It is not easy to find your way around when it comes to cat food. Here are the best according to 60 Million consumers.
The pet food market continues to prosper. In 2023, its turnover reached 2.95 billion euros, an increase of 15% compared to 2022, but here are the brands to favor according to 60 Million consumers.
Cat food: a thriving market
Three brands of kibble are competing for the market. There are standards, with well-known brands like Friskies or Whiskas, which are available in supermarkets and often at affordable prices.
They are generally designed to cover the basic needs of cats. We thus distinguish them from premium kibbles, offered by brands like Royal CaninHill’s ou Pro Plan.
They are often sold in pet stores or by veterinarians. They offer more elaborate recipes, adapted to the specific needs of cats, such as age, sterilization or food sensitivities.
Finally, organic and natural kibbles know growing success. These kibbles are made from organic or natural ingredients, without artificial preservatives, and respond to consumers' growing concerns for their cats.
Despite the inflation that is being felt by consumers, the food segment for cats continues to thrive. Indeed, this market, generating 1.91 billion euros in 2023, an increase of 17.7% compared to the previous year.
Croquettes are therefore very popular. 89% of cat owners buy them, compared to only 54% for boxes, trays or freshness bags, according to the Federation food manufacturers for pets (Facco).
Brands better than others
So, to evaluate the nutritional quality of these products, 60 Millions of consumers therefore tested 12 bags of kibble intended for sterilized adult cats. Healthy and aged 1 to 10 years.
The study measured nutrient content, compared to recommendations from the European Pet Food Industry Federation (Fediaf). These are regularly updated to follow scientific advances a nutrition animal.
Cats, being carnivores, therefore need quality, rich proteins in amino acids essential. The analysis showed that five products fully met these requirements, three were good, and only four were acceptable.
Brands like Eukanuba and Nestor Bio have therefore come close to the minimum thresholds for certain amino acids. While Hill's and Whiskas displayed a decent profile despite a protein level below the standard.
All the products thus showed good coverage of the needs in essential fatty acids. But the omega-3 contents made it possible to distinguish the best products.
The Hill's brand, for example, is coming firstfollowed by Royal Canin. While Friskies, Whiskas and Perfect Fit made do with the minimum.
The preferred brand of cat food
Likewise, be careful with certain products… Because while most minerals were correctly dosed, potassium posed a problem for certain products.
Royal Canin has therefore largely covered the needs. However, others, like Whiskas, Perfect Fit et Carrefourdisplayed notable deficits, lowering their nutritional score.
Indeed, for certain brands, digestibility has been evaluated by measuring the gelatinization rate starch. Two products, Carrefour Expert and Nestor Bio, had a rate below 80%, which could harm their assimilation.
Energy density, or calories per gram, has also been the subject of taken into account. Franklin, Edgard & Cooper, and Nestor Bio require smaller portions, which can make cats unsatisfied and potentially lead to insufficient nutritional intake.
The Royal Canin Regular Sterilized 37 kibble therefore took first place. They are therefore closely followed by Ultima Sterilized Adult, which offers a excellent value for money at €4/kg, compared to €9/kg at the top of the ranking.
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