In the wild, cats are meat eaters of the highest sort. They survive (and thrive) on a diet with practically no plants or greens at all. While your cat isn’t an African lion living on zebras, she still has the nutritional needs of her carnivorous forebears.

Cats need six basic nutrients: vitamins, minerals, water, fatty acids, protein, and energy. Many dry cat foods on the market today are high in corn meal or other grains, and therefore aren’t really designed with the cat’s physical needs in mind. While cats have long survived on this type of food, it isn’t an ideal diet.

Felines need more meat in their diets than any other domesticated mammal. Whatever food you decide to buy, you should keep that in mind. Many owners prefer to make their own cat food, relying heavily on red meat and vitamins for an optimal mixture of nutrients.

When it comes to cat food, you’ll find hundreds of different opinions about hundreds of different products. Consult your veterinarian when you get a new cat, and ask for recommendations for healthy, nutrient-rich formulas designed specifically for the feline digestive system.

Once you find a food that’s acceptable to you and your cat, be sure to stick with it. Changing food formulas can wreak havoc on a kitty’s intestinal tract and will result in lots of little messes for you to clean up.