Pets need love, attention from humans, proper care and nutrition. It should not only be tasty, but also balanced, consist of high-quality ingredients that are healthy for the body. The best dry cat food in terms of composition undergoes special testing and has an appropriate certificate confirming the good quality and safety of the product.
We have prepared a rating that includes only the best dry food for sterilized cats, neutered cats, and elderly animals. The TOP includes holistic, super-premium and premium food. Each of them comes with a detailed description, a list of positive and negative aspects, so that you can choose the best option for your pet. According to veterinarians, good dry food for cats can improve their well-being, mood and guarantee many years of life thanks to their balanced composition. The selection includes food for Scottish, Bengal and other domestic cats.
Advice from veterinarians on choosing dry food for cats and their recommended composition
The main ingredient is animal meat, fish or poultry. The ideal choice would be a composition in which at least half of the diet comes from meat and its derivatives. The more meat, the better the food is for cats. Veterinarians advise buying good dry cat food from trusted manufacturers who indicate on the packaging the source of animal protein and the method of obtaining it.
The peculiarities of the production process do not allow us to completely prevent heat treatment of meat, but it can be prepared in different ways. The meat that is positioned by the manufacturer as “fresh” is of the greatest value. Accordingly, it was not defrosted or preserved. The production technology does not make it possible to use more than 35% of dry and fresh meat components, but this indicator indicates that this is one of the best dry food for cats.
More often, “dehydrated” or “dehydrated” meat is used. It is dried and is a valuable source of animal protein. Its high concentration in food is the basis for a high-quality diet for your pet. Another significant source of animal protein is flour obtained from various types of meat.
Dry food must contain sources of fiber. They can be dried fruits, vegetables or brown algae. Good manufacturers add natural probiotics and prebiotics, which improves digestion and ensures normal bowel function. Sources of carbohydrates include potatoes, rice and legumes.
What is the rating based on?
For ease of ranking, wet food is divided into categories - classes, the most affordable of which are economy and premium. The food is much more expensive - super-premium, and the most refined - holistic.
The latter are recognized by veterinarians as the most suitable in terms of balance and nutritional value for feeding cats; food in the economy and premium categories is inferior in price and quality, but their advertising is shown daily on TV, which increases consumer demand.
Veterinarian advice! It is recommended to focus on who is indicated in the manufacturer's column on the food packaging. The fact is that many brands are manufactured in Russia, so it is not always worth believing in the declared “French” quality.
The basis for the rating of wet cat food is the following parameters: quality characteristics of the product, balanced composition and purchasing activity.
The significance of each of the parameters in compiling the rating in descending order (the first positions have more weight):
- Product quality: what raw materials the manufacturer uses - freshly prepared meat and offal or meat and bone meal; balance of carbohydrates, fats and proteins, the presence of dyes, preservatives and flavors.
- Breadth of the line: does the brand have breed, dietary, medicinal food, food for kittens.
- Cost: a significant parameter when purchasing food. Does the price of the feed correspond to its composition?
- The opinions of veterinarians and reviews of owners make the final contribution.
All of the following brands are present on the Russian feed market and can be purchased in pet stores or online stores.
Rating of the 3 best dry food for cats of the holistic class
SAVARRA with turkey and rice
| For spayed/neutered animals, prevention of excess weight, hypoallergenic |
The food is based on turkey meat, which is considered the most dietary and tender. It is well absorbed by the cat's body and contains a large amount of nutrients. Turkey is rich in vitamins A and E, and also surpasses beef and veal in sodium concentration. Due to this, the blood is saturated with plasma and metabolic processes are established, which plays an important role for sterilized and overweight animals.
The best dry holistic food for cats contains L-carnitine, which has a beneficial effect on metabolism and helps improve fat metabolism. This solves the problem of excess weight.
Peculiarities:
- animal age: adults (1-6 years)
- special needs: for spayed/neutered people, prevention of excess weight, hypoallergenic
- holistic: yes
- side dish: with rice
GO! Skin+Coat with chicken
| For healthy skin and shiny coat. Suitable for kittens up to one year old, older and adult animals. |
Your pet will be grateful to you if you buy GO food for him! Skin+Coat. The main ingredient is high-quality meat from free-range chickens. It saturates the cat's body with amino acids that strengthen muscles, and Omega fatty acids help maintain healthy skin and shiny coat. The recipe excludes the presence of by-products, soy, wheat and corn.
- GO! Skin+Coat consists of probiotics and prebiotics to maintain optimal intestinal microflora and improve digestion;
- Amino acid-rich fruits and vegetables strengthen the immune system;
- Flaxseed has a high concentration of Omega-3 fatty acids, a lot of fiber and protein;
- Whole grains provide vital energy.
Peculiarities:
- animal age: kittens (up to 1 year), elderly (7+), adults (1-6 years)
- special needs: for healthy skin and shiny coat
- holistic: yes
- premium: yes
GO! Carnivore grain-free with chicken, turkey, duck
| Grain-free food for cats and kittens of any age |
The rating of the best holistic dry food is updated by GO! Carnivore is a grain-free, protein-packed recipe. It is designed to provide a balanced diet to keep your cat healthy and fit. It is made with fresh chicken, turkey, trout, duck, salmon, vegetables and fruits.
As a result, the immune system is strengthened and the body is saturated with antioxidants. Taurine improves vision and heart function, probiotics support healthy intestinal microflora. The manufacturer does not use growth hormones, gluten, grains or other harmful ingredients.
Peculiarities:
- animal age: adults (1-6 years)
- breed size: all breeds
- special needs: grain-free
Briefly about the main thing
- Holistic food is high-quality rational nutrition for dogs.
- It is necessary to gradually transfer dogs to holistic nutrition, adding small portions to their usual diet.
- This class of food contains only natural ingredients that promote longevity, active growth, and development of the pet.
- Cereals, dyes, enhancers, and genetically modified products are excluded.
- Protein base - meat of birds, wild animals, lambs. Source of fiber - vegetables, root vegetables. Fortification occurs due to the addition of plant extracts, berries, and medicinal herbs. Useful additives in the form of omega fatty acids, flax seeds, and vegetable oil allow you to achieve the ideal combination of components.
The best super premium dry cat food
Hill's Science Plan with Chicken
| Designed for adult cats from 1-6 years old. Effective prevention of urolithiasis and excess weight. |
Hill's Science Plan, aimed at harmonious development, including sterilized cats, is among the top best dry cat foods. The diet is based on a complex of antioxidants to maintain good immunity. The specific weight control formula strengthens muscles and leads to fat burning. The presence of minerals contributes to the health of the urinary tract. Only easily digestible ingredients are used that are both tasty and of high quality.
Peculiarities:
- animal age: adults (1-6 years)
- special needs: for spayed/neutered people, prevention of urolithiasis, prevention of excess weight
Brit Care Sunny with salmon
| To maintain healthy skin and shiny coats in adult animals |
The best super premium dry cat food is offered by the Brit company, which includes hypoallergenic food in its assortment. It is characterized by a high meat content (composed of 20% salmon meal, 15% salmon protein, 14% dehydrated chicken).
In combination with a balanced mineral composition, the food improves the pet’s health and heals the skin and coat. This is facilitated by marigolds, Omega-3, zinc and biotin. Taurine and Arginine contribute to the normal functioning of vital organs and systems.
Peculiarities:
- animal age: adults (1-6 years)
- special needs: for healthy skin and shiny coat
- premium: yes
Useful video
Grandorf wet food in the video below:
To choose the best food for your pet, it is important to understand what it will be used for: as a main or supplementary diet. Wet food should not be used as a cat's only meal, despite its good composition and high meat content.
A cat needs fiber, vitamins and mineral supplements in small quantities, the high content of which is contained in the line of dry food. In addition, the high moisture content in canned food and spiders reduces the nutritional value of the product. Therefore, we recommend using canned food and pouches in combination with dry food.
Good premium dry cat food
Brit Premium with chicken
| Suitable for spayed and neutered animals |
The list of the 10 best dry cat foods includes Brit Premium, which is recommended by many veterinarians. It is suitable for kittens and adult animals. The composition is based on chicken in salmon sauce, healthy herbs, all the necessary vitamins and minerals that promote the growth and development of kittens. The herbs provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cleansing qualities.
A special production technology allows you to make a delicious sauce from salmon or chicken liver. Due to this, the food is very tasty and aromatic. It will not leave even the most picky cats indifferent.
Peculiarities:
- animal age: adults (1-6 years)
- premium: yes
ProBalance with chicken
| Helps maintain normal weight and reduces the likelihood of stones |
The best premium dry cat food is produced by ProBalance. We offer completely natural food suitable for sterilized and neutered male cats. Its regular use minimizes the likelihood of developing urolithiasis.
After sterilization, metabolism slows down, which is especially important in the case of older animals. At the same time, they move less - on average by 20-25%, and their appetite, on the contrary, increases, which causes obesity.
Dry food supplies the body with energy (375 kcal per 100 grams), and at the same time helps maintain weight within normal limits. This is thanks to fat-burning L-carnitine. The thoughtful composition increases thirst, causing the pet to drink more. Accordingly, the volume of urine increases and the likelihood of stone formation decreases. In addition to the meat component, the food contains useful ingredients.
Peculiarities:
- animal age: adults (1-6 years)
- special needs: for spayed/neutered
- premium: yes
Purina ONE with beef, wheat
| For the prevention of urolithiasis, excess weight and tartar |
Good premium dry food for cats contains optimal levels of protein and fat, which are necessary to maintain lean body mass and normal metabolism. The balance of mineral components supports the health of the cat's urinary system and prevents excess weight gain. With regular use, the formation of tartar is reduced by up to 40% and an ideal physical shape is maintained.
Peculiarities:
- Animal age: adults (1-6 years)
- Special needs: for spayed/neutered people / prevention of urolithiasis / prevention of excess weight
Diseases for which medicinal foods are prescribed
The range of diseases for which dietary food is used is supplied by manufacturers quite widely:
- allergic disorders;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- renal failure;
- metabolic diseases (obesity and diabetes);
- kidney and liver pathologies;
- joint diseases and others.
Diseases for which medicinal food is prescribed quite often require a diet, and the composition of the food balances the intake of certain substances into the body. However, they have nothing to do with the treatment of the animal. In most cases, the label “medicinal” or “dietary” is nothing more than a marketing ploy.
The best dry food for sterilized cats
Royal Canin 37
| To prevent excess weight and maintain muscle mass |
According to reviews from veterinarians, Royal Canin 37 is recognized as the best dry food for sterilized and neutered cats. After sterilization, you should change your pet's diet, taking into account changes in energy needs. To combat excess weight, you will need a balanced composition with a reduced fat content and strict adherence to recommended portions. The optimal amount of minerals supports the health of the urinary system, and the high concentration of protein maintains muscle mass.
The food is sold not only in dry form, but also as pieces in sauce, jelly or pate form. When feeding a mixed diet, follow feeding standards to combine wet and dry food in optimal proportions.
Peculiarities:
- animal age: adults (1-6 years)
- special needs: for spayed/neutered people, prevention of excess weight
- premium: yes
Perfect Fit with chicken
| For healthy skin and shiny coat, prevention of excess weight and urolithiasis |
The rating of the best dry food for sterilized cats is replenished by Perfect Fit with chicken. This diet takes into account all the needs of the cat’s body after sterilization. Iron in combination with B vitamins increase the pet’s activity, and prebiotics stimulate the digestive system. An adapted nutrient profile keeps weight within normal limits.
Minerals reduce the likelihood of stone formation and support a healthy urinary system. A special recipe with a reduced amount of fat reduces calorie intake during feeding, which prevents the appearance of problems with excess weight.
Peculiarities:
- animal age: adults (1-6 years)
- special needs: for spayed/neutered animals, prevention of urolithiasis, for healthy skin and shiny coat, prevention of excess weight
Brit Care Missy with chicken
| Free of soy, corn, wheat and gluten. High meat content: 50% |
Good quality dry food has a high concentration of meat and an optimal mineral composition. The additives used include sea buckthorn, vitamin C, 20% dehydrated chicken, 14% chicken fillet and the same amount of turkey.
A minimal amount of magnesium maintains normal urine hP balance, and sea buckthorn extract strengthens the kidneys and urinary tract. A low concentration of fat and an abundance of fiber reduces the likelihood of excess weight problems. The composition is hypoallergenic.
Peculiarities:
- animal age: adults (1-6 years)
- special needs: for spayed/neutered
- premium: yes
Best dry food for older cats
Royal Canin 7+ 3.5 kg
| To maintain the health of older sterilized cats |
The food is recommended for older sterilized cats over 7 years old. It is designed taking into account their physiological characteristics and nutritional needs. The composition is rich in green tea polyphenols, Omega-3 acids, and vitamin C. The nutrients support the health of cats when the first signs of aging appear.
A moderate amount of fat helps prevent excess weight, provided the recommended portions are followed. The presence of phosphorus improves the functioning of the kidneys and urinary system.
Peculiarities:
- animal age: elderly (7+)
- special needs: for spayed/neutered people, prevention of urolithiasis, prevention of excess weight
- premium: yes
Pro Plan Sterilized 7+ with Turkey
| Prevention of ICD and excess weight |
The best dry food for senior cats supports their well-being by providing essential nutrients, including vitamins A, C and E, beta keratin, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, and natural prebiotics.
The composition is rich in proteins, has a reduced fat concentration and optimal calorie content. During development, RSS and APR techniques were used to help maintain optimal urine pH levels. This serves as an effective prevention of urolithiasis.
Peculiarities:
- animal age: elderly (7+)
- special needs: for spayed/neutered people, prevention of urolithiasis, prevention of excess weight
Best choice for adult and older fussy cats
Royal Canin Savor Exigent
The best dry food for picky cats includes two types of kibble, varying in shape, taste and texture. It is ideal for satisfying the natural needs of picky cats that require variety in food and a change in taste sensations.
Optimal caloric intake maintains your pet's ideal weight and meets his individual preferences. When choosing food, cats rely on taste variety, aroma or amount of protein. Depending on this, there are three recipes that will suit even the most fastidious animals.
Peculiarities:
- animal age: elderly (7+), adults (1-6 years)
- premium: yes
Conclusion
The pet food market is constantly evolving, new products are appearing, and already familiar diets are being improved and become much more attractive in terms of price/quality ratio. Domestic producers, who have to compete with proven foreign feed, are also improving.
Of course, not all diets are the same, and even within the same manufacturer (both Russian and foreign) you can find diametrically opposed diets. But you shouldn’t write off the domestic product ahead of time, since in almost every line you can find excellent food at a reasonable price, you just need to study the composition more carefully and don’t be afraid to try something new.
We would like to wish our dear customers to find the ideal food for their four-legged friends, which will 100% satisfy the needs of the pet and will not be a burden on the pocket.
Summary of the review of the best dry cat food
From our rating of the best food for adult cats and kittens, according to veterinarians and owners, you found out which one you should choose in 2022. When choosing food, you need to take into account not only your pet’s taste preferences, but also take into account his age, physiological characteristics and health status, which determine the desired composition.
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General feeding recommendations
A cat's taste preferences are formed in early childhood. Therefore, you need to start accustoming to the chosen diet as early as possible. But if you get an adult cat that has developed gastronomic preferences, then you don’t need to “starve” it out. If the cat is not fed at all in a new home, this will not lead to the desired educational effect, but to stress and digestive problems. Any changes in diet must be introduced to the animal carefully and gradually.
It is important not to make a mistake in choosing a bowl - it must certainly be comfortable. For solid food, use a stable bowl so that it does not “ride” on the floor; for water, a small plate (for example, a saucer, from which it is convenient to lap) is most convenient. And for dry food, dishes with high walls are ideal (so that the granules do not scatter throughout the apartment). Don’t forget about the materials: the bowl should be metal, porcelain or ceramic. Bright, attractive plastic bowls are fraught with a lot of dangers. They are difficult to wash, and pathogenic microbes can become embedded in scratches on the walls.
Do not forget about the freshness of food and drinking regime (the cat must have constant access to fresh, clean water). Any food (porridge or ready-made food) must be at the correct temperature; there is no need to offer your cat boiled meat or pate only from the refrigerator. The best temperature is room temperature.
Every cat owner has a collection of unusual stories with their tailed pet in the lead role. We have a lot of water related things in our family. For example, every time my cat bathes, she expresses her royal dissatisfaction with everything that happens, but silently endures the entire procedure. But she loves to splash under the tap on her own. She also hates bowls that someone has touched with dirty hands. She will only drink from dishes that have just been washed with cold water (it is necessary that there are still droplets of water on the edges of the bowl). Her favorite drinking bowls are my mug, painting palette, and flower pot saucer. By the way, she also eats cat grass only after watering.
Dishes for cats must be correctly selected in size, volume and shape.
How to switch a cat from one food to another
Almost every cat owner has come to the thought of whether it’s time to change food. Some people, without hesitation, choose food from other manufacturers and from the very first day give the cat new, unusual food. Such drastic changes are fraught with even more serious problems than they were with the old diet.
Others cannot decide for months to take such an important action, because the pet is already accustomed to one food. But sometimes we have to change food for reasons beyond our control:
- an allergy appeared to the usual food;
- the food has become worse due to a change in manufacturer;
- problems with purchasing (feed has become more expensive, the neighboring store has closed).
Veterinarians themselves often recommend changing food. In fact, this procedure is not that difficult. Proceed as follows:
- For the first 3 days, add about a quarter of the new food to the usual food (you can mix the food so that the cat cannot choose).
- For another 3 days, mix old and new food in a 50:50 ratio.
- For the next 3 days, add 25% of the old food to the new food.
So within 9 days your cat will completely get used to it and switch to the new food. If the pet refuses to eat new food at all, then there are many other tricks: rewarding with a treat, a day of fasting, etc.
The cat can be fed natural food or ready-made store-bought food. The latter option is more convenient, but you should not get confused when choosing the best product. Veterinarians advise comparing food compositions, because this is the only way to evaluate the quality of cat food. But no matter what food you choose for your pet, this food should be suitable for your cat. After all, her health and longevity depend on proper nutrition.
