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Business Insider
2 days ago
- Health
- Business Insider
I fed my pup Ollie fresh food for a month, and I've never seen her more excited for mealtime
My dog is obsessed with food — and I'm obsessed with giving her the happiest, healthiest post-rescue life possible. While vets don't claim fresh dog food is always healthier, it makes sense that meals made from whole ingredients with real-food flavors offer my 60-pound mutt, Crocodile, a far more exciting dinnertime experience. Ollie is one of the more prominent fresh dog food brands, promising 100% whole food recipes designed to be not only delicious for dogs, but also help improve their weight, stool quality, and overall happiness. As a health and pet health writer — including deep dives into the best dog supplements — I was curious to see how Ollie stacked up, especially when considering that one month of Ollie costs more than double Croc's usual food. Over the course of four weeks, we tested four of Ollie's Fresh Food recipes. Croc, who's healthy and already eats a nutritionally complete and balanced dehydrated diet, did most of the hard work, carefully analyzing the tastiness of each recipe. I focused on Ollie's subscription process, delivery model, food packaging and storage, and, of course, how wildly excited Croc got when mealtime rolled around. How it works Recipes: Each of Ollie's five Fresh recipes is made with 100% whole food and for all life stages, from puppies to older dogs. Each formula is made with a whole meat protein base — beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, or pork — and then a combination of fruit, veggies, and grains. There's no salmon option, but Ollie adds salmon oil to all of their recipes. Research shows that fish oil offers many health-boosting benefits. All of Ollie's recipes meet the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) nutritional standards for puppies and adult dogs. That said, without a full-time veterinary nutritionist (the brand consults with two board-certified veterinary nutritionists), they don't fulfill the Global Nutrition Guidelines set by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA). Ordering: Ordering through Ollie is incredibly easy: You complete a short screening outlining your dog's name, current and goal weight, spayed status, and how active they are (mellow, active, or very active). The system then generates a recommended meal plan for your dog of either full fresh, half fresh (which you'd mix with their current food), or a mixed plan of Ollie's fresh recipes and its baked kibble. For all options, you can also select up to four out of the five fresh food recipe options, as well as any add-ons, such as Ollie-branded treats and supplement chews. Customization: Based on the initial screening, you're able to select one of three potential meal plans: full fresh, half fresh, or a mixed plan. Within each of these, you can customize which fresh recipes you want (up to four) and which baked recipes, if applicable. There are five fresh recipes to choose from, each with a different protein base, but you can't customize ingredients in the recipes themselves. It's important to note if your dog has a sensitivity or allergy, such as to grains, the ordering process doesn't explicitly tell you which formulas have potential triggers. Instead, you have to click "view ingredients" to see, though they do make this easy to spot and access in the customization process. Delivery: Your first Ollie order takes around six days to ship, and then another one to two days to be delivered, so seven to eight days total. After your initial order, Ollie runs on a recurring subscription at the default of every two weeks. If you need your pup's food delivered sooner than planned, you can go into your account and click "ship now," and it's delivered within two to five days. While two weeks' worth of delivery is the default, you can also opt to have a larger supply delivered every four weeks. Packaging: Ollie's fresh food is packaged as a plastic-wrapped food brick, which is frozen and shipped inside a medium-sized cardboard box with a Climacell cooler inside, covered with dry ice bags. The frozen food bricks are stacked inside the cooler, and this overall setup does a great job of keeping the food frozen. In your first shipment, you'll also get a welcome kit which includes a silicone food storage container that perfectly fits two food bricks, a plastic food scoop, and a pamphlet outlining how to best switch your dog to their new food over the course of the first week. Our review of Ollie dog food After placing my Ollie order, I received emails with tracking info and an estimated shipping and delivery timeline. My box arrived a day earlier than expected, in the evening, and sat on my porch overnight in June, so I felt mildly stressed. But I opened the box the next morning to find all 28 of my fresh food bricks still fully frozen — a true testament to Ollie's packing method. While the dry ice on top of the cooler was packed in disposable plastic, I was happy to find the Climacell cooler was recyclable, and the cardboard box, too, of course. The 28 frozen bricks stacked nicely in my freezer, taking up about a quarter of the space in my standard top-door freezer. My first Ollie order came with a silicone container to hold two food bricks side by side while they defrost in the fridge, as well as a paddle to chop the food up. At first, the container seemed like a nice but unnecessary touch. Two days in, I realized its real value: Sure, it caught any melting ice before it could puddle on my fridge shelf and made it easy to stack other containers around Croc's defrosting meals. But most importantly, it served as a visual reminder to keep the food rotation on track. Croc eats one brick per meal, so I always needed one defrosting for serving in 24 hours and another partially defrosted and ready in 12. The new house rule became two bricks in the container at all times. If you take one out, replace it. Ollie recommends a 24-hour defrost, which I found spot-on, and many were even ready in 20. The food is good for up to four days once thawed. The food looked a lot like ground-up human food with small chunks of recognizable ingredients like sweet potatoes and spinach — reassuring proof of the 100% fresh promise. I was especially pleased to find the food didn't smell, unlike Croc's regular dehydrated food. Its texture was also perfect. It crumbled easily with the included paddle or a fork, but was just sticky enough that I didn't lose pieces when transferring it from the package to the bowl. Transitioning Croc over to Ollie's food was relatively easy using the included pamphlet. It says you should slowly integrate the new food into the old in quarter increments over seven days. At that pace, Croc didn't have any digestive unease or discomfort. In fact, she was overjoyed at the switch. Croc has always been food-motivated and is generally a fan of her usual The Honest Kitchen Dehydrated meals — especially over kibble — but her reaction to Ollie's fresh food was next level. After just two transition meals with one-quarter Ollie Fresh, she was already more alert during food prep. Once she was fully switched over, she'd sit beside me as I opened the package (I let her lick the empty container one time and created a monster). Then she'd literally sprint to her feeding area as I carried the bowl. We're typically strict with her mealtime manners, and she waits on her bed until released, but Ollie had her sneaking back underfoot in case of dropped crumbs, then racing to wait obediently for her Ollie bowl. She seemed to enjoy all the recipes equally: beef with sweet potatoes, lamb with cranberries, pork with apples, and turkey with blueberries. I liked that I could select specific proteins since she's intolerant to chicken (the fifth recipe option), and I especially appreciated having four distinct formulas to rotate through. With her usual dehydrated food, even though it has varied ingredients, I've always felt her gut would benefit from more diversity, just like ours. Ollie's rotating recipes gave her a wider mix of micronutrients and amino acids throughout the week without me needing to buy multiple flavors separately. One thing worth noting: Croc was asking for her meals earlier than usual with Ollie. It's hard to know whether she wasn't staying full for as long or was just very, very excited for her next meal and trying to trick me into feeding her earlier. Considering Ollie tailors calories to your dog's weight and activity level — and knowing my dog's food-hound personality — I suspect it was the latter. The Ollie app made it very easy to adjust my subscription cadence, change meal selections, and track when the next box would be delivered. A major feature of the app is its Health Screenings, where a vet assesses your dog's weight, digestion, skin and coat, and dental health based on photos you upload. The "veterinary scientist" who is a veterinary technician either gives a "Looking Good" thumbs-up or offers basic recommendations for improvement. Personally, I didn't find this to be super helpful. For example, Croc's weight and stool were fine, as I already knew, but her skin and screening flagged some dryness and flakiness. The veterinary scientist suggested an oatmeal bath and omega-3 and -6 supplements, which makes sense, but left me with a lot of unanswered questions: What is the best fish oil for dogs? Could her regular food be the cause? Is there an oatmeal conditioner, or am I rubbing her down with breakfast oats? Although the advice came from a real vet, the app doesn't let you ask follow-up questions, which limits its usefulness. Ultimately, a photo analysis can only tell you so much, and your primary vet should always be the one to evaluate your dog's health and make recommendations Cons to consider Even with the minimum two-week delivery frequency, Ollie's frozen fresh food takes up a decent amount of freezer space — roughly a quarter of a standard top-door freezer (about 24 by 14 by 18 inches) for a medium-sized dog's meals. In a household like mine with an always-packed freezer, this can be hard to contend with long-term. While it is nice that 95% of the shipping packaging is recyclable, the individual food packs are single-use plastic. Since my dog eats an entire pack per meal, I was throwing out two plastic containers per day. Day after day, this felt really wasteful and was a huge con for our low-plastic household. A smaller issue is that the paddle was a letdown. It's decent for vertically chopping the food block into smaller pieces, but its spoon-like curved shape makes it nearly impossible to scrape remnants of the packaging into the bowl. I always needed a finger or a different utensil to get the last bits off. After a few days, I gave up and just used a regular spoon. It also would've made more sense if the paddle could attach to the Ollie container, either a groove on the lid or a space inside to store it with the food bricks. Instead, it lived separately in a drawer, making it feel like an afterthought I didn't actually need. The biggest con, though, is that Ollie is downright expensive. The cost depends on your dog's specific caloric needs, and the full Fresh plan starts at $1.80 per meal for a small dog, which is pricier than some of the best fresh dog foods out there. But for my 60-pound active dog, a 28-day supply of Ollie's Fresh Food came out to $73.33 a week or $293.32 a month. The average person cannot spend nearly $300 a month on dog food. Ollie does offer a half-fresh plan for $41.30 a week for Croc's caloric needs, which I could then cut with a more affordable dog food, but that's still $165.20 a month for just half her calories. The bottom line Ollie offers a well-designed subscription service that delivers high-quality, stink-free, well-frozen fresh dog food delivered right to your door. Though the food bricks do take up a bit of freezer space, it's easy to store and serve, and my dog went wild for every recipe. I appreciated that I could choose up to four formulas to give her a range of nutrients and proteins. While Ollie, like all fresh dog foods, is a bit expensive for the average person, it is a very good value for dogs who are picky eaters or people who want to introduce more variety in their dog's diet.
Time Business News
17-06-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
Why It's Smart to Buy Pet Food in Bulk and Save Big
Feeding your pet well is one of the most important responsibilities of being a pet owner. But regular trips to the pet store and purchasing small bags of food can be time-consuming and expensive. That's why many savvy pet parents now prefer to buy pet food in bulk. Not only does it save money, but it also ensures that your pet's meals are never interrupted. Buying pet food in bulk significantly reduces your cost per pound or kilogram. Just like with wholesale shopping, the larger the quantity, the lower the price. Over time, this can lead to substantial savings, especially for multi-pet households or owners of large-breed animals with hearty appetites. Bulk purchasing often comes with extra discounts, free shipping, or loyalty rewards from online retailers. Many brands offer special packaging for bulk orders, such as 10kg to 20kg bags, which reduce waste and provide better storage solutions. When you buy pet food in bulk, you don't have to run to the store every week. It saves you time, reduces transportation costs, and minimizes the chances of forgetting to restock. This is especially beneficial during emergencies or when you're traveling, as you'll always have enough food on hand. Online retailers also offer recurring subscriptions for bulk food orders, so you can 'set it and forget it.' The food arrives at your doorstep on a schedule, ensuring a steady supply. Switching your pet's food frequently can cause digestive issues or food intolerance. Bulk buying ensures feeding consistency, allowing you to stick to the same formula over weeks or months. This is especially important for pets with dietary sensitivities or medical conditions that require a specific type of food. Buying in bulk helps you plan better. You can monitor how much your pet eats and manage your supply effectively. It also makes it easier to portion out meals in advance, saving time in your daily routine. When you buy pet food in smaller quantities, it results in more packaging waste. Bulk orders usually come in fewer and larger bags, which reduces plastic and cardboard usage. If you're environmentally conscious, this is a simple but effective way to reduce your carbon pawprint. If you have more than one pet, buying food in small bags can be a hassle. Bulk buying allows you to cater to multiple pets efficiently, especially if they eat the same brand or type of food. You can store the food in airtight containers and portion it out as needed. Use Airtight Containers: Store the food in sealed, BPA-free containers to retain freshness and prevent pests. Store the food in sealed, BPA-free containers to retain freshness and prevent pests. Label and Date: Keep track of the expiration date and use older stock first. Keep track of the expiration date and use older stock first. Cool, Dry Storage: Keep pet food in a cool, dry place to prevent spoilage. When buying in large quantities, make sure to choose a trusted brand. Look for food that meets AAFCO standards or equivalent, and avoid bulk orders of unfamiliar or low-quality brands. Always check ingredient lists, manufacturing dates, and storage recommendations. To buy pet food in bulk is a smart move for pet owners who want to save money, time, and effort. It's a practical approach that ensures feeding consistency and convenience while being eco-conscious. Whether you own a single dog or a house full of pets, bulk buying is a win-win solution for both your wallet and your pet's well-being. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
NBC News
09-05-2025
- Health
- NBC News
Is fresh dog food better than kibble? We asked vets
Pet owners want the very best for their dogs, especially when it comes to their diet. Fresh dog food, which typically needs to be frozen or refrigerated, can be a great alternative to standard kibble and canned wet foods, according to the vets I spoke to. But is fresh dog food actually better for your dog? The answer depends on a few different factors, including your dog's lifestyle, any allergies or preferences they have and your budget. I spoke to veterinarians to better understand the claims and promises surrounding fresh dog food and whether it's worth switching your dog's diet. I also gathered their recommendations for fresh dog food brands to consider, as well as options that NBC Select staffers feed their own dogs. How I picked the best fresh dog food When shopping for the best fresh dog food, experts recommend keeping in mind the following factors: Meets AAFCO standards: The most important thing to look for when shopping for pet food in general is whether it's approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), which means an independent lab has tested the food to guarantee safety. 'If the food is not AAFCO approved, this can mean that testing was only done internally, and no regulating body performed a secondary confirmatory test,' says Dr. Miriam Fink, Medical Director at Bond Vet. Your dog's specific needs: As with every type of dog food, it's important to understand your dog's specific nutritional needs before buying. Consider their age, breed, activity level, allergies and any health conditions they may have. Always look at the brand's packaging and/or website for a guide that indicates how much food your pet needs daily based on their weight and age. You can also check out Balance It, which is run by board-certified veterinary nutritionists and gives detailed information about your dog's diet. Storage: Fresh dog food is usually refrigerated or frozen, which means you'll need to make sure you have enough space to properly store it. Most brands will state exactly how to store and thaw frozen food and how long it'll last in your fridge or freezer. Price: Expect fresh dog food to be more expensive than typical store-bought kibble or canned food. Most fresh dog food brands are delivery services, which means cost will be higher due to convenience. Best fresh dog food of 2025 Best overall: Ollie Ollie's fresh food is made alongside veterinary nutritionists who help create balanced, human-grade recipes that meet AAFCO standards (more on human-grade dog food below). Plus, it delivers meals right to your door on a regular schedule. NBC Select senior manager of commerce analytics Amanda Smith feeds Ollie to her picky, 3-year-old rat terrier Mac and says it's been a 'game changer' for his diet. 'He's never been very food motivated and suddenly he's begging for meal time,' she says. Smith says the process from start to finish took only a few minutes. First, you'll need to take a short quiz about your dog's current weight, ideal weight, spay/neuter status and activity level. You can choose between three plans: full fresh (pouches that include real meat, fruits, veggies and grains), mixed (half portion of Ollie's fresh food and half of Ollie's dry food) and half fresh (half portion of Ollie's fresh food to mix with your dog's typical food). Here's a cost breakdown for each plan: Full fresh: $22 per week (small dogs), $55 per week (medium dogs), $69 per week (large dogs) Mixed bowl: $19 per week (small dogs), $45 per week (medium dogs), $59 per week (large dogs) Half fresh: $15 per week (small dogs), $38 per week (medium dogs), $41 per week (large dogs) You can choose from up to five fresh recipes, including pork, chicken, beef, lamb and turkey. Store your fresh food in the freezer and defrost it in the fridge at least 24 hours before your pup's mealtime, according to the brand. If your dog isn't ready to start an all-fresh meal, Ollie also has kibble options that you can add to your meal plan and mix with the fresh food. Ollie also has treats and supplements to add to your shipment. Dr. Abel Gonzalez, a veterinarian and the clinical director at Dutch, a pet telehealth company, recommends JustFoodForDogs due to its high-protein food with a lower calorie count, which makes it great for older or less active dogs. It has more than a dozen recipes, all of which have one source of protein for a limited ingredients diet, including turkey, venison and lamb. You can choose between four main categories: Fresh Frozen, JustFresh (comes in resealable packaging), PantryFresh (shelf stable) and DIY Homemade (includes a recipe, but you'll need to supply the ingredients). My 7-year-old havanese and bichon frise mix, Bella, is obsessed with the brand's JustFresh recipes. I mix a spoonful with her regular kibble once a day and I can tell she likes it much more than her canned wet food — she's always begging for food once meal time comes around. Each JustFresh meal comes in a handy resealable pouch and one package lasts me about a week at the rate I'm feeding her. I've also recently started incorporating the Fresh Frozen meals to Bella's diet (I alternate them with the JustFresh meals). I love that the Fresh Frozen options come in a ton of flavors to give Bella a good amount of variety, and it lasts up to 18 months in the freezer, so I'm always stocked up. When thawed, the meals stay fresh in the original package for up to seven days (five days after opening the packaging). You can purchase pouches individually or choose to autoship your dog's food, which will ship to your home at the frequency you choose (anywhere between one- and 12-week intervals, and your order ships within three to five business days). This subscription-based service delivers fresh dog food to your door. Before you place an order, you'll fill out a questionnaire that helps the brand determine a meal plan that best fits your dog's nutritional needs. Each meal then comes pre-portioned for your dog's needs based on their age, weight, breed, activity level and build. You can store The Farmer's Dog pouches in your fridge or freezer, and each one lasts up to four days in the fridge after you thaw it, according to the brand. It's a favorite of former NBC Select social editor Sadhana Daruvuri, who feeds this service to her 3-year-old maltese and poodle mix, Bandit. 'I knew friends who tried it and their dogs were all big fans, so I did a trial with Bandit and it was obvious he liked it way more than his kibble,' she says. (Bandit typically eats the turkey, beef and chicken meals.) Plan pricing varies based on your dog's weight, breed, activity level and more. Nom Nom creates a fresh meal plan based on your dog's health and nutritional goals, including weight management, stomach issues and skin sensitivities. You'll fill out a questionnaire about your dog's breed, weight, age and diet-related issues (including whether they're a picky eater or have food allergies), and Nom Nom will recommend the recipe that best fits their needs. All meals are pre-portioned for each dog's unique caloric needs and you can select up to four recipes for each shipment. If you're on the fence about which recipes to get, you can purchase a sampler pack of four recipes (beef, chicken, turkey and pork). All meals come frozen, and you can store them in the fridge for up to 5 days and in the freezer for up to 6 months, according to the brand. Petplate will create a custom meal plan for your pet based on a short quiz. Each meal is also perfectly portioned for your pup to ensure they get the right amount of nutrients. Best of all, you can mix-and-match recipes in your dog's meal plan, so you aren't limited to only certain recipes (pricing will change based on which protein you choose; for example, venison and lamb are slightly more expensive). The brand has four main plans: FreshBaked (shelf-stable with a crunch), FreshCombo (a mix of baked and cooked textures), FreshCooked (signature cooked plan) and Toppers (signature plan offered in smaller portions). There are two FreshBaked recipes to choose from (beef and chicken), and six FreshCooked recipes, including turkey, venison, lamb and pork. Best with whole ingredients: Spot & Tango Spot & Tango's fresh recipes are cooked in small batches and delivered in pouches. Fresh recipes include turkey and quinoa, beef and brown rice, and lamb and sweet potato. You'll first need to complete an initial questionnaire that asks about your dog's weight, age, breed, activity level and any health issues, which the brand uses to determine your pup's ideal meal plan and caloric intake. Spot & Tango also has its own version of kibble, called Unkibble, that's made up of a dehydrated meat, starch, fruit and veggies and doesn't have any preservatives, fillers or additives, according to the brand. You can add snacks, including turkey strips and cheese bites, to your delivery for an additional fee, too. Frequently asked questions What is fresh dog food? Fresh dog food usually refers to minimally processed meals made with whole, natural ingredients like meats, vegetables and grains, often cooked gently to retain nutrients, says Gonzalez. Most fresh dog food is labeled as 'human-grade,' meaning the ingredients and preparation methods meet FDA standards for human consumption. 'It often indicates higher quality ingredients, stricter safety standards and better overall nutrition compared to conventional pet food,' says Gonzalez. The biggest difference between fresh dog food and regular kibble is that fresh food is usually refrigerated or frozen, which helps it last longer and can help preserve the nutrients in the food without needing artificial preservatives, says Gonzalez. Make sure you are properly thawing and storing frozen food to maintain its safety and nutritional integrity; most brands will indicate how to properly store and thaw frozen food and how long it'll last in your fridge or freezer. Is fresh dog food better than kibble? Fresh food is commonly associated with 'high quality' and 'good ingredients,' but it's typically just refrigerated food. 'Refrigerated food can be a great option for some pets, and the most important thing is feeding something your pet likes and is safe for them,' says Fink. I do not think it is 'better' than regular kibble or wet food because the main deciding factors are whether they are safe for their pet.' However, it all depends on your dog. Fresh food can be tastier for your pet, which helps switch up their diet if they're a picky eater. Plus, fresh food may have fewer preservatives compared to kibble or canned food, which benefits those with sensitive stomachs or allergies. What is the difference between fresh food and raw food? The difference is pretty self explanatory: Fresh dog food is cooked, while raw food is uncooked. However, all of the vets we've spoken to do not recommend raw food, so even if it's frozen and labeled 'fresh,' you should not feed your pet raw food. 'Just like raw food can make us sick with bacteria, viruses and parasites, it can make pets sick, too,' says Fink. Also, even if these organisms pass through your dog without causing them harm, there is still a risk to any young children who put their hands in their mouth — they could become sick from salmonella and other bacteria, says Dr. Nicole Savageau, a board-certified veterinarian at The Vets, a mobile veterinary service. How can you safely switch your dog's diet? Switching your dog to a new diet takes time and patience; otherwise, you might risk them getting bored with their new food quickly or upsetting their stomach. When adjusting your dog to new foods, the veterinarians I spoke to recommend the following tips: Meet our experts At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest. Dr. Miriam Fink is the medical director at Bond Vet. Dr. Abel Gonzalez is a veterinarian and the clinical director at Dutch, a pet telehealth company. Dr. Nicole Savageau is a board-certified veterinarian at The Vets, a mobile veterinary service. Why trust NBC Select? I am an updates editor at NBC Select who has written about pets and dog food for over five years. For this article, I spoke to board-certified veterinarians about how to shop for fresh dog food and researched dozens of options on the market to recommend the best ones to shop.
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Understanding the benefits of well-made packaged food for cats
Formulated, tested and trusted Measured portions for better weight management Convenience and consistency Extended shelf life Dental health support Tailored formulas for different needs Palatability and acceptance Regulated safety standards Support for skin and coat health Digestive wellness In a nutshell Author : Dr Umesh Kallahali, Small Animal Consultant, Mars Petcare India References Disclaimer: This article has been produced on behalf of Mars International by Times Internet's Spotlight team. In recent years, many cat owners across India have expressed challenges around portion sizing and nutritional balance for home-prepared meals. One significant hurdle is the lack of accessible, standardised guidelines on daily caloric requirements for cats, leading to potential issues of underfeeding or overfeeding. According to veterinarians, both extremes can contribute to long-term health complications, including obesity and nutritional this backdrop, good quality commercially prepared cat food is becoming a go-to choice for pet parents, offering a more structured approach to feline nutrition. Here's a breakdown of the key benefits associated with well-manufactured cat food:In India, pet food is not regulated by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) since it is not meant for human consumption. However, imported and domestically produced pet foods are required to comply with import health certifications and animal quarantine norms set by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying. Additionally, many brands voluntarily align with global standards, such as AAFCO (USA) and FEDIAF (Europe), to ensure nutritional adequacy and consumer is a leading cause of obesity in cats worldwide. A recent study 1 noted that accurate portion control is a significant factor in weight management for domestic cats. Packaged foods often offer feeding guidelines based on a cat's age, weight, and activity level, helping pet parents serve more appropriate meal urban lifestyles can make meal preparation challenging on a daily basis. Ready-to-serve cat food offers a convenient alternative, providing consistency in portion sizes and nutritional content without the variability often associated with home-cooked prepared foods, particularly dry kibble and sealed wet food, have a longer shelf life when stored correctly. This makes them a more practical option in households where refrigeration or storage space might be dry cat foods are formulated with kibble textures designed to help reduce plaque and tartar buildup. While not a substitute for professional veterinary dental care, incorporating these foods into a cat's diet may support oral hygiene.A study published in the Journal of Nutrition observed 2 that cats fed dry diets exhibited better oral health compared to those on wet diets. The research indicated that diet plays a significant role in oral health, with a diet rich in dry foods contributing to reduced plaque offer variations of cat food tailored to different life stages (kitten, adult, senior) and specific health concerns, such as urinary tract care, digestive sensitivities, or hairball management. Such specialised formulas are typically developed in consultation with veterinary commercial brands conduct palatability testing to ensure that cats are more likely to accept the food. While preferences vary among individual animals, higher acceptance rates have been reported in cats when introduced to familiar textures and flavours in these prepared pet foods in India are increasingly adhering to global safety protocols. Reputed manufacturers conduct quality checks for contamination, ingredient accuracy, and hygiene, offering greater assurance compared to raw or inadequately stored home-cooked commercially available diets include Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, which have been associated with improved skin hydration and coat quality in felines. Peer-reviewed studies, including those in the Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition 3 , have highlighted the role of fatty acids in supporting dermatological health in sensitivity is a common concern among pet cats. Packaged foods often contain prebiotics, dietary fibre, and highly digestible protein sources that support gastrointestinal function and reduce odour in litter no single feeding approach fits all, the growing interest in packaged cat food reflects a larger shift toward structured and evidence-based pet care. Pet owners are advised to consult with veterinarians to determine the most appropriate diet for their cat's individual needs, whether through commercial options or customised home-cooked the pet care sector in India evolves, informed decision-making and access to nutritional knowledge will remain key to improving feline health outcomes nationwide. To support pet parents in making informed choices, companies like Mars International are playing an active role in advancing science-backed nutrition and pet health. Globally trusted brands such as Royal Canin, Pedigree, and Whiskas aim to offer not just quality nutrition but a holistic approach to pet well-being. By fostering an ecosystem that combines expertise, innovation, and care, these initiatives help ensure that no moment in a pet's life is compromised.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Understanding the benefits of well-made packaged cat food for cats
In recent years, many cat owners across India have expressed challenges around portion sizing and nutritional balance for home-prepared meals. One significant hurdle is the lack of accessible, standardised guidelines on daily caloric requirements for cats, leading to potential issues of underfeeding or overfeeding. According to veterinarians, both extremes can contribute to long-term health complications, including obesity and nutritional deficiencies. Against this backdrop, good quality commercially prepared cat food is becoming a go-to choice for pet parents, offering a more structured approach to feline nutrition. Here's a breakdown of the key benefits associated with well-manufactured cat food: Formulated, tested and trusted In India, pet food is not regulated by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) since it is not meant for human consumption. However, imported and domestically produced pet foods are required to comply with import health certifications and animal quarantine norms set by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying. Additionally, many brands voluntarily align with global standards, such as AAFCO (USA) and FEDIAF (Europe), to ensure nutritional adequacy and consumer confidence. Measured portions for better weight management Overfeeding is a leading cause of obesity in cats worldwide. A recent study 1 noted that accurate portion control is a significant factor in weight management for domestic cats. Packaged foods often offer feeding guidelines based on a cat's age, weight, and activity level, helping pet parents serve more appropriate meal sizes. Convenience and consistency Busy urban lifestyles can make meal preparation challenging on a daily basis. Ready-to-serve cat food offers a convenient alternative, providing consistency in portion sizes and nutritional content without the variability often associated with home-cooked meals. Extended shelf life Commercially prepared foods, particularly dry kibble and sealed wet food, have a longer shelf life when stored correctly. This makes them a more practical option in households where refrigeration or storage space might be limited. Dental health support Certain dry cat foods are formulated with kibble textures designed to help reduce plaque and tartar buildup. While not a substitute for professional veterinary dental care, incorporating these foods into a cat's diet may support oral hygiene. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition observed 2 that cats fed dry diets exhibited better oral health compared to those on wet diets. The research indicated that diet plays a significant role in oral health, with a diet rich in dry foods contributing to reduced plaque accumulation. Tailored formulas for different needs Manufacturers offer variations of cat food tailored to different life stages (kitten, adult, senior) and specific health concerns, such as urinary tract care, digestive sensitivities, or hairball management. Such specialised formulas are typically developed in consultation with veterinary nutritionists. Palatability and acceptance Many commercial brands conduct palatability testing to ensure that cats are more likely to accept the food. While preferences vary among individual animals, higher acceptance rates have been reported in cats when introduced to familiar textures and flavours in these prepared diets. Regulated safety standards Commercial pet foods in India are increasingly adhering to global safety protocols. Reputed manufacturers conduct quality checks for contamination, ingredient accuracy, and hygiene, offering greater assurance compared to raw or inadequately stored home-cooked diets. Support for skin and coat health Several commercially available diets include Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, which have been associated with improved skin hydration and coat quality in felines. Peer-reviewed studies, including those in the Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition 3 , have highlighted the role of fatty acids in supporting dermatological health in pets. Digestive wellness Digestive sensitivity is a common concern among pet cats. Packaged foods often contain prebiotics, dietary fibre, and highly digestible protein sources that support gastrointestinal function and reduce odour in litter boxes. In a nutshell While no single feeding approach fits all, the growing interest in packaged cat food reflects a larger shift toward structured and evidence-based pet care. Pet owners are advised to consult with veterinarians to determine the most appropriate diet for their cat's individual needs, whether through commercial options or customised home-cooked meals. As the pet care sector in India evolves, informed decision-making and access to nutritional knowledge will remain key to improving feline health outcomes nationwide. To support pet parents in making informed choices, companies like Mars International are playing an active role in advancing science-backed nutrition and pet health. Globally trusted brands such as Royal Canin, Pedigree, and Whiskas aim to offer not just quality nutrition but a holistic approach to pet well-being. By fostering an ecosystem that combines expertise, innovation, and care, these initiatives help ensure that no moment in a pet's life is compromised. Author : Dr Umesh Kallahali, Small Animal Consultant, Mars Petcare India References :
