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What should you feed your cat or kitten?

Feeding your cat or kitten isn’t just about filling a bowl, it’s about meeting their specific nutritional needs to support lifelong health and wellbeing. While cats and kittens share many dietary requirements, kittens need more frequent feeding and specially formulated food to support their growth and development.

RSPCA Australia
Thursday, 5 November 2026

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Feeding your cat or kitten isn’t just about filling a bowl, it’s about meeting their specific nutritional needs to support lifelong health and wellbeing. While cats and kittens share many dietary requirements, kittens need more frequent feeding and specially formulated food to support their growth and development.

Understanding their nutritional needs

Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they depend on nutrients found in meat to thrive and survive. Their metabolism is specialised for diets high in protein and fat and very low in carbohydrates, as they lack the ability to synthesise certain essential nutrients from plant sources. In natural environments, cats consume whole prey including muscle meat, organs and bones, along with small amounts of plant material found in the digestive tract of their prey.

Because of this, the foundation of both a cat and kitten’s diet should be a high quality, complete and balanced commercial food appropriate for their life stage and health.

Choosing the right food

Selecting the right food starts with choosing a product that meets recognised nutritional standards and is labelled as complete and balanced.

For adult cats, a mix of wet and dry food is often recommended. Kittens, on the other hand, require food specifically designed for growth. It’s best to begin with wet kitten food and gradually introduce dry options as they develop. Feeding kittens adult cat food or adult cats kitten food, is not recommended, as their nutritional needs are very different at each life stage.

One important rule for both: never feed cats and kittens dog or puppy food. These diets lack taurine, an essential nutrient that cats must obtain through their food.

Feeding frequency and portions

Cats naturally prefer eating smaller meals throughout the day, reflecting how they would hunt in the wild. Ideally, adult cats should be offered food at least 4-5 times daily.

Kittens also need frequent feeding at least 4 times a day to support their growth and energy needs.

Portion sizes will vary depending on age, size and activity level. Monitoring body condition and seeking veterinary advice can help ensure you’re feeding the right amount.

Making mealtimes more engaging

Feeding time can also be a great opportunity to introduce enrichment. Using puzzle feeders or changing feeding locations encourages cats to search for their food, helping to increase activity levels, prevent boredom and support mental stimulation.

Some cats may become fussy, particularly if they are fed the same food for long periods. Offering variety including new and different foods, slightly warming the food, or choosing options with stronger aromas can help encourage eating.

Treats and occasional extras

A complete and balanced diet should always be the main source of nutrition. However, some foods can be offered occasionally as treats.

Small amounts of cooked meat, such as chicken, or fish such as sardines or tuna in spring water can be given from time to time. Any treats should be fed as part of, not in addition to, your cat or kitten’s daily calorie intake to help maintain a healthy weight.

Foods to avoid

There are several foods that can be harmful to both cats and kittens and should never be fed. Some of these include:

Onions, garlic and related products
Chocolate, caffeine and alcohol
Salty foods and dairy products
Liquids such as brine, stock and gravy.
Grapes, raisins and sultanas
Fatty foods and cooked bones
Mouldy or spoiled food

Cooked bones are particularly dangerous, as they can splinter and cause serious internal injury. Raw meat and bones are also not recommended due to the risk of harmful bacteria and other potential health issues.

Hydration and general care

Fresh, clean drinking water should always be available. Milk should be avoided, as it can cause gastrointestinal upset in both cats and kittens.

If your cat isn’t drinking much, there are simple ways to encourage hydration. Many cats prefer glass or ceramic bowls over plastic, shallow dishes that don’t touch their whiskers, or even running water from a fountain. Placing water bowls in easily accessible areas around the home can also help.

Feeding your cat or kitten appropriately is one of the most important parts of responsible pet care. By providing a complete, balanced diet suited to their life stage, offering food in appropriate portions, and avoiding harmful items, you can help support their health, behaviour and overall wellbeing for years to come.

For more information, visit the RSPCA Knowledgebase

This piece was originally published in Australian Community Media newspapers.

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