Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Home > Cats > 5 Best Protein Sources for Cats: Feline Diet & Health

5 Best Protein Sources for Cats: Feline Diet & Health

grey tabby cat eating

Cats thrive on a high-protein diet. However, that does not mean that a food is good for your kitty simply because it has high protein levels— it’s the source of the protein that matters. So, which are the best sources of protein for cats?

Before we answer that question, it is essential first to evaluate a cat’s natural diet, as it determines the ideal protein sources for the animal.

Like their wild cousins, house cats are also obligate (true) carnivores, meaning they rely entirely on animal flesh to obtain the nutrients they require to survive. Dogs are not obligate carnivores, which is why they can ingest plant-based foods without suffering any consequences. However, cats lack the necessary physiology to digest plant matter.

As such, animal flesh is the best source of protein for cats.

Therefore, whether you are buying commercial cat food or preparing your cat’s food at home, ensure that it is flesh-based. With that said, the following are the best animal-based protein sources for cats:divider-cat

The 5 Best Protein Sources for Cats

1. Poultry

The best high-protein cat foods are the ones that contain chicken, turkey, or duck. This is because birds are a staple part of a wild or feral cat’s diet. In fact, cats love bird meat so much that they are responsible for the extinction of some bird species. Therefore, you cannot go wrong with poultry.

cat-with-a-piece-of-chicken_Irina-Kozorog_shutterstock
Image Credit: Irina Kozorog, Shutterstock

2. Beef

Beef is an excellent choice for those who prepare their cat’s food at home, thanks to its affordability. Consider going with ground beef since it is easy to prepare and does not tax your cat’s digestive system.


3. Pork

Pork is excellent for cats. However, avoid feeding pork products such as ham and bacon to your cat due to their high sodium content.

Cat-and-meat_Yurochka-Yulia_shutterstock
Image Credit: Yurochka Yulia, Shutterstock

4. Lamb and Veal

Lamb and veal are excellent sources of proteins for cats. However, these meats are pricier than other protein sources.


5. Fish

Cats can eat just about all fish, but unlike the protein sources above, it should not be part of your feline’s staple diet. Feed fish sparingly as a treat. We recommend cooked salmon, but skip the herbs and spices. Canned fish should be fed sparingly due to its high sodium levels.

Hepper 360 Cat Feeder, Stainless Steel, Anti-Chew...
  • NO MESS - The 360° tray on this cat food and water bowl set has a raised design to catch and...
  • WHISKER FRIENDLY - Shallow and wide metal containers with flat bottoms ensure your kitty can enjoy...
  • CHEW-SAFE MATERIALS - Kittens and cats love chewing on silicone and soft rubber - but it's a choking...

Knowing exactly what your feline companion can and cannot eat will help you become the best pet parent. Recognizing that not all cat bowls are equal is also key! The Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl sets itself apart from traditional options by catering to the specific needs of cats. The innovative design offers whisker relief via shallow dishes and promotes digestion with a slight bowl elevation. Find out if the Hepper NomNom is right for your cat by clicking here.

At Pet Keen, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!

divider-food2

How to Choose Commercial Cat Food With the Best Protein Source

If you prepare your kitty’s food at home, you cannot go wrong with the above sources. However, if you are buying commercial cat food, you must make sure that you are getting the best high-protein cat food.

Be on the lookout because commercial foods often contain ingredients that are unnecessary and potentially harmful to cats.

As such, it is crucial to learn how to read and understand cat food labels. For starters, you want the label to indicate the source of its protein. Avoid products saying their protein comes from “poultry meal,” “fish meal,” or “ meat byproducts.” This is because they do not state where they source their protein specifically. That means that the meal could be made from any part of the animal, including feathers, bones, and hooves.

Therefore, you want a cat food that names its protein sources, such as turkey or chicken. That tells you the protein has not been mixed or processed with anything else.

Just as is the case with human food labels, cat food labels also list their ingredients in order of volume, with the first five ingredients forming the bulk of the food. As such, you want your cat’s food to have the proteins above listed first.

Related Read:


Featured Image Crediting: Laura Chouette, Unsplash

Our vets

Want to talk to a vet online?

Whether you have concerns about your dog, cat, or other pet, trained vets have the answers!

Our vets