Sustainable Cat Food: 9 Best Health Benefits

Today we’re sharing our top tips for sustainable cat food. Cat food typically contains more than 30% moisture, which means that many ingredients need to be dehydrated before use. This process can use a lot of energy and produce

a large quantity of waste that leads to significant environmental impact. Many commercially produced foods (like dry cat food) contain corn and other grains as cheap fillers that may cause uric acid levels in cats since they are not natural or healthy sources of protein.

This article will help you choose the right pet food for your cat.

What Is Sustainable Cat Food?

Sustainable cat food is pet food that contains no artificial coloring, chemicals, artificial preservatives, or other additives to help maintain food safety. These products are made with top-quality ingredients.

Why should I buy it?

It is healthy for your cat. It is healthier for the earth; it is safer regarding the use of artificial additives.

Experienced pet owners are aware that many commercial cat foods contain a lot of fillers, which are used to make the food look good and easy to digest. However, this practice makes the food not very nutritious and may be harmful in the long run.

The main difference between a ‘good’ and ‘bad’ cat food is that good cat food does not contain any artificial additives.

It will be made with natural ingredients and with the latest technology. The best dry cat foods will contain no more than 12% protein, a normal range for domestic cats.

They also contain additional vitamins and minerals as well as Omega 3 (for shiny fur), omega 6 (for healthy skin), and taurine (for heart health).

What Makes Cat Food Sustainable?

Pet foods are very resource and energy-intensive. Some cat foods can be considered sustainable because they differ from traditional pet food manufacturing methods.

1. Feed locally grown food. Many commercial cat foods contain corn as a way to cut costs, particularly if it’s grown thousands of miles away.

If possible, choose a locally produced cat food that includes corn products grown within 50 miles because the transportation process will use less fuel and produce fewer carbon emissions.

2. Avoid foods containing artificial coloring. There are all kinds of chemicals used in the food manufacturing process to make food red or yellow, so it may not be an option for some cats that have allergies or sensitivities

3. Avoid grain fillers and meat by-products: The reason pet foods contain grain fillers and meat by-products are because they’re cheap. But they can increase the risk of diabetes and blood clots in cats.

4. Choose cat food that doesn’t use artificial preservatives: Cats are pretty sensitive to preservatives, so it’s best to find a pet food with natural preservatives.

5. Choose a dry cat food with high meat content: Some dry cat foods contain high fiber levels, leading to digestive issues.

How Can I Sustainably Feed My Cat?

1. Use reusable cat bowls: Plastic bowls can be washed and then reused. There is also a range of durable ceramic and stainless steel bowls that can be cleaned by hand.

2. Use stainless steel or wooden pet feeding stations: Fiber-reinforced plastic feeding stations have been found to have potential health risks for pets, so it’s best to avoid them if possible.

3. Use high-quality pet food based on the natural prey model: Nature’s Variety and Wellness are two examples of pet foods that are sustainably produced.

4. Try a grain-free diet: Cats have evolved to eat meat-based diets, so they do not have the digestive capacity to digest grains very well.

These tips and information will help you make the right choice when choosing the best cat food for you and your cat, making sure it is sustainable for both you and your cat’s health.

Nutrition Fact Of Sustainable Cat Food

In general, dry cat food will provide more calories than wet food, so dry cat food is not recommended for kittens.

However, if wet and dry foods are blended, it is possible to get the right protein because cats need both liquid and solid nutrition.

The texture of your cat food doesn’t have to be dry, as long as it is nutritious. The best pet food for your cat will have a pale yellow color, a slightly nutty odor and will contain no artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors.

It is best to seek quality pet food that meets the requirements of your cat’s needs rather than the label specifications.

How Much Of What You Feed Your Cat?

Generally speaking, cats need more protein than other animals because they are carnivores (meat-eaters). Cats require about two-thirds of the daily protein that humans do.

Protein is required for muscle and tissue repair, so it is important to ensure your cat gets enough.

What Are The Benefits Of Sustainable Cat Food?

Here are 9 benefits of sustainable cat food:

1. Sustainable cat food is more natural; although there are no natural ingredients in pet food, it does contain whole foods like meat and fish as primary ingredients.

It can be a healthier choice for your cat than commercially prepackaged foods made with grain fillers or corn syrup.

2. They are more nutritious for your cat. The main ingredients (meat and fish) are high in protein, amino acids, and essential fatty acids that help the body grow and maintain a healthy coat, skin, joints, and hair.

3. They can be cheaper. Meats and fish are generally cheaper than grain fillers, even organic ones. It’s also more cost-effective as production doesn’t require much energy or water to grow less fresh foods.

4. They can be healthier for your cat. They contain no artificial additives that can be bad for your cat’s health, including carcinogens such as ethoxyquin in fish products and artificial preservatives.

5. They are less likely to be contaminated with harmful bacteria. Food preparation is done in clean, hygienic areas, and no antibiotics or growth hormones are used in farm meat after being slaughtered.

6. They can be more environmentally friendly since they don’t involve using petroleum-based products or synthetic ingredients.

They also do not involve pesticides, herbicides, and other pollution-causing agents that may harm the environment when used on produce.

7. They are more sustainable since they do not require chemicals to grow food or synthetic ingredients.

8. Sustainable cat food brands often have a range of different flavors and recipes for your cat to enjoy, so he isn’t stuck eating the same thing every time.

9. They are better for the environment. Not only is it better for your cats’ health and the environment, but it’s also beneficial to you, too, since more of your hard-earned money will be put back into the local economy if you buy your cat food locally.

What Are The Problems With Sustainable Cat Food?

The main problem is that most people don’t know which ingredients to look for when buying a sustainable cat food product.

Here are 5 main problems of sustainable cat food:

1. Grain-Fed Meat

Some companies use grain-fed meat. Grain is not a natural food source for cats and can cause numerous health problems like acidosis (which can cause stomach problems) and allergies. It can also cause more serious problems.

For example, grains contain certain proteins that form taurine, a necessary nutrient for cats. However, if your cat is fed mainly grain and not enough fish or other meats, it won’t get enough taurine to be healthy.

2. Fillers

Fillers often contain corn and other cheap grains. It’s not only unhealthy, but it cannot be good for your cat’s health because it is not a good source of nutrition for cats.

3. Corn Syrup

Corn syrup is a cheap food additive to make the food look healthier, but it does not have any nutritional value for your cat.

Although it’s technically sugar, cats don’t have the enzyme necessary to break down sugar as we do ourselves.

4. GMO

Genetically modified (GMO) foods are not good for your cat. The genes are spliced into an organism’s DNA to change its characteristics, and it’s usually a plant or animal.

Genes can cause harm and could be harmful to your cat’s health, so avoid eating any foods that have been genetically modified.

5. Artificial Colors/Preservatives

Many products use artificial colors and preservatives, which are bad for your cat if they’re not natural or healthy for them. Avoid buying any food with them.

Overall, having sustainable cat food may be more expensive upfront. Still, you’ll feel better about what you’re feeding your cat and avoid the bad chemicals and additives that go into some commercial (and even organic) foods.

Conclusion

Overall, it’s best to buy natural food for your cat rather than commercially prepackaged food.

Ultimately, it’s up to you and your cat what type of food they will eat. You may have to try a few different brands before finding one that works for you and your pet.

But if you choose the right kind of sustainable pet food, your cat can live a long healthy life.