Cat Nutrition: How to Feed Your Cat Well
Key takeaways
- Cats are obligate carnivores: they need a meat-based, complete diet, and nutrients like taurine that they can't get from a vegetarian diet.
- Choose a complete food appropriate to your cat's life stage; both wet and dry can work, and many owners feed a combination.
- Feed to a healthy weight using the guide on the pack as a starting point, then adjust, since obesity is one of the most common and preventable feline health problems.
- Several everyday foods are toxic to cats, including onion, garlic, chocolate, and grapes; when in doubt, don't share human food.
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means a meat-based, complete diet isn’t a preference, it’s a requirement. They need nutrients such as taurine that simply aren’t available in a plant-based diet. Get the basics right and feeding your cat is straightforward. This is the hub for our Cat Nutrition & Feeding articles.
What cats actually need
A good cat food is complete (it contains everything your cat needs in the right balance) and matched to your cat’s life stage, kitten, adult, or senior. Look for a statement on the pack that the food is complete for that life stage. Fresh water should always be available.
Wet, dry, or both
Both can be healthy when the food is complete:
- Wet food adds moisture, which helps support urinary and kidney health.
- Dry food is convenient, keeps well, and works in puzzle feeders for enrichment.
Many owners feed a mix. What matters most is a complete diet in the right quantity.
How much to feed
Start with the guide on the pack for your cat’s weight and life stage, divide it into measured meals, and then adjust to body condition. You should be able to feel the ribs without pressing hard and see a slight waist from above. Obesity is one of the most common and preventable health problems in cats, and it raises the risk of diabetes and joint disease, so getting the amount right matters.
Foods that are toxic to cats
Some everyday human foods are dangerous. Avoid:
- Onion, garlic, chives, and leeks
- Chocolate, caffeine, and alcohol
- Grapes and raisins
- Anything sweetened with xylitol
Many plants are also toxic, lilies in particular can cause fatal kidney failure in cats. If your cat eats something toxic, contact your vet or an animal poison line straight away; see our cat health guide for other emergencies.
Special diets
Cats with conditions such as kidney disease often need a prescription or tailored diet, see our senior cat care guide. Always make diet changes gradually, over about a week, to avoid stomach upset, and check big changes with your vet.
This guide is general information, not advice for your individual cat. Your vet can recommend the right food and amount for your cat’s age, weight, and health.
References
- People foods to avoid feeding your pets, ASPCA.
- Feeding your cat, Cornell Feline Health Center.
- WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines, World Small Animal Veterinary Association.
Frequently asked questions
Is wet or dry food better for cats?
Both can be part of a healthy diet as long as the food is complete and appropriate to your cat's life stage. Wet food adds moisture, which supports urinary and kidney health, while dry food is convenient and can be used in puzzle feeders. Many owners feed a combination; the most important things are a complete diet and the right amount.
How much should I feed my cat?
Start with the feeding guide on the pack for your cat's weight and life stage, split into measured meals, then adjust based on body condition. If your cat is gaining or losing weight, or you can't feel its ribs easily, ask your vet to assess its body condition and set a target.
What foods are toxic to cats?
Common toxic foods include onion, garlic, chives and leeks, chocolate, grapes and raisins, alcohol, caffeine, and anything sweetened with xylitol. Many houseplants, especially lilies, are also dangerous. If your cat eats something toxic, contact your vet or an animal poison line immediately.
How often should I feed my cat?
Most adult cats do well on two measured meals a day, though some owners split the daily amount into several smaller portions, which suits a cat's natural grazing. What matters most is the right total amount for a healthy weight, not the number of meals; kittens need feeding more often.
Do cats need wet food, or is dry enough?
A complete dry food can meet a cat's nutritional needs, but wet food adds valuable moisture that supports urinary and kidney health, since cats have a low thirst drive. Many vets suggest including some wet food or feeding a combination, and always keeping fresh water available.
Written by Hannah Reeves. Reviewed by Dr Sarah Whitfield, BVSc MRCVS.
Our guides are written from personal experience and reviewed by a qualified veterinarian for accuracy. Read our editorial policy.