There are countless brands of cat food on the market. Gone are the days when you could only choose between a couple of brands. Now there is so much variety that, sometimes, especially for first-time ARISTOPARENTS, it is difficult to choose one.
Today we want to share some basic tips with you to make the decision-making process easier. To do this, the first thing we need to do is self-analyze how we are currently choosing food for our ARISTOCAT.
Here are seven questions you should ask yourself to evaluate your decision-making. Take a few seconds to answer each one mentally:
1. Which of these three aspects conditions the choice of food for your cat?
1. Price
2. Brand
3. Quality
2. Considering your cat's characteristics, which element is most important in choosing a particular food?
1. Its breed
2. Its weight
3. Its age
4. Its lifestyle
3. What influences you most when choosing food for your cat?
1. Online reviews
2. References from other ARISTOPARENTS
3. Veterinarian recommendations
4. Are you loyal to one brand or product, or do you alternate to see how each food suits your cat?
5. Do you read the nutritional information on product labels?
6. Is your ARISTOCAT happy and healthy, or do you think they could feel better?
The answers you've given can provide many clues as to whether you're doing well or if you could improve. Obviously, none of us have the answer to what the perfect food is. Because there are as many perfect foods as there are cats. Each one has its own. But what is vital is to choose our feline's food with their needs in mind. Since they can't choose, we must do so, empathizing with them and respecting their nature.
In that sense, our cat's weight, lifestyle, and age are fundamental. This is because nutritional needs vary drastically depending on the cat's life stage and physical characteristics. Thus, a newly arrived kitten does not need the same as a senior cat. The former needs proteins and nutrients to grow healthy and strong. The latter needs easily digestible foods that help them age well. Similarly, a spayed or neutered cat also has specific nutritional needs, as they tend to be overweight in those cases. That's why it's super important to adjust the daily amounts of food to our pet's weight and age. Because even if it seems like a few grams more or less is a small thing, it can make a big difference in the health of our best friend.
Brands that have ranges for different life stages of cats. So choosing based on those criteria is easy. However, it is equally important to read the nutritional information on the label carefully and, generally, it is recommended to discard the lower ranges. Although that does not mean opting for the most expensive on the market, necessarily. You have to find a balance between quality food and a reasonable price that doesn't drastically increase the daily cost of feeding.
Finally, although it may seem very obvious, you need to pay close attention to your cat's reaction when it encounters its food bowl. Cats are expert food tasters. If something doesn't appeal to them—especially by smell—they reject it, so just observing them will be enough to understand if they find their food tasty, acceptable, or inedible. You should never force them to eat something they don't want to eat.
We hope these tips are helpful. We remind you that in ARISTOSHOP you will find the best food products for your ARISTOCAT. From dry food to wet food, as well as snacks, and other specific foods to satisfy cats with specific needs.