UPDATE 17 Oct 2017: Coles cleans up 'complete' labelling

For poorly labelled treats that could harm your cat

With a name like Coles Complete Cuisine, you'd be forgiven for assuming this product is a nutritionally 'complete' food. But based on the small print on the back of the can, it's likely this tinned treat would be too low in fat to qualify as a 'complete' food.

In order to be complete the product has to meet certain requirements such as a particular calcium to phosphorus ratio (amounts of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and sodium – not too much or too little), and minimum protein, fat and taurine content. 

Pet nutritionists recommend that treats like Coles Complete Cuisine should only comprise 5–10% of a cat's total energy intake – any more than this and they could gain weight, or risk nutrient deficiencies if their complete food intake is reduced to account for the energy from treats.

Whether you offer your feline friends the occasional indulgence or not, confusing this tinned snack with a complete food could lead to significant problems like expensive vet bills, your animal companion getting sick, or worse. 

We think this deserves a serve of clearly labelled Shonky just for Coles.