Best Cat Food brands in India

Choosing cat food in India? The importance of quality cat food cannot be overstated. It will determine your cat's health outcomes in the years to come. In this article, I will share my opinion on what to look out for and provide recommendations for the healthiest brands available in the Indian market.

These opinions were formed based on years of personal observation and consultation with our vet. I run a cat-boarding service and have had to feed my customers' cats a variety of brands over the years. This has led me to develop an understanding of cat food brands that cats best respond to.

Quick Recommended Brands

Dry Food

Farmina - N&D grain-free (vet recommended)

ORIJEN grain-free (vet recommended)

Arden Grange grain-free

Farmina - Matisse

Whiskas Dry (budget option)

Wet Food

Sheba Fine Premium (vet recommended)

Whiskas Wet (budget option)

What to look out for

There are a couple of things to be mindful about when choosing cat food:

1. Protein source named as the first ingredient - You want to see something specific like "chicken" or "salmon" listed first - not just "meat by-products." Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they need meat to survive and thrive. If the label says something vague like "meat meal" or "animal protein," that's usually lower-quality stuff.

2. Be wary of wheat - A lot of cats (including my own) don't respond well to food with wheat in it. If you notice your cat scratching their ears a fair bit, sometimes resulting in ears that are inflammed and red, there is a chance it could be due to the wheat in their food. Most of the cheaper commercial brands have a lot of wheat in them.

3. Moisture content - Dry food should be supplemented with wet food. Cats naturally get most of their water from their food (think about mice and birds in the wild), and they often don't drink enough water on their own. That's why many vets recommend wet food as part of their diet to prevent urinary issues.

4. Taurine levels - This is super important - cats can't make this amino acid on their own, but they need it for heart and eye health. Good cat food should always have taurine listed in the ingredients. Without it, cats can develop serious health problems.

5. Limited carbohydrates - Your cat doesn't need a bunch of corn, soy or wheat fillers. These are often used to bulk up the food cheaply, but cats' digestive systems aren't designed to process lots of carbs. Look for foods with lower carb content.

6. Age-appropriate formulation - Kittens need different nutrients than adult cats, and seniors have their own requirements too. Make sure you're choosing food that matches your cat's life stage. For example, kittens need more calories and certain nutrients for growth, while senior cats might need fewer calories but more joint support.

7. No artificial preservatives or colors - Skip foods with artificial preservatives like BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin. Natural preservatives like vitamin E (often listed as mixed tocopherols) are much better. And those bright colored kibbles? Your cat couldn't care less about the color - that's just marketing to us humans!

8. Price per serving - More expensive doesn't always mean better, but super cheap food often cuts corners on quality. Compare the cost per serving rather than just the package price - some foods are more nutrient-dense, meaning you feed less per day.

   
   

Remember, every cat is different - what works great for one might not be perfect for another. If you're making any big changes to your cat's diet, introduce the new food gradually to avoid upsetting their stomach. And when in doubt, your vet can always give you specific recommendations based on your cat's needs!