First of all, we should make sure that the canned cat staple food contains enough meat and animal protein, because cats are carnivores and they need these nutrients to stay healthy. We can determine the meat content in canned food by looking at the ingredient list of the product. Usually, meat is at the top of the ingredient list, which means it has a high content. In addition, some products will also mark the percentage of meat content on the package, such as "80% chicken". This information can help us to judge whether the product meets our requirements. Remember, choosing canned food with high meat content can provide more protein and nutrition for cats.
Second, look at the test report. We must ensure that the selected products meet the standards of AAFCO (American Conference of Feed Officials), which is the standard for a professional organization to evaluate and certify pet food. Most mainstream brands of canned food will follow this standard, but canned food produced in Germany may not have AAFCO certification. Although a few brands have not passed the certification, they may still be high-quality products, and we can evaluate them in other ways. Some well-known brands will provide test reports from third-party laboratories to ensure the quality and safety of products. These test reports usually include the results of nutrient composition analysis, heavy metals and bacteria. We can also get these reports by looking at the brand official website or consulting the shop assistants. The test report can make us more assured to choose high-quality products, and ensure the nutritional intake and health and safety of cats. I usually just ask the customer service directly online.
Third, look at the nutrient composition table. The reference standard of nutritional components is also an important reference factor when choosing canned cat staple food. According to professional nutrition standards, the content of crude protein required by cats should be above 10%, so as to ensure that cats can get enough protein supply and maintain the healthy development of their muscles and tissues. In addition, the content of crude fat is suggested to be between 4%- 10% to meet the energy demand of cats for fat. The crude ash content should be controlled at a low level, below 2.5%, to avoid bringing too much burden to the cat's kidney and digestive system. In addition, the moisture content is also an index that needs attention, and it should be controlled at a low level, as far as possible below 80%, in order to maintain the stability and taste of food.
Fourth, looking at the quality of canned meat, the meat should be lumpy, not messy. This means that the meat is dense and won't have too much water. When we open the can, if we find that the meat is loose, moist and easy to separate, it may indicate that the meat content in the can is low and the nutritional value is not high enough. So why is the shape and moisture content of meat important? In fact, it is because the food preference of cats is related to the eating habits of their wild ancestors. Wild cats usually prey on carnivores, and they need foods with high protein and low moisture to meet their energy needs. Therefore, for domestic cats, it is more in line with their natural needs to choose blocky and dense canned food. In addition, too much water may lead to the dilution of protein in canned food, resulting in insufficient nutrition for cats. So try to avoid choosing canned food with loose meat and too much water.
To sum up, choosing a canned cat staple food with good nutrition can be comprehensively considered by paying attention to meat content and animal protein, test report, reference standard of nutritional components, ingredient list and nutritional balance. Everyone must look at the ingredient list carefully!