Article produced in partnership with E. Leclerc
We tend to forget it, but the cat is not a small omnivore. It is a strict carnivore, with very specific needs.
Its body essentially needs proteins and fats of animal origin. That is the foundation of its diet. Unlike dogs, it also depends on a particular amino acid, taurine, which it can only obtain in sufficient quantities from animal tissues.
Its dry food should therefore ideally be close to the composition of a prey animal: rich in animal proteins, moderate in fats, and low in starch.
In reality, some commercial kibbles still deviate from this. How can you read the labels to make the best choice of cat kibble?
1. Sufficient protein… but above all, high quality
The European recommendations set a minimum of about 25% protein. In practice, this is not enough. For a cat, you should aim for 35% or more, with the majority of proteins coming from animal sources.
You should also look, whenever possible, at two indicators that reflect the quality of the protein used:
- the PPR (protein‑phosphorus ratio)
- the PCR (protein‑calorie ratio), which should be higher than 87 for a neutered cat (and even 100 for the most sedentary ones)
2. Balanced minerals to protect the kidneys
They should not be overlooked and are crucial for the kidney health of cats, which is often fragile. I recommend paying attention to the following criteria:
- the crude ash: ideally < 9%
- the phosphorus: between 0.7% and 1.1%
- the calcium: around 1%
- a calcium/phosphorus ratio: higher than 1
An excess of phosphorus, for example, turns out to be a risk factor for cats’ kidneys.
3. Carbohydrates and fats: pay attention to the amounts
Cats have no nutritional requirement for carbohydrates. Their presence should therefore be limited (ideally around 20–25%).
As for fats, a level between 9 and 12% is ideal, especially for neutered cats.
Be wary of the trend for “grain-free” kibble in recent years. They are not necessarily better suited: cereals are often replaced by legumes, which are also high in starch and irritating to the digestive system.
4. Fiber and energy intake: adapt it for a neutered cat
Neutering changes things: energy requirements decrease, but the appetite often remains the same.
To prevent your cat from being hungry all the time, make sure the kibble contains enough fiber (8–9%) along with a reduced level of carbohydrates and fats.
5. How to read the ingredient list: best practices
Even before looking at the percentages, I recommend getting into the habit of reading the list of ingredients.
Ingredients are listed in order of weight before cooking. The first one should therefore be a clearly identified source of animal protein (chicken, salmon, turkey, etc.).
But beware of the term “fresh meat”: rich in water, it may appear at the top of the list but, after cooking, provide less protein than a more concentrated dehydrated meat.
Conversely, certain warning signs should alert you:
- cereals or legumes at the top of the list,
- vague mentions such as “animal by‑products”, often of poor quality,
- a high proportion of plant proteins.
My simple rule of thumb? The shorter and more precise the list, the better the quality of the food usually is.
Scientific references
- FEDIAF. (2021). Nutritional Guidelines for Complete and Complementary Pet Food for Cats and Dogs (pp. 1–98).
