Growing kittens can be fed around four times daily till three months of age, then three times daily till four months of age, then at least twice daily. Adult cats can be fed up to four times daily, but keep an eye on the total quantity fed. Some recent research has suggested that if cats are fed wet food, they may be less likely to hunt so prolifically. If owners are concerned about their cats preying on garden birds, they may wish to try feeding more wet food to see if this reduces the level of hunting. Is dry food better for cats’ teeth? It is not a good idea to serve a home-made diet from your own cupboards: there’s a high risk of causing dangerous nutritional deficiencies (such as taurine) or excesses (such as vitamin A) which can seriously harm your cat’s health. Log in now to compare monthly costs between Royal Canin, Purina One, James Wellbeloved, Meowing Heads and Whiskas cat food.

Food for cats in the prime of life, usually between one and seven years old, will be balanced and nutritionally complete, meeting all of an adult cat’s needs. Some manufacturers produce frozen and freeze-dried raw cat food in both complete and complementary varieties, and the PFMA states that commercially prepared raw cat food marked as ‘complete’ has been formulated to provide the nutritional balance a cat needs in its daily diet, so if you are keen to switch, this is a safer bet. In addition, we would recommend to keep your regular feeding routine, mealtimes and eating areas the same while you are transitioning your cat to their new food. Please talk with your veterinarian if you have any concerns about your cat over this transition. While it is possible to feed just dry food on its own, a mixture of dry food with occasional wet food can help ensure that a cat enjoys eating both types of food. This can be useful if a cat needs to eat wet food for medical reasons: if they are only familiar with eating dry food, they may not wish to transition onto only wet food. In general, wet food tends to have a richer odour, making it more palatable, so if you have a fussy cat, you may prefer to offer them wet food. Pet obesity is the top welfare concern for vets. According to Cats.org.uk, overweight cats are usually defined as being more than 15% over their ideal weight.Food for cats up to one year of age should have higher levels of vitamins and proteins, designed to promote healthy growth. To start the transition, introduce the new food as a low proportion of their old – we would recommend a 25% new food to 75% old food ratio - and gradually increase the new-to-old food ratio over ~7 days, until your cat has completely transitioned to the new food. Ensure to monitor your cat’s behaviour and food consumption over this period. Wet cat foods are very popular and are generally very appetising to cats. However, they are more expensive as the recommended feeding amounts are generally higher. In our member survey, 92% of cat owners said they feed a dry diet. Owners who feed their cat wet food should also monitor their pet's teeth, as wet foods tend to predispose them to dental disease. If you think your four-legged friend might be overweight, book in a visit with your local vet for advice and an action plan. How much should I feed my cat? For reasons of hygiene and safety, personal grooming products, cosmetics or items of intimate clothing cannot be returned.

Your older cat may not be able to digest their food as easily as they could when they were younger. That means they may not absorb nutrients as efficiently as before. Putting your cat on a suitable diet will help their body to deal with these changes, and should increase both the length and quality of their life. Any commercially manufactured pet food in the UK labelled 'complete' that meets PFMA (Pet Food Manufacturing Association) guidelines will contain all the nutritional requirements for your pet. Unlike dogs, who thrive on grains and vegetables in their dog food, cats are obligate carnivores: their metabolism has evolved to need some ingredients that can only be found in meat. While it is, in theory, possible to feed cats adequately from a home-made diet that includes meat, it makes more sense to use commercial cat food that has been formulated by companies who employ professional nutritional experts so that their products – labelled as “complete” – include everything your cat needs to thrive. Raw meat may seem like a more natural diet for cats, but vets have reservations about this way of feeding for two main reasons.Raw pet food has become more popular over the past few years (particularly for dogs), but experts don't generally recommend it, particularly DIY versions.

There are also a number of specialised diets available for cats with specific medical issues such as urinary tract disease, kidney disease, allergic skin disease, and others. These are usually used on the recommendation of the vet who is treating your pet. How much should I feed my cat? A month later, weigh your pet again. If they have gained weight, feed a little less, and if they have lost weight, feed a little more. As long as you are weighing them once a month, you can adjust quantities fed as needed to keep them at their optimal weight. If you are unsure about your cat’s optimal body weight, ask your local vet clinic to help you to assess their body condition. How often should I feed my cat? We know that many cats can be selective about the food they eat - and we also know that it’s important to avoid poor quality, nutritionally sparse products. It isn’t always easy to get it right. Cats need a complete and balanced diet providing protein, carbohydrate, fats, minerals, vitamins and fibre, as well as some very specific nutrients such as taurine and essential fatty acids.If your cat starts turning their nose up at the food you're giving them, that may be a sign you need to change their diet. While you want to give them something they enjoy, it’s also important that they get the right nutrients for their age. We suggest the Whiskas ® 7+ Years range, which comes in delicious fish or meaty flavours, providing everything your cat needs to stay healthy in their senior years. Despite statements on the internet suggesting that dry food may promote good dental health, there is no evidence that standard dry cat food is any better for cats’ teeth than wet food. There are some special “dental” diets that include ingredients that limit the accumulation of dental tartar in the mouth, as well as having a more abrasive, chewier formulation which does a better job of rubbing plaque away from the surface of the teeth. Don't forget to find out the best pet insurance for your cat. Also a dog owner? See the best dog food brands. How to choose the best cat food

If you're investing in your pets, we also have guides to the best vacuums for pet hair and the best dog food. Our unique survey reveals how popular cat food brands, including Iams, James Wellbeloved, Royal Canin, Purina One and Whiskas were rated by customers. We know you love to pamper your pets - so let us help you to provide them with their favourite food for less when you head in-store.Which? customer scores are based on how satisfied customers are with the brand overall, and whether or not they’d recommend it if asked. Some pets appear to be sensitive or intolerant to certain ingredients and additives and this can cause a variety of problems. Here's what animal charity PDSA suggests you look for and what to avoid when choosing the right cat food. Look for: Cheaper foods tend to include poorer quality ingredients. It can be impossible to judge this from reading the ingredients on a cat food label, since these often follow legal definitions of what needs to be written, rather than describing food items that most consumers are familiar with. Ensure you're feeding your feline the correct amount by measuring out each meal on a set of weighing scales. A few extra bits of kibble or jelly might not seem like a lot, but they can massively contribute to weight gain.