Everything about choosing good cat food: what it needs to contain, per life stage, with a checklist and comparison table. The complete guide from Fidello.

Contents

• What does good cat food consist of?
• Dry food or wet food: what's the difference?
• Cat food by life stage
• Special nutritional needs
• How to read a cat food label
• Common mistakes when choosing cat food
• Switching to new food: how to do it safely
• Comparison: dry food, wet food and fresh food
• Checklist: choosing cat food in 8 steps
• Frequently asked questions
• Related products and categories

Quick summary

• Cats are strict carnivores: their diet must consist mainly of animal protein, with enough taurine, arginine and the right fatty acids.
• Dry food and wet food are both nutritionally complete, provided they carry the label "complete and balanced" — the main difference lies in moisture content and convenience.
• Kittens, adult cats and senior cats each have different energy, protein and mineral needs.
• On the label, the first ingredients say the most: look for a named type of meat ("chicken", "salmon") rather than vague terms like "animal by-products".
• Never switch food abruptly: introduce a new food gradually over at least seven days to prevent stomach upset.
• If you're unsure about a diet food for a medical condition, always consult your vet before making any changes yourself.

What does good cat food consist of?

Unlike a dog, a cat is an obligate carnivore. This means her body is adapted to a diet that consists mainly of animal protein, and that she cannot produce certain substances herself, even though she needs them to stay healthy.

• Protein: cats need proportionally more protein than dogs, ideally of high-quality animal origin. Protein provides not only building blocks for muscles, but also energy.
• Taurine: this amino acid is only found in animal tissue. A deficiency can eventually lead to heart problems and blindness. Commercial cat food that meets FEDIAF's nutritional guidelines contains enough taurine, but a deficiency can occur with homemade or poorly formulated food.
• Arginine and essential fatty acids: arginine is needed to safely remove ammonia (a waste product of protein digestion); fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6 support the skin, coat and immune system.
• Moisture: cats are descended from a desert animal and naturally have a low thirst drive. They prefer to get moisture from their food rather than from the water bowl, which makes wet food a valuable addition, especially for cats that don't drink much.

Dry food or wet food: what's the difference?

Both types can form a healthy diet, provided they are complete. The difference lies mainly in moisture content, convenience and price per portion.

Benefits of dry food

Dry food keeps longer once opened, is easy to measure out and is often cheaper per day. It can also help keep teeth mechanically clean, although this doesn't replace dental care.

Benefits of wet food

Wet food typically contains 70 to 80 percent moisture, compared with 6 to 10 percent for dry food. This makes it valuable for fluid intake, which in turn supports healthy kidney function and urinary tract health — particularly in older cats or cats prone to bladder problems.

Cat food by life stage

A cat's nutritional needs change throughout her life. Food matched to her life stage is therefore not a marketing gimmick, but genuinely relevant.

Kitten (up to around 12 months)

Kittens grow quickly and need proportionally more energy, protein, calcium and phosphorus than adult cats. Kitten food is tailored to this, with smaller kibble and a higher nutrient density. Introduce the switch to adult food gradually around their first birthday.

Adult cat (1 to around 7-8 years)

At this stage, it's mainly about a balanced maintenance diet, tailored to activity level and whether your cat is spayed or neutered. Neutered cats have lower energy needs and are therefore more prone to becoming overweight; specific "sterilised" food takes this into account with fewer calories per portion.

Senior cat (from around 7-8 years)

Older cats are generally less active, may become more prone to joint, kidney or dental problems, and often benefit from easily digestible protein and adjusted mineral levels. If you're unsure about the health of a senior cat, discuss with your vet whether a diet food might be more suitable than standard senior food.

Special nutritional needs

In addition to their life stage, some cats also have a specific health condition that calls for adapted nutrition.

• Overweight: in the Netherlands, a significant proportion of pet cats are overweight. A lower-calorie food, smaller portions and more exercise (think interactive toys) can help bring this down.
• Food allergy or intolerance: recognisable by itching, skin problems or recurring digestive issues. A hypoallergenic food with a limited number of well-defined ingredients can help, preferably after consulting your vet.
• Kidney problems: relatively common in older cats. Diet food with adjusted phosphorus and protein levels is often prescribed by the vet and isn't something to choose yourself without a diagnosis.
• Urinary tract problems: food aimed at a healthy urinary pH and extra moisture (preferably wet food) can help prevent crystal formation.

How to read a cat food label

Packaging can easily claim "premium" or "complete", but the ingredients list and nutritional table tell the real story.

What to look for in the ingredients list

• Ingredients are listed in order of weight — the first one or two say the most.
• Look for a named protein source, such as "chicken" or "salmon", rather than vague terms like "meat and animal by-products".
• A statement such as "complete and balanced" (or "complete food") according to FEDIAF guidelines means the food is suitable as a sole source of nutrition; "complementary" food (such as many cat treats) is not.

What does the nutritional table tell you?

The packaging usually shows the percentage of crude protein, crude fat, crude ash and moisture. It's best to compare these figures on a "dry matter basis" when comparing dry food with wet food, because otherwise the high moisture content of wet food always makes it look lower in these nutrients than it actually is.

Common mistakes when choosing cat food

• Choosing on price alone: cheap food often contains more fillers and less animal protein, which can affect health over time, and even the portion size needed (and therefore the cost).
• Feeding only dry food to a cat that doesn't drink much: this increases the risk of overly concentrated urine and urinary tract problems.
• Basing food choice on your cat's age in human years: look at the actual life-stage classification on the packaging (kitten, adult, senior), not a rule of thumb.
• Switching brand or flavour too quickly: an abrupt change can cause vomiting or diarrhoea, even with food that is otherwise suitable.
• Free feeding without portion control: many cats don't regulate their own intake well enough to prevent weight gain, especially with dry food that's always available.
• Giving a cat dog food, even just once: dog food doesn't contain enough taurine and arginine for a cat and isn't suitable in the long term.

Switching to new food: how to do it safely

A cat's digestive system needs time to get used to new ingredients. Always introduce a new food gradually, for example following the schedule below:

Day	Old food	New food
Day 1-2	75%	25%
Day 3-4	50%	50%
Day 5-6	25%	75%
From day 7	0%	100%

If you notice vomiting, persistent diarrhoea, or your cat consistently refusing the new food, slow down the transition or contact your vet. Some cats, especially fussy eaters, benefit from an even more gradual two-week schedule.

Comparison: dry food, wet food and fresh food

Food type	Moisture content	Shelf life after opening	Price per day	Suitable for
Dry food	Low (6-10%)	Weeks to months	Usually low	Daily base diet, cats that drink well
Wet food (tin/tray)	High (70-80%)	1-2 days refrigerated	Medium to high	Extra moisture, fussy eaters, seniors
Fresh/raw (BARF, frozen)	High	Consume immediately, limited shelf life	Medium to high	Owners who deliberately choose a natural diet

If you choose fresh or raw food (BARF), make sure it's a complete, properly formulated product — loose pieces of meat on their own don't make a balanced diet. If in doubt, ask your vet for advice, especially for kittens, pregnant or nursing cats.

Checklist: choosing cat food in 8 steps

Frequently asked questions

Is grain-free cat food better for my cat?

Not necessarily. Cats don't need carbohydrates, but well-formulated food that does contain grain can still be nutritionally complete. Grain-free is mainly relevant if there's a confirmed grain allergy or intolerance.

How often per day should I feed my cat?

Most adult cats do well with two to three smaller meals a day, spread throughout the day. Kittens need smaller portions more often; follow the guidelines on the packaging for this.

Can I feed my cat a vegetarian or vegan diet?

No. Cats are strict carnivores that can only get sufficient amounts of essential substances such as taurine from animal tissue. A plant-based diet can lead to serious health problems over time.

Why is my cat suddenly eating less of her usual food?

This can indicate boredom, a changed recipe from the manufacturer, dental problems or an underlying health issue. If the reduced appetite lasts longer than a day or two, consult your vet.

Can I give dry food and wet food on the same day?

Yes, this is not a problem for most cats and is often even recommended, because of the extra fluid intake from wet food. Just divide the total daily calories between both, so your cat doesn't end up eating too much.

How much does good cat food cost per month on average?

This depends heavily on the brand, the type (dry, wet or fresh) and your cat's weight. For quality dry food, expect to pay around 15 to 35 euros a month for an average cat; wet or fresh food as a main diet is usually more expensive.

Related products and categories

• Dry food for cats
• Wet food for cats
• Cat kibble for older cats
• Grain-free cat food & treats
• Diet food & supplements for cats

Conclusion

There is no single food that's best for every cat — the right cat food depends on your cat's age, health, activity level and personal preference. Make sure there's enough animal protein and taurine, take the life stage into account, pay attention to sufficient fluid intake, and introduce any switch gradually. If in doubt, your vet is always the best source of tailored nutritional advice. Browse the full range of cat food and find the food that suits your cat.

Sources and further reading: FEDIAF (European Pet Food Industry Federation) nutritional guidelines for cats and dogs, WSAVA (World Small Animal Veterinary Association) Global Nutrition Guidelines, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University. If you have any doubts about your cat's diet or health, always consult your own vet.

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