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Are you concerned about the ingredients in your cat’s food? As a responsible cat owner, it’s important to be aware of the potential health risks associated with poor-quality bad ingredients in cat foods. Unfortunately, many commercial cat foods contain ingredients that can be harmful to your feline friend’s health. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Our list of bad ingredients can help you identify which cat foods to avoid with potentially bad ingredients.
Some of the worst ingredients to look out for in cat food include meat by-products, chemical preservatives, and carbohydrate sources, like rice, soy, corn, and other grains. These are the worst cat food ingredients and should be avoided because they are out of the human food industry and dangerous to pets’ health.
We want you to ensure that your feline friend stays happy and healthy. So, it is always better to read the label carefully and ensure you are selecting the healthiest cat foods that are free from bad ingredients.
By-Products
By-products are the parts of animals that are not fit for human consumption, such as feet, beaks, and feathers. These ingredients are often used as a cheap filler in pet food and do not provide much nutritional value. By-products are low-quality ingredients that can be low in quality protein for your cat’s health. Opt for cat food that uses whole meat sources, such as chicken or fish, as the main ingredient.
Chemical Preservatives
Many commercial wet cat foods contain chemical preservatives like BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin, which are added to extend the shelf life of the food. These preservatives have been linked to health problems in cats, such as organ damage and cancer. If you read these, avoid, and instead, look for cat food that uses natural vegetables and fruits or supplements like vitamin E, calcium, omega 3 fatty acids etc.
Artificial Colours and Flavours
Some commercial wet cat foods contain artificial colours and flavours to make the food more appealing to cats. However, these additives have no nutritional value to your cat’s health. These colours are added for looks and appearance and cover the smell, but excessive use is bad for pets’ digestive tract. Stick with cat food that uses natural ingredients to provide flavour and nutrition with no colours.
Corn, Soy, and Wheat (Grains)
Corn and wheat are common allergens for cats and can cause digestive issues like diarrhoea and vomiting. These wholesome grains are even hard to digest and can cause gastrointestinal upset. Grains like corn, wheat and soy are used as cheap fillers in commercial cat food Many commercial cat foods contain fillers such as corn, wheat, and soy, which provide more carbohydrates with little nutritional value that can lead to weight gain and digestive issues in cats, unlike dogs.
Carrageenan
This thickening agent has been linked to digestive issues in cats. It is often used in commercial cat food to improve texture and consistency. However, recent research has shown that carrageenan can be harmful to cats and causes gastrointestinal diseases, inflammatory bowel and other digestive problems. So avoid cat food that lists carrageenan as an ingredient.
Our Concerns: Are you a proud kitten parent looking to provide your furry friend with the best nutrition possible? Our high-protein kitten food is a great choice for ensuring that your little one gets the nutrients they need to grow and thrive.
Also avoid feeding spoiled food. It can prevent health problems like diabetes, hypertension, weight gain, and kidney or liver disease. Carefully choose healthy cat food without harmful ingredients can help keep your cat happy and healthy.
What Ingredients to Avoid in Homemade Cat Food
When preparing homemade wet cat food, it’s important to avoid certain ingredients that may be harmful to your feline friend. Here are some ingredients to avoid when making homemade wet cat food:
Onions and Garlic
These ingredients contain compounds that can be toxic to cats and can cause anaemia.
Caffeine
Caffeine can be toxic to cats and can cause restlessness, rapid breathing, muscle tremors, and heart palpitations.
Macadamia Nuts
These can cause lethargy, vomiting, hyperthermia, and tremors in cats.
Raw Eggs
Raw eggs can contain salmonella bacteria, which can cause food poisoning in cats. It’s important to fully cook eggs before adding them to your cat’s food.
Raw Meat
Raw meat may contain dangerous bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella, which can cause food poisoning in cats. Therefore, it’s important to thoroughly cook meat before feeding it to your (domestic) indoor cat. However, outdoor cats who hunt their own prey may have a better ability to digest raw meat due to their natural metabolic processes.
Grapes and Raisins
These fruits contain toxins that can be harmful to cats and can cause kidney damage.
Chocolate
Chocolate contains theobromine, which can be toxic to cats and can cause heart problems and tremors.
Alcohol
Even small amounts of alcohol can be toxic to cats and can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and even death.
Conclusion
It’s essential to be mindful of the ingredients in your cat’s food. To ensure that your feline friend is getting the best nutrition possible, avoid cat food (dry and wet form) that contains by-products, grains like corn, and artificial preservatives. By choosing a high-quality protein cat food that is appropriate for your cat’s age, size, and activity level, you can help ensure that your cat stays healthy and happy.
