Home

>

Cat

>

Food & Nutrition

>

Right Cat Food Finder

Right Cat Food Finder

It’s our job as pet parents to be vigilant about our cat’s care and wellbeing, and that starts with what’s in their food bowl. Your pet’s nutrition is the basis for their overall health, and their nutritional needs can change over their lifetime. That’s why it’s important to periodically reassess their diet to ensure it’s still meeting their particular needs.

Right cat food finder flowchart

Use this chart to find the right food for your cat and feel confident you're choosing the right food for your cat.

Finding the right food for your cat - Infographic

 

While these food suggestions should not replace a nutrition consultation with your vet**, here are a few key things to keep in mind based on where your cat falls on the chart:

Kitten formulas and milk replacements ˇ

Arrow up icon

When your kitten is about 6 weeks old (and can focus their eyes and stay steady on their feet), they should be ready to transition to solid food. Before then, however, kittens are dependent on their mother’s milk or, in her absence, specially formulated kitten formula. It’s important to work with your veterinarian when a kitten is very young to ensure they’re getting all the proper nutrients they need for growth.

Kitten formula foods ˇ

Arrow up icon

Similar to human babies, a kitten’s nutritional needs are very different from that of a mature cat. Until your cat is at least one year old, kitten-specific food formulas provide the balance of nutrients and vitamins they need for proper growth without going overboard with what they don’t need. Again, whenever you have questions about your kitten’s food, be sure to consult your veterinarian.

Scientifically formulated diets ˇ

Arrow up icon

These diets usually take a solution-oriented, science-based approach to support a particular health concern. Scientifically formulated foods go through ongoing testing and are usually formulated with the help of scientists, nutritionists and veterinarians.

Minimally processed ˇ

Arrow up icon

It’s fine for your cat to love their kibble, but commercial fresh, freeze-dried and raw food can be a good alternative. There are multiple benefits to providing this type of food for your cat. They're minimally processed and include real food ingredients that help to deliver optimal nutrient availability to your pet.

A palatable plate of wet food ˇ

Arrow up icon

As you start building your cat’s plate, keep these additional factors in mind. Carefully read the label of any food you’re considering and look for quality ingredients. Wet food can also help cats get the hydration they need with their high water content (70-80%).

Wholesome kibble ˇ

Arrow up icon

If your cat prefers dry food, ensure you seek out high-quality foods that follow Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards. Something else to consider: If your cat has a diet that primarily consists of dry food, adding some wet food can help provide extra hydration and benefit their overall health.

Base and toppers ˇ

Arrow up icon

Whether you feed your cat dry or wet food, a good all-around meal includes both a main dish and a topper, to help increase palatability. If you’re interested in trying out a building a layered bowl for your pet, variety packs like Whole Hearted’s Grain Free by Land and Sea flaked wet cat food or Soulistic’s Moist & Tender Variety Pack wet cat food allow your pet to try out different flavors to see which they like best.

Weight Management Diet ˇ

Arrow up icon

Increase protein while reducing their portion sizes Switch to a premium cat food with a better protein-to-fat ratio Reduce or remove treats from their diet Try to break up daily feeding throughout the day – cats will be less likely to beg for food If you give your cat treats, opt for high protein (egg, lean meat) or healthy dental treats rather than fats, grease or commercial kitty treats Switch to a specially formulated weight management food

How to feed your kitten

To help your kitten meet their daily nutritional needs, most veterinarians recommend feeding them three meals a day. Because a kitten's stomach is smaller than that of an adult cat's, this helps ensure they receive an adequate amount of calories and nutrients.

To determine how much to give your kitten at each meal, check your kitten food package for the daily recommended amount. Split the total daily amount of food into three equal portions, and feed these at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day: one meal in the morning, one mid-day and one in the evening, for example. As your kitten approaches 10 to12 months old, you can switch to feeding just two meals a day—one in the morning and one evening.

Whichever intervals you choose, try to keep them consistent each day. A routine feeding schedule promotes healthy eating habits and enables you to control your kitten’s diet and monitor their development and weight gain.

Avoid Free Feeding Unless Recommended By a Vet

Many cat parents find they can leave a full bowl of food out in the morning, and their adult cat will self-manage their diet, eating as they feel hungry and stopping when they feel full. This is called free feeding, and while it can work well for adult cats who are already at a healthy weight and have no trouble maintaining that, it's usually not advised for kittens as they haven't yet learned how to listen to their body's hunger signals. For very young kittens (under the age of four months) who are underweight or growing more slowly than expected, a veterinarian may recommend free feeding to lower the risk of rapid eating (which may lead to stomach distention) and help underdeveloped kittens get the calories they need.

Consult your veterinarian if you think this might be best for your pet.

Feed Your Kitten Alone, Separate from Other Pets

If you live in a multi-pet household, feed your kitten separately from the other pets in the home. Close off one room at your kitten’s mealtime, or set up a baby gate, pen or area that other pets cannot access while your kitten eats.

This is important for both your kitten’s growth and the health of your other furry family members. Many animals, including adult cats and dogs, may be enticed by the flavors and fatty content of kitten food. If a different pet gets into the kitten’s food bowl, your kitten won’t get the full nutritional value they need—and the other pet is at risk of indigestion, obesity or other health issues, as kitten food contains more calories than most animals should receive.

To make the switch to adult cat food, start by feeding your kitten approximately 75 percent of their regular kitten food mixed with 25 percent of the new adult food. After about three days, increase the ratio of adult to kitten food so that your kitten is eating 50 percent of each. In another three days, increase the ratio again: to 75 percent of the adult cat food and only 25 percent of the kitten food. After a few days, you can switch to entirely adult cat food.

Protein is Key

Cats are carnivores. Meat and protein should make up a big chunk of their diet. Protein can come from a variety of sources, including plant matter, so make sure the bulk of the protein is derived from meat and poultry. These ingredients are not necessarily inferior – it all depends on how the ingredients are arranged according to their amino acid profile. They also need certain essential amino acids that their bodies can't produce. One of the most important of these is taurine.

A lack of taurine in the protein can cause serious health problems in cats, including cardiomyopathy (or weakened heart muscle disease), reproductive disorders, retinal degeneration or blindness. Feeding your kitty a premium food is your best insurance against taurine deficiency because premium food manufacturers make sure their brands give your cat the taurine levels needed, plus the correct balance of other nutrients.

Avoid an All-Meat or All-Vegetarian Diet

Cats are carnivores. They require high animal protein diets. A vegetarian diet will not provide adequate nutrition for your cat due to your cat's very specific gastrointestinal system and nutrient requirements.

Cats must also get nutrients from foods other than meat. Without proper calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D (not available in a meat-only diet), your cat will be susceptible to a multitude of serious health concerns.

Your Cat’s Changing Dietary Needs

As your kitten reaches adulthood, nutritional needs change. They'll need less protein and fat, and fewer calories. You can switch your cat to an adult food at age one.

Your pet’s digestive system can handle a limited number of food types at a time if you consistently feed them the same food and treat options. They will need a short period of introduction when introducing new recipes to their palette to ensure a smooth transition for digestion. When switching food, make the swap over a two-week period to give your cat time to adjust to their new meal. Each time mix in more and more of the new food as you decrease the amount of original food.

Food sensitivities

Before making any changes, you'll want to meet with your veterinarian to determine the right steps to take. Some helpful steps may include skin testing or feeding research, to determine which substances your cat may be sensitive to. Sometimes it can be as simple as switching cat food.

Final thoughts on cat nutrition

When you’re ready to get started with a new food, remember to slowly transition your cat over a period of about 10 days. And don’t forget that Petco has all the base foods, toppers and treat options your cat could want. Plus Petco’s money-back guarantee means you won’t waste money while  you search. If your pet doesn’t like what you get, just bring the remaining food back for a full refund. Bon appetit!

 **Food recommendations are not a replacement for a nutrition consultation with your vet.  ​

image

Have a Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Filed Under

Sponsored