You should not have to choose between sticking to your budget and feeding your cat well. As a cat owner, all you want is to make sure that the basic nutritional needs of your cat are met, but that does not mean you have to purchase top-shelf cat food. What you need to buy is a high-quality cat food that you can afford to buy consistently and luckily, there are lots of affordable quality cat food options out there.
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Important Features to Consider When Buying Wet Cat Food
Here are the things you should consider when buying wet cat food:
No Artificial Ingredients or Fillers
Some cat foods contain artificial fillers that are often disguised as important carbs, which cats do not need in their diet. Cats are naturally carnivores, so the addition of wheat, corn, potato starch, as well as other similar ingredients are not necessary to their regular diets. In addition to that, artificial preservatives, flavors, and colors, can irritate the digestive functions of your cat, so you should avoid them.
High-Quality Protein
You should always look for a high-quality protein in wet cat food. This must be listed by its actual names like chicken or tuna, rather than its types like poultry or fish. Turkey, chicken, salmon, and tuna are considered to be among the most high-quality proteins for felines since they are very easy to digest.
Portion Control
What’s good about wet food for cats is that it comes in pouches, cans, as well as other portioned containers. Thus, feeding your feline friend one portion conveniently makes sure that he is getting the correct amount of food at every meal. Most cans of wet food come in 3oz servings, so it’s best to make some adjustments to his mealtime if you buy larger or smaller cans.
Added Minerals and Vitamins
Wet cat food with added minerals and vitamins can be even more beneficial to your cat’s overall health. So, make sure to look for wet foods with healthy fats, extra minerals, and vitamins that can help a lot in your cat’s skin health, digestion, brain development, and many more. Taurine is especially important since it can support eye and heart health.
Special Dietary Needs
Many cats cat eat a balanced, generalized diet found in most wet foods. But if your feline friend has special needs in his diet, like urinary tract or allergy issues, then you would want to consult your vet about feeding him wet cat food that can help support his health. There are lots of varieties you can choose from including limited ingredient, grain-free, skin and coat health, and renal support.
The Top 5 Best Inexpensive Cat Food
1. Merrict Purrfect Bistro Grain-Free Cat Canned Food
If your furry pal prefers wet food, then this chicken recipe is grain-free and packed with protein that can help support strong muscles. It also has plenty of omega3 acids and antioxidants for overall health.
2. Weruva Classic Canned Cat Food
This chicken recipe is just one of the many flavorful canned cat foods Weruva has to offer. The main ingredient of this product is a real animal protein with no artificial additives.
3. Wellness Complete Health Grain-Free Cat Canned Food
This is formulated to support the signs of wellness in cats. It can promote a healthy coat and skin, strong immunity, regular digestion, and balanced nutrition.
4. Wag Chicken & Giblets Recipe Canned Cat Food
Wag offers a wide variety of affordable wet and dry cat food options in the market. This chicken & giblets recipe contains wholesome veggies, fruits, and chicken.
5. Purina Beyond Duck and Sweet Potato Pate Canned Cat Food
This duck and sweet potato recipe contains no soy, wheat, or corn. It is also grain-free with real duck as the first ingredient.
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Common Questions About the Best Inexpensive Cat Food
Is Wet Cat Food Good for My Cat?
Every cat is different, which means any cat may have a different special need in his diet which makes wet canned food either a good or not good part of his diet. Both dry food and wet food have their advantages and disadvantages, but generally, canned food is safe for cats to eat.
Can I Feed My Cat Both Dry and Wet Food?
In most cases, the answer is yes. Dry cat food and wet cat food combination can be one of the most ideal options for most cats and your vet may even recommend it. Also, you may choose to give your feline friend small portions of wet cat food while you are at home in order to boost his protein and moisture intake.
How Long Can You Leave Canned Food Out?
Wet food for cats will not last long as dry food once it is removed from its pouch or can, and even have a much shorter shelf life when unopened. This is why it’s important for cat owners to always not to leave canned food out all day just like what they do with dry food since its high moisture is considered a major breeding ground for bacteria.
Conclusion
If you’re on a tight budget but still want to give your feline friend a nutritious cat food, then choosing the best budget foods that are low carb, high protein is key. In order to help you out, we have compiled the list of high-quality budget cat foods above that can support your cat’s optimal health. Over time, cat foods with low-quality can lead to a lot of health issues like mineral and vitamin deficiencies or weight gain, most especially in older cats. This is why if your cat has a health problem, make sure to ask your vet regarding what diet you should give him.
