There are so many different brands of cat food on the market, the 'best' one is basically a matter of opinion. Certainly palatability is a factor, there's no point in purchasing a particular food if your cat can't stand it - although this is occasionally a necessity in cats requiring prescription diets. Rather than recommending you a specific brand, we suggest that you choose one which adheres to the criteria below.

Cat foods labeled as 'complete' and 'balanced' must meet standards established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), either by meeting a 'nutrient profile' or by passing a feeding trial. There are now two separate nutrient profiles for cats - one for growth (kittens) and one for maintenance (adults). Maximum levels of intake of some nutrients have been established for the first time because of the concern that overnutrition, rather than undernutrition, is a bigger problem with many pet foods today. The standards include recommendations on protein, fat, fat soluble vitamins, water soluble vitamins, and mineral content of foods. If you are prepared to get technical, you should choose a food that comes closest to AAFCO recommendations. In summary, consider the following points: Choose a food that suits your cat's age. Most big pet food companies will have different foods for kittens vs adults. Cats with medical conditions may be recommended special prescription diets. Choose a food that come closest to AAFCO recommendations. The ingredients contains the truth about a particular food. Everything else is there only for marketing purposes. There are no legal and scientific definitions for the terms "premium," "super premium," "quality," or "natural." Use dry matter numbers to evaluate and compare foods. The source of ingredients (e.g. animal vs vegetable) does not matter, except in the case of food allergies. Avoid supplementation. All commercial cat foods have more than enough protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals. Feeding your cat a good food incorrectly can lead to significant problems.

5) My cat is overweight, but no matter how hard I try I can't get him/her to lose weight. What can I do? Your cat is almost certainly being fed too much. Below some common mistakes are listed. Have a good look at these and make sure none of them could apply to your cat. Not following the guidelines on the packet when measuring a portion. Most cat foods will have a table on the packaging suggesting daily portions for cats of different weights. The weight of food suggested is per 24 hrs, not per portion! Use your kitchen weighing scales to measure out the portion until you are sure of the correct amount. Using a complete dry diet as a replacement for regular biscuits, and mixing it with wet cat food. If it says complete, you shouldn't mix it with anything or you will overfeed. Offering inappropriate food that is high in fat, or cream/full fat milk to drink. Several members of the household feeding the cat at different times, whenever the cat is meows for food. Giving the cat regular treats in addition to its main meal. The cat is getting fed by neighbors, who think they are being kind by feeding it and enjoy the attention it gives them. The cat is scavenging food from outside sources, such as other peoples bins. The cat is part of a multi-cat household and is stealing food from the other cat(s), or even the dog. Keep an open mind. If there is a possibility that any of the above scenarios might be the case with your cat, investigate it. If you are still at a loss, consider starting a prescription diet (see below). 6) I've heard you can get special 'light' diets, or 'prescription' diets for fat cats. Do they really work? Yes they do, if used properly. These types of cat food are available in complete wet (tinned or pouches) form or dry (biscuit) form, and are growing in popularity amongst conscientious pet owners. They are low in calories and high in fibre, and often contain high levels of L-carnitine. L-carnitine has been used to help with fat metabolism in other species and recent scientific work indicates that it helps reduce weight in overweight dogs and cats. The real benefit of these low calorie diets though is that because of its low calories, cats can still eat reasonable sized portions and therefore feel full. This means they are more content and less likely to beg and look for extra food. These diets are perfectly healthy for normal sized cats to eat too, so if you have a multi-cat household and it is unfeasible to separate the cats during feeding time, you can safely feed all of the cats the prescription diet together.

7) Where can I buy this low calorie food from?

Many of the big pet food companies are waking up to the problem of pet obesity, and adding 'light' versions to their range. However, they are unlikely to be as effective as the traditional 'prescription' diets that are on the market. They are known as 'prescription diets', because they are a specialist food normally prescribed by a veterinarian. However, you don't need a prescription to buy the food as it is a 'general sales list' product. These foods are rarely available in supermarkets as many supermarkets are keen to sell their own brand, or have deals with the big pet food manufacturers. Many owners but their prescription diet from their veterinary clinic for convenience, whilst others prefer to shop around to get the best price. Many online pharmacies and pet stores are now offering these prescription foods, but whilst they may appear cheaper online, watch out for delivery charges added on top.