Compound
The main ingredient in Darling cat food is cereals, a source of carbohydrates. The manufacturer does not specify either the percentage ratio or the specific type of cereal. The second component is another source of carbohydrates, products of processing of plant raw materials.
Meat ingredients are in third place and are represented by meat and its processed products. The total percentage in the composition is 10%, with about 26% of proteins of plant origin.
The source of fatty acids are oils and fats. Nutritional supplements - mineral components and B vitamins - are also contained in the composition and are represented by yeast.
The source of fiber, despite its minimal content, is vegetables. Natural dyes are used to give the food a certain color, which is a definite plus.
Advantages and disadvantages
Spots can be found even in the Sun, so the ideal product, no matter how much we want it, has not yet been created. But when choosing food, it is better to give preference to the one that has more advantages than disadvantages.
- Darling food is freely available. It is easy to find in all supermarkets, not to mention pet stores.
- Very cheap.
- Meat in the list of ingredients is not in first, or even second place, but only in third. And then: the specified vague “meat and products of its processing” with the explanation “equivalent to 20% of recovered meat and products of its processing, incl. meat min. 4%" makes us assume that there is no pure meat there at all, and the components can be anything, including horns, hooves, feathers and the like. They, as is absolutely clear, are not rich in proteins.
- And who takes first place? Cereals! Moreover, which ones are again not specified. And if the cat’s gastrointestinal tract copes with rice at the very least, then wheat, corn and their derivatives, when consumed regularly, lead to a bunch of problems, from obesity to diabetes. Both corn and millet cereals are deficient in amino acid composition and should not be used for nutrition at all.
- There are few ingredients, no fruits or berries at all, minimal food additives (minerals and vitamins), and what vegetables are added is not specified.
- The protein offered by the manufacturer is of plant origin. But every breeder, and even just an experienced owner, knows that plant matter is digested very poorly, and a carnivorous creature, which a cat is, needs protein of animal origin.
- According to the Roskontrol catalog, the sample proposed for consideration contained a biologically deficient protein (in terms of the content of cysteine, histidine, tyrosine, etc.). In addition, the amount of vitamin A was too low.
- The ash content is too high. The percentages are indicated only in the “meat ingredients” paragraph; in the rest they are not.
Get acquainted with interesting cat breeds with the help of our encyclopedia: Neva Masquerade, Seychelles, Minskin.
Advantages and disadvantages
In reviews of Darling cat food, pet owners note the following advantages:
- Versatility. Suitable for both adults and small kittens.
- Improving the functioning of the digestive tract thanks to the fiber contained in it.
- Wide range of feeds.
- Affordable price and availability in most pet stores.
- Suitable for even the most picky cats.
However, Darling cat food also has its disadvantages:
- Low content of meat components in dry food and canned food.
- High ash level.
- A large amount of fiber, offal and bones in the composition.
- The presence of artificial additives aimed at increasing appetite and enhancing taste.
However, cat owners note that Darling food is perfectly absorbed by the body and does not harm even with long-term use.
Which food should you choose for your pet?
There are two types of Darling food - meat and vegetables or poultry and vegetables. Food is provided in the form of dry food or wet canned food. But each option is designed for pets from one year of age; it is better not to feed puppies with such a delicacy at all.
From one year of life:
Wet canned foods consisting of cereals, vegetables, turkey or rabbit meat, and pasta are suitable. This food is suitable for natural-fed dogs from one year of age.
From three years of life:
Choose dry food designed for adult dogs leading an active lifestyle. In the composition you will find: natural fats, oils, vegetables, offal, fiber, taurine and protein. All this improves the condition of the skin and coat, maintains muscle tone, and promotes digestion.
Remember that you should not give Darling food or canned food to puppies or bitches during pregnancy. And for adult dogs, it is necessary to calculate the dosage so that there are enough nutrients for the development of the body.
Features of feed
The manufacturer notes the following product features:
- A balanced diet for cats of different breeds and ages. Great for pets with digestive tract problems.
- The manufacturer offers a wide range of products with different tastes for mustachioed and tabby animals of different ages.
- The recipe for Darling dry cat food was developed by specialists - veterinarians, zootechnologists and nutritionists - taking into account the characteristics of specific animal breeds.
Properly selected food will appeal to the cat and will fully satisfy its needs.
Detailed composition
The manufacturer does not specify what components Darling dry dog food contains; it vaguely states that it includes:
- oils;
- meat and offal;
- cereals;
- fats.
The basis of Darling's diet is cereals, and meat products make up only 4% of the total weight. However, their exact ratio is not specified. The presence of carrots, legumes, vitamins and microelements - essential ingredients of dry dog food - is also noted.
This is interesting: The benefits of feeding dogs dry food
clarifies that it contains fiber, which improves metabolism, fats, which ensure the beauty and health of the coat, as well as calcium, necessary for the growth of bone and cartilage tissue.
The food granules are multi-colored and contain food coloring, preservatives and antioxidants. But the company does not indicate their exact name. Dog handlers and veterinarians say that a dog’s balanced diet should contain 20-30% meat and offal. Therefore, Darling cannot serve as a full-fledged menu.
Feed range
The Purina company produces a wide range of food, including Darling Kitten, a diet for the full development and active growth of small kittens. Little furries can enjoy chicken and turkey with vegetables and gravy. A nutritious and complete diet provides kittens with the necessary energy and nutrients.
The Darling line of cat food for active adults is represented by products with various tastes that satisfy the needs of even the most demanding cats:
- Canned game and corn.
- Canned chicken, meat, rabbit and duck with the addition of corn and green peas.
- Dry food with meat, poultry, rabbit and vegetables.
It must be remembered that the cat needs constant access to clean, fresh water.
Manufacturer
The production of Darling feed has been successfully established in Russia for a long time. The manufacturer is indicated, which, in turn, is a division of the world-famous giant Nestle Purina PetCare Company.
In addition to Darling, Purina produces Friskies, One, Pro Plan, Gourmet, Felix, Cat Chow.
What food do you buy for your cat?
Darling Felix
Reviews from veterinarians
Doctors speak very controversially about Darling cat food, with differing opinions: some professionals consider it a healthy and proper diet, others consider it a source of harm and a product that can cause health problems. However, most doctors advise cat owners to use Purina brand products as one of the highest quality and healthiest.
The final decision on purchasing Darling cat food is made by the owner of the furry pet, but you should not refuse them based on negative reviews.
Reviews of Darling dog food
Zhenya: The main disadvantage is not even the composition, but the fact that Purina is silent about the ingredients. So you can buy food, but as a result the dog will get allergies or pancreatitis from these grains. This is a mockery of animals and their owners. It's better to overpay for food than for treatment!
Alina: I wouldn’t say that this food is so terrible. It is quite tolerable for adult dogs if you additionally give real meat and vitamin complexes. I like Darling because it contains natural vegetables and fiber. And this already gives a boost of energy, supports immunity and brain activity. For that kind of money - quite a good solution. Although you should not forget about the dosage, because for large breeds you will have to buy 30 kg of food per month.
Marina: If it weren’t for user reviews, I would never have known that puppies and lactating bitches should not be given food, but this is important! Once we fed our Jack these canned foods, he ate them with pleasure. Although after an hour and a half he asked to eat again, so you need to buy a lot of them, and it is better to combine them with other foods or ready-made products. Although I wouldn’t recommend it for sick or old animals either.
Cost of feed and where to buy
The wide distribution of Darling dry cat food allows you to purchase it at almost any pet store. If desired, cat owners can order Darling products in online stores and wait for delivery in order to please their mustachioed and striped pets with a new portion of goodies.
Among the advantages, buyers note the availability of feed: low prices coupled with good quality are considered one of the main advantages of the product. Together with excellent recommendations from veterinarians and the versatility of the food composition, they are considered one of the best.
Summary
Experts' opinions about Darling cat food vary greatly. Some veterinarians recommend them as a balanced and complete diet, ideal for pets of different breeds, ages and activity levels. A properly selected vitamin and mineral complex supports the cat’s health without causing allergic reactions or pathologies. Zoo doctors also note the presence of artificial components in the composition, which, however, are fully compensated by useful substances and are easily tolerated by cats even after long-term consumption of food.
The choice of cat food is based on its composition, nutritional value, veterinarian recommendations and pet preferences. A wide range of Purina Darling products allows you to choose the optimal food for your four-legged fluffy cat, which, with constant consumption, will maintain the health and luxurious appearance of the cat. The availability and wide distribution of Darling food makes it indispensable for cat owners.
Daily norm
The caloric content and nutritional value of ready-made economy class food is significantly less than that of the expensive series. Therefore, the pet will need a larger volume of product in order to be satisfied and receive the optimal balance of beneficial microelements.
When calculating the required amount of food per day, take into account the size and age of the dog. Large individuals weighing 30 kg or more need 0.5 to 1 kg of granules per day. For medium-sized breeds weighing from 15 to 30 kg, 500 g is enough, and for miniature ones - 300. The daily intake is divided into 2 doses.
For dogs with increased activity, pregnant and lactating dogs, as well as sick dogs, an individual daily volume is calculated, taking into account factors.
In most cases, another 25% is added to the average amount. However, it is recommended that you consult your veterinarian before changing your diet. Many doctors do not recommend feeding Darling food to pets during pregnancy and lactation, replacing it with a higher quality analogue.
Expert opinion
Anna Abramenko
An avid dog lover. Experience in veterinary medicine since 2009.
Ask a Question
Dogs with low activity and older dogs need less volume. Their rate is reduced by ¼. A similar rule applies to dogs prone to rapid weight gain. For young dogs (up to 1 year), another ½ is added to the adult norm. This is due to the formation of the puppy’s skeleton and muscles.
