Super premium food for cats and kittens: review, composition, prices

Features of the composition of super premium feed

The source of proteins is high quality meat and offal. Each package indicates their percentage.

Most brands do not contain corn gluten.

Sources of carbohydrates are most often rice and oats, less often potatoes and barley. These components are better absorbed and less allergenic than wheat and corn. Natural preservatives and antioxidants are used in production.

Also read the article about the composition of industrial cat food.

Choosing the right food for your kitten

Choosing the right foods should be done carefully, especially at an early age. There are several reasons to choose food wisely for your small pet. First of all, the diet must contain the nutritional elements the baby needs for the proper formation of organs and systems, good growth; along with food, the cat’s body must receive everything it needs. At an early age this is more important than ever as the animal grows and develops.

Also read the article about what and how to feed a kitten.

It is necessary to think about the choice of food immediately also because veterinarians categorically do not recommend switching the animal to another diet. This should only be done if absolutely necessary, and keep in mind that this is serious stress for the cat.

Every person, when getting a kitten, must immediately determine what he will feed the pet: ready-made food produced industrially, or natural food.

Many experts favor the latter option, since natural food is as close as possible to what a cat can eat in natural conditions. But today more and more people give preference to store-bought food, as it significantly saves time, and often turns out to be more profitable financially.

Ready-made food for cats is divided into categories:

• economy;
• premium;
• super premium;
• holistic.

The cheapest food is economy class. They are often chosen by cat owners. You need to understand that products in this category are made from cheap, often not very high-quality raw materials. They contain almost no meat, but a lot of grains, soy, flavorings, aromas and preservatives. This set can hardly be called useful for a cat’s body.

Premium kitten food is a good choice in terms of price-quality. Manufacturers select the composition more carefully, try to exclude harmful and useless substances, and do not save much on raw materials. Products in the super premium and holistic categories are, of course, of higher quality, but can scare the consumer with the price. Knowing this, retail chains and stores prefer to sell more affordable products. For this reason, food of the highest quality categories can be difficult to find.

When choosing food for your pet, you should also take into account its age, weight, breed, and individual characteristics. You should not feed your cat food intended for dogs. These are other animals. And even if a cat's weight is comparable to that of a small dog, nutrients and their balance vary greatly in products for different types of animals.

Industrial foods are formulated to meet your cat's needs for minerals, vitamins and nutrients. This applies to both dry and wet food of acceptable quality. Manufacturers of economy class products do not pay much attention to a balanced and rich composition. But companies that produce premium products develop pretty good food.

Experts recommend feeding your pet mostly dry food. It does not spoil and can be left in a bowl so that the cat can have a little refreshment at any time. Wet food is recommended to be given approximately once a day.

A caring owner should also take into account the preferences of the kitten itself. Everyone has individual tastes, and different cats like foods with different flavors.

We recommend reading the article-review of Holistic class food.

Positive and negative sides

Pros:

• Thanks to the balance, the cat gets full faster, while satisfying all the body’s needs.
• Special lines are produced to suit the individual needs of each individual.
• Recommended for use by sick, weakened, sterilized pets.
• The full composition is written on the packaging (including percentages).
• High quality ingredients.
• Economical consumption. Because The ingredients include natural meat, the predator gets satiated faster. The resulting energy lasts for a long time, the pet eats less often.

These foods also have their downsides:

• Considerable cost.
• Quality may vary depending on countries of production. Products made abroad are much better than Russian ones.
• They are not sold everywhere; they can be purchased at large pet stores or ordered online.

Prices for food of different classes for cats

Prices for different classes of cat food
Prices for food vary depending on the type of diet. But there may be price fluctuations within different classes:

• Super premium food. The most expensive. Their price ranges from 1000 rubles per pack of dry food 1.5-2 kg. There are also expensive options starting at 2,000 rubles per kg.
• Premium dry food costs from 700-800 rubles per 2 kg.
• Holistic will cost the owner approximately 600 rubles per 1 kg.
• Economy class meals are affordable and start from 200 rubles per 1 kg.

Wet diets vary in cost:

• Super premium - 80 rubles per 50 grams.
• Premium - 50 rubles per 50 grams.
• Holistic - 40 rubles per 50 grams.
• Economy - 25-30 rubles per 50 grams.

Cat food is one of the products whose price directly depends on the quality. The more natural meat there is and the more balanced the food, the more expensive it will be.

The best super premium dry food for cats

First, let's look at the best food in this class, in our opinion. We added them to this list because they contain no or very little potatoes - a typical ingredient in super premium food, and no rice at all, which is not as healthy for cats as the first, although it is undoubtedly better than wheat or corn.

We recommend reading the article TOP 10 dry food for cats and kittens.

WILDCAT

In first place we put WILDCAT food, which is produced in England and Germany. They are not cheap (from 700-750 rubles per kg), but they have the best composition among the entire super premium line. See the table for details.

* all ingredients marked with an asterisk are dehydrated, i.e. dehydrated.

Also, the food for kittens from WILDCAT has an excellent composition, we will talk about it later in this article, where we will consider the best food specifically for small pets.

Pellet size, using Karoo food as an example

Etosha - composition on packaging

Etosha feed pellets

From the author. Many reviews have people saying that these three foods are great for cats with allergies. Their stool returns to normal, their fur stops falling out, etc.

The company has several other foods that we will not recommend among the best, although they are not bad. The fact is that it contains quite a lot of sweet potatoes or even regular potatoes, clarifications in parentheses (*sweet, **regular). These are Bhadra with horse meat (min. 19% *), Rani with pheasant, duck (14.8% *), Andhra with fish (5.5% * + ** in 11th place, unspecified), Hamra with quail ( ** and * in 3rd and 4th place, without %), Serengeti with 5 types of meat (12% ** and the same amount *), Tanganika with trout (12% *, 9% **).

Feeding rates:

The food is available in packages of 0.5 and 3 kg. As we have already said, you can buy it at a price of 700 rubles. per kg. It’s better to order online, you can find it there, unlike pet stores.

Airi

The Dutch manufacturer produces only 2 lines: with chicken and salmon for adult cats, there is no option for kittens. But the composition is very worthy. An overview is presented in the table.

Feeding rates:

Feed is sold in packages of 0.8; 3 and 10 kg. Cost from 842 rubles. per kg when purchasing the smallest pack up to 560 rubles. per kg when purchasing the largest one.

Sanabelle Delicious Adult

*all ingredients marked with an asterisk are dehydrated, i.e. dehydrated.

From the author. There is another food in this line - with salmon and sweet potato. But in our opinion, it contains too many potatoes, the first four ingredients: 37.5% fresh chicken, 18% salmon, 8% dehydrated sweet potato, potatoes. Therefore, we won't recommend it here.

Feeding rates:

Two big disadvantages: food is difficult to find even in online stores, and it is expensive. There are packages of 0.4 kg (600 rubles) and 2 kg (2500 rubles).

Also read about premium food for cats and kittens.

Which cat food is best?

You can determine which cat food is the best, but only after purchasing and taking a “sample” from your pet. The animal will either start eating with pleasure or refuse. And it is impossible to predict in advance what kind of reaction it will give.

The VyborExperta.ru team would like to draw your attention – as a recommendation only – to the following nominees:

• Grandorf hypoallergenic, 4 meats with brown rice - holistic for sterilized cats, does not cause allergies;
• Berkley grain-free, with poultry, with wild berries - canned food for kittens, does not contain grain components;
• Brit Premium Family Plate – complete wet cat food, a set of 12 pouches with different flavors in the format of pieces in jelly;
• Whiskas with chicken and turkey - economy class dry food in the form of pillows with pate inside.

You decide for yourself which dry cat food to choose and buy. But during the search process, it is necessary to take into account the special needs of the pet, as well as the age.

Good super premium dry cat food

Now let’s look at foods that you can buy, but their composition is slightly worse than those we reviewed above. For example, too many potatoes are used. Or rice acts as a carbohydrate component and there is also quite a lot of it (2-3rd place in the composition).

Applaws

This is very good British food. But still, we will not mention it among the best, and all because it contains too many potatoes or legumes. Here, for example, are the first ingredients of food for adult cats with chicken and vegetables: 67% dried chicken, 12% minced chicken, potatoes, beet pulp, etc. Yes, there is a lot of meat, but obviously potatoes too, since they come in third place. It would be better if the manufacturer specified its %, but this is not the case. As for legumes, they are a good component of the food, but there should not be too much of them, as in the Applaws ocean fish food. Again, the first ingredients: 18% fresh white fish, green peas, 12% fishmeal, dried chickpeas, lentils, etc.

There are packages of 0.35; 1.8; 6 kg or 0.4; 2 and 7.5 kg depending on taste. Costs from 420 to 550 rubles. per kg when purchasing the largest pack.

Arden Grange

Food from the UK, grain-free. For adult pets there are three options: regular, dietary and for sensitive digestion. Available in packs of 0.4; 2 and 8 kg. We are not ready to recommend this food among the best, since there are too many potatoes in it. Compositions in the table.

Landor

Spanish food. The granules contain no corn, wheat, or dyes. However, rice or sweet potatoes come in second, depending on taste, and peas come in third. The first contains no meat, poultry or fish, which does not allow us to include this food in the line of the best.

The food is sold in almost any pet store. A package weighing 10 kg will cost 3700-4500 rubles. It is also packaged in 0.4 and 2 kg.

Brit Care

The Czech manufacturer has a fairly large selection of dry food. For adult cats, including those who walk outside and stay indoors, neutered, elderly, gourmets and those with sensitive digestion, for weight control and beautiful coat.

In general, the food can be given to pets, but its composition is not the best. Because it has either rice or potatoes among the first five ingredients. The latter, by the way, is more suitable for cats. The product does not contain corn or wheat. The main meat ingredient, which depends on the taste, is 22-26%.

Available in 0.4; 2 and 7 kg. The largest package will cost approximately 2900 rubles.

Fitmin For Life

Czech food. There aren't many options. For adult cats, these are chicken and salmon; there is also a type for long-haired pets, neutered (there is a lot of pork liver) and for kittens.

The diet contains no allergenic foods: corn and wheat. It is made without the addition of artificial colors. In the first place in the composition is meat, but only some components are specified; it is not completely clear, which is a big minus. For example, here's how the salmon flavor describes the main ingredient: meat (dried poultry, 9% fresh salmon, 6% dried fish, hydrolyzed pork liver). In all types, rice comes in second place. It would be better if the manufacturer specified that it is whole grain, brown, but this is not the case.

Kitten food contains potato starch and is therefore not recommended at all.

There are packages of 0.4; 1.8 and 8 kg. If you buy the largest food it will cost about 380 rubles. per kg.

1st Choice

Several foods are available for adult cats: for domestic cats, sterilized cats, picky cats, for allergies (in the first place is 34% sweet potatoes, then 17% duck), problems with the genitourinary system, for skin and coat health, as well as weight control. There is an option for inactive and aging pets.

The composition of the food is generally good, the % of ingredients is indicated. In the first and second places there is always meat, poultry or fish (17-18% of both ingredients), except for hypoallergenic food, where, as we said, potatoes come first. In third place is Fig.

Available in packages of 0.35; 0.907; 2.72 and 10 kg. The largest one will cost 470-500 rubles. per kg.

Brooksfield

Made in Italy, the following lines have been developed:

• beef and chicken for adult cats;
• turkey for those living in an apartment;
• beef for longhairs;
• chicken for sedentary and castrated people;
• chicken for kittens.

All food contains rice, however, the manufacturer specifies that its formula is low-grain. Consider, for example, the taste for adult cats with chicken. In the first two places is chicken meat, in the first case it is dehydrated and its 31.3%, in the second case it is fresh, 20%. Next comes rice, barley, tapioca, chicken fat, beet pulp, etc. There are no allergens: wheat, corn.

Available in packs of 0.4; 2 and 7.5 kg. It is difficult to find it in pet stores; it is better to order it online. Costs 450-500 rubles. per kg. Buyers complain that the manufacturer did not provide a zip fastener, which is why it cannot be stored for a long time, just clothespins, etc. They don't protect you from dampness. Therefore, it is recommended to buy small packages, but in this case the food will, of course, cost more. From 550 rub. per kg when purchasing 2 kg.

MealFeel

Belgian production. There is food for adult cats with chicken and turkey, with the same taste for older pets and kittens, turkey with fish for sensitive digestion, two types for sterilized cats: with salmon and lamb.

All foods have a good composition except for two options for neutered cats, since corn gluten is listed among the first ingredients. In the first two or three places, depending on taste, go meat or fish, usually 15% each, followed by white rice, peas, etc. For example, the composition of food for adult pets with chicken: 15% each of fresh and dehydrated chicken meat, dehydrated turkey, peas, white and brown rice, 6% animal fat, flaxseed, dried egg products, brewer's yeast, dried carrots, same Antarctic krill, chicory (source of prebiotic and inulin), easily digestible pea protein, ammonium chloride, dried cranberries , rosemary, Macleaia cordata, Yucca Schidigera.

Available in 0.4; 1.5 and 8 kg. It costs about 750 rubles if you buy a medium-sized pack.

Sanabelle (all types except Delicious Adult)

This is a German food from the Bosch brand. The brand produces food for different ages, sensitive gastrointestinal tracts, those with a predisposition to the formation of stones, and for large breeds. The assortment also includes a specific product with ostrich meat. Among the ingredients are poultry meat, % to be specified, rice, rice flour, etc. We would like to note once again that the two versions of Sanabelle Delicious Adult food have a better composition and we recommend them among the best of the entire line, more about this was written above in the article .

Price for 2 kg - 1350 rub. Can be purchased in packs of 0.4; 2 and 10 kg.

Duke's Farm

Manufacturer from Great Britain. Although many buyers whose reviews can be found on the Internet doubt this. If you look at the composition of the food, there is nothing bad in it. On the contrary, he is even good. For example, fresh lamb, chicken meal, % is indicated. Among the first ingredients, however, is white rice, but it can be given to cats, although it is worse than vegetables and fruits. There are different tastes, types for adults, neutered, elderly cats, kittens, etc.

What is alarming is that this food is sold only in Beethoven pet stores and is overly advertised there, including by sales consultants. At the same time, Duke's Farm is not cheap at all, some types cost 1000 rubles. per kg and even more. And the minimum price is about 800 rubles. per kg. Available in packages of 0.3 and 2 kg.

Gina Elite

The manufacturer has factories in the UK and Canada. We still include this food in the line of those that you can buy for your pets, but there are types that we do not recommend, since they contain corn among the first ingredients. This food is for adult cats with chicken and rice (Adult Cat Chicken & Rice), sterilized (Adult Cat Sterilized), kittens (Kitten).

The remaining three foods of the brand, namely duck with rice (Adult Cat Duck & Rice), with sensitive digestion (Adult Cat Sensitive) and grain-free with salmon (Grain Free Adult Cat Salmon) can be purchased. The last one has the best composition of all three: 60% salmon, 20% sweet potato or sweet potato, sunflower oil, potatoes, brewer's yeast, olive oil, peas, carrots, asparagus. The other two contain 31-32% duck or turkey meat, white and brown rice.

You can buy packs of 1; 3 and 15 kg. Two foods with rice and those with corn will cost 650 rubles. per kg when purchasing a large pack. Grain-free is more expensive, it will cost 820 rubles. per kg, if you buy 15 kg.

How to choose cat food

Studying reviews when choosing the best feed manufacturer, experts identified several characteristics that were most often mentioned by customers. They are the ones who act as leaders when purchasing a product. This is the class and type of food, the age of the cat, composition, and the special needs of the animal.

Feed class

Classes of cat food differ in the percentage of meat or fish components.

The product classification is as follows:

• Economy The basis is by-products, cereals, soybeans. Low-calorie food. The percentage of meat components is up to 4%.
• Premium It has a close to optimal ratio of macro- and microelements. Minimum vegetable protein.
• Super premium. Balanced product. Contains only ingredients of natural origin - meat fillet, vegetables, eggs, rice.
• Holistic. Completely natural composition, including substances necessary for full growth and development. The share of meat components accounts for more than 50%.

Type of feed

Depending on the consistency of the feed, they are divided into three groups. This:

• Canned. It has a long shelf life and a large selection of flavors. Contains less carbohydrates and almost 70% water. Recommended for convalescent and aging pets.
• Dry. Allows you to feed your cat on a flexible schedule. Prevents the formation of dental plaque. Sold in bags and boxes of various sizes. Provided the packaging is sealed, it can be stored for several months. Contains a large amount of sugar and only 10% water.
• Semi-dry. Available in the form of multi-colored pieces of soft consistency. The smell is less pronounced compared to canned ones. Contains more sugars than all other foods.

Animal age

When choosing food, it is necessary to take into account the age of the pet. The recommendations are as follows:

• For kittens, it is necessary to choose food whose formula takes into account the needs of a growing organism.
• Inactive cats that are prone to gaining excess weight are given foods with a light composition.
• Pregnant and lactating women need to buy food that takes into account the characteristics of their current condition.
• Aging cats need senior food.

Compound

Before purchasing, study the composition of the product. The components are listed in descending order. The food may include meat - natural or dehydrated - by-products, and also have a mixed composition.

In holistic and premium foods, only natural meat or fish is allowed. A prerequisite is to indicate the percentage of the product on the packaging.

The first to be listed in the food composition is the base product – meat or fish. Natural meat can be replaced with dehydrated meat, i.e. devoid of liquid. Added to feed in ground form. The quality is not inferior to natural.

The composition may contain by-products. The specific type of the latter must be indicated. You should refuse to purchase if the composition does not contain specific ingredients.

Economy class food has the poorest composition. It does not contain pure meat, so the animal will need to be supplemented.

Special Needs

When choosing food, you need to take into account not only the period of your pet’s life, but also the individual characteristics of the body. Depending on this, food can be of the following varieties:

• lightweight;
• everyday;
• medicinal;
• for pregnant / lactating women;
• for sterilized ones.

Worst super premium dry cat food

Now that we have listed the foods that you can buy, I would like to talk about some super premium brands that, in our opinion, are not of such good quality. In this section we will try to explain our point of view. It's up to you to decide whether to buy them or not.

Guabi Natural

The Brazilian corporation offers food for adult and neutered cats, a lightweight option for those who need to lose a few kilograms, for removing hair, and kittens. There is also a separate type for the Persian breed. Some portals indicate that food is also available for other breeds. But we did not find such information on the official distributor’s website (guabinatural.ru).

From the author. The big disadvantage, in our opinion, is that the manufacturer does not specify the % of ingredients, which is not typical for other super premium food products. Wheat gluten is listed among the ingredients, and although it is not among the first, its presence is extremely undesirable. We said that wheat is not digested by cats, causes allergies, and even diabetes in some. Also in first place is chicken meat, it is not clear exactly what it is, perhaps there is skin there. In second place is chicken liver, and although it is very healthy and contains a lot of vitamin A, it is worth considering that it is fatty and it is not recommended to feed it constantly.

You can see the detailed composition of all types of food on the website of the official distributor, which we indicated above.

Weight: 0.5; 1.5; 3; 7.5 kg. The cost of the largest package is about 3,200 rubles.

Leonardo

This is not to say that the composition of the food is completely bad. There is also fresh meat or fish and good offal. However, some types list corn as well as rice among the first 5-10 ingredients. True, to be fair, the manufacturer does not call them hypoallergenic. However, there are such options, and they indicate amaranth (this is a plant; most likely, grains are used in the feed) and potato starch (if they just added sweet potatoes it would be better).

Packing depends on the type, it is 0.3; 1.8 and 7.5 kg. And also 0.4; 2; 7.5 and 15 kg. If you buy the largest package, the food will cost about 600 rubles. per kg.

Flatazor

The manufacturer from France also produces a veterinary line. The diet is available in various flavor variations, for all ages and depending on the characteristics of the body. However, it is not clear to us why this food was included in the super premium list in the first place. The first ingredients include corn, wheat, and wheat gluten. In general, nothing good and hypoallergenic. We do not recommend purchasing this food.

Available in packs of 0.4; 2 and 10 kg. The latter will cost approximately 3,700 rubles.

Blitz

From a domestic manufacturer. In second place in the composition after meat is corn, although it is whole, and therefore we do not recommend this food. In addition, it is quite difficult to find in pet stores. There's no need for that

Available in packages of 0.4; 2 and 10 kg. If you buy the largest one, the food will be very cheap, only 320 rubles. per kg.

Dr Clauder's

Line from a German company. It’s strange that this food is considered super premium. Its composition is more similar to economy. The only difference is that the incomprehensible word “cereals” comes not in first, but in second place, after meat and offal, the % is not specified. A 400 gram package costs only 90 rubles, so it’s unlikely that really good ingredients are used in production.

ProNature Original

Manufacturer from Canada. The composition is good, although not the best: chicken flour, brewer's rice, barley, etc.

But why do we then include this food in the list of the worst? Here's the thing:

From the author. Feed data varies. The official website says that there is no corn in the composition. But there are reviews that it exists and, worst of all, it is in second place. In addition, we noticed that if you look at the composition of the feed in various online stores, it also differs from the official website and it actually contains corn. As we realized after analyzing all this data, the ingredients of the new food have changed. What to do? Carefully read the ingredients on the package before purchasing.

This is what the new packages containing corn look like (usually NEW is specified on the websites):

Available in packages of 0.34; 2.27; 5 and 20 kg. If you buy the largest pack of food it will cost less than 400 rubles. per kg, but when buying a small one, 1 kg will cost more than 1000 rubles.

Bozita

The manufacturer has good wet food, but not dry food. Although meat comes first and its percentage is indicated, the feed contains both wheat and corn. Bozita costs 500-600 rubles. per kg.

Josera

Brief composition of the German brand: poultry flour, corn and its gluten, rice, poultry liver, beets, poultry fat, etc. The ingredients do not contain dyes, natural antioxidants are used. However, the presence of corn and the lack of a % ratio of ingredients does not allow us to recommend this food. In addition, it is almost impossible to buy it in Russia. 1 kg will cost from 500 rubles.

Cimiao

This is a product from the Italian company Farmina. Special lines have been created according to age and individual characteristics.

We do not recommend this food, since it contains corn (in the form for older pets it generally comes first, in others it is specified that it is 10%, etc.), corn gluten.

The approximate cost of a 2 kg package is 1300 rubles.

Schesir

The Italian manufacturer produces food with different flavors (for example, fish, lamb, chicken, beef) for adults, elderly, sterilized pets, and kittens. However, despite the wide variety of the line, we do not recommend it. Since it contains corn, its gluten or gluten, and sometimes all together.

There are packages of 0.4; 1.5 and 10 kg. If you buy the largest one, 1 kg will cost about 420 rubles.

Diets for cats with special needs

Royal Canin Digestive Care

Royal Canin has many lines of cat food - from breed series to diets recommended for specific diseases. Digestive Care - dry granules that help maintain a healthy digestive system. The diet is recommended for cats with a sensitive gastrointestinal tract after food poisoning. This super-premium cat food is suitable if your pet eats too quickly and regurgitates some of what he swallows.

Pros:

• contains LIP protein with high digestibility;
• a mixture of prebiotics in cat food improves intestinal flora;
• Due to the toric shape of the kibble, cats eat them slowly and chew them thoroughly, so the “drying” is easily digested.

Minuses:

• animal fats in the composition are not detailed;
• contains wheat and corn gluten.

Primordial Grain Free Cat Sterilizzato

An example of an excellent grain-free diet for sterilized pets. Solves the main problem of their nutrition - rapid weight gain. This super-premium cat food contains a lot of dietary meat - 35% fresh turkey and 16% chicken. Animal protein takes up 70% of the total volume of the product, the rest is organic fruits, vegetables, and plants. Super-premium cat food Primordial is often classified as holistic due to its balanced composition.

Pros:

• the ingredients are steamed - there are no extra calories in cat food;
• low glycemic index - there is no risk of disruption of blood glucose levels;
• high digestibility - contains prebiotics.

Minuses:

• contains beet pulp and broad beans - not the best addition to a cat’s diet;
• quite scarce - but this is evidence of demand.

Hill's Prescription Diet Metabolic, Urinary Stress Feline

Wet food from a French manufacturer is designed specifically for cats that suffer from diseases of the genitourinary system (including those caused by stress) and are overweight. Recommended as a nutrition during therapy and as a permanent food for cats that are prone to FIC (feline idiopathic cystitis), the formation of struvite crystals and uroliths, etc. Contains ingredients to help control stress. This cat food is based on chicken (27%), consult your veterinarian before introducing it into the diet.

Pros:

• contains substances that acidify urine - reducing the risk of relapse of diseases of the genitourinary system by 89%;
• good vitamin and mineral complex.

Minuses:

• not suitable for pregnant and lactating cats, underweight animals, even if they have relevant diseases.

Arden Grange SENSITIVE

Arden Grange is a British grain-free cat food with a good, balanced composition. The SENSITIVE line is suitable for pets with a sick or sensitive stomach, allergies, irritated skin, and bad hair. This is a dietary super-premium cat food containing ocean white fish. It is hypoallergenic and easily digestible. There are no grains or cereals in the composition, which further reduces the allergy factor.

Pros:

• high content of natural Omega acids and prebiotics FOS and MOS;
• high-quality pea fiber;
• contains taurine, which improves the functioning of the heart and blood vessels.

Minuses:

• cat food contains a lot of potatoes - 26%;
• contains chicken fat and digest.

Mr. Cat recommends: how to choose super premium food for kittens

Kittens have much smaller jaws and a weak digestive system. Therefore, manufacturers have developed special lines for growing pets.

About the composition

The percentage differs from drying for adults. Food for small pets is higher in calories, as they expend more energy.

Manufacturers try to keep proteins and fats as natural as possible. Vitamins and minerals are carefully selected, containing substances necessary specifically for the growing body.

Advantages and disadvantages

Ready-made food ensures normal development. The owner does not need to prepare anything specially or calculate the content of proteins, fats, etc. You just need to buy food and pour it into your pet according to the dosage on the package or as recommended by your veterinarian. The dry diet is stored for a long time after opening.

However, there are also disadvantages:

• Considerable cost and limited distribution in stores.
• The product is not suitable for all individuals. Despite the small granules, some pets cannot chew them. You have to specially soak it before giving it.

Criterias of choice

What to rely on when purchasing:

• Price. A quality product cannot be inexpensive.
• Components. Really good food always has meat in the first place.
• Age. The manufacturer writes at what age a cat can be fed the selected diet.
• Individual characteristics of the body. For example, if there is a tendency to allergies, he should be fed a hypoallergenic line.
• Dry or wet food. Both super premium options are of excellent quality, so it’s up to the kitten’s owner to decide which one to choose. However, if your pet has problems with stool and digestion, or a weak jaw, it is advisable to choose canned food, because... They are better digestible and not tough.

Also read the article about choosing premium food for kittens.

Cat food rating

When compiling the rating and selecting nominees, we were guided by responses. They also served as the basis for determining the main characteristics that interested buyers more than others. The most common reviews included the following:

• Type of food – dry, wet, semi-dry;
• Class – holistic, super-premium, premium, economy;
• Granule size – large, small, medium;
• Composition – natural or mixed.

The reviews served as the basis not only for choosing the best foods, but also for determining the strengths and weaknesses of each of the nominees.

Super premium dry food for kittens

Dry food designed for the body and jaws of kittens.

WILCAT Karoo Kitten

Food with rabbit, chicken and salmon meat. It is produced in Germany. It costs, as for adults, from 700 rubles. per kg. There are packages of 0.5 and 3 kg. The food has an excellent composition, 51% protein, 20% fat.

Full ingredient list: 34% rabbit meat, 24% chicken jerky, 22% dried salmon, 6% chicken fat, brewer's yeast, minerals, 2% salmon oil, 2% chicken liver, fennel, Jerusalem artichoke, catnip, tomato, prickly pear , barley grass, sea buckthorn, thyme, oregano, marjoram, sage, prebiotic MOS 525 mg/kg, prebiotic FOS 525 mg/kg, spirulina.

Applaws Kitten

A British manufacturer has food for kittens with chicken and vegetables. It is grain-free, the composition is quite good, although there are potatoes in third place. Here it is: 62% dried chicken, 17% ground chicken, potatoes, brewer's yeast, beet pulp, 1% chicken broth, salmon oil, vitamins and minerals, powdered eggs, 0.03% fiber, sodium chloride, calcium carbonate, dried seaweed algae, cranberry, DL-Methionine, potassium chloride, yucca extract, citrus fruit, rosemary.

There are packages of 0.4 and 2 kg. Price about 500 rub. per kg.

1st Choice Healthy Start

Made in Canada, good for 2 months to a year. If we talk about this food as a premium class, then it is the best. But among the super premiums to which the manufacturer classifies it, it occupies the middle position. In the first two places in the composition are fresh chicken and flour from it, 17% each, but then comes rice, without any specifications, after chicken fat, pea protein, etc. The disadvantages, of course, are the presence of rice, it is not clear whether it is white or brown, no specifications, as well as pea protein, it would be better to add just green peas.

There are different packages 0.35; 0.97; 2.72; 5.44; 10 and 20 kg. If you buy the largest one, 1 kg will cost about 500 rubles.

Arden Grange chicken for kittens

In addition to the three adult foods, there is also a grain-free option for kittens with chicken. Costs about 600 rubles. per kg. Sold in packs of 0.4; 2 and 8 kg. The first ingredients include 20% chicken meal, 26% fresh chicken, 26% potatoes. Otherwise, the composition is similar to the food of the same company for adult cats, which we already discussed earlier in the article.

Diets for kittens

1st Choice "Healthy Start"

The Canadian company 1st Choice produces a series of food for cats aged two months and older. They can be given to babies who are already eating dry granules well. The pieces in Healthy Start are small and easy for kittens to chew on. Pure salmon fat is a source of valuable acids that help your pet’s brain develop properly and its coat grow beautiful and shiny. This is a complete food that can be given to kittens daily until they are one year old.

Pros:

• The main share of protein is occupied by dietary chicken meat;
• contains more than twenty vitamins and microelements;
• a lot of fiber to stimulate digestion - 3.5%.

Minuses:

• contains salt;
• chicken fat in the composition is not detailed.

Arden Grange chicken flavor

Grain-free super-premium cat food containing fresh chicken. Carbohydrates are represented mainly by potatoes - 26%. The diet is suitable for kittens up to 12 months and pregnant cats. It completely covers the increased needs of the body and is well absorbed. The British manufacturer processes food ingredients in such a way that they retain nutrients and natural taste.

Pros:

• no cereals or grains;
• enriched with high-quality prebiotics FOS and MOS;
• contains salmon fish oil and a rich vitamin and mineral complex.

Minuses:

• the main percentage of protein is chicken meal (30%);
• Not all kittens like it due to the presence of malt and cranberry extract - therefore, not very healthy chicken digesta is added to the granules.

Brit Care Cat Crazy Kitten

The Czech company offers kittens an easily digestible diet with chicken and rice bran. It is suitable for pets up to 1 year old, as well as pregnant and lactating cats. Dry granules are easy to eat and pets love them. The product improves the animal's tone, helps it be active and reduces the risk of gastrointestinal problems when transitioning from mother's milk to solid food. Super-premium cat food Cat Crazy Kitten has a well-chosen combination of vitamin C and prebiotics, which helps the immune system develop properly.

Pros:

• high content of raw, easily digestible protein - this cat food contains 38%;
• salmon oil strengthens the nervous system of kittens;
• high energy value - 440 kcal per 100 g.

Minuses:

• The main share of protein is chicken - it can cause allergies;
• Due to the content of sea buckthorn and dried apples, picky animals may not like the food.

Super premium wet food for cats and kittens

They are enriched with nutrients and are considered more physiological in composition.

Leonardo

Contains the best meat, high quality by-products, the percentage composition is indicated. The exact ingredients depend on taste.

If you plan to feed your pet dry food, it is recommended to use the diet of the same brand.

Negative points:

• hard to find;
• not recommended for gastrointestinal problems;
• not the most balanced composition, vegetables are completely absent, so you should not feed your cat only these wet foods.

Spiders cost about 90 rubles. for 85 g. Also available in 200 g cans for 100 rubles. and 400 g for 150 rubles. There are two options for kittens.

Also read the article about the best wet cat foods in all four categories. There you will also find a more detailed analysis of the composition of Leonardo’s feed.

Applaws

From a UK manufacturer. Some sources classify him as holistic. There is a lot of meat and the overall composition is similar to the previous food, but there is rice. On the one hand, it’s good to have a source of carbohydrates. On the other hand, it would be better to add vegetables rather than grains (although rice is definitely better than corn and wheat). Some types do not indicate exactly how much rice is contained.

Lots of flavors. Produced in pouches (90 rub. 70 g), jars (170 rub. 156 g), lamisters (95-120 rub. 60-70 g). There are options for kittens.

Bozita

Swiss-made products undergo thorough state control, so you don’t have to worry that they contain harmful components.

Bozita wet food is of good quality, which cannot be said about dry food, which contains both wheat and corn, although this is a super premium line.

There are a lot of tastes and types. All are produced in tetra-pack packaging, thanks to which the food is better preserved, including its taste and beneficial properties. Costs 175 rubles. for 370 g and from 110 to 150 rubles. for 190 g. There are options for adult cats in jelly and sauce (370 g), as well as for kittens, active pets, those with sensitive digestion, large breeds, etc. (190 g).

Read more in the article about Bozita food.

1st Choice

Canadian food. Good composition. There are sources of carbohydrates, unlike previous foods. Often it is pineapple (4-5%), sometimes kiwi (6%). Yucca and vegetable broth are also present. The main ingredient is a source of animal protein (tuna, salmon, chicken, etc.), their % is indicated.

Advantages:

• optimal balance;
• absence of allergens in the components;
• approved by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA).

Disadvantages:

• are expensive (about 100 rubles for 85 g);
• low prevalence.

Almo Nature Alternative

This line has a very good composition. But for some others, for example, Daily Menu and Functional line, it is somehow too reminiscent of economy. Alternative has flavors with trout, beef, chicken fillet, sardines, salmon, tuna, mackerel. For example, the composition of a pouch with trout: trout 90%, trout broth 9.5%, rice 0.5%.

Costs about 90 rubles. for 55 g, which is undoubtedly expensive.

Animonda Vom Feinsten

There are Dutch and German production. Usually the food is classified as premium, but we will mention it here because the composition is very good. Ingredients include meat or fish, broth, calcium carbonate and sodium chloride. More than 50% main component. Many flavors, there are options for kittens, including pate from 4 weeks. The downside is that there are no vegetables at all, an essential source of fiber. Therefore, it is better to use this food simply as a treat.

Costs about 90 rubles. per 100 grams.

Mi-Mi

Delicious pieces of meat, fish or seafood in broth with added vitamins for cats and kittens, 1.2% thickener. The product is manufactured by a Thai company.

80 grams cost about 120 rubles.

Before feeding any cat food, regardless of whether it is dry or soft, you need to listen to the opinion of your veterinarian. He will select the most suitable food for the animal, based on the individual needs of an adult cat or kitten.
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Standard rations

Farmina N&D Cat Boar & Apple Adult

Well-known grain-free super premium food, developed with the participation of veterinarian nutritionists. The Serbian company’s product lines include many dry diets, one of the most popular is with boar meat and apple. It can be given daily if the cat is 1 year old, is not sick and has normal activity levels. Contains 25% fresh boar meat and 23% dehydrated. It is dietary, does not cause allergies, is easily digestible and nourishes the animal. Apples, vegetables and berries are a source of vitamins and microelements.

Pros:

• enriched with inulin and other prebiotics for gut health;
• improves coat quality thanks to Omega acids in cat food;
• has a low glycemic index and does not cause weight gain.

Minuses:

• eating chicken and chicken fat are allergens;
• Not all cats like potato ingredients.

Hill's Science Plan with Duck

Popular food for cats aged from one year to six to seven years. Dry granules are a complete daily diet that supports the well-being and immunity of pets. Sometimes it is classified as a premium feed due to the presence of wheat and corn in the composition, but there are few of them and they are outweighed by quality components.

Pros:

• 24% dietary poultry meat (in particular, duck);
• contains taurine, essential for cat heart health;
• The minerals in the composition are balanced - super-premium cat food does not harm the bladder and kidneys.

Minuses:

• contains chicken fat - no details of origin;
• Corn and wheat gluten can cause allergies.

Brit Premium salmon

Czech super-premium cat food from the Premium line contains healthy fish protein. Contains 20% dried salmon, 15% fresh salmon sauce, 4% herring - plus beneficial brewer's yeast, prebiotics and fruit and herb extracts. They strengthen the animal’s immunity and improve brain function. Brit cat food is suitable for adult animals, including older animals and those with sensitive digestion.

Pros:

• improves the condition of the coat - it contains a lot of fish oil and B vitamins;
• non-allergic rice accounts for the bulk of carbohydrates;
• appetizing - cats eat it with pleasure.

Minuses:

• contains corn and chicken fat, which is why it is sometimes classified as a premium food (but in general the composition is better than products from this category);
• eat dried beet pulp - it causes digestive problems in some cats.

Purina Pro Plan Original Adult salmon flavor

A common super premium food for animals over one year of age. There are many flavors in the Original Adult line, one of the most successful is salmon. It contains 18%, and also contains poultry. The total share of animal protein is 36%. The diet is enriched with the OPTISENSES nutrient complex with arginine, valuable fatty acids and antioxidants. They help keep your pet's senses healthy and improve brain function.

Pros:

• prevalence - this super-premium cat food is almost always available in the store;
• high level of antioxidants that keep cats healthy and active;
• teeth protection - the granules are dense, textured, and remove plaque and tartar well.

Minuses:

• there is wheat and corn, like premium feed;
• the composition of poultry meat and fat is not detailed.

Special food or natural product?

Human food is not suitable for daily feeding for cats. This primarily applies to processed meat. There are too many preservatives and dyes. Therefore, instead of sausage, it is better to offer your cat high-quality dry or wet food.

If we talk about a balanced diet, it is very difficult to follow it yourself. In order for the cat to receive all the necessary substances every day, it must eat vegetables, grain components, meat, and fish every day. Therefore, premium professional food will be the best option. It is advisable to consult a veterinarian before purchasing.

Holistic food

Holistic food is the best you can choose for your pet. Initially they were classified as super-premium, but today they are usually considered as a separate group. The ingredients that make up this food are of high quality and nutritional value, they are similar to food familiar to people. This product is manufactured using a special technology that allows you to preserve all the beneficial properties of its components, the digestibility of the feed is at least 80%.

You will not find any by-products in the holistic formula; it contains only meat (it should be fresh and/or dehydrated), or fish fillet. The meat assortment is very impressive, and not barely noticeable, as in cheap food. In such food there is no place for corn, wheat, wheat flour, corn gluten, potato and pea protein.

Potatoes, peas, lentils, rice are responsible for carbohydrates here, and the fruit, berry and vegetable group is responsible for fiber. All preservatives are natural.

Holistics are characterized by a high-quality and varied vitamin and mineral component. We will find much more of these useful substances here than in other foods, even those belonging to the super-premium class. Among the best brands the following are often mentioned:

• Acana (manufactured in Canada);
• Carnilove (produced in the Czech Republic);
• Go Natural (made in Canada);
• Grandorf (manufactured in Belgium, France);
• Farmina N&D (produced in Italy, Serbia).

The Acana brand, which often tops all kinds of ratings, is the leader in the number of positive reviews. The composition of this product is as open as possible; the percentage of all main components is always indicated.

The cost of holistic food for cats can vary significantly, some of them are sold at a clearly inflated price.

On average, 1 kg of product can cost 620-900 rubles.

Holistic cat food is made from the highest quality ingredients, contains from 65 to 80% high-quality meat, without the addition of soy, preservatives, dyes, etc.

Economy class food

In most cases, economy-class food is bought for their pets by owners who blindly trust the ubiquitous advertising praising this product, as well as by those who are forced to save money. Experts advise not to get too carried away with such food and compare it to instant soup. If your kitty eats such food for a long time, she will certainly have problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

The composition of economy-class feeds is based on the cheapest grains, and it is often not even specified which ones. Sometimes the list of ingredients contains a very vague and vague wording: “cereals and products of plant origin.” As a rule, such a general definition simply hides waste from the food industry with minimal nutritional value.

You can guess the quality of the meat component of the food by finding the phrases “poultry meal”, “meat and its derivatives”, “meal of animal origin” in the list of ingredients. Such products are waste from meat production (ground and processed beaks, skin, claws, hooves, offal and even tumors), and they are not very rich in protein. The main source of protein in this product is plant components, mainly corn gluten (gluten), extracts of plant protein, which the cat’s body absorbs extremely poorly. Vitamins and minerals are also poorly represented in economy-class feeds. In addition, such products widely use dyes, antioxidants, preservatives, and flavoring additives, the origin of which is not specified, which suggests that they are not of natural, but of artificial origin.

In a word, such food cannot in any way be called complete and self-sufficient, but cats that eat natural products can be offered it as an exception as a delicacy. Flavored wet food is better suited for this purpose.

Many people associate economy-class food only with the widely advertised brands Friskies, Whiskas, Kitekat, Gourmet and Felix. But thrifty owners who care about the health of their pets should know that there are other products, for example:

• Cat Chow (produced in the USA, Russia, Hungary);
• Gemon (made in Italy);
• Purina One (manufactured in the USA, France, Italy, Russia);
• Stout (produced in Russia);
• Perfect Fit (manufactured in the USA, Germany, Hungary, Russia).

It is worth noting that most of the economy-class food, namely Felix, Friskies, Gourmet, Cat Chow, Pro Plan and Purina One, is produced by one company, Nestle Purina Pat Care, under different brands.

Feed in this category is sold at a price of 160-380 rubles per 1 kg.

Economy class cat food is a set of category II by-products (production waste), which allows you to reduce the price

What is the best cat food?

Each owner chooses the appropriate food for their pet independently. But you should definitely consult a veterinarian. If the cat is prone to allergies, then the food should be hypoallergenic (anti-allergenic). If you have certain diseases, then you need to buy products from medicinal lines.

Be sure to read:

What is cat food made from: how is it made wet and dry, can you make it yourself?

What is the best cat food?

Most manufacturers have separate foods for sterilized cats, neutered cats, and pets with oral diseases.

Among the budget options you can also choose food for your pet. Therefore, the best food is the one that is suitable for a particular pet and that is recommended by a veterinarian.

Table of popular manufacturers