Feeding your cat: wet vs dry food, portion sizes and foods that are toxic

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Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they need nutrients found in animal tissue to stay healthy. That makes feeding a cat different from feeding a dog or a person, and it is why a balanced commercial cat food is the simplest way to meet their needs. This guide covers choosing a food, getting portions right and the human foods to keep well away from your cat.

Complete versus complementary food

Check the label. A complete food contains everything a cat needs and can be fed on its own. A complementary food, including many treats and some pouches, is not balanced and should only be a small part of the diet. Cats need taurine, an amino acid they cannot make in sufficient amounts, as well as other nutrients from animal sources. Do not feed dog food as a regular diet, and do not try a vegetarian or home-cooked diet without guidance from a vet or veterinary nutritionist.

Wet or dry?

Both can be healthy if the food is complete and portions are right. Many owners feed a mix. Wet food

Higher moisture, which helps cats that drink little and can support urinary health.
Often more filling for the same number of calories.
Spoils once opened, so it should not be left out for long, especially in warm weather.

Dry food

Convenient and economical, and can be left out or used in puzzle feeders.
Calorie-dense, so it is easy to overfeed.
Low in moisture, so make sure fresh water is always available.

Your vet may recommend one over the other for a cat with a particular condition, such as urinary or kidney problems.

How much to feed

Start with the feeding guide on the pack, based on your cat's ideal weight rather than current weight.
Weigh dry food with kitchen scales rather than using a scoop; small differences add up.
If you feed both wet and dry, reduce each proportionally so the total stays the same.
Count treats as part of the daily allowance.
Check body condition regularly. You should be able to feel the ribs easily under a thin covering, and see a waist from above. Your vet can show you how to score this.

Cats naturally eat several small meals a day. Splitting the daily ration into smaller portions, or using puzzle feeders, suits that pattern and can help prevent boredom eating.

Changing food safely

Switch gradually over about a week or more, mixing increasing amounts of the new food with the old. Sudden changes can upset digestion, and some cats will simply refuse a new food. Never let a cat go without eating for long. Cats that stop eating, especially overweight cats, can develop serious liver problems, so speak to a vet if your cat refuses food for more than a day.

Water

Provide fresh water daily in a wide, shallow bowl away from the food.
Try several water stations around the house, or a pet water fountain if your cat likes running water.

Foods and plants that are toxic to cats

Keep these out of reach:

Lilies. Every part, including pollen and the water in a vase, can cause fatal kidney failure. Do not keep lilies in a home with a cat.
Onions, garlic, leeks, chives and shallots, whether raw, cooked or powdered. They damage red blood cells.
Chocolate, especially dark and baking chocolate, which contains theobromine and caffeine.
Grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants, which have been linked to kidney injury.
Alcohol and raw yeast dough.
Caffeine in coffee, tea and energy drinks.
Cooked bones, which can splinter.

Milk is not necessary and many adult cats are lactose intolerant, so it can cause diarrhoea. Water is all they need to drink. If you think your cat has eaten something toxic, contact a vet immediately, even if they seem well. Take the packaging or a photo of the plant with you.

When to see a vet

Book a check if your cat gains or loses weight without explanation, starts drinking much more, vomits often or changes how it eats. Regular weigh-ins at the vet are an easy way to catch problems early. What do you feed your cat, and how did you settle on it? Share your experience in the comments.