How to Read a Cat Food Label: Ingredients, AAFCO and Marketing Claims

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 20, 20264 min read

Cat food labels are packed with claims, photos of roast chicken and phrases that sound reassuring. Some of that is meaningful, and some is marketing. Learning to read the fine print helps you pick a food that is safe, balanced and suited to your cat.

Start with the nutritional adequacy statement

Look for a sentence like: This food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO cat food nutrient profiles for growth, or for adult maintenance, or for all life stages. AAFCO, the Association of American Feed Control Officials, sets model standards, which most US states adopt.

There are two main ways a food can earn that statement:

• Formulated to meet the profiles, based on analysis of the recipe
• Animal feeding trials, where the food was fed to cats under protocol

Feeding trials are considered a stronger test, but formulated foods can be perfectly good. What matters is that the label claims completeness for the right life stage. Foods labeled for intermittent or supplemental feeding are not complete diets.

Kittens need growth or all-life-stages foods. See kitten feeding schedule.

The guaranteed analysis

This panel lists minimum crude protein and fat, and maximum fiber and moisture. These are limits, not exact figures, and they are measured on an as-fed basis, which includes water. Wet and dry foods cannot be compared directly.

To compare on a dry-matter basis:

1. Subtract the moisture percentage from 100 to get dry matter.
2. Divide the nutrient percentage by dry matter, and multiply by 100.

For example, a wet food with 78 percent moisture and 10 percent protein has 22 percent dry matter, so protein is about 45 percent of dry matter. A dry food with 10 percent moisture and 35 percent protein has about 39 percent. The wet food is actually higher in protein.

Carbohydrates are not listed. You can estimate by subtracting protein, fat, fiber, moisture and ash from 100.

The ingredient list

Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight at the time of formulation, including water. Fresh meat contains water, so it may weigh more on the list than it contributes after cooking. A meat meal, which is dried, can provide more protein than the fresh ingredient listed above it.

Points to remember:

• Look for named animal proteins, such as chicken or salmon, rather than vague terms.
• By-products can include organs and are not automatically bad, but ingredients vary in quality.
• Splitting an ingredient into parts, such as several types of pea products, can push each lower on the list.
• Fillers is not a technical term. Fiber and carbohydrates have roles, though cats need little of them.

Marketing terms

Other label items

Calorie statement. Listed as kilocalories per kilogram and per cup or can. Use it to plan portions. See how much should I feed my cat.

Feeding guidelines. A starting point only. Adjust to your cat's weight and activity.

Manufacturer contact. Responsible companies provide contact details and answer questions about testing and formulation.

Best-by date and lot number. For safety and recalls.

Questions to ask a manufacturer

• Is a veterinary nutritionist on staff?
• Who formulates the recipes?
• Does the company do feeding trials?
• Where are the ingredients sourced, and where is the food made?
• What quality control is used?
• Can you provide a full nutrient analysis?

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association has published guidelines for choosing pet food that you can ask your vet about.

Special diets

Cats with medical conditions need foods chosen by a vet. Examples include kidney, urinary, diabetic and weight management diets. See chronic kidney disease in cats and diabetes in cats. Do not switch to a different diet without advice.

Raw, homemade and boutique foods

Raw and homemade diets carry risks, including bacterial contamination and nutritional imbalance. Foods from small companies can be good, but ask for evidence of testing. If you make food at home, work with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.

A quick checklist

Before you buy, check that the label says complete and balanced for your cat's life stage, that the first ingredients are named animal proteins, that the calorie content is stated and that a phone number or address is given. Compare foods on a dry-matter basis, ignore claims that have no legal meaning and bring any questions to your vet. Buying small bags first lets you test acceptance before committing to a large one.

Choosing wisely

Picking a food is a balance between nutrition, preference, budget and your vet's advice. See wet vs dry cat food for comparing formats, and how to help an overweight cat lose weight if weight is a concern.

This article is general educational information, not veterinary advice. Every cat is different. If your cat is unwell, or you are unsure about a symptom, diet change or medication, contact your veterinarian.