Common Cat Food Ingredients Explained: What Should You Avoid?

Arya Studio
Jan 19
1 min read

Updated: 3 days ago

Understanding what goes into your cat’s food is just as important as choosing the right brand. Some ingredients support health, while others can cause long-term problems. Here’s a breakdown of common cat food ingredients and what to watch out for.

Low-Quality Meat By-Products

Not all by-products are harmful, but vague labels like “animal by-products” can indicate lowquality protein sources.

Why to be cautious:

Inconsistent nutritional value
Poor digestibility
Lower protein quality

Look for named proteins like chicken, turkey, or salmon instead.

Artificial Colors, Flavors, and Preservatives

Cats don’t care about color — humans do.

Common additives to avoid:

Artificial dyes
Chemical preservatives
Synthetic flavor enhancers

These additives offer no nutritional value and may cause sensitivities over time.

Excessive Fillers

Ingredients like corn, wheat, and soy are often used to bulk up food cheaply.

Potential issues:

Lower protein content
Digestive discomfort
Reduced nutrient absorption

While not always harmful, fillers should never be the main ingredient.

Added Sugars

Sugars are unnecessary in cat food and can contribute to weight gain and dental issues. Always scan ingredient lists for sweeteners or syrups.

Final Thoughts

Reading ingredient labels helps you make informed choices for your cat’s health. Focus on highquality protein sources, minimal additives, and transparent ingredient lists.