Cat feeding basics

Good food is one of the simplest ways to help your cat live a long, healthy life. Here are the basics, in plain English, from RSPCA Australia, Cornell University and the ASPCA.

Not vet advice. This guide is general information collected from the animal-welfare and veterinary sources listed below. Every cat is different, so please see your vet about your own cat. In an emergency, contact your nearest vet or emergency animal hospital straight away.

Cats are meat eaters

Cats are obligate carnivores. That means they rely on nutrients found only in animal products, and they can’t stay healthy on a plant-based diet the way dogs and people can (RSPCA, Cornell).

One example is taurine, which cats need for heart and eye health and can only get from food. A properly balanced cat food contains it (ASPCA). Never feed your cat dog food or puppy food, because it does not have enough taurine (RSPCA).

What to feed

Base the diet on a good-quality, complete and balanced commercial cat food that suits your cat’s life stage (kitten, adult or senior) and health (RSPCA, ASPCA).
In Australia, RSPCA advises choosing food that meets the Australian Standard for pet food (AS5812) or an equivalent standard.
A mix of wet and dry food is preferred. Wet food helps your cat take in more water, which supports a healthy urinary tract (RSPCA). Canned food is at least 75% water, while dry food is only about 6–10% (Cornell).
Store dry food in a cool, dry place, ideally in an airtight container, and don’t use it past its expiry date. Refrigerate opened cans (Cornell).

How much and how often

How much your cat needs depends on its size, age and activity. Your vet can weigh your cat, check its body condition and tell you how much to feed (RSPCA).
Adult cats prefer several small meals. RSPCA suggests offering food at least 4 to 5 times a day, which matches how cats hunt and is linked with better urinary health.
Puzzle feeders and moving the food bowl around make mealtimes more fun and may help prevent weight gain (RSPCA).
Treats should be no more than 5–10% of the diet (ASPCA).

Water, not milk

Make sure clean, fresh water is available at all times, and wash and refill the bowl daily (ASPCA, Cornell). Don’t give milk. Cats don’t have much of the enzyme that digests milk sugar, so milk and dairy can cause diarrhoea and upset tummies (RSPCA, ASPCA).

Foods to keep away from cats

Onion, garlic and chives (including onion or garlic powder in sauces or baby food). These can damage red blood cells, and cats are more sensitive than dogs (ASPCA).
Chocolate, coffee and caffeine (ASPCA).
Alcohol and raw yeast dough (ASPCA).
Cooked bones, which can splinter and cause serious internal injury (RSPCA).
Sausages, sausage meat and raw “pet meat” or “pet mince” products that may contain sulphite preservatives, which have been linked to a dangerous vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency (RSPCA).

Supplements are usually unnecessary if your cat eats a complete and balanced diet, and they can be harmful. Only give them with your vet’s approval (Cornell). Never give your cat medicine that wasn’t prescribed by a vet (ASPCA).

When to call the vet

If your cat stops eating, or has diarrhoea, vomiting or low energy that lasts more than two days, take it to the vet (ASPCA). Sooner is better if your cat seems very unwell. See our guide Signs your cat needs a vet.

Sources

Checked 28 October 2026.