare.

This is partly due to the fact that those cat owners who have chosen this particular brand of food prefer not to rely on unstable supplies of goods to stores. Instead, they tend to order it online.

Dry food 1st Choice for kittens and cats.

1st Choice cat food is manufactured in Canada by PLB International. The Canadian origin of the feed is important because the animal feed industry is taken very seriously in this country. The result of this is the most careful control. Therefore, if Canadian food goes on sale, there is no doubt that every ingredient has passed every conceivable test. The production process itself is also carefully controlled, in particular by such an authoritative organization as the Center for Analysis and Chemical Control of Food (HACCP).

Currently, 1st Choice cat food boasts that the entire line of these foods is approved by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA). The highest-class specialists worked on the development of this food, who had only one goal - to provide the cat's body with the optimal amount of nutrients, minerals and vitamins.

1st Choice cat food can be considered one of the best super-premium foods.

Manufacturer information

1st Choice (Fest Choice) food for domestic cats and cats is produced in Canada by PLB International Inc. The company produces food for both cats and dogs. The products belong to the super premium class. Therefore, many veterinarians often advise pet owners to buy such food both for daily use and for nutrition during the treatment period.

These products are valued for their composition, which includes many useful natural ingredients. The manufacturer claims that its products meet all international quality requirements.

Reviews from veterinarians

Veterinarians agree that 1 st Choice brand food fully meets the requirements for super premium food and is superior to many analogues that are considered a stretch in this class of food.

The quality of the First Choice food line is confirmed by the presence of a CVMA (Association of Canadian Veterinarians) certificate and the AAFCO abbreviation on the packaging, indicating that the food has received approval from the Quality Control Association of America (maximum nutritious and balanced).

In feed quality ratings and analyzers, the 1 st Choice brand occupies high positions, second only to brands such as Acana and Origen.

What is the assortment?

Today, the 1st Choice range is represented by several recipes, which are divided into groups depending on the age of the animal:

“Healthy Start” line – from 2 months to a year. Both kittens and young animals can eat it. The food in this line is based on fresh chicken meat;
treatment line: “Hypoallergenic”, “Vitality for domestic cats”, “For picky pets”, “Healthy coat and skin”, “For sterilized cats”, “Weight control”. Given between 1 and 10 years of age. Prescribed by a veterinarian. The specialist determines what daily amount is given to the pet at a time. Such nutrition is prescribed if the animal will be sterilized or has health problems (the fur begins to shed, excess weight appears, etc.);
line “For inactive and aging” – from 10 years. Suitable for older animals. This line contains special additional baits that are not given every day. The composition of the food is as balanced as possible to meet the needs of the pet’s aging body.

Due to its special focus, each line has its own description of the composition, since in each individual case the cat must receive food with different ingredients. The manufacturer produces both dry and wet types of food for pets.

general characteristics

1st Choice is a Canadian super premium pet food brand. In addition to the obvious use of high-quality products, it does not contain heavy grains, and, accordingly, reduces the risk of allergic reactions in the animal. There is a wide range of products, thanks to which it is possible to choose food not only for an animal of any breed and age, but also for any taste preferences. This brand is very popular in its category. The reasons for this are the reasonable price and quality that is not inferior to holistic ones.

What you should know about the composition

1st Choice food belongs to the super premium class, so it has one of the best compositions. The following ingredients are used to prepare this brand of food:

natural meat: fresh chicken (17%) and flour from the same type of poultry (17%). But after processing, the meat component is reduced to 5%. Due to the inaccuracy of the translation of the composition, it is difficult to understand whether only real meat is used or whether offal is also mixed into it;
additional sources of protein: dried egg product, herring flour, and dried chicken liver hydrolyzate;
vegetable protein (usually pea protein);
sources of carbohydrates: brown and regular rice, oatmeal and barley;
sources of fatty acids and fats: chicken and fish (salmon) fat;
sources of fiber: pea fiber, beet pulp.

The ingredients listed above are the main ones. But besides them, this food for cats includes various useful additives, minerals, vitamins, etc.

Depending on the line, the composition of the product may undergo some changes. Each line is designed to provide the animal with everything necessary during a certain period of life: youth, maturity and old age.

Various types of food of this brand may include chicken eggs, barley kernels, legumes and cereals, omega-3 and omega-6, fresh beet pulp, tomatoes (dried and fresh), etc. as additional ingredients.

Hills – Hills Science Plan

15
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.

Advantages and disadvantages of food

Like any product, Fest Choice brand food, despite the desire of manufacturers, has both undeniable advantages and obvious disadvantages. Let's start with the advantages of this product:

Meat ingredients are used as the main source of protein in the feed;
the presence of a large number of minerals, vitamins and other components necessary for the life and health of a pet;
use of natural substances as a preservative – a mixture of tocopherols (vitamin E);
only high-quality ingredients are used to prepare food, many of which have a positive effect on the appearance of the pet (strengthen the coat, give it silkiness and shine, improve the skin, etc.);
with frequent use, the product reduces the unpleasant odor emanating from a cat;
hypoallergenic ingredients;
affordable price;
large assortment covering all age groups;
This brand of food is widely represented all over the world and is always available in pet stores.

It has been noted that daily feeding of these products allows the cat to significantly improve its well-being, stop shedding, and overcome dandruff and dermatitis. Pets on this diet become more resistant to parasites and viral diseases.

Among the disadvantages of this product it should be noted:

despite the use of meat ingredients in cooking, the share of vegetable proteins accounts for approximately 30%, which is quite a lot and not very good;
there is a possibility that the composition includes by-products that reduce the quality of the product;
formulation shortcomings were identified;
the composition may contain incomprehensible components (this may be a consequence of inadequate translation). The exact volume of certain ingredients is not always specified.

When choosing 1st Choice brand food, you need to remember its advantages and disadvantages. In general, this product has proven itself well, which has ensured its popularity and demand throughout the world.

Feeding tips

Do not mix 1st Choice dry formulas with natural nutrition. This can lead to gastritis, intestinal upset, and other unwanted digestive problems.

Remember the principles of regularity and moderation:

do not pour granules to the edge of the bowl, because overeating is no less harmful than undereating;
follow the dosage indicated in the instructions on the back of the package;
use a measuring cup;
teach your dog discipline - leave the bowl out for 20-25 minutes;
feed the animals at the same time, preferably a quarter of an hour before the walk;
adult dogs should have two meals a day, puppies - from 5 to 3;
remember the need for constant access to clean, fresh water;
Wash both bowls regularly;
change the water at least once a day, more often in the summer.

The table shows the approximate daily feeding rate, which should be divided by the recommended number of meals:

Age	Dog's weight in kilograms	Daily value in grams
2–3.5 months	1,5–6	120–250
6–10	250–390
10–16	390–565
16–23	565–745
from 3.5 to 6.5 months	1,5–6	90–235
6–10	235–350
10–16	350–510
16–23	510–660
23–34	660–905
34–46	905–1140
from 6.5 to 10 months	1,5–6	65–180
6–10	180–275
10–16	275–395
16–23	395–520
23–34	520–715
34–46	715–885
46 +	885 (+50 g for every 5 kg of weight)
from 10 to 12 months	1,5–6	55–145
6–10	145–215
10–16	215–300
16–23	300–415
23–34	415–550
34–46	550–695
46 +	695 (+50 g for every 5 kg of weight)
From one year and older	1,5–6	40–105
6–10	105–160
10–16	160–245
16–23	245–305
23–34	305–410
34–46	410–515
46 +	515 + 50 (+50 g for every 5 kg of weight)
From 8 years and older	1,5–6	55–100
6–10	100–165
10–16	165–235
16–23	235–300
23–34	300–420
34–46	420–530
46 +	530 +50 (+50 g for every 5 kg of weight)

Healthy Ingredients

Taurine is a vital amino acid for cats. But adding it to the diet as a separate component is an indicator of the low quality of the protein components of the diet or their insufficient quantity: since they cannot provide the cat’s body with the necessary amount of taurine, it is necessary to add it additionally.

Lecithin is a special phospholipid that ensures healthy skin and coat, helps protect the liver and heart, and converts hard-to-digest fats into easily digestible ones.

Lecithin is added to food to better mix the fat components, form granules and reduce the risk of mold formation, so it is more likely that this is still more of a technological additive than a component beneficial to the health of the pet.

The list of ingredients includes yeast extract, although, unfortunately, it is not clear from the name what type of yeast was processed to obtain this extract.

Yeast fundamentally contains mannan oligosaccharides, which promote gut health and normalize the balance of good and bad gut bacteria. Probably, this ingredient was also added to the feed as a source of B vitamins. However, due to the lack of clarification, it is impossible to highly evaluate its quality.

Chicory extract is a source of the prebiotic inulin, which promotes intestinal health and normalizes the balance of good and bad intestinal bacteria.

Glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate are not the most easily absorbed forms of glucosamine and chondroitin. These components are indicated for animals that experience joint problems or are prone to them - for example, large breed cats during the growth period and in the second half of life.

Since the diet is intended for cats of all breeds, some benefit from these substances is possible. At the same time, their exact number in the composition is not indicated - perhaps there are too few of them to have a real effect, and this is just a publicity stunt.

Yucca Schidigera extract reduces fecal odor.

L-carnitine is useful for animals prone to obesity. In addition, this component is indicated for castrated and sterilized cats to prevent weight gain associated with changes in hormonal levels, as well as for cats of large breeds leading a sedentary lifestyle.

Perhaps L-carnitine is added here to speed up the conversion of fat into energy, or perhaps this is a publicity stunt. Its exact quantity, in any case, is not indicated.

The hypoallergenic grain-free cat food from the First Choice line also includes a variety of vitamin and mineral supplements. They are necessary partly due to the lack of minerals and vitamins in the raw materials, partly due to the peculiarities of the technological process for the production of dry food (this is the industry norm, and therefore is not a direct indicator of high or low quality of the diet).