Cat kibble in Tunisia: how to choose

A kitten grows fast and needs more energy, protein and minerals than an adult. Choose a formula labelled « kitten » or « junior » until about 12 months. Some ranges also have a « mother and baby » formula for a nursing queen and her kittens.

Kitten kibble is smaller and easier to crunch with small teeth. Give the amount printed on the bag for the age and target weight, split into several small meals a day.

On the bag, three items matter more than the pictures.

• « Complete food »: the product alone covers the cat's needs. A « complementary food » must not be fed on its own.
• The ingredient list: ingredients are ranked from most to least present. A meat or fish at the top is a good sign.
• The analytical constituents: protein, fat, fibre. They are mostly useful to compare two products.

The WSAVA guidelines (World Small Animal Veterinary Association), updated in 2021, point out that words such as « premium » or « holistic » are not regulated and say nothing about nutritional quality.

Yes, it is advisable. After neutering, a cat burns less energy and often eats more, so it gains weight easily. « Sterilised » formulas are lower in fat and often designed for urinary comfort.

Most brands in our aisle offer a sterilised version: Josicat, Brit, Royal Canin, Pure Life, Lara, Wanpy and others. We have a full guide on this topic, worth reading if your cat has just had surgery.

The budget depends mostly on the range and the bag size. A large bag costs less per kilo, but it must be finished before the kibble loses its taste and qualities: allow 4 to 6 weeks after opening.

For a single cat, a 1.5 to 2 kg bag is often the right balance. For several cats, 7 to 20 kg bags become worthwhile. The price of every product is shown live further down this guide and in the Kibble aisle.

Heat and humidity spoil kibble: the fats go rancid and the cat ends up ignoring its bowl. In summer, keep the bag tightly closed, out of the sun, away from the cooker and from sun-facing walls.

The simplest way is to keep the kibble in its original bag, rolled and clipped, and to put that bag inside an airtight box. The original bag keeps the best-before date and the batch number, which help if there is ever a problem. Do not pour fresh kibble over old leftovers in the bowl: wash it regularly.

A sudden change of food can cause soft stools or vomiting. Make the switch over about a week:

• days 1 and 2: a quarter new kibble, three quarters old;
• days 3 and 4: half and half;
• days 5 and 6: three quarters new;
• day 7: only the new kibble.

If your cat refuses the new food or the trouble lasts more than two days, go back to the old one and ask your vet for advice.

Complete kibble is enough to feed a cat. Adding a little wet food or pouches has a real benefit: these foods are roughly three quarters water, and many cats drink too little, especially in summer.

If you mix, reduce the amount of kibble so you do not overfeed your cat. Always leave fresh water available, ideally in several bowls or a fountain, away from the litter box.