Cats are obligate carnivores with specific nutritional needs. They are not small dogs and should not follow vegan or vegetarian diets.
Choosing cat food does not always mean buying the most expensive brand. The label provides useful information about the ingredients, nutritional content and intended life stage.
Here is what to check before placing a bag, tin or pouch in your basket.
Check the first three ingredients
Manufacturers list ingredients by weight before processing. The first three ingredients therefore deserve close attention.
Look for a clearly named whole meat near the top of the list, such as chicken, salmon, turkey or duck.
A named meat meal, such as chicken meal or salmon meal, is another option. Meat meal has already had much of its water removed, providing more protein per gram.
Be cautious when the label relies on vague descriptions such as “meat and animal derivatives” without identifying the animal source.
Cereals, maize, wheat, corn gluten meal and vegetable protein extracts should not dominate the ingredient list.
Sugar and caramel also add little nutritional value for a cat.
A clear ingredient list might begin with chicken, chicken meal, rice and chicken fat. Labels should make the main meat sources easy to identify.
Understand the guaranteed analysis
The guaranteed analysis provides a nutritional summary of the food.
Check these four figures:
• Crude protein: Cats need protein as a central part of their diet. Look at both the percentage and the listed protein sources.
• Crude fat: Fat supplies energy and essential fatty acids. The suitable level depends on the cat’s age and activity.
• Crude fibre: Quality foods often list a maximum crude fibre level of around 3% to 5%.
• Moisture: Dry kibble usually contains around 10% moisture, while wet food contains up to 75% to 80%.
Compare foods of the same type when looking at these percentages. The higher moisture content in wet food affects the figures shown on the label.
Why wet food matters
Cats have a low thirst drive and do not always drink enough water when eating dry food alone.
Wet food increases their daily moisture intake. One 85-gram pouch or half a tin each day adds water to the diet.
A combination of wet food and good-quality kibble offers variety while supporting hydration.
Five nutrients to look for
Cats rely on their food for several nutrients their bodies do not produce in sufficient amounts.
- Taurine
Taurine supports heart health, vision and the immune system.
It occurs in animal tissue, and complete cat foods often include additional taurine.
- Pre-formed vitamin A and arachidonic acid
Cats cannot rely on plant beta-carotene as their source of vitamin A.
They need active vitamin A from animal-based ingredients such as meat and liver.
- Animal protein
Pea protein, pea flour, potato protein and corn gluten increase the protein percentage shown on the label.
Check whether these plant ingredients appear high on the list and whether the food contains clearly named animal protein sources.
- Calcium and phosphorus
The calcium-to-phosphorus ratio should sit at around 1.1:1 to 1.5:1.
Phosphorus levels need careful attention, especially when choosing food for an older cat.
- Meat-based nutrition
Cats should not follow vegan or vegetarian diets.
Their food must provide taurine, vitamin A, arachidonic acid and other nutrients found in animal-based ingredients.
Choose food for your cat’s life stage
Kittens, adult cats and senior cats have different nutritional needs.
Feeding food designed for the wrong life stage is a common mistake among new cat owners.
Kitten food
Kittens from birth to 12 months need food formulated for growth.
Kitten food contains more energy, protein and fat, along with DHA for brain development. Measured meals could begin from around six months.
Adult cat food
Cats between one and seven years need adult maintenance food.
Monitor portions and use a kitchen scale instead of relying on a scoop.
Senior cat food
Cats aged seven and older need food that supports muscle maintenance and joint health.
Look for animal protein, controlled phosphorus and added omega-3 fatty acids, including EPA and DHA.
Wet food also suits senior cats experiencing dental discomfort.
Food for overweight cats
Never starve a cat to force weight loss.
Aim for gradual weight loss and speak to your vet about suitable feeding options.
What to know about raw cat food
Raw food does not automatically provide complete and balanced nutrition.
Meat bought from a butcher could lack calcium, taurine and essential vitamins. Raw feeding also requires careful handling because of the risk of salmonella.
If you choose raw food, look for a reputable commercial option described as a complete frozen meal.
Thaw frozen raw food in the refrigerator rather than on the kitchen counter.
Grain-free, gluten-free and human-grade food
Grain-free does not mean carbohydrate-free.
Some manufacturers replace grains with other carbohydrate sources, so check the full ingredient list instead of relying on the front of the package.
Gluten-free and grain-free claims are also less important when a cat does not have a confirmed sensitivity or allergy.
“Human-grade” describes ingredients considered suitable for human consumption and food processed under human safety standards.
The term does not guarantee complete nutrition. Check whether the product clearly states that it is nutritionally complete rather than intended as a supplement.
Focus on your cat’s needs
Look beyond claims printed prominently on the packaging.
Check the named meat sources, guaranteed analysis, moisture content, essential nutrients and intended life stage.
The right choice is a nutritionally complete food suited to your cat’s age, activity level and feeding needs.
Leave a comment