How to Compare Dry Cat Food Ingredients

Not all dry cat foods are created equal. Understanding a cat's nutritional needs and learning how to read the labels on the bags will help you compare ingredients and choose the most appropriate dry food for your cat.

  1. Obligate Carnivores

    • Cats are obligate carnivores and need protein from meat and moderate amounts of fat. Between 25 and 30 percent of a cat's diet should consist of animal-based protein, according to the website, PetEducation.com. Fifteen to 20 percent should consist of fat.

    Dry Matter

    • Dry cat food labels list percentages of protein, fat and moisture "as fed," or before manufacturing removes all the moisture from the food. Figuring out the percentages on a dry matter basis provides more accurate numbers. If the ingredient label says the food is 10 percent moisture, 90 percent dry matter and 20 percent protein, dividing 20 percent by 90 percent will tell you how much protein the food actually contains.

    Meat or Meal

    • While a named meat, such as chicken, sounds appetizing and nutritious, chicken meal may actually contain more protein. Meal is the processed meat with all the moisture removed. It "can provide roughly four to five times the nutrients as the same weight of chicken because of the differences in moisture," says veterinarian Ron Rompala.

    Split Ingredients

    • Pet food manufacturers must list ingredients in descending order by weight. Most list a named meat, such as chicken or turkey, first. But if the ingredient list goes on to mention ground corn, corn gluten meal, rice gluten, rice and other grains, the food contains more grain than meat.