What Do You Feed Persian Cats
The best food for Persian cats will ensure that they get the right ratio of protein, fat, and carbohydrates, while also enabling them to maintain a healthy coat and eyes. "The Sand Cat", a nickname given to them because their long fur protected them from heat and the sand in the Persian desert, needs a diet that is rich in good quality protein, low in carbs, and has a reasonable fat ratio.
You could feed your Persian on run-of-the-mill superstore cat food, but there are numerous high-quality brands that are designed for breeds like the Persian. We have put together a list of the best brands, including reviews, so that you can make an informed decision and choose the right one for you and your cat.
A Glance at Our Favorites in 2022
The 7 Best Foods for Persian Cats
1. Smalls Human-Grade Fresh Cat Food – Best Overall
Persian cats do great on wet foods that are hydrating, healthy, and packed full of the best ingredients. That's why Smalls Human-Grade Fresh gets our choice for the best overall cat food for our beloved Persians. This soft, wet food comes in smooth, or ground texture options that satisfy even the most finicky eaters.
Smalls Human-Grade Fresh comes in three different protein options. The Fresh Bird option is made from chicken containing 92% breast and thigh, 6% liver, and 2% heart. Fresh Other Bird is 91% skin-on turkey thigh, and 9% chicken liver. The other option is Fresh Cow, containing 90% lean ground beef and 10% cow liver and heart.
This food is derived from sustainably sourced ingredients that are USDA-certified and fit for human consumption. Smalls ensures their food products are free from grains, fillers, by-products, and artificial additives.
Smalls cat foods are formulated specifically to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages so you can be comfortable feeding your Persian this food throughout its life.
Overall, you really cannot go wrong with Smalls Human Grade Fresh. It is a bit on the expensive side, but you are making up for it with the exceptionally high quality that ensures your cat is getting all the nutrients and hydration they need.
Pros
- Comes in 3 protein and 2 texture options
- Free from fillers, grains, artificial additives, and by-products
- Made from USDA-certified ingredients
- Hydrating and easy to chew
2. Iams ProActive Health Indoor Dry Cat Food – Best Value
There are a number of reasons why Iams ProActive Health Indoor Dry Cat Food is ideal for Persian cats. First of all, it is a small kibble, which is suitable for the shortened face and jaw shape of the Persian. Some kibbles are simply too large for the breed to cope with.
Dry food is also considered beneficial because it helps combat dental disease and maintains good dental hygiene. It is also rich in protein and has been fortified with ingredients that include omega-3 and omega-6, which help maintain the coat of your Persian.
The Iams ProActive Health Indoor Dry Cat Food is also high in dietary fiber, ensuring that your cat has well-formed stools and does not suffer gastrointestinal complaints. Indoor cat food like this has fewer calories, which means that they can eat as much as an outdoor cat without the fear of them piling on weight that they won't be able to easily lose.
Unfortunately, the food has a high carbohydrate content and some of the ingredients are considered low-quality plant ingredients that are used as a cheap filler. However, these ingredients do help keep the price down and make this the best food for Persian cats for the money.
Pros
- Cheap
- Kibble is good for dental hygiene
- Small kibble pieces are easy for Persians to digest
- Fish oil adds omega-3
Cons
- Some low-quality plant ingredients
- High concentration of carbs
- Contains an unnecessary caramel color
3. Royal Canin Persian Dry Cat Food
Royal Canin Persian Dry Cat Food Dry Cat Food is another dry food, this time specifically created to keep Persian's healthy. The primary ingredient in this food is chicken by-product meal.
It also contains chicken fat, which is a beneficial source of omega-3. Unfortunately, there are a number of lower quality plant-based ingredients including brewers rice, wheat gluten, and corn. All of these ingredients are criticized because they can make up a large part of the protein content of the food, but grain and vegetable protein do not contain the full range of amino acids found in meat protein and that are considered essential for the good health of the cat.
In short, they are cheaper and less beneficial alternatives to meat protein. Despite the use of some inexpensive filler ingredients, Royal Canin Persian Dry Cat Food is on the expensive side of the foods in this list, although this is likely to be because of the lack of artificial colors, preservatives, and other artificial ingredients. The meat products that are used are also clearly identified, which isn't always the case with pet foods.
Pros
- Dry kibble promotes good dental hygiene
- Specifically formulated for Persian cats
- No artificial additives
Cons
- Contains a lot of animal protein filler
- Expensive
4. Wellness Complete Health Pate Canned Cat Food
Wellness Complete Health Pate Canned Cat Food is a grain-free wet food that utilizes chicken as its main ingredient, and also includes chicken liver, turkey, and chicken broth among its primary ingredients.
It consists of approximately 10% protein and 7% fat. It is also grain-free, which is ideal if your cat has any grain allergies. This pate is also free from fillers, which means that every mouthful provides nutritional benefit to your feline friend. The premium formula does not contain artificial colors or additives of any sort. The Wellness Complete Health Pate Canned Cat Food does carry a premium price tag, but its high meat content is packed with muscle meat.
It is also popular because it is produced in North America. The pate texture is easily palatable and appealing to cats and, as well as high-quality meat, it also contains fruit and vegetables for additional nutrients, and uses natural thickening agents like cassia gum.
Pros
- Primary ingredients are chicken and turkey
- Grain-free recipe
- Moisture-rich food also hydrates your cat
- No artificial ingredients
Cons
- Contains carrots, which are not species essential
- Related Read: Best Brush for Persian Cats
5. Royal Canin Persian Adult Canned Cat Food
As well as their distinctive eyes, the most distinctive feature of the Persian cat is their long and luscious coat. Your Persian likely spends a lot of time cleaning and maintaining their fur. As a general rule, they are very good at it, too, but by providing them with a food that is designed to protect and nourish their hair, you can give them a helping hand. Constant grooming can also lead to a lot of furballs, while excessive licking can cause damage to the skin under the fur.
Royal Canin Persian Adult Canned Cat Food is a loaf design that is covered in a sauce to make the food more palatable and easier to digest. The formula contains omega-3 and omega-6, both of which help maintain a shiny coat. It also contains B vitamins, which further improve the luster of the coat.
The food can be fed as a complete food or combined with a dry kibble for additional nourishment and variety in your cat's diet. With 7.5% protein levels, the Royal Canin could have higher protein, but most of this protein at least comes from meat ingredients including pork by-products, chicken, pork liver, chicken by-products, and salmon.
Pros
- Primary ingredients are pork, chicken, and salmon
- Fish oil provides high-quality omega-3 and omega-6
- Designed to maintain luscious long hair of Persians
Cons
- Protein rate could be higher
6. Hill's Science Diet Adult Canned Cat Food
Hill's Science Diet Adult Canned Cat Food is especially suited to overweight cats and can also be useful to feed to indoor cats to prevent them from putting on extra weight. The primary ingredient in this food is minced chicken, so it should be appealing even for the pickiest of cats.
Additional taurine promotes a healthy heart and good vision, and the formula does not contain any artificial additives. It has a protein content of around 8.5% but it includes ingredients like corn gluten meal and brewer's dried yeast, both of which are considered lower quality than the equivalent meat proteins. They are inexpensive and add to the total protein level on the side of the pack, so are not considered desirable ingredients in most cases.
Although this is a decent quality food and benefits from the fact that it is lacking in artificial additives, it does have a number of ingredients that could be replaced with higher quality alternatives.
Pros
- Free from artificial additives
- Primary ingredient is chicken
- Added taurine
Cons
- Has quite a strong smell
- Has a few low-quality filler ingredients
7. Royal Canin Feline Breed Persian Kitten Dry Cat Food
Royal Canin Feline Breed Persian Kitten Dry Cat Food is formulated specifically for Persian cats, and for those aged up to 12 months old, by which time they should move up to an adult food. This dry food kibble can help protect your cat's teeth while providing the nutrients and ingredients that are essential to their coat as well as their health.
The kibble has also been designed so that it is physically easier for your Persian kitten to eat and digest, which is also important to their health as well as their enjoyment of the food. The primary ingredient is chicken by-product meal with brewer's rice as the secondary ingredient. Brewer's rice is the kernels that are left over after rice has been processed, and while these do contain protein and fiber, the quality is questionable.
It is considered a relatively cheap filler ingredient and would be better replaced with something of a higher quality. The formula has been enriched with EPA and DHA, both of which are nutrients that are known to help protect the Persian's long hair and skin.
To conclude, we think this is the best food for Persian kittens out there.
Pros
- Dry kibble that is designed for Persian kittens
- Enriched with EPA and DHA
- Primary ingredient is chicken
Cons
- Uses some ingredients with questionable quality
Buyer's Guide: How to Select the Best Foods for Persian Cats
The Persian breed is known for its stunning eyes and luscious long hair. This breed is commonly kept as an indoor cat, which means that they can quickly put on weight. While they are usually perfectly capable of keeping their fur looking good, on their own, you can help make it easier by providing them with high-quality food. You should also ensure that their food contains all the protein, vitamins, and minerals that they require. Read on for more on how to choose the best source of fuel for your Persian.
What Cats Need
Cats are carnivores, which means that they must eat meat to survive and stay healthy. Meat protein contains a full array of amino acids, which are simply not available in plant and replacement proteins. Chicken, turkey, salmon, and other fish are some of the most common meat ingredients, but you may also find pork, lamb, and even beef.
Fillers
Some cat foods do include fruit and vegetables. In some cases, these incorporate essential nutrients and ingredients like omega-3 and omega-6. In other cases, they are chosen because they add protein that can be included on the side of the packet, but this protein costs a lot less than meat-derived protein. These can be considered fillers. They may keep the cost of cat food down, but they are not really providing the benefit they appear to be.
Food Shape Matters
When feeding your Persian a dry kibble, it is essential that you remember it has a flat face. This means that it can struggle to consume large kibble biscuits. Their face simply isn't made to break down large pieces of food easily. With meat and soft ingredients, they can break the food down so that they are able to properly chew and digest the food. With a dry kibble biscuit, this isn't possible, so you should ensure that the kibble is made up of small pieces that are easy to digest.
Allergens
Persians, like any cats, may be prone to allergies. In particular, they can be prone to grains and other ingredients. Common allergens include:
- Corn
- Soy
- Dairy
- Gluten
Symptoms can include itchy and irritated skin, as well as vomiting and diarrhea. If your cat is showing any of these symptoms, it may be worth swapping to a food that does not include any of the allergens listed above.
Wet or Dry Food
Generally speaking, Persian cats benefit from eating a combination of both wet and dry food. A lot of owners provide wet food in the morning, as a meal for breakfast, while offering a constant supply of dry food. You should always ensure that your Persian, or any other breed of cat for that matter, has access to fresh water all day.
Beating Hairballs
Hairballs are a major problem for Persians, because of their long fur and their love of preening. Furballs are generated when cats use their tongues to clean themselves and they drag fur down into their throat.
Hairballs are natural and are not usually a sign for concern. But they are unpleasant for the cat producing them, and they are also unpleasant for owners that have to clean them up afterward. Natural remedies for hairballs include regular brushing to remove excess and dead hair, the addition of a teaspoon of something like flax oil to help lubricate the furball's passage, and always ensure that your cat has enough water.
Another solution is to increase the fiber in a cat's diet. Choose a cat food that is high in fiber, or higher in fiber than their current food. Fiber helps keep everything moving, and this includes furballs. It will ensure that the furball continues down the throat and into the stomach and beyond. Cat foods that are labeled as hairball-control foods or that contain small pieces of fruit like apples include increased fiber levels.
Want to see more cat food reviews? Check out our review page here!
Conclusion
Persian cats are a purebred cat and have specific dietary requirements. Most purebreds are kept as indoor cats, so you have to take care to ensure that they do not put on too much weight too quickly. They also need assistance caring for their long and luscious fur, while the physical shape of their face means that Persians can struggle to eat large kibble. The popularity of the Persian breed means that there are a lot of suitable foods on the market.
We compiled a list of reviews of the best cat food for Persians to help you choose the one that suits you and your cat best. We found Smalls Human-Grade Fresh moisture-rich fresh raw food uses high-quality ingredients to provide everything a Persian requires, although it is more expensive than a lot of the options on the list, as a result of this.
If you're on a tighter budget, Iams ProActive Health Indoor Dry Cat Food helps protect your cat's teeth, their coat, and their general health while costing less than most of the competition.
Featured Image Credit: Patrick Foto, Shutterstock
Contents Overview
- A Glance at Our Favorites in 2022
- The 7 Best Foods for Persian Cats
- 1. Smalls Human-Grade Fresh Cat Food – Best Overall
- 2. Iams ProActive Health Indoor Dry Cat Food – Best Value
- 3. Royal Canin Persian Dry Cat Food
- 4. Wellness Complete Health Pate Canned Cat Food
- 5. Royal Canin Persian Adult Canned Cat Food
- 6. Hill's Science Diet Adult Canned Cat Food
- 7. Royal Canin Feline Breed Persian Kitten Dry Cat Food
- Buyer's Guide: How to Select the Best Foods for Persian Cats
- What Cats Need
- Fillers
- Food Shape Matters
- Allergens
- Wet or Dry Food
- Beating Hairballs
- Conclusion
Source: https://excitedcats.com/best-food-for-persian-cats/
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