A healthy diet for cats

Make sure your cat has a healthy diet

Facts

Without water to drink, a cat may become seriously ill within hours.
Cats need a well-balanced, meat-based diet to stay fit and healthy - cats cannot be vegetarians.
Cats have very specific dietary needs which typical human food does not meet, and some human foods are poisonous to cats, e.g. onions.
An individual cat’s dietary needs depend upon his/her age, lifestyle and his/her state of health.
Cats naturally eat several small meals per day.
How much a cat needs to eat depends on his/her diet, his/her bodyweight and how active he/she is.
If a cat eats more food than he/she needs, he/she will become overweight and may suffer.
Many cats will not eat if their food is placed too close to their toilet site.

Provide your cat with constant access to clean drinking water; cow’s milk is not a substitute.
Make sure your cat eats a balanced diet suitable for his/her age, health status and lifestyle.
Feed your cat every day, preferably splitting the daily ration into several small meals throughout the day (unless advised otherwise by your vet).
Read and follow the feeding instructions relating to any cat foods that you buy.
Adjust how much you feed your cat to make sure he/she does not become underweight or overweight.
If your cat’s eating and drinking habits change, talk to your vet, as your cat could be ill.
Position your cat’s food and water well away from his/her litter tray (if you provide one).