Cat Food

Around 1 in 4 households in the UK now own a cat – that’s a lot of cats! All those cats will
eat a lot of food between them, but how do we know as pet owners which is the best cat
food to choose? There are a huge variety of types of cat food available, so there should be
the perfect match for your feline friend, but the choice can be overwhelming.
Read on for more information about what foods are available and how to choose. Once
you’ve finished deliberating all the options, from Purina to Hills to Royal Canin and many
more, you can even get your chosen food delivered straight to the door via our online shop.
With free delivery on orders over £39, 1-3 weekday delivery, and a 30-day return policy,
that’s an easy choice!

The basics of cat nutrition

The domestic cat we love and live with today has not altered hugely in a physiological sense
from their wildcat ancestors. Cats are obligate carnivores: they are dependent on meat for
their nutritional needs and are highly adapted to that diet. Our feline friends have quite
specific nutritional requirements, including good amounts of protein, fats (rather than
carbohydrates) for energy, and various amino acids that they cannot make themselves.
The most important point to remember when choosing a cat food is that it provides all their
basic nutrients, in the correct proportions. The easiest way to do this without studying the
ingredients list is to check you are buying a ‘complete and balanced’ food. This means that it
conforms to the FEDIAF recommended levels of nutrients and is suitable as a sole food
source. ‘Complementary’ diets are not complete and should not be fed as a single diet.

Types of diet

Your cat’s nutritional needs will vary according to their age and lifestyle. Kittens have
different requirements to adult cats, and senior cats are different again. You may also want
to bear in mind any specific breeds or medical conditions that may affect their diet.

Home-prepared vs commercial

It is becoming a more popular choice to feed raw or cooked home-prepared meals. Cats in
the wild eat a variety of prey and usually eat them whole. It can be difficult to provide the
same balance of nutrients at home, so taking expert advice is essential.

Wet foods 

Wet foods have a high water content (over 60%) and come in sachets or tins. Wet food can
be fed as a sole diet, or in combination with dry food. They come in a variety of different
flavours and textures. Read more about wet food here.

Dry foods

Much lower in water content (under 14%), dry cat food is often called ‘biscuits’ or ‘kibble’. It
is good for grazers as it can be left down without spoiling, and comes in different flavours
and sizes of kibble. Read more about dry food here.

Veterinary Prescription Diets

If your cat suffers from a health condition, optimal nutrition can be helpful to ease certain
symptoms, support the immune system, and manage the disease process. There are
prescription diets available for a wide range of medical conditions. Read more about these
diets here.

Specific diets

There are some cats who don’t require a prescription diet but may benefit from a more
tailored diet. Different foods can support differing needs, such as calorie-controlled diets for
our larger friends. Life stage diets are also available: pregnant and lactating queens need
extra nutritional support, young cats need kitten food which is ideal for growth and senior
cats often benefit from being on food specifically designed to support their life stage. There
are also breed-specific diets available, tailored to the needs of certain pedigrees.

Cost of food

It can be confusing as to why the price of cat food varies so much. In general, the difference
in cost reflects the quality and quantity of the meat which makes up the bulk of the food.
This is something to bear in mind, as protein is so important to cats, but most cats will thrive
on whatever food is provided for them.

Changing food

There is no need to change diets if your cat is doing well on their current food. If there is
reason to change, always do so gradually, slowly increasing the amount of the new food and
reducing the old. This is to prevent an upset tummy if a new food is introduced too quickly.

Buying food

The traditional option of buying food in a brick-and-mortar shop is still available, but there is
now the option to buy cat food in a quick and convenient way online. Check out the options
at FirstVet!