Cat food is economical, convenient, and relatively nutritionally complete. It can be broadly categorized into dry, canned, and semi-cooked types. Dry cat food is a comprehensive food containing essential nutrients, has a rich flavor, and can help clean and protect teeth.
Cat food prices vary. Natural cat food is generally considered more effective and easier to store. Therefore, if possible, prioritize this type of food. Always provide clean drinking water next to your cat's dry food; the misconception that cats don't drink water is incorrect.
Canned cat food made with high-quality ingredients like shrimp and fish comes in a wide variety, is easy to choose from, and has a palatable taste, making it more popular with cats than dry food. Some canned foods can be used as a main meal, while others, such as most day food cans, are considered treats and may cause nutritional imbalances if used as a main meal. Canned food should not be mixed with dry food, as this can severely damage teeth; they should be fed separately. Canned food is easy to store for a long time, but it spoils easily once opened.
Semi-cooked cat food falls between ready-made and canned food, making it suitable for senior cats.
Some high-quality cat foods add taurine. Cats cannot synthesize taurine, an amino acid, and must obtain it by catching mice. Cats kept as companion pets don't have the opportunity to catch mice. A deficiency of this amino acid can impair a cat's night vision, making the use of high-quality cat food necessary.