When choosing the best cat food in India, these are the first things that you should look for: it must be protein-rich; high in quality; have a good amount of omega-3 and omega 6; contain minimal amounts of carbohydrates; and can give sufficient hydration.
Once you have checked these parameters, you should also ensure that the food is made of 100% natural ingredients, with zero sugar, chemicals, preservatives or fillers. This is because just the presence of all the right ingredients is not enough; the absence of unhealthy ingredients is also important. Plus, the beneficial ingredients must also be bioavailable so your cat’s body can absorb and use the nutrients properly. That’s why we have made this checklist so that you can find the best cat food in India. Let’s begin!
1. High-quality protein as the first ingredient
Cats are obligate carnivores. This means that animal protein is an absolute necessity for them to get the nutrients that they need. More than 70% of their diet should come from animal protein sources, so their food needs to be meat-forward. This protein can come from a number of sources: chicken, fish, lamb, turkey, etc. BLEP’s fresh cat food contains about 18 g of protein per 100 g of food on average.
2. Sources of omega 3 and Omega 6
Cats need omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in their diet to maintain healthy skin and coat; reduce inflammation and; strengthen their immunity. The ideal ratio for omega-3 and omega-6 in cats is 6:1. Omega-3 lowers inflammation, keeps joints healthy, supports kidney function and boosts immunity while omega-6 supports skin barrier and reproductive health. However, a balance is important because too much can actually increase inflammation. BLEP fresh cat food contains fish oil, which is a great source of both the omega fatty acids.
3. Minimum amount of carbohydrates
Cats evolved from ancestors who would solely eat meat. Carbohydrates are not part of their natural diet; they have no use for it and they can’t digest it very well either. So, look for cat food that doesn’t have carbohydrates or starch. Feeding your cat food that’s packed with carbs can cause stomach upset as well as deficiencies in the nutrients that they actually need. That’s why BLEP cat food is meat-forward and doesn’t contain any starch or added carbohydrates.
4. Taurine for vision, digestion and heart health
Taurine is an essential amino acid that cats need for proper development and maintenance of their body. Taurine helps strengthen heart muscles, keeps the retina healthy, is required for proper fetal development during pregnancies and taurine produces bile salts that break down fats. However, cats can’t make sufficient amounts of taurine in their own body, so it must come almost entirely from their diet. That’s why a cat food that has been balanced with taurine, such as BLEP cat food, is extremely important. Taurine deficiency may even be irreversible, causing serious illnesses like dilated cardiomyopathy (heart failure), blindness, developmental disorders in kittens, etc.
5. No sugar or salt
Sugar and salt are not for cats, mainly because these are not part of their natural diet. Excessive sugar may cause obesity, diabetes, and dental issues. Too much salt can wreck their kidneys, cause electrolyte imbalance, and dehydrate cats. Even when giving home food to cats, make sure the food is made separately for cats without any salt or sugar.
6. Zero preservatives or chemicals
Preservatives and chemicals in food are bad for everyone. However, due to their smaller size, these additives cause more severe reactions much faster in cats. Preservatives, chemicals and additives may cause digestive issues, gut imbalance, sensitivities, allergic reactions, inflammation, etc. In the worst cases, they may also cause organ damage and chronic illnesses. That’s why the best cat food in India should have zero preservatives or chemicals to ensure the basic safety of cats. BLEP’s fresh cat food has zero preservatives. Sealed packs of BLEP have a shelf-life of 1 year from the date of manufacturing, which comes from retort packaging.
7. Proper moisture content
Moisture in food is actually very important for cats, because they don’t have a high thirst drive. Their ancestors would derive the moisture they needed from hunting prey; they would essentially eat their water. So, drinking water separately is not something that cats feel a great urge for. This is why cat food should have a lot of moisture in order to fill this gap. Plus, drinks like BLEP bone broths can also help encourage cats to keep hydrated.
Ultimately, the best cat food in India is one that is balanced according to cats’ needs. No matter how cheap, or premium, or popular, or widely available a cat food brand is, everything comes down to these considerations: quality, safety, and balance.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What should be the main ingredient in cat food?
Cats are obligate carnivores, so the main ingredient in a good cat food should be high-quality animal protein, such as fish, chicken, lamb, turkey, etc. They need a lot of animal protein for essential nutrients like taurine, arachidonic acid, and vitamin A, which is difficult to get solely from plant protein.
How much protein does a cat need daily?
Cats need about 26–30% protein on a dry matter basis, according to AAFCO guidelines. 26% crude protein is for adult maintenance, while kittens need a little more at 30% crude protein on a dry matter basis. Typically, the major source should be animal protein.
Do cats need carbohydrates in their diet?
Cats do not need carbohydrates as part of their diet. In fact, they can’t digest high-carbohydrate meals very well. Excess carbs in their meals may cause obesity or metabolic issues. Ideally, their diet should be low-carb and meat-forward.
Why is taurine essential in cat food?
Taurine is an essential amino acid that is critical for heart function, vision, reproduction, and digestion in cats. However, they cannot synthesise enough taurine inside their body, that’s why almost all of it must come from their diet. Deficiency can be quite dire; it may cause blindness or heart issues.
Should cat food contain preservatives?
Preservatives are bad for everyone, but it’s especially bad for cats because they are smaller in size, so the accumulation of toxins causes problems more rapidly. It is best to feed them zero preservative cat food like BLEP.
Is salt or sugar poisonous to cats?
While salt and sugar are not immediately poisonous to cats, they can cause some damage in the long run. Excess sugar may cause obesity and diabetes in cats. Excess salt may cause electrolyte imbalance and kidney issues. That’s why both of these seasonings must be avoided in cat food.
Why is moisture important in cat food?
Cats don’t drink a lot of water naturally; most of their hydration comes from food. That’s why feeding your cat high-moisture fresh cat food is very important. It helps keep the kidneys and urinary tract healthy.
How do I choose the best cat food in India?
The best cat food in India is meat-forward, has a good amount of moisture, is low in carbs, has the essential fatty acids, and is free of preservatives, sugar, and harmful additives.
Looking to explore more tips on how to look after your furry friend? Check out our other guides like Can Dogs Eat Apples?, Can Dogs Eat Blueberries?, Dog Food for Weight Loss, Raw v/s cooked meat for dogs, Home Remedies to cure tick fever, Finding Good Dog Food in India, How many times should I feed my dog?, Things you should do to keep your pet healthy, Types of Dog Food, How Prebiotics and Probiotics can improve your dog's digestion, Essential Tips for a New Dog Parent, and others. Each guide is designed to help you make better food and care choices for your dog, to keep them happy, healthy, and thriving.
Resources:
https://www.catcaresociety.org/a-guide-to-selecting-cat-food/
https://www.petmd.com/cat/nutrition/do-cats-need-high-protein-cat-food
