Pros and cons of premium food
Premium cat food is not nearly as high quality as super-premium food or food from the holistic line, but they are not as expensive. The quality and composition of the components in them is much better than in economy class feed. Premium food already contains real meat (albeit in small quantities), but also still contains a variety of substitutes, preservatives and the like. In simple terms, we can say that such food is not dangerous to the cat’s health, but it is also not desirable.
Many cat owners choose premium food , as they are a compromise between price and quality.
The advantages of such food include greater nutritional value than in economy class, due to which the animal eats much smaller portions and, accordingly, the load on the kidneys will be less, there will be less excrement, and so on. Among the disadvantages of premium food are the already mentioned preservatives, chemical flavoring additives and aromas. However, animals in good health can live their entire lives on this food without any problems.
Appearance
As the name suggests, Toygers are the breed closest to tigers among all domestic cats. Although many people assume it's their stripes, this breed is still evolving to resemble real tigers as closely as possible.
The only acceptable markings on the Toyger breed are dark, thick stripes placed randomly against the reddish-brown background of the coat. In contrast to the vertical stripes on the body, the markings on their head are distinctly round , like those of wild tigers. In addition to their unique markings, their fur is incredibly smooth and, although thick, quite short . Their smooth, hide-like coat is a trait the breed inherited from Bengal cats.
Although the Toyger's coat is the feature that people most associate with a tiger, these cats have a few more typical tiger-like qualities that may not be obvious at first glance.
The Toyger's legs are much shorter than those of the Bengal, for example, giving this cat the rolling gait characteristic of big cats. When Toyger walks around your home, it's like a tiger on the hunt! Even their toes are elongated , and their paws resemble those of a tiger, although, unlike tiger ones, they cannot tear you to shreds.
List of premium cat foods
Premium cat food brands include the following: Purina Pro Plan, Royal Canin, Iams, Hills, Feline Perfection, Fitmin. It is worth noting that very often Royal Canin food and Hills food are often classified as super-premium. This is due to the fact that their medicinal food lines are of very high quality. However, regular food of these brands is not as good as super-premium food, and therefore it is a mistake to attribute them to it.
Review of ProPlan cat food
ProPlan is a premium cat food that has a completely balanced composition. It is worth noting that the ProPlan veterinary line is often classified as super premium food, as it is of higher quality. Another important fact is that two more cat foods are released under the Purina brand - Purina Cat Chow and Purina ONE. The first food is economy class, and the second is a more decent food. Therefore, you should not confuse them.
ProPlan cat food contains 40% protein, which is completely suitable for healthy animals. However, it is worth understanding in more detail. In Pro Plan, a large amount of this indicator is vegetable proteins (soy flour, corn gluten), which are not at all desirable for a cat’s menu. Moreover, corn is used because it is cheap, but it is the one that is most harmful to cats (in many animals it can lead to hair loss and various allergic reactions).
Purina ProPlan cat food contains real chicken (even in duck or salmon flavored varieties), which is of course a plus. “By-product meal” (ground waste, such as paws, heads) is also a useful ingredient for your pet. But there are also quite dubious components - animal fat and liver. It’s as if there’s nothing wrong with it, but too much liver is harmful for a cat, and the manufacturer does not specify what exactly the origin of “animal fat” is.
Among the cereal crops, ProPlan contains both ingredients suitable for cats, for example, rice, and strong allergens (for example, wheat flour). Additionally, some versions of Purina ProPlan contain cellulose powder, which can also cause allergic reactions in your cat. In conclusion, it is worth noting the presence in these foods of pribiotics and enzymes that are useful for cat digestion, which are usually a feature of the super premium class.
List of manufacturers
Every year more and more companies are switching to the production of high-quality feed, so the choice in this category is simply huge. The following will be a list of manufacturers who have already established themselves in the market.
Acana
Acana products are manufactured by the Canadian company Champion Petfoods, which over the decades has become a leader in the manufacture of super-premium and platinum-class pet food (that is, holistic). Acana food is designed for cats of different breeds and ages. They contain the highest (up to 80%) percentage of natural proteins and few carbohydrates, which promotes better absorption of the product.
The basis of the feed is high-quality fish or meat: chicken, duck, turkey with the addition of offal (no more than 9%), fruits, vegetables and herbs. They are gluten free and come in a grain-free version. Acana food is quite widely represented on the domestic market and is available in any store, although the price is not low.
Grandorf
Grandorf food is produced by United Petfood Producers, whose production facilities are located in Belgium (dry foods) and Italy (canned food). Most products contain probiotics that support intestinal microflora. The food is based on natural meat (65-70%), there are no vegetable proteins. The rest consists of gluten-free grains (rice, lentils), sweet potatoes, vegetables, dried berries, and flax seeds.
Carnilove
Czech holistic providers Carnivore are the most affordable and not the worst in quality. The composition is slightly different from previous foods, which obviously affected the price. For example, the fish version contains fishmeal (sometimes up to 30%). The meat composition is very diverse: wild boar, pheasant, duck, turkey, venison. There are also many useful ingredients: dried berries, seeds, herbs. The line includes food for different age groups and breeds, for sterilized cats and those with sensitive digestion.
Go Natural
Canadian Go Natural food is widely known in our market. Holistics here are represented by three types of meat (duck, chicken, turkey) and salmon (the percentage is not specified by the manufacturer). The composition also contains cereals (chickpeas, lentils), herbs, dried berries, vitamins, and minerals. The line includes a grain-free option, with probiotics, for adult cats and kittens.
Now
Now Fresh Holistics are manufactured by Canadian company Petcurean Pet Nutrition. These are high-quality grain-free foods containing a high percentage of protein from natural meat (turkey, duck, salmon). There are few carbohydrates here, mainly potatoes. The rest is represented by dried berries, seeds and fruits (apples, bananas), carrots and vitamin supplements. Now food is widely available in domestic pet stores and is affordable.
Reviews of ProPlan food from cat owners
Review of ProPlan food for kittens
Nina: When we got a kitten, I immediately started looking on the Internet for what to feed him. Everywhere they wrote that until the age of six months it is better to feed only natural food, and that’s what I did... Then the kitten turned half a year old, and they decided to accustom him to food. You can’t afford the most expensive holistic treatments, but you can’t poison a kitten with Kitikat or Whiskas.
After reading several articles and reviews, I decided to try Purina Pro Plan food for kittens. I read that sometimes the products present in it cause allergies, but, fortunately, this did not happen to our cat. We also feed him regular homemade food, and when no one is home, we leave him with dry food. I read that it is better not to mix homemade food with ready-made food, but to feed one thing at a time. But a veterinarian friend said that there was nothing wrong with it. Moreover, if the food is not of the highest quality, then it is better not to feed it unnecessarily. And ProPlan is of average quality, at least that’s what a friend said, and that’s how one can judge it as a premium food.
Review of Pro Plan food
, writes Elena. We fed our cat this food for almost half a year. At first everything was fine, but over time the cat began to eat less and showed less and less activity. It got to the point where I almost stopped eating altogether and lay there all day. They took him to the vet. The cat was given an injection and put on an IV. The veterinarian said that the reason was in the food - it was too fatty and the liver could not cope. He also said that food often becomes the reason for visits to him and that even the best food causes problems. That is, the reason here is not only in the food, but also in the individuality of our cat. And yet, now we feed him better and slightly more expensive food.
Review of ProPlan food
, writes Karina: I have been feeding my pet food for neutered cats for over a year now. ProPlan was recommended by the clinic. I feed not only dry, but also wet. Therefore, it is sold out little by little - up to four large (3 kg) packages per year. So far, there have been no problems with either digestion or going to the toilet.
Personality
A cross between the playful, hyper-intelligent and affectionate Bengal and the curious, obedient domestic cat , the Toyger has a balanced combination of traits from both breeds. Perhaps the best way to describe the Toyger's temperament is to say that it is a combination of the unique personality of the Bengal with the added bonus of the friendly and happy-go-lucky nature of house cats .
Although Toygers are related to Asian leopard cats only through the Bengal cats in their ancestry, they still inherit this wild cat's love of water . Like Bengal cats, Toygers love to play in the water, so don't be surprised if you spot this exotic cat hiding in the sink or catching imaginary prey in its water bowl.
The best way to describe the Toyger's temperament is to say that it is a combination of the unique personality of Bengals with the added bonus of the friendly and carefree nature of domestic cats.
Smart and curious, Toyger cats easily learn tricks and love to communicate with their owners. They can walk on a leash, play games, and generally respond well to positive training with rewards. Since they are very energetic and playful, expect your tiny tiger to roam around your apartment, including the tops of closets and secret nooks and crannies!
Their sharp intelligence and active temperament are attributed to Bengal cats. However, the main difference between the Bengal and the Toyger, besides their appearance, is their friendliness . While Bengal cats are loving and affectionate, Toygers take this to a whole new level. Not only do they easily get attached to their family members, but they also show their tender side to anyone. They are not mistrustful or overly cautious when meeting strangers, and they are always affectionate, purring, and willing to cuddle . This also means that Toygers can be a little needy. These tabbies enjoy human interaction and aren't afraid to show it, so expect loud meows if your kitty feels ignored, as well as constant stalking wherever you go.
Conclusions about ProPlan food
Based on the composition of ProPlan cat food, we can conclude that it contains both beneficial and quite harmful ingredients. Therefore, if possible, it is better to choose food from the super premium (Bosch SANABELLE, Bozita) or holistic (Go, Acana, NOW Natural holistic) class. However, if expensive food is beyond your means, then Purina ProPlan is a good option. If you have chosen this particular food, then the Pskov-zoo.ru website recommends that after several weeks of feeding it, you check the animal’s tests at the veterinarian. If everything is fine with them, the food is suitable and safe for your cat.
Royal Canin cat food review
Royal Canin is a premium cat food, which makes it a good substitute for natural food. However, in addition to a good balance of substances necessary for cats, premium food also contains various chemicals (dyes, odor and taste enhancers, preservatives). a large amount of vegetable proteins, grains, soybeans, and meat by-products are not of the best quality.
If we talk only about Royal Canin cat food , then it is worth noting that the brand’s medicinal line is very high quality and well balanced, and perfectly helps in the treatment of specific diseases, which is why it is often classified as a super premium class. In addition, most veterinarians consider Royal Canin medicated food to be better than the ProPlan or Eucanuba medicinal lines.
But Royal Canin daily dry food, like the mentioned ProPlan, is of worse quality than the line of veterinary (medicinal) food. Therefore, if possible, it is better to feed a cat with food of the highest classes (Fitmin, Akana, Go, Now, Bozita, Bosch Sanabel). However, if, when feeding Royal Canin food, your pet is active, playful, has a shiny coat, has no digestive problems, and the tests done at the veterinary clinic are in perfect order, then the food is perfect for him.
Pros and cons of Royal Canin food
Benefits of Royal Canin food:
- Low price;
- High quality compared to economy class;
- High-quality veterinary food line;
- A wide range of;
- Available at any pet store.
Disadvantages of Royal Canin food:
- Daily feeds are of lower quality than veterinary ones;
- Production in Russia (if possible, it is better to order/buy feed made in Europe);
- The manufacturer of Royal Canin food is Mars, which specializes in economy class food.
Reviews of Royal Canin food
Ekaterina: We have a kitten (female) of the Don Sphynx breed.
We started feeding him Royal Canin food for kittens from 4 months. In our stores this food is one of the most expensive, but our little one did not eat it very willingly. When the cat grew up, we switched to Royal Canin for Sphynxes, but the cat didn’t like to feast on it either. Moreover, after some time a rash appeared on the cat’s body - the diagnosis was allergy. We decided to switch to another food - everything went away and the cat was happy. Our cat not only didn’t like Royal Canin, but also did a little harm. Therefore, I do not recommend buying it; it is better to take something of better quality.
Elena: I fed my cat Royal Canin dry food from the age of six months. For two years there were no problems, but when a British cat moved in and appeared, problems arose. The cat was quickly gaining weight, although everything was fine with the cat. Perhaps the reason is that the cat is sterilized. I had to change the brand of food, I chose 1st Choice, it suited both)) There are no complaints about Royal Canin, I just didn’t want to buy different food for the cat and cat, so I chose one suitable for both.
Review of Royal Canin medicinal food
, writes Galina: After diagnosing urolithiasis in our cat, the veterinarian, in addition to medications, also prescribed Royal Canin Urinary dietary food for the prevention of urolithiasis. They treated and fed as prescribed by the veterinarian, and after a month the cat’s condition improved significantly. She began to eat better and lead a more active lifestyle. An examination at the clinic showed that the cat was already healthy. The veterinarian stopped taking the medication, but recommended feeding him food for another 3-4 months. If veterinarians recommend it and it helps, then Royal Canin is a good medicinal food!
Overview of the Toyger breed
Two unique places in Judy Sudgen's Bengal cat temple are the reason Toygers exist today. When a feline enthusiast and breeder noticed the unusual round markings on her Bengal cat's head, she had the idea to create a breed that closely resembled one of the jungle's most stunning creatures: tigers . She decided to cross her beloved Bengal with a domestic cat that had noticeable stripes on her coat to create a cat with a coat with bright stripes.
More than two decades later, Toygers are now a breeding cat breed, cherished for their tiger-like appearance and friendly, playful nature.
Conclusions about Royal Canin food
Judging by most reviews, Royal Canin is a good food for cats, especially the veterinary line. However, analyzing the composition of Royal Canin food, we can say that although it is much better than economy class food, it still has significant drawbacks. Therefore, our recommendations are as follows: if you have the opportunity to buy top-class cat food, be sure to take advantage of it; if not and buy Royal Canin food, monitor your pet during the first days and weeks, so you will know whether the food is suitable for him.
Hill's cat food review
Hills Feline cat food belongs to the premium class. Although the Hill's medicinal line of food is often classified as a super premium class, since it is of better quality than daily food for healthy cats. Note that this is not a reason to buy a medicinal line instead of a regular one, because for healthy cats it may be less useful than a regular one.
You can feed medicated food only in case of a certain disease in the cat and the food has been prescribed by veterinarians. If you know what your cat is sick with, you can choose the food yourself, following the labels on the packaging (for example, “for neutered cats,” “for cats with sensitive stomachs,” etc.).
Ingredients of Hill's using Nature's Best Kitten Chicken as an example: Poultry meal, corn gluten meal, animal fat, brown rice, corn, hydrolyzed protein, minerals, barley, oats, fish oil, dried beet pulp, flaxseed, dehydrated carrots, dehydrated peas, tomato pomace, chopped spinach, citrus pulp, grape pomace, rice, oat fiber. Supplements per kg: E672 (vitamin A) 36,830ME, E671 (vitamin D3) 2,170ME, E1 (iron) 87 mg, E2 (iodine) 1.4 mg, E4 (copper) 8.5 mg, E5 (manganese) 9 mg, E6 ( zinc) 180 mg, E8 (selenium) 0.2 mg. With natural preservative and natural antioxidants. Iron oxide colored.
Pros and cons of Hills food
The benefits of Hill's cat food include:
- low price;;
- vitamins and minerals;
- quite a good range of treatments;
- availability in most stores;
The disadvantages of Hills Feline food include:
- high percentage of plant proteins;
- quite frequent cases of allergies in cats;
- Hill's wet food is of worse quality than dry food.
What to choose from super premium class
Now let's find out what experts can recommend from the super premium class.
Almo Nature
The feed is triple checked. All ingredients are natural.
Products include dry and wet food, canned food and treats. There are lines for sterilized animals and for allergy sufferers.
Pronature Holistic
Complete food. Animal protein up to 55%, which is represented by fresh poultry (chicken, turkey, duck) and fresh fish. It also contains mixtures of healthy herbs, vegetables, and fruits.
There are grain-free lines that you can choose for allergy sufferers.
Leader of many ratings. According to some experts, the food is holistic.
Bosch Sanabel
Feed made in Germany.
Contains many animal proteins, fish oil, minerals and digestive enzymes. There is a slight risk of allergies due to individual components (cellulose, for example).
Leonardo
The food contains a lot of meat, even compared to some holistic foods - 70-90%. Enriched with a large number of useful substances. There are dry and soft food.
Hill's cat food - reviews
Review of Hills food for kittens , writes Galina Panko. Just two years ago, we got a five-month-old kitten. She called him Tonic (although the man calls him Tapk), started looking on the Internet about feeding kittens and most wrote that at this age it is already fashionable to start accustoming them to food. For testing, I chose small packages of Hills food for kittens and ProPlan for kittens. The baby did not eat very willingly at first, but then the whims disappeared :-)
I stopped at Hills feed and fed him until he was one year old. Then I switched to food for adult cats. I can say that during these two years there were no problems. The cat's coat is good and his health is not satisfactory. True, I not only feed him dry food - Tonic often asks for something tasty from the table, and it’s hard to refuse him)) I hope my review will be useful and Hill’s food will suit your cats too!
Review about Hill's cat food
sent by Valya: I fed my Tusya whiskey for almost four years. Everything seemed to be fine, the cat was eating and eating. . It turned out that Whiskas was an advertised time bomb for cats. I immediately switched to the best food, but the best brands are expensive, so I had to find a compromise between price and quality. Hills food became such a compromise - both the composition is much better and the price is reasonable. From time to time I also buy canned food of the same brand.
Now Tusya looks much better thanks to her shiny coat! Therefore, we can conclude that if Hills is not the best, it is certainly much better than any Whiskas. It’s good that I realized this in time and I hope my cat will please me for a very long time thanks to this! Let everything be fine with your pets!
Review of Hills food for sterilized cats
, Rosolinda:
We chose this food on the recommendation of the clinic after the cat was castrated. We have been feeding them for more than four years. The cat is happy, and so are we. People, don’t be sorry to spend a little more on food, because if you feed it whiskey or kitikat, it will end up being more expensive. Have pity on your cat! And don’t forget, when feeding dry food there should always be water near it!
Conclusions about Hills food
If you are looking for inexpensive cat food of relatively good quality, the premium segment is just for you. and Hills food of course. Reviews from owners indicate that it is suitable for many animals and years of feeding them do not show negative consequences. Veterinarians note that although they often recommend Hills medicinal food for certain diseases, if possible, it is better to feed healthy cats and female cats with super premium class food. Although they are more expensive, they are very high quality.
Gemon food
Budget cat food is not always of poor quality. Some brands offer worthy alternatives to premium products. For example, customers call Gemon a high-quality and inexpensive food in reviews. This is one of the best budget cat products. It's all about its composition. Its basis is also cereals. The manufacturer does not indicate their quantity, but he notes how many meat products are contained in the food (from 8 to 16% depending on the type). The composition also includes fats and oils, which have a positive effect on the condition of the pet’s skin and coat. The food has added minerals and yeast, as well as an ingredient that reduces the smell of feces.
The food is produced in Italy. Not only dry, but also wet products are produced in bags. If you wish, you can buy special food for domestic or sterilized cats. In reviews, customers note that their pets tolerate Gemon well. Even with prolonged feeding, no deterioration in health is observed. The food has one drawback - its high price, although it is cheaper than Cat Chow. The average cost of a package (400 g) is 185 rubles.
