Cat food comparison

About products

As part of a comprehensive study by Roskachestvo, 39 products of the most popular dry cat food on the Russian market were studied according to 147 quality and safety indicators.
The study was conducted in 2017 and 2021. In 2017, the cost of products ranged from 190 to 1,700 rubles per unit of goods at the time of purchase. Twelve samples were made in Russia, the remaining 27 were made abroad (in the UK, Germany, Spain, Italy, Canada, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic and Sweden).

In 2020, the first seven of the previously studied products were sent for repeated research: Acana, Royal Canin, Whiskas, Sanabelle, Hill's Science Plan, Kitekat, Brit Care. The weight of the packages ranged from 350 g to 2 kg, the purchase price ranged from 19 to 130 rubles per 100 g.

A study conducted by Roskachestvo showed that among the most popular brands of dry cat food in Russia, there is not a single unsafe one. This is the second case in the history of Roskachestvo research (similar results were obtained during testing of dryers).

However, only one of the 39 samples produced in Canada (Orijen) meets the advanced requirements of the Roskachestvo standard. Due to its foreign origin, the product cannot qualify for the Russian Quality Mark.

Feed classes

Dog food of different brands differs markedly in price. This variation is explained by differences in composition, production technology, and compliance with quality standards. The table shows brief characteristics of the three types of feed.

If you compare the composition, the difference is obvious. Eating economy class food will only satisfy your dog's hunger. Premium will not harm an adult, but it is not advisable to give it to puppies. Elite super-premium products will satisfy most of the needs of the animal’s body, and holistic products are so natural that their composition will be beneficial even for humans.

The higher the quality of the food, the higher its calorie content. So, a large dog will need half a kilo of cheap food or 300 g of expensive food to keep it full.

STANDARD OF THE RUSSIAN QUALITY SYSTEM

The standard of the Russian quality system for dry food (for cats), applying for the Russian Quality Mark, has established advanced requirements for the amount of dry matter, raw ash, as well as the acid and peroxide value of fat. In addition, the dry food testing program additionally included determination of the content of amino acids, antibiotics, pesticides, preservatives and dyes. Products that comply with the standards specified in the STO have the right to apply for the Russian Quality Mark. The level of localization of production for the assignment of the Russian Quality Mark must be at least 70% of the cost of the product.

The advanced requirements of the Roskachestvo standard are not mandatory for manufacturers, however, products that do not meet these requirements cannot qualify for the Russian Quality Mark.

According to statistical studies, the most popular pet in Russia is the cat. Moreover, it does not matter at all whether she is purebred or not: the percentage of people who picked up a kitten who was wandering along a deserted street in the rain with a pitiful look is very, very large. It is also very common for Russians to be indiscriminate in feeding their pets. True, this is especially true for dog owners: among them there are many who like to feed the dog what is called “from the table”. However, even among the owners of a meowing friend, as a survey by Roskachestvo on social networks showed, there is no unity.

The survey results showed that the majority of voters - 40.7% - diversify their pet's diet with wet and dry food, 30.3% - give their cat exclusively dry food, 17% - feed their pet only natural food. Only 7.3% get by with wet food. Finally, 4.7% of respondents chose “their option.” So, someone’s cat eats both dry and wet food, chicken and fish, another “gourmet” prefers fresh meat in the form of moles and mice, and a third prefers liver. There were also those who feed the cat “whatever they have.”

Since dry food makes up approximately 80% of the entire “cat food” market (and according to the survey results it turned out to be the clear leader), Roskachestvo decided to study it first.

Wet dog food

Many brands produce not only dry, but also wet dog food (canned food, pouches). As a rule, they belong to the same class as dry food of this brand. It is also worth noting that canned food is almost always better in composition than pates and pouches. In good canned food, a lot of meat is visible to the naked eye. Here is a small list of wet food by class.

• Economy class: Chappi, Cesar, Darling, Happy Dog, Pedigree, “I eat without problems”, Oscar;
• Premium class: Purina Pro Plan, Hills, Royal Canin, Dr. ALDER's, Bozita, Brit Premium;
• Super premium: Eukanuba, Arden Grange, Animonda, Berkley, Almo Nature.

• Super premium dog food (full list, reviews)
• How to feed a puppy correctly (what and how many times)
• Pomeranian Spitz description (+ many photos and videos)

On the pages of our website you will find information about dog breeds, treatment for diseases, care recommendations, reviews of ready-made food and feedback on them, as well as much other equally useful and interesting things!

Sources:

https://kotsobaka.com/sobaki/korm-s/sostav-kormov.html https://vplate.ru/sobaki/korma-raznyh-klassov/ https://dajlapu.com/klassy-kormov-dlya-sobak -sravneniya-i-rejting/

BZHU for cats: about the nutritional value of dry food

Proper nutrition is an increasingly popular phrase that relates not only to a person’s diet. Balance and nutrition are perhaps the main characteristics of dry cat food. In other words, it should contain the optimal combination of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, or, as a fitness instructor would say, BJU. Crude protein is responsible for the protein content in dry food, crude fat is responsible for fat, and crude fiber is responsible for carbohydrates.

“Raw” is a special term,” explains Lydia Toporova

. – For example, when determining the amount of protein chemically, not only the amount of protein itself is recorded, but also other non-protein nitrogen-containing compounds (amides, urea, etc.). Therefore, by “crude protein” we mean, so to speak, not pure protein, but protein containing a complex of nitrogen-containing compounds.

Test results have shown that most of the samples are balanced and nutritious food for cats. And the proportions of crude fat, crude protein and crude fiber correspond to the amount indicated on the label and are within the recommended limits. However, the study found several products that contained less than the recommended protein content, and several that contained more crude fiber than recommended by regulations. More details about this can be found in the product cards. According to experts, it’s not so scary if the food contains less protein and fat than recommended by standards. The cat is simply not enough to eat: it will meow once again and ask for more.

There were also samples in which the amount of protein and fat differed from the amount indicated on the label. These facts are not violations, but they deprive these products of the opportunity to qualify for the Russian Quality Mark.

“In general, the situation with proteins and fats in dry food is very ambiguous,” notes Lidiya Toporova

. – There is a lower limit: there should not be less proteins and fats in the feed than what is established by it. However, this is wrong. There must be an upper limit, because with an excess of protein and fat, the cat may begin to gain weight, and liver and kidney diseases may occur.

Dry food for small breed dogs

Small dogs have significant differences from other breeds that manufacturers must take into account when producing a specialized line of them. These features include

• Excessive nervous excitability;
• Stones that often form on the teeth;
• Brittle bones;
• Tendency to allergic reactions;
• Problems with the femur, or rather with its head, etc.

Injuries are more common in small breeds. They can break a leg or dislocate a kneecap. A castrated male easily gains weight. You need to constantly ensure that extra pounds do not develop into obesity.

Manufacturers specially produce industrial food for small breeds of dogs with the expectation of their fast metabolism. They contain large amounts of vitamin B and lanolinic acid. These components are capable of maintaining the body of active dogs in proper tone.

The beneficial ingredients in such foods should be selected taking into account the health problems that often arise in pets. Here is a rating of dry food for small breed dogs.

1. Holistic class “Akana Small”;
2. Holistic class “Wellness Simple”;
3. Super premium class “Almo Natural Holistic Adult Dog Small”;
4. Premium class of improved formula "Hills Ideal Balance Canin Adult Small Breed".

To make your pet feel great, you should choose granules from specialized lines of good brands. Of course, such granules will cost more, but they are completely balanced and contain everything for an energetic and active pet.

In order for the dog to feel great, to be energetic, active, and in good shape, you need to choose the dry food that will best suit his breed, age, and weight. Before choosing any brand of dry food, you should consult your veterinarian. At a pet store, a salesperson will help you choose food. It would be a good idea to ask the owners of the puppy's father and mother what they feed their puppies.

Imaginary wealth: about vitamins, micro- and macroelements, and so on

Next after nutritional value comes, perhaps, the benefits of the food: how many beneficial acids, micro- and macroelements, vitamins, etc. are in it, will it make the cat more energetic and healthy? Probably, every caring owner wants his pet’s diet to include the required amount of useful elements. That is why he buys dry food labeled “Rich in vitamins.”

“The wording “Rich in vitamins” is, of course, a marketing ploy,” warns Lidiya Toporova
. – One word “rich”, without any specifics about the content of these elements, is nothing for ready-made food; you don’t need to blindly believe such formulations.

You can find out which dry food actually contains the recommended amount of vitamins, micro- and macroelements from the Roskachestvo rating.

“In terms of the composition of vitamins, you can focus on Western standards, because our standards only talk about A, D, E and K,” says Lidiya Toporova

. – Unfortunately, the required amount of B vitamins in Russia is not controlled, and, for example, nicotinic acid, choline, pyridoxine play an important role for the cat’s body - the health of the skin and hair, liver, mucous membranes, etc.

The test results showed that, in general, dry food actually contains exactly the amount of vitamins recommended by consumption standards. However, during the study, cases of discrepancies between the actual amounts of micro- and macroelements and those indicated on the label were recorded. In particular, we are talking about the content of iron, manganese, selenium, phosphorus, potassium and zinc.

Also, several samples were found to lack arachidonic acid, which is an essential component of cat food. In some products the proportion of calcium was higher than recommended, in two there was little iron. These shortcomings do not make manufacturers of dry food under these trademarks violators, but they do deprive them of the right to claim the Russian Quality Mark.

Economy class feed rating

Economy class is the most affordable type of dry pads. They are usually bought in large quantities to stock up for future use. The granules seem so big, tasty, and high quality. However, they are absolutely useless in terms of quality food and will not bring any benefit. Long-term feeding with dry food from this category is also undesirable, as health problems may arise.

This class received a bad reputation due to the low quality of the components present in it. This:

• By-products;
• Pork and beef skin;
• Bone flour;
• Veins;
• A small percentage of vegetables;
• Cheap fillers, represented by various grains - soy, wheat, corn, etc.

However, for the normal development of an energetic dog, good quality meat products are needed, not grains. Another important difference is the large percentage of artificial flavors and taste enhancers, to which persistent addiction develops.

If you give your pet such drying, then it will be more difficult to transfer him to higher quality pads. Dog breeders and veterinarians do not recommend accustoming pets to cheap food. If it is not possible to buy more expensive products, it is better to switch them to breastfeeding.

It is almost impossible to figure out which brand is preferable from this class; the contents of the granules are very vague. Below is a list of the most “popular” brands that have become well known. They are constantly advertised on TV.

1. "Pedigri" - manufacturers of this brand are located in America and Hungary;
2. "Darling" is produced in France and Hungary;
3. “Chappy” is produced in Russia and the USA;
4. ARO – products of Ukrainian manufacturers.

Such dry food of different brands is almost identical. You can feed your pet it extremely rarely, in isolated cases.

Expectations - reality: about discrepancies with labeling

A study by Roskachestvo revealed a very important problem: the actual composition of feed does not partially coincide with what is indicated in the product labeling. In most samples, deviations of the actual composition of feed from the information stated on the product labeling were recorded. We are talking about deviations:

• by the amount of crude fat;
• by the amount of crude protein;
• by the amount of iron;
• by the amount of manganese;
• by the amount of selenium;
• by the amount of phosphorus;
• by the amount of raw ash;
• by the amount of potassium;
• by the amount of zinc.

The legislation of the Russian Federation and the treaties of the European Union do not establish mandatory requirements for feed labeling, as well as permissible deviations of the actual composition of products from the information stated on the label. This legal gap contributes to a) misleading consumers, b) incorrect formation of animal diets.

It is for this reason that in 2021 Roskachestvo sent proposals to the Russian Ministry of Agriculture to establish mandatory requirements for food and other products. In particular, proposals to include in the draft technical regulation “On the safety of feed and feed additives” being developed, requirements for the reliability of labeling for the content of individual components and their range in pet food.

It was proposed to include the relevant provisions in a separate section of the draft regulation “Requirements for pet food”, in which it was planned to establish permissible deviations from the declared values ​​of complete nutrition indicators, indicators of nutritional value and safety of food for cats and dogs.

Subsequently, in 2021, the Russian side supported the proposal to exclude feed for non-productive animals from the draft regulations and the advisability of developing a separate technical regulation of the EEC “On the safety of feed for non-productive animals.”

The project is still under development

In July 2021, the Veterinary Department of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, in response to a request from Roskachestvo, reported that the draft regulations, finalized by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan (project developer), have not yet been submitted to the Russian Ministry of Agriculture for consideration.

All the best for cats: about the safety of dry food

Of course, no matter how nutritious and rich in nutrients the food is, if it is unsafe, you cannot feed it to your beloved pet! That is why the study paid special attention to the presence of toxic elements, nitrites, radionuclides, pesticides, heavy metals in the feed, as well as microbiological indicators, including salmonella (intestinal bacteria that cause infectious diseases), toxin-forming anaerobes (these are causative agents of various infections), intestinal stick, etc.

To the general joy of caring owners and their pets, all the food studied was found to be safe and non-toxic.

However, there is a small caveat regarding pesticides. The fact is that in some samples the presence of trace amounts of various pesticides (for example, permethrin, deltamethrin, etc.) was determined, which could have passed into feed from plant raw materials during production or were used in storage of raw materials and finished products as an insecticidal agent.

“Pesticides should not get into the feed,” says Lidiya Toporova

. – Most often they come from cereals, dry vegetables and other plant components into dry food. This does not relieve the manufacturer of responsibility: he must check the incoming raw materials so that pesticides do not get into the finished product.

The permissible amount of pesticides is not regulated at the legislative level, however, samples in which they were found, even in small, trace quantities, are deprived of the opportunity to qualify for the Russian Quality Mark.

The same goes for antibiotics. Traces of antibiotics were found in 4 out of 7 products in a 2021 study. This is not a violation of the law, but the advanced requirements of the Roskachestvo standard do not allow the presence of antibiotics and pesticides in the composition, even in trace quantities. Products with these comments cannot qualify for the Quality Mark.

There is an opinion that dry food is produced from low-quality raw materials, waste, which is scary to even think about. However, research has shown that this belief is nothing more than a myth. All dry food studied was produced from high-quality, fresh raw materials.

Comparison of dry cat food

Manufacturers produce economy, premium and super premium food. However, the names are largely arbitrary and there are products of intermediate quality that can be classified into one or another class.

Economy class cat food

All pelleted foods are low to moderate in price and widely available. They can be bought in supermarkets.

The following products are popular:

1. Friskies : contains mainly vegetable proteins; from the information on the packaging it is not clear what the food is made of. There is no specialization by age. Lots of negative reviews. However, the low price makes the food popular.
2. Kitekat : It is not clear what the granules are made of. However, the food price is inferior even to Friskies. There are few positive and negative reviews. Manufacturers recommend this food for cats of all ages.
3. Perfect Fit : good quality economy class food, a little short of premium. Easily available, available in all stores. Characterized by a wide range. There are foods for kittens, lactating, elderly, adults, castrates and even hypoallergenic food. Quite high quality food. However, veterinarians do not recommend it for cats involved in breeding.

Economy class meals are not nutritionally balanced and are made from ingredients that do not have an attractive taste. Therefore, feed mixtures are enriched with taste correctors

Be sure to read:

Spiders for cats: what they are, composition, types, better canned food, how to choose, pros and cons

Premium cat food

Premium food products are sold in pet stores.

The following products are popular:

1. Probalance : they make options for kittens, animals with sensitive digestion, weakened immune systems and castrates. The manufacturer positions the food as premium, but demanding consumers believe that the nutrition does not live up to this rating.
2. Brit premium is produced for young animals, adults, castrates, pets with sensitive digestion, prone to obesity, and the elderly. The products are widely distributed, affordable, and do not have many complaints.
3. Royal Canin is popular in Russia, always available in pet stores, and is characterized by a wide range, including veterinary. Reviews are contradictory - from enthusiastic to negative.

Super premium cat food

Manufacturers classify some super-premium food as holistic, that is, made from products suitable for human nutrition.

The following dehydrated granules are in demand among cat owners:

1. Grandorf : prevents diseases of the joints, heart, and urinary tract. The formula of the feed mixture contains components that prevent the formation of tartar, normalize digestion in the large intestine, and ensure healthy skin and beautiful coat. A recipe has been developed for all ages and physiological conditions
2. Monge : food is presented in classic and functional lines. The standard version includes food for all ages. The functional line is represented by food for long-haired cats, pets living in multi-storey buildings, suffering from urolithiasis, and susceptible to allergies.
3. Brit Care brand produces the following types of food for pets of all ages, neutered animals prone to obesity, pregnant lactating females and kittens.

For reference:

When purchasing dry food, be sure to pay attention to the expiration date (as a rule, it is displayed quite large on the packaging). Most often this is one year. However, some manufacturers can extend this period both by introducing new modern technologies and packaging materials, and by adding preservatives to the composition, which should be indicated on the label. Experts do not recommend storing open food for such a long time.

“It’s impossible to say with certainty about the expiration date,” notes Lidiya Toporova
. – I allow storage for six months, but it is better to store no more than three months: during storage, especially if the relevant requirements are not met, undesirable chemical and microbiological processes occur in the feed, which leads to a decrease in the content of nutrients and micronutrients.

It can be assumed that if the manufacturer indicates a certain expiration date on the packaging, then, most likely, he vouches for the preservation of the taste and nutritional value of the dry food throughout this period. However, there are indicators in which violations may indirectly indicate that the taste of the food will deteriorate by the end of its shelf life: it will become rancid. We are talking about the acid and peroxide numbers of fat. As the results of the study showed, deviations in this indicator were found in some samples. Thus, from the product cards you can find out which food tastes deteriorate over time.

Cat food analysis

When analyzing the quality of feed, attention is paid to the content of nutrients and energy, and the composition of the diet is also taken into account. Professional ready-made mixtures are complete nutrition that does not require modification with food additives.

Roskontrol purchased and tested nine types of dry food for adult cats: Royal Canin, Whiskas, Happy Cat, KiteKat, Darling, Eukanuba, Brit Care and Hill's (Science Plan and Natures Best). And this is what it turned out to be...

Roskontrol checked the quality of dry food for cats, here are the test results

What nutrients and vitamins are listed on the package and what they mean?

When purchasing ready-made food, read the information on the packaging about the content of the following nutritional indicators, as a percentage:

1. Exchangeable (metabolic) energy or calorie content, g/100 g. Food consumption depends on this indicator. For lactating (nursing kittens) animals, the calorie content should be higher than for older cats or castrates.
2. Crude protein or protein. It is a set of amino acids. There are complete proteins contained in ingredients of animal origin and incomplete proteins found in plant components and by-products. The composition of individual feeds indicates the content of amino acids, for example, methionine, carnitine, taurine.
3. Fats are a concentrate of calories. Depending on the purpose, products are made that are rich and low in fat. The feed mixture should contain vegetable and animal fats.
4. Carbohydrates: food components from which the body extracts energy are found only in plant foods, and for cats, the complex carbohydrates of vegetables are preferable to the easily broken down starch of cereals.
5. Fiber and dietary fiber. These are also carbohydrates, but they are not absorbed by the body. A distinction is made between coarse fiber from the shells of cereals or herbs and soluble fiber, the so-called dietary fiber. The latter are contained in fruits, flaxseed, and the shells of medicinal plants. Fiber stimulates peristaltic contractions of the intestines, adsorbs and removes toxins from the body. Creates a feeling of satiety, which prevents obesity, retains moisture, and prevents constipation.
6. Ash: found mainly in bones. A low level indicates the predominance of plant components. High - large amounts of low-nutrient bone by-products.
7. Water: in wet prepared food its concentration reaches up to 80%, in dry food it does not exceed 10%. A cat that eats wet food can go without drinking for weeks. A pet eating dry kibble needs three times the amount of water.

Be sure to read:

What kind of porridge can be given to cats and at what age?

In addition to the specified nutritional components, the cat needs the following substances:

• vitamins and microelements;
• antioxidants and preservatives;
• enzyme preparations,
• probiotics, prebiotics;
• taste correctors;
• feces deodorants.

Comparison of cat food by composition: table

When choosing food, study its composition on the packaging. The comparative composition of economy, premium and super premium dry granulated food is presented in the table.

Economy class meals contain meat and bone meal, vegetable protein and starch, fats, microelements, vitamins, and synthetic taurine. Premium products are represented by a wider range of animal proteins. The mixture contains vegetables, fruits, beet pulp, which stimulates intestinal motility, prebiotics, which nourish beneficial microflora, natural antioxidants of rosemary and turmeric, and Yucca Schidigera, which eliminates the unpleasant odor of feces.

10 Main indicators in the table of correspondence of feed to certain classes

The super-premium product is represented by high-quality animal components, rice and corn as a source of slow starch, which, unlike wheat, are not prone to fermentation. The rich composition of the supplements prevents chronic diseases, ensures good digestion and includes components necessary to maintain healthy skin and beautiful coat.

Be sure to read:

What is cat food made from: how is it made wet and dry, can you make it yourself?

Holistics are classified as super premium products. They use products suitable for human consumption. The recipe contains no antioxidants, preservatives, prebiotics, or amino acids. All necessary nutritional components come from natural ingredients.

What to look for when choosing and comparing cat food

Before purchasing professional nutrition, pay attention to the following details:

1. Purpose: food intended for castrates is not suitable for lactating animals and vice versa.
2. Ingredients: conscientious manufacturers of super-premium food do not hide their recipes. Because a trade secret is not a set of components, but a manufacturing technology.
3. Manufacturer country. If a French company has moved production to Russia, there is a high probability that the quality of the product will differ from the declared one. It is difficult to say how the transfer of production to Serbia will affect the quality of the product developed by an Italian company. But the purchase of canned fish made in Thailand should be welcomed: the ocean is nearby, which means the fish will be fresh.

Table of correspondence of feed to certain classes, depending on 10 main indicators