Cat food Cat Chow / Cat Chow: reviews from veterinarians and owners, composition

When a furry pet appears in your home, many people wonder what to feed it.
Cat food Cat Chow is a cross between premium and economy class food. Produced by Purina. Dry complete food Cat Chow is developed taking into account the activity and age of cats. Among the offered foods, you can choose food for kittens and cats, with different flavors, as well as for certain categories of animals, taking into account the characteristics of the body.

general information

Cat Chow food belongs to the economy class. This is the lowest level of quality. Budget category products are characterized by an abundance of grains, the use of anonymous ingredients and an almost complete absence of pure meat without unnecessary impurities.

The Purina logo appears on all of the company's products, including Cat Chow packaging

Cat Chow food is produced by Purina. It owns the rights to some other brands of popular ready-made diets for animals: Felix, Friskies, Gourmet, Purina ONE, Purina Pro Plan, etc. All products belong to the economy and premium class, which rightly causes distrust among buyers. The corporation does not specialize in the production of elite feed.

The company spends a lot of budget on advertising, so most brands are easy to recognize, but the compositions leave much to be desired

The history of Purina began back in 1829, when Joel Schippler began trading grain in the small English town of Bridgewater. The corporation was distinguished by its innovative approach: in 1856 it became the first manufacturer of dog treats, in 1894 it joined the ranks of innovators in the field of dry food preparation, and in 1948 it released a new product - wet ready-made diets.

Features of the food

Today, the best option is “Cat Chow” from Purin Proplan. Initially, the food was produced only in the USA. Now the American company produces cat food in factories located in Hungary and Russia. Buyers can determine the place of production by the markings on the packaging. All information about the composition, dosage and features of the product is published on the company’s official website.

It is worth noting that the manufacturer has divided its products into two categories. The buyer can purchase both standard food that is suitable for everyone, and those that are aimed exclusively at cats that require specific care.

The second type includes pets who have age-related health problems. This also includes pregnant cats, as well as animals that are prone to allergies. This type of food is also suitable for cats with special taste preferences.

The line also includes products that are suitable for overly active or sedentary animals. The food is also divided into three groups depending on age: for adult cats, for cats over a year old and for kittens.

Cat Chow food combines elements of economy and premium classes. Food produced using American technology is available only in dry form. At the same time, owners of furry pets do not complain about the paucity of assortment.

Often on supermarket shelves you can find food for:

• sterilized cats and neutered cats;
• small kittens;
• adult cats and elderly animals;
• pets prone to allergies;
• hair removal;
• disease prevention.

It should be added that the food also differs greatly in taste. For your pet you can buy food with liver, meat and seafood. Often the manufacturer adds vegetables that go well with the other ingredients. Veterinarians often leave positive reviews about food.

Among the advantages of the food are:

• the presence of meat in the composition;
• balanced composition;
• a wide range of;
• low price;
• availability (availability of goods in many retail outlets).

There are also weaknesses:

• the food is based on cereals;
• by-products are often used, the name and origin of which are not specified by the manufacturer;
• high percentage of ash content - above 7%;
• minimum vitamins and minerals;
• no information on preservatives and antioxidants;
• no wet food.

Cat Chow Kitten Chicken

The product line includes several types of food.

Food developed for kittens from 2 months to 1 year. This type of food is available only in granular form, so for very small kittens it must be soaked in order to avoid digestive upset. The main component of this food is poultry meat. Contains all the beneficial substances necessary for the growing kitten's body, so it is also suitable for pregnant cats.

For adult animals, two types of food are available: dry and wet in bags with various nutritional additives.

You can buy Cat Chow food not only in pet stores, but also in large supermarkets. Manufacturers package food in 0.4 kg, 1.5 kg and 15 kg.

The average price per package is:

• 0.4 kg - 140-220 rubles:
• 1.5 kg - 500-600 rubles;
• 15 kg - 5000-5200 rubles;
• You can buy food in soft packages for 50-55 rubles per package of 85 grams.

Varieties

Below is a selection of food from an American manufacturer. Regardless of the type, the daily norm for cats is the same for all: 37–70 g for small cats and 80–100 g for cats whose weight exceeds 4 kg. Animals that feed on feed should always have fresh water available.

Kitten Chicken

"Kitten Chicken" is ideal for kittens aged from 2 to 12 months. 33% of the total composition is poultry and chicken. This food is suitable for nursing and pregnant cats. It contains all the vitamins and beneficial minerals that are needed for the development and maintenance of growing kittens.

Adult Sensitive

You can often find Edult Sensitive food on the market. It is ideal for daily use by adults who are prone to allergic reactions. Of the total composition, 20% is meat and processed offal. All this has a beneficial effect on the pet’s gastrointestinal tract and improves the condition of the digestive system.

This food has a high protein content. The presence of such an element in large quantities guarantees good maintenance of muscle mass. Omega-3 acid also guarantees excellent shine of the coat. A plus is the pleasant smell of the food.

Special Care Sterilized

This product is designed for sterilized animals. In the production of food, we use all the ingredients that are so necessary for sensitive animals who have undergone surgery.

As for the composition, Special Care Sterilized food contains 14% meat. Thanks to this, it is completely balanced for maintaining the health of weakened animals. Normal weight is maintained with high protein and reduced fat. The food also contains fiber, which creates favorable intestinal microflora.

Adult Duck

This food contains duck and poultry meat. Moreover, it contains vegetable proteins. They give the food a special aroma. The food is designed for animals that have digestive problems. Beet pulp and chicory, which are also included, will help normalize health.

Urinary Tract Health

Urinari Tract Health food helps eliminate the risk of kidney stones. It contains 30% offal and processed meat. The taste and aroma of the product are quite pleasant, which, of course, pets like.

The manufacturer has added protein to the food, which helps maintain the animal’s body weight. The immune system is strengthened with vitamin E. The food contains meat, vegetable protein, cereals, processed parsley and pulp of beets, carrots, spinach, yeast and mineral supplements.

"Triple protection"

The manufacturer offers food that replaces a complete daily diet. “Triple protection” is designed for adult cats and cats. Consists of poultry meat, in particular turkey meat. The food received this name due to the fact that it is taken to prevent urolithiasis and tartar, as well as remove wool mats from the pet’s stomach.

Types of food "Cat Chow"

Purina produces several types of food. The line includes dry and wet products. There are different formulas for kittens and adult cats. Additionally, specialists have developed medicinal formulations.

Kitten food

There is only one type of food produced for kittens - granulated. The absence of a wet ready-made diet in the line is a significant disadvantage, because with a sudden transition to dry foods, the animal may experience digestive disorders. Most often this leads to the development of pancreatitis. When introducing "Cat Chow" into complementary foods, the granules must be soaked before offering them to small (3-6 weeks) kittens. The proportion of water is reduced gradually so that the animal has time to get used to it.

It is advisable not to accustom a small kitten to budget food from childhood, since later it will be difficult to switch it to high-quality food

Cat Chow dry food for kittens contains the following ingredients:

• cereals (whole grain);
• meat and processed meat products (33%, equivalent to 66% rehydrated meat and processed meat products, at least 14% poultry);
• products of processing of plant raw materials (2.7% dry beet pulp; 0.07% dry parsley, which is equivalent to 0.4% parsley);
• vegetable protein extracts;
• vegetable and animal fats;
• vegetables (dried chicory root, dry carrots, dry spinach);
• minerals;
• preservatives;
• yeast (0.3%);
• vitamins;
• antioxidants.

The manufacturer claims the following benefits of the formula:

1. The presence of the Naturium complex of natural fibers and prebiotics helps improve digestion. Most likely, the company means processed plant products and vegetables. It is commendable that the food contains not only grains, but there is already enough fiber, so there is nothing innovative in the diet.
2. Vitamins E and B strengthen the immune system and help use the energy received more efficiently. In reality, this advantage is also imaginary, since any complete food must contain nutrients in sufficient quantities to meet the daily requirement of food. The difference lies in the form in which the microelements are added.
3. The food does not contain artificial preservatives, flavors or dyes. The information is questionable because the composition contains anonymous antioxidants and preservatives. Previously, the manufacturer specified their type, but later stopped. This is due to the fact that the additives were not the most harmless. “Advantage” borders on deceiving customers.
4. The finished diet is characterized by a high chicken content and the presence of sources of easily digestible protein. In reality, the share of poultry is only 14%. In holistic-class food, the amount of meat reaches 50–85%. In addition, poultry is not just chicken. Most of the protein in the food comes from plant components, which are practically not digestible by cats.
5. The use of natural ingredients increases the aromatic appeal of the food. The manufacturer lists these components as parsley, carrots, spinach, whole grain cereals, yeast and chicory. In reality, plant ingredients are of little or no importance to animals. Meat and liver are more attractive to them. Yeast can improve taste, but baker's yeast has a negative impact on health.

The angular shape of the granules makes the food more attractive to kittens, but the pieces can irritate the gastrointestinal tract

Almost all the advantages named by the manufacturer either turned out to be imaginary, or are presented in a more favorable light than they should be. In first place are cereals, which is already bad for cat food. This should not be given to animals. One day I picked up a street kitten. There was no time to choose food, so I had to buy Cat Chow from the nearest supermarket. The kitten ate with appetite, but the next morning he vomited. Just in case, I immediately went with my pet to the veterinary clinic to get tested, but everything was fine with my health. I also bought super-premium food there. After that everything was fine. Obviously, “Cat Chow” was not suitable for the kitten.

Food for adult cats

For adult cats, the company produces dry food and pouches with different flavor variations.

Wet food

The line includes several types of wet food: with chicken and zucchini, with beef and eggplant, with salmon and green peas, and with lamb and green beans. The compositions of different products are identical, only the main varieties of meat and vegetables differ, so it will be enough to consider one sample.

It is advisable to offer wet food only as a treat or as an addition to the main diet.

The list of ingredients of the wet food "Cat Chow" with lamb and green beans includes the following items:

• meat and processed meat products (of which lamb min. 4%);
• vegetable protein extracts;
• fish and fish products;
• minerals;
• amino acids;
• thickeners;
• vegetables (including 0.8% dry green beans, equivalent to 7% green beans);
• Sahara;
• yeast;
• vitamins.

The benefits declared by the manufacturer are the same. There are more meat components (including water) in wet food, since they are in first place, but their quality is questionable. The jelly is prepared using thickeners. For cats, this does not matter when choosing, however, the component used in the composition can increase the load on the internal organs.

Caramel color is not natural to meat and most likely comes from dyes or sugar.

When a person buys wet food for their cat, they expect their animal to receive clean meat. We are accustomed to perceive spiders as an analogue of canned food. In this case, wet food is a small amount of meat products, which in reality may be hooves, internal organs and production waste, with the addition of grains and vitamins. The latter allows the product to be called complete, although in fact it cannot be given to animals all the time. In addition, the manufacturer introduced sugar into the composition, which most likely replaces dyes and helps to obtain the usual caramel shade. However, the company does not take into account that this ingredient is harmful to health. My neighbor fed his cats Cat Chow and Friskies. As a result, one pet died due to decomposition of the pancreas, and the other had constantly inflamed anal sacs. The latter is associated with feeding soft foods that are not able to remove excess secretions out.

Dry food

There are also several flavor variations of dry food. The compositions are practically the same, so when choosing, you should start from the preferences of the animal. If you have specific health problems, the development of allergies and symptoms of sensitive digestion, it is recommended to switch to natural food or other brands of ready-made diets.

The manufacturer is not shy about indicating on the packaging that the food contains poultry, although the names of specific varieties are preferable

The most interesting composition is found in food with a high salmon content. The list of ingredients includes the following items:

• cereals (44% whole grain);
• meat and meat products (20%, equivalent to 40% rehydrated meat and meat products, at least 14% poultry and 4% duck);
• products of processing of plant raw materials (2.7% dry beet pulp; 0.07% dry parsley, which is equivalent to 0.4% parsley);
• vegetable and animal fats;
• vegetable protein extracts;
• vegetables (dried chicory root; dried carrots; dried spinach);
• preservatives;
• minerals;
• yeast;
• vitamins;
• antioxidants.

At the bottom there is additional information that the ingredient with the “**” sign corresponds to 14% reconstituted fish and fish protein, and also contains a minimum of 14% fish. It is unknown which component we are talking about, since none of the positions have this mark. Perhaps the manufacturer forgot to indicate fish in the composition or accidentally replaced it with meat. This is already a significant drawback, since a potential buyer cannot obtain detailed information about the product.

Even taking into account the manufacturer's mistake in food with a high salmon content, judging by the composition, the presence of salmon is not implied. 14% of fish are any variety. The manufacturer probably uses the cheapest raw materials. In addition, the absence of specific names allows you to change the composition at any convenient time without additional measures. The share of fat is only 11%. This is a borderline indicator. During research by Roskachestvo, it was revealed that the information indicated in the balance sheet of the BZHU does not correspond to reality: there are fewer lipids than there should be. The sample was food for cats with sensitive digestion, but in most cases deviations are observed in different batches of different foods. Some of the fats are represented by vegetable oils, which are less digestible, so when cats are fed “Cat Chow” products, there is a deterioration in their general condition: weakness, lethargy, hair problems, etc. My friend’s cat developed urolithiasis after a year of this diet and pancreatitis.

Medicinal food "Cat Chow"

The medicinal line consists of 5 complete foods. They should be considered separately as the formulations will vary greatly depending on the needs of the animals.

Cat Chow Adult Sterilized

The manufacturer states that dry food helps prevent excess weight and diseases of the genitourinary system. After castration, these are the 2 main problems, because the animals become less mobile and visit the tray less often. Food for sterilized pets should be low in calories and contain preventative additives to control urine acidity levels.

The manufacturer cannot confirm the effectiveness of the food in any way, including its composition, so you just have to take their word for it

Cat Chow Adult Sterilized contains the following components:

• cereals (39% whole grain);
• meat and meat products (20%);
• products of processing of plant raw materials (2.7% dry beet pulp; 0.07% dry parsley, which is equivalent to 0.4% parsley);
• vegetable protein extracts;
• vegetable and animal fats;
• vegetables (dried chicory root, dry carrots, dry spinach);
• preservatives;
• minerals;
• yeast (0.3%);
• vitamins;
• antioxidants.

The composition is practically no different from other Cat Chow foods. There are no caloric data available, but from my own experience I can say that cats do lose weight with this diet. A friend’s pet was able to lose 0.5 kg in 2 months after surgery. However, such weight loss can hardly be called healthy, because calories are reduced by reducing the proportion of fat. In this food it is 9%, which is below the permissible norm. The actual amount of fat may be even less. Taking into account the poor digestibility of plant components, the animal receives a minimum of lipids. This can lead to the development of liver diseases. There are no preventive additives to prevent the occurrence of pathologies of the urinary system, so the food cannot be used as a treatment.

Cat Chow Adult Urinary Tract Health

Cat Chow Adult Urinary Tract Health dry food is designed to monitor the health of the urinary system. The manufacturer claims that the product helps normalize the acidity level of urine. This prevents the formation of stones and the rapid spread of bacteria during infectious diseases.

Paradoxically, food to maintain the health of the urinary system can worsen the animal’s condition

The medicinal dry food contains the following ingredients:

• cereals (42% whole grain);
• meat and meat products (20%);
• products of processing of plant raw materials (2.7% dry beet pulp; 0.07% dry parsley, which is equivalent to 0.4% parsley); oils and fats (including fish oil 0.7%);
• vegetable protein extracts;
• vegetables (dried chicory root, dry carrots, dry spinach);
• preservatives;
• minerals;
• yeast;
• vitamins;
• antioxidants.

The presence of fish oil is perhaps the only thing this formula can boast of. The advantage is also doubtful, since it is unlikely that the ingredient was obtained from the carcasses of inhabitants of the northern seas. There are no preventive additives in the feed. It is possible that the manufacturer has reduced the mineral content to reduce urine saturation, but information on this is not available. The description gives the proportions of manganese, zinc, iodine, iron, selenium and copper, but does not indicate the amount of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and potassium. In addition, the composition contains the same anonymous preservatives, which can irritate the lining of the urinary tract and increase inflammation. The use of this food as a medicinal food is not advisable.

Cat Chow 3 in 1 High Turkey Content

The manufacturer states that the food helps reduce the amount of plaque that forms on teeth, remove hairballs from the stomach and improve the condition of the urinary system due to the minerals in the composition. It is impossible to verify the last statement, since data on the content of many microelements is hidden.

Dry food 3 in 1 is the embodiment of good advertising: despite the manufacturer’s multiple promises, it only copes with hair removal

The dry food contains the following components:

• cereals (34% whole grain);
• meat and meat products (20%);
• products of processing of plant raw materials (5.4% dry beet pulp; 0.07% dry parsley, which is equivalent to 0.4% parsley);
• vegetable and animal fats;
• vegetable protein extracts;
• vegetables (dried chicory root, dry carrots, dry spinach);
• preservatives;
• minerals;
• yeast;
• vitamins;
• antioxidants.

Visually, the composition is practically no different from its analogues. The food can actually promote hair loss, as it contains a lot of plant fiber. They allow you to catch hairs and remove them before they turn into dense clumps. The situation with the prevention of oral diseases is not so clear. It is almost impossible to check whether food reduces the amount of plaque formed. In any case, it does not help remove it from the entire surface, so there is no preventive effect. From personal observations, I can say that tartar appears both when feeding standard products from the Cat Chow line, and when using this diet. When my friend’s cat developed a smell from its mouth, he switched it to medicinal food. Later it turned out that the symptom arose due to infection with worms, but after taking the anthelmintic, the preventive food was left. After a few years, dark yellow deposits began to appear on the cat’s teeth.

Cat Chow Adult Sensitive with high salmon content

The manufacturer stated that “Cat Chow” dry food for cats with sensitive digestion helps animals get rid of a number of symptoms associated with the gastrointestinal tract: diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, mucus and blood in the feces, bloating, etc. It should be borne in mind that in most In cases such ready-made diets simply contain more easily digestible and less allergenic components. This reduces the load on the stomach, but does not eliminate chronic diseases, if any.

The food contains unknown preservatives, potential allergens and coarse plant fibers, which does not contribute to the improvement of the animal’s condition

The finished diet includes the following ingredients:

• cereals (40% whole grain);
• meat and meat products (20%);
• vegetable protein extracts;
• vegetable and animal fats;
• fish and fish products;
• products of processing of plant raw materials (2.7% dry beet pulp; 0.07% dry parsley, which is equivalent to 0.4% parsley);
• vegetables (dried chicory root, dry carrots, dry spinach);
• minerals;
• preservatives;
• yeast;
• vitamins;
• antioxidants.

The word “salmon” appears in the name, most likely to attract attention, since it is not included in the composition. Food for cats with sensitive digestion should first of all be hypoallergenic. Unfortunately, the diet in question does not meet these criteria. Salmon could be an excellent substitute for cheap chicken, which often causes allergies, but here the fish is present only as an additive. The main type of meat used is not named. This is most likely a bird, since it is the most accessible. The type of cereal is also not named, but they most often cause allergies and symptoms from the gastrointestinal tract. I have seen more than once how cats that eat Cat Chow, Friskies and Whiskas food have their fur coming out in clumps and their skin peeling off. These are some of the main signs of allergies. Antioxidants and preservatives can additionally irritate the gastrointestinal tract and increase symptoms. Cat Chow Adult Sensitive food is absolutely not suitable for cats with sensitive digestion.

Cat Chow Adult Hairball Control for removing hairballs

Cats are very clean animals. During licking, they remove dead hair to facilitate the growth of new hair. Unfortunately, the animals swallow the hairs in the process. When they accumulate, dense lumps form in the stomach. They can block the gastrointestinal tract and cause intestinal obstruction. To prevent digestive disorders, animals need to eat food with coarse plant fibers. They grab the hairs and bring them out before clumps appear. Let's check if Cat Chow Adult Hairball Control meets these requirements.

The food copes with hair removal, but it may cause increased hair loss as a result of a general deterioration of the condition.

The dry food contains the following ingredients:

• cereals (38% whole grain);
• meat and meat products (20%);
• products of processing of plant raw materials (5.4% dry beet pulp; 0.07% dry parsley, which is equivalent to 0.4% parsley);
• vegetable and animal fats;
• vegetable protein extracts;
• vegetables (dried chicory root, dry carrots, dry spinach);
• minerals;
• yeast;
• preservatives;
• vitamins;
• antioxidants.

The composition does not differ from the standard one, but the food copes with hair removal. Sometimes in an unusual way: a friend told me that her cat was vomiting hairballs after using Cat Chow Adult Hairball Control. The problem could be the weak composition and the fact that the food simply did not suit the animal. However, due to the lack of difference between this ready-made diet and other products in the line, the presence of an additional formula is not advisable. Other Cat Chow foods also do a good job of removing hair.

Compound

Despite the fact that in large letters on the packaging it is written about a large percentage of meat content, grain crops come first in the composition. Which ones are not indicated, the percentage of content is the same.

In second position is meat, which occupies 33%. But even here, not everything is so smooth - the composition says that it can be both meat and processed meat products.

Whose meat exactly it is, as well as with grains, is not indicated.

Then, finally, the specific ingredients are indicated. Products of processing of plant raw materials are added to the feed: 2.7% dry beets, 0.07% parsley. This is where the specifics end, followed by various vegetable protein extracts, vegetables, minerals and preservatives, yeast, vitamins and antioxidants and flavorings.

Since there is no way to know which preservatives were added, it is unknown how such a composition may affect the health of the animal.

Energy composition and value

The food contains 40% proteins, 12% fats, 8.5% minerals, 2.5% dietary fiber.

Calorie content, oddly enough, is not indicated on the packaging.

Types of feed

Purina has a fairly extensive range; you can choose food that suits your cat's needs. The type depends primarily on the age, weight and health of the pet.

There are eight varieties of dry food in total:

• Cat Chow for kittens containing chicken. It’s easy to determine the age category from the name: the food is great for kittens up to one year old. It would also be wise to buy it for pregnant or lactating cats.
• Cat Chow Adult with chicken and turkey. If your adult cat leads an active lifestyle, then Purina marketers advise you to buy this particular food. However, it is worth considering that the promised chicken and turkey are very small there, about 4%. Instead of meat there may be offal.
• Cat Chow Adult with rabbit and liver. The liver of what is the secret of production. This food is the second option for adult animals leading an active lifestyle. In terms of performance, it is no different from previous feeds; the composition is identical.
• Cat Chow 3 in 1. Amazing food that saves you from all diseases. Serves as a preventive measure against tartar and plaque on teeth, protects the stomach and urinary system.
• Cat Chow Special Care Hairball Control. Special hair-reducing food containing more fiber.
• Cat Chow Special Care Urinary Tract Health. Contains less magnesium, i.e. safer for the urinary system. Indicated for the prevention of urolithiasis.
• Cat Chow Special Care Sensitive. Created for cats with digestive problems, it tidies up the skin and coat. Enriched with omega acids, contains chicory.
• Cat Chow Special Care Sterilized. Food for sterilized cats. One of the most popular foods. Designed to support your pet's optimal body weight.

However, in stores there are not only budget dryers from Purina, but also spiders for cats. The buyer is offered a choice of 4 types of canned food with pieces in jelly: with chicken and zucchini, with lamb and green beans, with salmon and peas for true gourmets and, finally, with beef and eggplant.

The manufacturer promises a completely natural composition without preservatives, however, feeding the food to animals under one year of age is not recommended.

Feeding standards

Since the food is not expensive, its energy value is low. Therefore, feeding rates are much higher than any holistic food, or even super-premium. For small cats weighing up to 4 kg, you need from 35 to 70 g of food per day. For cats that weigh more than 4 kilograms, from 70 to 105. Further - the larger the cat, the more food.

Among the features: since the food is not wet, it is necessary to always give the cat enough clean drinking water.

Advantages and disadvantages

Let's summarize. It's not all that good, it's not all that bad. One of the advantages of food is its low cost and availability. You can buy it in any store, even in a supermarket. Cats eat food with great pleasure, they like it. The disadvantages are the not very high-quality composition, the use of by-products and preservatives, and flavoring additives. Much is hidden from the buyer; the composition does not contain complete information. Has low energy value.

Reviews

What do veterinarians and cat owners who bought Cat Chow food for their pets say? The reviews are completely different, and both positive and negative are almost equally common.

The cat's owner Sergey:

I would like to share my impression of Cat Chow food. I recently neutered my cat and he stopped eating Friskies food, although he used to only eat it. I looked through a lot of information on the Internet and decided to opt for Cat Chow food for castrated and sterilized cats. The cat liked the new food, at least he doesn’t refuse it. After the operation, the cat tolerated it well. After reading a lot of reviews, I realized that everything is individual. For some, when introducing this food, problems begin; for others, everything is fine. In general, I recommend the food. If you don’t have the financial means to overpay for premium food, take this one.

Veterinarian Lyudmila:

Based on my many years of experience in the field of veterinary medicine, I can note several advantages of Cat Chow food: the skin stops itching and cleanses; animals stop scratching their wounds; improvement of the quantitative and qualitative composition of gastric juice, activation of peristalsis; animals behave much calmer when examined, which means a decrease in the level of anxiety and aggression.

Kitten owner Anna:

From about 5 months old, we began to slowly feed the kitten Cat Chow. The first 2 weeks everything was fine. Then I began to notice that the pet had a bad breath, and it was quite strong. I immediately removed the food from the diet and, indeed, the smell disappeared after a couple of days.

Cat Chow didn't suit us, I definitely won't buy it again. Even the composition shows that the manufacturer saves a lot on components. There are a lot of by-products, even among vegetables. In addition, there are also preservatives and flavorings. I'll look for better food.

Owner of the cat Felix:

I have been living with a British-looking cat for a long time, and over several years of living with him, I managed to experiment with different types of cat food.

For the last year, my little furry has been feeding exclusively on Kitikat, and during this time he has become incredibly thin, began to shed, eat less, and became lethargic. After this, I decided to consult a specialist about food and they advised me to buy Cat Chow.

Within a couple of months, the cat stopped shedding and became more well-fed and contented. The food helps him recover well, and he always eats with pleasure. Without a doubt, the food is wonderful. I recommend it to anyone and everyone.

Cat owner Maria:

Despite the fact that the food is better than Kitecat or Whiskas in some respects, I can’t call it good either. All Cat Chow foods contain grains as the first ingredient on the list, not meat. All natural ingredients in the food are marked with an asterisk; the “preservatives” ingredient is not marked with an asterisk. From this we can conclude that unnatural preservatives are used in the food. But the most unpleasant thing for me was the price, equal to the price of premium food, although it is clear that it consists mainly of the costs of brand promotion and advertising.

Dog Chow cat food - reviews

Today, many reviews have been written on the Internet about Cat Chow dry food. As always, there are positive ones, there are negative ones, and there are neutral ones. Below we have collected some reviews from veterinarians and cat owners.

Reviews from veterinarians

On the Internet, you can often find reviews from cat owners who write that they bought Cat Chow food on the recommendation of a veterinarian. However, we were unable to find any reviews from veterinarians themselves about this food. If you are a veterinarian, do not hesitate to write your opinion about Cat Chow in the comments below, many will be interested to know it.

Customer Reviews

Natalya writes:

Half a year ago I got a kitten of the British breed; at the time I gave it to him he was one and a half months old. I read about care and feeding on the Internet and found out that the breed has an increased chance of developing urolithiasis. To avoid this, I decided to feed only good premium or super premium food, and the choice fell on Royal Canin. Once again I went to the pet store and found out that it was out of stock, the seller advised me to take Cat Chow as an alternative.

The packaging of this food is cute and easy to open and close. The food looks like food, and the smell also seems to be nothing special. However, the kitten did not approve of it - it ate quite poorly compared to Royal Canin (it was usually poured twice a day, ate it right away, and the new one ate it little by little). While I finished eating the small 0.4 kg package, I noticed that somehow I began to shed more.

I looked at the ingredients carefully and the question arose: since when did 14% chicken become “high poultry content”? I thought there was at least 50 percent of it in the food, I should have looked at the composition before buying. I will not recommend this food and will not buy any more.

Svetlana writes:

Good day to all. Today I want to share my review of Cat Chow food. We switched to it because after castration the cat began to eat Friskies poorly, although before that he didn’t eat it very well. It seems to be positioned as middle class, they also looked at Perfect Fit. But it’s somehow too advertised, and usually the more advertising, the more you overpay precisely because of it.

I would say the cat really liked the new food, he eats much better, maybe partly because it seems easier to chew. I also noticed that the poop smelled less. Otherwise there are no changes, the cat seems to be healthy.

I would also like to note that before choosing, I read a lot of reviews and realized that everything is individual. Some feed and everything is fine, others begin to have problems. Our cat is not purebred, he ate the same Whiskas from his parents and lived to be 17 years old. In general, I recommend it, especially if you don’t have a lot of money to buy premium food.

I decided to slightly justify the undeservedly criticized Cat Chow food. Many cat owners are looking for food with holistic quality at an economy class price, but that doesn’t happen! Of course, the composition is not very good, but do not forget to compare the price. Royal Canin, Happy Cat, Mnyams - all with the best composition, but at the same time twice as expensive.

Naturally, for a higher price, they can put more meat or better ingredients there. But the same Whiskas or Friskies are half the price of Cat Chow, which means the second one is still twice as good in quality. Now a little personal experience.

I took a 400 g bag to try, the cat crunches it with pleasure and is not capricious. The food granules are convenient, without a pungent odor. I finished the package, nothing bad happened. True, I noticed that the food consumption is more than that of Royal Canin. I am also confused by the name “preservative” without indicating what kind of preservative it is. In general, I recommend this food as an inexpensive and better alternative to whiskey and friskis.

Analysis of the composition of "Cat Chow" food

To get a more detailed picture, consider the lists of ingredients for several foods: wet and dry. Let's start with the first one.

Wet food with lamb contains the following components:

1. Meat and processed meat products (of which lamb min. 4%). Not the highest quality ingredient. Theoretically, it is a source of animal proteins and amino acids, but in reality the mixture may include production waste and various carcass parts, so its nutritional value is questionable. The lamb portion is confusing because 4% is very little for cat food. Perhaps it is present to justify the name, or as a flavoring additive.
2. Plant protein extracts. Worse than just grains. The mixture can include any plant raw material, including individual parts. These ingredients are poorly digestible by cats and can cause allergies.
3. Fish and fish products. Same as the first ingredient. Questionable supplement.
4. Minerals. They are included in the composition so that the food can be called complete. It is preferable to consume nutrients in their natural form.
5. Amino acids. Most likely it is taurine and methionine. Amino acids are naturally present in meat, so if its content is high, additional fortification of the feed is not required. The presence of substances as separate additives indicates the almost complete absence of animal products in the composition.
6. Thickeners. Used to make jelly. An ambiguous component, because the manufacturer did not indicate a specific name. At best, the substance slightly increases the load on internal organs; at worst, it can provoke the development of diseases.
7. Vegetables (including 0.8% dry green beans, equivalent to 7% green beans). A good source of fiber.
8. Sahara. Cats often cause allergies and watery eyes. Toxins that enter the bloodstream during sugar processing can accumulate in the animal's body. The component was added most likely to give it a caramel color, but it is an extra ingredient in cat food.
9. Yeast. Theoretically, they are a source of B vitamins and improve the taste of the feed. Baker's yeast can negatively affect the state of the gastrointestinal tract, so the lack of the full name of the component causes mistrust.
10. Vitamins. Added so that the food can be considered complete. It is preferable to indicate individual items and the quantity of each ingredient.

In general, the composition is weak and does not meet the requirements for wet food. In fact, it is almost the same as a pelleted ready-made diet, but with a higher water content.

Dry food for cats with sensitive digestion contains the following ingredients:

1. Cereals (40% whole grain). Practically no different from the “cereals” ingredient. The use of whole grains is, of course, commendable, but there are also individual parts in the feed. I would like to see not a general name, but individual names. The mixture may contain corn and wheat, which often cause allergies.
2. Meat and processed meat products (20%). Questionable source of animal proteins. Unfortunately, meat is only in second place. If you subtract the share of production waste and moisture evaporated during the process, the ingredient may move even lower.
3. Plant protein extracts. Separate parts of plants. This is a cheap filler that helps bring the proportion of proteins to the required amount.
4. Vegetable and animal fats. The source of the ingredient is not specified.
5. Fish and fish products. Questionable source of animal proteins.
6. Products of processing of vegetable raw materials (2.7% dry beet pulp; 0.07% dry parsley, which is equivalent to 0.4% parsley). In theory, a good source of plant fiber, but it’s confusing that the manufacturer doesn’t list the ingredients separately.
7. Vegetables (dried chicory root, dry carrots, dry spinach). It is preferable to indicate individual names. The mixture may include additional ingredients.
8. Minerals. It would be better if the manufacturer indicated the specific ingredients and their quantities.
9. Preservatives. The lack of names causes mistrust, because preservatives can harm the animal.
10. Yeast. If it is brewer's yeast, then it is a good source of B vitamins. If it is baker's yeast, it can cause digestive disorders.
11. Vitamins. It is preferable to list the additives and their quantities.
12. Antioxidants. Same as preservatives.

The composition is standard for economy class feed. Better than most representatives of the category, but still not suitable for cats. Cat Chow food is a mixture of unknown cereals with processed meat products, to which a vitamin and mineral complex has been added.

Features and composition of food

Cat Chow for cats is a cross between premium and economy class food. Available only in dry form. The assortment is quite varied. The manufacturer produces separate types of food for:

• small kittens;
• mature and adult cats;
• castrated and sterilized cats;
• animals that are prone to allergies;
• prevention of various diseases;
• removing hairballs from the stomach.

At the same time, the food has a large number of flavor variations, ranging from meat and liver to seafood, successfully combined with vegetables and other ingredients.

Important! If you feed your cat dry food, be sure to ensure that there is clean water in the bowl.

Let's take a closer look at the composition of Cat Chau.

Grains come first, which is why the food cannot be classified as premium. Then comes meat and processed meat products (at least 30%, 14-15% of which is poultry meat). Further, the composition contains vegetables and herbs (green peas, beets, carrots, spinach, parsley, rosemary, etc.). In addition, there are vitamins, minerals, fats and oils. All this ensures maximum variety in your pet’s diet.

Veterinarians' opinion

Alla, 39 years old, Moscow

When compiling a diet for sterilized and neutered animals, their characteristics must be taken into account. It is important that the food contains a lot of meat (at least 50%), as it acidifies the urine and prevents the formation of stones in the bladder. Instead of Cat Chow, I recommend super-premium products, hypoallergenic foods, or holistic foods. They are more expensive, but in the future you will not have to spend money on treating your pet.

Maxim, 43 years old, Lipetsk

If the animal is healthy, then after surgery it can be fed Cat Chow products, periodically adding fresh frozen meat to the diet. It is important to regularly have your pet's urine, feces and blood tested. If the food is poorly digested or causes health problems, the diet can be adjusted in time.

Advantages and disadvantages of Cat Chow food

The only advantage is the reasonable price. The cost of food is several times lower than that of super-premium or holistic diets. However, such products are less nutritious, so animals eat more per day. In addition, as diseases develop, treatment costs have to be added to the list of expenses.

The feed pellets are very light due to the low meat content

The disadvantages include the following factors:

1. Use of questionable components. If it is meat, then it is processed products. The balance of substances is brought to normal using separate protein extracts. The type of cereals is not indicated.
2. Presence of hazardous substances in the composition. In Ukrainian feeds, additives E320, E321, E310 and E338 were previously indicated as preservatives and antioxidants. E320 and E321 are classified as carcinogens. E310 and E338 can cause irritation of the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract and the appearance of dermatological disorders. Of course, it is not a fact that these preservatives are still present in the composition, but the fact that Purina used dangerous substances and is now hiding the list of ingredients does not inspire confidence.
3. High grain content. Cats do not need an abundance of plant components. In this case, cereals are used as a cheap filler.
4. Almost complete absence of meat. Its actual content reaches 5% at best. Meat is indicated in fresh form, taking into account the water that evaporates when preparing dry food. It is unknown what proportion of the mixture occupies the flesh without unnecessary additives.
5. Questionable marketing moves. The manufacturer indicates imaginary advantages. In some places the advertising borders on deception. For example, the absence of salmon in food with a name that includes the phrase “with salmon.”

The key disadvantage is that the manufacturer hides almost all data about the food. The buyer is not provided with complete information about the vitamins and minerals contained, nor the type of preservatives, nor the composition of meat and cereal mixtures.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages:

• low cost;
• a large assortment;
• widespread, can be bought at any pet store;
• contains meat;
• balanced composition.

Disadvantages include:

• the composition does not contain antioxidants or preservatives;
• the food is based on cereals, not meat products;
• Very few minerals, vitamins and other beneficial substances are stated.

Super premium food

It makes sense to purchase such food if:

• the pet has undergone castration or sterilization;
• the cat is many years old;
• the cat is expecting kittens or has recently given birth;
• The animal has a sensitive stomach or other chronic diseases since birth.

Such feeds have a more balanced and rich composition. When asked what the best cat food is, according to veterinarians, experts answer unequivocally - super premium varieties.

Any quality rating of cat food in the super-premium segment includes the items listed below.

Hills Science Diet (Prescription Diet)

This is the so-called therapeutic or dietary food for sick, weakened, elderly animals.

The food, rich in nutrients, is quickly absorbed, stimulates active metabolism and proper intestinal function. The only drawback in comparison with other types is the high cost.

Eukanuba

Included in the list of the best fitness products. Easy-to-eat granulated dry food, thanks to its high fiber content, helps animals lose weight.

Veterinarians recommend it for cats over one year old who suffer from excess weight and lack of physical activity. Nutrition normalizes stool, recommended for adults from one year old.

For reference! Eukanuba nutritional analysis has proven that the product contains large amounts of vitamin C.

1st Choice

Premium food is suitable for animals from two weeks of age, hence the name “First Choice”. There are virtually no bad reviews of the product online. It does not cause stomach upset, it tastes good, animals quickly get used to the food and eat it willingly.

The only difficulty is that it cannot be found in all stores. Usually cat lovers order it online. This is the best and highest quality food for kittens, according to veterinarians.

Appearance

The food is packed in a sealed bag with a zip fastener, very convenient for long-term storage. The smell is very pleasant and does not cause disgust. The granules are medium in size, slightly elongated oval in shape. They are easy for cats to bite through and do not cause any difficulty in chewing and swallowing. Purina Cat Chow food is produced in three countries - Hungary, Russia and the USA. You can find out the country of origin by the labeling. It no longer belongs to the economy class, but it is also quite difficult to attribute it to the premium segment. Something in between.