Commercial cat food, while convenient, is generally not a good food source for cats as brands prioritize cost-efficiency over nutritional quality. This often leads to the use of low-grade and cheap ingredients such as meat by-products, fillers like corn and wheat, and artificial additives.
These components are not suitable for a cat’s digestion and can lead to numerous health issues, including lowered immunity, lethargy, allergies, digestive problems, kidney problems, diabetes, and obesity.
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning their natural diet needs to be composed of both muscle and organ meat such as heart and liver. Additionally, some commercial foods contain harmful preservatives, dyes, and flavor enhancers that offer no nutritional benefit and pose long-term health risks.
Comercial cat food manufacturers are bound by law to put the interests of shareholders first or risk being sued. There is no legal requirement to provide actual quality cat food.
The lack of moisture in dry kibble is another significant issue. Cats naturally obtain much of their hydration from their food and don’t have a well-developed thirst response. Dry food, combined with this poor drinking response, can lead to chronic dehydration, contributing to urinary tract issues and kidney disease. In addition, the drying process can convert some ingredients into toxic materials.
Finally, misleading marketing and labeling can make it very challenging for pet owners to discern the actual nutritional value of the food they are purchasing. Therefore, cat owners must research and choose high-quality, species-appropriate foods composed of a full spectrum of muscle and organ meat to ensure their pets' health and longevity.