Cats are one of the UK’s most popular pets with over 8 million living in households across the country, according to the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association. Cat owners want their feline friends to live long, healthy lives, and the right diet is the first and most important step towards this. The vets from specialty chain Maxi Zoo have put together what you need to know about cat food.

Cats are born hunters. In the wild, they dine on several small meals a day in the form of mice, small birds, fish and even insects. Cats are carnivores and find everything they need to stay healthy in a mouse - high-quality protein, animal fat, carbohydrate, raw fibre, vitamins and minerals, as well as hair and bones. Ingredients such as the amino acid taurine and arachidonic acid are essential to cats’ survival and can be found almost exclusively in animal protein in the wild.

Cat food must be specially designed to meet the needs of our furry friends. A diet of pure meat is just as deadly as dog food or leftover human food, which is too fatty and too carbohydrate-rich. Over the long term, this can lead to deficiencies, put unnecessary stain on the body and result in serious health problems. High-quality, complete cat food - dry or wet - provides everything your pet needs to stay in top health. Dry food has the advantage that it doesn't go off and doesn’t have to be brought to room temperature first. Biting into the hard pieces also helps to clean kitty’s teeth. These days, pet food even contains fibre supplements, which help to move swallowed cat hair through the digestive system.

What do kittens need, and what about seniors?
Depending on age or other circumstances (illness, pregnancy etc.), you should choose special feed that optimally supports your cat in this phase of life. Kittens, for example, need an energy-rich, easily digestible feed with the right balance of animal protein, vitamins and minerals for healthy growth. Dry feed is especially suited to furry youngsters as they can eat small quantities throughout the day, and it is also good for training their chewing muscles.

Reduced kidney function, obesity or sluggish digestion can create problems for older felines, so you should give them a special from around eight years old. A diet too high in protein or with low-quality protein can exacerbate existing kidney problems, creating extra strain as the kidneys have to work hard to break this down. Senior food usually contains a lower proportion of high-quality protein, making it optimal for older cats, and can prevent kidney problems. It generally has less phosphorous, which is also easier on the kidneys, and is easy to digest.

And while we’re on the topic, it’s important to change your cat's food regularly, starting when they are a kitten, so that they don’t become too used to one type - this is called imprinting. If this happens, your cat might refuse to eat any other type of food in the future, making it difficult to change them over to a special food, e.g. if they are sick or when they are older.


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You are what you eat Cat food must be specially designed to meet felines’ needs. Pure meat is just as deadly as dog food or leftover human food. Photo: Maxi Zoo/Ulrike Schanz (Photos may only be reproduced with permission and in connection with editorial text. High-resolution photos can be requested from the Fressnapf press office.)