Who has one or more cats knows how important it is to offer them a healthy and balanced diet. Among the various options available, the dry foodin the form of kibbleis one of the most common choices. But which brand and type to choose for an adult cat?
Given the many proposals available on the market, it can be difficult to orient yourself. However, someone new comes to our aid comparative testconducted by experts from the French consumer magazine 60 Millions of Consumerswhich he compared 12 bags of kibble intended for adult cats (from 1 to 10 years), sterilized and in good health, of some of the most popular brands of pet food.
Sterilized cat foods must meet specific nutritional needs, reducing the risk of weight gain and preserving urinary health. In the test, factors such as nutritional balance and the quality of the ingredients were evaluated. More specifically, the analysis considered the content of proteins, fats and minerals, as well as the presence of artificial ingredients and the overall quality of the product. An important aspect was also to consider the formulation, which should be designed to maintain an optimal body weight, avoiding both nutritional deficiencies and the excessive use of carbohydrates.
The brands chosen for this test include some of the most popular on the pet products market:
The results
The results highlighted significant differences between the various products. Some brands have stood out for a particularly balanced nutritional profile, with high quality protein contents and adequate fat balances. Others presented less noble ingredients or unnecessary additives, which can affect the long-term well-being of cats.
The high quality proteins they are essential for a balanced cat diet. Being a carnivorous animal, the cat requires proteins to maintain muscular and structural health (such as skin and fur) and for the production of enzymes and hormones. It is essential that these proteins contain essential amino acids, which the cat is not able to synthesize on its own, such as arginine, methionine, taurine and others. Lack of some of these amino acids can lead to serious health problems, such as ammonia poisoning, weight loss, or organ damage.
In the test, 5 products were found to have optimal levels of amino acids, while three had them at good levels. On the other hand, four kibbles (Eukanuba, Edgard & Cooper, Nestor Bio and Perfect Fit) had borderline levels of some key molecules such as methionine, cysteine and taurine, although remaining acceptable, while a lower than standard protein content was found in Hill’s kibbles and Whiskas, which however compensate with an adequate amino acid profile.
Another important aspect are the essential fatty acids, such as omega-3swhich support brain health, kidney health and the immune system. Among the products tested, Hill’s stands out for the best omega-3 content, followed by Royal Canin. On the contrary, Friskies, Whiskas and Perfect Fit have a lower content of these fatty acids.
As for the vitaminsalmost all products adequately meet the cat’s needs, with the exception of Perfect Fit which has a slightly lower rating. However, some products have significant deficiencies in potassium, a mineral essential for cellular function, with Whiskas, Perfect Fit and Carrefour falling below requirements.
Finally, theanalysis of digestibility and energy density revealed that some kibbles, such as Carrefour Expert and Nestor Bio, have a low rate of starch gelatinisation, which can cause digestive difficulties. Additionally, products like Franklin require smaller portions to cover energy needs, but this may reduce your potassium intake.
The 2 best brands
In terms of general quality, the test identified 2 products as the best that offer a good compromise between nutritional values:
