FAQ: Food for cats

Batches of natural ingredients vary, so small differences in colour or smell between packs are normal, especially in food without colourings. If it smells rancid or otherwise suspicious, do not feed it and contact the seller or manufacturer.

Dry adult cat food usually contains about 10–20% fat. Fat provides energy and flavour, so active cats and kittens need more, while cats prone to weight gain need less.

Cats do not need sugar and cannot taste sweetness, so good-quality food usually has none added. The label means no sugar was added separately, although some ingredients naturally contain carbohydrates.

Cats do need sodium, but complete food provides enough, so no extra salt is needed. Salty human food such as ham or sausages is not suitable for cats.

Dry food does not cause disease by itself, but cats that drink little take in less fluid and their urine is more concentrated. For at-risk cats, such as neutered males, vets often recommend more wet food and water.

Yes, a glossy, soft coat often shows the cat is getting enough protein and fatty acids. If the coat has become rough, dull or is shedding heavily, review the food and talk to a vet, as a health problem could also be the cause.

Digestive changes show within a few days, while coat and skin condition change over about 4–8 weeks. So it is worth judging a new food only after a month or two.

A cat that has overeaten usually vomits or has softer stools for a while. If it tore open a bag and ate a lot of dry food, watch it closely: lethargy, a swollen or painful belly and repeated vomiting are reasons to see a vet urgently.

On the day of travel, feed the cat a smaller meal a few hours before leaving so it is less likely to feel sick. Bring its usual food so you do not have to change it suddenly, plus enough water and single-serve packs of wet food.

Better not: the cat may eat it all at once, and the water may run out or get dirty. Ideally someone should visit the cat at least once a day; an automatic feeder helps for short periods but does not replace a person's care.

It is a good sign but not always decisive: raw meat contains a lot of water, so its share shrinks after processing. Look at the first few ingredients and the total protein in the analytical constituents.

It is meat with most of the water removed, so it contains more concentrated protein than fresh meat. In dry food such an ingredient is often the main source of protein.

Cats cannot make vitamin A from the beta-carotene in plants, so they must get it from animal foods. Complete food provides enough, and an excess, for example from feeding liver regularly, can harm bones and joints.

Cooked rice is an easily digestible carbohydrate, so it is often used in food for cats with sensitive digestion. Cats do not need rice, but small amounts in complete food do no harm.

A small amount of fruit, berries or vegetables can add fibre and antioxidants, but cats do not need them. The key is that the food is complete and has enough animal protein.

Food that has been opened and kept in the fridge is cold and has lost its smell, so the cat finds it less appealing than a freshly opened pouch. Warming the portion to room temperature or choosing smaller packs helps.

First a vet should rule out illness, since weight loss often has a medical cause. If the cat is healthy, more calorie-dense food, such as kitten food, and more frequent smaller meals help.

A blocked nose makes it hard to smell food, so the cat may refuse to eat. Warmed, strong-smelling wet food helps, but if the cat has not eaten for more than a day, see a vet.

The ingredients of organic food are produced under organic farming rules, but that does not necessarily mean greater nutritional value for the cat. What matters most is still whether the food is complete and suits your cat.

Yes, pantry moths or storage mites can infest dry food that is kept too long or stored poorly. Keep the food tightly closed in a cool place, and if you see insects or webbing, do not feed it to your cat.