When evaluating a cat food, the first five ingredients can tell you a lot about the quality of a product as they make up the bulk of the product.
Ideally, you're looking for quality protein sources with a minimum of cheap starches, fillers or by-products. Continuing down the
ingredient list, look for ingredients that resemble real food with a minimal number of unpronounceable chemicals - the same as you would for human food.
Note - a bolded ingredient in the above tables indicates it is one of the first five ingredients listed by the product manufacturer.
Although not the first product listed (which is the most plentiful), Hill's Science Diet Hill's Science Diet Kitten Savory Salmon Entrée
does contain with its top ingredients salmon and pork liver which are considered quality protein sources.
However, this product also lists pork by-products within its top ingredients. By-products are typically
considered inferior, lesser quality ingredients.
Please also be aware that this product contains guar gum and carrageenan, which
are additives that some experts claim may be possible contributors
to certain medical conditions in cats.
Allergen alert:
This product contains salmon, fish oil, corn starch, soybean meal, soy protein isolate and egg product which may
be problematic for cats who suffer from seafood, corn, soy or eggs food allergies.
In general, cats have been shown to do better with a higher protein, medium fat, lower carb diet with sufficient moisture. However, specialty diets as recommended by your
veterinarian may prioritize a different nutritional breakdown.
Nutritional information as published by the cat food manufacturer.*
Protein:(min)
13.4%
Fat:(min)
8.2%
Fiber:(max)
0.4%
Carbs:(est)
5.2%
Ash:(est)
1.1%
Moisture:(max)
71.8%
Dry Matter Analysis
The manufacturer's published guaranteed analysis values normalized for moisture content.
Protein:(min)
47%
Fat:(min)
29%
Fiber:(max)
1%
Carbs:(est)
18%
Ash:(est)
4%
Calories:(est)
135/100g
*Note that some nutritional percentages reported are only estimated values, and are indicated as such as (est). Each cat food
manufacturer is required by law to publish a Guaranteed Analysis, which defines each product's maximum values of fiber, moisture and ash in
addition to the minimum values of protein and fat contained within. Exact nutritional percentages are not
available and hence all calculated values (including carbohydrate percentages and calorie amounts) are determined
using these minimum and maximum published values and therefore may differ from actual values.
Although a high score may be indicative of a higher-quality product it is not a guarantee. Similarly, a low score may or may not
indicate an inferior product. The best food for your cat is the one that meets their
individual needs.
