Cat health and nutrition: the complete guide to caring for them from the bowl
What your cat eats affects almost everything: its energy, coat, kidneys, weight, and how many years it will live. The basics are the same for any breed, whether a Maine Coon, a Ragdoll, or a mixed‑breed. In this guide we’ve gathered the essentials about feline feeding and health, and we provide the Nekolife articles where we dive deeper into each topic.
The cat is a strict carnivore
Unlike the dog, the cat needs animal protein no matter what. Its body doesn’t produce enough of certain nutrients that are only found in meat, such as taurine (essential for the heart and vision), pre‑formed vitamin A, and arachidonic acid. That’s why a vegetarian or homemade diet without veterinary supervision can cause serious deficiencies.
When choosing a food, make sure the first ingredient is a specific animal protein (chicken, turkey, fish) and that it says it is complete and balanced for your cat’s life stage.
Key nutrients
A complete food already provides what your cat needs, in balanced proportions. These are the ones you should know about:
- Taurine: essential for the heart and vision.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: help keep skin healthy and coat shiny.
- Vitamins and minerals: needed in the right amount; adding supplements on your own can unbalance the diet.
Dry, wet or mixed food
- Dry: practical, lasts and stores well, but provides very little water.
- Wet: has a lot of water and helps care for the kidneys and urinary tract.
- Mixed: for many cats it's the best balance between convenience and hydration.
If you change food, do it gradually over 7 to 10 days, mixing more and more of the new one each time to avoid vomiting or diarrhea.
Hydration: the cat's weak point
Cats descend from desert animals and have little thirst. If they eat only dry food, it's common that they drink less water than they need, which promotes urinary stones and kidney problems. Some ideas to get them to drink more:
- Place several water bowls away from food and the litter box.
- Try a moving water fountain.
- Add wet food to their diet.
- Change the water daily and use wide dishes that don't brush their whiskers.
Feeding by age
Kittens (up to 12 months)
They need more energy and protein to grow. Ideally it’s a diet specifically for kittens, divided into several small meals per day. We’ll walk you through it step by step in what a kitten eats.
Adults (1 to 7 years)
The goal is to maintain a stable weight. Neutered cats tend to put on weight, so it's a good idea to adjust portions to their age and activity level.
Senior (over 7 years old)
They may experience muscle mass loss, decreased appetite, or kidney issues. Regular vet check-ups help adjust their diet in time.
Ideal weight and obesity
Overweight is one of the most common problems in indoor cats and increases the risk of diabetes, osteoarthritis, and liver disease. To know if your kitty is in shape, run your hand over their ribs: you should feel them without applying pressure, and from above, a slight waistline should be visible. Measure their food instead of leaving the bowl always full, and combine feeding with active play.
Forbidden foods
Several things we eat are toxic to them: onion, garlic, chocolate, caffeine, grapes and raisins, alcohol, and xylitol. Milk is also not a good idea, because most adult cats do not digest lactose well (we explain this in can a kitten drink cow's milk?). Watch out for plants too: lilies are very dangerous for cats. Check out the full list in 10 common foods that can poison your cat.
Signs that something is wrong
Cats hide their discomfort. Consult your vet if you notice any of these changes:
- They stop eating for more than a day.
- They drink much more water than usual or urinate more.
- They strain in the litter box without result. This is an emergency, especially in males.
- They vomit frequently or have diarrhea (check out why my cat is vomiting).
- They lose or gain weight for no reason.
- They hide, seem down, or change their behavior.
Sometimes the problem is emotional rather than physical: we tell you all about it in 7 signs your cat is depressed.
Prevention: the non-negotiables
- An annual vet check-up, or every six months if they are senior.
- Up-to-date vaccines and deworming (kitten vaccine schedule and how to deworm a kitten).
- Dental care, because tartar affects their overall health.
- Spaying/neutering, which prevents diseases and unwanted litters.
This guide is informational and is not a substitute for a vet. Every cat is different: your vet is the best person to adjust their diet and care.