16 of the Very Best Cat Foods
You’ll find food for felines with sensitive tummies and a formula for growing kittens.
Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your account’s‘Saved for Later’section.
Comment
In this article
Choosing the rightcatfood is a major part of keeping your cat happy and healthy — and the good news, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the options, is that there is no one “right” cat food. “Compared with the haphazard diet of whatever prey and scavenged dead things feral cats can find, our pets have an excellent source of nutrition in conventional commercial cat foods,” says Dr. Brennen McKenzie, a veterinarian who blogs about science-based pet care atSkeptVet.
To help you find the best food for your cat, we’ve consulted McKenzie and 17 other experts to walk us through the many different options — including grain free, raw, human grade, and freeze dried — and explain why a cat owner might choose one brand or type over another. We’ll get more into it in the criteria below, but note that some of the determining factors will depend on your cat’sspecific needs(often determined by their age), while others are more subjective (as cat owners know, picky felines often have unexplainable preferences). We also asked some of our cat parents on staff to feed these foods to their felines to see how it all went down.
Whatwe’relookingfor
Life stage
“The most important part when you’re buying food for your pet is looking for the nutritional-adequacy statement and making sure it’s for the appropriate life stage for your pet,” says Martha G. Cline, a certified veterinary nutritionist atRed Bank Veterinary Hospitalin New Jersey. Allpet foodshould have a nutritional-adequacy statement from theAssociation of American Feed Control Officialsnoting whether it meets the standards for growth (good for kittens), adult maintenance (for maintaining a healthy weight), or all life stages (any age).
Nutritional breakdown
Unlike with human food, you generally won’t find a nutrition label on your cat’s food breaking down the specific quantities of carbohydrates, fat, and protein it contains. For the most part, McKenzie says that’s okay since all food that meets AAFCO standards will provide a sufficient amount of allmacronutrients. “There is a range within which cats can thrive, and individual cats all have slightly different needs,” he says, adding that “nearly all commercial diets fall within these ranges.”
However, somevetsare more specific in their recommendations. Jennifer Berg, founder ofTribeca Veterinary Wellness, says “more protein than fat, then very little of any kind of carbohydrate is what we feel is probably ideal.” Jennifer Coates, a veterinary expert at the online pet-supplies retailerChewy, agrees that cats need more protein than many other species and stresses that the protein “should be sourced from animals.” And veterinarian Lisa Pierson has compiled athorough, publicly available Google spreadsheetof the nutrient profile for hundreds of cat-food flavors if you’d like to see an individual formulas’ nutritional breakdown. But it’s best to ask your vet if they recommend a specific composition for your cat’s needs.
You may notice that some cat foods are labeled “grain free,” but vets are wary of this marketing term as it doesn’t tell you much about food’s actual nutrition. “Grain-free foods can be nutritionally excellent or terrible, and the presence or absence of grains themselves says nothing about the health impact of the diet,” McKenzie says. “Anxieties about grains, and carbohydrates generally, in cat foods are not based on real science and should not be the basis for selection of a cat food.”
Wet food or dry food
The two main forms of cat food are wet and dry. Before choosing one form over the other, ask your vet what they recommend for your cat’s particular needs. Becausecatsnaturally drink little water, some vets prefer wet food since its higher moisture content keeps cats hydrated, which may help prevent kidney disease. Other vets disagree, arguing that dry food encourages cats to drink more water and that there’s little scientific evidence to promote the link between wet food and healthier kidneys. Wet food is lower in calories, so some vets may recommend it if your cat is struggling to maintain a healthy weight. Dry food, or kibble, has the advantage of staying fresh longer, which may make it a good option if your cat likes to graze at her meals over the course of the day. Some dry food is actually freeze-dried, a process manufacturers use to keep ingredients fresh (especially with raw food) without risking bacterial contamination. Within the wet-food category, you’ll find pâtés (loaf-style food with a homogenous texture), shredded-meat formulas, and meat-in-gravies (a liquid-based food with chunks of meat). Picky cats tend to have a favoritestyle of food, so you may have to try a few different types.
Approximate cost per ounce
The cost of cat food varies depending on thebrandand formula you choose, and more expensive food isn’t necessarily healthier. Since you’ll be buyinga lotof food over the course of yourcat’s lifetime, we’ve listed the approximate cost per ounce for each food based on the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (which may be different than the retailer price as those can change because of different promotions). As for how much food to feed, cats generally require 200 to 250 calories per day, but this number varies based on their size, activity level, and whether they need to lose or gain weight. (Calorie counts per ounce of food vary, so you’ll need to check the feeding instructions on the packaging.)Megan Shepherd, a veterinary nutritionist at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech, advises checking with your veterinarian for more specific guidance and consulting thisbody-condition score chartto see if your cat is under- or overweight.
Best cat food overall
New! You can now save this product for later.
Life stage:Adult |Nutritional breakdown:High protein, moderate fat, low carb |Wet food or dry food:Wet, meat in gravy |Approximate cost per ounce:$0.36
This Purina Pro Plan formula checks all the nutritional boxes for adult cats without special dietary needs, according to two veterinarians we interviewed. It’s high in protein with moderate fat and plenty of fiber. Purina employs full-time veterinary nutritionists and invests heavily in research and development. “They’re continuously testing their products and doing studies to improve them and keep up with the knowledge that we continue to ascertain about cats to make the food as optimal as possible,” says veterinarian Dr. Cori Blair ofFeline Health.
Picky cats seem to like it too. When our deals editor, Sam Daly, introduced this food to her two cats, she says, “they totally obliterated everything,” despite their tendency to just graze on wet food. While the consistency is chunkier than shredded food, Daly says the light sauce was enough to entice her “gravy fiends.” Plus, it kept the formula from drying out too quickly. The chicken flavor is also less smelly — a big plus in Daly’s book — compared with other similar options she has fed her pair.
Best meat-in-gravy cat food
New! You can now save this product for later.
Life stage:Adult |Nutritional breakdown:Very high protein, low fat, very low carb |Wet food or dry food:Wet, meat in gravy |Approximate cost per ounce:$0.36
If yourcatprefers meat-in-gravy formulas, Berg says this chicken-in-gravy flavor from Weruva is a good option because of its high-protein and low-carbohydrate content. The brand is recommended by pet-nutrition consultantSusan Lauten. It is grain-free, if that’s something you’re looking for, but as stated above, “grain free” is more of a marketing term than a reliable indicator of healthiness.
Best (less expensive) meat-in-gravy cat food
New! You can now save this product for later.
Life stage:Adult |Nutritional breakdown:High protein, moderate fat, moderate carb |Wet food or dry food:Wet, meat in gravy |Approximate cost per ounce:$0.25
There’s nothing wrong with saving money on catfoodas long as you’re picking a food that’s nutritionally sound. The sale price of this Fancy Feast option is $24 for 30 tins, which is significantly cheaper than the Weruva above, though note that the cans are smaller. “A lot of people will say Fancy Feast is kind of the McDonald’s forcats, but it’s actually not the case,” says Berg. “Plenty of the Fancy Feast are actually quite high in protein and very low in carbohydrates.” This variety pack of protein-rich, meat-in-gravy flavors checks all her boxes and would be a good option for cats who like to mix up theirmeals.
Best pâté cat food
New! You can now save this product for later.
Life stage:Adult |Nutritional breakdown:Moderate protein, fat, and carbs |Wet food or dry food:Wet, pâté |Approximate cost per ounce:$0.22
Strategist senior editor Jen Trolio has been feeding this pâté food fromWhole Paws, Whole Foods Market’s in-house pet-food line, to her two indoortabbiesfor at least a decade. Despite occasionally trying other brands, Trolio says she always returns to this formula for its middle-of-the-road price, minimalodor, and grain-free ingredients. She says her cats have fewer digestion issues when they eat this food (which has a smooth consistency rather than being chunky or firm) — especially the one “who’s a little more sensitive in the tummy.” And while wet meals are never going to smell great, Whole Paws is less offensive than other pâté options, says Trolio, who splits a 5.5-ounce can between the two cats every morning andevening. As the cats turn 16 years old this year, Trolio says it’s hard to know what factors have helped them stayhealthyfor this long, but as she puts it, “surely the food isn’t hurting them.” She appreciates that this food available in flavors liketurkeyandsalmon, which her cats enjoy.
Best shredded cat food
New! You can now save this product for later.
Life stage:Adult |Nutritional breakdown:Very high protein, low fat, very low carb |Wet food or dry food:Wet, shredded |Approximate cost per ounce:$0.68
If you browsePierson’s chart, you’ll see Tiki Cat offers many options that are high in protein and low in carbs, and Lauten likes the brand’s wet and dry foods. Lots of Tiki Cat food is fish-flavored, which is extremely attractive to cats because of its salty taste, but some vets, including Berg, actually discouragefeedingcats fish because fish-flavored cat food has been linked tohyperthyroidism. Your vet can help you decide whether or not you should limit fish in your cat’s diet.This variety features shredded chicken and should appeal tocatswho like their food a little chunkier.
Best (less expensive) shredded cat food
New! You can now save this product for later.
Life stage:Adult| Nutritional breakdown:Very high protein, low fat, low carb| Wet food or dry food:Wet, shredded| Approximate cost per ounce:$0.57
Daly used tofeedher two cats the Tiki Cat above but says the brand was a bit too expensive considering herkittiesweren’t finishing their helpings. Reveal’s cans, which Daly bought on a whim, come in at $7 cheaper than Tiki Cat, though the cans are .33 ounces smaller. While the shredded appearance of thefoodis very similar to Tiki Cat, Daly says “it’s a bit lessstinky— not that that matters tomy cats, but it matters to me — and has more broth.” Daly even says she was “immediately shocked by how much both the chicken andfish optionslooked and smelled like something humans would eat.” Now, her catsgobble uptheir food in an instant.
Best cat food for sensitive stomachs
New! You can now save this product for later.
Life stage:Adult |Nutritional breakdown:Moderate protein, fat, and carbs |Wet food or dry food:Dry, kibble |Approximate cost per ounce:$0.60
For cats with digestive issues or sensitive stomachs, veterinarianJamie Freyerrecommends this specially formulated food from Royal Canin. Such ingredients as easily digestible proteins,prebiotics, and fiber-rich psyllium-seed husks promote intestinal health and regularbowel function. Lots of vets mentioned the brand because of the science that goes into its food and the vigorous testing it conducts.
Best cat food for sensitive teeth
New! You can now save this product for later.
Life stage:Adult| Nutritional breakdown:Moderate protein, fat, and carbs| Wet food or dry food:Wet, mousse| Approximate cost per ounce:$0.71
Dental issues such as missing teeth can make it difficult for acatto break down denser foods. Tazz Latifi, a certifiedpet nutritionistand retail consultant, recommends the mousse pouches from Tiki Cat because the texture is very smooth andsoothingto consume, she says. “They can just lick it, and it reduces the stress of chewing. Thescentcaptures their attention — it’s very palatable,” she explains. Some dental issues can leave nerves exposed in a cat’s mouth, Latifi adds, which can be very painful. In any case, it’s best to consult yourveterinarianimmediately (if you haven’t already) for a proper care plan.
Best cat food for weight maintenance
New! You can now save this product for later.
Life stage:Adult |Nutritional breakdown:Moderate protein, fat, and carbs |Wet food or dry food:Wet, pâté or meat in gravy |Approximate cost per ounce:$0.70
For cats that are heavier than their ideal body weight or even experiencing signs of obesity, Dr. Gabrielle Fadl, a medical director atBond Vet, recommends looking for a lower-calorie food from a brand that’s veterinary formulated, like Royal Canin. That way, your cat receives the same volume of food but at a lower calorie count so they don’t feel deprived, Fadl says. Joanna Douglas, executive director of branded content at Vox Media, says her tabby siblings,Goji and Guava(who were fostered by Howard and Beth Stern), have been eating Royal Canin since they werekittens. Now, asadult cats, the twofeedon this weight-care option — in combination withRoyal Canin’s Adult Instinctivecanned food — which was approved by a veterinarian to manage their calorie intake. Douglas says Guava, the pickier eater, is a fan of both. “With all the Royal Canin cat food, I have to say, I think it makes their coats really luxurious. People comment on how nice they feel and how good they look,” she says.
Best cat food for purebreds
New! You can now save this product for later.
Life stage:Adult |Nutritional breakdown:Moderate protein, fat, and carbs |Wet food or dry food:Dry, kibble |Approximate cost per ounce:$0.41
If you have apurebred cat, Freyer recommends looking at Royal Canin’s breed-specific foods that are designed for the unique needs of cats like Persians,Maine coons, andBengals. For example, in the brand’s dry food for Persian cats, the pieces of kibble are almond-shaped, which are easier for these cats to nibble with their shortened jaws.
Best human-grade cat food
New! You can now save this product for later.
Life stage:Adult |Nutritional breakdown:Very high protein, moderate fat, low carb |Wet food or dry food:Wet, pâté or minced |Approximate cost per ounce:$0.80
Like “grain free,” some vets say “human-grade” is more of a buzzy phrase than a statement of quality. (As McKenzie points out, “All the ingredients in potato chips and corn dogs are, by definition, ‘human grade.’”) But Dr. Paola Cuevas, veterinary consultant atHepperandPet Keen, likes that Smalls’s human-grade food is high in moisture and meets AAFCO formulation standards. The direct-to-consumer brand’s minced and pâté varieties use only USDA-certified ingredients, and each meal is gently cooked, as opposed to canned, which can contain toxic by-products that Cuevas says have been linked to cancer in humans. Four flavors (chicken, turkey, beef, and fish) are available, and cat owners can take ashort quizto determine the best formula for their feline companion. Note that the cost of food may vary slightly as recommended portion sizes are based on your cat’s age and weight.
Best raw cat food
New! You can now save this product for later.
Fegnion Raw Chicken Cat Food
Life stage:Adult| Nutritional breakdown:Very high protein, high fat, low carb| Wet food or dry food:Wet, raw| Approximate cost per ounce:$1.08
Latififeedsthis to her owntwo catsbecause it’s made of human-grade ingredients and doesn’t contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, making eachmealhighly digestible. This raw food satisfies acat’scravings for protein, Latifi says, so a smaller serving not only packs lots ofnutrientsbut staves offhungerfor longer than other processed food she has tried.
Best freeze-dried cat food
New! You can now save this product for later.
Life stage:Adult |Nutritional breakdown:High protein, moderate fat, low carb |Wet food or dry food:Dry, freeze-dried |Approximate cost per ounce:$2.42
While a few vets mentioned the benefits of raw or freeze-driedfood forcats, most cautioned against preparing it on your own because of the risk of contamination. “The less processed a food is, the more nutritious it is, but very few people want to deal with the possible bacterial dangers that feeding raw food brings,” saysChyrle Bonk, veterinary consultant atExcited Cats. Instead of grinding up raw meat in your kitchen, she recommends this freeze-dried raw food from Instinct that mimics the nutrient-rich food your cat wouldeat in the wildbut comes in a form that’s safe to feed at home. “This makes a very nutritious, less processed version of cat food that cats seem to do well on,” she says.
Best cat food for senior cats
New! You can now save this product for later.
Life stage:Adult and senior |Nutritional breakdown:Moderate protein and fat, low carb |Wet food or dry food:Wet, meat in gravy |Approximate cost per ounce:$0.49
If you look atPierson’s chart, you’ll see that the fourth column tracks how much phosphorus is in eachfoodlisted. Phosphorus might not be the first thing you look for when shopping for your own food, but this mineral is a very important factor in cat health. While phosphorus is essential for bone development in youngcats, as cats age, Berg says too much of it can cause or worsen kidney disease, a common problem amongolder cats. That’s why AAFCO standards have higher minimums for phosphorus in kitten foods than in adult formulas.
AAFCO doesn’t have a maximum phosphorus level, but Berg recommends trying to stay under 200 milligrams per 100 calories if your cat is 10 years old or older. Senior cats still require lots of protein in their diet, though, so Berg says to make sure you aren’t sacrificing protein in a lower-phosphorus formula: “Phosphorus tends to go up as the protein goes up,” she says. “But there are some proteins that are higher in phosphorus than others.” This nutritionally balanced Weruva food contains only 163 milligrams of phosphorus per 100 calories.
Best cat food for kittens
New! You can now save this product for later.
Life stage:Kitten |Nutritional breakdown:High protein, moderate fat, low carb |Wet food or dry food:Wet, pâté |Approximate cost per ounce:$0.70
If you’re buying food for a kitten, make sure to look for the AAFCO nutritional-adequacy statement for growth. “Because kittens are growing and developing, they require more calories than adult cats do on a per-pound basis,” says Coates. “Kitten foods are generally higher in fat than foods designed for adults to provide them with these extra calories.” Blair and Parker are fans of Royal Canin, and the brand’sjust-for-kittensfood is packed with protein and fortified with all the vitamins and minerals the littlestkittiesneed to thrive. It’s the same food that Hannah Shaw (better known as theKitten Ladyon Instagram) feeds herrescue kittens. “The pâté is the perfect soft texture for weaning kittens and provides them with high-quality nutrition that helps them thrive,” she says.
Best (less expensive) cat food for kittens
New! You can now save this product for later.
Life stage:Kitten |Nutritional breakdown:Moderate protein, moderate fat, low carb |Wet food or dry food:Wet, pâté |Approximate cost per ounce:$0.30
Fancy Feast (our top pick for less expensive meat-in-gravy food for adult cats) makeskittenfood that meets AAFCO requirements for growing kittens. This variety pack includes four different flavors, so there’ll likely be something for every member of anew litterto enjoy.
Some more other cat food (and treats) we’ve written about
Our experts
•Liz Bales, veterinarian
• Jennifer Berg, veterinarian and founder ofTribeca Veterinary Wellness
• Cori Blair, veterinarian withFeline Health
•Chyrle Bonk, veterinary consultant atExcited Cats
• Martha G. Cline, veterinarian and certified veterinary nutritionist atRed Bank Veterinary Hospital
• Jennifer Coates, veterinary expert atChewy
• Paola Cuevas, veterinary consultant atHepperandPet Keen
• Sam Daly, Strategist deals editor
• Joanna Douglas, executive director of branded content at Vox Media
• Gabrielle Fadl, medical director atBond Vet
•Jamie Freyer, veterinarian
• Tazz Latifi, certifiedpet nutritionistand retail consultant
•Susan Lauten, pet nutrition consultant
• Brennen McKenzie, veterinarian and blogger atthe SkeptVet
• Hannah Shaw (theKitten Lady), cat rescuer
•Megan Shepherd, veterinarian and veterinary nutritionist at the Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech
• Jen Trolio, Strategist senior editor
The Strategistis designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the bestacne treatments,rolling luggage,pillows for side sleepers,natural anxiety remedies, andbath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
