Cat Food Labels - Indicators Of Feline Food Quality

The information provided on cat food labels is a good indicator of the quality of cat food and the recommended nutrition needs of your cat. Cat food labels generally contain information related to the ingredients used, nutritional analysis, feeding instructions and adherence to the recognized standards. Instead of going in for low-priced cat foods as most cat-owners do, it is better to analyze cat food labels and pick out one that emphasizes on quality.

The ingredients listed on cat food labels provide you a good idea about the products used in its manufacture. Nutritional analysis refers to the amount of protein, fat, fiber and moisture present in the cat food. Feeding instructions on the labels recommend the approximate serving amounts for your cat based on its age and weight. In addition, if a particular brand of cat food is certified by established standards or agencies, it enhances your confidence about the nutrition that your cat would receive from it.

Understanding The Ingredient List On Cat Food Labels

Ingredient list is an integral segment of cat food labels that provides a detailed listing of the ingredients in order of weight. Through a thorough analysis of the ingredients and their concentration levels, you will be able to assess various brands of cat food and choose the best one for your cat.

All cat foods contain a high concentration of meat, poultry or fish by-products. Meat is usually sourced from chicken, cattle, lamb or turkey, slaughtered under hygienic conditions. Meat by-products used in cat food usually include the brain, liver, lungs, spleen, kidneys, esophagus and stomach of slaughtered animals. These parts are subject to several stages of cleansing to ensure germ-free products that are free from feathers, hair or teeth.

Look Out For AAFCO Standards On Cat Food Labels

The AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) aims at maintaining main high standards of production, labeling and sale of cat foods. Cat food labels may feature the accreditation of AAFCO in two different ways.

In the first case, the label on the cat food would state that its contents are 'formulated to meet AAFCO's nutrient requirement'. This implies that the particular brand of cat food has satisfactorily passed laboratory tests to determine if it contains the recommended amounts of nutrients like protein and fat.

The second statement that appears on some cat food labels reads 'animal-feeding tests using AAFCO's procedures substantiate that this product provides complete and balanced nutrition'. This statement implies that the particular product has been proven to be an adequate source of nutrition when tested on animals for a period of six months.

In addition to noting all these details on cat food labels, it is also important to take a look at the feeding instructions on the labels. Since the nutritional requirements of every animal can be unique, most animal experts agree that the feeding instructions on labels may not be appropriate for all cats of the same age. It is, thus, best to observe your cat's eating patterns and general health before deciding on how much would be enough for your cat.