Choosing tuna cat food: how to find the right meal or snack

Your cat eagerly eats a new tin of tuna cat food, then leaves it untouched. Or you buy a large multipack of cat food and discover that several flavours go uneaten. These are common situations for cat owners in the Netherlands.

When it comes to tuna cat food, there are three key pitfalls to watch out for:

• Confusing an appealing flavour with complete nutrition. A lickable treat or broth may be tasty, but that does not automatically make it suitable as a daily meal.
• Looking only for “with tuna”. Tuna may account for just 4% of the composition, for example. The product name does not always tell you how much fish it contains.
• Buying a large pack without checking the portions. A multipack may seem like good value, but small portions can be particularly useful for cats that eat several times a day.

What should you look for in tuna cat food?

1. Check whether the food is complete or complementary

For an adult cat, there is an important difference between complete cat food for adult cats and complementary food. According to the product information, complete wet food contains the nutrients intended for daily feeding within the stated guidelines. A complementary product, such as tuna cat treats or a soup, is intended as a treat, topper or extra.

Examples:

• Gourmet Gold Mousse is described in the product information as complete wet food for adult cats.
• Gourmet Mon Petit Intense consists of small 50-gram portions and is also described as complete wet food for adult cats.
• INABA Churu tuna, INABA Bisque and INABA Fun Bites are complementary products. They must not replace a meal.

For every product, check the legal product description, recommended daily amount and suitable life stage. If your cat has specific dietary needs, it is sensible to consult a vet.

2. Compare moisture content and texture

Tuna wet cat food generally contains a lot of moisture. This makes it suitable for owners looking for an extra-hydrating meal or a soft texture. However, the moisture content varies from product to product:

• INABA Bisque Cat Tuna Recipe contains 86% moisture, according to the product specification.
• INABA Churu Cat Tuna contains 91% moisture.
• INABA Fun Bites Chicken Wraps and INABA Broth Chicken with Tuna Recipe state 93% moisture.
• Gourmet Gold High Protein Canned Cat Food Tuna states 77.5% moisture.
• Sheba Sauce Lovers Tuna states 83% moisture.

A higher moisture percentage does not automatically mean that a product is suitable as a complete meal. Always check first whether it is complete or complementary food. Texture also matters: mousse is soft and smooth, while pieces in sauce or jelly offer more texture. For fussy cats, alternating between mousse, sauce and soup can help you discover what they will accept.

3. Check the tuna percentage and portion size

The words “with tuna” do not always indicate a high tuna content. Gourmet Gold High Protein Canned Cat Food Tuna, for example, states 4% tuna in the product information. Sheba Sauce Lovers Tuna also states 4% tuna. This is verifiable information from the label, but it does not mean that the product should be considered tuna-only.

According to the product specification, INABA Churu Multipack Tuna 50 pcs. contains 45% tuna. The treats also contain 91% moisture and around 6 calories per tube, according to the supplied product information. Use the recommended amount as a starting point and take into account any other food your cat receives.

Small portions are practical when your cat eats several meals a day. An 85-gram tin is easy to measure out, while 40- or 50-gram pouches are convenient as a topper or hydrating cat food. Once opened, wet food and treats should be stored in the fridge according to the packaging and used within the stated time.

Which option suits your situation?

Suitable for: Budget-conscious beginners

Gourmet Gold Mousse Tuna, Liver, Turkey & Beef Multipack

Why this suits the profile: The pack contains 8 portions of 85 grams in several varieties. This makes it easier to introduce your cat to tuna cat food without immediately buying a large quantity of one flavour.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The portions are individually packaged and the product information describes it as complete food for adult cats. However, check the exact flavour and composition on the packaging.

Main benefit & advantages

8 x 85 grams, soft mousse, different flavours and suitable for adult cats according to the product information.

Suitable for: Shoppers looking for premium quality

Gourmet Gold Mousse Wet Cat Food Tuna 24 x 85 g

Why this suits the profile: A large multipack is ideal for households that regularly feed wet food and prefer consistent 85-gram portions.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product information describes it as complete and balanced daily nutrition. Check the current labels and feeding guide before setting a fixed amount.

Main benefit & advantages

24 tins of 85 grams, soft mousse and feeding guidance of 2 to 3 tins per day for an average 4 kg adult cat, according to the product information.

Suitable for: Specific uses & frequent users

INABA Churu Multipack Tuna 50 pcs.

Why this suits the profile: Ideal for cats that do not drink much from a water bowl, enjoy small rewards or accept a topper over dry or wet food.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The label clearly states that this is complementary food. This makes it less likely that you will accidentally use the treat as a complete meal.

Main benefit & advantages

50 tubes, 91% moisture and around 6 calories per treat according to the product information; can be given by hand or used as a topper.

How to avoid waste and incorrect portions

A cat weighing around 4 kg may have different feeding recommendations for different products. Gourmet Gold, for example, recommends 2 to 3 tins per day, while Sheba Sauce Lovers states 3 portions of 85 grams per day according to the product information. Use these figures as a guide, not as a universal rule. Weight, age, activity levels and the combination with dry food all make a difference.

Also bear these practical points in mind:

• Introduce new food gradually if your cat reacts sensitively to changes.
• Serve wet food at room temperature according to the product instructions.
• Store opened tins, trays and pouches in the fridge and use them within the period stated on the label.
• Give complementary treats in moderation; INABA’s product information, for example, recommends a maximum of a few tubes per day, depending on weight and activity levels.
• Always provide fresh drinking water, even when you are giving hydrating cat food.

Frequently asked questions about tuna cat food

Is tuna cat food suitable as a daily meal?

That depends on the legal product description. Products labelled as complete food for adult cats can be used as a main food within the feeding guidelines. INABA Churu, Bisque and similar tuna cat treats are complementary food and do not replace a complete meal.

Which tuna cat food is suitable for a fussy cat?

There is no flavour that every cat will accept. A multipack containing mousse, sauce and different recipes gives you the opportunity to try small quantities. Texture is also important: some cats prefer smooth mousse, while others favour pieces in sauce or a liquid bisque.

How long does tinned cat food keep after opening?

Follow the instructions on the packaging. Many products recommend storing opened food covered in the fridge and using it within 24 to 48 hours. Discard leftovers if they have been left out of the fridge for too long or if their smell, colour or texture has noticeably changed.