FAQ: Food for cats

Some manufacturers offer food for breeds such as Maine Coons or Persians, with kibble of a different size and shape. That can be convenient, but a healthy cat does fine on ordinary complete food that suits its age and size.

Such food meets the nutrient standards for both growing kittens and adult cats. It is handy when several cats of different ages live together, but it may be too calorie-rich for an adult cat that moves little.

Healthy cat stools are usually brown, well formed and not too hard. Very soft, very hard or very large stools may mean the food does not suit the cat or it is getting too much; changes that last should be checked by a vet.

Yes, especially when a cat eats only dry food and drinks little, or swallows a lot of hair. More fluid and wet food help; if the cat has not passed stool for more than two days or strains without result, see a vet, as in male cats it can also be a urinary blockage.

Yes, easily digestible food usually produces fewer and less smelly stools. If the litter box started smelling stronger after a food change, the new food may suit the cat less well.

Fibre helps digestion and hairballs, but too much can reduce the food's nutritional value and increase the volume of stools. For most healthy cats the usual amount of fibre in complete food is enough.

Poultry such as chicken or turkey suits many cats, while duck, rabbit or lamb are often offered to sensitive cats. But every cat is different, so the key is to watch how yours does.

Insect protein is a relatively new protein source in cat food and may suit cats that are sensitive to common meats. The food must be complete, and as with any new food, the switch should be gradual.

Fish smells strong, appeals to cats and contains omega-3 fatty acids. In complete food it is balanced with other ingredients, so it is fine for everyday feeding, although some cats do not tolerate fish.

Cats get most of their energy from protein and fat and need few carbohydrates. Dry food always contains some because they are needed to form the kibble; that is normal as long as the food is complete and the cat stays at a healthy weight.

Better not: past its date the food may have lost vitamins, gone rancid or even spoiled. Above all, never give wet food from bulging or damaged cans.

Sterilised cans and pouches usually keep longer than dry food, often up to two or three years. The pack shows the exact date; unopened cans do not need to be refrigerated.

It is often a habit formed as a kitten, when the cat was given mostly kibble. Some cats like the crunch; they often accept wet food if it is offered warmed and introduced gradually.

Yes, if the wet food is complete the cat can eat nothing else. Such a diet helps it take in more fluid, but it usually costs more and needs more care with storage and bowl hygiene.

Wet food freezes quickly in the cold, so it is better to give dry food or wet food in small portions that are eaten straight away. Heated bowls or changing the water often stop the water from freezing.

Complete dry food suits community cats because it does not spoil or freeze, and in warm weather you can also give wet food. Avoid table scraps and milk, and put the food where it will not attract birds and rodents.

A healthy cat on complete food usually does not need supplements. Supplements, for example for joints or skin, can help in certain cases, but they are best chosen together with a vet.

It is meat with the water removed by freezing, so it is light, keeps for a long time and retains many nutrients. Freeze-dried food can be complete or meant as treats, so check the label; sometimes it needs rehydrating before serving.

It is lightly cooked food, often sold frozen or chilled and kept in the fridge. It resembles home-cooked food but is balanced if labelled as complete; its shelf life is shorter than that of canned food.

Look for a food with a similar recipe: the same main protein source, similar protein and fat levels and a similar texture. If you still have some of the old food, switch gradually and start with a small pack of the new one.