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Food of the Ages
Pet Age Staff //March 27, 2019//
Listen to this articleCats go through many phases that involve changes in growth and behavior. These phases can be categorized into the six stages of a cat’s life: kitten, junior, prime, mature, senior and geriatric.
As cats age, their care requirements change. For example, kittens need a diet that consists of ingredients that are geared towards their growth and development. This type of diet would not be effective or helpful to a senior or geriatric cat that is already developed. Instead, their diet consists of ingredients geared towards maintaining the strength of their organs and bones to address health problems that occur with aging.
It’s important for manufacturers, retailers and consumers to know and understand all the cat life stages and why it is crucial for their dietary needs to match their particular life stage. But it’s important to keep in mind that while a kitten is the cat equivalent of a human baby, kittens will develop much faster than human beings. Therefore, six months after being born, a kitten will rapidly through the stages that are similar to an infant going from a newborn to toddler to preschooler to a pre-teen.
According to Pet Food Institute, responsible care and feeding, paired with a pet food that meets the cat’s nutritional needs, play a key role in helping cats live long and healthy lives. And cats also exhibit the signs of aging differently. A geriatric cat could be well and healthy while a senior cat could be ill. So, it is beneficial for retailers to be educated on cat behavior so they can guide customers to a product that fits the individual needs of their feline.
These products bring variety to the table and help cats from whisker to paw. Each product not only offers wholesome ingredients and nutrients but also comes in mouthwatering flavors that cats love. From kitten to geriatric cat, these products address their developmental changes in order to provide the best health and nutritional needs for all of their life stages so consumers can enjoy their cat’s lifespan to the fullest.
Fromm Kitten Gold
For kittens and pregnant or nursing mothers, Kitten Gold is naturally formulated with duck, chicken, liver, whole eggs and real Wisconsin cheese. It’s enhanced with probiotics to aid digestion and salmon oil for a healthy coat. Froom foods are prepared in small batches with fresh ingredients delivered daily.
Weight & Mature – Ocean Fish, Chicken & Turkey Pate
This lower-calorie wet food from Chicken Soup for the Soul starts with Real Ocean Fish as the number one ingredient. Antioxidant taurine for healthy eyesight and hearing. DHA for brain development. 100 percent complete and balanced. No by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial coloring, flavoring or preservatives. Prepared in the USA.
Caru Classic Stews
Caru’s Classic Stews are made from 100 percent human-grade, non-GMO ingredients in the USA. Designed to nourish all life stages and have added vitamins, minerals and taurine for a healthy feline lifestyle. Packed in sustainable, renewable, BPA-free Tetra Pak cartons.
Tiki Cat Born Carnivore for Kittens
Tiki Cat Born Carnivore for Kittens is high in protein from real chicken combined with highly digestible egg and nutrient-packed chicken liver for taste. This grain-free Chicken & Egg Luau flavor includes Omega-6 and Omega-3 essential fatty acids from salmon oil and flaxseeds, as well as pumpkin to help support healthy digestion. There is added DHA and folic acid for healthy brain and eye development.
Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Free-Range Chicken
Crafted in Ziwi’s family-owned kitchens, Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Free Range Chicken is sourced from certified free-range New Zealand farms. Appropriate for all life stages, it contains 96 percent chicken meat, organs, bone and New Zealand Green Mussel for natural glucosamine, chondroitin and Omega-3s. The recipe is limited-ingredient, whole-prey diet and free of rendered meats/meals, grains, peas, potatoes, lentils or other legumes.
Hill’s Science Diet Youthful Vitality
The Hill’s Science Diet Youthful Vitality formula contains ingredients that provide key nutrients important for aging cats (7 years old and older) to support brain function, energy and vitality, a healthy digestive system, luxurious fur and coat, and healthy kidneys and bladder, It is available in Chicken & Rice Recipe for dry food and tasty canned varieties in Chicken, Tuna and Salmon.
www.hillspet.com
Dr. Elsey’s cleanprotein
The primary ingredients in Dr. Elsey’s cleanprotein are among the highest biological value proteins available, and the result is an appetite that is satisfied longer. Dr. Elsey’s cleanprotein is 100 percent grain-free and gluten-free, with no fillers or preservatives added. Over 90 percent of the protein is animal-based, and high protein optimizes body condition for all cats at all stages of the life cycle.
Feline Sustain No. 29
Feline Sustain No. 29 is MSC certified, containing two certified sustainable sources of fish. It is a grain-free, fresh meat formula with added prebiotics as well as natural antioxidants from turmeric, blueberry and cranberries. It’s appropriate for cats of all life stages.
Purina Cat Food
Whether a kitten, adult or senior cat, Purina has food products that meet their nutritional needs and unique preferences. All Purina products feature real, natural ingredients and have a taste that cats of all ages love. Available in canned or dry food options with an assortment of flavors and styles.
