Is this food built for a cat, or just labelled like it is?

Cats are obligate carnivores, with nutritional needs unlike ours — or even a dog's. They have little use for carbohydrate and rely on protein for most of what keeps their bodies running. And of all the nutrients advertised on pet-food labels, taurine — an essential amino acid cats can't make enough of on their own — is the one most tied to their well-being. Enter the numbers from the Guaranteed Analysis box on any label and see how the food really stacks up.

Educational screening tool — not veterinary advice

01 Read the label

Type the percentages from the “Guaranteed Analysis” panel. The four are required; add taurine too if the label lists it.

Food name (optional — helps when comparing)

What are you decoding?

Wet foodCanned · pouch · pâté

Dry kibbleExtruded · biscuits

Freeze-dried rawLow-moisture raw

Raw / frozen rawFresh · thawed

Calorie densitykcal/kg — on the pack; required for kibble, optional otherwise

kcal/kg

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein min %

Crude Fat min %

Crude Fiber max %

Moisture max %

Taurine optional · essential amino acid

Who's eating it?

What does the label's adequacy statement say?

Kidney-conscious phosphorus Tightens the phosphorus threshold — useful for senior cats or kidney concerns.