What to look for in sensitive stomach cat food
When shopping for the best cat food for a sensitive stomach, you’ll want to consider the following criteria:
AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement for growth, adult maintenance, or all life stages: The most basic measure of nutritionally complete kitten and cat food is an AAFCO statement on the label. AAFCO is a nonprofit organization that recommends nutritional standards for pet food. Recommendations are based on life stages, so a food with an AAFCO statement for growth or all life stages is complete and balanced for kittens, while a food with an AAFCO statement for maintenance or all stages of life is complete and balanced for adult cats. AAFCO has not established specific recommendations for senior cat diets. Foods for older cats should meet AAFCO’s minimum nutritional recommendations for adult or all life stage foods.
Guaranteed analysis and nutrient profiles: Guaranteed analysis on a pet food label shows percentages of essential nutrients, including protein, fat, fiber, and other essential vitamins and minerals. Food for kittens should meet the AAFCO recommended minimum of 30% protein and 9% fat, and food for adult cats, including seniors, should have a minimum of 26% protein and 9% fat.
Our experts say it’s important to check guaranteed reviews for cat foods. As obligate carnivores, cats digest diets high in protein more easily than diets low in animal protein and high in carbohydrates. For some cats, the best cat food for a sensitive stomach may be high in protein, but high-protein diets can be harmful to some older cats with certain health conditions. This is one reason why it is important to ask your veterinarian before switching diets.
List of ingredients: Ingredients on a pet food label appear in order of weight. Dierenfeld says muscle meat proteins provide the best source of essential amino acids for obligate carnivores like cats. In other words, animal proteins in the form of whole meat, meat meal, or animal byproducts should come first on the ingredients list. When choosing the best cat food for a sensitive stomach, you can also look for ingredients that promote healthy digestion and ease inflammation, such as probiotics, prebiotics, and omega-3 fatty acids in the form of cat oil. fish
Cats are obligate carnivores, so animal-based proteins should always be listed as the first ingredient in cat food. The best cat food for a sensitive stomach may be higher in protein than other cat foods. Our recommendations include high-quality protein sources in the form of whole meats, meat dishes, and meat byproducts. Saker says that byproducts and byproducts are concentrated forms of protein that are just as nutritious and digestible — if not more so — than whole protein sources.
Expert formulations: Our picks for the best cat food for a sensitive stomach meet the quality control standards recommended by the WSAVA. This means that brands employ a full-time board-certified veterinary nutritionist or a PhD-level animal nutritionist. These standards help ensure that your cat’s food meets nutritional recommendations and includes the right ingredients.
Manufacturing standards: Zoran says pet foods can vary slightly from batch to batch, which can trigger digestive upset in cats with sensitive stomachs. When choosing the best cat food for a sensitive stomach, it’s wise to consider the quality control measures and facilities used. Brands that own their manufacturing plants have more control over the ingredients in their recipes and, therefore, the food your cat eats. Pet food brands should also be transparent about how they implement quality control measures. In short, they should not just say that they perform quality control.
Calorie content: The calorie content of cat food is listed in kilocalories (kcals). Your cat’s calorie needs depend on their age, activity level, and overall health. For example, kittens grow rapidly in their first year and must eat multiple high-calorie foods each day. Your veterinarian can recommend the ideal number of daily calories for older and older cats based on the cat’s lifestyle and ideal weight. Veterinarians can also teach you how to check your cat’s body condition score (BCS) between wellness visits. BCS is a visual tool that helps you assess your cat’s body fat on a scale of 1 to 9. This information can help you understand if they need to lose or gain weight. That said, it’s always best to talk to your vet before adjusting your cat’s daily portion size.
