How to tell the difference between cat and dog food: a comprehensive guide from ingredients to brands
In recent years, the pet food market has expanded rapidly, but with it, quality problems have also been frequently exposed. How to choose safe and nutritious cat and dog food for their furry children has become the focus of many pet owners. This article will teach you how to scientifically identify high-quality pet food from multiple dimensions such as ingredients, brand, and price.
1. Comparison of core nutrients
| Nutritional information | High quality grain standard | Characteristics of inferior grain |
|---|---|---|
| protein | ≥30% (cat food), ≥26% (dog food) | <20% or unknown source |
| Fat | 10%-20% | Animal fat not specified type |
| carbohydrate | <30% | Cereals account for too much |
| additive | Natural preservatives (vitamin E/C) | BHA/BHT and other chemical preservatives |
2. Interpretation skills of raw material list
1.Raw material sorting rules: According to national standards, the ingredient list should be arranged from high to low content. The top three high-quality foods should be meat (such as fresh chicken, salmon).
2.Be wary of vague statements: Vague expressions such as "meat and its products" and "animal by-products" may contain low-quality protein sources.
3.grain trap: Allergenic grains such as corn and wheat should not be used as main ingredients. Grain-free products need to confirm the quality of alternative carbohydrates.
3. Measured data of popular brands in 2023
| brand | protein content | Main protein source | Price range (yuan/kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desire (Orijen) | 38%-42% | Fresh poultry + deep sea fish | 200-300 |
| Acana | 35%-37% | pasture meat | 150-220 |
| Royal Canin | 28%-32% | Chicken meal + plant protein | 80-150 |
| birij | 26%-30% | Meat meal + grain | 50-100 |
4. Guide to avoid pitfalls in purchasing channels
1.Official channels are preferred: The counterfeit rate of official channels such as Tmall flagship store and JD.com self-operated store is lower than that of individual stores.
2.Check the certificate: Require merchants to present the imported feed registration certificate (imported grain) or production license (domestic grain).
3.Be wary of abnormal prices: Products that are more than 30% lower than the market price are likely to be expired or counterfeit.
5. Warnings on recent hot events
In August 2023, a certain internet celebrity brand was found to have excessive levels of aflatoxin, and the batches involved have been recalled. Consumers are advised to:
- Regularly check the National Feed Quality Supervision and Inspection Center announcements
- Avoid buying "niche brands" that suddenly become popular
- Observe market feedback for new brands for at least 6 months
6. Selection suggestions for special needs
| Requirement type | solution | Representative ingredients |
|---|---|---|
| Sensitive gastrointestinal | Single protein source + probiotics | Hydrolyzed protein, FOS prebiotics |
| urinary health | low magnesium formula | cranberry extract |
| weight loss needs | High protein and low fat | L-carnitine |
Final reminder: When changing food, you need to follow the "7-day transition method". Sudden change may cause diarrhea. Regular observation of the state of pet feces and hair quality is the ultimate criterion for testing food quality.
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