Two bags can carry the same brand name and still be different foods. Before comparing prices or front-of-pack claims, identify the exact recipe, the life stage it is intended for, and whether it is a complete food or a supplementary product. This worksheet helps you organize those details without turning a shopping trip into a brand popularity contest.
Start with the nutritional purpose
In the United States, a “complete and balanced” statement indicates that a product is intended to supply the required nutrients in the appropriate proportions for a stated life stage. The FDA explains that this can be substantiated through an AAFCO nutrient profile or an AAFCO feeding trial. Treats and supplements have a different purpose. Check the statement on your actual package; wording and rules vary by market. Source: FDA.
For the worksheet, copy the statement rather than paraphrasing it as “healthy.” If it says intermittent or supplemental feeding, record that clearly. A flavour description is not an adequacy statement.
Compare the exact food
| Record | Food A | Food B |
|---|---|---|
| Full product name and formula | ________ | ________ |
| Country/market on this package | ________ | ________ |
| Nutritional-purpose statement | ________ | ________ |
| Life stage stated | ________ | ________ |
| Calories and unit (e.g. kcal/kg) | ________ | ________ |
| Package weight and price | ________ | ________ |
| Manufacturer contact | ________ | ________ |
| Questions for the vet or maker | ________ | ________ |
This is a record sheet, not a scoring system. Do not award a winner simply because one column contains more claims. The useful outcome is that you can show exactly what you are considering and identify information that is missing.
Put calorie numbers on the same basis
A number per can cannot be directly compared with a number per kilogram. If a dry food lists 3,800 kcal/kg, dividing by 1,000 gives 3.8 kcal/g. A hypothetical 40 g portion then contains 152 kcal. This is arithmetic using invented example numbers, not a suggested portion for Ruby or your cat.
For a cost comparison, a hypothetical 2 kg bag costing $20 is $10/kg. At 3,800 kcal/kg, that is about $0.263 per 100 kcal. Write the currency and date beside your result. Use the calories printed for the exact food; the calculation says nothing by itself about nutritional suitability.
Ask questions beyond the front label
WSAVA recommends asking about the qualifications of the people formulating the food, manufacturing quality controls, research, and access to reliable nutritional information. Marketing terms alone are not a nutritional assessment. Its guidance also emphasizes matching the diet to the individual animal. Source: WSAVA’s food-selection guide.
Keep a short questions note with your comparison: “Which exact life stage does this recipe cover? Where can I find its calorie content? Who can answer a nutritional question about this formula?” Record the reply and date rather than relying on an unsourced comment in a shop listing.
Before changing what is in the bowl
Ask your veterinarian about an appropriate diet and quantity if your cat has a medical condition, appetite changes, or a prescribed diet. Do not substitute a treat for a complete meal based on similar packaging. Cornell’s feeding overview is a useful starting point for understanding the difference between food formats and nutritional completeness. Read Cornell’s guide.
Once you have chosen a suitable food, set up a sensible storage routine. Our editorial approach explains how general information and personal experience are kept separate.