Joybuy Insights

How to Choose the Right Cat Food: A Practical Buying Guide

Choosing the right cat food can quickly become overwhelming. Between marketing promises and tempting packaging, the pet food aisle can leave anyone feeling perplexed. As a product expert at Joybuy, my mission is to help you decode the labels and make the best choice for your companion, avoiding the pitfalls that are tough on both your wallet and their health.

The 3 Pitfalls to Avoid in the Cat Food Aisle

Navigating the jungle of feline nutrition can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. Here are the most common mistakes and our advice on how to avoid falling for them.

1. The Illusion of "Gourmet" and "Feast" Labels

Colourful packaging with beautiful photos of meat chunks is designed to appeal to you, the owner. Your cat, however, doesn't read the label. Behind these "gourmet" products, you'll often find a vague composition where "meats and animal by-products" top the list, without any specifics on their nature or quality. As for the actual percentage of the star meat (chicken, salmon, etc.), it can be minuscule.

2. "Grain-Free" Is a Marketing Buzzword First and Foremost

A grain-free cat food is often presented as the gold standard. While it can be a good option for cats with sensitive digestion, it's not an absolute guarantee of quality. Some manufacturers simply replace grains with a heavy dose of starch (from potatoes, peas, etc.), which offers little nutritional value. What truly matters is the quality and quantity of animal proteins.

3. Confusing Complete Food with Complementary Food

It's a classic mistake: serving your cat treats or a p?té labelled "complementary food" as if it were their main meal. However, a complementary food, such as a liquid cat snack, is not formulated to cover all their nutritional needs. In the long run, this diet can lead to significant deficiencies.

The Real Criteria for Choosing the Right Food

To stop making mistakes, let's get back to basics: the facts, and nothing but the facts, printed on the label.

Decoding the Ingredient List

The golden rule is simple: ingredients are always listed in descending order by weight. A quality food must therefore list a clear and specific source of animal protein at the top.

  • Look for: "Fresh chicken (30%)", "Salmon (25%)". These terms guarantee a quality raw material.
  • Be wary of: "Meats and animal by-products". This vague wording can hide low-nutritional-value parts (carcasses, beaks, feathers, etc.).

Kibble, P?té, or Both?? The Right Texture for Your Cat

The choice between wet food and kibble depends on your cat's preferences, as well as your daily routine.

  • Kibble: Convenient to store and portion, it helps promote good oral hygiene by limiting tartar build-up. There are specific formulas, like kibble for sterilised cats, adapted to their lower energy needs.
  • Wet food (p?té, mousse, shreds): Highly palatable, it is above all very rich in water (about 80%). This is a major asset for hydrating cats, who are known to be poor drinkers, and therefore for the health of their urinary system.
  • Mixed feeding: Combining both is often the ideal compromise, as it brings together the advantages of each format.

The Role of Treats: A Pleasure to Be Given in Moderation

Whether crunchy or liquid, treats are complementary foods, not meals. They are perfect for training, play, or simply strengthening your bond. Brands like Whiskas or Vitakraft offer many options, but these should remain an occasional pleasure so as not to unbalance their diet.

Our Recommended Product Selection

Here are a few options that meet different profiles and needs, based on the criteria we've just discussed.

IDEAL FOR : STERILISED CATS
WHISKAS dry food for sterilised cats with chicken 1.4kg

WHISKAS Dry Food with Chicken for Sterilised Cats 1.4 kg

Why it's a match: This 1.4 kg bag offers excellent value for money for daily feeding. The recipe is specifically designed for sterilised adult cats—a very common profile—by helping with weight management and maintaining a healthy urinary system.

How it avoids the pitfall

It is clearly labelled as a complete food, which removes any ambiguity. The formula for sterilised cats meets a specific need with controlled calorie intake, without getting lost in vague marketing promises.

Key advantage

A dual texture (kibbles with a soft filling and a crunchy exterior) that stimulates appetite, and a composition enriched with minerals for urinary health.

IDEAL FOR : FANS OF NATURAL INGREDIENTS
EDGARD & Cooper grain-free p?té variety pack for cats

EDGARD & Cooper Grain-Free P?té - Variety Pack (8 x 85 g)

Why it's a match: The perfect choice for owners who scrutinise labels. This variety pack offers recipes rich in fresh meat, grain-free, with a short and understandable ingredient list.

How it avoids the pitfall

It avoids the superficial "grain-free" trap by focusing on a high fresh meat content (up to 59% in the chicken recipe) rather than cheap vegetable substitutes. The composition is completely transparent.

Key advantage

A recipe rich in high-quality proteins, with no meat meal, and slow-cooked to preserve nutrients. The variety pack is ideal for adding diversity and satisfying the most discerning palates.

IDEAL FOR : ADDING VARIETY AND STRENGTHENING YOUR BOND
VITAKRAFT Liquid Snack with duck for cats

VITAKRAFT Liquid Snack Duck & Beta-Glucans

Why it's a match: This liquid cat snack is the perfect bonding treat. You can give it directly from the sachet, on your finger, or as a topper on kibble to entice a picky eater.

How it avoids the pitfall

Its status as a complementary food is clearly indicated. Its low-calorie formula allows you to treat your cat without the risk of weight gain, provided it's given sparingly.

Key advantage

A liquid texture that cats love and an individual sachet format for maximum freshness. The recipe is enriched with beta-glucans to help support the immune system.

Looking for more options ?

For the pickiest cats or simply to vary the menu, discover our complete selection of products that meet our quality criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much food should I give my cat each day??

The amount depends on many factors: their weight, age, activity level (indoor or outdoor cat), and whether they are sterilised. Follow the recommendations on the packaging as a good starting point. Then, adjust the portion if you notice any weight gain or loss. If in doubt, always ask your veterinarian for advice.

How do I successfully transition to a new food??

To avoid digestive issues, a food transition should always be done gradually. Over a period of 7 to 10 days, mix a growing portion of the new food with the old one.

  • Days 1-3: 75% old food, 25% new.
  • Days 4-6: 50% old, 50% new.
  • Days 7-9: 25% old, 75% new.
  • Day 10: 100% new food.

Is wet food really necessary if my cat drinks water??

Yes, and it's even highly recommended. Cats are descendants of desert animals and have a naturally low thirst drive. Wet cat food contains about 80% water, which is a major contributor to their daily hydration and helps maintain the health of their kidneys and urinary system.