Manila Bulletin

CAT FOOD 101

MAKE SMART CHOICES FOR YOUR FELINE COMPANIONS

By NYZA FAUSTINE HO

Commercial pet food is the go-to solution for a feline companion’s dietary needs. Cat food brands are often labeled as having “complete nutrition”, but do they really provide what a cat needs? Not all brands are created equal, so it is important to know what to look out for.

WHAT CATS NORMALLY EAT

Cats are carnivores who primarily rely on animal sources for their nutritional needs. They are natural predators to smaller animals, such as rodents, birds, and other animals.

After cats decided to live beside (and with) humans, cats did not change their habits, so their nutritional needs and hunting instincts remained similar to their wild counterparts. But now, more and more commercial food is available for cats.

Cats remain hunters, even in urban areas. They hunt small animals for fun or food, even when commercial pet food is often available in their homes. Prey animals contain high levels of protein and fat, so pet parents should look for high levels of these nutrients in commercial pet food.

WHAT’S IN COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE FOOD

The many brands of cat food available in stores are especially formulated to meet their nutritional needs, and include both staple food and treats. Not all brands are created equal and the sources of nutrients may vary, depending on their formulation.

They come in many forms, such as dry, wet, semi-moist, and different types of treats. Dry and wet food are the most common, while semi-moist food is used for supplemental feeding.

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2022-01-01T08:00:00.0000000Z

2022-01-01T08:00:00.0000000Z

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