As a Cat lover, you are often confused between canned staple cat food, canned snack cat food and dried cat food. How do you choose a canned cat food? Do you see a variety of canned staple cat food and wonder which one will be your cat’s favorite?
Do these questions always bother you?
Today, we are going to show you the difference between canned staple cat food, canned snack cat food and dried cat food. and “How to choose a canned staple cat food?”. I’ll tell you the four principles of choosing a canned cat food, and finally, I’ll recommend “two canned cat food that will make my cats no longer picky about what they eat – my cats’ favorite canned cat food”, so that your cats can eat happily and healthily.
Let’s take a look with me now!
What is the difference between canned staple cat food, canned snack cat food and dried cat food?
To put it simply, the difference between canned cat food and dry food lies in the “amount of water”, so parents can observe their cats’ usual water intake to decide! If your cat doesn’t like to drink water, you can consider canned cat food as a staple food. If your cat normally gets enough water, you can consider giving dry food!
Generally speaking, the water content of dry food is around 7-10%, while canned food is around 70%, so you can observe your cat’s condition before deciding!
The difference between canned staple food and canned side dishes lies in the fact that canned staple food meets AAFCO/NRC nutritional standards and can be used as your cat’s daily staple food, whereas canned snack cat food are a kind of snack, and cannot be eaten by your cat as a regular meal!
What are the benefits of canned food for cats?
For cats, eating canned staple food has many advantages. Apart from the fact that it can provide more water, the ingredients of canned staple food are relatively simple, with a lower ratio of carbohydrates and artificial additives, and the most important thing is that it can be eaten with “prototypical meat”!
Therefore, although the price of canned food is a bit higher than that of dry food, it is a better choice for cats. We recommend that you pick up some canned cat food for your owner.
How do I choose a staple canned cat food?
AAFCO Compliance
The most important thing is that your cat’s canned food meets AAFCO standards! If it is AAFCO or NRC certified, it means that it meets the basic nutritional requirements of your baby!
AAFCO is the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), which publishes pet food labeling regulations and manages the sale and distribution of pet food and medicines. AAFCO is not an official agency of the U.S. government, but a private organization made up of feed manufacturers!
Animal Protein is the Main Ingredient
Cats are carnivores, so animal protein is the first thing they need! You can pay close attention to the ingredient label on the can of staple food to see if the first item is animal protein.
Artificial Glue-Free or Glue-Free Staple Cans
Many canned foods on the market are made with glue to enhance their shape and firmness, making it harder to separate the water from the meat and making them more appealing to the eye. Some manufacturers may overuse glue to reduce costs, which may cause gastrointestinal discomfort or allergic reactions in cats.
Artificial gels may have a negative effect on your cat’s stomach and immune system. To avoid gastrointestinal problems or allergic reactions, it is recommended that you choose canned food products that do not contain artificial gels or products that contain natural gels (such as Konjac) – this will help to ensure that your furry child receives a healthier and more suitable diet!
A certain percentage of phosphorus
Lastly, it’s all about phosphorus!
Phosphorus is an essential element in your cat’s body, and is vital for healthy bones and teeth, as well as facilitating oxygen transportation and helping to maintain the acid-base balance of the blood. It is recommended that adult cats maintain a phosphorus intake of around 250mg/100kcal.
However, some cats with poor kidneys need to be careful with the phosphorus ratio! Therefore, choosing a “Low Phosphorus Staple Food Can” with an intake of less than 250mg/100kcal is the best choice!
