How To Buy The Best Cat Foods For Adult Cats
- May 27, 2023
- By Dr. Deborah Fletcher
Choosing the best cat chow is not always simple. There is no universal cat food that is suited for all cats. Different cats require different diets.
These requirements can also alter over time. What works for your cat now might not work in the future. It is critical to select a food that your cat enjoys while still being the healthiest option for them.
This will be determined by a variety of factors, including your cat's age, health, energy level, and lifestyle. Adult cats have different nutritional needs than kittens or elderly.
BestForPets (bestforpets.org) understand how essential it is to find the appropriate nutrient balance for your cat, so we compiled a list of the best cat foods for adult cats with reviews to help you learn more about them and determine which is ideal for your cat.
You can browse each to choose the perfect one for your pet, whether they prefer wet or dry food.
Table of contents
Reviews Buying the Best Cat Foods for Adult Cats: A Buyer's Guide Is It Better to Feed My Cat Dry or Wet Food? ConclusionReviews
Wholesome Nutro Essentials Best Value Salmon Dry Cat Food
Nutro Wholesome Essentials Salmon & Brown Rice Dry Cat Food is our selection for the best adult cat food for the money. With salmon as the first component, you can be confident that this cuisine is high in protein from a dependable source.
The omega-6 fatty acids in salmon also help to keep your cat’s coat shiny. Natural fiber promotes digestion, while antioxidants enhance immune function.
This meal contains everything your cat requires to be healthy while avoiding artificial colors and flavors, corn, wheat, and by-products.
The non-GMO components in this cuisine are sourced from farmers who collaborate with this business to provide dependable sources of nourishment. Even the most picky cats have been reported to warm up to and enjoy this meal.
There have been instances of kibble being crushed into crumbs in certain packages. The cats ate the crushed bits in some situations.
While the flavor is marketed as salmon, the ingredients also include chicken. If your cat has a poultry allergy, this is not the diet for them.
Pros
- GMO-free ingredients
- The protein source is salmon.
Cons
- Made from chicken
- Inside the bag, kibble may become crushed.
Canned Fussie Cat Chicken & Vegetables Cat Food
Fussie Cat Chicken & Vegetables in Gravy Canned Cat Food is produced in a Food and Drug Administration-registered kitchen, which is the same requirement required for producing canned food fit for human consumption.
Daily health tests are performed during the manufacturing process to ensure that this high-quality food is safe for your cat.
To suit the needs of the obligate carnivorous cat, Fussie Cat formulations are known as “physiologically proper.” These recipes are strong in protein and low in carbohydrates, and they provide the vitamins and nutrients that cats require.
The Chicken & Vegetables formula contains no grains and is low in fat. Protein is provided by the first component, boneless chicken.
Cats benefit from the extra water provided by canned food. The vegetables are cut into visible pieces. Some cats eat the peas and carrots, while others ignore them.
Pros
- The first ingredient is chicken.
- Processing of high quality
- True veggies
Cons
- Some cats dislike veggies.
- Expensive
Beyond Simply Whitefish & Egg Dry Cat Food by Purina
Purina Beyond Simply Whitefish & Egg Dry Cat Food is our next pick for the best adult cat food. Probiotics are used in this solution to aid digestion.
It also employs ocean whitefish as the first component for a healthful, easily digestible protein. Eggs and sweet potatoes add flavor, protein, and fiber to the dish.
There are no grains, byproducts, or artificial colors in this recipe. Vitamins and minerals are added to help cats’ immune systems and coat health.
This food is produced in environmentally friendly facilities in the United States. You may be confident that your purchase was done in a way that minimizes its environmental impact.
Some cats have reported that the kibble size is too large for them to eat. Some cats with dental problems have difficulty eating it as well.
Pros
- Protein-rich diet
- Grain-free
Cons
- Kibble size is large.
Dry Cat Food Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe is a high-protein recipe. Dry Cat Food is designed to promote muscle health.
Sweet potatoes and peas are included for carbohydrates and fiber, which help with energy levels and digestion. This food is also free of grains and has no byproducts or fillers.
This cuisine contains small, dark LifeSource Bits. These are tiny kibble pieces packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to help the immune system and maintain oxidative equilibrium.
For a healthy coat, omega-3 and 6 fatty acids are included. This recipe’s calories are also precisely managed to aid in weight management. Proteins and fats aid in the development and maintenance of a healthy body weight.
There have been a few reports of the recipe altering recently and the kibble size increasing, which some cats dislike.
Pros
- Protein-rich recipe
- Bits from LifeSource
- Recipe for weight loss
Cons
- Brand-new recipe
- Kibble size is large.
Tiki Cat Aloha Friends Variety Pack Wet Cat Food
The Tiki Cat Aloha Friends Wet Cat Food Variety Pack contains tuna and pumpkin in each seafood-packed taste.
The varieties include tilapia, shrimp, calamari, and ocean whitefish, ensuring that your cat does not get tired eating the same thing every day.
To nourish your cat’s skin and coat, the seafood contains protein and omega fatty acids, including sunflower oil.
The moisture content in this meal from the broth will also help keep your feline hydrated, which will help keep urinary difficulties at bay.
For good digestion, pumpkin provides fiber and antioxidants to this meal. This food’s tuna is all wild-caught and dolphin-safe.
Despite the fact that it has a strong odor, cats appear to appreciate this food. Because it is cooked with broth rather than thick gravy, the consistency is described as soupy.
Pros
- Various tastes
- Pumpkin is included.
- Moisture-rich
Cons
- The consistency is soupy.
- Strong odor
Buying the Best Cat Foods for Adult Cats: A Buyer's Guide
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they must eat meat. Animal protein is required for them. Cats are not vegetarians.
When browsing labels for the healthiest option for your cat, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Stage of Life
To be healthy, kittens, adults, and seniors all require different nourishment. These formulations are designed and balanced with the demands of each life stage in mind.
Adult cats, for example, would get obese if they ate kitten chow. Kitten food is high in calories and nutrients for developing kitties. Senior cats require less calories since they are less active.
Finding the right formula for your cat’s life stage is the first step in ensuring that the food is healthy.
Taste
When it comes to flavor, some cats are finicky. Just because your cat enjoys a particular chicken-flavored food does not mean they will enjoy a different brand’s chicken flavor.
Most cats prefer wet food to dry food, and finding dry food with a flavor they like might be difficult. Recipes with few ingredients may be healthful for cats, but they aren’t necessarily tasty.
It may take some effort to locate a nutritious food that your cat enjoys. To find a great combination, you may need to experiment with different protein sources and brands.
Dietary Limitations
Particular types of food will be ideal for your cat if they are allergic to certain components or have weight difficulties. Weight-control solutions can provide appropriate nutrition while consuming less calories.
For food allergies, carefully examine labels to ensure that the allergen isn’t hiding anywhere in the mix.
Nutrients
Cats can eat and digest carbs, although there is little evidence that they need them in their diet. Cats capture and consume their prey in the wild.
Their natural diets are devoid of carbs, and their domestic food should be devoid of them as well.
Instead, concentrate on amino acids, vitamins, protein, hydration, and minerals. On the label, the protein content should be higher than the fat content percentage.
Taurine is an amino acid present in animal protein that is necessary for cats’ digestion, muscle function, healthy vision, and heart function. Your cat could die if it doesn’t get enough taurine.
Another element to look for while reading cat food labels is fiber. This aids digestion and weight management in your cat. Omega-3 fatty acids help to maintain healthy, moisturized skin and lustrous hair.
Digestibility
The digestibility of a food refers to how much of the nutrients are absorbed by your cat. Even if your cat enjoys the meal, this does not guarantee proper digestion.
If your cat’s stool is loose, watery, irregular, or frequent, he or she may not be digesting their food properly. When cats have digestive issues, it is mainly due to poor quality components.
Artificial colors, preservatives, and fillers are not natural elements in a cat’s diet. Their bodies may have difficulty breaking these down.
Quality diets with a high moisture content will make it easier for your cat to digest and absorb the vitamins and nutrients he or she requires.
Dates of Expiration
If dry cat food is left uncovered and not stored properly, it might grow stale. Keep the food in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
You can keep the food fresher for longer by storing it in airtight containers. Check the expiration dates on the bags and cans of cat food you buy.
Expiration dates indicate how long you can leave the food unopened on the shelf before using it. They will also inform you if the food is no longer safe for your cat to consume.
Is It Better to Feed My Cat Dry or Wet Food?
Wet food will keep your cat hydrated longer, which is vital because cats don’t drink as much water as they should. They are not predisposed to drink water.
The majority of the moisture required by wild cats is obtained from their prey. Wet food is also preferred by certain cats over dry food.
However, wet food is cumbersome to store, and if your cat only consumes half the container, the rest must be refrigerated until the next mealtime.
In some situations, you may need to re-heat it in the microwave to remove the cold, as some cats will only consume room temperature food.
Dry food delivers balanced nutrients and is simple to prepare. It’s also easier to store and less expensive than wet meals. It also lasts longer.
You can serve a combination of both foods to reap the benefits of both. Keep in mind your cat’s daily calorie requirements. This will be determined by the cat’s weight.
If you are unsure, consult your veterinarian. Then you can build a meal from of dry and wet foods to meet that caloric requirement.
Your cat should always have access to fresh, clean water. Drinking from multiple bowls may encourage them to drink more.
Consider Your Time
Create a feeding regimen for your cat that works with your schedule.
Filling a bowl with dry kibble is easier than scooping out a can (or heating up yesterday’s canned leftovers from the fridge) if you have a busy morning.
Perhaps your cat can have dry food in the morning and canned food at night. If you have more leisure in the mornings than in the nights, the opposite may be preferable.
Whatever you choose, as long as your cat is receiving nutritious, well-balanced food, they will be content.
Conclusion
Purina Beyond Simply Whitefish & Egg Dry Cat Food is our top overall pick for the best adult cat food.
We like how high the protein content is and how it is grain-free. It’s a healthy choice at an affordable price. Nutro Wholesome Essentials Salmon & Brown Rice Dry Cat Food is our top value pick.
However, because this meal contains chicken, it is not ideal for cats who are allergic to poultry.
BestForPets (bestforpets.org) hopes our evaluations of the best cat foods for adult cats have assisted you in selecting the best cat chow for your adult cat.
Dr. Deborah Fletcher
Deborah R. Fletcher, DVM, is a skilled veterinarian with more than 15 years of experience dealing with companion and exotic animals. She has experience caring for a variety of animals, including household cats and dogs, reptiles, birds of prey, and even primates. Dr. Fletcher is a valuable part of the BestForPets team, where she contributes to their aim of providing pets and their owners with the finest possible treatment and services.
Veterinarian (DVM) Dr. Deborah Fletcher
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