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The Best Cat Food for a Healthy Feline
In this Article
- What makes quality cat food
- Understanding your cat's nutritional needs
- Life stage considerations
- Wet food vs. dry food
- Special dietary considerations
- What about raw diets?
- Reading cat food labels
- Managing your cat's weight
- Signs Your Cat's Food Is Working Well
- When to Consult Your Veterinarian
- Transitioning to New Food
- FAQs
- Shop Quality Cat Food at PetSmart
Choosing the best cat food for your feline companion can feel overwhelming. With countless brands and formulas available, pet parents often wonder which food will truly support their cat's health. The truth is, there's no single "best" food for every cat. The right choice depends on your cat's individual needs, including their age, health status, and activity level.
What makes quality cat food
When evaluating cat food, look for products that meet your cat's nutritional requirements.
According to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, look for foods where meat, meat byproducts, or seafood are listed among the first few ingredients. This indicates the food likely contains enough animal-source ingredients to supply essential amino acids and fatty acids that cats need.
Understanding your cat's nutritional needs
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means in nature they rely on nutrients found only in animal products. Cats evolved as hunters that consume prey containing high amounts of protein, moderate amounts of fat, and minimal carbohydrates. Their diet still requires these general proportions today.
Cats also require more than a dozen other nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and particular essential amino acids. However, more is not always better when it comes to nutrition. It’s critical to never feed your cat dog food, as this can lead to serious nutritional issues and heart disease.
Life stage considerations
Your cat's nutritional needs change throughout their life. Selecting food appropriate for your cat's life stage supports their health and development.
Kittens
Growing kittens need more calories and nutrients to support rapid development. Choose kitten food formulated specifically for growth. AAHA recommends kittens can be weaned onto commercially balanced kitten foods starting at three to five weeks of age. Obesity prevention starts early, so establishing healthy feeding habits during kittenhood is important.
Adult cats
Adult cats benefit from cat food formulated for maintenance. According to AAHA, energy requirements vary based on factors including body condition, muscle condition, neuter status, health status, and activity level. The amount fed should be adjusted to maintain ideal body condition.
Senior cats
As cats age, their nutritional needs may change. AAHA notes that healthy mature adult and senior cats should not be protein restricted unless recommended by your veterinarian. A diet with a minimum protein allowance of 30 to 45 percent dry matter is considered moderate protein and may be appropriate. Senior cats may need 10 to 25 percent more calories than their resting energy requirement to maintain healthy body weight.
Wet food vs. dry food
Both wet cat food and dry cat food can provide complete and balanced nutrition. The choice may come down to your cat's preferences and specific health needs.
Many cats have definite texture preferences, with some preferring wet food while others enjoy crunchy kibble. Diets higher in water content, such as canned foods, may help improve overall water intake. This can be particularly beneficial for cats that don't drink enough water.
Special dietary considerations
Some cats may benefit from specific dietary modifications based on their health status. Cornell explains that cats with certain diseases may need modified diets. For example, diabetic cats may benefit from diets that are moderately restricted in carbohydrates, while cats with advanced chronic kidney disease may need protein and phosphorus-restricted diets.
For cats with periodontal disease, which is very common, wet food or dry food in a finer nugget size with water added may help if chewing is difficult.
For cats with special health needs, consider veterinary-recommended diets. Your veterinarian can help determine if a therapeutic diet might support your cat's health.
What about raw diets?
You may have heard about raw food diets for cats. However, major veterinary institutions advise against them. The AVMA discourages feeding any raw or undercooked animal-sourced protein to cats because of the risk of illness to both cats and humans from pathogenic organisms.
While some minimally processed diets available at PetSmart are properly balanced for cat nutrition, homemade diets made with raw ingredients are not safe. Raw homemade diets can carry health risks and are often nutritionally incomplete, which can lead to serious health and heart issues. Cornell Feline Health Center also advises against feeding raw foods as raw diets have no demonstrated benefit compared to cooked foods.
Reading cat food labels
Understanding cat food labels helps you make informed choices. Here's what to look for:
- Ingredients list showing meat, meat byproducts, or seafood among the first few ingredients
- Primary ingredients that your cat prefers, such as chicken or salmon, can make for a happy cat
- Feeding guidelines as a starting point (adjust based on your cat's individual needs)
Households with multiple cats of different nutritional needs should feed cats separately with an appropriate diet for each cat. Mixing or feeding the wrong life stage diet is not recommended.
Managing your cat's weight
Obesity is the most common nutrition-related problem in cats. Being overweight or obese can predispose cats to health conditions including diabetes, lameness, and urinary tract issues. Cornell found that overweight cats are 4.5 times more likely to develop diabetes compared to cats at optimal weight.
Maintaining a healthy weight requires monitoring and controlling caloric intake. Feeding measured meals at specific times, rather than free-feeding, helps prevent obesity.
If your cat needs to lose weight, it’s usually recommended to manage weight loss gradually (about one to two percent of body weight per week) under veterinary supervision. You should not put a cat on a sudden restrictive diet, as this can lead to health problems.
Signs Your Cat's Food Is Working Well
When your cat is eating the right food for their needs, you may notice:
- Healthy body weight and body condition
- Good energy levels and activity
- Healthy coat and skin
- Normal digestion and stool quality
- Good appetite and enjoyment of meals
If you notice changes in your cat's appetite, weight, energy level, or stool quality, consult your veterinarian.
When to Consult Your Veterinarian
AAHA emphasizes that nutritional assessment should ideally be performed at every examination. Your veterinarian can evaluate your cat's body condition score, muscle condition score, and overall health status to make individualized nutritional recommendations.
Cornell advises that your veterinarian is your best resource for guidance in choosing cat foods and maintaining a healthy weight for your cat.
Consult your veterinarian if:
- You're unsure which food is appropriate for your cat
- Your cat has been diagnosed with a health condition
- Your cat is overweight or underweight
- Your cat experiences digestive issues
- Your cat does not eat for 24 hours (promptly seek veterinary care)
- You're considering changing your cat's diet
Transitioning to New Food
If you decide to switch your cat's food, transition gradually over seven to 10 days. Start by mixing a small amount of new food with the current food, gradually increasing the proportion of new food while decreasing the old food.
Some cats may develop exclusive preferences for a single food. Feeding your cat two or three different flavors or textures of food over time can provide flavor variety and may help prevent finicky eating habits.
FAQs
What does "complete and balanced" mean on cat food labels?
“Complete and balanced” indicates that the food has been formulated to provide all essential nutrients cats need in appropriate amounts for their life stage. While industry guidelines provide minimum and maximum levels for certain nutrients like protein, fat, fiber, and moisture, it’s important to understand that meeting these minimums doesn’t necessarily guarantee optimal nutrition. The quality and digestibility of ingredients matter significantly.
When choosing cat food, focus on ingredient quality, your cat’s individual response to the food, and recommendations from your veterinarian rather than relying solely on label claims.
Should I choose grain-free cat food?
Grain-free diets are not necessary for most cats. Cats have a limited dietary need for carbohydrates, but research shows they can thrive on foods with varying macronutrient content. Focus on overall nutritional quality rather than avoiding specific ingredients unless your cat has a diagnosed food sensitivity.
How much should I feed my cat?
Feeding amounts vary based on your cat's age, weight, activity level, and individual metabolism. Use package guidelines as a starting point, then adjust based on your cat's body condition. Your veterinarian can help determine the ideal amount for your cat.
Can I feed my cat a vegetarian or vegan diet?
No. Cats are obligate carnivores and require nutrients found only in animal products. They cannot meet their nutritional needs on a vegetarian or vegan diet. Feeding cats these diets can lead to serious health problems.
Is it okay to feed both wet and dry food?
Yes, many cats do well eating a combination of wet and dry food. This approach can provide variety and may help increase water intake while offering the dental benefits some attribute to dry food. Just monitor total calorie intake to maintain a healthy weight.
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Information in this article is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure your pet and is not a substitute for veterinary care provided by a licensed veterinarian. For any medical or health-related advice concerning the care and treatment of your pet, contact your veterinarian.
In this Article
- What makes quality cat food
- Understanding your cat's nutritional needs
- Life stage considerations
- Wet food vs. dry food
- Special dietary considerations
- What about raw diets?
- Reading cat food labels
- Managing your cat's weight
- Signs Your Cat's Food Is Working Well
- When to Consult Your Veterinarian
- Transitioning to New Food
- FAQs
- Shop Quality Cat Food at PetSmart
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