Type
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Dry food. Feeds in the form of characteristic granules with minimal water content. They are very convenient to use, easy to store (and can be stored for a long time), and are also profitable - in the sense that “drying” is higher in calories than canned food and requires smaller portions. It is believed that it is not so well digested, but dry food of normal quality will definitely not cause harm, the main thing is that the pet always has access to fresh drinking water. But one of the obvious disadvantages of “drying” is the low fat content.
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Canned food. “Wet” food, which, unlike dry food, contains a large amount of water. It also contains more fat, making it somewhat better absorbed and digested. The main disadvantage of canned food is its short shelf life when opened. In addition, they are not as nutritious as “drying” and are more expensive.
- Milk substitutes. Milk replacers for small kittens who are unable to receive mother's milk. As a rule, they are intended for cubs aged from birth to weaning (about 2 months). Such food is produced in the form of a powder, dissolved in water before use. Some brands can also be used for supplementary feeding of pregnant and lactating cats.
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A treat. “Tiny” food given to the cat little by little as a treat - for example, in the process of training, when building relationships, or just like tha
...t, “to cheer up.” Specialized treats are also produced - for example, preventive or with vitamins. Please note that when using such feeds, you must carefully follow the dosage prescribed by the manufacturer.
- Soup. Delicious additions to a cat's basic diet. The increased moisture content in soups allows you to equalize the water balance in your pet’s body, which is very important for animals that drink little water. Finely chopped pieces of meat or fish are often found in soups. This food is suitable as a snack or as a supplement to regular meals throughout the day. The soup will also be a good addition to dry food, especially for tech cats that need to increase their fluid intake.
- Pasta. In the form of a paste, packaged in tubes or bags, food is usually produced in addition to the cat's regular diet. Many toothpastes contain added vitamins, minerals and other beneficial substances to maintain the pet’s health, components for dental care, hair removal, appetite stimulation, etc. Some pastes are supposed to be used as treats for cats.Quantity
The number of feed units in the delivery set.
The meaning of this parameter depends on the type of feed (see above). For dry food, the quantity is indicated only if the composition is packaged in portioned sachets (“pouches”) and there are more than one such sachets in the kit. Such packaging is extremely rare; it is possible to measure portions of dry food without problems from a common package.
But among canned food, many brands are sold in pouches. In addition, for canned goods, the number of cans can also be indicated (even if there is only one can). In both cases, the number of units usually corresponds to the number of servings.
For treats, in turn, in this case, the number of individual treats in the package is indicated.
Age
Age category for which the food is designed.
Different ages are associated with different needs for energy, nutrients, vitamins and trace elements. For example, kittens need large amounts of proteins, fats and minerals to grow properly. It is for small kittens that the largest number of nutrition gradations by age has been introduced (from 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months). Young cats use a lot of energy, while older cats tend to have dental and digestive problems, and need easily digestible and non-solid food. These features are taken into account when creating feed.
Specifically, by age, cats in this case can be divided into the following categories:
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Kittens - from birth to reaching the size of an adult cat (8 - 12 months). Solid foods can be given to kittens from about 1 month of age; before that, if there is no lactating mother cat nearby, it is recommended to use milk replacers.
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Young - from one to two years.
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Adults - from 2 to 7 - 8 years.
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Elderly - from 7 - 8 years and above.
General purpose
The series describes the general purpose of the food; at the same time, feeds of the same series can have different purposes (see below).
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Everyday. This food is perfect for active and agile cats that do not suffer from pronounced diseases and do not need special care.
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Medical. Feed used for certain diseases as a main or auxiliary drug. It is possible to give such food only as directed by a veterinarian and only as part of the prescribed course; For permanent use, this type of feed is not intended.
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Dietary. Special food for cats suffering from digestive problems, as well as animals with a low level of activity and a tendency to obesity. As a rule, it has a reduced calorie content and is easier to digest than conventional feeds.
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Pregnant. Food for pregnant cats. Both for the health of the mother and for the normal development of kittens, enhanced, high-quality power supply is required; this is taken into account in special feeds.
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Nursing. Feed intended for cats that feed kittens with milk. A significant part of the nutrients that enter the cat's body during this period goes to the production of milk and is transferred to kittens. Accordingly, one of the features of such feeds is their high nutritional value. Note that some types of such
...food are also suitable for kittens over the age of 1 month.
- Sterilized. Feed intended primarily for sterilized (castrated) cats. The two main problems that such animals are prone to are overweight and urolithiasis. Accordingly, feeds in this category usually have a lightweight composition, including additional support for the health of the genitourinary system.Special purpose
Purpose of feed. This is a specific parameter, more highly specialized than the series (see above): food should be selected first of all according to the series, and only then according to its intended purpose. We also note that often one composition has several purposes at once - for example, “for skin and wool” and “hypoallergenic”.
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For leather and wool. Foods that help improve the condition of the skin and coat. They contain an increased amount of “building materials” from which skin cells and fur hairs are formed. Please note that this type of food may also be intended for short-haired cats.
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Taking care of your teeth. Food for improving dental health and preventing problems with them. As a rule, they provide cleaning of teeth and disinfection of the oral cavity, and also supply the body with calcium and other substances that strengthen teeth.
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For joints. Feeds that strengthen joints and prevent the development of diseases associated with them. They contain an increased amount of chondroprotectors - substances used to build cartilage tissue and protect it from wear and tear. Such foods are especially useful in old age.
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For the kidneys. Feeds that improve kidney function. The main function of such compositions is the prevention and treatment of urolithiasis.
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For the immune system. Foods designed to strengthen the immune system. They are characterized by a high content of vitamins and microelements; they may also contain specific immunomodulatory ingredients (for example, extracts of medicinal plants). Please note that if your pet is prone to allergies, such foods should be used with extreme caution.
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For the picky ones. Food for cats that have specific taste preferences and are able to refuse food due to the fact that it is “tasteless”. Such compositions are developed with an emphasis on the taste component, and their specific tastes may be different. Please note that food for picky pets may be useful when switching from cheap formulations rich in flavor enhancers to higher quality food.
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Hypoallergenic. Compositions selected in such a way as to minimize the likelihood of allergies. In addition to cats prone to allergies, such food is also used for show animals: on the eve of exhibitions and competitions, owners switch their pets to hypoallergenic food in order to minimize the likelihood of illness before the big day.
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From obesity. Feeds intended for the prevention and treatment of obesity. As a rule, they have a reduced calorie content; In addition, the composition may contain ingredients that accelerate metabolism. Especially useful for animals leading a sedentary lifestyle.
- For bones. Foods that strengthen bones. They contain an increased amount of substances used to build bone tissue - in particular calcium. They are especially useful at a young age, while the musculoskeletal system is just developing, as well as for older animals whose bones weaken with age.
- From hairballs in the stomach. Foods designed to remove hairballs from your pet's stomach. They contain a large amount of natural plant fibers and insoluble fiber. Together, they promote safe, fast and natural removal of hair from the digestive tract. Regular consumption of such foods reduces the risk of new hairballs forming in the stomach.
— For diabetics (sugar maintenance). Dietary complete food for cats that helps regulate blood glucose levels. These foods usually contain carbohydrates with a low glycemic index. At the same time, the diet provides all the needs of a pet with diabetes in vitamins, amino acids and microelements.
- For vision. Special purpose foods designed to meet the needs of the cat's visual system. They can be very helpful for pets with certain eye conditions or for aging cats whose vision is deteriorating. These foods often contain vitamins A and E, antioxidants, lutein and taurine - these nutrients are included in the diet formula to support healthy eye tissue and retina.
- For heart. Food for maintaining cardiovascular health. They are introduced into the diet of aging cats, as well as pets with a predisposition to heart disease. Heart foods are low in sodium and contain various antioxidants, taurine, and Omega-3 fatty acids. They help regulate heart rhythm, maintain efficient heart muscle function and vascular health.
There are also more specific purposes found in special feeds (see “Series”). Here are some options for such appointments:
— For cats with sensitive skin and digestive system;
— For exhibition animals;
— For street cats;
— For domestic cats;
— For cats of large breeds (Maine Coon, Siberian, Norwegian, etc.);
— With anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects;
— Preventative to prevent a particular problem (most often urolithiasis).
Ingredients
This parameter lists the main ingredients that make up a particular food and determine its taste and nutritional qualities. It is mainly
meat,
fish, and
poultry.
Calories
Calorie content (energy value) of the product in terms of 100 grams of weight. Knowing the calorie content of the feed and the animal's energy requirement per day, it is possible to determine the optimal daily portion size. The recommended number of calories depends on many factors — age, body type, breed of cat, the presence of certain features or diseases, etc.; This amount can be determined from special tables.
