How do you know your cat is receiving the nutrition they need? You're bombarded with cat food commercials, each claiming that their product is more effective than the others. All About Dogs & Cats in Springfield, MO can help reduce the confusion. We stock a variety of cat foods and can assist you in finding the one that is ideal for your precious pet.
Your cat is a hunter, descended from a long line of hunters. Wild cats naturally ate a wide variety of nutritious food, based upon what they could capture. But your domestic cat relies on you to feed them. All About Dogs & Cats has all the foods that will keep them happy and healthy.
What Nutrients Does Your Cat Need?
For starters, your cat is a carnivore. They require meat in some form. This can be chicken, beef, lamb, fish, or eggs. They need fats to provide energy and help absorb vitamins like A, D, B1, B2, B3, and B6. In addition, some cat foods include carbohydrates, which are digestible and provide energy.
Reading a Cat Food Label
Cat food companies are required to put particular information on their labels, such as ingredients in descending order of weight, and guaranteed analysis, which tells you the minimum and maximum amount of nutrients like fats, protein, and fiber.
Learn about food descriptions. There's a big difference between "chicken cat food" and "cat food with chicken." Chicken cat food must be 95 percent chicken, while cat food with chicken can have as little as 3 percent. Food described as "chicken dinner" (or chicken formula) can be anywhere between 25 and 95 percent chicken.
Labels contain feeding instructions, but they're a guideline and not a "one size fits all." Your vet's guidance takes priority.
Search for the nutritional adequacy statement, which tells whether the food is intended for an adult cat or a kitten.
Still have questions? Just ask us! All About Dogs & Cats in Springfield, MO has everything you need for your pet. We carry a wide selection of major brands and our knowledgeable staff is eager to answer your questions and help you choose the best food for your cat. Stop by our store or call (417) 883-7387 for all your pet's needs.