Whether you have a finicky eater or a fat cat, there are dietary requirements they all share. The first and golden rule is that cats are obligate carnivores. This means they must have meat in their diet to thrive, and cannot be vegetarian or vegan. This is because there are amino acids and vitamins in meat, in their unformed state, that cats have lost the ability to make themselves. It is a useful trick that omnivores have in their physiological arsenal, that felids (cats) simply do not. These missing building blocks include taurine, arginine, niacin, vitamin A and arachidonic acid.

A cat’s ideal diet, biologically, consists of high amounts of protein, moderate amounts of fat, and low amounts of carbohydrates. Though seemingly simple, the balance needed between these three heavy-hitters and the 41 essential nutrients that make up a cat’s daily needs can be very tricky to get right. High quality commercially manufactured food offers guarantees that all the necessities are present. If you are determined to make your own cat food, be sure to consult a veterinary nutritionist, as imbalances in nutrients can cause serious health problems in our petite feline friends.

Commercially manufactured cat food comes mostly in dry and wet varieties. Dry food, or kibble, is made up of calorie-dense biscuits. The benefit of dry food is that it can be left out for longer during the day, and is ideal for use in puzzle-feeders. Wet food, often found canned, needs to be changed more often as its nature means cats may turn up their nose quicker. It does, though, have a much higher water content than dry food, about 75% to dry’s 10%, so it is better for your cat’s hydration. Speaking of; cats don’t have much of a thirst drive, as their water intake would historically come from their juicy live prey. So to make sure your cat is getting enough to drink, always ensure you have fresh water (changed daily) nearby. Some cats prefer running water, opting to drink from a running tap over any still bowl, so a bubbler can help to increase water intake in this case.

It’s also good to be aware that not all cat foods are created equal. Some are considered ‘Complete and balanced’, which means that they contain all the vitamins and minerals necessary for your cat to thrive, and in the right proportions. On the other hand, ‘Complementary’ foods are just that: treats, and are not sufficient nutrition for a cat to live on. In fact, treats should make up no more than 10-15% of your cat’s daily calorie intake. The calorie information of all cat food products will be right there on the label, so check the feeding instructions whenever you switch brand or type. Also there on the label will be the ingredients list. What you will want to see in the first few ingredients is a named source of animal based protein, such as poultry. If it’s further down the ingredients list, it may not be in sufficient quantities. Veterinary surgeon Dr. Max Boulay BVSc (Hons), MRCVS states, “To really check if the food you are buying is worth the cost, look for the AAFCO label. It assures you that it is a complete nutritional source for your pet, and has undergone feeding trials to ensure this.”

Cats in the wild favor many small meals each day. With our busy lifestyles, it’s common for cats to be receiving one or two bigger meals daily instead. If possible, up the number of feeds while decreasing the volume each time to more accurately mimic their natural feeding patterns. This is particularly important for kittens who, like human littlies, need feeding more often. Lastly, cats have different needs at different stages of their life. Choose a cat food that is specifically formulated for kittens, adult cats, lactating queens, or older cats, depending on your animal. This will ensure they are getting the right amounts of what they need each and every day.