✔ Protein as the First Ingredient Cats are obligate carnivores, and as such, a quality dry cat food needs to list a protein as its first ingredient – no exceptions! Not only that, but the protein needs to be named – it shouldn't just list “meat.” Look for chicken, turkey, lamb, or salmon.
They are meant to survive on fish and meat. Therefore, the primary ingredients in any cat food should be fish or meat, and not cornmeal, egg meal, and chicken meal. Even if there are vegetables added, they shouldn't be the first ingredient.
A proper balance of nutrients will help your cat to feel happy and live a long fulfilling life. There are four essential ingredients to look for when choosing your pet's food. They include protein, fiber, fats, and carbohydrates.
Make sure the treats are cooked; they should not have added salt or any preservatives, or artificial coloring. It is difficult to find appropriate cat treats. The amount of carbohydrates needed to make a crunchy cat treat is a carbohydrate level that is too high for cats.
#1 Scan the First 3 Ingredients
To ensure that your cat gets enough good sources of protein – think chicken, beef, fish and lamb -- check the first three ingredients on the label. Pet food labels list ingredients in order of the weight of the ingredient, starting with the heaviest.
Essential Nutrients in a Healthy Cat Food
High-quality dietary fats support the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like A, E, D and K. These vitamins play an important role in maintaining healthy skin and coat, supporting bone health and more.
You'll also want to check the pet food label for a nutritional adequacy statement. This statement will read something like “This food is complete and balanced for all life stages,” “This food is complete and balanced for adult maintenance,” or “This food is complete and balanced for growth and reproduction.”
Adult cats
As with kittens, feel free to offer your cat a variety of food such as fresh or cooked meat or fish. Meaty bones or fresh meat is a great source of protein, just make sure it's human-grade as some pet meat and bone products may contain preservatives that can be harmful for your cat.
The ideal diet for your feline friend is one that is high in animal-based proteins. Taurine is an essential nutrient for your cat's heart and brain health, and it comes from eating animal-based proteins.
“Plenty of the Fancy Feast are actually quite high in protein and very low in carbohydrates.” This variety pack of protein-rich, meat-in-gravy flavors checks all her boxes and would be a good option for cats who like to mix up their meals.
While exact protein recommendations have some degree of variation, adult cats generally need a minimum of 26% protein in their diet, while adult canines require 12%, and humans require 8%.
It is critical for normal vision, digestion, heart muscle function, to maintain normal pregnancy and fetal development, and to maintain a healthy immune system. Taurine is an essential amino acid in the cat.
The truth is that using a meal as a protein source is a safe and nutritious kibble component that helps boost the amount of animal protein included in our dogs' and cats' food. The main advantage of using meal is that the water has been removed from the meat before the kibble is cooked.
Although cats are notoriously finicky, most felines find the mild flavor of chicken appealing. Fish, on the other hand, may be a good choice for a cat that hasn't been eating well, advises Tracy R. Dewhirst, DVM, who writes a pet advice column for the Knoxville News Sentinel.
"Dry food is fine as long as it is complete and balanced," says Dr. Kallfelz. Dry food may be less expensive than canned cat food and may stay fresher longer. Cats that eat only dry food need to be provided with lots of fresh water, especially if they are prone to developing urinary tract blockages.
How often should cats eat wet food? What do vets recommend? Wet food is not a special meal or an occasional treat. Cats can and should eat wet food every day because it agrees with the feline digestive system better than dry or semi-moist food.
Do Cats Need Grains? No, cats don't need grains to live happy, healthy lives. Many vets recommend a diet for housecats that resembles what a cat would eat in the wild. Wild cats are obligate carnivores, which means that their natural diet is 70% or more meat-based protein.
Are Grain-Free Diets Dangerous for Cats? For cats and their owners, grain-free diets do not pose a health risk. Although there is a suggested link between grain-free dog food and canine heart disease, no such link appears to exist in cats.
Cats can be addicted to tuna, whether it's packed for cats or for humans. Some tuna now and then probably won't hurt. But a steady diet of tuna prepared for humans can lead to malnutrition because it won't have all the nutrients a cat needs. And, too much tuna can cause mercury poisoning.
Is homemade cat food better and healthier? No, homemade cat food is not better or healthier than a commercial diet. While you can control the ingredients you use to avoid processed foods, many pet parents don't have the time to learn about cat nutrition and may risk feeding their feline friends an unbalanced diet.
The “95 Percent” rule: At least 95% of the product (by weight) must be the named ingredient; for example, the ingredients of “Salmon Cat Food” must include at least 95% salmon (not including water). When including water, the named ingredient still must comprise at least 70% of the product.
This information lists each ingredient in the product by its common or usual name, and in descending order by weight. That is, the ingredient that weighs the most is listed first, and the ingredient that weighs the least is listed last.