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You may have noticed the term 'complementary food' on some cat food labels.
And, like many cat owners, you may have wondered: "Does that mean this food isn't suitable for my cat? Should I still be feeding it?"
Today, the word "complete" is often associated with something better, more balanced, or more nutritious. Because of this, some people assume that a complementary food must somehow be less beneficial.
In reality, that is not the case.
Let's take a closer look at what these terms actually mean.
What does 'complementary food' mean?
Complete foods are formulated to provide all the nutrients a cat needs in every meal. To achieve this, vitamins and minerals are added so that the food is nutritionally balanced on its own.
Complementary foods work differently.
They do not contain the same added vitamins and minerals found in complete foods. Instead, they focus on carefully selected ingredients which, when fed as a single meal, do not provide every nutrient a cat needs.
In many ways, this approach is closer to how animals eat in nature and even how we eat ourselves.
Why does the term cause confusion?
The word 'complementary' is often misunderstood.
Some people assume it means the food is less nutritious, less important, or less suitable for their cat.
In reality, complementary food follows a different approach. Nutritional balance is achieved through a cat's overall diet rather than from a single meal.
If cats lived entirely in the wild, they would not eat exactly the same thing every day. They would naturally consume different prey over time, creating variety in their diet.
The same principle applies to people.
When we eat a bowl of pasta, a salad, or a piece of fish, we do not expect that one meal to provide everything our body needs. Instead, we rely on a varied and balanced diet over time.
Complementary feeding follows a similar philosophy.
An approach inspired by natural nutrition
In nature, no animal eats a perfectly balanced meal that contains every nutrient it needs.
Balance is achieved through variety over time.
Many complementary foods are inspired by this idea, focusing on simple recipes, carefully selected ingredients, and minimal processing.
At Almo Nature, our complementary HFC recipes have been developed with this philosophy in mind, placing great importance on the quality of the ingredients themselves.
The focus is on the ingredients in the recipe, allowing their natural qualities to take centre stage.
How can you provide a balanced diet?
The answer is simple: offer a variety of protein sources and combine complementary foods with complete foods.
For example, at Almo Nature, a healthy adult cat weighing around 4 kg can enjoy 110g of HFC pâté per day (or 140 g depending on calorie intake) combined with a 35 g portion of Dry Food.
Alternating the protein sources in the pâté you give your cat also allows you to provide them with a variety of nutrients, whilst ensuring maximum flavour and enjoyment :)
Does your cat not eat dry food? Don’t worry.
You can also combine complementary pâtés with complete pâtés, such as the HFC Complete recipes, to maintain an appropriate nutritional balance.
The goal is not to choose between complete and complementary nutrition.
The two can work very well together as part of a varied and balanced diet.
What should you remember?
At the end of the day, "complementary" does not mean "less good".
It simply means that your cat's nutritional balance is achieved through their overall diet rather than from a single meal alone.
What matters most is the quality of the ingredients, variety within the diet, and a feeding approach that supports your cat's individual needs.
Regulatory definitions
Complete feeds: Feed mixtures which, by virtue of their composition, are sufficient to provide a daily ration on their own.
Complementary feeds: Feed mixtures containing high levels of certain substances and which, because of their composition, can only provide a daily ration when fed alongside other feeds.
