Cat food comes in a variety of forms. Discover what cat food to feed your cat or kitten. Learn about nutrition and which cat food products are best.

To ensure a happy and healthy cat, you need to understand both what your cat wants and what it needs from cat food.


Cats have a variety of nutritional needs. Cat food manufacturers have done extensive research in the area of required nutrients for domestic cats in all stages of life. They also have discovered which foods cats enjoy best, as well as the ones with the most nutritional value.


Cat food comes in a variety of forms that include: dry food, semi-moist food, canned food and natural prey. Just remember to provide your cat with a balanced diet.

Nutritional Needs

Good nutrition is important to your cat's health. A cat needs a high-fat diet-for energy and a healthy skin and coat-and less fibre-for good intestinal health.

Cats are carnivores, and will not thrive on a vegetarian diet, as they need animal protein and animal fat in their diet. Cats also need carbohydrates for energy and fibre for good digestion.

Which Products are Best?

Start by identifying your individual cat's life stage and lifestyle.

Kittens, nursing mothers and mature pets are examples of life stages. Each life stage has different nutritional requirements.

Nutritional needs also vary depending on lifestyle. A cat whose primary activity is guarding the couch doesn't need as much energy as one who likes to spend a lot of time outside.

Finally, it is important to take into account any special medical condition your cat may have, like food allergies, that requires a special diet recommended by your veterinarian.

Catering for Kittens

Kittens have very special feeding needs to consider. For their growth and health they need a diet of high-energy cat food.

Because kittens grow and develop at a fast rate, it is essential to provide them with adequate nutrients to ensure that this development occurs. By paying close attention to your kitten's nutrient intake, you have a better chance of raising a healthy and happy kitten.

Kittens should be monitored during feeding. If you have more than one, it may be necessary to feed them separately to ensure that they all get enough to eat.

Kittens' smaller mouths, teeth and stomachs limit the amount of cat food that they can digest during a single meal. It may be best to divide their daily amount to be fed into three or four meals.

So when do you switch to adult cat food? Your kitten enters adolescence around six months, yet is still growing and needs the special nutrition found in kitten food.

However, as the rate of growth begins to decline, your kitten is able to eat fewer, larger meals each day. Around 12 months, you may switch to adult cat food.

You can help ease the transition by gradually introducing the adult food.

Catering for Senior Cats

Older cats have a variety of nutritional needs that differ from those of younger cats. Some potential major changes as your cat ages include: a decreased sense of smell, decreased sensitivity to thirst, decreased thyroid function, decreased saliva production, and tooth and gum deterioration.

These changes can lead to many problems that from obesity to insufficient food intake and weight loss.

Don't panic if your cat rejects its favourite cat food. Cats are notoriously finicky eaters. Instead, offer something new. Cats crave variety.

If your cat persists in not eating and begins to lose excessive amounts of weight, see your veterinarian.

The 'Hungry' or Greedy Cat

Here, appetite is no guide to need. Feed two to three times daily but do not exceed the daily amount according to weight.

The Fat Cat

Obesity can become a serious problem for your cat, and an invitation to health problems.If your cat is gaining weight then cut back on its food.

Drastic changes could also be risky, so use small decreases when tailoring your cat's diet. Should your cat's eating problems continue you may want to see your veterinarian, since obesity may also be an indication of an underlying medical problem.

Your cat depends on you to make sure it's healthy, so pay attention to its diet and eating habits.Keep your cat active and consider purchasing cat food that is lower in calories.

Types of Cat Food

Dry Food:

Dry foods are the most convenient type of commercial cat food. They can help prevent tartar buildup which may lead to gum disease, tooth decay, and are the most economical.

Properly stored, unopened, dry cat food usually has a shelf life of about 12 months. Once opened, it is a good idea to store your cat's dry food in a sealed container to retain freshness.

Semi-Moist Foods and Treats:

Semi-moist foods contain about 25 to 40 percent water and are often chosen due to their convenience and palatability. Semi-moist foods have a similar nutritional value to their dry and wet counterparts.

Most cat food companies also produce semi-moist treats that you can give your cat as a snack in-between-meals.

Canned or Wet Foods:

Although canned foods contain about 90% water, they cannot meet a feline's daily water requirements.

Canned food consumption should be monitored. Once in your cat's bowl, it does not stay fresh for long. In hot weather, canned food will become stale and attract insects.