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The front of a cat food bag is advertising: grain-free, natural, gourmet, chef inspired. None of those words tell you whether the food will keep your cat healthy if it eats nothing else.
One short statement does, and it is usually on the back in tiny print.
Find the nutritional adequacy statement
The FDA explains that you can tell whether a pet food meets your pet’s nutritional needs by reading the nutritional adequacy statement. If it includes the phrase “complete and balanced,” the product is intended to be fed as the pet’s sole diet.
- Complete means it contains all the required nutrients.
- Balanced means they are present in the right proportions.
How the claim is backed up
According to the FDA, a cat food earns “complete and balanced” by meeting one of the Cat Food Nutrient Profiles set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), or by passing a feeding trial following AAFCO protocols.
Check the life stage
The statement also names the life stage the food supports:
| Statement mentions | Suitable for |
|---|---|
| Growth, or gestation/lactation | Kittens and pregnant or nursing cats |
| Adult maintenance | Adult cats only |
| All life stages | Kittens and adults (it meets the stricter growth profile) |
What is not complete and balanced
The FDA notes that treats, snacks and supplements are usually not intended as a sole diet. Toppers, broths and “intermittent or supplemental feeding” products belong in the same group. They are fine as extras, not as the main meal.
An expensive food and a budget food can both be complete and balanced. Read the statement before you read the price.
The wet versus dry food guide compares another part of the feeding decision. The adult cat budget prices consumption after the diet has been selected. The overweight cat guide keeps body condition separate from the package claim.
Questions people ask
What does complete and balanced mean on cat food?
That the food contains all required nutrients in the right proportions and can be fed as the cat's only diet, according to the FDA.
Where is the nutritional adequacy statement?
Usually on the back or side of the package, in small print.
Can adult cats eat kitten food?
Short term it is not harmful, but it is richer in calories. Foods labeled for all life stages suit both.
Is grain-free cat food better?
Grain-free is a marketing claim, not a quality standard. Check the complete and balanced statement instead.
Where these figures come from
- Complete and Balanced Pet Food US Food and Drug Administration · fda.gov
Figures last checked September 2026.
