The diet for a healthy, adult cat aged one to six years old is called a maintenance diet. Unless your cat is pregnant or nursing, a high-quality, complete and balanced maintenance diet is just what the doctor ordered to maintain a good body condition.

A good body condition is one in which the animal is well proportioned, with an observable waist behind the ribcage and ribs that can be felt with a slight fat covering over them.

Because cats tend to be nibblers or "occasional eaters," they should have access to their food for several hours each day. Also, clean, fresh water is important for virtually all body functions - digestion, absorption, circulation, transporting nutrients, building tissues and helping to regulate body temperature.

Cats require a higher level of dietary protein and a different nutrient balance than dogs. Optimal protein level helps your cat maintain muscle mobility and flexibility. Like kittens, mature cats require the addition of taurine to their diet while dogs do not. In fact, lack of taurine can result in impaired vision. So never substitute dog food for cat food.

Finally, the quality of ingredients and the digestibility of the food will determine how much nutrition stays with your cat and how much simply passes through as waste. So your best value is to choose a nutrient-dense, highly digestible formula like Purina ONE TOTAL NUTRITION Salmon & Tuna flavour or Purina ONE TOTAL NUTRITION Chicken & Rice Formula.