Feeding Tips to Keep Your Cat Healthy

The Truth About Feeding Cats: What They Really Need, When, and How Often

Choosing the right feeding schedule for your cat can make all the difference to their health and happiness. Here’s what every cat owner should know:

Feeding Cats: Wet Food vs. Dry Food, and Why Quality Matters

Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning their bodies are designed to thrive on a diet rich in animal protein and specific nutrients found only in meat. This is a crucial point to keep in mind when choosing cat foods—especially when comparing quality.

Cats are natural grazers, so free feeding (leaving dry food out all day) can work for some—but be careful: it can also lead to overeating and weight gain, especially in indoor or less-active cats

Wet Food vs. Dry Food: What’s the Difference?

Wet Cat Food:

• Typically contains low levels of meat (normally 4%), low levels of protein and high levels of moisture (about 80-85%).
  
  
• Closer to a cat’s natural diet and helps support hydration, which is especially important because cats often don’t drink enough water.
  
  
• Highly palatable and often recommended for cats with urinary issues, older cats, or fussy eaters.
  
  

Dry Cat Food:

• More convenient, mess-free, and cost-effective by weight. However, cheaper dry foods are often cereal-based, listing ingredients like corn, wheat, or “cereals” first.
  
  
• Cats, being true carnivores, have little nutritional need for cereals or grains. Diets that rely heavily on plant-based fillers can fall short on essential amino acids (like taurine) and other nutrients cats get naturally from meat. 

Check your cat food and see for yourself, (you may need reading glasses)

Why Ingredient Quality Counts

• Animal Protein First: The best cat foods, whether wet or dry, list a named animal protein (like chicken, lamb, or salmon) as the first ingredient—not cereals, corn, or “meat and animal derivatives.”
  
• Taurine: This essential amino acid must be present in all complete cat foods, but is naturally found in meat. Diets that are light on meat and heavy on cereal risk being nutritionally inadequate without heavy supplementation.
  
  

Cheap Dry Food: Not Ideal for Carnivorous Cats

Many dry cat foods use cereals as the main ingredient to keep costs down. While this might seem budget-friendly, such formulas can:

• Provide less animal protein—contrary to a cat's biological needs.
  
  
• Require higher daily servings to provide the same nutrition, sometimes making them less cost-effective in the long run.
  
  
• Increase the risk of weight gain or digestive issues, as cats are not designed to process large amounts of carbohydrates.
  
  

The Best Approach: Meat-Based, Balanced Diet

• For optimal health, choose a cat food (wet or dry) that’s rich in animal protein, with minimal cereals or fillers.
  
  
• Feeding wet food, or a combination of wet and dry, provides extra moisture and variety, supporting better urinary health and helping prevent dehydration.
  
  
• Even on a budget, prioritise meat-based foods over the lowest-cost cereal blends. Your cat’s long-term health and wellbeing depend on it.
  
  

Need help reading food labels or picking the best option? The team at Gary’s Pet World is always available for practical, honest advice—ask in-store or browse online at petworld.ie.

Your cat relies on you to provide the right nutrition for a long, healthy life—choose wisely!

When Should I Feed My Cat?

• Consistency matters: Feed at roughly the same times each day. Many experts recommend breakfast and dinner, around your own meal times.
  
• Freshness: If feeding wet food, offer it at set mealtimes and remove leftovers after half an hour to avoid spoilage.
  
• If you’re out during the day, an automatic feeder can help stick to a routine.

How Often Should I Feed My Cat?

• Kittens (under 6 months): Feed 3–4 times per day. Their small stomachs and rapid growth need regular, small meals.
  
• Adult cats (6 months and up): Feed 2 times per day—morning and evening is ideal.
  
• Very active or underweight cats: Some cats do better with three smaller meals.
  
  

Practical tip:
 Always measure out portions as per the packaging or your vet’s advice to prevent obesity, a growing concern among pet cats.