The basic nutritional requirements for cats includes protein from meat, fish, or poultry, taurine (which is an essential amino acid), dietary fat, a variety of vitamins and minerals, and water. Carbohydrates are added as fillers in cat foods, but cats really do not need these. It is best to feed kittens up to one year of age 3 times a day. Adult cats can be fed once or twice each day.
Whether you choose to feed your cat canned or dry food is really up to you. Dry food is less expensive and can be left out for your cat to eat as he wishes. If you do feed your cat dry food, be sure to provide him with plenty of fresh water. Canned cat food contains 70 to 80 percent water, so your cat would not have to drink as frequently. Some people prefer to feed their cat a combination of canned and dry food, which is ok to do. In fact, if your cat is a finicky eater, feeding a combination of foods can prevent him from becoming obsessed with one type of food.
Inexpensive Brand Cat Food
When selecting cat food, cheap is not the way to go. Inexpensive brands of cat food contain more filler and less nutrition, which could leave your cat getting hungry again sooner (and thus eating more).
Read the Label
Read the labels of the various brands of cat foods. You will want to select a brand that says "complete and balanced", which means it is in compliance with the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) requirements. You will also want to make sure the protein source is named and does not just say "meat" (this should be listed as the first ingredient). Avoid foods that use the words "by-products" or "digest" on the label. Also avoid foods that contain BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin, and propyl gallate, or corn meal.
Types of Cat Food
There are three types of cat food: grocery brand, premium, and healthy. Generally, grocery store brands contain excess fillers and not the nutrition your cat needs. Premium brands are sold in grocery stores and are more nutritious than grocery brand, but still may include artificial colors & flavors and chemical preservatives. Healthy brands are the healthiest cat foods and contain the best ingredients without the artificial colors & flavors and chemical preservatives.
If your cat has certain medical conditions or is over or under weight, you should consult with your veterinarian about which food is best. Your veterinarian can recommend foods that meet your cat's special needs, or may even prescribe a special food only available through the veterinarian.