Usually, I don’t like to name names when people ask, “What is the best pet food?” What works best for one pet will give another one tummy problems, and still another one won’t even touch it. As I emphasize frequently, variety is extremely important for our cats and dogs. Feeding the same food year in and year out is a good way to create food intolerances and allergies, as well as finicky behavior; and it puts pets at risk for serious deficiencies or excesses. One cat rescue that fed only Wellness canned food had many cats get sick, and several die, due to the lack of thiamine in food that was later recalled. (For more info on why variety is so important and how to get your cat to eat different foods, see our article on Switching Foods.)
The very best diet you can feed your cat is a properly balanced, species-specific, raw homemade diet using fresh, organic foods; and secondarily, a commercially made, nutritionally complete raw diet. That said, I recognize the reality that a lot of people are just not able to do that for a variety of reasons. Canned food is the most practical and do-able way for many folks.
Now, I do publish a complete list of “Dr Jean’s approved brands” in my ebook, What Cats Should Eat: How to Keep Your Cat Healthy with Good Food, which I update frequently. (In fact I need to add two more foods to the list today, even though I just revised the whole thing last Friday!) But if you don’t want to buy the ebook (even though it’s on sale right now, hint hint!), I will, just this once, tell you about my favorite canned cat food!
Life’s Abundance pet foods are formulated by Dr. Jane Bicks, a fellow veterinarian and long-time friend. I gave Dr. Jane no end of hassle for years, until she finally came out with a canned cat food: Instinctive Choice. This is absolutely the highest quality, lowest-carb, cat-friendliest canned food available anywhere. Cats love it, and it has saved many lives when kitties wouldn’t eat anything else.
A few years ago, my youngest cat, Sundance (now 10), developed a life-threatening condition called idiopathic hypercalcemia. He would sniff at food but then not eat it; so he was losing weight fast. As it turned out, Instinctive Choice was the only food he would eat, and it helped him to get “back on his paws.” Now of course he was getting holistic treatment with homeopathy, acupressure, Reiki, etc.; but without “good groceries,” the body can’t heal!
Let me say that again, because it is such a crucial concept: No matter what remedies or supplements or therapies we give our cats, nutrition is still the foundation of it all. If that foundation is weak or crumbling, it must be repaired, and the only way to do that is with healthy, wholesome food. For cats, Instinctive Choice makes a good solid brick for that foundation.
Instinctive Choice can be ordered directly from Life’s Abundance; click on the order button to visit their website; or keep reading for more information about this food.
What is not in Instinctive Choice
- Instinctive Choice does not contain fruits (such as cranberries or apples), vegetables (such as sweets potatoes or carrots) or grains (such as wheat, barley, corn or oats). Cats are metabolically adapted to use protein and fat as energy sources and they have no metabolic need for carbohydrates. Most domestic cats, however, need a little fiber because their digestive tracts are used to getting it. Guar gum is an excellent source of fiber.
- Instinctive Choice does NOT contain corn or corn gluten, wheat or wheat gluten, artificial colors or artificial preservatives.
What is in Instinctive Choice and why is it better?
(You will be taken to the Life’s Abundance website to order.)
Much as I love this food, and as well it can serve as the foundation of your cat’s diet; variety is still critically important, so please incorporate other wholesome, natural brands in your rotation.
Related posts:
- Health Royal Canin Dog Food
- Looking for Weruva cat food reviews? Yes. It’s all here!
- How do you teach cats to eat out of their own food bowls?
- How the Experts Choose Food and Water Dishes For Their Cats?
- How can I get my new kitten to eat cat food?