Feeding Your Cat Well: An Overview

Now more than ever, people recognize the connection between good eating habits and good health. Food has been implicated in several important human diseases, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disease, and cancer. Nutrition similarly affects the health and longevity of cats, which are primarily influenced by three factors:

1. Genetics, which we have limited influence over.
2. Environment, which we have modest influence over (think cleaning agents, household plants, choking hazards, contact with other animals, vaccines, and daily activity or play) and strive to make it as safe as possible.
3. Nutrition, which we have considerable control over and we strive to make as safe as possible.

It is natural for us to pay closer attention to what our cats eat in order to maximize their overall health and life expectancy.

What do I need to know about pet nutrition?

Veterinary nutrition is a scientific field that has exploded in the past several decades, and our cats have reaped the benefits. Key to veterinary nutrition is the recognition that not all life stages are the same. Kittens have different nutritional needs than adult cats, and adult cats have different needs from senior cats.

There is no “one size fits all” approach to feline nutrition. Many cat foods are labeled "For All Life Stages", but this label merely means the food will support the highest-need life stage - a mother cat feeding milk to her kittens. However, a 10-year-old domestic shorthair who relaxes most of the day does not have the same energy requirement as a 2-year-old cat feeding 6 kittens on the milk she produces herself. 

As scientific knowledge of nutrient requirements increases, it translates to commercially available ‘complete and balanced’ pet food for different life stages and lifestyles.

How do I choose what to feed my cat?

Partner with your veterinarian and your veterinary healthcare team to find the best feeding strategy for your cat. They start by performing a nutritional assessment. Your veterinarian will conduct a thorough physical examination to assess your cat's body condition and body composition (lean versus fat). They will also determine if there are any medical conditions that require attention or could be addressed nutritionally, such as obesity, osteoarthritis, or kidney disease. 

A proper nutritional assessment requires that you discuss with your veterinarian what food, treats, and supplements are being fed, how much is being fed, and when mealtimes occur. The details you provide will help determine the best nutritional choices.

"Your veterinarian is the best resource for a food portion recommendation."

Based on your cat's life stage, breed, gender (neutered versus intact), lifestyle, body condition, and muscle condition, your veterinarian can make a specific nutritional recommendation. When choosing a commercially made pet food, be sure to look for the nutritional adequacy statement on the label, which indicates that the food has met Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) requirements for a “complete” and “balanced” food.

The AAFCO claim should state that the product was formulated or fed in feeding trials to meet nutrient requirements for growing kittens, reproducing females, or adult cats at maintenance”. This means the food has been analyzed in an independent laboratory and found to be in alignment with published levels of specific nutrients, or that it has been fed to a small group of healthy cats in a feeding trial to determine nutrient bioavailability and palatability.

Once a nutritional formulation has been chosen, it is important to determine the appropriate measured portion to be fed at each meal, as well as meal frequency. It is a myth that cats can accept responsibility for feeding themselves without overeating. Cat foods today are designed to be tasty and are often calorie-dense, which means a cat can become overweight without portion control. Your veterinarian is the best resource for a food portion recommendation.

How can I maintain good nutrition for my cat over time?

When nutrient profile, meal size, and meal frequency are in place, it is important to monitor your cat's weight and body condition to fine-tune portioning. As your cat ages, their body and health change, which means the diet may need to be adjusted to meet their changing needs. Kitten, adult cat, senior and geriatric cat are unique life stages that must be addressed nutritionally.

In addition, there are many medical conditions that can be managed or improved by feeding specific nutritional profiles. Your veterinary healthcare team is always ready to help you make the best nutritional choices for your cat. Take advantage of nutritional science to make the best nutritional choices to enhance the health and life expectancy for your cat.