How to Read UK Cat Food Labels: A Plain-English Guide
UK pet food labelling rules are genuinely useful once you know the four lines that matter — and meaningless marketing claims legally cannot override them.
The four lines that tell you everything
- Composition: ingredients by inclusion weight, before cooking. Fresh meat loses water, so ‘fresh chicken 40%’ plus ‘dried chicken 20%’ is stronger than one 60% claim alone.
- Analytical constituents: protein, fat, fibre, ash (minerals). For dry adult food aim for 30%+ protein, 12–20% fat.
- Nutritional additives: vitamins, taurine (essential for cats — non-negotiable).
- Feeding guide: start here, then adjust to body condition — guides run generous.
‘Complete’ vs ‘complementary’ — the one word that matters
‘Complete’ means the food meets all nutrient requirements on its own. ‘Complementary’ means it does not — treats, toppers and some mixer foods are complementary and must not form the bulk of the diet. Feeding complementary food as a staple is the classic route to taurine deficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of protein should cat food have?
Dry complete adult food: 30–40% protein is a good range, with premium grain-free recipes often reaching 40%+. Wet food is compared on a dry-matter basis, where 40–50% is typical for high-meat recipes.
What does ‘with chicken’ legally mean in the UK?
As little as 4% chicken. ‘Rich in chicken’ requires around 14%, and ‘chicken dinner’ varies by product type. The composition line tells the truth; the product name only has to meet a legal minimum.
Why is taurine added to cat food?
Cats cannot synthesise enough taurine and must eat it. Deficiency causes heart failure (DCM) and blindness, which is why it is a legally required additive in complete cat foods.
Is ‘human grade’ a regulated claim?
No — it is marketing. Judge foods by the composition line and whether the recipe is complete to FEDIAF standards, not by front-of-pack phrases.
