South African veterinarian and aspiring doctor Amir Anwary often shares helpful information about pet health on his TikTok account, which has amassed over 400, 000 followers. Recently, the veterinarian started a ‘cat content’ series, kicking off with a guide on how to determine if cat food is quality, or not.
When it comes to keeping our four-legged felines happy and healthy, diet plays an important role, but how do you know if the food you are feeding your cat is of good quality?
Local veterinarian Amir Anwary recently took to social media to share three important points for determining if a cat food is quality, or not:
@amirthevet Cat content!!! Finally ! Please ask specific questions in the comments and i will get to them this week !! #cats #catowners #catfood #vet #learning #veterinarian ♬ original sound – Amir Anwary
Does it have a named protein source?
The first thing you need to look for in a good quality protein source, says Anwary.
The main protein source, usually listed as the first ingredient on the packaging, should be named – ie. salmon or chicken. Anwary advises to avoid ‘vague terms’ such as “meat”.
Does it contain whole grain carbohydrates?
Cats don’t need much grain in their diets, says Anwary.
If the cat food in question does contain grain, it should be a whole grain such as brown rice, or oats. If the cat food contains large amounts of corn and wheat, Anwary adds that it may likely not be of good quality.
Does it contain natural anti-oxidants?
Look for ‘no artificial anti-oxidants’ or ‘approved anti-oxidants’ listed at the bottom of the ingredients list. These ingredients may be specifically listed as Vitamin E or Rosemary extract, which are examples of natural anti-oxidants, says Anwary.
However, if the ingredients simply list ‘antioxidants’ and nothing more, this raises a red flag, as some anti-oxidants have been linked to causing cancer, he adds.
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Feature Image: TikTok / @amirthevet
