What Goes in the Bowl Matters: Healthy Cat Food Tips Backed by Certified Nutrition Experts and WSAVA Standards

Meow, dear cat lovers!
Recently, I was chatting with a friend who’s a certified animal nutritionist—and as always when you talk to experts, you end up with a few aha moments! From that conversation, a set of simple rules emerged that I just had to share with you.

#1 Keep an Eye on the Main Ingredients

The first ingredients listed should clearly name an animal, such as chicken or rabbit—not vague terms like “poultry.”

That way, you know real meat is being used rather than anonymous animal by-products. While some by-products can be high quality, others are of very poor nutritional value.

Example: Purina Felix contains chicken or salmon, but also sugar, colorants, and binding agents—and there’s no indication that the formula was developed by certified nutrition experts. This is a product I would personally avoid.

#2 Check Who Formulated the Food

If a product doesn’t list all ingredients transparently, it’s important to check who formulated it. Ideally, this should be:

• A PhD in animal nutrition
• A board-certified veterinary nutritionist - Europe: ECVCN | USA: ACVN

Tip: A quick Google search—or even asking AI, “Who formulates this food?”—often reveals the answer right away.

#3 No Unnecessary Extras

Good cat food should be free from sugar, artificial flavorings, colorants, and unnecessary thickeners.

These ingredients offer no real benefit and can be harmful in the long run.

Protein Content Matters

To ensure your cat gets enough energy and essential nutrients, the crude protein content should be at least:

• Dry food: 30–35%
• Complete wet food: 8–10%

Easy check: just open the product page and look at the nutritional analysis.

For Overweight Cats

Feed small portions throughout the day and place food bowls in different areas of the home. This encourages movement and adds enrichment to your cat’s daily routine. Combined with fishing-rod toys, treat hunts, or food puzzle balls, your cat gets exactly the mental and physical stimulation they need.

Both the AAFP (American Association of Feline Practitioners) and FEDIAF (European Pet Food Industry Federation) emphasize that distributing small meals throughout the day promotes physical activity and mental engagement. Both organizations also advise against free feeding, as it can contribute to obesity. Multiple small meals support a healthy body weight and overall well-being.

Don’t Forget Dental Health

Foods with sauces and mousse-like textures can promote plaque buildup—so dental care should always be part of the routine.

Tip: Alternating foods—for example, offering a small portion of dry food after wet food—can help reduce plaque buildup.

Summary for Healthy Cats

• Clearly named animal protein among the first ingredients
• Or formulated by qualified nutrition experts
• Free from sugar and unnecessary binding agents
• Always check the crude protein content
• Overweight cat? Small, frequent meals + movement + distributed feeding spots
• Dental care: alternate between wet and dry food

Personal tip: I really love Almo and Schesir wet food, as well as Royal Canin or Hill’s dry food. I was genuinely surprised by the difference once I paid closer attention. Spending a little more on quality food gives me peace of mind—and often means fewer vet bills later on, many of which could have been avoided with better nutrition in the first place.

Lean muscle meat and simple recipes are also essential for maintaining a healthy weight. Cats should never be free-fed; instead, they should receive small portions spread throughout the day and night. In nature, cats hunt many small prey animals—they are solitary hunters of small game.

It’s also worth keeping in mind that a ratio of roughly 60% wet food to 40% dry food should not be exceeded. More wet food is generally beneficial and supports hydration, while too much dry food delivers significantly more calories and far less moisture.

Don’t worry—it’s not difficult at all. But it can make a huge difference to the long-term health of your cat’s organs and overall well-being.