Cheap cat food: description, review, advice from veterinarians

What to feed your cat? This question worries all owners of mustachioed pets in one way or another. For a number of reasons, natural food at home cannot be considered healthy and balanced for cats, and, fortunately, many understand this and therefore switch to ready-made professional food.

Read more: Natural food for cats: benefit or harm?

Fortunately, the range of these foods today is simply huge; there is always the opportunity to choose the appropriate food based on price, pet preferences, according to the veterinarian’s recommendations, etc. But are all professional foods equally useful, and can they all be recommended? How do they differ from each other, besides the cost? The specialists of the Murkosha shelter will help you figure it out!

1) What does food class mean? 2) How to distinguish good food from bad food? 3) Economy class food - what is it? 4) Meat in the food, or rather, its absence 5) The presence of grains 6) Synthetic additives, vitamins and minerals 7) Conclusions

What does feed class mean?

There is a concept of “class” of food - this indicates how healthy the composition of a particular food is, natural, enriched with vitamins and minerals, in other words, how much it corresponds to the ideal diet for a cat (as an example, you can take the diet of the wild ancestors of domestic cats in natural conditions). Usually there are 4 classes:

— economy — premium — superpremium — holistic

Sometimes another class is distinguished - medium, which occupies an intermediate place between economy and premium. It must be said that the classes themselves and their boundaries are quite arbitrary (this is partly why there are different numbers of classes). Manufacturers themselves do not always position their products as belonging to a specific class (although such cases also occur, especially when it comes to the super-premium class and holistic products); more often, the division into classes reflects the opinion of veterinarians, felinologists, and various experts. Often, different experts classify the same food into different “neighboring” classes (for example, some consider it premium, while others consider it superpremium). It also happens that a particular brand has many different lines, not always of equal quality, which is also reflected in the division into classes. Finally, even within the same class you can find food of higher and lower quality (according to the opinion of most experts). However, while such boundaries are arbitrary, the class of food can give potential buyers a general idea of ​​the quality of the product.

The best economy cat food

Veterinarians and breeders do not recommend including economy-class food in a pet’s diet on an ongoing basis. The content of flavor enhancers, dyes and preservatives, with prolonged use, can lead to poor health. The most common deviations are problems with hair, lethargy and apathy, diseases of the excretory organs. A large amount of salt in the composition can lead to fluid retention in the body and swelling.

Budget cat food can be found on sale not only in pet stores, but also in any supermarket. The packaging often does not indicate what type of pet the food is intended for. The composition is dominated by plant ingredients, while meat products are no more than 4-10% and are of low quality. If you nevertheless decide to include economy food in your pet’s diet, then before making a choice, it is recommended to look through the list of existing offers and settle on one of the highest quality in terms of composition and variety of ingredients.

Purina Cat Chow

Purina Cat Chow is an example of the highest quality economy food. Like most foods, it is based on plant protein: cereals, which are a source of plant proteins and carbohydrates, are listed first. Meat products occupy second position. Purina Cat Chow contains meat and by-products (a total of 33%). Types of meat are also mentioned (duck meat, poultry meat - 14%).

It is further indicated that there is a source of plant fiber - dry beet pulp (2.7%) and dry parsley (0.07%). The list of natural sources of microelements and vitamins is quite extensive (dry carrots, dry chicory root, dry spinach). Vitamin and microelement supplements are also included.

The benefits of the food are quite significant. Among them is a high percentage of meat ingredients at a fairly low price. The disadvantage is the presence of a large percentage of cereals. Among the meat ingredients there is the presence of offal. The name and amount of preservatives and antioxidants are not indicated. The cost of a kilogram of Purina Cat Chow dry food can vary from 200 to 400 rubles.

Purina One

Budget cat food Purina One was developed by the American company Nestle Purina PetCare, whose factories operate in France, the USA and Russia. Purina One is considered one of the highest quality economy class foods. If you look at its composition, you will notice that the first position on the list is fish meat (salmon), of which the feed contains at least 15%. Of the other, most valuable ingredients, low-grade components are indicated: dried poultry protein, animal fat. There is also dry fish protein, which is in 11th position on the list.

Sources of vegetable protein include wheat, corn gluten and corn, and soy flour. All these ingredients are not very beneficial for the cat's health, and there is a possibility of an allergic reaction. Included in the composition are sources of fiber - dried beet pulp, chicory root. The advantage of the food is the presence of a fairly rich vitamin and mineral complex.

The presence of an unknown flavor additive (the name and composition of which are not indicated) is a significant drawback of the product. The cost of Purina One is from 250 to 300 rubles per kilogram.

Whiskey Special

Whiskas Special canned cat food is produced by Russian. The food is widely advertised as high quality and quite cheap. Widely represented in the retail chain, available in any store and supermarket. The food is packaged in small bags weighing 85 grams, there are many different flavors. The packaging contains feeding recommendations, which indicate that the product contains proteins, fats, carbohydrates and vitamins in the correct proportions. This will help maintain your pet's health throughout its life. But, looking at the composition of the food, one cannot say that it is ideal.

Meat products are only in second position after wheat flour. This is poultry and turkey meal, meat and meat meal in a total amount of about 4%. The first position in the list of ingredients is occupied by wheat flour. This is a source of carbohydrates that is of little value to the animal's body. Among the useful ingredients are milk powder, vegetables, vitamin and mineral supplements (without specifying the name or quantity.). The composition of the food is very poor, but the biggest disadvantage is that there is too little meat products, and those that are available are of low quality. The cost of feed is low - about 200 rubles per kilogram.

Gourmet

Gourmet food belongs to the line of wet food developed by Nestlé Purina Petcare. Produced in Russia. It is quite common, has a low price, and is sold even in non-specialized stores. You can choose portioned bags or cans of pate.

Like other foods in this category, it has a minimum content of meat component, which is indicated as “meat and meat products” (content 4%). The basis of the diet is plant ingredients - sources of vegetable protein and carbohydrates. This is a vegetable protein extract (quantity 14%). Among the valuable components, one can name fish and its processed products without indicating the percentage of content and the name of the fish. The cost of Gourmet food is: canned food - 444 rubles. for 12 jars; sachets – 562 rubles for 24 sachets of 85 g each.

Friskies

Friskes food is also a product of the American company Nestlé Purina PetCare, produced in Russia and Hungary. Today, Friskies products include wet food, food for preventive nutrition, for sterilized cats and cats living at home. There are varieties of food with various meat fillings: chicken, rabbit or liver, as well as food for kittens. Friskies can be bought in any store; the buyer is attracted by the inexpensive price.

The composition of the feed is typical for all feeds in this price category. The “meat” ingredient is in second position after grains (without indicating the percentage). The presence of vegetable protein, fats and oils without names of components was noted. There is also a vegetable component (in particular, peas). Among the valuable vitamin supplements, the presence of taurine (0.1%) can be noted. The cost of food is from 130 to 200 rubles per kilogram of dry food.

Gemon

Gemon - Italian food. It is an example of economy feeds of relatively good quality. Some consider this food to be a premium product. Buyers speak of Gemon as a high-quality and inexpensive food. Gemon is available in different forms (pouch bags, canned food and dry food bags).

The main difference between this food is the relatively large number of meat or fish ingredients (up to 16%), which are indicated as “meat and products of its processing”, without indicating the proportions. Cereals predominate over other components, which is typical for feeds in this category. The presence of oil and unsaturated fats - a source of fatty acids - is indicated. The composition contains a component that reduces the smell of cat excrement - Yucca Schidigera extract. The price can vary from 250 to 300 rubles per kilogram.

Katty

Katty food is a Russian product. It is produced in the form of wet food, is relatively inexpensive, receives good reviews from customers, and has a very low price. The main ingredient in the food is the meat component - meat and offal, fish and offal, minced meat (beef at least 4%).

Another source of animal protein is included, animal proteins, with no ingredient description. Among the advantages of the food, one can note the presence of a vitamin-mineral complex containing taurine, an essential amino acid for cats. Katty food is recommended for periodic feeding of animals. The cost is low: one bag starts from 11 rubles, and canned food (415 g) starts from 34 rubles.

Perfect Fit

Perfect Fit food is an American product whose factories are currently located in Germany, France and Russia. The food is one of the highest quality economy-class food for cats. The shelves offer both dry and wet food from the Perfect Fit brand, which are characterized by a relatively low price. The packaging states that the product does not contain flavorings, dyes or preservatives. Recommendations are also given on the required amount of food, relative to the weight of the pet.

The food contains meat products in a fairly high percentage (20%) in the form of poultry meal. Additional protein sources include corn protein concentrate and soybean meal. Animal fats and vegetable oils are also present. In addition to useful mineral supplements, there is salt and flavoring additives. Includes a component that reduces the odor of excrement. The price is as follows: 24 pouch bags will cost about 576 rubles; when purchasing a kilogram of dry food for the prevention of urolithiasis, the buyer will pay 300-330 rubles.

Kitekat

Kitekat food developed is known as the most popular and affordable food. Pouch bags weighing 85 g can be found in any grocery store at a very affordable price. But buyers are not always satisfied with the quality of Kitekat. The composition is based on cereals, and low-quality meat ingredients are only 4%. Many veterinarians consider Kitekat food to be insufficiently nutritious, so they recommend supplementing the animal with higher quality food, supplementing the diet with vitamin complexes. To avoid the risk of developing urolithiasis, when feeding this food, you should give your pet more fluid. Kitekat food is inexpensive: one pouch bag - from 13 rubles; kilogram of dry food - about 160 rubles.

Protail

Protail feed is another type of product that is a branch of the Danish one. There are both dry types of food on sale and wet ones in single packages (pouches). It has a low price. It is not found everywhere, but is liked by animals and receives positive feedback from their owners.

The list of ingredients is headed by cereals and plant products. The second position indicates meat and animal products. The nutritional value of the product is also increased due to animal fats and vegetable oils. It is indicated that the product contains flavoring additives, antioxidants and preservatives. When describing the product, general words are used without indicating the names of the components and their quantities. At the end of the list there is a fairly significant list of vitamins and microelements that are beneficial for the animal’s body, which is an advantage of this food. The price of dry food Protail starts from 100 rubles per kilogram.

Felix

The widely advertised Felix food is produced in the Russian division of the American company Purina. Canned food and pouch bags of 80 g each are known (sauces and jellies, soups, crispy bits). The packaging states that an average weight cat requires 3-4 bags of food per day and indicates that a cat's individual needs may vary. The food is widely available and can be purchased at both pet stores and supermarkets. Owner reviews are positive.

The composition lists meat and processed products in first place, fish and processed products in second place, as well as vegetable protein extract. The next item includes minerals, dyes (not specified), sugars and a complex of vitamins (A, D, E). The list of minerals indicates the presence of iodine, zinc, manganese, copper, iodine, iron and the amino acid taurine.

Recommended by veterinarians not for regular use, but as a rare treat. A bag of Felix will cost the buyer inexpensively - from 14 rubles. a piece.

All Cats

Products of Aller Petfood LLC. The company produces dry food, as well as single-use bags of wet food. All Cats is not a common and popular food, but has a good composition. This is one of the best food in the economy category.

The composition of the food is described very briefly and without details. Protein sources include plant components in the form of cereals and vegetable proteins. In second place is the meat component “meat and animal subcroproducts”; there is a still unknown source of fat. Fish is also indicated as a source of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. The food has a rich set of vitamins and microelements, which is its great advantage over other foods. Cost - from 150 to 220 rubles per kilogram.

Josera

German products There are 2 lines of this food, of which the Josera JosiCat line of food belongs to the economy class category. This food can be classified as a variety of high-quality economy class food. The product has a rich composition and is a good source of animal protein. The meat component is in the first position (poultry meal). There are other sources of animal protein - poultry protein, dehydrated poultry liver, poultry fat, cracklings.

Other useful components:

• corn gluten (a source of vegetable protein);
• beet pulp (source of fiber).

A big advantage is the rich set of vitamins (A, D, E, group B, pantothenic acid, folic acid) and microelements (biotin, taurine, iron, zinc, manganese, copper, iodine, selenium). The cost of Josera feed is about 430 rubles per kilogram.

Stout

Feed Stout is a product of the JSC Gatchina KKZ enterprise. This food continues the list of the highest quality economy class food, since it does not have the worst composition. The meat ingredient is in first position. This is bird meal or bone meal (no quantity specified). The second number indicates wheat, which has no significant nutritional value for cats. Important ingredients include fish and its derivatives (source of fatty acids), bran, flaxseed (source of fiber), powdered eggs and hydrolyzed liver. The range of vitamin and microelementary supplements in this food is quite poor (A, D, E). cost - from 250 rubles per kilogram.

Our Brand

Nasha Marka feed is another type of product from the Gatchina Feed Mill. The food is quite popular. On the shelves of pet stores, there are packages of different capacities (0.4, 2, 15 kg). Buyers rate Our Brand food as inexpensive and good food. Today, several lines of this product are produced, including both complete and medicinal (hypoallergenic) food.

The meat component takes a secondary position in this food. This is poultry meal (without indicating the percentage or type of poultry). A large number of plant components are striking - corn and corn gluten, as well as rice. Valuable components are hydrolyzate from liver and lamb liver, sugar beet pulp (a source of sugars and fiber), brewer's yeast (a source of B vitamins). The content of other vitamins is low. Veterinarians recommend Our Brand food for use as a temporary option. The price is low - 150-170 rubles. per kilogram.

Bosch Sanabelle

Sanabelle food, produced by German manufacturers, is one of the highest quality food in the economy class category. Some users classify it as premium food. The manufacturer positions this food as a complete diet with fresh poultry meat. Indeed, the top line of the list of ingredients indicates fresh poultry in a percentage of 20%. The rest of the food is also good. There is a range of animal fillers: dehydrated poultry protein, animal fat, powdered eggs, liver, fish meal, fish oil.

Some of the most valuable plant ingredients include potato tuber protein (vegetable protein), beet pulp and flaxseed (a source of fiber). There are plant minerals and vitamins, including dried yeast, cranberries and blueberries, dried marigold flowers, green sponge mollusk extract, chicory powder. The composition includes an ingredient that reduces cat litter odor - dried yucca.

Buyers leave only positive reviews about Sanabelle food, talking about it as an excellent and high-quality food. Pets eat it with pleasure. Quality also affects the price: from 370 rubles per kilogram.

Meat in the feed, or rather, the lack thereof

The main complaint about economy-class cat food is the quantity and quality of meat in it (and this is quality criterion No. 1). Very often, manufacturers of these products do not indicate the percentage of meat in the composition at all. However, there is a rule: in the first positions are those ingredients that are the most in the composition. So, in economy-class food, meat, as a rule, is far from being in first place.

It’s even worse that in the composition you can see some not entirely clear wording, for example, “meat and its processed products,” while the manufacturer is silent about what percentage of meat and what percentage of “processed products” it is. And what exactly is hidden behind the words “meat processing products”?

Practice shows that to produce economy-class food for cats, waste from the meat industry is used, something that is unsuitable for human nutrition: skin, ears, tails, sinews, as well as bone meal in large quantities. Of course, your pet will not receive any beneficial substances from such a set of ingredients.

Perfect Fit

Price for dry food, 650 g: 226 rub.

Price for wet food, 85 g: 22 rub.

Perfect Fit cat food is produced in several countries: Russia, Germany and Hungary. Manufacturer: Mars Corporation.

The first ingredient you'll see listed on the package is poultry meal. Animal flour is a source of proteins. Next, the composition includes “soy protein concentrate”.

Consumers love to buy this food for their cats, since the line provides a wide choice: there is dry food, there is wet food, food for cats, kittens, sterilized crumbs.

Availability of cereals

You may ask: what about the balance of proteins, fats and carbohydrates? Manufacturers are required to indicate their ratio on the packaging. Moreover, there are certain standards for animal feed, and if, for example, there is not enough protein in the feed, then such products may not be allowed to be sold.

The minimum acceptable percentage of protein in cat food per 100 g of product is 26%. However, volunteers and specialists of the Murkosha shelter, based on numerous studies and the opinions of veterinarians, draw your attention to the fact that this is the lower limit, the limit of the norm. It barely meets the cat's protein needs. The optimal ratio of proteins in food is about 40% (a higher percentage is also not very healthy). The minimum for fat is 9%, the maximum limit is 20%. In this case, the percentage of carbohydrates and fiber should ideally be in the range of 10-20%.

Read more about the composition: Composition of dry cat food: let’s look at the nuances

Economy-class food for cats and kittens contains the required amount of proteins (otherwise they simply will not meet the standards), although, as a rule, their value is close to the minimum acceptable limit. How so? After all, it is obvious that there cannot be such a quantity of proteins in waste and bone meal.

The thing is that manufacturers of economy-class feed replace animal proteins with plant proteins. The source of the latter is wheat or corn flour - these are the ingredients that usually come first in the composition (and this is our criterion No. 2). Why is this bad, since in both cases we are talking about proteins? But animal and plant proteins have different compositions of amino acids (basic nutrients used by the body). For example, plant foods contain too little of one of the essential amino acids – lysine. As a result, the value of plant proteins is only 60-80% compared to animal proteins.

There is also an amino acid called arginine. The daily recommended intake of this substance for cats is quite high: a cat weighing 4.5 kilograms needs approximately 855 mg of arginine per day. And arginine is most abundant in animal proteins, while in plant proteins it is significantly less. Therefore, if the diet is based on plant proteins, the mustachioed pet will not receive the required daily requirement of arginine. This can have serious consequences for cats. Arginine helps your cat's liver remove digestive byproducts (such as ammonia), so a deficiency will be similar to poisoning. The easiest signs of arginine deficiency are depression, drowsiness, decreased immunity and poor coat. The most severe include kidney and heart diseases, hormonal disorders, vomiting, convulsions and even lethargic sleep.

And this is not the only problem with feeds high in wheat or corn. These cereals are very high in carbohydrates (up to 70%). And carbohydrates sharply increase blood sugar levels. The cat's body is not adapted to such sudden jumps in glucose levels, so foods high in carbohydrates can lead to the development of diabetes mellitus and even kidney and liver failure in the pet. There is a third problem - cats often have an allergic reaction to corn or wheat gluten.

Read about food allergies: Food allergies in cats

Thus, plant proteins can in no way be considered a replacement for animal proteins, as a result of which economy-class food for cats and kittens is more harmful than beneficial.

Characteristics of economy class feed

Economy class feed, as is easy to understand from their name, allows the buyer to save money. This attracts primarily low-income segments of the population. And some cat owners simply believe that it is not worth spending a lot of money on animals, and limit themselves to the most inexpensive food option possible.

Economy class food is sold not only in pet stores, but also in supermarkets, as well as in regular grocery stores.

Why are economy feeds so cheap? This suggests a conclusion about their low quality. And that's true. Such feeds are characterized by a poor composition, in which plant components predominate, as well as by-products of dubious quality and unknown origin. It can be:

• cereals;
• corn gluten;
• wheat and soy flour;
• meat flour;
• offal;
• animal fats.

Most often these are residues from food production or waste from slaughterhouses. The not very attractive composition is supplemented with unhealthy dyes, flavors, preservatives and antioxidants, and, on the contrary, there are very few beneficial additives such as vitamins, minerals or prebiotics. Artificial flavorings make food more attractive to pets and lead to addiction, which may cause your cat to refuse better quality food.

Preservatives, dyes and antioxidants in economy class food are always of artificial origin, but the composition of Friskies food at least reflects their presence, whereas they are simply not indicated in products of other brands

The composition of economy feed would be quite suitable for people, because we are omnivores. However, cats are carnivores, eating meat and poultry in nature. Even fish and dairy products are not suitable food for them. Therefore, only food in which meat predominates will be a complete and nutritious food for cats. From plant components, cats experience digestive disorders and allergic reactions, they gain excess weight and develop chronic diseases. Veterinarians strongly advise against feeding on economy-class food. Moreover, owners turn to them at a stage when the cat’s health has already been seriously undermined by an incorrect diet. And the reason is not at all because of feeding dry food, but because it was dry or wet food of low quality.

Synthetic Supplements, Vitamins and Minerals

So, it contains wheat (and/or corn) flour, bone meal, waste from the meat industry... What cat in its right mind would eat this?! But cats often gobble up economy-class food on both cheeks and ask for more. Paradox? No. To deceive a cat's delicate taste (and sense of smell!), manufacturers of cheap food generously include flavor enhancers, dyes, and flavors. Moreover, all these are artificial additives, usually harmful to the cat’s body. But vitamins, useful micro- and macroelements in such foods are either not present at all or are not enough for the healthy development of the pet.

Read more about vitamins.

What dry food is best to buy for your cat?

The quality of inexpensive feeds belonging to the economy category is judged by the number of meat and plant ingredients, the variety of composition, the presence of vitamin and mineral additives, as well as harmful inclusions. Their list is very extensive. Taking the quality of the composition as a basis, experienced veterinarians compiled their rating of inexpensive food:

• Cat Chow
• Gemon
• Purina One
• Stout
• Perfect Fit
• Sanabelle
• Josera

The quality and nutritional value of these feeds are slightly higher than those of others in this price category. When choosing an inexpensive diet for your pet, it is recommended, first of all, to pay attention to this rating.

conclusions

If we draw analogies with human food, then for cats, economy-class food is like chips and chocolate for us, and of the lowest quality. Naturally, if you eat them exclusively, you can very soon develop many health problems. Therefore, we cannot recommend economy class food under any circumstances, even as a one-time treat.

By the way, cats in the Murkosha shelter never receive such food. We care about the health of our children, so we provide them with super premium food.

Read more: Super premium cat food

Thus, do not even start feeding your kitten with economy-class food, and if you are already feeding your pet, switch it to a higher-quality diet as soon as possible!

Kitekat

Price for dry food, 400 g: 58 rub.

Price for wet food, 85 g: 15 rub.

Kitekat brand produces cat food in the form of dry and wet food and canned food. The food contains different flavors: rabbit, chicken, fish, etc., according to the manufacturer, Kitekat contains all the necessary additives and vitamins.

Many consumers are unhappy with this food, believing that it caused the death of their animals. Cats that eat this food for a long time begin to get sick, but maybe the reason is poor nutrition? After all, cats need to be fed not only with dry food, it should consist of 50% homemade food and 50% store food, then everything will be fine.

Comparison table of characteristics

To keep your cat healthy, you need to make sure you have the right nutrients in your cat's diet. When choosing the best food, you need to focus on options that contain high-quality proteins and stay away from those that are high in carbohydrates and artificial ingredients.