Is My Cat Overweight
Pet obesity is the top welfare concern for vets. According to Cats.org.uk, overweight cats are usually defined as being more than 15% over their ideal weight.
Cats put on weight by eating more food than they need, but it just takes time and a bit of effort to get them back into shape.
Daniella Dos Santos from the British Veterinary Association told us that ‘obesity is a serious health and welfare issue for pets and we know that more and more veterinary practices are seeing overweight animals coming through their doors with weight-related problems like musculoskeletal conditions, breathing issues and diabetes.’
She adds that ‘its vital that owners understand how to recognise a healthy body shape, which can be a more useful way of telling if your pet is overweight rather than relying on weight alone. Wed advise owners to seek advice from their vet on proper nutrition, exercise and how to recognise a healthy body condition.’
Why Does Any Of This Matter
Your cats are doing just fine on TV-ad-running garbage food, you say? They just love it, you say? Thats equivalent to saying that a toddler loves having Lucky Charms three meals a day. Of course they love it! Its sugary, nutritionally-barren filler laced with chemicals and artificial flavors.
Cats have evolved to subsist on animal protein, period. In fact, they need 5 times more protein in their diets than dogs do, making careful meal-planning on our parts even more crucial. Their bodies were simply not made to digest carbs like grains, corn, soy, or rice, and forcing them to do so inevitably leads to:
Must Have Added Vitamins And Minerals
While real meat provides your cat with enough protein and fat that it needs for its daily diet requirements, wet cat food that contains added vitamins and minerals are also more ideal.
Look for products that contain extra vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats to provide your cat with nutrition needed for overall health.
Taurine, an amino acid, is an especially essential nutrient that supports your cats eye health, so look out for cat food that contains this as well.
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Best Food For Adult Cats
Like grain-free, some vets say human-grade is more of a buzzy phrase than a statement of quality. But if youre looking to switch up your cats food, these two direct-to-consumer brands offer high-quality options that are nutritionally appropriate for cats. Lauten likes that both brands foods are high in moisture and meet AAFCO formulation standards, and Nom Noms food is formulated by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. These are certainly good options Ive given my cat a sample of Nom Nom, and she was a big fan but vets like McKenzie and Bales stress that small brands arent necessarily any better than the big names youre used to seeing on the shelves of pet stores. In many cases, the testing of the ingredients, or the end product is not as thorough. You might see one of the big brand names of cat food have a recall, but they have a recall because they got tested. You cant have a recall for a product you didnt test, Bales says. Prices vary, as both companies offer customized portion sizes based on your cats age and weight.
Where Can You Buy Sheba Cat Food
When choosing a cat food brand, its important to think about how easy it will be to find it. You may find a cat food on sale in a specialty pet food store but then be unable to find it anywhere else later.
Now only is Sheba an affordable brand of cat food, but it is easy to find as well. You can find specific recipes in retailers near you using the store locator on the website, but you can also simply check your local grocery store, pet store, or even the discount store near you. Online, you can find Sheba cat food at major retailers like PetFlow and Chewy as well as Walmart.com.
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Sheba Cat Food Recall
While MARS has announced recalls for several of their cat food brands in the past, there has never been a Sheba cat food recall. This means that the brand has a solid history of producing quality foods that arent compromised. However, just because they have a good track record doesnt mean that a recall wont be announced in the future, so its always a good idea to keep an eye out for recalls.
Want to see more cat food reviews? Check out our review page here!
Is Wet Cat Food Best
Wet food is one type of food we can give to cats. Alternatives include raw food and dry food, while some owners give a combination to their pets, in order to enjoy the best benefits of all foods.
Wet food is often preferred over dry food because it is more appealing and palatable. It also helps meet your cats hydration requirements. Cats do not instinctively drink water from a bowl and get most of the moisture they require from their food. While dry food might only contain 10% moisture, wet food contains around 80%.
Wet food is not necessarily the best choice for all cats and owners, though. Once a packet has been opened, it can go off quickly and may only last a day or two even in the fridge. During this time, it will smell, too, unless you buy resealable packets. Because it is a perishable food, wet meat can only be left down for one or two hours before any remaining food needs to be disposed of. While most cats will eat their food in this time, some prefer the slow graze that is afforded with a dry kibble.
Combination feeding means offering dry kibble to graze on, over the course off the day, and one or two mealtimes consisting of wet food. This can help meet moisture levels and it means that your cat has something to eat even while youre out at work. If you do feed a combination of dry and wet food, ensure that you do not overfeed your cat.
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The Were All About Cats Standardrating Sheba On What Matters
Weve taken a close look at Sheba and graded it according to the Were All About Cats standard, evaluating the brand on species-appropriateness, ingredient quality, product variety, price, customer experience, and recall history.
Heres how it rates in each of these key areas.
- Recall History 9/10
Overall Score: 7/10
In total, we give Sheba cat food a 42 out of 60 rating or a B grade.
What Range Of Products Does Sheba Offer
Sheba offers a wide range of wet foods formulated for kittens, adults, seniors, and overweight cats. They include the bistro, premium pate, gravy, and garden medley range.
Sheba mainly uses chicken and seafood ingredients in the majority of the products.
One thing to note is the use of the word entree on many products . This is a descriptive word that identifies how much of an ingredient exists in the product by laws.
A turkey entree product for example means that the food needs to contain a minimum of 25% of turkey and can include other sources of meat with the rest of the remaining weight . In other words, a turkey entree cat food pack may be a little as 25% turkey.
Check out our article on cat food labeling to learn more.
This means if you are going for all turkey cat food then this wont be suitable.
This doesnt make the nutrition content worse, but some cats may benefit from an elimination diet to identify food allergies and intolerances. A limited ingredient diet with novel protein is the only way to carry out this test.
Check out more about finding the best cat food for food allergies here.
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Sheba Cat Food Review Runner Up: Sheba Perfect Portions Grain
High in protein for strong muscles and healthy coat
3 flavors to reduce boredom
Small portion packs to stop overeating
High moisture gravy for kidney health
Grain, pea, and soy-free for top digestion
Affordable
Lets take a look at Sheba Perfect Portions Grain-Free Multipack.
This product is one of Shebas most popular offerings in the perfect portions range. Its a gravy mix that boasts a solid 84% moisture content, which is great for cats with kidney or urinary tract health issues. The protein content is from animal sources chicken, fish, and turkey which provide easy-to-absorb sources of essential amino acids for strong muscles. I also like that the product doesnt use grains, peas, soy, or carrageenan which gives cats an easier time with digestion.
Now onto the downsides. The main problem I have with this product is the carbohydrate content. Sheba uses tapioca starch in its ingredients. Tapioca starch is a carbohydrate from a tuber . This ups the carb content to 12.5% which is higher than what I would recommend .
Whilst this isnt high by any stretch , it is something to keep in mind of especially if you have an overweight or diabetic cat.
Overall, the benefits seem to outweigh the downsides of this product with plenty of good animal protein, a good taste, positive reviews, and an affordable price point. This is a good option to get a fussy eater to transition to wet cat foods if they are a kibble fanatic.
INGREDIENTS
Tuna Cuts in Gravy: 751 kcal/kg, 28 kcal/serving
Who Should Buy Wet Cat Food
Wet cat food can be beneficial for some cats who have special dietary needs. Cats who have had teeth pulled, painful teeth and gums, or other dental issues, for example, might find it difficult to chew dry cat food, so wet food can be a good alternative. Other cats might not drink enough water as part of their regular diet and wet cat food can boost hydration with its high moisture content. Cats who are prone to frequent urinary tract infections or urinary crystals might also benefit from wet cat food because of its hydration factor. If youre looking for organic options, check out our review of the best organic cat foods.
Some pet owners might have a picky cat that simply doesnt love the texture or flavor of most dry cat food. Wet varieties have a more appealing taste and texture for some cats that encourage them to finish their meals. You might also consider supplementing a dry food diet with some wet food throughout the day for extra protein or as a special treat.
As with any food, you should check with your veterinarian before switching your cat to wet food or supplementing it in his diet.
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Who Are Mars Inc
The company began in 1911 when Frank C Mars started his business selling candies in Tacoma, Washington. They gained national recognition during World War I where they created the brand Uncle Bens Converted Rice, a product Mars Inc still produces today. The company became incorporated in 1923 and finally moved to produce chocolate bars.
Can Sheba Cat Food Make My Cat Sick
Sheba cat food is made out of meat, fish, and other ingredients that are suitable for cats. As far as we know they do not add any artificial flavorings, colorings, or preservatives that could make a cat sick.
Some cats have allergies to certain ingredients in cat foods, particularly grains and proteins. If your cat is allergic to a food, he may experience symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, hair loss, and itchy skin.
Cats are mostly allergic to specific meat proteins and can develop allergies to beef, chicken, or fish flavors. Cats with allergies must be fed an allergy-free diet until their symptoms subside.
Once your cat is symptom-free for several weeks, you can begin adding small amounts of the food back into his diet. If his symptoms return, discontinue feeding the food again and consult your veterinarian for additional treatment options.
If you suspect your cat has a sensitive stomach, try feeding him different types of food until you find one that doesnt upset his digestive system. Gradually switch over to the new food over the course of several days so his body has time to adjust to the new diet.
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Creating And Keeping Schedules
To prevent your kitten from overeating, adopt a feeding schedule in which your kitten eats three to five times a day. If youre not sure how much to feed your kitten at each meal, use the feeding guidelines on the label or ask your vet for advice. Just remember: If youre feeding your kitten wet food, dont leave it out for longer than 30 minutes.
And lets not forget about your felines favorite activity: sleeping. Kittens and cats are crepuscular, which is a fancy way of saying theyre most active at dawn and dusk. If youd prefer to get your beauty sleep without interruptions from your kitten, youll need to adjust their schedule.
Playing active games with your kitten during the day can help them expend some energy so they sleep better at night. You can also establish a bedtime routine . Feed your cat a filling dinner before bed, keep the lights low and provide a soft and safe spot to rest. Perhaps the most important thing to remember when setting a sleeping or feeding schedule is that consistency is key.
What Is The Background Of Sheba Cat Food
Sheba Cat Food falls under the company Mars, Inc. who also makes brands like Pedigree and Whiskas.
The company has been selling cat food since the 1950s, although they did not gain popularity until around 1980. During this time, cats were popular house pets in many homes across the United States and Europe and companies wanted to capitalize on this growing pet market.
Sheba discontinued in 2011 but came back into production in 2014 due to popular demand.Many countries sell Sheba cat food. Australia calls their Sheba products Dine.
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Which Types Of Pets Is Sheba Cat Food Best Suited For
Cats of all ages, even kittens and seniors, can get all the nutrients that they need from Sheba cat food to thrive. Whether pâté, cuts, or chunks, the food is easy to chew and eat. It doesnt include any fillers that could irritate cats with sensitive digestive systems. Because the food is made without grains, corn, and other allergens, owners dont have to worry about any allergic reactions after a meal.
Best Wet Cat Food Formulas Of 2022
All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the author. However, Great Pet Care may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.
When you bring a new cat home, one of the first decisions you have to make as a new pet parent is what type of cat food to feed your feline. And while there are hundreds of foods and cat food brands on the market, most cat owners will choose between two types of formulationswet cat food and dry cat food.
While there are benefits and drawbacks to both, wet cat food can offer a variety of benefits to our feline friends. In general, wet food tends to be higher in fat and protein and lower in carbohydrates compared to dry food, says Dr. Ericka Carroll, a San Francisco-based veterinarian who works for Hello Ralphie, a telehealth platform. Wet food also has significantly high moisture content compared to dry food.
Finding the best wet cat food for your four-legged companion will come down to your cats individual needs and preferences. But this guide will provide information about what to look for and consider when shopping for wet cat food and which brands and formulas you should consider for optimum nutrition.
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How We Review Cat Food Brands
Were not here to tell you that one cat food is the best of the best. The truth is there may not be a singular best cat food out there. There are plenty of brands we love, and it really comes down to your cats individual preferences and unique dietary requirements.
This being the case, its our goal to provide you with the information you need to make a smart and healthy decision for your own cat. We aim to equip you with the knowledge to evaluate a pet food brand on your own, but we also want to give you a little insight of our own to help lead you in the right direction. Our cat food reviews are based on the nutritional needs of cats above all else.
The thing you need to remember is your cat is an obligate carnivore. This simply means his body is evolved to process meat, not plants, so animal products should make up the majority of his diet.
Real animal protein should be the first ingredient in your cats diet, but ideally two out of the top three. Healthy fats are important as well and should come from animal ingredients when possible. The carbohydrate content of your cats diet should be limited and should come from nutritious and digestible sources like whole grains and fresh fruits and veggies.
Here are some of the things we look for in a good cat food brand:
Give Your Cat The Luxury It Deserves With Sheba Wet Cat Food
Sheba cat food is pure luxury for gourmet-loving cats, with carefully selected premium quality meat that will have your cat licking its whiskers. Sheba wet cat food is available in single-serving trays, pouches and domes, all of which taste as though it has been homemade just moments earlier, especially for your fussy feline. Trays, pouches and domes all keep the food beautifully fresh and contain only the finest ingredients, including tender cuts of meat, delicious morsels of fish and flavoursome vegetables.
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