I always start with this website, good basics:

http://catinfo.org/

Four paws five directions

Anne Fraziers the natural cat

Dr Priticarin( cant spell ) book...http://www.amazon.com/Pitcairns-Complete-Guide-Natural-Health/dp/157954973X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1202675653&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Natural-Nutrition-Dogs-Kymythy-Schultze/dp/1561706361/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1202675534&sr=1-6

All of the book s I have read most to all of .... The best thing is to read compare and then analyze as NONE agree on all pts... ie some say corn is a fine food in the diet...

Cats are OBLIGATE carnivore s this mean s they CANNOT survive without MEAT PROTEIN

... Dry food should be a snack if given at all ... YES this can be a issue depending on the cat ... ie it does not help dental care

ALWAYS read the back of the bag as the FRONT can pretty much claim anything....

with lamb or chicken = the food only has to have 3%

lamb and rice formula = 25% or more of the bag

For a Cat I prefer grain free WETS as the drys are yet to go thru a complete generation to see what issues may arise from VERY high DRY proteins

For a basic understanding of various illnesses and food issues and home prepared recipes:

Home-Prepared Dog and Cat Diets: The Healthful Alternative
by Donald R. Strombeck, DVM, PhD

Good places to start:

http://www.thepetcenter.com/imtop/nutrition.html

http://maxshouse.com/feline_nutrition.htm

http://www.vin.com/VINDBPub/SearchPB/Proceedings/PR05000/PR00119.htm







If you are a cat/dog nutrition obsessive person (like me) then the domestic animal nutrition “Bible” is:

Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats (Nutrient Requirements of Domestic Animals) by Subcommittee on Dog and Cat Nutrition, Committee on Animal Nutrition, and National Research Council
Price: $250.00 - $300.00 (I’m still saving up for this – I just have excerpts)

Actually, Sharky, the percentages required to be in food is not based on the type of protein/meat used.  It is based on the name of the food.  I..e dinner means 25 % must be that particular ingredient.  This link might help:
http://www.fda.gov/cvm/petlabel.htm


(In re-reading your post I think what is in the FDA link is what you meant, but figure the additional clarification is good)

One thing I've really learned since the recalls is that any diseases may really impact what the cat can eat.  I've known quite a few owners that try to have their cats eat the stuff that we all think is the best, only to find out they can't tolerate it...because they have food allergies, because they can't handle some ingredient that seems to be in all canned foods (like my Cougar), because they have CRF and have special considerations. 

So, I think the info is great, and I prefer to feed my cats the best food, but in some cases disease may limit you.