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Choosing cat food and cat treats: a practical guide for every cat

Choosing the right cat food and cat treats may seem straightforward, but packaging often contains more marketing than useful information. A glossy coat, healthy urinary tract or fewer hairballs may sound appealing, but that does not automatically mean a product is right for your cat.

Pay particular attention to these three common pitfalls:

  • Confusing a treat with a complete meal. A complementary product does not necessarily contain all the nutrients a cat needs every day.
  • Overestimating a prominent ingredient name. “With chicken” or “with salmon” does not mean that the product is mainly made from chicken or fish. Check the percentage in the ingredients list.
  • Treating a functional claim as a treatment. Urinary cat food, cat treats for hairballs and dental care products for cats may have specific properties, but they do not replace veterinary advice when your cat has symptoms.

Check these three product features first

1. Complete food or complementary food?

The label will state whether the product is complete pet food or complementary pet food. Complete food is intended as a daily staple. A complementary product, such as a lickable treat or cat treats, should be given alongside a normal meal.

For example, the INABA Churu Cat Skin & Coat Multipack is a complementary cat treat. The packaging recommends 1 to 3 sticks per day and advises keeping treats below 10% of the daily calorie intake. So do not give this treat as a replacement for dry cat food or wet cat food.

2. Age, lifestyle and body condition

Kitten food is formulated for growth, while cat food for adult cats has a different nutritional balance. For cats aged 7 and over, senior cat food may be a practical choice. An indoor cat generally has a different activity level from an outdoor cat. After sterilisation or neutering, you may need to monitor portions and energy density more carefully.

So do not look only at the flavour, but also at:

  • the recommended amount per body weight;
  • the protein and fat content;
  • the age category;
  • your cat’s activity level and body condition;
  • how it fits with any wet food.

With dry cat food, weighing portions is important. A small extra amount each day can make a noticeable difference over time.

3. Moisture content and specific features

Wet cat food generally contains considerably more moisture than kibble. According to the product specifications, the INABA lickable treat contains 86% moisture, but it remains a complementary treat. Purina One Hydralife is also complementary wet food which, according to the product description, is intended to support fluid intake.

Grain-free cat food is not automatically suitable for every sensitive cat. Always check the full ingredients list and switch over gradually. The same applies to urinary cat food: the product specifications may describe an adjusted mineral balance or support for the urinary tract, but symptoms such as straining, blood in the urine or frequently passing small amounts of urine require veterinary attention.

Product choices for different types of cat owner

Suitable for: Budget-conscious beginners
g'woon Adult Cat Bites with Fish 2kg

g'woon Adult Cat Bites with Fish 2kg

Why it suits this profile: A 2 kg bag is practical for households that give an adult cat dry food every day and want to keep the cost per portion easy to manage.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product specification identifies it as dry food for adult cats. However, check the portion table and ingredients, as it contains cereals and fish derivatives.

Main benefit & advantages

Complete dry food, 2 kg contents and a fish variety.

Suitable for: Shoppers looking for premium quality
INABA Churu Cat Skin & Coat Multipack 2 Chicken Varieties 20 pcs.

INABA Churu Cat Skin & Coat Multipack 2 Chicken Varieties 20 pcs.

Why it suits this profile: Ideal for cat owners looking for a soft treat to use as a reward, during bonding time or as a topper for kibble.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The label clearly states that this is complementary food. The treat contains 30% chicken, is grain-free and contains 86% moisture; these features do not make it a complete meal.

Main benefit & advantages

20 sticks weighing 14 g each, a soft texture, fish oil and vitamin E according to the product composition.

Suitable for: Specific use & intensive users
Purina One Sterilcat Beef & Grain Formula Sterilized Adult Cat Food 800g

Purina One Sterilcat Beef & Grain Formula Sterilized Adult Cat Food 800g

Why it suits this profile: Designed for sterilised or neutered adult cats whose portion control and tailored daily nutrition need particular attention.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The packaging provides separate feeding guidelines for each weight category. Claims about metabolism and the urinary tract come from the brand’s product description and are not medical treatments.

Main benefit & advantages

37% crude protein, 13% fat and stated portion guidelines for sterilised adult cats.

Suitable for: Families with a kitten
Iams cat kitten ocean fish 3kg

Iams cat kitten ocean fish 3kg

Why it suits this profile: This kitten formula is designed for the growth stage and comes in a 3 kg pack, making it convenient for a household with daily feeding needs.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product description explicitly identifies it as kitten food and mentions DHA, taurine, minerals and vitamin D, among other nutrients. Check the current packaging for complete nutritional information.

Main benefit & advantages

Dry food for kittens, an ocean fish variety and 3 kg contents.

Treats for hairballs and dental care

Cat treats for hairballs often contain fibre. G'woon Cat Treats Anti-hairball, for example, lists 4% crude fibre and recommends giving around 5 to 10 treats per day, depending on your cat’s weight. This is complementary food; adjust the main meal as needed and make sure fresh water is always available.

For dental care, cats can benefit from crunchy treats with a specially designed texture. According to their brand descriptions, Purina Dentalife Denta Care Snacks Salmon and Whiskas Dental Treats Chicken Flavor make claims about reducing tartar. However, “according to the brand’s own research” does not mean that every dental problem will be solved by these products. Have your cat’s teeth checked if they are in pain, eating poorly or developing strong bad breath.

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 and cat treats

Is wet cat food better than dry food?

Not necessarily. Wet food generally contains more moisture, while dry food is easy to portion and store. A combination can be practical, provided the total daily amount is appropriate for your cat’s weight and activity level.

How many cat treats can a cat have per day?

Always follow the advice on the packaging. As a general guideline, treats should provide no more than around 10% of your cat’s daily calorie intake in total. Give fewer treats if your cat gets little exercise or is already receiving additional food.

When should you choose senior cat food or urinary cat food?

Senior cat food is intended for a particular age category, such as 7 years and over for some formulas. Urinary cat food is intended for adult cats with specific nutritional needs according to the product description. If your cat has urinary symptoms, loses weight or experiences ongoing digestive problems, it is wise to consult a vet.