What is the difference between Royal Canin Select Protein Wet Cat Food and Royal Canin Select Grain Free Wet Cat Food? (2023)

Royal Canin Select Protein Wet Cat Food is made with a higher percentage of protein than Royal Canin Select Grain Free Wet Cat Food. Protein is important for cats because it helps to keep them healthy and provides them with the nutrients they need to stay strong and active. Royal Canin Select Protein Wet Cat Food also includes more vitamins and minerals than Royal Canin Select Grain Free Wet Cat Food.

Rabbit, Water Sufficient for Processing, Rabbit Liver, Pea Flour, Vegetable Oil, Glycine, Pea Protein, Powdered Cellulose, Fish Oil, Calcium Sulfate, Carrageenan, Carob Bean Gum, Taurine, Natural Flavors, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, Vitamins [Dl-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate (Source Of Vitamin E), L-Ascorbyl

In theory, separating the best cat food brands from the rest should be simple, but in practice, it can take some investigation. In addition to meeting industry and veterinary standards (more on that below), it's also critical that your pet food of choice meets your cat's needs, which can be determined by their life stage, activity level, digestive health, and overall well-being.Oh, and you should probably look for a type of food that your cat genuinely enjoys eating. "Cat foods aren't one size fits all," Aimee Simpson, VMD, medical director of the VCA Cat Hospital of Philadelphia, tells SELF.

What should I look for in a cat food?

Cat food, like dog food, has its own set of parameters established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) to determine whether a brand or formulation is nutritionally complete. However, as SELF previously reported, the AAFCO is not a regulatory body.A good first step in finding a high-quality cat food is looking for an AAFCO statement on the food's label, and making sure the food contains an adequate amount of protein; Dr."AAFCO recommends that commercial cat food contain at least 30% protein on a dry matter basis for kittens and 26% for adults," Simpson says.

She continues, "Excess levels of protein, phosphorus, and sodium can exacerbate chronic kidney disease, while too much calcium can lead to the formation of urinary tract crystals and stones."

Dr. Simpson also mentions global nutritional guidelines from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA), which specifically address the quality of pet food manufacturers.These recommendations include several key questions to ask about your cat's food:

• Do they have at least one full-time nutritionist (either a PhD nutritionist or a board-certified veterinary nutritionist from the American College of Veterinary Nutrition)?
• Do they have their own production facilities?
• Do they conduct and publish nutritional research in order to improve their diets over time?
• Do they have rigorous quality control testing and standards in place?

Again, these are general recommendations, but they can help you distinguish between high-quality cat food and cat food that only checks the most basic boxes. If you're not sure about the quality of a particular brand, you can always contact its customer service team for more information or ask your vet about it.

What should I look for on the ingredient list of cat food?

"It can be difficult to read pet food labels," Dr. Simpson says, adding that the order in which ingredients are listed can be misleading."Ingredients like chicken meat that contain more moisture (and thus weigh more) are listed before dehydrated ingredients like chicken meal that may provide more nutrients," she explains.

In addition to high-quality protein sources and nutritious animal protein by-products like liver and other organ meats, grains may appear on the ingredient list of your cat's food—and this is perfectly fine."Grains and corn are frequently misrepresented as pet food fillers; however, these ingredients are actually good sources of vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and fiber," Simpson says, adding that, despite being obligate carnivores, cats can digest the carbohydrates found in conventional cat foods.

How do I decide between the various types of cat food?

"Age, breed, and health, as well as personal preferences, can all play a role in selecting the right consistency of food for your cat," Dr. Simpson says.On the one hand, dry cat food, like kibble, comes in a variety of shapes and textures, and can help with dental issues such as tartar control; additionally, pet owners on a budget and short on time may appreciate the fact that dry food is more convenient to feed and less expensive than wet cat food.

Wet food, on the other hand, has a higher moisture content, which can be beneficial for cats who require more hydration in their diets, such as those with diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and lower urinary tract disease, according to Dr. Simpson.She also mentions that the texture of wet food, which ranges from pates to stews, is easier for cats with fewer teeth to chew, and that you can mix a little dry and a little wet food together if your cat doesn't seem to like the texture of just one.

What should you not feed your cat?

Dr. Simpson warns cat owners against feeding their cats all-raw or homemade diets in addition to standard dry, moist, and wet cat foods.She explains that the former provides no nutritional benefits over regular commercial cat food and can even lead to nutritional deficiencies and food-borne illnesses, whereas the latter also puts cats at risk of deficiencies.If you want to make your cat's food at home, Dr. Simpson suggests contacting a veterinary nutritionist through the American College of Veterinary Nutrition.

If you're unsure about, say, the best dry cat food or canned food for your kitty, contacting an expert is the best option. "With hundreds of different brands and potentially misleading advertising and online information, it can be confusing and frustrating to choose the best diet for your cat," Dr."The best way to choose an appropriate diet is to ask your veterinarian for a recommendation," Simpson says.

To try, the best vet-recommended cat food

With that in mind, there's no way we could feature every single healthy, protein-rich cat food brand on the market right now, but we've highlighted some of the best cat food brands for you to try below using the guidelines referenced by Dr. Simpson (and some help from the internet's most enthusiastic reviewers).

Hill’s Science Diet

Foods from Hill's Science Diet—and Hill's Prescription Diet, the brand's arm that addresses health concerns like sensitive stomachs, urinary tract issues, and maintaining a healthy weight—regularly appear on the shelves at vets' offices; this brand is a standard-bearer when it comes to AAFCO- and WSAVA-compliant foods, and it employs over 200 scientists at its Global Pet Nutrition Center.

Chewy

Adult Perfect Digestion Salmon Dry Cat Food by Hill's Science Diet

$23 at Chewy at Chewy

$33 at Amazon at Amazon

Chewy

Canned Hill's Science Diet Adult Savory Turkey Entree Cat Food

$49 at Chewy at Chewy

$49 at Amazon at Amazon

Royal Canin

Royal Canin's in-house team of veterinarians and nutritionists puts all of its meals through an extensive development process before presenting them to customers, including kitten food and meals designed specifically for older and senior cats, as well as recipes rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for shinier coats.

Chewy

Indoor Adult Dry Cat Food Royal Canin

$53 at Chewy at Chewy

$53 at Amazon at Amazon

Chewy

Canned Royal Canin Intense Beauty Thin Slices in Gravy Cat Food

$43 at Chewy at Chewy

$43 at Amazon at Amazon

Purina Pro Plan

Purina Pro Plan is an excellent choice for science-backed recipes packed with healthy proteins and carbs that won't break the bank. From indoor cats to senior cats to cats prone to hairballs, this brand's offerings have an option that'll keep your cat well-fed and healthy.Purina One, a less expensive alternative from the same brand, doesn't have as many health-specific recipes but still provides a balanced diet for your cat.

Chewy

High Protein Purina Pro Plan Chicken & Rice Formula with Probiotics Cat Food

$17 at Chewy at Chewy

Chewy

Adult Tuna Entree in Sauce Purina Pro Plan

$34 at Chewy at Chewy

$34 at Amazon at Amazon

Merrick

Merrick stands out among pet food brands because of its team of nutritional experts, company-run canneries and factories, and unwavering commitment to making foods free of artificial flavors, preservatives, or fillers. Its Purrfect Bistro line of cat foods contains all of the vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and fiber that a happy, healthy cat requires.In addition, the line includes salmon, beef, and chicken recipes designed to promote hairball control as well as healthy skin and coats.

Chewy

Adult Merrick Purrfect Bistro Real Salmon + Sweet Potato Recipe

$39 at Chewy at Chewy

$39 at Amazon at Amazon

Chewy

Canned Merrick Purrfect Bistro Beef Pate Grain-Free Cat Food

$36 at Chewy at Chewy

$57 $52 at Amazon $52 at Amazon

Farmina

This brand doesn't have the same name recognition as, say, Purina, but its nutritional credentials put it on the map all the same. Farmina's Vet Research team collaborates with independent vets to develop its recipes in the name of continued advancement in pet nutrition.These recipes use ingredients sourced from carefully selected farms and producers, so you can rest assured that your cat is eating nutritious, high-quality food.nbsp;

Chewy

Adult Cat Dry Food Farmina N&D Prime Boar & Apple Recipe

$60 at Chewy at Chewy

$65 at Amazon at Amazon

Chewy

Canned Farmina Natural & Delicious Prime Boar & Apple Cat Food

$27 at Chewy at Chewy

VetDiet

VetDiet's mission is true to its name, producing meals that prioritize your cat's health and wellness, with premium ingredients packed and an ever-expanding in-house Health and Nutrition Advisory Board. This 25-year-old, family-run company has delicious meals made for all life stages (from kittens to older cats), and for specific needs like immune system support and weight control.It even makes healthy cat treats for when your cat has been a particularly good girl or boy (which is always).

Petflow

Adult Dry Cat Food Vetdiet Chicken & Rice Formula

$17 at Petflow at Petflow

Petflow

Adult Cat Chicken Formula Wet Food by Vetdiet

$39 at Petflow at Petflow

Nature’s Logic

Nature's Logic was founded on the value of whole-food nutrition, which means that its products don't contain any added synthetic ingredients—all of your cat's vitamins, minerals, and nutrients come from meats, veggies, and healthy carbs. For quality control and contamination prevention, the brand directly purchases or approves all of its ingredient sources, and it tests every batch of food that comes out of its U.S.-based manufacturing locations.

Petflow

Feline Chicken Meal Feast Dry Cat Food by Nature's Logic

$32 at Petflow at Petflow

Chewy

Feline Rabbit Feast Grain-Free Canned Cat Food by Nature's Logic

$72 at Chewy at Chewy

$68 at Petflow at Petflow

Earthborn Holistic

Earthborn Holistic's cat foods are manufactured in the United States in its own kitchens and factories, which have been family-owned and operated for nearly 100 years, since the brand's inception.It offers both whole-grain and grain-free dry cat food, as well as grain- and gluten-free wet food made with hearty proteins like chicken liver, and its foods all start with animal protein sources like salmon, chicken, duck, and beef.

Why are vets opposed to grain-free cat food?

"They are lacking an amino acid called taurine with an all-natural and grain-free type diet, which essentially predisposes them to a heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy," Billmaier explained.lacking an amino acid called taurine which essentially predisposes them to a heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy," Billmaier said.

Is the Royal Canin Select Protein grain-free?

This Royal Canin Veterinary Diet recipe may be implicated in the FDA's ongoing investigation into diet-related Dilated Cardiomyopathy (or DCM), a potentially fatal heart condition, because it is grain-free and contains legumes or potatoes.grain-free food that contains legumes or potatoes this Royal Canin Veterinary Diet recipe may be implicated in the FDA's ongoing investigation into diet-related Dilated Cardiomyopathy (or DCM), a potentially fatal heart condition.

What is the distinction between Royal Canin's PD and PR selected proteins?

Duck protein is used in the PD formula, Rabbit protein in the PR formula, and Venison protein in the PV formula., and the PV formula is Venison protein.

What is the purpose of Royal Canin selected protein?

Royal Canin Selected Protein PR is a limited ingredient dog food formulated for dogs with skin and digestive issues, and it contains a novel protein, rabbit, to help with food sensitivities.Furthermore, the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA promote healthy skin and coat.dogs with skin and digestive issues. It's formulated with a novel protein, rabbit, to help with food sensitivities. Plus, omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA help promote healthy skin and coat.