How to Choose the Right Cat Food: A Practical Guide for UK Owners

by Penny August 25, 2026

Choosing cat food can feel complicated. There are wet foods, dry foods, grain-free recipes, natural cat food, kitten diets, senior formulas and many different brands on the shelves.

The most important point is simple: your cat needs a complete, balanced food that suits their age, health and lifestyle.

This practical guide explains what to look for when choosing cat food in the UK, how to understand labels, and how to change your cat’s diet safely.

Important: Speak to your vet before making a major diet change, particularly if your cat has allergies, digestive problems, kidney disease, diabetes or another diagnosed condition.

Start with complete cat food

The word “complete” is one of the most important things to check on a cat food label.

Complete food is formulated to provide all the nutrients your cat needs when fed as their main diet.
Complementary food is not nutritionally complete. It is intended to be fed alongside a complete food, or used as an occasional extra.

Complementary products can include treats, broths, toppers and some plain meat or fish products. They may be useful for enrichment or variety, but they should not replace your cat’s main meals.

For everyday feeding, look for a clear statement such as “complete food for adult cats” or “complete food for kittens”. Guidance from the British Veterinary Association and PDSA also recommends choosing a complete diet.

Wet, dry or a mixture of both?

Both wet and dry cat food can be suitable if they are complete and appropriate for your cat. Each option has practical benefits.

Benefits of wet cat food

Wet food contains a high proportion of water, which can help increase your cat’s daily fluid intake. This is useful for cats that do not drink much from a bowl.

Wet food can also be:

Appealing for fussy eaters
Easier for some older cats to chew
Helpful when portioning individual meals
Available in a range of textures, including pâté, chunks and gravy

Once opened, wet food should be covered and stored according to the manufacturer’s instructions. It should not be left out for long periods, particularly in warm conditions.

Benefits of dry cat food

Dry food is convenient to store, simple to measure and useful for owners who need a practical feeding routine. It can also be placed in a puzzle feeder to provide gentle mental enrichment.

Dry food is more concentrated than wet food, so smaller portions may contain a similar number of calories. This also means that accurate portion control is important.

Feeding a mix

Many cats do well on a mixture of wet and dry food. For example, wet food can provide additional moisture while a measured amount of dry food offers convenience during the day.

When combining foods, do not feed the full recommended daily amount of each product. Instead, reduce the portion of each so that the combined total matches your cat’s daily calorie needs. The feeding guide on each product is a useful starting point, but your cat’s body condition and activity level should also be considered.

How to read cat food ingredients

Cats are obligate carnivores. This means they have specific nutritional needs that are naturally met through animal tissue, including nutrients such as taurine and arginine.

This does not mean every ingredient must be meat. However, animal protein should be an important part of a cat’s diet, and the label should provide clear information about the main ingredients.

Check the order of ingredients

Ingredients are generally listed in descending order by weight. Look for named animal ingredients near the beginning of the list, such as:

Chicken
Turkey
Salmon
White fish
Duck

A named ingredient gives more information than a broad description such as “meat and animal derivatives”. Animal derivatives can be safe and nutritious, but clearer labelling makes it easier to understand the recipe.

Also remember that fresh meat contains water, so the order of ingredients does not tell you the final protein percentage on its own. The analytical constituents section provides more information about protein, fat, fibre, ash and moisture.

Understand marketing terms

Front-of-pack wording can be easy to misunderstand.

“With chicken” does not necessarily mean the food is mainly chicken.
“Chicken flavour” refers to flavour rather than a specific quantity of chicken.
Pictures of meat or fish are not a substitute for reading the ingredient list.
Grain-free means the recipe does not contain grains, but it does not automatically mean the food is complete or nutritionally better.

If you are looking for grain free cat food in the UK, check that it is still labelled complete and that it contains the nutrients your cat needs. Grains are not automatically harmful to cats, and a grain-free diet is not necessary for every animal. If you suspect an intolerance, discuss testing and diet options with your vet.

Match food to your cat’s life stage

A kitten, adult cat and senior cat have different nutritional needs. Choosing the correct life-stage food helps provide suitable levels of energy, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals.

Kitten food

Kittens grow quickly during their first year. They need a complete kitten food designed to support growing bones, muscles and body systems.

Young kittens often need several small meals each day. Follow the product’s feeding instructions and keep fresh water available. If a new kitten has recently arrived, keeping them on their existing food at first can help avoid unnecessary stomach upset.

Adult cat food

Adult cats need food for maintenance rather than growth. Indoor, neutered or less active cats may need fewer calories than highly active outdoor cats.

Some adult foods are designed for:

Indoor cats
Neutered cats
Less active cats
Sensitive digestion
Weight management

A healthy adult cat can usually eat wet food, dry food or a combination, provided the total daily amount is appropriate.

Senior cat food

Cats are often considered senior from around 11 years old, although individual needs vary. Older cats may benefit from a senior recipe and should be monitored more closely.

Changes in eating, drinking, weight or toileting can indicate a health problem. Contact your vet if an older cat starts eating less, drinking more or losing weight.

Change food gradually over 5–7 days

Cats can be sensitive to changes in flavour, smell and texture. A sudden switch may cause digestive upset or lead to food refusal.

A practical 5–7-day transition is:

Days 1–2: Feed around 75% of the current food and 25% of the new food.
Days 3–4: Move to approximately 50% current food and 50% new food.
Days 5–6: Feed around 25% current food and 75% new food.
Day 7: Offer the new food as the main diet if your cat is eating comfortably.

Some cats need longer, particularly if they are fussy or have a sensitive stomach. If your cat develops repeated vomiting, diarrhoea or refuses food, slow the change and contact your vet. Never allow a cat to go without food for an extended period without veterinary advice.

Control portions and monitor weight

Overfeeding is one of the most common causes of weight gain in cats. Treats, dental chews, table scraps and food used in puzzle feeders all count towards the daily amount.

For better portion control:

Weigh dry food with digital kitchen scales.
Use the feeding guide as a starting point.
Divide the daily allowance between meals.
Adjust portions for activity, age and body condition.
Weigh your cat regularly where possible.
Reduce treats if your cat is gaining weight.

A cat that is overweight may need a gradual, vet-supported weight-loss plan. Do not simply cut food dramatically, as cats need enough nutrients each day and rapid weight loss can be dangerous.

Fresh water supports good hydration

Always provide clean, fresh water, even when feeding wet food. Some cats prefer wide, shallow ceramic bowls, while others drink more readily from a fountain.

Useful steps include:

Keep water away from the litter tray.
Try more than one water bowl around the home.
Wash bowls regularly.
Keep water separate from food if your cat prefers it that way.
Consider wet-led or mixed feeding if your cat drinks very little.

Wet food can support fluid intake, but it does not remove the need for fresh drinking water.

Cat food available from Riker’s Pet Food

At Riker’s Pet Food, we are an independent, family-run business based near Ringwood and the New Forest. We stock practical options for different budgets, preferences and life stages, including:

Arden Grange Cat Food – including adult, light and sensitive options
Burns Cat Food – simple recipes developed with a natural approach
Canagan Cat Food – selected high-meat recipes
Go Cat – accessible everyday dry food options
Cat litter – including Pettex and Pampuss options

We are happy to provide straightforward help when you are comparing natural pet food, changing brands or choosing food for a kitten, adult or senior cat. Product availability can change, so please check the relevant collection for current details.

🚚 Free local delivery with no minimum order to Ringwood, Fordingbridge, Verwood, Alderholt and Three Legged Cross.
🚚 Free 48-hour delivery on orders over £54.99 across England and Wales : excluding horse and farm feeds.

A simple cat food checklist

Before buying, check:

Is the food labelled complete?
Is it suitable for your cat’s life stage?
Are named animal ingredients listed early?
Does the food suit your cat’s health and lifestyle?
Have you checked the recommended portion?
Will your cat have constant access to fresh water?
Can you introduce it gradually over 5–7 days?
Do you need advice from your vet before making the change?

The best cat food in the UK is not necessarily the most expensive product. It is a complete, suitable food that your cat eats well, supports their nutritional needs and can be fed in the correct quantity. Reading the label carefully and monitoring your cat regularly will help you make a sensible choice.