When choosing wet cat food, avoid artificial preservatives (BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin), vague meat by-products, excessive fillers (corn, wheat, soy, potatoes, peas), chemical thickeners (carrageenan, guar gum), artificial colors/flavors, and added sugars, as these offer little nutrition and can cause health issues, opting instead for specific meats as primary ingredients and natural preservatives like mixed tocopherols for a feline-appropriate diet.
Things to absolutely avoid
Our veterinary experts choose Royal Canin's Adult Instinctive Thin Slices in Gravy as best overall because its mix of protein, fats, and carbohydrates satisfies a cat's hunger and helps with weight control. They consider it an excellent complete and balanced diet for cats 1 to 7 years old.
Key Takeaways. Some of the most toxic food for cats include onions & garlic, raw eggs & meat, chocolate, alcohol, grapes and raisins. Avoid feeding your cat table scraps, especially around the holidays, as these may contain potentially toxic ingredients.
The 25% Rule for cat food, established by AAFCO, means if a food is named something like "Chicken Dinner," "Chicken Entrée," or "Chicken Platter," the named ingredient (chicken) must make up at least 25% of the total weight (excluding water), but less than 95%. This rule indicates a significant amount of the main ingredient but less than a "Chicken Cat Food" (95%). The named ingredient must also be at least 10% of the total diet when water is included, and if multiple ingredients are listed, they must collectively meet the 25% minimum.
The top "silent killers" in cats are Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), often progressing until 75% kidney failure, and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), a heart muscle disease, both often showing few symptoms until advanced stages, along with Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) and Hepatic Lipidosis (Fatty Liver), leading to sudden illness or organ failure if undetected. Early detection through regular vet check-ups, blood tests, and monitoring for subtle changes like increased thirst/urination, weight loss, or hiding is crucial for managing these common, often hidden, feline diseases, says this article.
A report from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) demonstrated that the intake of grain-free pet food was positively correlated with DCM in dogs [6], thereby fueling concerns regarding the link between grain-free diets and heart disease.
While cats can eat tuna occasionally, there are potential health risks. Tuna is high in mercury, a toxic metal that can accumulate inside the fish itself. Mercury is dangerous for cats to consume in large amounts as it can harm their kidneys and increase the risk of kidney failure.
You should never feed your cat raw meat, fish, or bones, as they carry harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli, risk causing pancreatitis from fat, and raw fish can destroy essential thiamine. Cooked, plain meats are best, but always remove bones, as cooked bones can splinter and cause internal damage or choking hazards, making raw meat and bones a definite "never" for feline health.
Understanding foods that are digested quickly
The best wet cat food in Australia depends on your cat's needs, with top vet-recommended brands like Hill's Science Diet, Royal Canin, and Purina Pro Plan offering excellent choices, while premium options like Ziwi Peak, Applaws, and Tiki Cat are great for high protein/grain-free diets, and budget-friendly picks include Advance and supermarket brands like Felix or Dine for general feeding, but always check ingredients for meat, not just derivatives, for optimal health.
When avoiding cat food brands, focus on those using excessive fillers (corn, soy, rice), by-products, artificial colors, or ambiguous ingredients, with common ones often cited including Friskies, Fancy Feast, Purina Cat Chow, Iams, Meow Mix, and some Royal Canin/Hill's formulas, as they may lack sufficient meat protein for obligate carnivores, though some vets recommend specific therapeutic lines. Instead, look for foods with real meat as the first ingredient, minimal carbs, and no unnecessary additives, prioritizing brands with high-quality, identifiable protein sources, even if some popular brands appear on "avoid" lists.
The healthiest cat food for indoor cats balances high protein, moderate fat, and low carbs, focusing on hydration and hairball control, with top vet-recommended brands like Hill's Science Diet, Royal Canin, and Purina Pro Plan offering specific indoor formulas (dry/wet) that manage weight and digestion for less active felines. Look for options with real meat as the first ingredient, fiber for hairballs (like psyllium), prebiotics for digestion, and essential nutrients for skin/coat health, often found in both premium kibble and wet foods to boost water intake.
The number one killer of cats depends on age and lifestyle, but cancer is the leading cause of death in older cats, while Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), accidents/trauma (especially for younger cats), and diseases like kidney/heart issues are major factors, with FeLV often cited as the top infectious killer. Causes range from diseases like FeLV, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), and FIP, to organ system failures (kidney, heart), and external factors like poisons or trauma.
Before giving your cat a snack, discover common foods to avoid that can be harmful to them.
Uncooked meat and fish or raw eggs may contain harmful bacteria and parasites. Feeding raw bones should also be avoided as it increases the risk of choking or a blockage in their stomach. dairy. Most cats are lactose intolerant and consuming dairy products such as cheese can upset their stomach.
Bones can also splinter, which can result in sharp pieces that damage the mouth, throat, and organs. Chicken bones also have the potential for blocking your cat's intestinal tract, resulting in a partial or complete obstruction. Chicken bones should always be off-limits to both cats and dogs.
8 common human foods that are poisonous to cats
Some tuna now and then probably won't hurt. But a steady diet of tuna prepared for humans can lead to malnutrition because it won't have all the nutrients a cat needs. And, too much tuna can cause mercury poisoning.
Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which support a cat's shiny coat, joint health, and nervous system health. These fatty acids also have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help with arthritis and other joint issues in aging cats.
Can Cats Eat Tuna In Olive Oil? Feeding your cat tuna in olive oil is not recommended as although olive oil is not poisonous it is high in fat and may result in your cat experiencing an upset stomach with vomiting and diarrhoea.
Cooked bones are a most definite no-no, as is fish every day of the week. While cats do love a healthy serving of their swimming buddies, it's best fed as a treat every now and then. And when it is fed, tinned sardines, tuna or salmon are your best bet.
Obesity and diabetes are two major health problems that have been linked with free-feeding. Many cats graze throughout the day when food is left out, and eat more than their daily caloric requirement. This grazing habit only serves to push cats further towards health-compromising levels of obesity.
Royal Canin has a better protein to fat ratio. Feline Natural's ratio of 1.55 to 1 is too low (too fatty). (The ideal ratio is 2 to 1.) Feline Natural has slightly fewer ingredients, which is usually a good thing.
Vets generally don't recommend raw diets due to significant risks of pathogenic bacterial contamination (like Salmonella, E. coli) that harm pets and humans, the difficulty in ensuring a complete and balanced diet, and the danger of physical injuries from bones (fractures, blockages). The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) highlights these risks, noting bacteria can shed from pets and infect immunocompromised individuals, making proper hygiene crucial but challenging.