Physiological Foods to Nourish the Animal
This group includes all foods providing the average nutritional requirements of all cats. This type of food does not take into consideration the age or activity level of individual cats nor necessarily provide special formulas for different needs. Some are adequately digestible (80%) and have a satisfactory taste.
This is the type of food normally found in supermarkets. It is available in canned, semi-moist, and dry formulas.
These are high-quality, complete foods formulated to meet the specific needs of cats of different ages and activity levels, cats with sensitive digestive systems, or spayed or neutered cats. These highly digestible foods (85 to 87%) provide optimal nutrition and are very appetizing.
Premium brands use excellent quality, hand-picked ingredients. Advanced manufacturing methods are applied and the production process closely monitored. Carefully selected packaging uses natural preservation methods. All of the above guarantees the stability of the ingredients used in the food. Most premium brands are sold in the form of dry food. They are generally marketed through specialized centers, such as pet stores, veterinary offices, or feed stores.
This line of complete foods must be prescribed by a veterinarian. They are used to treat illness such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, chronic diarrhea, or renal failure.
Their taste is enhanced to make them more palatable to animals that typically become finicky eaters due to their health problems.
Digestibility varies depending on the desired results. They may be used to prevent the occurrence of some clinical disorders and to improve the efficacy of concurrent medical treatment.
Prescription foods are sold exclusively in veterinary offices, which are also authorized to sell other premium brands. In France, more than 84% of all cat food sold by veterinarians is premium brand dry food (source Royal Canin).