The feline food pyramid

Your cat's food pyramid looks a bit different from the human-version we're used to. Even when compared to other pets and mammals, cats need specific nutrients for their bodies to function properly. To give your cat a healthy and happy life, start at the bowl by providing fundamental nutrition through their diet with the best high-protein, grain-free cat food.

Cats are obligate carnivores

We'll start by zooming out a bit, to look at the wildcat's evolutionary history and how that has informed the needs of our housecats. Cats, wild and domestic, are obligate carnivores. Cats evolved as hunters of other animals, able to fuel the search for their next meal because of their last protein-packed snack. Housecats are obligate carnivores too, and while they don't typically have the chance to prowl for prey, they need food similar to what they would hunt in nature: high-protein, hydration from their food, moderate fat content, little to no carbohydrates.

Cat nutrition fundamentals

In addition to protein and fats as macronutrients, cats also require micronutrients, including vitamins, minerals, fatty and amino acids.

When looking at your cat's food label or thinking about what goes in their bowl, it's important to consider that more is not always better. Your cat's diet should above all else be balanced, and all of their nutritional needs should be met through their meals. Unless directed otherwise by your veterinarian, you should not be giving your cat any additional supplements. Before adjusting your cat's diet, consult your veterinarian first.

Nutrients cats needs

There are six classes of nutrients that cats need from their diet, listed in order of nutritional importance by total volume:

• Water
• Protein
• Fats
• Vitamins
• Minerals

Where are the carbs?

Because cats are obligate carnivores they have no necessity for carbohydrates. Carbohydrates in cat food usually come from grains, especially used in conventional kibble. According to the National Research Council's Subcommittee on Cat Nutrition, there is "…no known dietary carbohydrate requirement exists for the cat…"; which makes sense. Cats primarily need animal-based protein, and in the wild, if they were to consume any carbohydrates, it would likely be from the stomach of their prey.

Once inside the body, grains break down into sugar, which cats especially don't need. Cats get the energy they need primarily from protein, while carbohydrates, and eventually sugars, can lead to health issues such as weight gain, obesity, and other complications.

The importance of proteins

Protein is the cornerstone of your cat's nutritional needs. Protein provides the energy your cat needs to fuel functions at the cellular level and beyond. What is especially key for cats is the quality of the protein they eat. Ingredi

Why moisture matters

The ingredients in your cat's food don't each serve one function in a monolith. We know that protein is essential as a nutrient, and in its ideal state as meat, it also contains natural moisture that helps to keep cats hydrated.