Providing your cat with a proper diet is essential to their well-being. Cats, like humans, can avoid a lot of health problems when they consume a quality diet that meets their nutritional needs. One of the most important things a cat owner can do is feed their cat a quality diet and unfortunately the majority of cat foods that are sold on the grocery store shelf simply do not make the cut.

Cats need a meat, fish or poultry based protein source; this should be the first ingredient on their pet food label. It should not be a meat byproduct, it should simply say, tuna, chicken or beef. Cats also need Taurine, which is an essential amino acid. The food that you choose should have this on the label. Other than protein and Taurine, cats need vitamins, minerals, enzymes, fatty acids and water. So, after you have established that your food has protein and Taurine, you are more looking for what your cat food should not have.

Cats don’t require the consumption of carbohydrates. So, they really shouldn’t have ingredients like corn, wheat or rice in them. That said, many companies use these ingredients and it can be difficult to find a food without them. If you buy a food with a filler ingredient like corn, wheat or rice make sure it is not listed as the first or second ingredient.

Avoid foods that use the chemical preservatives BHA and BHT. Instead, look for foods that are naturally preserved with vitamin E. Additionally, avoid foods that use carbohydrates excessively. Certain dry foods are more than 50% grain, and cats should be primarily consuming meat. Even if a food meets the standards of the AAFCO make sure it meets the needs of your cat including, protein first, Taurine, and reduced carbohydrate level.