What is cat food made of?

Cat food is made only from balanced ingredients of animal and plant origin—this is what advertising claims every day. But how true is this claim, and what is cat food actually made of?

Dry food: from history to the present day

The first examples of pet food appeared on the market over 150 years ago. They were rusks made from beef blood, beets, and wheat.

In the 1950s, the product range expanded to include granulated mixtures and extruded formulas, whose components were specially processed to increase their volume. However, as technology advanced, the content also changed somewhat. By that time, cat food consisted of meat scraps generously flavored with rendered fats, as well as starchy plant components.

Since animals rely on smell when choosing food, to make pellets and balls more appetizing, manufacturers sprayed them with melted table fat and flavorings.

Meat components: features and subtleties

Meat ingredients remain the foundation of most high-quality pet foods. However, it's important for pet owners to understand the specific meat ingredients used and how they are processed.

Premium and super premium class feeds use:

• dehydrated meat (dried meat without moisture, but with nutritional value preserved),

• meat meal from chicken, turkey, lamb or duck,

• fillet, offal (liver, heart, stomachs).

Economy-class producers typically use meat and bone meal and meat scraps, which may include sinew, cartilage, and tendons. This isn't harmful, but the digestibility and biological value of such ingredients are lower.

Some recipes use protein hydrolysates—processed animal protein broken down into peptides. This improves flavor and reduces the risk of allergies.

The influence of fat source on feed quality

Fats play an important role in cat nutrition – they are the main source of energy and facilitate the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.

Frequently used:

• chicken fat,

• fish oil (especially salmon),

• beef fat,

• vegetable oils (in limited quantities - sunflower, linseed, corn).

It's important that fats are stabilized with antioxidants to prevent oxidation. High-quality manufacturers use natural antioxidants, such as tocopherols (vitamin E), rather than synthetic additives.

Table: Fats in feed and their characteristics

Mineral supplements and vitamin complexes

In addition to the basic ingredients, food always contains minerals and vitamins. Without them, a balanced diet is impossible. Dry food typically already contains the necessary nutrients, and their concentration depends on the animal's life stage (kitten, adult, senior).

Common additives:

• Taurine is vital for cats, as they cannot synthesize it on their own;

• calcium and phosphorus - for the skeletal system;

• zinc - for healthy skin;

• vitamins A, D, E, B-group.

Prebiotics (mannanoligosaccharides, fructooligosaccharides) and probiotics to support digestion are also often included.

What is added to therapeutic and hypoallergenic foods?

In pet food for special needs, manufacturers use a limited number of ingredients, eliminating allergens. For example, instead of chicken, they use protein sources such as duck, venison, kangaroo, or insects (a new trend in the 2020s).

Additionally, the following may be included:

• hydrolyzed proteins - easier to digest;

• special fibers - regulate stool and reduce odor;

• Urinary supplements - for the prevention of urolithiasis.

The therapeutic lines contain a strictly verified ratio of phosphorus and magnesium, acidity pH, and additives for weight and sugar control.

Table: Ingredients in therapeutic feeds

Many producers purchase meat and plant components from European, American, and Russian suppliers. Pet food produced in Russia often contains domestic ingredients, which reduces the price. However, this does not always mean lower quality, especially when certified raw materials are used.

Global brands adhere to AAFCO, FEDIAF, and ISO standards. This ensures that the raw materials they use are tested and meet safety requirements.

The difference between dry and wet food in composition

While many owners choose dry food for convenience, wet food is also popular, especially among older cats and those with chronic illnesses. Wet food has a high moisture content (up to 80%) and is typically lower in carbohydrates.

At the same time, high-quality wet food:

• have a similar protein and fat balance;

• contain the same vitamin supplements;

• often do not include cereals.

Dry food requires additional flavor stimulants to maintain its appeal, especially if the meat content is low. Wet food, on the other hand, often contains natural meat broth.

What should be alarming in the composition?

Certain ingredients commonly found in cheap pet foods may indicate questionable quality. For example:

• "animal protein" without specifying the source;

• dyes and flavors;

• sugar or caramel;

• gluten as the only protein component.

If the food contains only vegetable protein (soy, corn), it does not provide the cat with all the necessary amino acids.

What are cat treats made of?

In fact, the raw materials used to make cat food have remained the same since the 1960s and 1970s. The ingredients used to make cat food are:

• parts of carcasses that were not used in the production of “human” food (injured areas, excised tumors, areas on the skin where antibiotics and hormones were injected);
• various types of animal waste (internal organs, blood, tendons);
• fish meal (crushed and dried parts of fish);
• table fat obtained from different types of animal fats.

Animal rights advocates and leading manufacturers regularly debate whether prepared "treats" contain the carcasses of animals that were hit on the road or euthanized. Despite numerous denials, the American Veterinary Association has provided evidence confirming its presence.

Since most producers are subsidiaries of food industry titans, in order to achieve zero waste, they also use expired meat products supplied from supermarkets for processing.

Manufacturers' "tricks"

To reduce production costs, many manufacturers resort to making cat food with harmful plant-based substitutes instead of animal proteins. For this purpose, they use soy and corn. These are considered harmful to animals because they are very difficult to digest. Furthermore, cats are designed in such a way that:

• 40-50% of energy comes from proteins;
• 25-35% of energy reserves are formed from fats;
• 20-30% of energy from carbohydrates.

The main danger lies in the starch found in corn. This component, which has a high glycemic index, increases the risk of diabetes and can also contribute to obesity in cats.

Niacin, a nicotinic acid found in corn, is equally harmful. It is not digested by carnivores. While dogs are less susceptible, as niacin is partially synthesized from tryptophan, cats need to restore the balance by introducing meat products into their diet.

Everything would be fine if manufacturers used pure grains in their cat food. But in pursuit of the same goal of cutting costs, they often even use cakes and cobs contaminated with the fungus aflatoxin.

Feed is often the cause allergies in cats And dogsAn allergic reaction usually doesn't appear immediately, but rather some time after changing food. Externally, this may appear as bald patches on the face and paws, redness, and scratching.

Stabilizers and preservatives

Since organic components have a limited shelf life, to extend it, the compositions are generously "flavored" with special chemicals. This prevents the process of rotting, which is accompanied by an unpleasant odor.

Ethoxykin is the most widely used preservative and insecticide in pet food. This inexpensive and effective preservative is also toxic. In high doses, it causes gastrointestinal cancer, chronic diarrhea, hair loss, and blindness. Unfortunately, detecting the presence of ethoxykin in a finished product is quite difficult, making it virtually impossible to catch a negligent manufacturer breaking the law.

Nitrates are essential for giving pellets and pillows their appetizing flavors. Research shows that these substances, when mixed with gastric juice, cause carcinogens.

How to choose the lesser of two evils

Although many owners are skeptical about what goes into their cat food, they continue to treat their four-legged friends with treats. There's nothing wrong with that. The key is to consider not only the affordable price and attractive packaging when choosing a diet, but also the ingredients.

When examining the ingredients, keep in mind that the ingredients at the top of the list are those with higher percentages. The optimal ratio of essential nutrients in a healthy diet is:

1. Turkey, chicken, rabbit, fish and beef meat – at least 35%.
2. Animal and vegetable protein about 20%
3. Fiber up to 25% of the total volume.
4. High quality by-products up to 10%.

Allowed mineral and vitamin supplements include: calcium, ascorbic acid, B vitamins, taurine, as well as manganese, zinc, and iron.

List of components, the presence of which should raise alarm:

• sweetener "Propylene glycol", granulated sugar and cellulose;
• artificial color E127;
• high concentration of by-products;
• antioxidants such as E321, E320, VNA and VNT.

In addition to the ingredients, it's also worth paying attention to the manufacturer's stated daily feeding amount. It's recommended to choose products with a low daily feeding amount. A simple rule applies: the higher the daily amount, the lower the quality.

Understanding the ingredients in cat food helps owners make more informed decisions about their pet's diet. It's best to consider not only the brand but also the composition, origin of the ingredients, and the specific needs of the individual animal. This is especially important for cats with chronic illnesses, sensitive digestion, and allergies. Choosing a high-quality diet is a crucial contribution to the health and longevity of your pet.

Read also:

• How much dry food does a cat need per day?
• Food for cats with sensitive digestion
• The best wet cat food: rating