Owning eight cats might seem like a challenging feat, but with each of them having their own distinct palate, it has become a delightful adventure in discovering the best foods to keep them happy and healthy.
If you’re on the hunt for the ideal cat food for your furry babies, you’re in the right place. In this article, I’ll walk you through my experiences with various cat foods, offering insights to help you find the perfect options for your feline companions.
Best Dry Food for Cats
Powercats Kitten
Let’s start with the basics – dry cat food. For the longest time, my cats were obsessed with Powercats Kitten. It was their absolute favorite when they were younger, thanks to the smaller, thinner kibbles that were just the right size for them.
And beyond the perfect size, Powercats Kitten worked wonders by not causing any vomiting – a big win in our household. But after two years, they’ve grown bored of it and started turning their noses up at the bowl. Now, it’s time to move on to our next best option that’s winning them over…
Royal Canin Urinary SO
Months ago, we noticed that Tris, the mother of our three new cats, had been menstruating continuously for several months. She became easily irritated and more withdrawn. We thought this might be due to their dry food, so we did some research and found that Royal Canin was highly recommended for cats with these issues.
Not wanting our other cats to develop similar problems, we decided to switch their food as well. We bought two versions of Royal Canin—Urinary and Kitten—but they seem to prefer the Urinary formula. However, our goal is to eventually transition them fully to wet food. Unfortunately, they’re not fans of wet food, which might be our fault. When they were younger, we introduced them to wet food briefly but quickly transitioned them to dry. In hindsight, we should have included more fish or natural foods to develop their taste for it.
We’ve tried several dry food formulas like Monello and Special Cat Urinary, but they didn’t like those either. So we’ve had to stick with Royal Canin, which is quite expensive. A 1.5kg bag costs around 1,300 and only lasts 10 days for four cats—Tris and her three babies. While Tris still eats dry food, she now prefers wet food three times a day. I’ll list her favorites below. Yes, it’s pricey, but it’s worth it to help keep them healthy. We recently lost two of our cats to gut issues, so we do everything we can to give them the best food possible.
Best Wet Food for Cats
Sheba Pouched Wet Food
Now, onto wet food – Sheba’s Pouched Wet Food has been a winner for all of our cats. They never seem to get tired of it, and the variety of flavors is always a hit. The chicken flavor is especially great, leaving their bowls clean every time!
The only issue is that it’s a bit expensive—around 50 pesos per pouch—and Tris wants to eat it three times a day. So, I mix in some of the less pricey wet food pouches listed below to balance it out.
CIAO Wet Cat Food & Treats
Next on my list of best wet cat food is CIAO. What I love about this brand is that they offer a wide variety of flavors and choices. Although it’s more affordable, the pouches are quite small—almost like feeding her treats. But since she loves it, I give it to her in the morning when she wakes me up, knowing she’ll be asleep for most of the day anyway.
I also buy their treats, which come in a container of 100—much more cost-effective than buying the three-packs. I give these treats to Vanessa, my cat with cerebellar hypoplasia, who I’m transitioning to wet food as well. I feed her these treats once or twice a day.
Whiskas New Chicken Flavor
There are other wet food pouches out there, like Goodest and Smartheart, but our cats aren’t fans. We used to buy regular Whiskas, but it’s been hit-or-miss—sometimes they like it, and sometimes they don’t, so we’ve stopped buying it. However, there’s a new chicken flavor from Whiskas that Tris absolutely loves. It’s often sold out, but we grab it whenever we can find it on the shelf.
Most Nutritious Cat Food
If you have picky cats, I think they’d really enjoy all the food options I’ve mentioned above. Now, let’s talk about the more nutritious choices. I recommend introducing these foods once your cats have weaned from milk, so they can develop a taste for them.
Mega Mackerel
Let me tell you about a budget-friendly alternative that’s been a game-changer for our eldest cat, Munchie – Mega Mackerel. Munchie has never been a fan of dry food, so since she was a kitten, I’ve been cooking fish for her. But as our cat family grew, keeping up with that became less practical.
Other dry food options didn’t sit well with Munchie, causing issues like discharge, pain, and even scratching and hair pulling. That’s when I found Mega Mackerel – an affordable canned fish. I buy five large cans, remove the bones and fins, mash it up, and store it in the fridge. Not only does it meet Munchie’s special dietary needs, but it’s also a hit with the rest of our cats!
Leftovers
Switching things up, let’s talk about the challenge with our oldest male cat. He used to be all about dry food, but once we added mackerel to his diet, he lost interest in it and started preferring our leftovers instead.
To keep his meals exciting, I’ve tried mixing in things like chopped hotdogs. But, as you probably know, cats can be picky eaters. So now, I rotate between fish, hotdogs, and whatever leftovers we have to keep him happy.
Supero Raw Food
Adding another option to the mix, Supero Raw Food has been a great addition to our cats’ meals. It comes in different raw varieties like beef, chicken, liver, and pork, and offers a fresh texture to their diet.
My male cat especially loves the raw food, and it’s perfect for when we run out of fish or dry food. All it takes is thawing a portion, and they can enjoy their raw feast!
In summary, these are the best food options I’ve found for our cats. As mentioned, it’s a good idea to train your cat to enjoy fish and other nutritious options as their main diet. Introduce wet food to help with the transition, and reserve dry food for treats or for when you’re away or traveling. This approach ensures a balanced diet while keeping your cats happy and healthy.
Cat Feeding Tips
Now, let’s dive into some practical tips to make feeding your cats a seamless and enjoyable experience:
Keep Your Cat Hydrated
While we’ve covered food, let’s not forget about water—an essential part of your cat’s diet. Cats are very particular about their drinking water. If they’re not happy with it, they might avoid drinking altogether. To encourage proper hydration, consider investing in a water fountain, as many cats prefer running water. A fountain not only keeps the water fresh and oxygenated but also appeals to their natural instincts.
Additionally, using filtered water can make a difference in taste and quality. Cats also tend to seek out secluded or quiet areas to drink, reminiscent of their instinctual need to be cautious while drinking in the wild. By providing a clean, accessible, and appealing water source, you can help ensure your cat stays hydrated and healthy.
Prioritize True Protein
As obligate carnivores, cats require a diet rich in meat or fish to thrive. True protein sources are crucial for their overall health and well-being. High-quality, protein-rich diets support muscle development, provide essential amino acids, and contribute to a shiny coat and healthy skin. When selecting cat food, look for options that list meat or fish as the primary ingredient to ensure that your cat gets the nutrients they need to stay healthy and energetic.
Bite-Sized or Mushed Food
As carnivores, cats have a tendency to gobble or swallow rather than chew. Ensure their foods are either bite-sized or mushed to prevent choking incidents and make their dining experience safer.
Invest in Slanted Bowls
Cats may struggle to move food in their bowls. Opt for bowls with a slanted design to facilitate movement, ensuring that food settles at the bottom and minimizing leftovers.
Monitor Stress Factors
Cats are generally stress-free animals, but if you notice signs of stress, it might be related to their food. Experiment with wet food or fish to address potential underlying issues and keep your cats content.
Before heading to the vet, it’s a good idea to monitor your cats’ behavior. Sometimes, simply changing their food can resolve issues almost instantly. Most cats will happily switch to a new food if they’re not fond of what you’re currently offering.
For example, our cat Munchie had recurring discharge when we were feeding her Princess. We went to the vet, and although they tested her and gave her some antibiotics, the problem kept recurring. However, when we switched to fish, it instantly resolved the issue. If you’re busy, preparing the fish ahead of time can save you time; you can prepare their food on the weekend.
By keeping an eye on their eating habits and making thoughtful adjustments to their diet, you can often address and resolve issues without the need for a vet visit.
I hope this article has been helpful to you. Feel free to share any suggestions or comments you might have!