What is important to look for in a cat food?

Meat (not byproducts or meat meal) as the first ingredient - this should be chicken, turkey, lamb, beef, duck, etc. Very little grains and no corn based foods. Also best to avoid fish-based foods too.

Ideal diet is one meal of dry and one meal of canned and/or raw meat each day. Too much dry can lead to more UTI and liver/kidney problems in some cats - especially males.

Cats are carnivores and need meat in their diet - should be the first ingredient. Look at labels and make sure that a protein is first - grains are not recommended. You will find the majority of the dry foods out there have some type of grain or by-products are the first ingredient - avoid if you can. The more expensive foods, unfortunately, are the best ones and there are a few - not a lot but a few. If dry or canned - make sure meat is the first ingredient.

I work at Petco as a sales associate. Cat food needs to be grain free and also contain no byproducts (corn being the most implemented) Corn is not good for cats because it alters their digestive system. You also want to ensure the cat food fits the life stage of your cat. A topper (wet food) is also an important option as your cat gets older, because they won't always be able to digest their dry food. A topper wets their food and enables them to eat soft and crunchy food. Several cat food types that have sold out every week at Petco are Royal Canin Life Cat Formula (Oral Care, Sensitive Stomach, Indoor Cat, Indoor Weight); Blue Buffalo Wilderness Brand (contains no byproducts and is 100% natural); and Halo. My cats love the chicken flavor, and it is the best quality available. Good luck!

it is really worth buying more expensive better food for your cats

cheap food has all sorts of fillers that can cause all kinds of problems with oral health, GI health & urinary health

best to go grain free