Cat Food Toppers and How to Choose Cat Food: Reading the Label

Check the label for a nutritional adequacy statement. It says whether the food is complete and balanced and for which life stage. Foods that are not complete and balanced, such as some treats and supplements, are not meant to be a cat’s only diet.

Foods are made for a particular species and life stage, so choose one made for cats and labeled complete and balanced for your cat’s life stage. If you are unsure, ask your vet.

Wet, dry and mixed feeding can all be complete and balanced. Which suits your cat depends on factors such as age, weight and health, so ask your vet rather than choosing by type alone.

It depends on your cat’s weight, age and activity. Use the calorie information and feeding directions on the label as a starting point, and ask your vet to check your cat’s body condition at each exam.

Raw and home-prepared diets are covered by their own section in veterinary nutrition guidelines, and they need your vet’s guidance to make sure the diet is safe and complete. Talk to your vet before switching.

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association suggests asking whether the company employs a qualified nutritionist, whether its food meets a recognized nutritional adequacy standard, what quality control it uses, and what the food’s calorie content is. If a company cannot or will not answer, the guidelines advise caution.

Cat food toppers are extras added over a cat’s normal meal to boost taste, aroma or moisture. They are usually treats and should not replace complete cat food.

They can encourage some picky eaters to finish a meal, but a sudden lack of appetite can signal illness, so check with your vet if it lasts.

Use the label as a guide and count the calories toward your cat’s daily total. A small spoonful is often enough, and your vet can set a target for your cat.

We summarize published veterinary guidance and describe label features rather than recommending branded foods. Our guides are research based rather than lab tested.