Types of Cat Food You Need to Know, Don't Choose the Wrong Cat Food!

Seeing the behavior of cats who are like kings at home, it is not surprising that this creature is still in the same 'family' as the king of the jungle, aka the lion. His name is a king, the 'master''s appetite at home is also often picky.

For pawrents , choosing the right type of cat food can involve a selection and elimination process as rigorous as Indonesian Idol . But don't worry, the following explanation of cat food types can be a guide for overwhelmed pawrents !

What types of cat food are available?

Unlike tigers in the Sumatran jungle, domestic cats are no longer able to escape the routines of modern life. Thanks to the process of domestication over thousands of years, the welfare of cats now depends heavily on cat parents .

This means that cat parents are also fully responsible for ensuring that their cat's nutritional content is sufficient through the right diet. A fairly heavy burden considering the choice of various types of cat food in the marketplace that is overflowing.

Well, hundreds of choices of cat food types can be divided into 4 main categories. From dry food or kibble that is on the market to raw food that requires special preparation, cat parents must read the explanation of the following 4 types of cat food!

Dry food : cheap and low maintenance type of cat food

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Also called kibble , dry food is the most popular type of cat food due to its affordable price and easy storage . Shaped like cereal, dry cat food can last for months at room temperature without going stale.

As a result, this type of cat food is suitable for pawrents who have a lot of activities and must leave their 'master' alone at home. For example, pawrents can use an automatic cat food place from BIOTA Smart Home that is compatible with dry food .

Just schedule the daily meal time and portion through the application, and pawrents can focus on work without worrying about pets at home. At the specified time, the Smart Pet Feeder will automatically serve food without the need for pawrents' intervention .

But the convenience of this type of food is also balanced with the low water content of dry food at 10% or below. This means that cat parents must diligently ensure that their pets consume enough water every day to prevent dehydration.

Wet food : rich in protein and water for a balanced diet

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As the name implies, wet food is a type of wet cat food with a water content of over 70% . In terms of formulation, texture, and aroma, wet food is more like a cat's natural diet than dry food , and can indeed increase the appetite of 'the orange'.

Wet food also generally has a higher ratio of animal protein to carbohydrates than dry food according to the cat's natural diet. Consequently, this type of cat food can drain your account more than dry food .

Another disadvantage of wet food is that cat parents must be willing to work hard to maintain its 'freshness'. Most wet food only lasts a few hours after being opened , and the rest must be cleaned quickly or put straight into the refrigerator.

If you make a mistake, wet cat food can actually become a nest for bacteria so that pawrents must actively take care of their 'owner' when eating. Unlike dry food which is 'received as is', wet food is an example of cat food that requires more hands-on care .

Raw food : a 'natural' diet with a high risk of contamination

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If wet food is still not 'natural' enough, there is also the option of a raw food diet which is growing in popularity. As the name suggests, raw food is a type of raw cat food that has not gone through any processing.

Raw food can be similar to wet food and sold frozen, or it has gone through a freeze-dry process so that it has a texture similar to dry food . Well, this second type of raw food can last up to several weeks depending on the product.

While there is a perception that raw food is more nutritious for cats, high-quality wet food is no less nutritious. The problem is, raw cat food has a higher risk of bacterial contamination .

The risk is not only on the pet's side, pawrents can also be affected when cleaning infected pet's feces. Not to mention the equipment used when serving food, all of which have the potential to be a source of disease.

Treats and toppers : snacks and supplements for a complete diet

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Like Mimin who always stocks granola bars , cats also need snacks in the form of treats every now and then . But because it's a snack, pawrents must be vigilant and ensure that the treats have the right nutritional content.

Fortunately, many treats are available in the form of wet food such as jam, or freeze- dried raw food . Often, both can also act as toppers , or complements to the cat's main food .

For example, if your pet's current diet consists of dry food , cat parents can add toppers in the form of wet food for a more balanced diet. Not only for optimal nutritional and water content, toppers can also make cat eating sessions more delicious.

Tips for choosing the right type of cat food

Already upside down reading the explanation of the various types of cat food above but still overwhelmed? It's natural, because being a cat parent is not a small responsibility and must digest a lot of information on how to properly care for your pet.

From budget , current living situation, to the condition and appetite of the cat, here are factors that must be taken into account in choosing the type of cat food that is good for the 'master' at home .

Consider your budget when choosing the type of cat food

Don't be like my friend whose lifestyle and income are very biased. Before checking out , calculate first how much cat food is needed each month so you don't regret it at the end of the month.

If your budget isn't enough for wet food , there's no need to be sad. Many pawrents also use a combination of wet food and dry food for the anabul's diet , so that the anabul still gets balanced nutrition without having to run to the anabul.

For example, for lunch, you can schedule the Smart Pet Feeder via the BIOTA Smart Home application to serve a portion of dry food . Only in the evening after the pawrents come home from work, can your pet get a sultan-style treatment with a portion of wet food .

Tailor your diet to your cat's unique needs.

Many types of cat food are formulated for cats with special needs, such as cat food for certain allergies, or for pregnant cats . Especially for kittens or senior cats, pawrents must also choose the type of cat food according to age.

But make sure cat parents have consulted a veterinarian first for anything related to medical issues. While for milder conditions such as cats who often refuse to drink and are prone to dehydration, there are several solutions worth trying.

Pawrents can change the diet to wet food slowly, or can try the Smart Pet Water Fountain from BIOTA. The pump on this automatic cat drinking place provides a flowing water effect that can increase your pet's appetite, you know.

Always check food composition and nutritional content

Like Mimin who now always checks the nutritional content label before buying any snack, 'masters' also need the same treatment. No matter how beautiful the packaging is, if there is an indication of the use of chemical preservatives in cat food, skip it immediately .

In general, look for cat foods that clearly list the ingredients and sources. Many cat foods are vague about what meat is included in the ingredients, and ambiguous phrases like ' meat by-products ' can be a sign of questionable ingredients.

Protein is number one , but also make sure that the type of food contains animal protein that is easy for your pet to digest. Pawrents also should not be too carried away with wheat, because ingredients rich in carbohydrates are less relevant to a cat's diet.

Submit to the employer's taste

Even though you have prepared a diet with the most luxurious types of cat food, but your pet at home still refuses to eat, what can cat parents do? As creatures who like to eat, cats' appetites are often difficult to predict .

Mimin has said at the beginning that determining the most appropriate type of cat food is a process of trial and error . So cat parents must be patient because in the end, the final decision is in the 'hands' of the pet.

Explanation of types of cat food and tips for choosing it

It's not just graceful cats like Angora who like to be picky about food, there are also many local cats whose tastes are magical on their own. Pawrents must always want the best for their pets, so they must be patient in choosing the type of cat food.

As in choosing skincare , don't be too tempted by claims and packaging and marketing tricks . Always pay attention to the nutritional content label and ingredient composition, because there is a lot of hidden information that can be a trap later on!