Composition of cat food: how to analyze the list of ingredients yourself

What does a cat need?

Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning their diet consists primarily of meat. Pets need animal proteins and amino acids more than carbohydrates. They need connections not only to obtain energy, but also to ensure the correct functioning of all organs and systems.

In their natural environment, animals hunt small game: rodents, birds, etc. From the stomachs of the victims, cats obtain a small amount of cereals, vegetables and fruits. Products in the gastrointestinal tract of birds and rodents are subject to primary processing with enzymes. In this form, they are relatively well absorbed by the cat’s body, but most of the beneficial substances still leave the intestines unchanged. The resulting plant food helps satisfy the daily need for those microelements that are not found in meat.

When eating natural products, 75–80% of the menu is meat, 10–15% is allocated to offal and 10% is reserved for fermented milk products and vegetables

Like all living beings, a cat needs water, so it is advisable to give it not only dry, but also wet food. The granulated product contains practically no liquid, which can become an additional risk factor if the drinking regime is not followed. Dehydration can lead to problems with the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, cardiovascular system and other organs. In some cases, wet food is the only acceptable option. For example, my cat has very sensitive digestion: after eating granules, she has blood in her stool. After the examination, the veterinarian said that this is an individual feature, in general the animal is healthy, but it is better to switch to pouches and pates. Hard granules damage the delicate internal lining, which can later cause inflammation and infection. The cat does not have such a reaction to wet food.

Canned food - production and difference from dry food

Wet food is produced similarly to dry food, but instead of drying, the technology includes preservation of the semi-finished product.

The moisture content of canned cat foods - purees, stews, jelly, mousses and others - reaches eighty percent. It is important to know it in order to correctly determine the composition of other components, most importantly - proteins and fats.

For example, at 80% humidity, the can says 5% fiber content. By calculating this share from the remaining 20% ​​of dry products, you can see that in fact its content is 25%. The same recalculation can determine the content of fats, proteins, and macroelements.

It’s a bad sign if the canned food label contains the words “flavors of.” This only means that the composition contains artificial flavors.

In developed countries, it is prohibited to write “all” on the label, which means that the product consists of 100% one component - meat, fish, etc. This is technologically impossible and is a trick of the manufacturer, a deception.

What should be in cat food

High-quality cat food should primarily contain meat. The presence of several varieties is welcome if the pet does not have problems with food intolerance. The use of different types of animal products allows you to provide the cat’s body with all the necessary amino acids and trace elements. It’s good if the manufacturer indicated that the composition includes fresh meat. This means that it was not subjected to preliminary heat treatment and long-term storage. However, it should be taken into account that fresh meat also includes a large amount of liquid (about 70–80%), which in the case of low-quality dry food with fillers distorts the overall picture.

Fish contains a lot of unsaturated fatty acids, so its presence in the composition is a significant advantage, but for castrated animals it is better to choose a different food: a high concentration of minerals provokes the development of urolithiasis

Dehydrated meat is almost as good as fresh meat, and in some cases it is even better. When a dried ingredient appears first in a grain food, it lets the consumer know that the diet contains enough amino acids. Of course, grain-free food is preferable, but owners do not always have the opportunity to give their pets such products. For example, my friend’s cat developed nausea and vomiting when transferring from economy class to holistic.

Whole carcasses without by-products (“chicken”, “turkey”, “duck”) are also an acceptable ingredient. Internal organs are removed during the preparation of raw materials, leaving only meat and skin. Sometimes, along with carcasses, a small proportion of cartilage, bones and other impurities enters the feed, but in the case of high-quality products this is even useful: a small amount of offal is included in the natural menu and helps meet the daily needs for microelements. If we are talking about budget rations, the situation may be worse. Unscrupulous producers may process carcasses less carefully or introduce additives, so the quality of the ingredient depends on the feed manufacturer.

Beef tripe is a healthy by-product: it contains probiotics and enzymes, therefore improves digestion

Vegetables, fruits, berries, herbs, plant extracts, etc. can be included in the food as a vitamin-mineral complex. In small quantities, they help obtain microelements that are better absorbed in their natural form. Additionally, plant components contain fiber. It stimulates the movement of feces, improves peristalsis and cleanses the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract from rotting food debris. Many such supplements also promote the normal development of microflora, creating an optimal environment for the growth of beneficial bacteria. This prevents food from rotting and increases resistance to infections.

Some cat foods (Pronature, 1st Choice) contain ginger: it improves immunity and has a general strengthening effect

The presence of preventive additives in the feed is encouraged. With the right choice of complex, nutrition will prevent the appearance of age-related problems and the development of certain pathologies. For example, berries and many fruits normalize the acidity of urine, which prevents the formation of stones in the urinary system. Cartilage is a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin, which are essential for maintaining musculoskeletal health. Clams, crab shells and some other analogues can replace this ingredient. Beans in small quantities improve digestion.

Any food must contain preservatives. In the case of high-quality products, rosemary and a mixture of tocopherols are used to reliably preserve them. The combination of these two components prevents early spoilage and is not harmful to health.

The broth is a natural flavoring additive: the liquid is sprayed onto the granules at the end of cooking

To increase taste and aroma appeal, manufacturers can include natural additives in the composition. For example, chicken liver. Such additives are safe in most cases, although if possible, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with a detailed analysis of the composition. Increasing the attractiveness of food is necessary if the pet has health problems that are accompanied by a deterioration in appetite. This will also help to “agree” with finicky animals. The presence of flavoring and aromatic additives makes the transition to a new food easier.

Reviews

You can leave your reviews about cat food, other users will be interested: Svetlana:

“I prefer GO Natural products, their company is Noy Natural. You won't see any advertising for this food at all. But he's the best. Absolutely does not contain grains, everything is for carnivorous animals, such as cats. No health problems. Before this, vomiting and diarrhea often occurred. Until we discovered our ideal food.”

Olga:

“I feed my furry ones Royal Canin. They always gobble it up with gusto. I buy dry food and wet food. No health problems. I never had any allergies either. We go to the veterinarian periodically; by the way, he recommended this food to us. I alternate dry food with regular food and canned food. We have a balanced diet. Everything is fine with us. British cats give healthy offspring. I also feed kittens this food. The cost is quite reasonable."

What shouldn't be in cat food

In a good food, the proportion of grains should be kept to a minimum, up to the complete absence of grains in the composition. This component is practically not absorbed by cats. Its main task is to provide the animal’s body with carbohydrates and fiber. Vegetables and fruits, which have greater nutritional value, cope better with this. Cereals are often used as a cheap filler. The most dangerous of them are corn and wheat. They often cause the development of allergies. The presence of barley and oats is more acceptable, however, their share should be minimal.

Sometimes manufacturers replace grains with beans or potatoes, but in reality this makes little difference: cats need meat more than plant ingredients

The presence of any common names is not welcome. This applies to both animal and plant components. The presence of vague concepts in the list of ingredients indicates either the low quality of the raw materials (i.e., the manufacturer is hiding something) or the instability of the composition. In the latter case, the manufacturing company retains the ability to use different components in each batch. This does not correspond to the biological needs of cats: in the wild, the chemical composition of game remains almost the same. Frequent menu changes contribute to digestive disorders.

Some of the most common unwanted components include the following:

1. Bird. It may turn out to be either chicken or turkey. The first is, of course, more likely. The definition of “poultry” does not characterize the ingredient, since the manufacturer does not specify what exactly the food contains: meat, internal organs, skin or something else. In most cases, the name “poultry” hides cheap by-products that have no nutritional value.
2. Meat. An even more vague component than “bird”. This can equally well include chicken, beef, pork and even fish. In most cases, the manufacturer uses low-quality components. If an allergy occurs, it will be difficult for the pet owner to understand what caused the problem.
3. Fish. The disadvantages are the same as those of the above ingredients.
4. Animal fat. Of course, it is commendable that the manufacturer does not use only vegetable oils, but the source of the component must be indicated.
5. Cereals. Any variety can be hidden under this name. Most often, manufacturers try to hide the presence of corn and wheat in the composition using a common name.
6. Vegetables. The ingredient is often mentioned by unscrupulous companies. This marketing ploy is designed for inexperienced buyers: many people will think that the presence of vegetables in the composition is a huge plus, because they contain useful substances. In reality, manufacturers usually do not use whole luxury products, but rather individual parts. For example, partitions. In addition, carnivores do not absorb nutrients from vegetables well, so there is no need for large amounts of plant ingredients. It is preferable to indicate specific varieties.
7. Offal. A component can be either beneficial or harmful depending on the composition of the mixture. If a manufacturer doesn't specify a specific type of ingredient, they likely have something to hide.
8. Processed products. In other words, industrial waste. For the sake of economy, those components that remain after the production of other products are added to the feed. In the case of ingredients of animal origin, this may be so-called pink slime. It remains after cutting the carcasses. If these are products of processing of plant components, then the manufacturer probably means peeling, peeling, etc.

The presence of vitamins, minerals and amino acids in dry food in their pure form is not recommended. Ideally, the diet should be as close as possible to the natural menu, not only in chemical composition, but also in content. Animals absorb certain supplements less well than the same beneficial substances from whole ingredients. In addition, the presence of amino acids indicates a lack of meat in the feed. In a cat's natural environment, the same taurine is obtained from animal products.

In general, there is nothing dangerous in the above ingredients, but there is also little useful in them. This becomes the reason for the development of pathologies when feeding economy and premium products. Due to a deficiency of amino acids, minerals and vitamins, systemic diseases progress slowly and asymptomatically. As a result, in most cases, organ dysfunction becomes known too late. I personally know of three similar cases: 2 cats were diagnosed with urolithiasis, one had decomposition of the pancreas. One of them was eating Royal Canin food. It’s a shame that such a popular company with expensive products is profiting from the health of pets through aggressive marketing.

About the quality of raw materials

Meat ingredients are often variable—the raw materials entering production may be fresh, raw, dehydrated, or in the form of meat meal. Is there a difference? Fresh raw materials are preferable: the less the product has been processed, the more useful substances are preserved in it. If the meat is stated to be raw, this usually means that it was previously frozen, which does not greatly affect its composition.

Please make sure that the names of the ingredients clearly indicate the origin of the raw materials used, for example “rabbit meat” or “chicken liver”. This is the only way you will be sure of the stability of the product’s composition, and if an individual reaction occurs, you will be able to identify its cause.

The technology for producing dry food is such that it is impossible to use fresh meat alone - usually dehydrated (dried) is added to it. In terms of nutritional value, it is only slightly inferior to fresh and raw. Another thing is meat or meat and bone meal. This is a highly processed product, most often representing non-food waste from the meat industry. The names of such ingredients cannot be used to understand what species of animal or poultry they are made from; the composition of the flour varies from one batch to another, which does not guarantee the stability of the nutritional content.

Potentially Hazardous Ingredients

Unlike the previous group, these components can provoke the rapid development of diseases or the occurrence of exacerbations in the presence of chronic pathologies. First of all, these are various dyes, preservatives and nameless flavoring and aromatic additives. If their type is not specified, there is a high probability that the manufacturer does not use the safest components. If there are specific names, it is advisable to check the ingredient in the database. Most of these additives are difficult to identify by name without special knowledge in the field of chemistry.

The dyes in the composition are of interest exclusively to buyers; for cats, the shade of the granules does not affect the attractiveness of the product

Sugar and caramel are often used in wet food to produce a light brown tint and soften the kibble. Eating such prepared diets causes watery eyes, itching and other allergy symptoms. Cats are carnivores, so they do not digest sugar well. Some of it is deposited in the form of glycogen, the rest enters the blood along with toxic metabolic products. This is what causes the uncharacteristic reaction. I had to deal with this personally when my cat’s eyes started running because of budget food. Due to my inexperience, I gave her Whiskas pouches as a treat. After red, flaky patches appeared on my skin, I stopped doing this. After a few weeks, the symptoms disappeared.

When choosing wet food, you need to pay attention to the consistency and color of the meat, as well as the texture of the sauce: the presence of jelly and unnatural, identical pieces of pink color without fibers is undesirable

The presence of cellulose in feed is not recommended. Some manufacturers add it to clean teeth, but this is not necessary because cats do not chew granules. Cellulose can cleanse the walls of the gastrointestinal tract, but with the same success, coarse abrasive particles can cause increased sensitivity and inflammation. With long-term consumption of food containing cellulose, cats develop gastrointestinal diseases.

It is advisable to avoid wet food that contains additional thickeners, gelling components and analogues. In some cases, it is impossible to avoid their use, so their presence is due to the peculiarities of production technology, but these substances are not included in the natural diet of predators. There are no third-party thickeners in high-quality feed.

How to choose?

The most important selection criterion is the composition of the feed.

A high-quality product must first of all contain meat, and at least 35–50% of the composition. A higher content is possible - up to 70–80%; as a rule, this is holistic food. An important point - sometimes the manufacturer talks about 100% meat content in the feed. However, this is just a marketing ploy; such a product would simply be impossible to store.

After making sure that the meat is contained in the required quantities, it is important to understand what kind of meat it is. Required - type of meat (chicken, beef, rabbit)

If the package simply says the word “meat”, most likely, skin, bones, beaks, and tendons are hidden under it. They do not have high nutritional value for the animal.

The most valuable, in terms of amino acid content, are chicken and turkey, followed by fish in second place, and beef and lamb in third place. However, the same chicken can cause allergies.

Of the by-products, preference should be given to kidneys, hearts, lungs, and stomachs. The presence of tripe and chicken heads is acceptable in small quantities. Typically, these by-products are found only in super-premium foods.

The word “offal” should not scare away the buyer. However, their content is no more than 10–15% of the composition, ideally there should also be a decoding - liver, kidneys, heart.

Plant fiber is another essential ingredient. The acceptable rate is 20–25%. If these indicators are higher, the feed should be discarded. Preference should be given to rice and barley.

Fats are an essential component. For an adult cat, food should contain at least 10–15% fat, for kittens - at least 20%. The fact is that fats are involved in the production of substances responsible for strong immunity. A cat needs a higher fat content during pregnancy and lactation.

However, excessive amounts of fat in the feed can cause stool disorders and liver disease. A lack of fat is usually found in economy-class feeds and some premium types.

Super-premium food and holistic foods must contain vitamin and mineral supplements. Among those vital for fluffies are B vitamins, vitamin E, ascorbic acid, H, B15, K. Minerals include cobalt, calcium, iron, copper.

In addition to the composition, it is important to pay attention to such criteria when choosing food

Manufacturer country

A widely advertised food is not always the best option for your pet. Those products that often appear in television advertising, unfortunately, mostly belong to the economy class. The leading positions are occupied by products from the UK, Canada, Germany, Denmark, and the USA.

It is always better to purchase food directly from the manufacturer or official representative.

Feed consistency

It can be wet or dry, and the wet consistency has several varieties - from puree to pates and jellies (small pieces drenched in a thick broth).

Wet food is primarily intended for kittens, but as the animal grows, it is necessary to “guide” it to dry food. Solid food helps develop jaws, clean teeth, and is also necessary for proper bowel function.

Kittens should choose solid food with small granules. Smaller pieces are also necessary for some cat breeds, for example, British and Persians. This is due to the structural features of their jaw apparatus.

You can pamper an adult pet with pate and jelly, but you shouldn’t switch it exclusively to wet food.

We have already written about the importance of more solid food for cats.

Features of food selection

There are many quality criteria, but the main ones can be identified.

Table: feed analysis depending on class

Ingredient positions

The first thing you need to pay attention to is the position of the components in the composition. At the beginning there must certainly be meat or whole carcasses. Cereals, vegetables or by-products should not occupy a leading position. Since we are talking about cat food, the basis of the diet should be meat.

Orijen dry food is a prime example of high-quality ready-made diets: the first 5–10 positions in the list of ingredients are consistently occupied by products of animal origin

Ideally, there should be several meat components in the first place. The presence of grains in the feed is permissible only if they are located at the end of the list. The presence of several varieties of grains or their components (gluten, extract, flour, etc.) close to the beginning of the composition indicates a predominance of plant proteins over animal proteins, which is unacceptable for cats. Many manufacturers are trying to mislead buyers in this way: they indicate wheat, corn, wheat gluten, and flour in the list of ingredients, but in the first place they leave fresh meat, which is taken into account along with water. As a result, the share of easily digestible animal products is less than 10%.

It is desirable to have a percentage of the main components in the composition. This allows you to get at least a rough idea of ​​the quality of the feed. Typically, the percentage of components is indicated by manufacturers of holistic and super-premium diets. Companies involved in the production of budget food hide information.

Ash content

During the preparation of dry food, heat treatment destroys some organic components. Inorganic substances, which are minerals, do not burn. It is this remaining part that is commonly called ash. This is not a harmful additive, a cheap filler or a by-product, but substances that the cat’s body needs to function properly. It was previously believed that ash increased the risk of developing urolithiasis, but in the 1980s scientists proved that this was not the case.

Most grain-free foods have a high ash content (8–9%), so cats eat them less readily.

The level of ash content depends on the raw materials used. For example, when pulp is processed, less inorganic substances will remain than when bones or muscles are burned. For this reason, high ash content in cheap feeds may indicate the use of low-quality ingredients. A low concentration of minerals is also dangerous, since the animal does not receive enough useful substances from such food. Additionally, ash content affects the palatability of the food: if there is too much inorganic residue, the pet will refuse food. For example, my cat turns away from many foods that contain more than 8% ash.

The optimal figure is considered to be 6–7%. In fact, many holistic foods contain 9-10.5% ash. This is due to the use of preventative supplements and herbal raw materials instead of minerals. For castrated cats, it is advisable to purchase food with low ash content in order to normalize the acidity of urine, but it is better to focus on the concentration of magnesium, calcium and phosphorus.

Digestibility

The digestibility of feed should be maximum: the more nutrients the pet receives from the diet, the better. The optimal level is considered to be 25%. Digestibility can be indirectly determined by the volume of animal feces. The less the cat’s body receives substances from food, the more feces are excreted, i.e. the ingredients simply pass through the gastrointestinal tract in transit.

By-products

By-products themselves are an ambiguous component. On the one hand, they may contain useful substances. On the other hand, manufacturers of budget food often use cheap by-products as a filler.

Lamb lung contains a lot of cartilage tissue, so it helps prevent the development of pathologies of the musculoskeletal system

High-quality diets include liver, lungs, kidneys, and sometimes hearts, cartilage and chicken heads. Such by-products provide the animal’s body with glucosamine, chondroitin, amino acids, energy, minerals, vitamins, etc. This is only true if the total share of such ingredients does not exceed 15%. If the manufacturer uses high-quality components, he indicates their type and does not hide the composition of the mixture.

Cheap offal can actually be anything. For example, a cancerous tumor, a bladder with its contents, intestines, horns, bones, beaks, etc. Such additives have zero nutritional value and can even pose a danger to animals. If a manufacturer uses low-quality by-products, he usually indicates common names: “by-products”, “processed products”, etc.

The best super premium cat foods

Includes a large percentage of meat components. Vegetable protein is minimal, but it is allowed. The content of cereals is also acceptable, but in small quantities. Based on the reviews, the VyborExpert team selected three nominees.

Royal Canin 37, prevention of excess weight

Manufacturer: Royal Canin. Dry food is developed taking into account the needs of castrated and sterilized animals. Age – from one to six years. Available in packs of 0.4, 1.2, 2, 4 or 10 kilograms. Cat-friendly kibble size.

Neutered pets do not need excessively high-calorie nutrition, as they quickly gain excess weight. Royal Canin food helps reduce it due to its reduced fat content. Properly selected BJU will not allow the development of obesity, but will preserve the required amount of muscle mass and support the health of the urinary system.

The manufacturer has increased the content of protein components in the product, which helps maintain muscle tone. The optimal mineral composition improves kidney function, reducing the likelihood of stone formation. Due to the L-carnitine included in it, the animal’s body actively processes fat reserves.

If a mixed diet is practiced, then feeding standards must be strictly taken into account.

Advantages:

• Appetizing smell;
• Does not cause allergies;
• Prevents the formation of kidney stones;
• Easily digestible;
• High-quality mineral composition.

Flaws:

• There is no zipper on the bag.

According to customer feedback, animals like the product and eat it with pleasure. Improves the condition of the coat, removes the symptoms of urolithiasis.

Hill's Science Plan, with chicken

Manufacturer: Hill's. Food for sterilized cats is designed taking into account the characteristics of the body. Available in packages weighing 0.3, 1.5, 3 and 10 kilograms. Designed for feeding pets aged one to six years.

It's part of the Science Plan line, which means it contains tasty, easy-to-digest ingredients and high-quality protein. The formula maintains healthy skin, improves coat condition and normalizes stool. It also contains natural antioxidants that enhance the animal’s immune defense.

Hill's Science Plan helps keep your pet's weight under control due to the presence of L-carnitine, and thanks to its balanced vitamin and mineral formula, supports the health of the genitourinary system. Reduced fat content and increased L-lysine content make the pet more active.

Advantages:

• Easy to digest ingredients;
• Contains L-carnitine, L-lysine;
• Maintaining ideal weight;
• Balanced set of minerals;
• Low fat content;
• Normalizes digestion;
• Convenient snake clasp.

Flaws:

• Low calorie content.

Berkley grain-free, with poultry, with wild berries

The rating of dry and wet cat food includes the manufacturer - Berkley. The products of this brand belong to the super-premium group, so they contain only high-quality natural ingredients. Canned food is intended for kittens under one year of age and fully satisfies the needs of a growing organism. Available in 200 gram cans.

The food consists of 70% poultry meat and is enriched with vitamins and minerals. Cereal and vegetable proteins are absent. A special feature of the product is the presence of forest berries: cranberries and blueberries.

The canned food contains no soy, artificial flavors, chemical preservatives or dyes. The nutrition is characterized by a thoughtful, balanced formula, which was developed by a team of professional nutritionists and veterinarians.

The product belongs to the grain-free group, so it can be recommended for pets intolerant to grains.

Advantages:

• High quality ingredients;
• Natural composition, does not contain grains;
• Fragrant;
• 70% meat composition.

Flaws:

• A bit expensive;
• Big expense.

Composition of special feeds

Specialized feeds have completely different requirements, so their composition may differ from the standard one.

Kitten food

Kittens should receive more vitamins, unsaturated fatty acids, minerals and calories, as their body is actively developing. It is desirable to have colostrum or other supplements that strengthen the immune system. Fish oil provides the kitten’s body with fatty acids and vitamins E, so its presence is preferable.

Most often, the composition of kitten food is the highest quality among the entire line, so it can be used to indirectly evaluate the brand’s products as a whole.

Food for older cats

Foods for older cats are often lower in calories, because as animals get older they become less active, which can cause obesity. Diets include preventative supplements to maintain joint health.

Food for sterilized cats

Food for sterilized animals has a reduced calorie content. Due to the disappearance of the reproductive instinct in cats, sexual hunting stops, which takes a lot of energy. This increases the risk of obesity. It is desirable to have preventive additives (berries or fruits) in the composition to normalize the acidity level of urine. This prevents the development of ICD. Foods for neutered cats may contain less minerals to reduce the risk of stone formation.

Preventive and therapeutic feeds

The composition features differ depending on the type of feed. Let's look at the main types of specialized diets:

1. For removing fur. The composition includes more sources of fiber (vegetables and fruits) for the timely capture and removal of hairs from the gastrointestinal tract.
2. For the treatment of kidney diseases. Reduced proportion of phosphorus. Supplements (aloe, flax seeds, etc.) can be introduced to protect the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract: with uremic syndrome there is a high risk of damage to them.
3. For the treatment of pathologies of the lower urinary tract. Reduced proportion of minerals. Added ingredients to normalize urine acidity.
4. To maintain liver health. The proportion of fats and proteins is reduced to reduce the load on the diseased organ and prevent the development of encephalopathy.
5. Hypoallergenic. The food has a laconic composition. Rare meats may be present.

   When choosing a hypoallergenic food, you should carefully study the composition: often unscrupulous manufacturers do not add meat to the diet at all

6. Diabetic. Wheat and corn are replaced with sources of slow carbohydrates - barley, oats and beans.
7. For the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. If your cat is constipated, you should give her food with a high concentration of fiber. In case of hypersensitivity, gastritis, colitis and other pathologies, the proportion of coarse fibers is reduced and pro- and prebiotics are added.
8. To improve the condition of coat and skin. The composition includes fish and fish oil: they contain unsaturated acids and vitamin E, which promote hydration and shine.

The Right Fats

When comparing dry food by composition, look at the fats. They perform several important functions at once:

• serve as the main source of energy for a predator (like carbohydrates for herbivores);
• supply essential fatty acids Omega-3 and Omega-6, which cannot be synthesized by the body;
• promote the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.

It is normal for a cat to get up to 40-50% of its calories from fat. It is desirable that it be of animal origin: lamb, chicken, duck, pork. A huge plus will be the inclusion of fish oil: it contains the most Omega-3.