Joybuy Insights

Choosing cat food without falling into marketing traps: how to find the right meal or snack

A pouch of cat food may seem simple to choose, but the differences between products can be significant. Is it complete cat food, a complementary snack or simply a tasty topper? And does your cat prefer sauce, jelly, mousse or pâté?

If you only look at the front of the packaging, you may end up paying for a large pack that does not suit your cat’s eating habits. Use these practical checks to compare cat food based on the product information and how you intend to use it.

Common pitfalls when choosing cat food

1. Mistaking a snack for a complete meal

Cat treats such as Churu cat treats are intended as a supplement. INABA Churu products are described as complementary pet food, so they are not a replacement for your cat’s daily main meal. According to the product information, Churu varieties contain around 91% moisture and 6 calories per tube, but the recommended amount should be adjusted to your cat’s weight, age and activity level.

2. Buying a multipack without checking the texture

A cat food multipack may seem good value, but not every cat accepts every texture. Some cats mainly lick up the sauce, while others prefer soft pieces, jelly, mousse or pâté. So check not only the flavour, but also the product format:

  • Cat food in sauce contains soft pieces with a liquid sauce.
  • Cat food in jelly has a firmer texture surrounding the pieces.
  • Cat mousse is smooth and homogeneous.
  • Cat pâté is compact and spreadable.

A multipack containing several flavours is useful for discovering your cat’s preferences, but start with a small pack if your cat is fussy.

3. Interpreting “with chicken” or “with fish” too broadly

The flavour name on the front does not always tell you how much of the named ingredient is present. Check the composition on the label. Some products, for example, list 4% of the named animal species. This means that cat food with chicken, cat food with fish or cat food with beef does not automatically consist solely of that protein source.

Also look out for possible allergies or sensitivities. If in doubt, check the full ingredients list and ask your vet for advice.

The most important specifications to compare

1. Life stage and nutritional status

First choose between kitten food and cat food for adult cats. Kittens have different nutritional needs from adult cats. Whiskas Junior Classic Selection, for example, is described as complete wet food for kittens, with portion recommendations for different ages. G’woon Chunks in Jelly Fish and Meat Variation Junior is also intended for kittens.

Products such as Felix Every Day Feast, Gourmet Perle and Gourmet Mon Petit are described as complete food for adult cats. Always check the packaging, as the nutritional status and life stage determine how the product fits into your cat’s daily feeding routine.

The difference between:

  • Complete food: intended as a daily main food, following the feeding guide.
  • Complementary food: intended as a snack, topper or extra alongside complete food.

2. Ingredients and analytical constituents

Compare the ingredients list with the analytical information. Important values include moisture, protein, fat, crude fibre and ash. A high moisture content is typical of many wet foods, but according to information provided by the brands themselves, this mainly supports fluid intake; it is not a replacement for fresh drinking water.

INABA Churu Tuna & Chicken, for example, lists 91% moisture, 10% crude protein and 0.5% crude fat. Felix wet food in jelly lists 82% moisture and 11.5% protein. These values can only be compared properly when you also consider the portion size and preparation method.

3. Portion size, packaging and storage

An 85-gram pack is practical for one meal or part of one. Small 50-gram pouches, such as Gourmet Mon Petit, are suitable for cats that are fed several small portions. They can also help reduce food waste when your cat eats only a little at a time.

A large tin, such as G’woon Chicken & Turkey in Jelly 405 g, can be convenient for households with several cats. Once opened, any remaining food should be refrigerated according to the product information and used within the stated time limit.

Also check:

  • the best-before date on the packaging;
  • the recommended daily amount;
  • whether leftovers need to be refrigerated;
  • whether the food should be served at room temperature;
  • the total price per 100 grams, rather than just the price of the pack.

Our recommendations for different types of cat owner

Suitable for: Budget-conscious beginners
Felix Every Day Feast Mix Selection in Jelly 12 x 85g

Felix Every Day Feast Mix Selection in Jelly 12 x 85g

Why it suits this profile: The 85-gram portion pouches and variety of flavours make it easy to try different types of cat food in jelly.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The packaging makes portion sizes clear, and the product information clearly states that it is complete food for adult cats.

Main benefit & key advantages

12 pouches of 85 grams, a jelly texture and varieties including chicken, beef, tuna and salmon.

Suitable for: Shoppers looking for premium quality
Gourmet Perle Mini Fillets Mix Turkey & Tuna Multipack 12x85g

Gourmet Perle Mini Fillets Mix Turkey & Tuna Multipack 12x85g

Why it suits this profile: Ideal for cats that prefer delicate pieces with sauce rather than a smooth mousse or firm pâté.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product description identifies the format as mini fillets in sauce and states that it is complete food for adult cats.

Main benefit & key advantages

12 portions of 85 grams, flavours with turkey and tuna, plus a clearly described sauce texture.

Suitable for: Specialised use & frequent users
INABA Churu Multipack Tuna & Chicken 50 pcs.

INABA Churu Multipack Tuna & Chicken 50 pcs.

Why it suits this profile: Useful for interactive rewards, as a topper over wet or dry food, and for cats that enjoy liquid snacks.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The packaging clearly states that it is complementary food and not a replacement for a complete meal.

Main benefit & key advantages

50 tubes of 12 grams, 91% moisture according to the product specification and 6 calories per treat according to the product information.

Suitable for: Households with a kitten
Whiskas Junior Classic Selection In Sauce Pouches Multipack 12×85g

Whiskas Junior Classic Selection In Sauce Pouches Multipack 12×85g

Why it suits this profile: The age indication and feeding guidelines are designed for kittens, with portions for each stage of growth.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product is not intended as general food for adult cats, but is specifically identified as complete wet food for kittens.

Main benefit & key advantages

12 pouches of 85 grams, soft pieces in sauce and varieties with beef, chicken, lamb and poultry.

Looking for more options?

We have put together a complete, up-to-date list of products that fully meet these strict selection criteria and the applicable European safety regulations.

Frequently asked questions about cat food

Which cat food is suitable for an adult cat?

Choose a product labelled complete food for adult cats. Also check the daily feeding guide and adjust the amount to your cat’s weight, activity level and body condition. A snack or complementary soup should not replace the complete main meal.

Is wet food in sauce or jelly better for my cat?

Sauce and jelly are mainly differences in texture and composition. Your cat’s preference, the nutritional status and the portion size are more important than the name of the texture. If in doubt, try a small pack before buying a large cat food multipack.

How long does opened cat food keep?

Always follow the label. Many opened pouches, tins and trays need to be refrigerated and used within 24 to 48 hours. Place leftovers in a covered container in the fridge and serve them at room temperature according to the instructions. Discarding food if its smell, colour or texture has changed is a sensible precaution.