Choosing the best cat
Sounds simple enough, doesn't it? Yeh, right!
We’re pretty sure that every cat owner you ask will tell you they’ve bought a bag of dry cat food that they are so sure their cat will love based on the company’s marketing, or based on the ingredients they read on the back of the pack, and then of course the cat takes one sniff and walks away. Or, they give you a false sense of security and eat it for a week then suddenly go off it and refuse to eat it ever again.
As much as we’d love to be fully in control of our cats’ diets, it’s simply not the case. So we’ve put together a list of things that contribute to making a dry cat food delicious so you can be sure you're buying a dry food cats love. Essentially, it’s a list of things that will increase your chances of finding the most tasty dry cat food you can! From the ingredients, to kibble size and recipes, you'll have your fussy cat gobbling up their dry cat food in no time.
Understanding your cat's nutritional needs
Before diving into what makes a dry cat food delicious, it's important to understand your cat's nutritional needs. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they require a diet that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates. A protein-rich diet helps maintain their lean muscle mass, supports growth and repair, and provides energy. Both adult cats and kittens require certain vitamins and minerals, such as taurine and vitamin A, which are essential for maintaining good health. We’ve put together a comprehensive guide on dry cat food including methods of making it and what to look out for on the ingredients list when selecting a new cat food.
How to read cat food labels
Understanding how to read cat food labels is crucial when it comes to selecting the best
Also, pay attention to the order of the ingredients. Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight, so the first few ingredients make up the bulk of the food. Ideally, you want to see a named protein source as the first ingredient, followed by other high-quality ingredients such as whole grains, vegetables, and healthy fats.
For more guidance on reading cat food labels, UK Pet Food and FEDIAF (European Pet Food Industry Federation) provide some great information that’s easy for everyone to read and understand.
Why the percentage of meat and fish matters
As obligate carnivores, both adult cats and kittens require a diet that is high in protein, and dry cat food that is high in meat and fish is more likely to appeal to your cat's taste buds. Look for brands that have a high percentage of meat and fish, ideally over 65% as prepared. This will help ensure that your cat is getting the protein they need to thrive.
Cats are natural hunters, we’re all impressed when our cat catches that fly mid jump when we’ve been trying to swat it with a magazine for an hour! Or when they turn up at the door with a ‘gift’ in the form of a mouse or giant rat. In the wild, cats would eat their prey when it is still warm, which differs to dogs and wolves who store their food for later. Perhaps slightly gorey, but we mention this because it’s thought that because of this cats prefer dry cat food that has fresh meat and fish content in it. This is why the best tasting adult dry cat food generally is also the dry cat food with the highest meat content. For example, Tippaws Delicious Dry Food contains a minimum of 30% freshly prepared meat or fish in it.
Keep your cat happy with appetising ingredients
While protein is essential for your cat's health, it's not the only factor that influences their preference for dry cat food. Cats are known for their picky eating habits, and some ingredients are more likely to appeal to their taste buds than others.
Think about what human food your cat likes and try dry cat foods that have them in it. For example, many cats enjoy the taste of fish, so look for brands that contain salmon, tuna, or other types of fish. Some cats also enjoy the taste of poultry, such as chicken or turkey. Look for brands that contain these ingredients as the first few ingredients on the list.
Cats also enjoy the taste of fat, so look for brands that contain healthy sources of fat, such as chicken fat or fish oil. These ingredients not only add flavour to the food but also provide important nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids. For example, cats go absolutely wild for Tippaws Salmon & White Fish dry food because it contains the purest and most delicious salmon oil that is worth of being in a salad dressing in any top restaurant.
Other ingredients like chicken liver gravy are great flavour enhancers (as you can imagine!) so are often in dry food cats love.
Why providing a variety of cat food recipes is important
Just like humans, cats can get bored with the same food every day. Providing a variety of dry cat food recipes can help keep your adult cat interested in their food. Look for brands that offer different recipes. For example, Tippaws Sample Trio have three recipes for your cat to try or you can set up a subscription that will allow you to swap recipes every few weeks or months. At Casa Tippaws, we always have three recipes on the go at once.
Best dry cat food for fussy or picky cats
Some cats are notoriously picky eaters and may turn their nose up at even the most appetising dry cat food. If your cat is a fussy eater, try offering them a variety of foods to see what they prefer. Some cats prefer wet food over dry food, while others prefer the opposite so try a different type of cat food.
Cats love fresh meat and fish as this their ancestors would hunt prey and eat it while it was still warm. Although domestic cats have adapted to a commercial cat food diet very well, if you have a fussy cat, try them on a dry food that contains fresh chicken, fresh tuna or fresh salmon as it may trigger their natural hunting instinct and be very appealing to them.
You can also try adding a small amount of wet food to their dry food to make it more appealing. Experiment with different recipes and textures to see what your cat prefers. If your cat is still refusing to eat, consult with your vet to rule out any underlying health issues.
Some cats prefer smaller kibble and some prefer bigger kibble
Kibble size can also play a role in your cat's preference for dry cat food. Some cats prefer smaller kibble that is easier to eat, while others prefer larger kibble that they can crunch on. At Casa Tippaws, Maisie loves a crunch and Gus loves to swallow his Tippaws kibble whole, so it shows you every cat is different! If your cat has dental issues or is missing teeth, they may prefer smaller kibble that is easier to chew. In some cases, we find our customers prefer to give cats like this Tippaws Kitten Dry Food as the kibble is smaller.
Complete dry cat food vs. complementary
You should always ensure you're feeding your cat a complete cat food. This means that it contains all the vitamins and minerals cats need on a daily basis, for example taurine which they can't make themselves. Complementary cat food is just that, you can feed it alongside your complete cat food but it shouldn't be the only food your cat eats.
How to get cats with dental issues or toothless cats to eat dry cat food
If your cat has dental issues or is missing teeth, they may have difficulty chewing dry cat food. However, there are ways to make dry cat food more appealing to them. One option is to moisten the food with a small amount of water or wet food to make it easier to chew.
You can also try offering your cat freeze-dried or dehydrated food, which is softer and easier to chew than traditional dry cat food. These types of foods are also more nutrient-dense, which can be beneficial for cats with dental issues. If in doubt, consult with your vet.
Why is kitten food different and what's best for kittens?
Kitten food is specifically formulated to meet the unique nutritional needs of growing kittens. It is higher in protein, fat, and certain vitamins and minerals, such as calcium and phosphorus, to support their rapid growth and development. There are a few considerations including caloric density and inclusion of specific vitamins and minerals which we go into in our article on kitten food. We always recommend dry kitten food for kittens as it's good for dental health.
Senior cat food
As cats age, their dietary requirements change significantly. Just like humans, senior cats need specialised nutrition to maintain their health and thrive as long as possible whether that’s due to biological changes they experience or to support behaviour and cognitive changes that come with ageing. You may be surprised to hear that 44% of cat owners have a senior cat, but only 24% of them feed their cat senior food. We cover the nutritional needs of senior cats in our article Do Senior Cats Need to Eat Different Food?
Cats with sensitive stomachs
If your cat has a sensitive stomach or reacts to food in other ways, such as a rash or weeping eyes, you may want to opt for a hypoallergic cat food. Hypoallergenic cat food is formulated with ingredients that are less likely to trigger allergic reactions, making it ideal for cats with sensitivities. We guide you through choosing the right food for your sensitive cat in our article on hypoallergenic cat food.
Transitioning your cat to a new dry food brand
If you decide to switch your cat to a new dry cat food brand, it's important to do so gradually to avoid upsetting their digestive system. Start by mixing a small amount of the new food with their current food and gradually increase the amount over several days.
Monitor your cat's behaviour and litter tray habits during the transition period. If your cat experiences any digestive upset, such as vomiting or diarrhoea, slow down the transition process or consult with your vet.
What is a premium dry cat food?
Premium dry cat foods tend to have higher quality ingredients. However, it's always best to read the label in depth as this is not a regulated phrase so some brands just use it for marketing purposes.
Ingredients that are delicious but not always good for cats
One word: fat. Just like humans, cats love anything that is high in fat content. So you may find that your cat gobbles down a new kibble but then you look at the back of the pack and find out it's because the fat content is super high.
As with humans, fat is ok for cats in moderation but often we forget the proportion of fat we are feeding a cat in treats or food because we compare it to our own. A cat’s calorie requirements are very different from ours so what may seem like an innocent treat could be half of their daily maintenance calories. For example, we heard once that one portion size of one of the nation’s favourite cat treats contains 100 kcal which is around a third of an average cat’s daily calorie allowance. We’ll cover this topic in more detail in a future article.
Looking for reviews of good quality food as a cat owner
Choose a brand of dry cat food that has excellent reviews on a reputable platform such as Trustpilot. Ensure you don't just look at the review score and spend time reading the content of the reviews, as what works for others may not work for you.
What wet food should I feed my cat?
In this article we have only considered dry cat food, however if you'd like us to write about considerations for the best wet food for cats, please email us at help@tippaws.com and we'd be happy to do so.
If you do feed your cat wet and dry food, we have a calculator on our website that helps you determine how much dry and wet food you should be feeding your cat based on their age and size.
Do you have specific recommendations for wet cat food?
We would be happy to share our recommendations on wet food, please email us on help@tippaws.com.
Who regulates cat food in the UK?
There are two main bodies that either regulate or influence cat food manufacturing in the UK: FEDIAF and UK Pet Food. We would always recommend buying a food that is a member of UK Pet Food as membership requires adherence to high food quality and production standards.
Best budget cat food
If you are struggling financially because of the cost of living crisis and need to buy cat food on a budget, ensure you're looking at the ingredient list. Focus on higher protein foods and minimise filler ingredients. Try to find a food that includes dehydrated meat or fresh meat, rather than for example bones as these will be more nutritious for your cat.
Conclusion: finding the best overall dry cat food
Finding the best overall dry cat
If your cat is a fussy eater or has dental issues, there are ways to make dry cat food more appealing to them. And if you decide to switch to a new brand, do so gradually to avoid upsetting your cat's digestive system.
By following these tips, you'll be able to buy dry food your cat will love, ensuring that they receive the nutrition they need to thrive.
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