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CAT HEALTH

Feeding your cat well: nutrients, taurine and water

Cats are obligate carnivores that need taurine and animal nutrients. Feed a complete and balanced food, give fresh water, and avoid rice-and-fish-only diets.

PanduanHewan editorial teamUpdated Editorial standards
About this guideCompiled from the listed veterinary and health organisations’ guidance; not yet reviewed by a veterinarian.
General information for owners, not a substitute for examination, diagnosis or treatment by a veterinarian. If your animal seems very unwell, in pain, struggling to breathe or may have been poisoned, contact a vet immediately.

Quick answer

Key points

  • Cats are obligate carnivores, so their food must contain protein and nutrients from animals, including taurine.
  • Choose a cat food whose label says it is complete and balanced for your cat's life stage.
  • A diet of only rice and fish, or of human leftovers, can leave a cat short of calcium, vitamins and taurine.
  • Provide fresh water at all times, especially if your cat eats mostly dry food.
  • Supplements are not needed with a complete and balanced food, and can be harmful without a vet's approval.

When should you see a vet?

  • Go to a vet immediately if your cat will not eat at all, is very weak, or seems dehydrated, for example with dry gums or sunken eyes.
  • A cat fed mainly fish for a long time becomes weak, holds its head bent down, walks unsteadily or has seizures.
  • Weight loss or gain without an obvious reason.
  • A change in eating or drinking habits, such as drinking much more than usual.
  • Tilting the head while eating, dropping food, or accepting only soft food.
  • Repeated vomiting or diarrhoea, including after a change of food.

Contact your nearest veterinarian or animal clinic. This site cannot assess your animal’s condition. Choosing a vet

In this guide (10)

What food does a cat need?

Cats need animal-based food because they are obligate carnivores, which means they depend on nutrients found only in animal products. The Cornell Feline Health Center explains that cats evolved as hunters eating prey that is high in protein, moderate in fat and low in carbohydrate, and they still need those proportions today. Cats also need more than a dozen other nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and amino acids. International Cat Care adds that cats need far more protein than dogs or people because they use protein as a source of energy. WSAVA states that cats cannot thrive on vegetarian diets. Do not feed dog food to cats either, because their nutritional needs are very different.

Evidence: Cornell Feline Health Center — Feeding Your Cat ↗ · International Cat Care — Feeding your cat or kitten ↗ · WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee — Frequently Asked Questions & Myths ↗ · RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase — Do cats have special nutritional requirements? ↗

Why do cats need taurine?

Taurine is an essential amino acid for cats, and a shortage can cause heart muscle disease (dilated cardiomyopathy) and damage to the retina that affects sight. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, plant protein sources contain no taurine, so cats must get animal protein or taurine added to their food. Unlike dogs, cats must also get enough preformed vitamin A, arachidonic acid and niacin from their diet. RSPCA Australia warns never to feed puppy or dog food to a cat, because it will be deficient in taurine for a cat. Complete and balanced commercial cat foods are formulated to meet these special needs.

Evidence: Merck Veterinary Manual — Nutritional Requirements of Small Animals ↗ · RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase — What should I feed my cat? ↗ · Cornell Feline Health Center — Feeding Your Cat ↗

What does “complete and balanced” cat food mean?

A complete and balanced food supplies every nutrient a cat needs in the right amounts and proportions for its life stage. WSAVA advises checking the nutritional adequacy statement on the label: a food marked “complete” can be the main diet, while “complementary” products, treats or foods for intermittent feeding should be only a small portion, about 10% or less. Make sure the label names the right life stage. Kittens grow fast and need food made for kittens, not adult cat food. Dry food, wet food or a mix can all work, as long as the food is complete and balanced. WSAVA notes that the ingredient list does not show nutritional quality, and terms such as “premium” or “holistic” are unregulated.

Evidence: WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee — Guidelines on Selecting Pet Foods ↗ · WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee — Frequently Asked Questions & Myths ↗ · International Cat Care — Feeding your cat or kitten ↗ · Cornell Feline Health Center — How Often Should You Feed Your Cat? ↗

Can a cat live on rice and fish alone?

It is not recommended, because a diet built from only a few foods, such as rice and fish, is almost certainly unbalanced for a cat. The Merck Veterinary Manual explains that diets made almost entirely of meat, fish or poultry can cause calcium deficiency that weakens bones, and cats fed saltwater fish can become short of iodine. Cats given large amounts of canned tuna can become deficient in vitamin E and develop inflamed body fat (pansteatitis). Raw freshwater fish contains thiaminase, an enzyme that destroys vitamin B1 and can lead to nervous system problems. Rice provides no taurine either, because plant protein contains none. Cornell notes that some cats fed canned fish meant for people have developed serious neurological problems.

Human leftovers are no substitute. The RSPCA says most human food will not meet a cat's nutritional needs, and some ingredients, such as onions, are even poisonous. Making cat food at home is difficult; Cornell and WSAVA advise a home-made diet only when a veterinary nutritionist formulates it and a vet monitors the cat. These needs are the same for a pet cat and for a street cat you feed regularly. See also our guide to foods that are dangerous for cats and dogs.

Evidence: Merck Veterinary Manual — Nutritional Requirements of Small Animals ↗ · Cornell Feline Health Center — Feeding Your Cat ↗ · RSPCA — What to Feed Your Pet Cat ↗ · WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee — Frequently Asked Questions & Myths ↗

How can you make sure your cat drinks enough?

Provide fresh, clean water at all times, because WSAVA notes that cats are generally not good drinkers. According to Cornell, cats that eat dry food take in more of their water by drinking, while wet food can contain up to about 80% water. Place several water bowls in different rooms, away from the litter tray, and make sure other cats do not block access. Some cats drink more from a water fountain, but preferences vary. The RSPCA reminds owners that cow's milk is not a substitute for water. Dehydration shows as lethargy, weakness, poor appetite, dry gums and, in severe cases, sunken eyes; contact a vet promptly if you see these signs.

Evidence: Cornell Feline Health Center — Hydration ↗ · WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee — Frequently Asked Questions & Myths ↗ · RSPCA — What to Feed Your Pet Cat ↗ · RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase — Do cats have special nutritional requirements? ↗

How often should a cat eat, and are treats OK?

Kittens need to eat more often than adult cats, and the total daily amount should be measured. Cornell suggests feeding kittens under six months three meals a day, and cats from six months to a year twice a day. International Cat Care and RSPCA Australia recommend feeding adult cats little and often, ideally using food puzzles. The amount on the packet is only a starting point; adjust it to your cat's body condition with your vet. Treats and human food should make up less than 10% of daily calories. Change foods gradually to avoid vomiting or diarrhoea, and do not give supplements without a vet's approval.

Evidence: Cornell Feline Health Center — How Often Should You Feed Your Cat? ↗ · International Cat Care — Feeding your cat or kitten ↗ · RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase — Do cats have special nutritional requirements? ↗ · WSAVA — Feeding treats to your cat ↗ · WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee — Frequently Asked Questions & Myths ↗ · Cornell Feline Health Center — Feeding Your Cat ↗

Sources & references

  1. Cornell Feline Health Center — Feeding Your Cat ↗
  2. International Cat Care — Feeding your cat or kitten ↗
  3. WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee — Frequently Asked Questions & Myths ↗
  4. RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase — Do cats have special nutritional requirements? ↗
  5. Merck Veterinary Manual — Nutritional Requirements of Small Animals ↗
  6. RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase — What should I feed my cat? ↗
  7. WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee — Guidelines on Selecting Pet Foods ↗
  8. Cornell Feline Health Center — How Often Should You Feed Your Cat? ↗
  9. RSPCA — What to Feed Your Pet Cat ↗
  10. Cornell Feline Health Center — Hydration ↗
  11. WSAVA — Feeding treats to your cat ↗

References can change. Check dates and context in the original source.

Cite this page

PanduanHewan. (2026, 25 September). Feeding your cat well: nutrients, taurine and water. PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/pet-health/feeding-your-cat/