How do you know your cat is getting the nutrition they need? You're bombarded with cat food commercials, each stating that their product is more effective than the others. Dog Day Afternoon in Mascoutah, IL can help reduce the confusion. We carry a variety of cat foods and can help you in choosing the one that is right for your precious pet.
Your cat is a hunter, descended from a long line of hunters. Wild felines naturally ate a wide assortment of nutritious food, based on what they could catch. But your domestic cat depends on you to feed them. Dog Day Afternoon 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 need to have meat in some form. This may be chicken, beef, lamb, fish, or eggs. They need fats to supply energy and help absorb vitamins like A, D, B1, B2, B3, and B6. In addition, some cat foods include carbohydrates, which are digestible and offer 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.
Understand food descriptions. There's a 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 include feeding directions, but they're a guideline and not a "one size fits all." Your vet's recommendations takes precedence.
Try to find the nutritional adequacy statement, which explains whether the food is meant for an adult cat or a kitten.
Still have questions? Just ask us! Dog Day Afternoon in Mascoutah, IL has everything you need for your pet. We offer a wide variety of major brands and our educated staff is eager to answer your questions and help you choose the best food for your cat. Stop by our store or call (618) 448-0374 for all your pet's needs.