WHAT SHOULD BE IN MY CAT'S DIET?

As cat parents, we need to be just as choosy about what we put into Their body's as we do our own. The key to giving a cat what he or she needs to be physically healthy, is to have understanding of them as a species; what kind of diet is their body naturally designed for? What is the digestive tract's physiology and process? What are the best foods out there for my cat? Here are a few facts about just that! And also, my top 5 picks for Organic, All Natural Cat Food.

*Cats' nutritional needs are very specific and the nutritional quality of cat food is one of the most important factors in cats' health and longevity. I hope these resources will help you learn what you need to know about cat food labels, cat food ingredients, and the nutritional needs of cats.

Why are Cats considered Obligate Carnivores?

Cats "guts" are much shorter than ours. They do not have the ability to fully digest and utilize the nutrients in plant material. Although theoretically, they might get enough protein from plant material to exist, they need taurine in order to thrive. Taurine is found primarily in the muscle meat of animals, and is most highly concentrated in the heart and liver. In the wild, cats may get a small amount of grain and other plant material from the stomachs of their prey, but our domestic cats really do not need large amounts of grain. Corn is a good example. Corn is a cheap source of protein, and many of the "supermarket brands" of dry cat food are packed with corn in various forms, e.g., corn bran, corn germ meal, ground corn, corn gluten, corn gluten meal. If I could give you one rule of thumb only, it would be to shy away from any cat food containing corn, especially listed at or toward the the top of the ingredients. (Pet food ingredients are generally listed in descending order by dry weight.)
It should also be noted that some manufacturers practice "splitting" to keep corn from the very top of the list. Splitting is carefully calculating the percentage of each kind of corn so that the aggregate total weighs more than any other ingredient, however none of the corn ingredients is listed at the very top. There is nothing illegal about this practice, but it puts the consumer at a disadvantage. It would be much more transparent if manufacturers were required to list the percentage by weight of each ingredient. Corn is not only a poor source of protein, it is a known allergen to some cats.
While some cat food manufacturers add small amounts of vegetables and fruits to their formulas, the premium foods always have named meat protein high on the list of ingredients. The fruits and vegetables are generally added for their vitamin and mineral content, and sometimes for their probiotic value.

~ My Top 5 Organic Cat Food Picks ~

PetGuard Organic Food
People today are concerned with the important relationship between nutrition and their health. We are all concerned about the actual ingredient sources, seeking products free of artificial ingredients, colors, preservatives, excess sugars and salt. At PetGuard, our concern for minimizing toxic chemicals in our environment and sensitivity for improving our lifestyles extends to our pets as well.

Merrick Premium Before Grain Food
Before Grain Tuna provides a diet rich in high quality meat and bio available nutrients the way nature intended. Before Grain believes a diet based primarily on fresh meat, blue fruit, nutrient dense vegetables and high-quality oils contributes to overall health and longevity

Newman's Own All Natural Food 
 USDA certified organic

• No poultry by-products
• No chemical fertilizers
• No antibiotics or steroids
• No chemical additives or artificial preservatives
• No wheat or corn
• No artificial flavors
• No artificial colors and dyes

Complete and balanced nutrition for adult cats 

Organix Feline Food
  Because Organix Feline Adult and Kitten Formula Dry Cat Food contains over 70% organic ingredients and a high meat content, you know that you are offering your pet an outstanding diet that is both highly palatable and highly digestible. The certified organic chicken in Organix is the same organic chicken that you would find in your natural food store's chiller!

By Nature Organics Food 
 Searching for a natural and certified-organic pet food can be tricky. There are a lot of pet food companies out there that boast the same thing but rarely live up to their own hype. That’s why you should know that by Nature is a pet food company that does live up to the hype and more. With products like by Nature Organics Organic Turkey & Turkey Liver Canned Cat Food, this food includes high protein, an awesome mix of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and absolutely no grain or gluten.

*NOTE: NOT EVERYONE CAN AFFORD SOME OF THESE FOODS. A FEW LESS EXPENSIVE ALTERNATIVES ARE: FANCY FEAST "CLASSIC" WET CANNED FOOD, IAMS DRY AND WET CANNED FOOD.