Read the back of the bag. Skip the front.
Cat food labels mix one line that matters (the AAFCO statement), one panel that needs a little math (the guaranteed analysis), and a lot of marketing. These guides decode all three, so you can compare two foods in the aisle and know why one wins. Built from regulatory and veterinary sources, no brand rankings.
The guides
Obligate carnivore basicsWhy cats need meat-based nutrients, and what that means for labels.Reading a guaranteed analysisProtein, fat, moisture - and the dry-matter math that makes them comparable.Wet vs dry: the evidenceHydration, weight, urinary health - what research supports.AAFCO statements explainedComplete and balanced, life stages, and the red-flag 'intermittent' line.Marketing terms decodedNatural, premium, grain-free, human-grade - what each really means.Comparing two foodsA five-step method for a fair side-by-side.Label decoderInteractive checklist: decode your cat food label.About & sourcesWho writes this, how, and the sources behind it.
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Made by the team behind PawLine
Cat Food Decoder is part of the PawLine family of research-based pet resources. In the PawLine app you can ask about your own cat's food - their age, health history and the label in front of you - and get answers grounded in the same kind of sources. Free to download; see the store listing for current offers, pricing and trial terms.