How to Choose Cat Food? Label Reading Guide 2026

There are dozens of cat food brands on store shelves. The packages are colorful and the claims are attractive: “Natural!”, “Grain-free!”, “Veterinarian approved!”... But which one is actually best for your cat?

The answer is not on the front of the bag. It is hidden in the label information on the back.

In this guide, we will show you how to read a cat food label like a veterinarian. By the end, you will know:

• What the nutrient values really mean
• How to compare foods fairly using a dry matter basis
• How to interpret the ingredient list
• How to avoid common marketing traps

with much more confidence.

1. The Basics of Label Information

1.1 Legal Requirements

All pet foods sold in Turkey must include label information that complies with Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry regulations:

1.2 What Does “Crude” Mean?

The word “crude” indicates that these values come from laboratory analysis. For example, crude protein does not refer only to muscle protein; it includes all nitrogen-containing compounds. That is why protein source quality matters too.

1.3 Minimum vs Maximum Values

Watch the wording carefully:

• Protein and Fat: “Min. 32%” means at least 32%; the true value may be higher
• Ash and Fiber: “Max. 7%” means no more than 7%; the true value may be lower
• Moisture: “Max. 10%” is common in dry foods, typically around 8-10%

2. Dry Matter Calculation: Compare Foods Fairly

2.1 The Problem: Moisture Differences

Comparing dry food with wet food directly is like comparing apples to oranges:

At first glance, the dry food seems much higher in protein. But that is misleading.

2.2 The Solution: Dry Matter Basis Formula

Example calculation:

Dry Food A: 32 ÷ (100 - 10) × 100 = 35.5%

Wet Food B: 10 ÷ (100 - 80) × 100 = 50%

As you can see, the wet food is actually higher in protein.

2.3 Why It Matters

Cats are desert-adapted animals, and the nutrient profile of their natural prey, such as mice and birds, is roughly 50-60% protein, 30-40% fat, and only 1-2% carbohydrate on a dry matter basis. Dry matter calculations help you judge how close a food is to your cat’s natural diet.

3. The Ingredient List: The First 5 Ingredients Are Critical

3.1 The Ranking Logic

The ingredient list is written in descending order by weight. The first ingredient is the one used in the greatest amount before processing.

3.2 Hierarchy of Protein Sources

3.3 Be Careful: The “Fresh Meat” Trap

Do not celebrate too quickly when you see “fresh chicken” in the first position. Fresh meat contains about 70-80% water. After cooking, its weight drops dramatically.

Example: Ingredients listed as “Fresh chicken, corn, wheat, chicken fat...” may end up being corn- and wheat-heavy after processing.

A better sign of quality: A formula such as “Fresh chicken (25%), dried chicken (20%)...” where both fresh and dried animal ingredients are present.

3.4 Ingredients That Warrant Caution

• “Meat and animal derivatives” - an imprecise source description
• Sugar, caramel - unnecessary and often added only for color
• BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin - controversial preservatives
• Corn gluten - often used as a cheap way to inflate protein numbers

4. Carbohydrate Calculation: The Hidden Label Value

4.1 Why Is It Not Listed?

Carbohydrate is not legally required on the label. But you can estimate it:

4.2 The Ideal Carbohydrate Range

Because cats are obligate carnivores, lower carbohydrate levels are generally preferable:

4.3 Grain-Free Does Not Mean Low Carbohydrate

A common misunderstanding is that “grain-free” automatically means low carbohydrate. In reality, many grain-free foods rely on potatoes, peas, or lentils, which still provide substantial carbohydrate.

5. VetScore: Summarizing All of This in One Number

Calculating all of this manually for every product is difficult. That is why we developed the VetKriter VetScore system.

VetScore evaluates:

• ✅ Protein level on a dry matter basis
• ✅ Protein-to-carbohydrate balance
• ✅ Quality of the leading ingredients
• ✅ Protein source analysis

→ Compare Foods

6. Practical Checklist

Use this checklist when buying food:

✅ Protein:

• At least 40% on a dry matter basis for an adult cat
• The first ingredient should be meat or fish

✅ Fat:

• At least 15% on a dry matter basis
• The animal fat source should be clearly identified

✅ Carbohydrate:

• Calculate it and aim for less than 35%

✅ Ingredients:

• At least 2 animal ingredients among the first 3 listed ingredients
• No vague phrases such as “meat and animal derivatives”
• No sugar or caramel

Conclusion

Choosing cat food does not have to feel intimidating. Once you know how to read the label, you can look past the marketing slogans and see the real quality of the formula.

In summary:

1. Convert label values to a dry matter basis
2. Focus on the first 5 ingredients
3. Estimate the carbohydrate content
4. Avoid vague ingredient language

Still unsure? Use the VetKriter Food Comparison tool to view products side by side, compare VetScore values, and make a more informed choice.

Your cat will thank you! 🐱

References