How to Choose Cat Food

Plan to feed a combination of canned and dry food. Most vets and breeders recommend this approach because cats do not always drink the amount of water their bodies need to function. Since canned food is usually more attractive to cats than dry food, including it in every cat’s diet is one of the best ways to ensure that he does not become dehydrated. This is particularly important with neutered males, who are more prone to urinary tract problems, and with older cats, who have more fragile kidneys.

Choose the type of dry food first. It should comprise about two-thirds of your cat’s diet so it is the most important decision you need to make. You’ll need to consider several factors. The cat’s age comes first. Any cat under 6 months of age should be eating a food specifically labeled for kittens. Between 6 months and a year, you can feed a combination of kitten and adult formulas. Cats over 7 years old are considered “senior” or “mature” and should be fed a food that is appropriately labeled.

Consider body condition and activity level next. More than half of all indoor cats are overweight to some extent. Your vet is the best resource for determining whether your cat falls into that category. If so, choose a dry food labeled for “weight management” or “light” formula. For a relatively sedentary cat whose weight is normal, consider a combination of “light” and regular adult food to help prevent weight gain. If your cat is very active and/or has access to the outdoors, you should choose a food that is relatively high in fat. (See Resources for more on how to determine this.) If your cat is underweight, you should feed a combination of kitten and adult food and offer a high-calorie supplement as a treat.

Keep other health issues in mind. If your cat is long-haired, or has a particularly dense coat, you may want to consider a food formulated to help prevent hairballs. Many cat owners find that feeding this type of food several times a week is sufficient; with some cats, eating hairball formula every day can cause diarrhea. If your cat is a purebred, one of the major premium brands has developed breed-specific formulas for cats; you may want to investigate these as well. If your cat has dental problems, special food formulas are available to help promote better oral health.

Check the label to be sure the food is identified as "complete and balanced by AAFCO" (Association Of American Feed Control Officials). Then take a quick look at the list of ingredients. The first ingredient listed should be an identifiable protein source, i.e., chicken, beef, salmon. “Meat by-products” or “fish meal” do not qualify. Many less expensive foods will have a grain product listed as a primary ingredient. Such foods should be avoided. Cats are, first and foremost, carnivores and need real meat. A grain-first food may still carry the appropriate AAFCO label, and be more affordable, but your tradeoff may well end up being a higher vet bill.

Make sure that taurine is listed as an ingredient. This amino acid is absolutely essential to cats and they cannot produce it themselves. One last thing to look for is the presence of some type of fiber. While cats do not digest it, it is an important ingredient because it facilitates digestion and helps prevent constipation. Food that contains polished rice or corn meal, which are high in carbohydrates but low in fiber, should also have a high-fiber component such as beet pulp, whole grains, or cellulose.

Select canned food to contrast with the flavor of dry food you’ve chosen. While some cats insist on eating the same food, day after day, most thrive on variety in flavor and in texture. If you have chosen a dry food with chicken as the primary ingredient, it’s a good idea to have most of the canned food you buy be beef or fish flavored. Different textures, such as sliced, shredded or morsels, are also much appreciated, perhaps more so than the classic pate-type food.

Repeat the label and ingredient check you did in Steps 5 and 6 with the canned food. You don’t have to be quite as strict with every single can of cat food if you are buying an assortment of brands and flavors, but it’s best to make sure that at least half of them meet these standards. As to the other half—as long as most of your cat’s diet is carefully chosen, you can allow her the occasional junk food binge.