Published on 28th Aug 2026
A Guide to Everyday Cat Nutrition
Simple feeding habits to help cats live healthier, happier lives.
Modern cats are living longer, spending more time indoors and are increasingly treated as members of the family. As a result, owners are looking beyond simply feeding their cat and are looking for nutrition that supports lifelong health and wellbeing.
Here's what every cat owner, and every pet retailer, should know
Did you know*
• 18% of the current UK cat population was acquired within the last 12 months.
• 24% of UK households own a cat, rising to 32% in central urban areas.
• Over half (51%) of cats acquired in the last year are pedigree breeds.
• 38% of cats now live exclusively indoors, increasing to 46% among first-time owners, those in central urban areas and owners of pedigree breeds.
1. Nutrition Starts with Quality Ingredients
Cats are obligate carnivores with little use for carbohydrates, meaning animal protein should form the foundation of their diet. Today's owners are paying greater attention to ingredient quality, protein sources and recipes with fewer unnecessary additives.
Why it matters
Strong nutritional choices support healthy muscles, immunity, skin, coat and overall vitality throughout a cat's life.
What owners can do
• Choose foods with clearly identified animal protein sources.
• Feed according to life stage and activity level.
• Focus on overall diet quality rather than just price.
• Look for diets with a high proportion of quality animal ingredients and avoid recipes that rely heavily on carbohydrates.
What retailers can do
• Merchandise ranges in a simple Good, Better, Best structure.
• Offer a balance of everyday, premium and specialist nutrition choices.
• Clearly communicate the differences between products to help owners trade up and improve their cat's nutrition.
2. Every Cat is Different - Choice Matters
Cats naturally crave variation in their diet. Often labelled as "fussy", this behaviour is driven by their nature to catch many different types of prey.
Why it matters
Limited choice often leads to frustrated owners, wasted food and shoppers looking elsewhere.
What owners can do
• Learn your cat's preferred proteins and textures, whether that's fillets in broth, pate, mousses or recipes in jelly.
• Rotate suitable flavours and textures to maintain interest where appropriate.
• Avoid changing diets too frequently unless necessary.
What retailers can do
• Stock multiple proteins and recipe formats including texture variation.
• Ensure sufficient depth across brands rather than just one or two SKUs.
• Maintain good availability of bestselling lines to encourage repeat purchase.
3. Hydration & Digestive Health go Hand in Hand
Cats naturally have a low thirst drive and, in the wild, obtain much of their water from prey. Wet food helps replicate this important source of moisture in the domestic diet.
Why it matters
Good hydration supports urinary health, while consistent nutrition helps maintain healthy digestion.
What owners can do
• Include wet food as part of a balanced feeding routine.
• Provide fresh water in multiple locations.
• Feed consistently and transition gradually between foods.
What retailers can do
• Merchandise wet and dry food together to promote mixed feeding.
• Educate customers on the benefits of wet feeding.
• Stock digestive and urinary-focused nutrition for cats with specific needs.
4. Indoor Cats have Different Needs
With more cats living exclusive indoors, nutrition is only one part of supporting their wellbeing.
Why it matters
Indoor cats are generally less active and rely on owners to provide enrichment, stimulation and an appropriate environment.
What owners can do
• Feed according to activity level.
• Enourage play every day.
• Provide suitable scratching posts and climbing opportunities.
• Maintain clean litter trays in quiet locations.
• Include wet food as part of the daily diet, as indoor cats cannot obtain moisture from hunting and rely entirely on what their owners provide.
What retailers can do
Create a complete Indoor Cat Solution by offering:
• Indoor-specific nutrition.
• Quality litter and litter accessories.
• Interactive toys and enrichment products.
• Scratching posts and environmental enrichment.
Helping owners solve multiple needs in one visit improves both the customer experience and basket value.
5. Feeding for a Lifetime
A kitten, adult and senior cat all have different nutritional requirements. As cats age, their dietary needs continue to evolve.
Why it matters
Feeding according to life stage can help support healthy ageing, ideal body condition and long-term wellbeing.
What owners can do
• Review your cat's diet as they move through different life stages
• Monitor weight regularly.
• Seek veterinary advice if appetite, weight or behaviour changes.
What retailers can do
• Merchandise ranges by life stage to simplify shopping.
• Give particular focus to kitten nutrition - supporting owners early in their journey helps build long-term customer loyalty as their cat progresses through every life stage.
• Highlight functional nutrition for weight management, hairball control and urinary health.
• Support customers with educational advice that builds confidence and loyalty.
Supporting Better Nutrition Together
Better cat nutrition isn't just about choosing a food - it's all about creating the right feeding routine, offering meaningful choice and providing solutions that support a cat throughout every stage of life.
At Schesir, this philosophy has shaped our approach to nutrition for more than 25 years. Our range focuses on minimally processed recipes with high-quality animal ingredients, offering complete and complementary wet foods from kitten through to senior, with innovative functional solutions continuing to expand the range.
Together, informed owners, knowledgeable retailers and high-quality nutrition can help cats live healthier, happier lives.
*This guide is intended to support better everyday feeding decisions and early awareness of nutritional needs. If a cat shows sudden changes in appetite, weight, behaviour or litter habits, owners should always seek veterinary advice.
Schesir cat food is exclusive to Pedigree Wholesale. Shop the Schesir range here. Shop all cat food.
Schesir cat food is exclusive to Pedigree Wholesale.
Shop the Schesir range here. Shop all wholesale cat food.
