What Should You Really Be Feeding Your Cat? A Guide to Natural Cat Nutrition

You’re standing in the pet food aisle, trolley in hand, and you’re surrounded by pouches, tins, and bags all promising to be “complete”, “balanced”, “premium”, or “vet-recommended”. There are cartoon cats on the front. The names sound appealing. But flip any one of them over and the ingredients list reads like a chemistry textbook. Sound familiar?

If you’ve ever stood there wondering what on earth your cat actually needs, you’re not alone. It’s one of the questions we get asked most at Sash & Pepps, and honestly, it’s a question worth taking seriously. Because what goes into your cat’s bowl every single day makes a real difference to how they look, feel, and age. When it comes to natural cat food, UK pet owners have more choices than ever, but more choices can also mean more confusion.

So let’s cut through it together.

Why Cats Have Very Different Needs to Dogs

Cats are what’s called obligate carnivores. That’s a fancy way of saying they are built, at a biological level, to eat meat and only meat. Their bodies cannot produce certain nutrients on their own, including taurine (an amino acid that supports heart and eye health), so they have to get them directly from animal protein. This is non-negotiable for cats, where it’s optional for many other species.

Dogs can get by on a more varied diet. Cats simply cannot.

On top of that, cats in the wild would rarely drink standing water. They get most of their moisture from the prey they eat. This means a dry kibble-only diet can leave cats in a constant low-level state of mild dehydration, which over time puts real pressure on their kidneys. Kidneys are notoriously the weak point in older cats, and diet plays a big role in keeping them healthy.

The upshot: cats need high animal protein and moisture in every meal. Those two things are not negotiable if you want them to thrive.

What’s Actually in Most Cat Food

Here’s where things get a bit eye-opening. The UK pet food market is well regulated in terms of safety, but the labelling rules do allow manufacturers to be quite creative with how they describe what’s inside.

A few terms worth knowing:

“Meat and animal derivatives” is probably the one you’ll see most often. It sounds fine, but it’s a catch-all term that can include beaks, feet, feathers, and other parts with very little nutritional value. You have no idea what animal it came from or in what proportions. It varies batch to batch.

“Cereals” is another common one. Cats have no nutritional need for cereals or grains. A small amount is unlikely to cause harm in a healthy cat, but it’s essentially a filler, there to bulk out the product and keep costs down. It adds carbohydrates that cats are not particularly well equipped to digest.

“Derivatives of vegetable origin” means plant-based bits and pieces, often by-products from other food manufacturing processes. Not something a cat would naturally eat.

“Animal by-products” can mean almost anything that wasn’t deemed fit for human consumption. Not all by-products are bad (liver, for instance, is nutritious), but the term as it appears on labels often signals low-quality filler rather than genuine nutrition.

A quick contrast:

A less ideal label might read: Cereals, meat and animal derivatives (4% chicken), animal by-products, sugars, minerals.

A better label reads: Chicken (65%), chicken liver (10%), chicken broth, minerals.

See the difference? The second one tells you exactly what’s in it and where the protein is coming from.

What to Look for Instead

Now that you know what to avoid, here’s what a genuinely good cat food looks like, whether you’re buying wet food, raw, or somewhere in between.

A named protein source, listed first. Chicken, salmon, turkey, beef, duck. Not “poultry” or “white fish” or “meat”. Named, specific, and prominent.

High meat content. There’s no magic number, but anything under 40% meat in a wet food should give you pause. In a dry food, remember that the water is removed during processing, so the meat content you see on the label started out much higher before it was dried down. Look for brands that are transparent about this.

Real moisture. This means wet food (pouches or tins), raw food, or a mix of both. If your cat will only eat dry food, adding a little water to their feeding bowl or offering wet food as a topper can make a real difference. For indoor cats especially, where activity levels are lower and kidney health is more of a concern, moisture in the diet matters a lot.

No unnecessary fillers. Cat food without fillers means avoiding unnecessary cereals, added sugars, and plant-based by-products that serve no purpose other than to cheapen the recipe.

Short, readable ingredient lists. If you can’t pronounce half of what’s in it, that’s worth paying attention to. A simple, honest recipe usually has a simple, honest ingredient list.

At Sash & Pepps, we stock options across the range, from everyday choices through to premium natural cat food. If you’re looking for the best quality options for your cat, we’re always happy to point you in the right direction.

Signs Your Cat’s Food Might Not Be Working for Them

Cats are famously stoic and can be difficult to read, but their bodies tend to show you when something isn’t right. Here are some of the things owners notice most often.

A dull or dry coat. A well-fed cat should have a soft, shiny coat. If it looks greasy, dry, or flat, nutrition is one of the first things worth looking at.

Digestive issues. Loose stools, frequent vomiting (beyond the occasional hairball), or irregular digestion can all be signs that the food isn’t agreeing with your cat. This is particularly common in cats with sensitive stomachs, where certain fillers and low-grade proteins are often the culprit. Switching to a simpler, higher-quality food with fewer ingredients frequently helps.

Low energy or unusual lethargy. Yes, cats sleep a lot. But if your cat seems less interested in play, less alert, or just a bit flat, it’s worth considering whether they’re getting the nutrition they need.

Fussy eating. Cats are choosy by nature, but persistent fussiness can sometimes be a sign that their body isn’t responding well to what’s on offer. Interestingly, switching to a better quality food can sometimes reduce fussiness, not increase it, because the cat actually finds it more satisfying.

Weight changes. Both unexpected weight gain and weight loss can be diet-related. Cats on high-carbohydrate diets are more prone to weight gain because their bodies aren’t well suited to burning carbs efficiently.

None of these things are definitive on their own, and if you’re ever worried about your cat’s health, a vet visit is always the right call. You can also browse our cat healthcare and treatments range for everyday health support. But food is a great first place to look when things feel off.

We’re Here to Help

Feeling a bit overwhelmed by all of this is completely normal. There’s a lot of conflicting information out there, and the pet food industry is not always the most straightforward to navigate.

What we can tell you is that switching to a natural, high-protein, moisture-rich diet is one of the single biggest things most cat owners can do for their cat’s long-term health. It doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated.

At Sash & Pepps, we stock a carefully chosen range of cat food and natural cat treats, all selected because we genuinely believe in them. If you’d like a recommendation tailored to your cat, just get in touch. We love talking about this stuff, and we never push products that aren’t the right fit.

You can shop online at sashandpepps.co.uk or come and see us in store at Unit 65, Concourse Shopping Centre, Skelmersdale.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is wet food better than dry food for cats?

For most cats, yes. Wet food provides the moisture that cats need but rarely drink voluntarily, which supports kidney health over the long term. It also tends to be higher in protein and lower in carbohydrates than dry food. That said, a good quality dry food used alongside wet food is a reasonable approach for many cats, particularly if they’re reluctant to switch. The key is that moisture is part of the diet in some form.

What should I feed a cat with a sensitive stomach?

A simple, limited-ingredient food is usually the best starting point. Look for a single named protein source (such as chicken or duck), no cereals or grains, and no artificial additives. Raw food can also work well for cats with digestive sensitivities, as it’s highly digestible and free from processing. If your cat has ongoing digestive issues, it’s worth speaking to your vet to rule out any underlying health concerns before making a big dietary change.

How do I switch my cat to natural food?

Slowly. Cats can be resistant to change and a sudden switch can upset their digestion. Start by mixing a small amount of the new food in with their existing food and gradually increase the proportion over 7 to 10 days. If your cat is particularly stubborn, warming the new food slightly can make it more appealing. Some cats take longer than others to adjust, so patience is key. If they’re refusing completely, try a different protein rather than going back to the old food entirely.

Can cats eat raw food?

Many cats do very well on raw food, and it’s one of the most natural diets you can offer them. Raw food is high in moisture, typically very high in protein, and free from fillers and additives. At Sash & Pepps, we stock a range of quality raw options suitable for cats. As with any dietary change, the transition should be gradual, and we’d recommend chatting to us (or your vet) if you have any questions about getting started.