Best cat food under £20/month for a rescue tabby

Cats are obligate carnivores — they need animal protein to survive, and a lot of commercial foods pad things out with plant-based fillers that don't serve them well at all. Wet food is generally the better choice over dry, because cats have a low thirst drive and kidney disease is one of the most common long-term health problems they face — hydration through food genuinely matters. To point you in the right direction: what type and age is your cat, are there any health issues or dietary restrictions you're aware of, and what are you currently feeding them?

Yes, £20 a month is absolutely workable — you just need to spend it in the right place. Moving away from Whiskas is a good instinct. It's not terrible, but it's heavy on cereals and derivatives, which means you're paying for a lot of filler rather than actual meat. At one year old your cat has just crossed into adulthood, so you don't need kitten food anymore, and since he's healthy you have flexibility. I'd drop the dry food entirely if you can — or at least make wet the main event. What matters most at this stage is high meat content, named protein sources, and no grain padding.

My recommendation is Animonda Carny Adult wet cat food — it comes in trays or pouches, it's widely available on Amazon UK, and a 24-pack of 85g trays typically comes in around £16–18, which leaves you comfortable headroom. The ingredient list is what sets it apart at this price point: real named meat (beef, chicken, turkey, or game depending on the variety), no cereals, no artificial additives. Cats tend to genuinely enjoy it, which matters when you're transitioning from a lower-quality food. Switch gradually over about a week — mix increasing amounts of the new food with what he's used to — to avoid any stomach upset. He's young, healthy, and you're catching this early. That's the best position to be in.

If he's eating a quality complete wet food like Animonda Carny, you don't need supplements — it's formulated to cover all his nutritional bases. The only thing worth adding is fresh water, always available, changed daily. Treats are fine in moderation but keep them meat-based and low in carbohydrates — something like Cosma Snackies or plain cooked chicken works well. Just make sure treats don't creep above about 10% of his daily calories or you'll start unbalancing the diet you've just improved.

Exactly right — good cat nutrition doesn't have to be expensive, it just has to be thoughtful. You're making a solid choice for him. If anything changes — his weight, appetite, coat condition — come back and we can reassess. Enjoy having him home.