Despite the fact that it is the choice of responsible owners, natural food without additional additives does not allow a living organism to obtain all the necessary proteins, fats and carbohydrates. With a natural type of feeding, the balance will always be upset - the food will be either very fatty or highly carbohydrate. Even meat does not provide the necessary proteins - a large percentage of it consists of various fats.
You also need to be aware that untested food may contain substances that are harmful to the animal’s body. To regularly receive all the vital components, it is easiest to use specialized feed. The best of them is Savara premium food.
Why is he so good?
Savara is a super-premium holistic food, which already says a lot.
Few foods have the right to be called that. It was developed by specialists in the UK, from where supplies are made to Russia. They worked on its composition for a long time, creating the ideal balance of nutrients, selecting the best and healthiest ingredients. It took a long time to create Savarra food.
There are six types of Savara food for cats:
- For kittens, which contains turkey and rice
- For cats with digestive problems (lamb and rice)
- For sterilized overweight cats (turkey and rice)
- For indoor adult cats (duck and rice)
- Hair removal food for adult cats (with duck and rice)
- Regular adult cat food (lamb and rice)
The entire selection of food from Savara is completely hypoallergenic.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages of Savarra food:
- excellent quality, fully consistent with European standards;
- high content of animal protein, most of which is obtained from fresh meat;
- each type of food contains one type of meat - this allows you to choose a diet for pets with allergies;
- absence of foods that can cause allergies (for example, beef, chicken, soy, corn, wheat);
- only natural additives, including preservatives and flavors;
- rich, balanced composition, including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants;
Disadvantages of the food include:
- high cost;
- small assortment;
- insufficient prevalence (rarely found in pet stores);
- lack of percentages of components on the packaging.
Feed composition
Any food from the Savarra line must include fresh and dihydrogenated (dried) meat . Moreover, it will not be chicken - its harm to the cat’s body has been proven by experts. Since meat is the main product in the feed, it is selected very carefully. In Savar there are only three options: the diet contains either lamb, turkey or duck.
In addition to meat, which occupies 77% of the composition, it includes two types of rice - brown and regular. Vegetables, brewer's yeast and wild berries play a significant role in the composition of the feed. Additionally, the food is enriched with various essential vitamins and minerals.
The nutritional value
The nutritional value of the food is almost as impressive as its composition. You will not find such an ideal ratio of nutrients in any other product. Unfortunately, many manufacturers focus on carbohydrates instead of the proteins the body needs.
Savara food contains:
- proteins – 31%
- fats – 19%
- fiber – 1.5%
- ash – 9%
- humidity – 7%
The energy value of the product is also high; after processing 100 grams of food, your pet will receive 384 kcal of energy.
Feeding
If you decide to feed your kitten Savara food, you need to follow just a few simple and understandable rules.
- Since the food is dry, that is, it contains a minimum of moisture, the animal must have constant access to fresh water.
- It is important to comply with the storage conditions of the product, keep it in a dry and cool place.
- The expiration date is marked on the packaging. When it expires, the food should be thrown away.
How much food does your kitten need?
First of all, the amount of feed depends on the weight of the animal. In addition, of course, you need to take into account your pet’s lifestyle. If you choose dry feeding, you should under no circumstances feed him food from the table - it will only cause harm.
- With a weight of 0.35 to 0.7 kg per day, 27-45 g of feed is needed.
- If the weight is 0.7-1.8 kg - from 45 to 68 g of feed.
- With a weight of 1.8-2.8 kg - 68-76 g of feed.
- For a 2.8 - 5 kg kitten - 76-100 g of food.
- If the pet already weighs more than 5 kg, then he needs to receive at least 100 g of food per day.
Table: feed to replace Savarra
Name, country of origin | Class | Percentage of meat in composition | Peculiarities | Price |
Wildcat, Germany | Holistic | 80% | A very large percentage of meat in the composition, grain-free composition, no potatoes, many vitamins and minerals in the composition, natural preservatives | From 1950 rubles for 3 kg |
Acana, Canada | Holistic | From 50% and above | The percentage of all main components is indicated, does not contain wheat and corn, contains many vitamins and minerals, is easy to find in stores | From 1500 rubles for 1.8 kg |
Farmina N&D, Serbia | Holistic | From 50% and above | Natural composition, there are low-grain and grain-free foods, a veterinary line, natural preservatives and antioxidants in the composition, a variety of flavors | From 1000 rubles per 2 kg |
Brit Care, Czech Republic | Super premium | 40–50% | Does not contain wheat and corn, has a line of wet food, is widely distributed in stores | 800–1000 rubles per 2 kg |
Leonardo, Germany | Super premium | 40–50% | Natural ingredients, natural preservatives (tocopherols) are used, there is a line of wet food and vitamin supplements | From 1000 rubles per 2 kg |
1st Choice, Canada | Super premium | From 35% and above | Natural preservatives, good vitamin and mineral supplement, has a wet food line, easy to find on sale | From 1300 rubles for 2.7 kg |
Photo gallery: feed to replace Savarra
ACANA Grasslands consists of 75% duck, egg, fish and turkey and 25% fruit and vegetables
Leonardo Adult Cat Poultry Grain Free contains predominantly fresh poultry meat and no grains.
In the Farmina Natural & Delicious food series you can find many delicious flavors for your pet, such as wild boar meat with apple
Among 1st Choice food there are products both for animals of different ages and with health conditions, for example food for cats with allergies
The name of the food Wildcat (wild cat) reminds that cats are predators who primarily need meat
The undoubted advantage of this line of food is the excellent combination of price and quality.
Owner reviews
Positive reviews of the food are given not only by veterinarians, but also by owners. They notice that after changing the diet to Savara, the animal becomes more playful, happy and even more beautiful - the fur stops falling out, it becomes softer and shiny.
Arina, cat 2 years old
Six months ago, I encountered a problem - a shedding cat was eating her fur, after which she felt sick. The veterinarian prescribed pills, but the cat was barely forced to swallow them, and no results were visible. Then I read about wool-breeding food and decided to try it. I chose Savara - there were a lot of positive reviews about it, and the composition was pleasing. I've been feeding them for three months now. The cat is not vomiting, and it seems to me that she has stopped shedding. In addition, she also eats the food with obvious pleasure - it becomes clear that she likes it.
The disadvantage is the price. It certainly won't suit everyone. But it’s worth a try, and you’ll understand what you’re paying for. One of the advantages is that it solves the problem with wool. I think that soon it will be possible to switch to regular Savara cat food.
Evgeniya, two cats
For a long time I prepared food for my cat myself, but then a second one appeared, and there was absolutely not enough time. Then I started looking for different options. I tried whiskey, royal and 4 paws. More and more food was needed, the cats were getting fatter and stopped being active. Savara was recommended by a friend, and she gave it a try for the first time. There was enough food for a week - this was the first time. The cats started playing. I read the composition and characteristics of the food, after which I realized that I would only buy it. Even if it costs three times more, I will be confident in the health of my pets.
For breeds prone to overweight
If your pet really likes to graze near a bowl, then he needs proper nutrition, which, on the one hand, will provide his body with everything he needs, and on the other hand, with the right dosage, will prevent him from gaining excess weight. For this, “Savara” is a lightweight formula for adult cats, based on turkey meat. This is the lowest calorie type of meat. In addition, it contains a large amount of vitamins and minerals, which has a very beneficial effect on metabolism and the general condition of the body.
Composition and useful additives
Savarra food is high-quality food for cats of the super-premium class of the holistic group.
Manufacturer: Golden Acres, UK. The products are recommended by veterinarians, since the main component is meat. Dry cat food "Savara" is hypoallergenic, the product does not contain wheat, soy, GMOs, corn, by-products, artificial preservatives, dyes and antioxidants, as well as chemical additives that adversely affect the pet's body. It contains no chicken meat or fat. The line includes food for kittens and older cats, for cats during pregnancy, as well as sterilized and neutered pets, for individuals prone to obesity and those with increased sensitivity of the gastrointestinal tract.
Properties of ingredients
The components of Savara feed and their characteristics are described in the table:
Component | Properties |
Fresh meat (duck, lamb, turkey) | Contains protein, vitamins A, B, E, K, amino acids, fats and nutrients |
Strengthens the heart | |
Helps improve the quality of brain function, skin condition and visual aggravation | |
Rice | Source of carbohydrates |
Provides normal concentrations of magnesium and other minerals | |
Flaxseeds | Includes Omega 3 and 6 acids, fiber |
Adds shine to cat fur | |
Peas | Includes fiber and proteins |
Animal fats | Contains vitamins and other valuable ingredients that give the cat’s body energy |
Helps improve the taste and beneficial qualities of feed | |
Contains choline and selenium, which have a beneficial effect on the normal functioning of the body | |
Oats | Includes carbohydrates, fiber, protein |
Salmon oil | Contains Omega-3 acids, which have a beneficial effect on the heart, eyesight and coat |
Alfalfa | Helps neutralize carcinogens in the digestive system |
Prevents the accumulation of hairballs in the intestines | |
Yucca | Improves digestion, normalizes the functionality of the gastrointestinal tract |
Helps get rid of unpleasant stool odor | |
Helps destroy pathogenic microorganisms | |
Helps strengthen the body overall | |
Methionine | Prevents the formation of kidney stones |
Taurine | Amino acid that has a beneficial effect on fat absorption |
Improves the functionality of the visual apparatus | |
Has a beneficial effect on the heart | |
Chelates | Positively affects the absorption of microelements |
The benefits of vitamins and healthy supplements
Component | Action |
Vitamin A | Improves the functionality of the visual apparatus |
Has a beneficial effect on the immune system | |
Blueberries and cranberries | Includes vitamins A, ascorbic acid, fiber, potassium, carotenoids, which have an antioxidant effect |
Have a beneficial effect on the condition of the genitourinary system, preventing the impact of harmful microorganisms | |
Sources of tannins | |
Vitamin D3 | Positively affects the cat’s body’s absorption of phosphorus and calcium |
Apple | Source of pectin |
Strengthens blood vessels | |
Prevents the development of atherosclerosis | |
Helps get rid of toxins and toxic elements in intestinal structures | |
Prevents fermentation | |
Positively affects metabolic processes | |
Helps normalize salt balance and strengthen the immune system | |
Rejuvenates the body | |
Rosemary extract, vitamin E | Includes antioxidants, preservatives |
Seaweed | Contains vitamins, trace elements, minerals and enzymes |
Helps get rid of toxins and improve metabolic processes | |
Vitamin E | Fights free radicals |
Helps improve physical activity and improve immunity | |
Helps get rid of burns, ulcers and wounds | |
Carrot | Includes carotene, vitamins B, C, PP, K, E |
Tomatoes | Includes ascorbic acid |
Antioxidant |
The food is packaged in environmentally friendly paper packaging of 0.4, 2 and 15 kg.
Safety Basics for Owner and Pet
To avoid injury from your pet's teeth and claws, the cat should be immobilized. You can wrap it in a thick baby blanket. It is recommended to wear gloves made of coarse fabric, which will not be easy for the cat to tear during an attack.
Since taking medication often becomes stressful for an animal, you need to calm it down. If a cat feels safe, it will behave calmer and be less likely to try to harm its owner.
You should prepare hydrogen peroxide or another antiseptic and a cotton pad in advance to treat the wounds. Even a calm pet can bite or scratch its owner when it resists the administration of medication, so you should not neglect the preparation of disinfectants.
For a kitten, forced action is stressful. To reduce the level of nervous tension for the animal, the procedure should be completed as quickly as possible. It is better to study the instructions and remove the tablets from the package when the cat is in another room.
This way the animal will not start to worry in advance and will not hide from the owner. There is no need to worry or make noise: the animal will understand that the owner is nervous and will also begin to worry.
You must first check with your veterinarian whether the medicine can be crushed or mixed with food or water. Unless a doctor's permission has been obtained, adding medications to food or liquid is prohibited.
To make the drug pass through the esophagus more easily, you should give the cat some water immediately after taking the tablet.
It is necessary to give your pet only those medications prescribed by the veterinarian. How often to give them should also be decided with your doctor. Replacing the drug with a cheaper analogue is not recommended, since there is a high risk of purchasing a low-quality product. This medicine may not be effective against the disease. In some cases, cheap tablets harm cats and worsen their health.
What to feed your cat
It is common to believe that such a pet already traditionally loves fish, milk, and meat. In fact, a cat’s diet is somewhat more varied and eliminates vitamin deficiency and the appearance of its unpleasant symptoms. Individual nutritional characteristics depend on the breed of the animal. The question of what to feed your cat should be addressed correctly to a knowledgeable veterinarian, without violating his instructions. Nutrition can be natural, artificial or mixed, and in the latter case we are talking about a combination of healthy food from a person’s table with elite food from the best manufacturers.
How many times a day
There are certain rules that every breeder must follow to maintain the health and cheerfulness of his four-legged friend. For example, how many times a day to feed a cat correctly so that the animal does not remain hungry or overeat. The best option is in the morning and evening, while monitoring the volume of single servings. Cats that lead an active lifestyle may not eat enough, but for true couch potatoes this feeding schedule is ideal.
Which food is better
Feeding canned and dry food is very convenient, which is why in the modern world it is preferred among breeders. Such dishes do not require pre-cooking, and they contain valuable microelements and minerals necessary for a pet. The question immediately arises, which food is better for cats - dry or canned. Both options have their advantages and significant disadvantages.
Wet food contains 85% moisture, is a perishable product and, if opened and stored improperly, can become the main cause of poisoning for a pet. However, the presence of sealed packaging prevents damage to the sealed product, the formation of mold, and putrefactive processes. Taking into account all these nuances, breeders choose dry food, which is less troublesome in everyday use and storage.
Dry food
When choosing a healthy diet, the breeder will have to familiarize himself with a wide range of products and flavors. Dry cat food with the flavors of chicken, beef, fish, turkey, rabbit, pork, and liver is available for free sale. Even assorted vegetables are noticeably popular with cats. To improve the digestion of your four-legged friend, grains are often added to dry food. The idea is not bad, but before purchasing it would be wise to study the composition for the presence of harmful components, preservatives, and synthetic flavors.
Natural nutrition
Representatives of the British, Bengal breed, being the heirs of their elite parents, can be accustomed to natural food from the human table. This results in both health benefits for the animal and savings for some breeders. This also applies to representatives of other elite breeds that require special care. Natural food for cats includes the following mandatory components of the daily menu:
- meat, offal;
- seafood, fish of certain varieties;
- eggs, dairy products;
- cereals and vegetables.
Table: visual comparison of Savarra food with other brands
Brand | Ingredients of everyday dry food (first 10 ingredients) | Average cost 1 kg | Conclusion |
Savarra |
| 550–700 rub. | Good food with a relatively high meat content. You can find the best price-quality ratio, but if this food suits the cat, then there is no point in experimenting: the animal gets everything it needs from this diet. Tangible advantages include the use of different types of meat and the absence of chicken in the composition. |
Go! |
| 450–500 rub. | Feed manufacturer Go! also does not specify the percentage of ingredients, however, based on the number of plant and meat components, we can conclude that there are much more of the latter. The company uses only fresh products. The lack of pre-treatment helps preserve as many nutrients as possible. The price of the food is significantly lower, especially if you are not a nursery owner and cannot purchase Savarra products in bulk. The quality is either comparable or better depending on the ratio of ingredients. |
Orijen |
| 700–1000 rub. | Elite food, the recipe of which is developed according to the principle of biological compliance. The manufacturer tries to bring the composition as close as possible to the natural menu: he uses several types of meat, gives preference to fresh products and adds both pure muscle tissue and a small amount of offal of various types. However, the food is not suitable for everyone: it contains a lot of protein and fat, and can also cause allergies due to the variety of ingredients. If the cat was initially fed premium food or worse, it is better to at least switch it to Savarra products first. The latter has a more gentle composition. |
Royal Canin |
| 600–700 rub. | There is no whole meat at all, only isolated dehydrated proteins. The manufacturer prefers to add most of the nutrients in the form of separate complexes. Cereals occupy the first place. Since this food belongs to the premium class, we would not compare it with Savarra products, since the strengths are initially unequal, but the cost of Royal Canin is comparable to the price of Savarra. The quality of the latter is much better. |
Adult cat
For an adult cat, the daily intake should not exceed 250 g at the rate of 40 g of food per 1 kg of weight. For premium food, the calculation is 15-20 g of food per 1 kg of pet weight. Because they have a high energy value. Also divided by the number of feedings. During pregnancy, a cat's food intake increases. At this time, the pet needs complete food. It is appropriate to immediately offer the daily food allowance if the animal is left alone for the whole day.
Energy costs become even greater during lactation and continue for up to eight weeks while the kittens suckle. The cat's weight after lambing may decrease by 40% and may decrease, gradually returning to pre-breeding weight. It is worth returning to the diet of adult cats when they reach their usual weight. If there is a shortage, feed the cat more nutritious food until recovery.
How much dry food does a cat need per day?
A cat needs calories, not grams, and the energy requirement depends not on body weight, but on body surface area. Therefore, the assumption that a 2 kg pet will need twice as much food as a 1 kg animal is incorrect. In addition, activity must be taken into account.
A cat that walks outside needs more than a pet that spends its entire life in an apartment. In hot weather, the need for energy decreases, in cold weather it increases.
A growing kitten needs more calories per unit of weight, and therefore more grams, than an adult pet. The needs of pregnant animals of all types increase by a third, and nursing mothers by 3 times. An obese cat needs to reduce the daily portion, while an exhausted cat needs to increase it.
If the cat is unwell, veterinary food is used, the consumption of which is strictly regulated. Therefore, when calculating the required amount of dry food, a combination of factors must be taken into account.
The most popular Cat Chow foods
Now let’s look at several types of food from this brand:
- Cat Chow Kitten Chicken;
- Cat Chow Adult Sensitive;
- Cat Chow Special Care Sterilized;
- Cat Chow Urinary Tract Health;
- Cat Chow, triple protection;
- Cat Chow Adult Duck.
Let's take a closer look at each of the above foods:
Cat Chow Kitten Chicken
This is a food designed to feed kittens aged 2 months to 1 year. The main component is chicken and poultry meat (33%).
This food is also suitable for pregnant and lactating cats. It contains all the beneficial substances necessary for the small growing kitten's body.
Price: 415 rubles per package weighing 1.5 kg.
Cat Chow Adult Sensitive
It is a food that is suitable for the daily nutrition of adult pets prone to allergies. Meat and meat processing are contained in an amount of 20%. The product has a beneficial effect on the digestive system and gastrointestinal tract.
The increased protein content helps maintain lean body mass, and Omega fatty acids add shine to the coat. The food has a pleasant aroma.
Price: 470 rubles per 1.5 kg package.
Cat Chow Special Care Sterilized
The product is specially designed for spayed and neutered animals, taking into account their needs after surgery.
The composition contains 14% poultry meat. The composition is balanced to maintain the health of cats. Low fat and high protein helps maintain normal weight. Fiber has a beneficial effect on intestinal microflora.
Price: 480 rubles for 1.5 kg.
Cat Chow Urinary Tract Health
Food that prevents the formation of urolithiasis. The composition contains at least 30% meat by-products and processed meat products.
The product has a pleasant aroma and taste, which cats especially like. The high-quality protein contained in the composition helps maintain body weight, vitamin E strengthens the immune system, and medicinal herbs are enriched with antioxidants.
Price: 470 rubles for 1.5 kg.
Cat Chow triple protection
It is a dry complete food intended for adult cats. The composition contains 20% meat, of which 4% is turkey. The 3 in 1 product is so called because it prevents tartar and urolithiasis, and also helps remove hairballs from the stomach.
Price: 490 rubles for 1.5 kg.
Cat Chow Adult Duck
A food that contains poultry and duck meat (2%), as well as many plant proteins that give the product a special aroma. Chicory and beet pulp support healthy digestion in cats and reduce litter box odors.
Price: 470 rubles for 1.5 kg.
Important! When you give your cat a new food, carefully monitor his reaction. Good signs include mild bad breath and timely bowel movements.
Savarra for dogs
Savarra feed is a completely new product produced in the UK; it is interesting that the recipe for these feeds was developed under the guidance of Russian animal nutrition specialists. The Golden Acres company claims that the food contains about 70% animal components, unfortunately, this cannot be verified in any way, since the proportion of ingredients in the composition is not indicated. But if this is really the case, then the trend towards improving the quality of feed makes me very happy. The food is positioned as hypoallergenic, the packaging states that they do not contain common allergens such as chicken, corn, etc., but the product contains chicken eggs, which means it is contraindicated for the most common allergy to chicken protein. The set of vitamins and minerals in the food is standard, but I have nothing against the classics, but again, I really miss the percentage of these elements. This significantly complicates the selection of food and the prescription of additional medications for certain problems in animals, so no matter how good the composition is, I can only recommend this food to healthy and young dogs. The composition of savarra dry food for large breed puppies is questionable. I have a Rhodesian Ridgeback mix. Up to 6 months I fed acana dry puppy food. At exactly six months, the male’s height at the withers was 65 cm. Since it became expensive to feed Acana (we only had 11 kg bags on sale), I decided to switch to Savarra (18 kg bags were on sale, which is very profitable). I fed the puppy savarra food for large breed puppies for six months, from 6 to 12 months. At exactly one year old, the male’s height was measured and it was 67 cm. It turns out that during the most critical period of growth, the male rose by only 2 cm, and this was in a whole 6 months. I assume that at the factory that produces the food, they add not meat to the savarra line (as stated on the packaging), but waste meat products (bones, wool, intestines, etc.). Meat is used in feed, which is distributed all over the world, but savarra, which is very strange, is feed only for the Russian market. From this I conclude that the protein contained in the feed is more of plant origin, but not of animal origin. In this case, out of 28% protein (stated on the package), no more than 15% is absorbed, which is why the puppy has not really grown. I think that the Russian entrepreneur who ordered the production of feed at a UK factory knows about the real composition. But, apparently, the desire for profit is higher than moral principles (as is the case with most “traders” in our country). I doubt that there is even a grain of truth on the website savarra.ru (I’m talking about the team of “specialists” who painstakingly compose the menu). In our city, it is not possible to conduct a complete analysis of the feed; I am interested in the actual vitamin and mineral composition, and, if possible, the protein content (exactly which protein is greater, plant or animal). If someone (independent of the savarra “team”) has the opportunity to conduct a complete analysis of the food for its composition, be kind and many dog breeders and their pets will be grateful to you.
The good thing about the food is that it is suitable for all breeds; each dog does not need to buy a separate one. The range is not the widest, there are only 5 main lines - for any puppies, for large breed puppies, for older animals, for adult dogs of large and small breeds. It is difficult to judge the balance of food; not all types of food indicate the percentage of ingredients. But there is definitely no soy, artificial flavors, dyes or flavor enhancers in the composition. The dogs like the food, at first I gave them Pappy for puppies, now I give them the option for adults with turkey. They eat with gusto, the flavors don’t get boring, medium portions are enough to satiate, and the feeling of fullness lasts for a long time. During the day, my tailed cats were energetic and playful; there were no health or stool problems when feeding Savarra. The transition to this drying from natural was relatively easy, the appearance changed significantly for the better after a month of regular feeding.
Advantages and disadvantages
It is noteworthy that the food recipe does not provide for the addition of offal.
Savara cat food has the following advantages noted by consumers:
- The presence of meat as the main source of protein.
- Lack of vegetable protein and by-products.
- High concentration of vitamins, minerals and other valuable elements.
- Use of natural preservatives and antioxidants.
- The presence of healthy additives - blueberries, vegetables, cranberries, fruits and algae.
- A variety of products for different age categories of cats.
- The absence of components that provoke allergies, flavor enhancers and starch.
Among the disadvantages, breeders highlight:
- The content of grain components (rice) - the product is not 100% holistic.
- Low distribution - presence only in some pet stores.
- Relatively high cost.