Cat Food and Products

As a cat owner, what you feed your fluffball is a matter of pride and critical importance. Only the best you can afford will do if all things are equal. Sometimes, this is all good and well.

But sometimes, the question of cat food comes with a few extra complications. Not all cat food is the same. You would not feed a young kitten the same food you would an adult or senior cat. From time to time, you may need to alter your cat’s diet to accommodate a temporary illness or condition.

So, where to begin? This may seem like an impossible task now. But my comprehensive cat feeding guides will have you singing all the way to the pet store.

From tasty wet treats to decadent dry morsels, here’s a quick breakdown of what to consider when buying your pampered purrer their Michelin Star meals.
A Few Quick Notes About Cats and Food
Before we explore pet food for cats in-depth, it might be useful to debunk a few myths and introduce a few facts.

Cats are generally lactose intolerant. This means that contrary to popular belief, once cats are weaned off their mother’s milk, they cannot drink it.
Cats generally require a high protein, animal-based meat diet because they are carnivores.
Wet cat food contains additional water content, which is good for cats.
You can easily source and buy cat food online. This is often where you’ll find the best cat food prices.

Bear in mind that in most situations, a good, balanced diet involves well-formulated pet food. Human food isn’t an ideal substitute, so try following a wet/dry food combo as often as possible. When tending to sick pets, take the vet’s advice wherever possible.

There’s some great advice in all the articles listed below (though when it comes to the price of cat food choices, the ball’s in your court). All are designed to provide you with the best information about which food to choose based on your cat’s age and situation.
Best Food for Kittens
Just like human babies, kittens need a balanced diet to ensure they are perfectly supplied with nutrients for that growing phase. To make things a little more complicated, this might even alter according to breed or any potential medical condition.

Generally, though, cat foods come in two basic varieties once a cat is weaned from its mother’s milk.

Dry food for kittens is usually a scientific formulation of small pellets. These are smaller pellets than those fed to adult cats. The combination of vitamins and minerals will also be different than for adults.

It’s also possible that these pellets will be smaller and lighter, helping them to break down the food.

A young kitten may still be transitioning from wet to solid pet food. So immediately going to hard, dry food may be a problem. Wet, chewy, protein-based cat food can preserve your kitty’s baby teeth a little longer.

When it comes to wet food for kittens, remember that some foods do not agree with the tiny furballs. For example, reports of chicken being more likely to cause bad reactions in some cats play a part in that.
What About Wet Food and Dry Food for Older Cats?
As cats grow, they will require a changing combination of nutrients. The best wet and dry cat food options contain protein, vitamins, and good moisture levels. Yes, cats get some degree of hydration from their food as well.

When a cat is underweight or requires bulkier food, adjusting to a high-calorie cat food option may be just the ticket. This normally occurs in older cats, especially seniors, as their activity level, general health, and appetite wind down.
Low Protein Cat Food
Cats with particular conditions may need certain vitamin and protein balance variations based on a vet’s recommendation. Sometimes, this involves a low-protein variation (counter to the expected) that contains more fiber.

High-fiber, low-protein cat food is usually prescribed for cats with liver or kidney disease.
Food to Remedy Ailments
Cats sometimes need to adapt their diet to address specific problems, illnesses, or ailments. For example, a cat struggling with digestive issues may need a high-fiber diet. Vets may prescribe this to address several issues.
Cat Food for Constipation
The special diet may get even more specific. For example, cats struggling with constipation will need special cat food for constipation, depending on the cause. This can be a hernia, kidney issues, or even over-grooming! Yes, hair can clog a cat’s digestive tract.

As a side note, you should occasionally make sure your cat is passing waste properly. While they love to be private about such matters, it pays to keep an eye on things in this regard, so to speak.
Cat Food for IBD
Related to bowel issues, cats may also suffer from IBD (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). In these cases, a gentler food option to treat IBD will be welcome.
Cat Food for Vomiting Cats
Vomiting isn’t that unusual in cats. From time to time, many cats will engage in the activity to self-remedy an upset stomach or something that disagrees with them. That said, if a cat is having a prolonged bout of upset tummy, there could be something that needs a vet visit.

Older cats, especially, tend to suffer from various ailments that might cause them to puke. Part of the remedy, usually, is a more particular food and diet selection, whether prescribed by a vet or simply as a matter of ongoing home care.

For a complete list of the possible causes and potential food choices to combat them, read my guide on the best food for vomiting older cats.
Names for Your Cat That Involve Food
Now for a bit of fun. One of the fun things we do with your pets is name them. Since I’m talking about food, it’s worth a momentary diversion to consider a few foods as names for your kitties.

After all, if Garfield were named differently, wouldn’t Lasagna fit perfectly? Consider this list of cat food names for your next adoptee.