diet and nutrition for cats

What you feed your cat matters.

Questions about feeding kittens, adult cats, senior cats, or fussy cats of all ages? Our tips can help you make smart choices in the cat food aisle.

Food and diet tips for obese pets

How to read pet food labels

Understanding ingredients, names, logos, and more. Find quality food

Pet food nutrient guide

Find out what’s really in your dog or cat’s bowl. Nutrient guide

Food and diet tips for obese pets

Chunky cat? Pudgy pup? Check out these tips. Food and diet tips

Manage your pet’s weight

Info on calories, exercise, treats, and more. Why weight is important

Managing diet for diabetes

We’ve got info on medication, food, and more. Manage your furball’s diet

A small dog and a cat eat next to each other out of separate bowls.

A guide to pet food allergies

Ingredients and symptoms to look out for. Dog and cat allergies

Poisonous things for pets

Avoid these! Plus, signs to call your vet. Keep these away

Common questions

Q:

Can my cat be vegetarian?

A:No, they need certain amino acids that are only found in meat sources.

Q:

Can food help with hairballs?

Yes, there are varieties that have ingredients to aid digestion which could impact the frequency of hairballs or vomiting.

Q:

Can I put tuna juice on my cat's food?

A:Because tuna juice can cause stomach upset and unbalance the diet, it is not recommended.

Q:

What are the best and nutritious foods for cats?

A:Quality cat foods have a scientifically balanced ratio of ingredients that deliver key nutrients like protein, vitamins and minerals, critical carbohydrates, and more. The healthy choice for your cat is a food formulated to meet their nutritional needs, that they will happily eat, and that doesn’t cause digestive upset. Ask your vet for recommendations.

Q:

What is the nutritional diet of a cat?

A:Cats of different sizes and life stages have unique needs, but the seven basic nutrients they should get are critical carbohydrates, dietary fiber, fats, protein, vitamins, minerals, and water. Some foods may include extra ingredients and nutrients for purposes such as aging joints or healthy weight. Talk to your vet to see what kind of diet they suggest for your special cat.

Need advice on flea control? Ping Pet Chat^™!

Whether it's 3 a.m. or 3 p.m., connect with a real veterinary professional for immediate petcare advice. It's included in all Optimum Wellness Plans^®!

More about cat health