Cats are obligate carnivores and high-protein diets are the closest formulation to their natural nutrition. While AAFCO recommends a minimum of 26% crude protein, quality cat foods generally contain 38% and above protein.
What matters is not just the amount of protein, but protein quality. Foods with fresh meat or dried meat as the first ingredient are superior to plant protein-heavy foods. VetKriter Protein Quality Index evaluates this factor.