Cat Nutritional Requirements

At the most basic level, there are 41 essential nutrients required by cats (in comparison to 37 in dogs).

Cats vary from many species in their different nutritional requirements for protein, certain amino acids, and vitamins. They also have much shorter intestines than dogs, meaning that they are comparatively less able to digest plant material.

The nutritional needs of any individual cat can also be affected by its lifestyle, so an indoor cat and an outdoor cat will have completely different requirements. Other factors that dictate a cat's nutritional requirements, such as it's age or reproductive state (e.g. in-kitten or neutered).


Fortunately, the pet food industry in the UK has various cat foods available which take these factors into account to ensure you're providing adequate nutrients in your cat's diet.

Below are some of the essential nutrients you need to ensure are present in your cat's diet and why they are so important for a healthy cat to thrive.