CatChow cat food

The Cat Chow line of prepared cat food is produced by Purina, one of the world's largest pet food manufacturers. Over more than a century of operation, the company has consolidated several significant industry players under its management and built a comprehensive portfolio, including eight popular pet food brands in demand across multiple countries.

Cat Chow is available as dry kibble. It comes in various sizes—0.4 kg, 1.5 kg, and 15 kg—making it convenient for both initial introductions and long-term use. It is manufactured in Hungary.

Content

1 Compound
2 Advantages and disadvantages
3 Range and prices
4 Reviews

Compound

Cat Chow is a premium pet food, meaning it contains by-products, flavors, and preservatives. The meat content in kibble is typically no higher than 8-14%. The standard nutritional balance is: protein - 38%, fat - 10.0%, carbohydrates - 3%, ash (amount of mineral components) - 8.5%.

The packaging states that the food contains:

vegetable and animal triglycerides (fats);
vegetables and greens;
cereals and legumes;
yeast;
minerals necessary for animals for the stable functioning of the hematopoietic, immune and hormonal systems;
vitamins E and B, which provide optimal conditions for metabolic processes;
Naturium complex is a prebiotic that improves the balance of intestinal microflora;

Recommended daily allowance of Cat Chow dry food for cats:

for weight up to 4 kg - 40÷70 g;
for weight 4-6 kg - 70÷100 g;
for weight over 6 kg - up to 15 g per 1 kg of body weight.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of the Cat Chow brand primarily include its low cost and the adequate macro-, micro-, and vitamin content for cats. Another factor that contributes to Cat Chow's popularity is its consistent availability—it's readily available at any pet store.

Among the shortcomings, experts note insufficient information about the product’s composition:

In addition to meat, by-products are used in the production of feed, but the ratio of these ingredients is not specified.
Protein sources. Of the food's protein content, which makes up about 40%, according to the ingredient list, half is plant-based, which is more difficult to digest than animal proteins.
The names of preservatives and antioxidants are not indicated.

Range and prices

Although Cat Chow is a dry food only (Purina does not produce canned cat food), its selection is wide enough to accommodate cats of any age, weight, and activity level. Dry menus vary in composition, each containing ingredients that meet specific nutritional needs or components that perform specific functions. Cat Chow kibble is available for sale:

For adult cats (Cat Chow Adult). This food for healthy, active pets uses chicken, turkey, rabbit, or beef liver as its main meat ingredient. Its high protein content provides energy, vitamin E maintains healthy skin and coat, and the fiber in vegetables and greens supports digestion, while chicory reduces odor from excrement.
For castrated or sterilized animals (Special Care Sterilized). A low-calorie diet with enough nutrients to maintain activity without causing excess weight gain. It contains lean meat and by-products, plant fiber, vitamins, and trace elements.

For the prevention of urolithiasis (urolithiasis). Special Care Urinary food contains meat, fish, offal, vegetables, green peas, vitamins, and a special mineral complex that ensures optimal urine pH and has a positive effect on the functioning of the genitourinary system.
For cats with gastrointestinal problems (Special Care Sensitive). A specialized diet that includes easily digestible nutritional components (specially processed meat and vegetables), vitamins A, E, B, microelements, as well as polyunsaturated acids Omega-3 and Omega-6, which are essential for many organs and systems, and which the animal's body does not produce on its own,
For kittens. High-calorie menu based on chicken meat Cat Chow Kitten Contains all the components necessary for a young animal's body: proteins, carbohydrates, fats, macro- and microelements, and vitamins. The key ingredient in this kitten food is docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid found in mother's milk.
For removing hair from the stomach (Special Care Hairball). The specialized food contains triglycerides, which act as a lubricant and prevent hair from forming clumps, and plant fiber, which ensures the rapid evacuation of hair from the gastrointestinal tract.

Important! Transitioning your cat to any new food should be done gradually, over at least a week. Pay attention to whether your cat enjoys the new food and whether it causes any unpleasant side effects, such as bad breath, bowel movements, malaise, or decreased activity. If these signs are absent, the food is suitable for your pet.

Average prices for Cat Chow in Russian pet stores:

0.4 kg packaging - 120-150 rubles;
1.5 kg packaging - 430-550 rubles;
15 kg packaging - 4000-5000 rubles.

Reviews

Veterinarians and pet owners have mixed opinions about Cat Chow food. There are few truly negative reviews, mostly citing the small amount of meat in the kibble. They praise the affordable price, consistent availability, and good selection.

Veronika Yakovlevna Kinakh, felinologist:

"The quality of a food is primarily determined by its class. Cat Chow is a premium product, so it can't be called elite. Only a tenth of it is animal protein; the rest is vegetables, grains, and various additives. The additives, however, are mostly healthy, although some are bulky. We can recommend Cat Chow, but it's a good idea to first test how your cat responds to it: is she eating it with appetite and does it cause digestive upsets like constipation or diarrhea. We generally recommend this for any type of food."

Svetlana, Krasnoyarsk:

"A friend has been feeding her cat Cat Chow for a long time, and she says it's good and inexpensive. We decided to give it a try, too. Our two-year-old cat, Ronnie, ate Cat Chow well and greedily at first, but after a couple of weeks, he started being picky: if I put Cat Chow in the bowl with other food nearby, Ronnie would clearly ignore the Cat Chow. I think the reason is the low-meat content. Cats are carnivores, after all; they need meat, not vegetables or grains. And when I noticed the litter box was starting to smell too bad, I stopped buying Cat Chow, finished the package, and switched to Schesir. It's a bit pricey, but what can you do? Apparently, Cat Chow isn't right for us."

Anastasia, Almaty:

"Cat Chow is not bad; my cat Martha eats it with pleasure. It's inexpensive, but compared to other cheap foods, it's quite high quality. I usually buy the standard one Cat Chow Adult, and occasionally a preventative Special Care Hairball. I've seen several reviews that cats don't really like Cat Chow. Animals, like people, have different tastes, and they probably crave variety too. I feed my Marta kibble when I leave her alone for long periods. And when I'm home all day, I prepare her food myself. So we don't need to buy premium pet food."

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