What Is the Difference Between Natural and Organic Cat Food?

difference-between-natural-and-organic-cat-food-1200x300.jpgMore than ever, people are looking for natural and organic food for their cats.

Indeed, people are more aware of the unwanted ingredients in their food. There are many natural and organic dry and wet food for cats on the shelves. However, understanding the difference between the two can be challenging.

If you know the difference, you can choose the right type of food for your cat.

Organic food versus organic cat food
Natural cat food
The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet defined the term "natural" as it applies to food. However, there is a definition of pet food.

The American Association of Feed Control Officers (AAFCO) states that "natural" ingredients cannot be produced or subjected to chemical synthesis processes.

In addition, it must not contain any chemical-synthetic additives or technological additives. The quantities that are inevitably the result of good production practices are an exception.

The ingredients from vegetable, animal or mining sources are "natural" according to the AAFCO.

Ingredients that are subjected to physical or heat treatment, purification, extraction, hydrolysis, enzyme analysis or fermentation can also be called "natural".

Pets require low levels of certain synthetic micro-ingredients and nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals. As such, AAFCO recognizes and authorizes them in dry and wet natural cat food.

Organic cat food
Although there are no definitions or requirements for 'natural' food for humans, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines the term 'organic' for animal and animal food company.

According to the National Organic Program of the USDA, "organic" crops must be grown on land without pesticides for three years. 'Organic' cattle eat organic food, receive no antibiotics or growth hormones and have access to the great outdoors.

Although it is possible to see the term "organic" on a label of cat food (or human food), the product may contain non-organic ingredients. The USDA defines four different levels of organic food:

100% organic: this means that every ingredient on the label is organic.
Organic: if a label says "organic", it means that 95% of the ingredients are organic.
Made with organic products: labels with the text "made with organic products" indicate that 70 to 95 percent of the ingredients are organic.
Less than 70% organic: this statement means that 30% or more of the ingredients are not organic.
When buying organic cat food, pay attention to the USDA organic seal. Pet food with this seal must contain 95 to 100% organic ingredients.

Is natural or organic cat food better?
The choice between natural and organic cat food depends on personal preferences. Choose the option that is the most comfortable and safest to feed your cat.

Make sure that every food you choose is complete and balanced for the specific life phase of your cat. Pet food must meet or exceed AAFCO standard nutritional profiles to indicate that it is complete and balanced.

Purina meets and often exceeds the AAFCO standards for our cat food formulas. Discover all our dry and wet cat food options to find the right food for your cat.

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