Best Cat Food For Himalayan Cats

Cat Food June 11, 2024
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Best Cat Food For Himalayan Cats

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Most people are familiar with some of the more popular purebred dog breeds like the Golden Retriever and the Poodle but may not realize that cats come in different breeds as well.

The Himalayan cat is a cross between the Siamese and Persian cat breeds known for its friendly personality, long fur, and fluffy tail. Himalayan cats require more grooming than some breeds, but their basic nutritional requirements are not significantly different.

Compare Best Cat Food For Himalayan Cats

Overall Best
Open Farm Herring & Mackerel Rustic Blend Wet Cat Food

1. Open Farm Herring & Mackerel Rustic Blend Wet Cat Food

Best Affordable
Rachael Ray Nutrish Indoor Complete Chicken

2. Rachael Ray Nutrish Indoor Complete Chicken

Best Grain-Free
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Grain-Free Canned Cat Food

3. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Grain-Free Canned Cat Food

Best For Wet Cat Food
Wellness Complete Health Pate Chicken Entree Grain-Free Canned Cat Food

4. Wellness Complete Health Pate Chicken Entree Grain-Free Canned Cat Food

Best For Allergies
Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Real Duck Pate Recipe Canned Cat Food

5. Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Real Duck Pate Recipe Canned Cat Food

Protein
8% Min
Protein
34% Min
Protein
10% Min
Protein
10.5% Min
Protein
8% Min
Fat
3.5% Min
Fat
12% Min
Fat
9% Min
Fat
7% Min
Fat
4% Min
Fiber
2% Max
Fiber
8% Max
Fiber
1.5% Max
Fiber
1% Max
Fiber
1.4% Max
Moisture
82% Max
Moisture
9% Max
Moisture
78% Max
Moisture
78% Max
Moisture
78% Max
Caloric Content
 750 kcal/kg or 116 kcal/156 g carton
Caloric Content
3368 kcal/kg
Caloric Content
1554 kcal/kg
Caloric Content
186 kcal/5.5 oz can
Caloric Content
 928 kcal/kg
Food Type
Fresh
Food Type
Food Type
Food Type
Food Type

Keep reading to learn more about the Himalayan cat breed and its nutritional needs. You’ll also receive our top 5 picks for the best cat food for Himalayan cats.

What Do You Need To Know About Himalayan Cats?

Affectionately nicknamed the Himmy, the Himalayan cat is a colorpoint version of the Persian cat breed. These cats have stocky bodies with long fur, small rounded ears, a thick tail, and a snub nose. This breed loves to spend time with people, especially if it gets to lay on a lap, but they can also be perfectly happy spending time alone with a favorite toy.

All cats have the same basic nutritional requirements, so the Himalayan doesn’t require a breed-specific diet. Cats are obligate carnivores, so the majority of their nutrition should come from animal sources like meat, poultry, and fish.

Your Himmy requires a minimum of 26% protein in its diet and at least 9% fat. A high-quality source of animal protein should be the first ingredient in your cat’s food with healthy animal-based fats for energy as well as skin and coat support.

The Himalayan is a fairly healthy breed, though they are prone to inherited kidney issues as well as dental problems due to their flattened facial structure. Making sure your cat’s food is rich in moisture, easy to chew, and highly digestible is important.

Keeping all of these things in mind, you’re now ready to learn how to choose the best cat food for Himalayan cats. Here’s what you need to know:

How To Choose The Best Cat Food For Himalayan Cats?

The best cat food for Himalayan cats will feature plenty of animal protein with healthy fats for energy and coat support. Because these cats are prone to kidney issues, proper hydration is essential, which makes fresh food and canned food a good option.

Here are some other things to look for in a cat food for Himalayan cats:

  • Wholesome, all-natural ingredients. Real, whole-food ingredients are the most digestible and nutritious for your cat.
  • Plenty of animal protein. Protein supports your cat’s lean muscle mass and keeps it healthy. Aim for at least 26% but ideally upwards of 30% protein, primarily from animal sources, with limited carbohydrate content.
  • Rich in essential fatty acids. Fat provides a concentrated source of energy for your cat and should come from animal sources like chicken fat and salmon oil as much as possible. Just keep in mind that the higher the fat content, the higher the calorie content.
  • Highly digestible. High-quality ingredients are the most digestible for your cat, so look for a recipe that is made with wholesome, natural ingredients with no fillers, by-products, or artificial additives. It also doesn’t hurt if the recipe includes prebiotics and probiotics.
  • Rich in moisture. Choosing canned food for your Himalayan can boost its moisture intake. Another option is to moisten your cat’s kibble with water or broth, or you can add a moist or semi-moist food topper.

The Top 5 Best Cat Foods For Himalayan Cats

The Himalayan cat doesn’t have significantly different needs from any other breed, so you can choose just about any high-quality cat food as long as it is nutritionally balanced.

Keep in mind, however, that hydration is important to prevent and control kidney disease, so consider a wet food or try adding some moisture to your cat’s diet in another way.

Overall Best
1.

Open Farm Herring & Mackerel Rustic Blend Wet Cat Food

Product Info

  • Protein: 8% Min
  • Fat: 3.5% Min
  • Fiber: 2% Max
  • Moisture: 82% Max
  • Caloric Content:  750 kcal/kg or 116 kcal/156 g carton
  • Food Type: Fresh
Pros
  • Made with 100% traceable, ethically sourced ingredients
  • Free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables with supplements for balance
Cons
  • Fairly expensive
  • Doesn’t provide the moisture your cat needs
Fresh pet food offers excellent nutritional quality, not to mention higher moisture content than dry food. Open Farm is a fresh pet food delivery service that sends monthly shipments of freshly prepared, pre-portioned cat food right to your door.

Open Farm Herring & Mackerel Rustic Blend Wet Cat Food contains – herring and mackerel – each fortified with fruits, vegetables, and beneficial supplements to ensure complete and balanced nutrition. Just provide some information about your cat and Open Farm will do the rest.
Best Affordable
2.

Rachael Ray Nutrish Indoor Complete Chicken

Product Info

  • Protein: 34% Min
  • Fat: 12% Min
  • Fiber: 8% Max
  • Moisture: 9% Max
  • Caloric Content: 3368 kcal/kg
Pros
  • Decent quality at an affordable price tag
  • Features real chicken as the first ingredient
  • Dried fruits and vegetables for nutritional support
Cons
  • Contains some corn gluten meal
  • Contains some plant protein (pea protein)
Shopping for cat food can be tough because there are so many options, but don’t settle for picking the cheapest item on the shelf. If you’re looking for an affordable cat food that will still provide for your Himalayan cat’s nutritional needs, consider this Rachael Ray Nutrish Indoor Complete recipe. It is uniquely formulated for indoor cats to support healthy weight, regular digestion, and strong immunity. Plus, it is very affordable and made with quality ingredients like real chicken, salmon, and lentils. It may not be a top-shelf product, but it offers decent quality at an affordable price.
Best Grain-Free
3.

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Grain-Free Canned Cat Food

Product Info

  • Protein: 10% Min
  • Fat: 9% Min
  • Fiber: 1.5% Max
  • Moisture: 78% Max
  • Caloric Content: 1554 kcal/kg
Pros
  • Formulated for high protein content (45% dry matter basis)
  • Grain-free, highly digestible and low in carbohydrates
  • Real chicken as main ingredient and lean protein source
Cons
  • Contains carrageenan as a thickener
If your cat is allergic or sensitive to grains, a grain-free cat food might be a good choice. We like this Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe Canned Food because it is high in protein, grain-free, and rich in moisture. Plus, as a canned food, it is lower in carbohydrate content than most dry foods, which increases digestibility for your cat. This formula features fresh chicken as the main ingredient with nutritional support from chicken liver, potatoes, flaxseed, and vitamin and mineral supplements.
Best For Wet Cat Food
4.

Wellness Complete Health Pate Chicken Entree Grain-Free Canned Cat Food

Product Info

  • Protein: 10.5% Min
  • Fat: 7% Min
  • Fiber: 1% Max
  • Moisture: 78% Max
  • Caloric Content: 186 kcal/5.5 oz can
Pros
  • Real chicken as the first ingredient with chicken organs
  • Rich in protein, moisture, and essential fatty acids
  • Highly digestible, low in carbohydrates
Cons
  • Contains several gums as thickeners (ex: cassia gum)
For a simple but nutritious canned food diet that works for most cats, including your Himalayan, consider this Wellness Complete Health Natural Grain-Free Wet Food. It features real chicken as the main ingredient in a grain-free formula that is rich in protein, moisture, and healthy fats. Plus, it comes in a smooth pate that is easy for most cats to eat.
Best For Allergies
5.

Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Real Duck Pate Recipe Canned Cat Food

Product Info

  • Protein: 8% Min
  • Fat: 4% Min
  • Fiber: 1.4% Max
  • Moisture: 78% Max
  • Caloric Content:  928 kcal/kg
Pros
  • Limited number of ingredients to prevent reactions
  • Real duck as main ingredient, novel protein
  • Rich in omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat
Cons
  • Primary source of fat is plant-based (flaxseed oil)
Just like humans, cats have the potential to develop food allergies and sensitivities, though they are not particularly common. If your Himalayan cat has trouble tolerating certain ingredients, however, you may want to switch to a limited ingredient diet. This X is a great choice because it contains a low number of main ingredients to reduce the risk for triggering an allergy, and it is made with a single source of novel protein, X. Simply put, it’s a great source of moisture- and protein-rich nutrition for cats.

Final Remarks

The best place to start in choosing a cat food for Himalayan cats is a high-quality formula made with premium animal proteins as the main ingredients. From there, you can choose a specific type of protein according to your cat’s preferences or choose a multiple-protein recipe. Just make sure it contains adequate levels of protein and fat with minimal carbohydrate content.

Your Himalayan cat deserves the best, and that means a healthy, high-quality cat food. If you’re not sure where to start, try one of our top 5 picks reviewed above!

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Kate Barrington holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and is the published author of several self-help books and nutrition guides. Also an avid dog lover and adoring owner of three cats, Kate’s love for animals has led her to a successful career as a freelance writer specializing in pet care and nutrition. Kate is also a blogger for a number of organic and natural food companies as well as a columnist for several pet magazines.
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