There are more cat food options than ever before, which is great for picky eaters and for cats with special dietary needs, but for a cat owner, navigating the cat food aisle can feel overwhelming. The good news is that with so many options available, even if you’re on a budget, you can still provide your cat with healthy and tasty food. In this article, we will discuss what to look for on the label, pros and cons of various cat food forms, and much more!
Narrow Down Your Options
The best way to begin filtering through all the cat food options is by knowing what to avoid and what to look for on the product’s label.
What to Avoid:
- Products with artificial ingredients, including colors, flavors, and preservatives.
- Any known allergies your cat has. Common allergens in cats include beef, fish, dairy, and grains.
- Foods that contain a high proportion of grains and other carbohydrates, as they are typically less nutrient dense.
Food Fact: Terms like “premium,” “gourmet,” “holistic,” “no fillers,” and “human-grade” aren’t legally regulated and don’t guarantee higher-quality ingredients. While foods with these labels aren’t always bad choices, it’s important not to rely solely on these words when choosing a cat food, as they have no official definitions or standards.
What to Look For:
- Products that are designed for your cat’s life stage, activity level, and health condition, if applicable (renal, diabetes, sensitive digestion, etc.).
- A nutritional adequacy statement on the packaging that indicates that it meets the nutritional standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), which is a nonprofit that establishes nutritional standards for pet foods.
- Note that AAFCO does not directly test or certify pet foods. The pet food companies use a third-party testing agency to analyze their foods according to AAFCO guidelines.
If you’re still having trouble making a decision, you can always ask your veterinarian for suggestions. If your cat needs a specific prescription diet, always follow your veterinarian’s guidance. Also, if you’re adopting a cat, ask the shelter what food the cat has been eating and what they’d recommend. At Cat Care Society, we’re a big fan of Hill’s!
Food Fact: The terms “complete” and “balanced” are defined by AAFCO and are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). You can feel confident that when you see “complete” on a cat food, it contains all the required nutrients for a cat. “Balanced” means it contains all the nutrients and they are in the ideal proportions.
Types of Cat Food
Below are the most common forms of cat food. There’s no single perfect choice for every cat, so you may need to experiment to find what best suits your cat’s tastes and your lifestyle.
Dry Kibble: Shelf-stable, cost-effective, and convenient to measure and store, dry kibble is often a significant part of a cat’s diet. There are many options available—from formulas with specific textures to help reduce plaque and tartar, to those fortified with vitamins, minerals, and other specialty ingredients aimed at specific health goals.
Canned/wet food: Containing 70–80% moisture, canned/wet food can support kidney and urinary tract health, especially in cats that don’t drink much water. Wet food is usually very popular with cats, and sometimes essential for cats with dental issues. Some kitties may have a preference between pâté, chunks in gravy, flakes, shredded, etc., so try single cans first before buying in bulk!
Fresh/refrigerated food: This option involves fresh, but cooked, foods that are often steamed to preserve nutrients while reducing harmful pathogens. Safe food handling is still essential to ensure the food remains safe to eat throughout storage and consumption, and be sure to look for complete and balanced options.
Raw/freeze-dried raw food: The goal of commercial raw/freeze-dried raw food is to provide high-quality protein and mimic a cat’s natural prey-based diet. However, most raw cat food products are not complete and balanced, and they also carry a much greater risk of foodborne illness in your pet and in the people living in the household. Additionally, it is not recommended to feed your cat raw meat purchased at a traditional grocery store as it carries a greater risk of illness due to harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli. In recent years, feeding cats raw and freeze-dried cat food has also come with an increased risk of bird flu transmission. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has some great research and guidance on raw pet food diets.
Many cats enjoy a combination of foods. This could look like mixing dry food in with a wet pâté at meal time or serving them separately, such as wet food in the morning and dry kibble for their evening meal. The most important thing is to choose foods with a nutritional adequacy statement on the label, which confirms they are complete and balanced and meet AAFCO nutrition standards.
One thing is for sure: cats need meat. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they need to eat meat to stay healthy. In general, cats do best eating a diet with high amounts of protein, moderate amounts of fat, and minimal amounts of carbohydrates. Check out our blog post that goes into more detail on why cats need to eat meat to learn more!
Food Fact: Each cat is unique, and their dietary needs are unique, as well. General recommendations given in our blog or on the food products you purchase may not be the best fit for your cat. We always recommend consulting your veterinarian when deciding on the best types and amount of food to feed your cat daily.
Have a Picky Eater? A Finicky Feline? A Food Critic?
Whatever you call them, choosy cats can make it difficult to find that balance of nutritious, delicious, and budget-friendly. A good place to start is by switching up the consistency and texture, because a cat’s senses are especially sensitive to it. From having a jaw designed for shearing meat and crunching bones to having highly sensitive whiskers and lips, they notice the subtle differences in food shape, size, and feel. For example, certain cats may love shredded wet food in gravy but stick up their noses to chunks in gravy. Below are some ideas to satisfy your feline foodie.
- Slightly warming up wet food to enhance the aroma can make it more appealing.
- Add food toppers and other enhancers for texture variety.
- If you free feed, try switching to specific meal times to create interest.
- If you use a bowl, try switching to a plate or more shallow bowl.
- If the food is close to their water source, move it further away.
When to Visit a Vet: If you notice a sudden change in your cat’s food preferences, it’s a good idea to visit your veterinarian to rule out any new health conditions or dental issues. Additionally, if you notice your cat excessively scratching, licking, or biting their skin, it may indicate that they have a food allergy.
A Few Feeding Reminders
- If transitioning your cat to a new food, slowly introduce it by mixing it into their current food over the course of several days.
- Follow the feeding guidance on the food’s label, which is usually based on your cat’s current weight and sometimes their activity level.
- Always offer your cat adequate fresh water, even if you primarily feed them wet food.
- Treats can be great for training, bonding, and enrichment, but they are not meant to be a main source of food for your cat because they are typically not formulated to be complete and balanced.
- Food toppers and enhancers can be a tasty and enjoyable way to address specific health needs—like joint support or skin and coat care—or simply add variety, but like treats, they also shouldn’t replace a cat’s primary diet.
- Before starting your cat on any dietary supplements, it’s a good idea to consult your veterinarian.
Closing
By paying attention to the label and choosing foods that meet AAFCO standards for your cat’s life stage and health needs, you can ensure your cat gets the nutrition they need. Remember that different forms of cat food—dry kibble, wet/canned, raw/freeze-dried, or fresh/refrigerated—each have their benefits, and many cats thrive on a mix. For picky eaters, experimenting with texture, temperature, and food enhancers can make mealtime more enjoyable.
Donate you extra cat food to CCS! If you have leftover cat food that your cat doesn’t enjoy or food you simply no longer need, consider sharing it with other cats. CCS gladly accepts any non-refrigerated, unexpired cat food or treats—wet or dry, new or partially used (in their original packaging). Simply bring your donations during shelter hours and leave them in the designated donation area in the lobby.
About the Author: Beth Dokolasa is a volunteer for Cat Care Society and serves on the Board of Directors. She is an instructional developer for Natural Grocers and lives in Indian Hills, Colo., with her husband, daughter, and two cats, Techno and Digit.
