Compare cat food: photos, composition, classes and types, food review

The health of pets largely depends on their diet. Today, most of them eat industrial powdered formula. And in order to choose the right food for your cat, you need to be able to decipher its composition. Let’s say right away that you shouldn’t buy economy class food, they contain a lot of ingredients and flavorings that are harmful to animals, it is better to give preference to premium and super premium classes.

How dry industrial mixtures are produced

Before a brand is approved for release, feline nutritionists work. They develop and approve the composition of the final product.

According to the finished recipe, all components are mixed in special units: meat, offal, vegetable raw materials, additional ingredients - preservatives, stabilizers, additives. The finished mass is pressed through a sieve, the cells of which have the shape of future granules.

After drying, the finished pieces are treated with a special composition - a mixture of fat and ingredients that give the food a taste that is attractive to the cat.

Meat after drying cannot occupy more than half the volume, its usual rate is lower - about 35 percent, therefore, if it is not in first place in the list on the product label, this is normal.

The advantage of any food is the absence of flavors and dyes, components that are clearly harmful to animals.

The daily intake of the mixture is also important - the lower it is, the more nutritious the food.

The moisture content of dry food is always no more than six percent.

Economy class

The name of the class of cat food “economy” speaks for itself. These are the most inexpensive, and therefore the lowest quality feeds. Everything is correct and logical. But are they so bad? There are a lot of myths about such food, ranging from the fact that special additives are added there for addiction (after all, supposedly an animal in its right mind will not eat it), ending with the banal excuse that it is poison.

Let's be constructive and face the truth. Economy class cat food is definitely not poison, and no matter how much it wants, the manufacturer cannot add “secret” powders to the food to make it taste attractive and addictive. Information about the contents of the packaging of any product in the Russian Federation is an extremely important responsibility of any manufacturer.

and if any component is found that is not included there, it faces at least a recall of all products, colossal fines, not to mention a hopelessly damaged reputation. After all, the category economy in this sense is always under “special control” of the public in one form or another - just give a reason.

Composition and prices

What about the composition? After all, this is the key question. When producing a complete, balanced diet for cats, the manufacturer always faces a choice between the price of the product and the quality of the product. And speaking about the economy segment, the manufacturer is guided by the following principle:

  • Ensure that the food is completely nutritious (that is, by eating only it, the cat will receive all the nutrients necessary for a healthy life)
  • Ensure good palatability of the food (after all, if you make food only from corn, not a single cat will eat it)
  • Provide an affordable price on the shelf. But we will dwell on the price in more detail.

How can you reduce the price if you look at the composition of the feed?

  • Buy cheaper raw materials
  • Develop a recipe in which the composition will be complete, but at the same time with a minimum content of “expensive calories” - meat.
  • Buy cheaper packaging for feed.

It is important to understand that one of the serious criteria for assessing the class of food is the cost of the “conditional protein” in the food. The more of it, the faster the cat eats, the less food is needed

Economy food contains little protein, cats eat worse and require more food on average. Therefore, the savings are in a sense imaginary - if you really approach this issue scrupulously, then you need to take a calculator and consider what is more profitable.

There are also unscrupulous manufacturers who do not care about cats at all and add dyes, flavors, preservatives, etc. to the composition. Read the ingredients - everything is always there.

List of brands

Economy class cat food includes the following brands:

  • Kiteket
  • Whiskas
  • Friskies
  • Felix
  • Gourmet

These are the most famous representatives of this class. You can also take the price on the shelf as a guide. If a pouch costs less than 20 rubles = consider it an economy price.

Wet food

They can be considered an intermediate link between canned food and dry mixes.

The main difference is humidity and packaging. These are usually single-dose food packets that are soft morsels in a jelly or sauce. Their humidity is much higher than that of dry food, but lower than that of canned food and is no more than 35 percent.

If the cat does not finish the portion, it quickly dries out and becomes unusable. You can put half a sachet in a bowl, open it and store it in the refrigerator.

About products

As part of a fan study by Roskachestvo, the most popular dry dehydrated food on the Russian market (12% moisture) for adult dogs and for the growth and reproduction of dogs in the form of granules or powder was studied. The study included 39 brands of food for adult dogs and 5 for puppies. The testing program included about 200 quality and safety indicators, most of which were the presence of various pesticides and the content of useful elements. The cost of products at the time of purchase ranged from 55.44 to 972.5 rubles per kilogram. Most of the products - 16 brands of food for adult dogs and three for puppies - were manufactured in Russia. However, the study also included imported food. For adult dogs - seven brands from Canada, five from Italy, four from Germany, three from the Czech Republic, two from the UK and one each from Poland and Belgium. For puppies - one brand each from Canada and the USA. A study conducted by Roskachestvo showed that among the most popular dry dog ​​food in Russia, there is not a single one that is unsafe. However, only two foods for adult dogs met the increased requirements of the Roskoshchestvo standard - Perfect Fit
(complete dry food with chicken for adult dogs of small and miniature breeds over one year old) and
Purina one
(complete dry food for adult dogs of small breeds over one year old, with high containing beef and with rice), as well as two foods for puppies -
Pedigree
(complete dry food for puppies of all breeds from 2 months) and
Royal Canin
(complete dry food for puppies of very small dogs (adult dog weight - up to 4 kg) aged up to 10 months).
Please note that this standard is voluntary. However, only the listed brands of puppy food will be contenders for the Russian Quality Mark. The named food for adult dogs is of foreign origin. STANDARD OF THE RUSSIAN QUALITY SYSTEM
The standard of the Russian quality system for dry food (for dogs and for the growth and reproduction of dogs), applying for the Russian Quality Mark, has established advanced requirements for the acid and peroxide number of fat, non-compliance with which indirectly indicates damage to the product. In addition, according to the standard, the feed is not allowed to contain pesticides, antibiotics, GMOs, mycotoxins, dyes (tartrazine, ponceau, azorubine and red charm) and preservatives (sorbic and benzoic acids). Also, the Roskachestvo testing program has established standards for additional indicators of the chemical composition and nutritional value of complete dry food for dogs and puppies (amino acid content), as close as possible to the recommendations of FEDIAF (European Federation of the Pet Food Industry). The required level of product localization for the assignment of the Russian Quality Mark is at least 50% of the cost of the product.

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.

Dyes and preservatives in food are a myth

There is an opinion among consumers that artificial colors are added to dry food. We managed to prove that this opinion is nothing more than another myth. In the food we tested, we did not find such artificial colors as tartrazine, ponceau, azorubine and charming red. Most likely, the food gets its color due to natural dyes.

Also, the studied food did not contain preservatives (sorbic and benzoic acids) and fat antioxidants (butyloxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene), which protect the food from oxidation and, accordingly, from spoilage. Thus, we have dispelled another common myth: manufacturers do not increase the shelf life of food using the listed preservatives and antioxidants. In addition, we did not find nitrites in the studied food (they could have come from plant materials), which negatively affect the dog’s body.

Raw natural food

A fairly young generation of super premium food. These are natural meat products, usually blast frozen. Every year they become more and more popular among supporters of healthy animal nutrition, since this diet is most similar to the natural one. In our country you can buy such food from American brands Balanced Blends, Darwin's Natural Pet Products, Primal. A well-known domestic brand is Superpet.

Natural food contains fresh raw meat (chicken, turkey, quail, beef, lamb, rabbit), vegetables, eggs (quail and chicken), bran, vitamins and microelements.

The advantages of such nutrition are the absence of vegetable protein, preservatives, flavors and flavor enhancers.

GMOs: discovered for the first time, but no need to be afraid

Yes, for the first time in the entire existence of Roskachestvo, we found GMOs in a product. Moreover, in food for adult dogs there are 21 brands out of 39 and in food for puppies three out of five brands, both imported and domestic. Genetically modified soybeans were most often identified. However, there is no need to be afraid. Director of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "All-Russian State Center for Quality and Standardization of Medicines for Animals and Feed" (FSBI "VGNKI") Leonid Kish

commented:

– It should be noted that manufacturers do not indicate soy in the composition. Therefore, we can assume that this is either falsification or a technically irremovable impurity. Due to the intersection of logistics of GM products and non-GM products (transportation by the same transport, storage in the same warehouses), the risks of unintentional contamination of raw materials are high. At the moment, no one can officially say that the discovered GMOs are harmful. To make a statement about the dangers of GMOs, long-term large-scale studies and experiments are required, as well as post-marketing monitoring. GMOs found in the studied dog food are permitted for use in food producing countries. In the Russian Federation, these lines have not passed the state registration procedure in the prescribed manner and are not registered for the production of feed and feed additives.

Out of 21 cases, we highlight only the food manufacturer Grandorf

. He indicated in his labeling: “Does not contain GMOs,” which means he deceived the consumer.

Note that when testing dry cat food, GMOs were not found even in trace amounts.

Industrial feed composition tables

The tables list all possible components and evaluate them; those that may be harmful to the cat’s health are separately noted.

Meat ingredients

IngredientAllowed and prohibited components
Meat*Beef pulp, fat, cartilage, heart, tongue, etc.
Meat by-productsEntrails, bones and blood. There should be no horns, teeth, hooves, fur.
BirdCarcasses with bones and skin.
Poultry by-productsBird entrails, bones and blood. No - feathers.
FlourmeatDried and ground meat and offal. Cannot contain bones, blood, fur, feathers, hooves, horns, etc.
meat and boneDried and ground meat, bones and offal. Phosphorus content – ​​not less than 4%, calcium – 8.8%. The protein content (digested with pepsin) is no more than 12%.
from offalDried and ground meat and offal into flour.
Hydrolyzed proteinProtein broken down into amino acids. According to manufacturers, it does not cause allergies in cats. The nutritional value and safety for the animal are questionable.
BaconNatural flavor.
BouillonA decoction of meat and bones (the label should indicate what it is from - pork, fish, etc.). Typically includes monosodium glutamate. A good alternative to water to increase feed moisture.
FatbeefNatural attractant, source of Omega-6 acids.
chicken
Chicken oil – rendered internal fat
Skim milkTypically used only in kitten foods. Contains protein and lactose, which are not digestible by adult cats.
Porcine plasmaLow quality protein from:blood.
Egg powdercrushed and dried eggs.

*Meat - beef, pork, goats, sheep - do not require the type of animal to be indicated on the label. Poultry, venison, buffalo and others - species must be specified.

Cereal ingredients

Fillers forming feed granules
IngredientIs the source, properties
Corn starchCarbohydrates
FlourcornCarbohydrates and plant proteins.
oatmeal
wheat
rice made from polished white rice
Wheat gluten
Beer riceIn high quantities it destroys taurine.
TapiocaIn the form of starch and flour. Low protein, high carbohydrates.
Other components
Pea proteinLow quality vegetable protein.
Corn gluten
Pea flourCrushed fried peas improve the digestibility of pea flour.
Dark riceCarbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals. In high quantities it destroys taurine.
BarleySource of dietary fiber.

Vegetables and fruits, greens

Fillers forming feed granules
IngredientIs the source, properties
Sweet potatoCarbohydrates and dietary fiber.
BlackberryDietary fiber.
Potato starchCarbohydrates.
Other Ingredients
CarrotDietary fiber.
Plantain
Pumpkin
Zucchini
BlueberryVitamins and antioxidants, acidifier.
CranberryVitamins, acidifier.
RosemaryNatural preservative.
Blueberry extract
Garlic
AlfalfaGreen sprouts, low quality vegetable protein.
MolassesSugarcane waste, calcium and betaine.
GingerNormalization of digestionRemoving hairballs.
ParsleyBreath freshening.
ThymeIn minimal quantities, toxic, antiparasitic agents.
Garlic
YuccaEliminates and masks unpleasant odors of granules and feces.

Lactobacilli

Lactobacillus acidophilusProbiotics are substances that contain live bacteria from the body’s own microflora.
Bacillus subtilis
Bifidobacterium Thermophilum
Enterococcus Faecium
Bifidobacterium Longum

Yeast, fiber

Fillers forming feed granules
IngredientIs the source, properties
Tomato pasteDietary fiber.
Cellulose
PerillaA mint type plant. Source of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. In concentrated form it causes diarrhea. Considered toxic. Used only in feed produced in China, Korea and Japan.
Other components
Chicory root extractInulin, prebiotic*.
MOS, FOS
Peas and podDietary fiber.
Oat bran
Beet pulp and pulp
Flax-seed
Seeds, skin and pulp of tomatoesPrebiotic.
Brewer's yeastLow-quality vegetable protein, prebiotic*.
Rice branDietary fiber in large quantities is destroyed by taurine.

*Prebiotic is a growth stimulator of living bacteria of the body’s own microflora.

Vitamins and minerals

IngredientIs the source, properties
Iron proteinateGland.
Amino acid chelatecobaltAmino acids and vitamin B12.
magnesiumAmino acids and magnesium.
copperCopper.
zincZinc.
YodatpotassiumIodine and potassium.
calciumCalcium. In minimal quantities it can cause thyroid dysfunction.
CarbonatecalciumCalcium. Prevents granules from sticking together.
cobaltVitamin B12.
SulfatecalciumThese elements.
gland
magnesium
manganese
copper
zinc
chondroitinPrevents joint disease.
PhosphatedicalciumPhosphorus and calcium.
calcium
tricalcium+ prevents granules from sticking together
Sodium SeleniteSodium.
Zinc oxideZinc.
Betaine anhydrousCholine substitute.
Sodium bisulfateVitamin K, acidifier.
Thiamine mononitrateB1.
PantothenatecalciumB5, pantothenic acid.
calcium DSynthetic pantothenic acid.
TocopherolNatural preservative, vitamin E.

Dyes, preservatives, attractants

IngredientProperties, characteristics
FlavorsartificialSynthetic additives with odors.
naturalObtained from natural raw materials, such as fat.
Ascorbic acidNatural preservative.
GelatinLow quality protein, collagen.
GumNatural gelling and stabilizing agent.
CaramelNatural dye.
SodiumnitriteColor stabilizer, carcinogen.
chlorideNatural preservative, stimulator of water consumption in animals.
Red 3Dye, carcinogen.
EthylenediamineIodine.

*Attractant is a component that affects a cat’s taste buds, attracting it.

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.

Composition analysis by class

The most expensive and high-quality food is super premium food, followed by premium and economy.

The cheapest foods are the most widely advertised and are still in great demand. But you cannot feed a cat such mixtures for a long time.

Premium and super premium food are much more expensive, as they are made from high-quality raw materials and differ only in the percentage of meat ingredients.

Super premium and holistic are the best options as they serve as a complete replacement for raw meat. The high price corresponds to their quality. Even if you switch your cat to natural food, you will have to additionally introduce vitamin supplements, micro- and macroelements into the diet; this option is unlikely to be cheaper.

The best cat foods in the category: holistic

There can be nothing better for your beloved pet than dry food from the Holistic series. These are new generation products that are created by professionals for professionals. The composition of this food is as natural as possible, it contains no preservatives and is as digestible as possible for the animal. In the line of companies producing holistic food, there is an offer for every taste, but not for every budget - such products are very expensive, because they require not only high-quality raw materials, but also special production technology.

Innova Cat and Kitten

Photo: www.catster.com

Average price in the Russian Federation: from 1200 rubles. for 2.7 kg

Why in the rating: this food’s composition is almost perfectly balanced, rich in all necessary substances, and even the protein in it is of animal origin. Thanks to the maximum nutritional value, a cat only needs a small portion to fill up. There are no ingredients in food of this level that could harm the animal.

Disadvantages: Innova Cat and Kitten is one of the most expensive foods and in Russia you can only get it on the Internet. It should be remembered that it contains quite a lot of protein, and therefore it should not be given to castrated animals.

Rating: 10 out of 10

From reviews of Innova Cat and Kitten cat food: “Food with a protein content of about 30% is suitable for extremely healthy and active cats, but will not be very good for neutered animals.”

Acana

Photo: www.tenfingers4paws.com

Average price in the Russian Federation: from 1000 rubles. for 2.27 kg

Why in the rating: this food consists of 80% natural high-quality meat ingredients, and is also additionally rich in lactobacilli and probiotics necessary for animals. But, fortunately, there are no grain crops in it at all. In Russia you can buy both on the Internet and in some veterinary pharmacies.

Disadvantages: Acana’s line of food is quite limited, divided by age, and therefore it cannot offer anything for cats with special needs or patients.

Rating: 9 out of 10

From reviews of Acana cat food: “If the animal is healthy and reacts normally to protein, then there will be no problems with nutrition.”

Table of comparative analysis of feed by class

Characteristics of industrial cat food are given in the table.

CharacteristicTrademark% meat contentPrice 1 kg, rub.
Economy
They contain by-products from meat ingredients, and low-quality grains and soy from vegetable ingredients. Additives include many carcinogens and artificial flavors. The cheapest and most undesirable class of food for a cat’s diet. Lead to indigestion, allergies, and chronic diseases. Sold in all supermarkets and widely advertised. Whiskas, Friskas, Kitekat, Darling, Felix, Cat Chow (Cat Chow), Purina Van (Purina One), Perfect Fit (often classified as premium, but it does not reach it)

From 4 to 6From 80
Premium
Average quality ingredients used. Quite a high content of animal proteins. Well absorbed by the cat's body with the least amount of indigestible waste. The cost is 20-50 percent higher than economy class. Most often sold in pet stores. 1st Choice, Happy Cat, Hills, Proplan, Royal Canin, Yams, ProbalanceFrom 10 to 20From 250
Super premium
They have a balanced composition, high nutritional value, and are completely absorbed by the cat’s body. Contains natural meat and high-quality cereals. They do not contain artificial additives, taste improvers or carcinogenic substances. Expensive. Sold only in pet stores. Monge, Leonardo, Bozita, Nature's Protection50 or moreFrom 700
Holistics
Protein - only fresh and dehydrated meat and fish.
No plant materials. Carbohydrates - potatoes, rice, peas, lentils. No corn, wheat. Only natural preservatives (tocopherols). Fiber - vegetables, fruits, dried berries. Hypoallergenic product. Sold only in specialized pet stores.
Akana, Orijen, Go Natural! (Go Natural), Now, Golden Eagle Holistic Health (Golden Eagle Holistic), Pronature Holistic

50 and aboveFrom 1450

What to look for when choosing and comparing

Cat food analysis takes into account several characteristics. These include:

  • country of production (here the leaders are Canada, the USA, Germany, the UK and Denmark);
  • consistency of food (dry or wet);
  • composition of ingredients (one of the most important factors when choosing and comparing);
  • class (economy, premium, super premium, elite).

Among the variety of goods on the shelves of modern stores, it is easy for an ordinary person to get lost. Someone pays attention to the packaging, which is stupid to say the least. Others consider the brand to be popular or not. However, it is easy to make a mistake here too.

The famous name of the manufacturer does not guarantee that the food will be good. Some brands are simply widely advertised, but their quality leaves much to be desired. Other manufacturers are unfairly on the outskirts, but at the same time produce an excellent product.

It is difficult for the average resident to navigate today's variety of products on the shelves of stores and veterinary pharmacies. He simply does not have the knowledge to objectively compare feed composition and other characteristics. The following information, based on expert data, will help solve this problem.

Composition is the main factor in comparison

The composition of the feed is the first thing you should pay attention to when choosing food. cat food research and . A quality product must contain meat , because small predators really need it.

A good meal consists of 35-50% meat. If a product is stated to contain 100% meat (i.e. all), then you should not buy it immediately. Most likely, this is food from an unscrupulous manufacturer who is deceiving the buyer.

The food manufacturer may not be lying in this way, but he is not telling the truth. After all, under the word “meat” there can be something else - cartilage, bone meal, hooves, etc.

There are many such "good" ingredients in cheap food products, and the cat owner thinks that he is buying a real meat product for his pet. That's why you need to look for the decoding (chicken, beef, rabbit) and, if available, take it.

When comparing the composition of cat food, you need to consider how many other ingredients they contain. Ideally, food should contain about 20% protein. Plant fiber (fiber), the product of which consists of a quarter, is good.

Many people are discouraged by the word “offal” on the label. However, it's not bad. Liver, heart, kidneys are very useful for cats and people. It’s good if their composition is about 10%.

When comparing cat food shown on a store shelf, you should pay attention to minerals and vitamins. Their presence is a big plus. In particular, we are talking about B vitamins, as well as C, E, I15, H, K. Of the minerals a cat needs:

  • calcium;
  • chlorine;
  • iron oxide;
  • cobalt

. If they are, product comparison wins. Note the owner's favorite sign on the "meat-flavored" label. This means that instead of real meat, the food contains only the taste that is provided by harmful additives. The kitten will happily swallow such a dish, attracted by the aroma, but this can negatively affect its health. Such substances have a harmful effect on the furry body:

  • cellulose;
  • sugar;
  • preservatives;
  • antioxidants E320, 321, 324;
  • icon H127 (causes cancer).

If you see these ingredients in the food, it's best to put the can back on the counter. Compared to the others, she clearly loses. No caring owner would poison their animal. Moreover, today there are many options and there are many alternatives.

When trying to decide on a purchase and compare multiple emissions, you should pay attention to how much of the product the manufacturer recommends giving your cat per day. The lower this percentage, the better the product.

Comparison of feed by class

As noted above, there are budget, medium (premium), high (super premium) and elite human (holistic) cat foods. Buying cat food in an online store is more profitable than in a market or a regular store, since you will have more choice and the opportunity to read reviews and descriptions of the food.

The best foods for dogs' musculoskeletal health

Foods for joint health are especially recommended for large breeds and aging pets. After all, they need an increased portion of chondoprotectors, calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D.

Advance Veterinary Diets Articular Care Senior +7 Years Canine Formula – for aging dogs

5.0

★★★★★

editorial assessment

92%

buyers recommend this product

Articular Care Senior +7 Years is designed specifically for older dogs and maintaining the health of their musculoskeletal system. The food belongs to therapeutic diets and is prescribed by a veterinarian for pathological diseases, during the recovery period after injuries, as well as to support animals with osteoarthritis.

The formula is based on hydrolyzed chicken and salmon protein, as well as processed rice. These ingredients are easy for older dogs to digest.

Concentrated pea protein prevents muscle loss and promotes muscle recovery. Glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and fatty acids support healthy cartilage tissue.

Lemon verbena extract reduces pain in the joints and slows down oxidative processes. All this helps to increase the pet's activity. Hyaluronic acid is added to prevent joint diseases. Vitamin K reduces the risk of fractures and prevents osteoarthritis.

Pros:

  • convenient packaging with a clasp;
  • no breed restrictions;
  • effective prevention of skeletal diseases;
  • well absorbed;
  • reduces pain.

Minuses:

  • expensive (from 6 thousand rubles for 12 kg);
  • wheat and corn flour in the composition;
  • may cause an allergic reaction.

Advance Veterinary Diets are suitable for daily feeding of aging dogs. However, the chicken in its composition can cause allergies. At the first sign of intolerance, food should be removed from the diet.

Farmina Vet Life Canine Joint – dietary food for bone disease

4.9

★★★★★

editorial assessment

89%

buyers recommend this product

Farmina Vet Life Canine Joint is a food from the medicinal line of the Italian brand. It is prescribed by veterinarians as an aid to inflammation of the bones or joints. The balanced formula is based on oats and spelled with a low glycemic index. They normalize blood sugar levels and prevent diabetes in animals. The protein component is high-quality chicken meat.

The composition also includes chondroprotectors for the restoration of cartilage tissue. A precisely selected ratio of antioxidants and fatty acids relieves inflammation and pain. The crude fat and oil content is 12%. This ensures the shine of your pet's coat. It also contains extracts of herbs and berries. They aid digestion and are a source of fiber, natural antioxidants and vitamins. The food is available in packs of 2 or 12 kg.

Pros:

  • natural composition;
  • gradually restores cartilage tissue;
  • relieves inflammation and pain;
  • has a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin and coat.

Minuses:

  • difficult to find on sale.

Feeding an animal with Farmina Vet Life Canine Joint does not replace trips to the veterinarian and complex treatment of problems with the pet’s musculoskeletal system. But it can support the health of the animal, so it is worth using as part of therapy.

Which brand of food should I choose?

The specific manufacturer is not particularly important. The most important indicator is the class and composition of the feed. Note that many popular manufacturers have several factories in different countries. And although they indicate the same composition on the packaging, the quality of the food can vary significantly depending on the country in which the food is produced.

The main condition is that the food must meet the dog’s needs; the company does not matter. At the same time, the ranking is topped by the same brands from year to year, so the owner will have to make a choice among a small list.

Sources of carbohydrates

As noted above, eating plant foods is not typical for obligate carnivores, which include cats. But the truth of life is that it is impossible to make dry food exclusively from minced meat: to form stable granules you need a binding component. If it is added only for technological purposes and is in the composition list after meat ingredients, everything is in order.

But there are ready-made diets where sources of carbohydrates (mainly cereals) are used as a cheap filler, which at the same time helps to increase the calorie content of the product and bring the protein level to normal. At the same time, the meat content in the food remains critically low, which means it does not meet the needs of the predator. It is easy to recognize such a product: cereals will be in the first positions in the list of ingredients.

It happens that a manufacturer uses two or more types of grain, such as corn and rice. In this case, they will move to the middle of the list, but the overall percentage of carbohydrate components will still be high.

When comparing two cat foods of similar quality, it is better to give preference to the one that does not contain grains. Legumes, which have a significantly lower glycemic index, are an excellent alternative to grains.

The best dog food for gastrointestinal diseases

For dogs with sensitive digestion, diets with ingredients that are as digestible as possible are recommended. Microelements and prebiotics are also added to the formula to improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

Hill's Prescription Diet I/D Canine - Best Canned Food for Dogs with Sensitive Digestion

5.0

★★★★★

editorial assessment

93%

buyers recommend this product

See review▶

Technologists, nutritionists and veterinarians work on the creation of Hill's food. The quality of the supplied ingredients is carefully controlled, each of them is subject to preliminary testing. Daily analysis of finished products is also carried out.

However, Hill's Prescription Diet is a separate line of food that should be included in the daily diet only for pets with significant health problems and after the recommendation of a veterinarian. Canned food is intended for dogs that often suffer from intestinal upset. The manufacturer promises a visible effect after 3 days of feeding.

The mixture is based on turkey and pork liver, with rice and corn added for nutrition. The formula is enriched with flax seed, psyllium, vitamins and minerals. Special fiber not only improves digestion, but also nourishes intestinal cells. Canned food is colored with natural caramel. As a result, the digestibility of the composition reaches 95%.

Pros:

  • contains antioxidants;
  • consists of highly digestible ingredients;
  • natural composition;
  • Most pets like the taste;
  • There are no breed or age restrictions.

Minuses:

  • cost (250 rubles per jar weighing 360 g).

Hill's Prescription Diet I/D Canine canned food is a medicinal food, but it cannot replace a comprehensive examination and therapy of an animal.

Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Digestion - inexpensive super-premium food

4.8

★★★★★

editorial assessment

90%

buyers recommend this product

Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Digestion with Lamb is suitable for dogs with gastrointestinal problems. The manufacturer offers a line for small, medium and large breeds: the granules differ in size for the convenience of the animals. The food is produced in dense bags weighing from 0.7 to 14 kg.

The composition includes lamb and dried poultry protein, the protein share is 25%. Dried chicory root is a source of prebiotics. The formula also includes antioxidants and a vitamin-mineral complex. Sensitive Digestion is clinically proven to improve gut flora and prebiotics are effective in improving gastrointestinal health.

Pros:

  • available in most pet stores;
  • the presence of vitamins and minerals in the composition;
  • convenient packaging;
  • low cost for super-premium class (2,700 rubles per 7 kg);
  • There are different kibble options for dogs of all sizes;
  • contains prebiotics to improve digestion.

Minuses:

  • low protein levels;
  • presence of ingredients of questionable quality and unknown origin.

Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Digestion contains products from processed plant materials. This component raises questions among veterinarians and dog owners. And the vague wording “lamb” and “poultry protein” does not exclude the presence of offal in the feed instead of pure meat.

GO! Sensitivity + Shine - Grain-Free Formula

4.8

★★★★★

editorial assessment

76%

buyers recommend this product

See review▶

GO! Sensitivity + Shine is a Canadian holistic dry food for dogs with problems with the digestive system. Contains no by-products, gluten, artificial flavors or colors, no corn, wheat or soy. But the high level of fiber (3.5%) cleanses the intestines of toxins, regulates digestion and restores microflora.

The manufacturer offers several flavors to choose from: salmon, venison, turkey, pollock, duck. In any case, the formula implies only one source of high-quality protein in the feed. Carbohydrates include oatmeal, whole oats, potatoes or lentils and peas. It also contains rapeseed oil, a source of vitamin E. Healthy additives in the composition include: apples, flax seeds, quinoa, seaweed, yucca extract, rosemary, chicory root, fatty acids and a vitamin-mineral complex.

The food is nutritious, its calorie content is 3560 kcal/kg. Due to this, the feeding rate is low and the mixture is consumed slowly. The size of the kibble is small, so this diet is suitable for puppies and adult dogs of all breeds. For sale GO! Sensitivity + Shine in 2.72 or 11.3 kg packs.

Pros:

  • suitable for puppies and adult dogs;
  • convenient packaging;
  • rich natural composition;
  • economical consumption;
  • does not cause allergies;
  • thoughtful packaging with Velcro;
  • contains a lot of fiber.

Minuses:

  • difficult to find in pet stores;
  • expensive (about 5,700 rubles for a bag weighing 11.3 kg).

Dog breeders note that the price of this food corresponds to the quality of the holistic class. GO! Sensitivity + Shine is recommended for daily nutrition of animals with problematic digestion or frequent allergies. By the way, its composition has a beneficial effect not only on digestion, but also on the general health of the dog.

Rating
( 2 ratings, average 5 out of 5 )
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