The Ultimate Guide to Cat Nutrition: What Your Feline Really Needs
A practical guide to cat nutrition, high-quality protein, wet vs dry food, hydration, healthy treats, safe ingredients, and portion sizes.

WHY CAT NUTRITION MATTERS
Proper cat nutrition supports healthy weight, energy levels, digestion, coat quality, and long-term wellness. Cats are obligate carnivores and thrive on animal-based protein, moisture, and clean ingredients.

HIGH-PROTEIN CAT FOOD
The best cat food lists a clearly named animal protein as the first ingredient: chicken, turkey, salmon, or beef. Avoid corn, wheat, soy, or vague “meat by-product meals” at the top of the ingredient list.

High-protein options on Amazon:

Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Chicken Recipe
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Blue+Buffalo+Wilderness+High+Protein+Chicken+Recipe+cat+food

Purina ONE High Protein Dry Cat Food
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Purina+ONE+high+protein+dry+cat+food

Tiki Cat Grain-Free High Protein Wet Food
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Tiki+Cat+grain+free+high+protein+wet+food

Browse more high-protein cat foods:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=high+protein+cat+food

WET VS DRY FOOD
Wet food increases hydration, supports urinary health, and is easier for older cats to chew. Dry food is convenient, stores well, and can be budget-friendly. Many cats do best with a mix of both.

Popular wet cat foods:

Fancy Feast Classic Pate
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Fancy+Feast+Classic+Pate+variety+pack+cat+food

Sheba Perfect Portions
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Sheba+Perfect+Portions+wet+cat+food

Weruva Cats in the Kitchen
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Weruva+Cats+in+the+Kitchen+variety+pack

Browse wet food:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=wet+cat+food

Top dry food options:

Hill’s Science Diet Indoor Dry Food
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Hill%27s+Science+Diet+Indoor+Dry+Cat+Food

Iams Proactive Health Dry Cat Food
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Iams+Proactive+Health+Dry+Cat+Food

ORIJEN High-Protein Grain-Free Cat Food
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ORIJEN+grain+free+high+protein+cat+food

Browse dry cat food:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=dry+cat+food

HYDRATION FOR CATS
Cats naturally drink very little water. Proper hydration supports kidney function, urinary health, and overall wellness. Water fountains can encourage cats to drink more.

Popular cat water fountains:

PetSafe Drinkwell Platinum
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=PetSafe+Drinkwell+Platinum+cat+water+fountain

Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=stainless+steel+cat+water+fountain

Catit Flower Fountain
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Catit+Flower+Fountain

Browse cat water fountains:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=cat+water+fountain

VITAMINS, MINERALS, AND TAURINE
Taurine is essential for heart health, vision, and overall development. Most commercial cat foods meet AAFCO requirements, but supplements should be veterinarian-approved.

Examples of supplements:

VetriScience NuCat Multivitamin
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=VetriScience+NuCat+Multivitamin

Liquid Taurine for Cats
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=liquid+taurine+supplement+for+cats

Pet Naturals Hairball & Digestive Support
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Pet+Naturals+Hairball+digestive+support+for+cats

Browse more supplements:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=cat+vitamin+supplement

INGREDIENTS TO AVOID
Avoid cat foods with:
Corn, wheat, or soy as main ingredients
Artificial preservatives such as BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin
Vague meat by-products
Caramel coloring or dyes
Filler-heavy ingredient lists

If the label looks more like cereal than meat, keep searching.

HEALTHY CAT TREATS
Treats should make up less than 10% of daily calories. High-protein treats support healthier snacking.

Popular treat options:

TEMPTATIONS MixUps
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=TEMPTATIONS+MixUps+cat+treats

Greenies Dental Treats
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Greenies+dental+treats+for+cats

PureBites Freeze-Dried Chicken
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=PureBites+freeze+dried+chicken+cat+treat

Browse more healthy treats:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=healthy+cat+treats

PORTION SIZES
Most indoor adult cats need about 180–250 calories per day. Adjust portions based on your cat’s age, activity level, and body condition.

Helpful automatic feeders:

PETLIBRO Automatic Cat Feeder
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=PETLIBRO+automatic+cat+feeder

Voluas Automatic Pet Feeder
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Voluas+automatic+pet+feeder

WOPET Automatic Feeder
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=WOPET+automatic+cat+feeder

Browse automatic feeders:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=automatic+cat+feeder

CAT NUTRITION FAQ

Should I feed my cat wet food, dry food, or both?
Most cats benefit from a combination of wet and dry food.

How many calories should my cat eat each day?
Most indoor adult cats need between 180 and 250 calories daily.

How do I switch my cat to a new food?
Transition slowly over 7–10 days to avoid digestive upset.

FINAL TAKEAWAY
Choose foods with real animal protein, increase moisture intake, avoid filler-heavy recipes, limit treats, control portions, and consult your vet when making diet changes.
Small improvements in the food bowl can lead to big improvements in your cat’s health, comfort, and longevity.