Glossary

Complete and balanced

A pet-food label claim that a food supplies all the nutrients a cat needs at a stated life stage, when used as the only diet.

Also called: nutritionally complete, AAFCO statement, nutritional adequacy statement, life stage claim

Complete and balanced is wording found on cat food labels. It means the food is meant to supply all the nutrients a cat needs, in suitable amounts, so it can be fed as the only diet. In the United States the claim relates to nutrient profiles set out by AAFCO, an association of feed regulators. In Europe, FEDIAF publishes comparable guidelines.

Look for the nutritional adequacy statement, usually in small print near the ingredient list. It says either that the food is formulated to meet the profile, or that it has passed feeding trials. It also names a life stage: growth and reproduction, adult maintenance, or all life stages. Choose the stage that matches your cat, see kitten food for kittens.

A food marked for intermittent or supplemental feeding only is not complete, and many treats, toppers and mixers fall into this group. Feeding mostly such products can leave a cat short of nutrients.

The statement does not rate quality or suit every cat. Cats with health problems may need a different food, see prescription diet. Ask your vet to help pick a food, and take any label you are unsure of to the appointment.

Last reviewed November 7, 2026

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Related terms

Kitten food A food with more energy, protein, fat and minerals than adult food, made to support a kitten's fast growth. Senior diet Food marketed for older cats, which varies widely, so the right choice depends on the individual cat's weight, teeth and health. Grain-free Cat food made without wheat, corn, rice and other grains, which does not make it low in carbohydrate or better for most cats. Prescription diet A food made to help manage a medical condition such as kidney disease or urinary crystals, fed only on a vet's advice. Obligate carnivore An animal that must eat animal tissue to get nutrients its body cannot make for itself, as domestic cats must.

Related guides

Feeding a kitten: food, amounts and timing How to choose kitten food, how often to feed through the first year, wet versus dry, water and weight checks, and the signs that call for a vet. Wet food or dry food for cats What wet and dry cat food each offer, how water intake and weight differ, and how to choose or mix them with your vet's help.