What do cats eat? In short, cats live on meat. The cat is an obligate carnivore, which means that it does not merely prefer animal-based food but is physiologically dependent on it. Where humans and dogs can obtain much of their energy from plants, the cat obtains its protein, its fats and a range of vital nutrients from prey animals. This is what determines how a cat's meals should be composed: with plenty of animal protein as the foundation and only secondary amounts of everything else. Once you understand that principle, you understand by far the most of what belongs in a cat's bowl.
Why cats depend on animal protein
The cat's body has been shaped over thousands of generations as a hunter. In nature it catches small prey such as mice, birds and insects, and this provides a meal that consists almost entirely of meat, organs, bones and a modest amount of plant material from the prey's stomach. The cat is therefore designed to burn protein and fat efficiently and to get by on very little carbohydrate. It needs certain substances that it can only obtain from animal tissue, including the amino acid taurine, which is necessary for the heart, vision and reproduction. If a cat gets too little animal protein over time, it harms its health in ways that cannot be solved with a plant-based diet. This is at the core of why a cat's meal must always be built around exquisite, animal-based ingredients.
What goes into a well-considered cat meal?
A good meal for a cat reflects the cat's natural diet without being a raw mouse. The foundation is animal protein from meat and fish, supplemented with the right fats, vitamins and minerals so the profile becomes complete and balanced. At ESSENTIAL FOODS, our cat meals are composed with exactly that in mind: fresh ingredients and human-grade components, prepared so that taste and nutrition go hand in hand. In cat meals you will find both dry meals and PÂTÉ, and they can advantageously be combined so the cat gets variation in both taste and texture. PÂTÉ also adds moisture, which is an advantage for cats that do not drink much on their own. If you want to explore the succulent meals on their own, you can take a closer look at our cat pâté.
Our cat meals bear names such as THE LITTLE LION, THE JAGUAR and THE PANTHER, and they are created with different nutritional profiles and flavour impressions, so you can choose the one that suits your particular cat. It is not about choosing between higher or lower quality, because all the meals are premium. It is about matching the cat's preferences, taste and needs. If you are unsure where to begin, a trial meal for cats can be a good and non-committal way to let the cat itself show what it takes a liking to.
Do dietary needs change throughout a cat's life?
Yes, and the differences are real. A kitten grows quickly and needs a meal with a higher energy density and a nutritional content that supports the building of muscles, bones and a strong immune system. Here meals created for the finest beginning are suitable, and you will find them gathered under meals for kittens. The adult cat, on the other hand, needs a meal that maintains a healthy body weight and keeps energy stable through an active daily life, which you will find in meals for adult cats.
When the cat reaches its senior years, its metabolism and appetite often change, and the meal should follow suit so that it is still easy to absorb and appeals to a cat that may eat less at a time. For that life stage we have gathered meals for senior cats. A sterilised or neutered cat typically has a lower energy requirement and a tendency to gain weight more easily, and therefore meals adapted to that make good sense, which you will find under meals for sterilised cats. Matching the meal to the cat's life stage is one of the most concrete things you can do for its daily wellbeing.
How much and how often should a cat eat?
Cats are by nature grazers that like to spread their food over many small meals throughout the day. Many cats thrive on two or more fixed feedings a day, possibly supplemented with access to a measured portion they can visit themselves. The precise amount depends on the cat's weight, age, activity level and whether it is sterilised. Always follow the feeding guidelines on the meal you use as a starting point, and then adjust according to how the cat maintains its weight. Fresh water should always be available, and especially cats that primarily eat dry meals benefit from having it supplemented with PÂTÉ to get more moisture in. If you are in doubt about amounts or composition, ESSENTIAL FOODS' nutritional advisors are ready by phone, chat or email and can help you get it right for your particular cat.
What must cats not eat?
Although cats are curious and like to sniff at what we ourselves eat, a number of common foods are decidedly unsuitable or directly harmful to them. This includes chocolate, onion, garlic and chives, grapes and raisins, as well as alcohol and caffeine. Raw dough with yeast, very salty food and foods sweetened with artificial sweetener also do not belong in a cat's bowl. Many cats also do not tolerate cow's milk well, even though the image of the cat with a bowl of milk is deeply embedded in our imagination, and milk may cause stomach upset rather than benefit. If the cat gets hold of something it should not have, or shows signs of not being well, it is the vet you should contact. The best protection in everyday life is to stick to meals and treats made for cats. If the cat is to be pampered, you can do so with treats for cats that are composed with the cat's physiology in mind rather than leftovers from the dinner table.
What does grain-free mean for a cat's meal?
Because the cat has only a limited need for carbohydrates, it makes good sense to keep the proportion of grain low in its diet. For cats with sensitive digestion or particular dietary needs, a grain-free meal may be the one that suits best. It is important to understand, however, that grain-free is not in itself the same as a high content of animal-based ingredients, and that it does not automatically make a meal better. What matters is the overall composition and the quality of the ingredients. If you have a cat where you wish to focus on exactly that, you can browse our grain-free selection. If, on the other hand, there are persistent stomach problems or a suspicion of an actual food allergy, that belongs with a vet who can assess your cat specifically.
Knowing what cats eat ultimately comes down to respecting that the cat is a born carnivore. If you build its everyday life around high-quality animal protein, match the meal to its life stage and keep the harmful foods far away, you have laid the foundation for a long and healthy cat life. The rest is variation, taste and the small adjustments that make your particular cat go to the bowl with appetite day after day. If you want to explore the full palette of meals, flavours and profiles, you will find it all gathered in our selection for cats.