How to Choose the Right Cat Food

By eHow Pets Editor

Instructions

Step 1:
Check the label on your cat food cans or bags to verify that it's nutritionally complete. Cats need more protein, vitamin A and B vitamins than dogs do. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) regulates nutrition and labeling in cat food products. If the cat food doesn't have a label of nutritionally complete by AAFCO, you have no guarantee the food is complete.
Step 2:
Choose cat food that has meat listed as the first ingredient. Read the ingredients on the can or package of cat food. The ingredient that is listed first makes up the biggest part of the cat food. Ingredients are listed in descending order.
Step 3:
Avoid feeding your cat carbohydrates. Cats do not need carbohydrates; cats are carnivorous and get most of the carbohydrates they need from eating meat. Avoid buying any cat food that lists corn, wheat or flour that is listed in the top five ingredients.
Step 4:
Feed cat food that is low in added plant by-products and is highly compacted. The cat food also needs to be very digestible. The stomach and intestine of cats are smaller than most other animals which is why their food needs to be so packed full of protein.
Step 5:
Take your cat to the veterinarian if he is losing weight or not eating. There may be underlying physical reasons for your cat refusing to eat. It may be more than just being finicky.
Step 6:
Follow your veterinarians' instructions for feeding a sick, senior or nursing cat. These conditions require special feeding or cat food.

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