If you’re looking for dry cat food for your refined feline but aren’t sure which ones to try, we’ve compiled the following list to help you get started. 

Dry Cat Food: Our Top Picks 

All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the Vetstreet editorial team and do not reflect a direct endorsement by the author. However, Vetstreet may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.

• Best Overall Dry Food for Cats: Instinct Original Real Rabbit Recipe
• Best Freeze-Dried Cat Food for Finicky Cats: Smalls Freeze-Dried Puffs
• Best Dry Cat Food for Kittens: Purina Kitten Chow
• Best Dry Cat Food for Sensitive Stomach: Royal Canin Sensitive Digestion Dry Cat Food
• Best Dry Cat Food for Weight Loss: Orijen Fit and Trim Dry Cat Food
• Best Indoor Adult Dry Cat Food: Wellness Complete Health Grain Free Indoor Deboned Chicken 
• Best Dry Cat Food for Picky Eaters: Open Farm Pasture-Raised Lamb Dry Cat Food
• Best Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food: Dr. Marty Nature’s Feast Essential Wellness
• Best Hairball Control Cat Food: Hill’s Science Diet Adult Hairball Control Chicken Recipe Cat Food
• Best Grain-Free Dry Cat Food: Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain-Free Indoor Chicken Recipe
• Best Dehydrated Dry Cat Food: The Honest Kitchen Grain Free Turkey Dehydrated Cat Food  

11 Best Dry Cat Foods of 2025 

You might not know where to begin with so many dry cat food brands, from well-known companies to boutique businesses. To help you find the right one, here’s a list of options for kittens, adult cats, picky eaters, and more.

Best Overall Dry Food for Cats 

Our Pick: Instinct Original Real Rabbit Recipe

Instinct makes dry, wet, freeze-dried, and raw cat foods. Their Original Real Rabbit Recipe offers a novel protein for cats who want something different. It’s also an option for incorporating a bit of raw nutrition into your pet’s diet, as the kibble is coated in freeze-dried rabbit. This provides more flavor and nutrients and combines the convenience of kibble with the benefits of raw food. As a bonus, there’s no mess or hassle of feeding frozen raw.

The first ingredient is farm-raised rabbit, followed by turkey meal and menhaden fish. Most of the recipe (80 percent) consists of animal ingredients and oils. This food also contains fruits and vegetables like cranberries, apples, carrots, and live probiotics. These ingredients give your cat the protein, fiber, and fat needed for strong muscles, healthy skin and coat, and digestive health.   

Highlights

• Rabbit is a novel protein for cats who have allergies or prefer variety.
• Kibble is coated in freeze-dried rabbit muscle and organs.
• Available in several flavors.
• Doesn’t contain any grain, wheat, corn, potato, or soy. 
• Made in the USA.

Things to Consider

• Contains other proteins, including poultry and fish, so keep that in mind if your cat is allergic to them.  
• Higher price point. 
• Not suitable for cats who are sensitive to raw or freeze-dried ingredients.

Best Freeze-Dried Cat Food for Finicky Cats

Our Pick: Smalls Freeze-Dried Puffs

Smalls knows cats can be finicky. Their latest offering, Small Freeze-Dried Puffs, pack 95 percent animal protein in every single bite. Smalls’ freeze-drying process ensures all the nutrients and ingredients are locked in for your cat to savor. The formula supports muscles, bones, digestion, and a healthy coat.

Nicely sized for automatic feeders and available in two sizes and two varieties ((chicken or turkey), Smalls uses no artificial flavors or ingredients. Made in the USA, consider serving Smalls Freeze-Dried Puffs if you have a finicky cat.

Highlights

• Comes in two flavors and two size offerings.
• Packs more protein than most kibble cat food.
• Crafted with 95 percent single-source animal protein.
• No artificial flavors or colors.
• Easy to travel with and store.

Things to Consider

• Puffs are only available to subscribing customers.
• Some cats may need time to adjust to the freeze-dried puffs texture.

Best Dry Cat Food for Kittens 

Our Pick: Purina Kitten Chow

Purina cat food is recommended by veterinarians and comes in a variety of recipes for all the life stages of a cat. Kitten Chow is their dry food for kittens 12 months and under. It’s formulated to help a kitten grow big and strong and also supports their healthy appetite.  

This food contains real chicken and 25 percent more protein, which kittens need for their growth. It also provides DHA to support their brain and eyes, antioxidants for a strong immune system, and calcium and phosphorus for teeth and bones. The small kibble has an irresistible liver flavor, so kittens get all the necessary nutrients. 

Highlights

• High in protein to support a kitten’s growth.
• Contains DHA to support vision and brain development. 
• Doesn’t contain artificial flavors or colors. 
• Affordably priced.

Things to Consider

• Contains soy and corn, which some pet parents choose to avoid. 
• Made for kittens up to 12 months old. 

Best Dry Cat Food for Sensitive Stomach

Our Pick: Royal Canin Sensitive Digestion Dry Cat Food

If your cat is experiencing digestive issues, consult a veterinarian to determine the cause. Consider options like the Royal Canin Sensitive Digestion Dry Cat Food if dietary modifications are suggested. It contains highly digestible proteins for cats with a sensitive stomach. 

This dry food provides prebiotics that support the right balance of intestinal flora, supporting strong digestion.In addition to being easier for the body to digest, this food can help strengthen your cat’s digestive tract. It also has a higher energy density, which means your cat can eat smaller meals but still get all the nutrition they need. This helps decrease the work your cat’s digestive tract must do. 

Highlights

• Royal Canin cat food is vet-recommended. 
• Various kibble shapes for variety. 
• High digestibility, palatability, and energy density. 
• Formulated to help cats with loose stools.  

Things to Consider

• Only one flavor is available.
• It is not available in a wet food version but can be paired with Royal Canin Digest Sensitive wet food. 
• Higher price point.

Best Dry Cat Food for Weight Loss

Our Pick: Orijen Fit and Trim Dry Cat Food

Work with your veterinarian if you aren’t sure about your pet’s ideal weight and how to safely help them shed extra pounds. If your kitty needs to lose some weight to be healthier, a food like Orijen Fit and Trim can be helpful. The first five ingredients—chicken, chicken liver, whole herring, turkey, and turkey giblets—provide various nutrients, and the freeze-dried liver coating entices your kitty to dig in.   

According to the manufacturer, this food is scientifically tested for weight loss. On average, cats fed this dry food lost 22.8 percent of their body weight while improving their lean body condition. This dry cat food contains prebiotics, probiotics, fiber for digestive health, and omega-3 fatty acids from wild-caught fish for skin and coat health.  

Highlights

• Contains 85 percent animal ingredients, including free-run poultry and wild-caught fish.
• The brand’s WholePrey diet uses muscle meat, organs, and bone to mimic a cat’s natural diet.
• Doesn’t contain wheat, corn, soy, or tapioca. 
• Coated with freeze-dried liver for enhanced flavor. 
• Made in the USA.

Things to Consider

• Only available in one flavor. 
• Not appropriate for cats who need limited ingredient diets. 
• Higher price point.

Best Indoor Adult Dry Cat Food

Our Pick: Wellness Complete Health Grain Free Indoor Deboned Chicken 

The Wellness Complete Health line of cat foods offers several options, including their Indoor Deboned Chicken dry food. Its ingredients support every aspect of a cat’s health, including digestion, immune system, teeth and gums, and skin and coat. Also, chicken meal provides glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate for joint health, while L-carnitine and fiber help with weight management, making this one of the best dry cat foods for indoor cats.

Indoor kitties tend to be less active. That can lead to unwanted weight gain and health issues associated with being overweight or obese. This crunchy kibble can help boost their energy with natural ingredients like chicken, flaxseeds, cranberries, vitamins, minerals, and probiotics.  

Highlights

• Available in multiple flavors and recipes, including a senior cat food. 
• The recipe was crafted with veterinarians and pet nutritionists. 
• Doesn’t contain meat by-products, fillers, grains, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. 
• A good option for those who prefer grain-free cat food. 

Things to Consider

• Not appropriate for pet parents who want to avoid cat foods with potatoes and legumes.
• Some cats might not like the size and shape of this kibble.

Best Dry Cat Food for Picky Eaters

Our Pick: Open Farm Pasture-Raised Lamb Dry Cat Food

Cats who are picky eaters might be interested in a novel protein like lamb. Open Farm’s Pasture-Raised Lamb Dry Cat Food contains humanely raised, grass-fed New Zealand lamb, ocean whitefish meal, and herring meal for some delicious fish flavors. Other ingredients include liver, non-GMO fruits and vegetables, dandelion greens, and coconut oil for various nutrients.

High in protein, this dry food provides prebiotic fibers to support digestion. It’s a good cat food for kitties allergic to poultry, as it doesn’t contain any! Finding cat foods that don’t have chicken in the ingredients is quite difficult! Plus, it doesn’t contain meat meals or potatoes. 

Highlights

• Contains humanely raised lamb. 
• Doesn’t contain meat meals, rendered poultry, or animal by-products.
• Free of potato, corn, wheat, soy, and artificial flavors and preservatives.  
• You can trace the ingredients in this food on the Open Farm website. 

Things to Consider

• Contains chickpeas and lentils, so not a good option for those avoiding legumes. 
• Higher price point. 

Best Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food

Our Pick: Dr. Marty Nature’s Feast Essential Wellness

Consider freeze-dried raw food from Dr. Marty’s if you’d prefer feeding food that protects the nutrients your cat needs. Nature’s Feast by Dr. Marty contains 87 percent premium cuts of meat, making it a high-protein diet for your cat. It is free from artificial preservatives and synthetic vitamin and mineral powders Thanks to the freeze drying process, nutrients and flavored are retained.

This food can be served as is, right from the bag, or with a bit of water for cats who prefer it moist. Storage is a snap, as it lasts up to three months after opening without the need for refrigeration.

Highlights

• Freeze-dried formula retains nutrients.
• Grain-free.
• Easily stores at room temperature with no need to refrigerate.
• Includes a 90-day money-back guarantee.
• Made with antioxidant-rich vegetables, fruit, and seeds.
• Trial size available.

Things to Consider

• A bit more costly than dry or canned food.
• Not all cats care for a freeze-dried texture.

Best Hairball Control Cat Food

Our Pick: Hill’s Science Diet Adult Hairball Control Chicken Recipe Cat Food

For cats who vomit hairballs often, a hairball control cat food like Hill’s Science Diet Adult Hairball Control Chicken Recipe can help move the hair through the digestive tract. Hill’s is a veterinarian-recommended brand that has studied how natural fiber can reduce hairballs. This dry food is formulated to do just that. 

Chicken is the first ingredient in this food, which contains no chicken by-product meal. It has natural ingredients and antioxidants to support overall health, including the immune system. This food is available as a wet food, so you can provide your cat with extra moisture.

Highlights

• Formulated to avoid hairball formation. 
• Provides protein for lean muscles. 
• Contains omega fatty acids and vitamin E for healthy skin and coat. 
• No artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors.
• Made in the USA. 

Things to Consider

• For adult cats, not kittens. 
• Only available in chicken flavor. 
• Higher price point. 

Best Grain-Free Dry Cat Food

Our Pick: Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain-Free Indoor Chicken Recipe

The Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain-Free Indoor Chicken Recipe is for adult cats aged 1-7 years. It’s free of grains and formulated for indoor cats to help them stay at a healthy weight. You won’t find any corn, wheat, or soy in this dry cat food. And it doesn’t contain poultry by-product meals or artificial flavors and preservatives.

Deboned chicken is the first ingredient, followed by chicken meal and fruits and vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, cranberries, and blueberries. It also contains the brand’s LifeSource Bits, which provide vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants selected by animal nutritionists and veterinarians.  

Highlights

• Contains real meat, and no poultry by-product meals. 
• Features BLUE’s LifeSource Bits for antioxidants and nutrients. 
• Formulated to support digestion, the immune system, and healthy weight. 
• Available in other flavors, including for seniors and kittens. 

Things to Consider

• Contains potatoes and peas, which some pet parents prefer to avoid. 
• It contains menhaden fish meal, so it is not suitable for cats who need to avoid fish for any reason, such as allergies. 

Best Dehydrated Dry Cat Food

Our Pick: The Honest Kitchen Grain-Free Turkey Dehydrated Cat Food 

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The Honest Kitchen’s Grain Free Turkey Dehydrated Cat Food is formulated for kittens and adult cats. It supports overall health, from digestion and energy to skin and coat. Dehydrated food for cats is an alternative to raw food because dehydrating the ingredients retains more nutrients. When ready to serve it to your cat, add warm water and stir to create a wet food consistency.

This food features human-grade ingredients. Formulated with a veterinary nutritionist, the first ingredient is cage-free turkey. Other ingredients include eggs, fruits, vegetables, and probiotics. You won’t find corn, wheat, soy, or artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.  

Highlights

• Human-grade ingredients rather than feed-grade.
• Contains no by-products, corn, wheat, soy, GMO ingredients, or fillers. 
• Available in multiple flavors.
• Made in the USA. 

Things to Consider

• Need to add water to provide moisture to your cat’s food. 
• Some cats may not care for the food’s consistency. 

Dry Cat Food Buyer’s Guide 

Once you have a few options that you’re considering for your feline companion, narrow them down to the best one for your kitty by considering the following:

Your Cat’s Health

When shopping for food for cats, remember their health conditions, says Dr. Rhiannon Koehler, DVM, MPH, and founder of Evergreen Medical Writing, LLC.

For example, if your cat has allergies to any particular ingredients, read labels to ensure no allergens are present. 

Also, if your cat has a chronic condition, carefully select a food that will support their well-being and consult your veterinarian for guidance. 

Nutritional Adequacy

Check labels to ensure dry foods are complete and balanced. Many foods on the market are meant to be fed as treats or supplemental meals, so read labels carefully. 

“Pet parents should look for the nutritional adequacy statement on the package, usually near the nutrition label, that states the diet completed animal feeding tests or is formulated to meet AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) standards for your cat’s specific life stage,” says Dr. Koehler. “If there is no AAFCO statement, the food is not complete and balanced and should not be used as your cat’s regular diet.”

It’s important to know what the AAFCO statement means. “People frequently, but incorrectly, believe that AAFCO tests and certifies food, but this organization only establishes nutrient guidelines for pet food,” says Dr. Renee Rucinsky, DVM, Diplomate, American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, and owner of Mid Atlantic Cat Hospital and Mid Atlantic Feline Thyroid Center.

Brand Quality

These days, new pet food brands are always entering the market. 

“I try to emphasize using companies that spend time and money on feline-specific nutrition research, and who employ board-certified veterinary nutritionists,” says Dr. Rucinsky.

Dr. Koehler also recommends brands that employ board-certified veterinary nutritionists and follow World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) nutrition guidelines. 

Research any pet food brand that you’re considering. See if they’ve had any food recalls, learn about their production process, and find out how they craft their recipes. Many businesses will answer questions if you contact them for clarification.  

What to Look for In Dry Cat Foods 

In addition to confirming that the cat food is complete and balanced according to AAFCO standards, consider the following:

Ingredients: Reading ingredient lists can be tedious, but it’s the only way to know exactly what you’re feeding your cat. Dr. Rucinsky says there aren’t any particular ingredients to avoid.

“Grain is not inherently bad, and you’re not necessarily buying something better if it’s grain-free,” she says. “The other ingredient that people get upset about is by-products. Reputable companies see by-products as things that are not suitable for widespread human consumption but still have nutritional value (e.g., liver, kidneys, heart, etc.). By-products do not equal beaks and feathers.”

Guaranteed analysis. This information should be on a pet food label. It includes various nutrients, including protein, fat, fiber, and moisture. “I recommend choosing a dry food that is as high in protein as possible, preferably as close to 40% or over,” says Dr. Rucinsky.

Life stage. Healthy cat food will be nutritionally complete and balanced for your pet’s age. AAFCO’s life stages for cats are: gestation/lactation, growth, maintenance, and all life stages. If you have a kitten or a pregnant or nursing mother cat, shop for foods made for them. There are also senior cat foods to meet their specific needs.   

Feeding requirements. A cat food label should be clear about how much to feed your cat based on their body weight. Following these guidelines will ensure your cat gets the right calories each day. Talk to your veterinarian to determine how many calories your cat needs.

Dry Cat Food: How We Made Our Selections  

 To make our picks for this list, we looked at:

• Ingredient quality: We chose foods that contain quality ingredients that provide balanced nutrition. We also considered foods with novel proteins for picky eaters or cats with allergies. 
• Consumer reviews: We considered customer reviews to find top-rated dry cat foods. All foods on this list have a 4-star or higher rating on Amazon and other retailer websites. 
• Brand quality and reputation: We selected a variety of brands, from well-known companies to newer brands offering options like human-grade pet food. We also chose companies that use veterinary nutritionists and brands recommended by veterinarians.  
• Price: Some dry foods are pricey. We selected foods to suit all budgets.

Choosing the perfect dry cat food for your kitty may require some experimentation, but with the right approach, you can find one or more options that your cat will love.

The post Best Dry Cat Food of 2025: Top 11 Picks appeared first on Vetstreet.

When life hands you the opportunity to test out one of the best cat food options on the market, the only acceptable answer is, “Yes, please!” Like all cat parents, I want the food I feed my cats to be the healthiest, highest-quality fare possible. Oh, and picky eater-proof. And don’t forget convenience. Could Smalls human-grade cat food live up to the hype? I was eager to find out (along with my feline taste testers) and share our Smalls cat food review with the world.

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The rise of pet food delivery services in recent years has made life easier for plenty of pet parents. But it’s the increase in healthier cat food alternatives, like human-grade fresh cat food and freeze-dried raw cat food, that has improved life most for our feline friends.

According to industry statistics, the fresh pet food market is rising in demand in the U.S., particularly for healthy pet food with high-quality ingredients that aid digestion and boost immunity. Buying trends indicate the fresh pet food market will expand at a compound annual growth rate of nearly 30 percent by 2028, one report reveals. (1)

Thanks to the rise of fresh cat food delivery services like Smalls, it’s easier than ever to feed your cat the kind of healthy, human-grade diet they deserve…one that’s free of the fillers and additives found in some inexpensive commercial cat foods.

What is Smalls Cat Food?

Smalls is a subscription meal service for cats that delivers the best food for cats right to your door. Like premium meal services for people, Smalls cat food is made with high-quality, human-grade ingredients you’d find in your own kitchen. The recipes are high in protein and filler-free, including only USDA-certified, humanely harvested, sustainably sourced foods cats love, like chicken, turkey, salmon, cod, green beans, pumpkin, spinach, and more.

Unlike meal kits for humans, Smalls recipes require no cooking or prep. Smalls vet-formulated meals are carefully prepped and gently cooked to deliver all the benefits of fresh cat food without fuss or frustration. While other brands pack their cat food with preservatives to ensure a lengthy shelf life, Smalls crafts fresh frozen recipes to preserve the vital nutrients your cat needs to live a happy, healthy life.

Smalls Fresh Cat Food Varieties

It’s one thing to read “Smalls believes that cats deserve better” on the Smalls website. But their menu of meal options definitely delivers on the company credo.

Every Smalls recipe contains at least 80 percent animal proteins. The balance is simply moisture to ensure your cat stays fully hydrated and a few healthy veggies to supply important vitamins, minerals, and nutrients naturally. (No added supplements required!)

Best of all, the recipes come in a variety of cat palate-pleasing flavors and two textures — “smooth” (a velvety pâté) and “ground” (a chunkier minced formula cats can really sink their teeth into).

Choices include:

• Human-Grade Fresh Smooth or Ground Bird – with chicken and chicken liver
• Human-Grade Fresh Smooth or Ground Other Bird – with turkey and turkey liver
• Human-Grade Fresh Smooth Fish – with salmon and cod
• Human-Grade Fresh Smooth Pig – with pork and pork liver
• Human-Grade Fresh Smooth Bird & Fish Dish – Smalls’ first-ever land and sea option, made with chicken, chicken liver, and salmon

Too hard to choose? Don’t worry. Smalls offers a sampler so your cat can taste different options and figure out their faves. Plus, there’s a money-back guarantee. Best of all, if you click below to get started, you’ll get free treats for life when you subscribe.

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Smalls Cat Food Taste Test

My two middle-aged cats, Franklin and Eleanor, recently had the pleasure of sampling Smalls cat food, and I am happy to report back our findings.

Upon serving the first Smalls human-grade fresh meal to my cats, the smell definitely attracted them. As each cat smelled the offering, they licked and sampled as expected. While Franklin scarfed it up right away, Eleanor was a little skeptical. She walked away, but later returned to eat it.

After sampling different flavors, Franklin and Eleanor both seemed to love the fish variety, while the bird variety took a little convincing. Keep in mind that you can heat up Smalls human-grade fresh meals slightly to bring out the yummy aroma. This may help entice your cat if he or she shows any hesitation. 

Things We Like About Smalls

We like Smalls and we think your cat will, too. Aside from the brand promise to give your cat only the healthiest of cat meals around, here are other reasons why we think Smalls is a great option for your cat:

• The food is fresh and sourced from the finest ingredients 
• They offer a variety of recipes
• They have a user-friendly website where you can answer a handful of questions and find out the best plan for you and your cat
• It’s essentially a meal subscription service for cats, so you can get the products automatically shipped to you, eliminating the need to run to the pet store
• Smalls crafts its recipes in the USA
• Packaging is 100 percent recyclable 
• Smalls will offer a full refund of your sampler order if your cat doesn’t enjoy any of the flavors or textures

Things to Consider About Smalls

While we love Smalls and all it has to offer, there are some key factors to consider before making a decision to switch your cat over to this new way of healthy eating:

• The human-grade fresh food is not pre-portioned like canned cat food and its packaging is not re-sealable, though Smalls does sell a custom storage container you can add on to your order.
• One package will last your cat roughly five meals whether served with kibble or not.
• Some cats may just be picky, and getting used to Smalls may take them a couple of weeks to adjust.
• Any time you switch your cat’s diet, it’s a good idea to talk to your vet to ensure the food meets your cat’s individual needs. For example, Smalls food may not be suitable for some cats in the later stages of kidney disease.
• The price will vary depending on the plan you’ve selected, but it can cost around $2.50-$3.50 per cat/per day.

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Smalls Cat Food: Our Verdict

So here’s the bottom line… 

After researching how Smalls sources ingredients and crafts recipes, without question, it is one of the healthiest cat food options around. While you will have limited options compared to other cat food brands with several flavors, you just can’t beat the fresh, all-natural ingredients and preservative- and filler-free recipes.

While Smalls costs more than the typical canned cat food variety, the fact that it’s delivered to your door is a definite plus and may also be worth the budget. Just be aware that if you switch cat food to Smalls (or any other brand for that matter), there will be a transition period where your cat may eat very little of it. Trust me, they’ll come around.

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Resources

1. https://www.technavio.com/report/fresh-pet-food-market-size-in-us-industry-analysis

The post Is Fresh Cat Food Worth the Splurge? My Take on Smalls Cat Food appeared first on Vetstreet.

We spoke with a board-certified feline dermatologist and a board-certified feline nutritionist to explore what feline food allergies are and what foods are most commonly to blame. Then, with the help of our experts’ insights, we dished out our list of the best food for cats with allergies.  

Just remember, cat food allergies are relatively rare, and they share a lot of symptoms with other health issues. So, you should always schedule a visit with your veterinarian before doing any detective work at home. 

Cat Food for Allergies: Our Top Picks

All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the Vetstreet editorial team and do not reflect a direct endorsement by the author. However, Vetstreet may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.

• Overall Cat Food for Allergies: Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed Feline Formula
• Dry Cat Food for Allergies: Hill’s Prescription Diet z/d Skin/Food Sensitivities Dry Cat Food
• Wet Cat Food for Allergies: Royal Canin Feline Selected Protein PR Loaf in Sauce Canned Cat Food
• Affordable Cat Food for Allergies: Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet HF Hydrolyzed for Food Intolerance Dry Cat Food
• Fresh Cat Food for Allergies: JustCats Fish & Chicken
• Limited Ingredient Cat Food for Allergies: Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Real Duck Pate
• Freeze-Dried Cat Food for Allergies: Primal Freeze Dried Cat Food Nuggets Rabbit Formula
• Grain-Free Cat Food for Allergies: Instinct Real Rabbit Grain-Free Limited Ingredient Diet
• Hydrolyzed Diet Cat Food for Allergies: Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet HF

9 Best Cat Foods for Allergies in 2025

From prescription diets to novel protein recipes, here’s our list of the best cat foods for allergies.

Best Overall Cat Food for Allergies

Our pick: Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed Feline Formula

“It can be really challenging in a cat to find a source of novel protein,” Sauvé shares, “so working with hydrolyzed protein is really fantastic for that reason.” This formula is a highly palatable kibble made with hydrolyzed chicken liver and meat. Pet parents say that making the transition from regular kibble to HA was a breeze, thanks to its tantalizing taste. 

While the protein molecules are broken down so small that their immune system won’t recognize them, this prescription food delivers all the important nutrients your cat needs without the itch or digestive upset. 

Pros

• Formulated with hydrolyzed proteins
• Single carbohydrate source
• Highly palatable and digestible dry food
• Antioxidants support immune health
• Helps promote a healthy urinary system
• Meets the AAFCO nutritional requirements for maintenance
• Purina owns their manufacturing plants, employs board-certified nutritionists and veterinarians, and conducts research at the Purina Institute, which means trustworthy quality assurance in every bag.

Cons

• Not suitable for growing kittens
• Available by prescription only 

Best Dry Cat Food for Allergies

Our pick: Hill’s Prescription Diet z/d Skin/Food Sensitivities Dry Cat Food

This dry cat food from Hill’s is another prescription hydrolyzation diet specially formulated to minimize the risk of adverse reactions by cutting protein into tiny, unrecognizable pieces. Plus, because this recipe requires a prescription and is made on a dedicated line, there’s less risk of cross-contamination when compared to over-the-counter limited-ingredient choices. 

Pros

• Formulated with hydrolyzed protein
• Natural fiber for stool normalization
• Supports a healthy skin barrier
• Meets the AAFCO nutritional requirements for maintenance
• Hill’s pet food recipes are created by 220 veterinarians, food scientists, technicians, and Ph.D. nutritionists, and researched at Hill’s Global Pet Nutrition Center

Cons

• Not suitable for growing kittens
• Available by prescription only 

Best Wet Cat Food for Allergies

Our pick: Royal Canin Feline Selected Protein PR Loaf in Sauce Canned Cat Food

Hydrolyzed wet food options for cats are few and far between, so we’re happy to have this option from Royal Canin, a longtime trusted brand with a pet-first mindset and recipes developed with input from veterinarians and nutritional experts. The single protein in this wet hypoallergenic food is rabbit, which might be novel to some felines. Plus, this food promotes skin and coat health as well, thanks to B vitamins, amino acids, and Omega-3 fatty acids.

Pros

• Rabbit is the single-source hydrolyzed protein
• Moisture-rich loaves in sauce
• Formulated to support digestion, stool quality, and skin and coat health
• Meets the AAFCO nutritional requirements for maintenance

Cons

• Not suitable for growing kittens
• Available by prescription only 
• Higher price point

Best Affordable Cat Food for Allergies

Our pick: Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet HF Hydrolyzed for Food Intolerance Dry Cat Food

Veterinarian-prescribed hydrolyzed cat foods aren’t cheap, but Blue Buffalo offers a more affordable option that doesn’t sacrifice quality or taste. This salmon-based formula is packed with Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids that repair the skin barrier, reduce inflammation, and leave your cat’s coat shiny and soft. As an added bonus, according to the brand, all their foods and treats undergo a rigorous six-point quality check. 

Pros

• Formulated with hydrolyzed proteins
• Highly palatable dry food
• Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids reduce inflammation and heal the skin
• Antioxidants for immune health
• No grains, artificial preservatives, and artificial flavors
• Good price point
• Meets the AAFCO nutritional requirements for maintenance
• Blue Buffalo foods are produced in U.S.-based manufacturing plants that are Global Food Standard Initiative (GFSI) certified. They employ board-certified nutritionists and veterinarians and ensure Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)

Cons

• Not suitable for growing kittens
• Available by prescription only 

Best Fresh Cat Food for Allergies

Our pick: JustCats Fish & Chicken

Grain-free, gluten-free, and specially made for sensitive tummies and food allergies, JustCats is a fresh, whole-food recipe developed by veterinarians at JustFoodForDogs (JFFD). While cooking up fresh batches of food in one of nine kitchens across the U.S., they encourage pet parents to drop by, see what they’re making, and ask questions. The fish and chicken recipe is the only one available for cats at the moment, but since they have such an extensive selection of frozen, fresh, and at-home DIY kits for pups, we’re hoping to see more feline formulas developed in the future.

Pros

• Non-prescription formula 
• Whole food ingredients
• Grain and gluten free
• Tapioca starch is the only carbohydrate
• High in moisture and protein
• Meets the AAFCO nutritional requirements for maintenance
• Available for shipping or same-day pick-up from a local kitchen in California, Chicago, New York, or Washington
• JFFD foods are made in American kitchens. Their recipes are created by in-house veterinarians, including board-certified nutrition, dermatology, and toxicology experts. Dietary evidence-based research is completed in collaboration with major universities

Cons

• Not suitable for growing kittens
• Higher price point

Best Limited Ingredient Cat Food for Allergies

Our pick: Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Real Duck Pate

Founded in 1988, Merrick holds true to their standards of creating small-batch food in their Texas kitchen. While some of the proteins that they offer are known allergens in cats, we love that there’s a variety of different options to choose from, allowing you to steer clear of the ones that don’t agree with your kitty. The first ingredient is always meat, and their recipes are supplemented with pre- and probiotics for easy digestion. 

Pros

• Non-prescription formula 
• Whole food ingredients
• Grain, corn, and soy free
• Several protein choices, including duck, tuna, turkey, chicken, and salmon
• Meets the AAFCO nutritional requirements for maintenance
• Merrick pet foods are made in their Hereford, Texas kitchen. Their recipes are created by in-house veterinarians with help from scientists, chemists, and specialists in food production, quality, and safety.

Cons

• Not suitable for growing kittens

Best Freeze-Dried Cat Food for Allergies

Our pick: Primal Freeze Dried Cat Food Nuggets Rabbit Formula

This single-protein freeze-dried cat food option is a great choice for pet parents seeking a novel protein like rabbit, which many cats haven’t been introduced to. If rabbit isn’t a novel protein source for your cat, these Primal Freeze-Dried Nuggets are also available in pork and venison. The recipe is 92% meat and bone from grass-fed, antibiotic-free protein sources. The other 8% is fortified vitamins and minerals like omega-3 fatty acids to soothe the skin. 

Pros

• Non-prescription formula 
• Single-protein recipe
• Made with organic fruits and vegetables
• Comes in multiple novel protein sources including rabbit, pork, and venison
• Meets the AAFCO nutritional requirements for all life stages, including kittens

Cons

• Needs to be hydrated before serving

Best Grain-Free Cat Food for Allergies

Our pick: Instinct Real Rabbit Grain-Free Limited Ingredient Diet

Because grain-free food can be beneficial for cats with itchy skin or digestive issues, many pet parents prefer to serve it, especially if they suspect their kitty may have food allergies. This one from Instinct kills two birds with one stone, formulated with a raw novel protein (rabbit) and without  grain, corn, wheat, or soy. Many customers say their cats love the vitamin-packed paté, noting that the benefits outweigh the higher price tag.

Pros

• Non-prescription raw formula 
• Single-protein recipe features farm-raised rabbit for vital amino acids
• One vegetable (peas) and a variety of vitamins and minerals provide a balanced diet
• Meets the AAFCO nutritional requirements for maintenance
• All Instinct food is cold-pressured to safely eliminate pathogens and tested by an external lab

Cons

• Not suitable for growing kittens
• Higher price point

Hydrolyzed Diet Cat Food for Allergies

Our pick: Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet HF

Some cats have such sensitive tummies or allergies that a veterinarian will prescribe a hydrolyzed diet. The hydrolyzed protein means they are broken down into smaller components that are less likely to trigger an immune system reaction. Although a veterinarian prescribes the food, it is available online through websites such as Amazon or Petco. Cats with severe allergies to whole proteins may benefit from Blue Buffalo’s hydrolyzed kibble.

Pros

• Free from common allergens
• Grain-free formula
• Made without any chicken or poultry products are by-products
• Contains no corn, soy, wheat, artificial colors or preservatives
• Uses hydrolyzed salmon as the first ingredient
• Ideal for all cat breeds and sizes
• Formulated with omega-3 fatty acids to help with kidney health

Cons

• A bit on the pricey side
• Requires a veterinarian prescription
• Some cats may not care for the flavor

What Are Cat Food Allergies?

According to Dr. Frederic Sauvé, DVM, MSc, Diplomate ACVD, dermatology professor at the University of Montreal, about 20 percent of cats suffering from itchy skin can blame the food they’re eating. “An allergic reaction is an overreaction of the immune system to something that should be well tolerated,” he explains. This differs from food intolerance or sensitivity, which doesn’t have an immune response. 

Basically, the body mistakes a food source (commonly a protein type) as harmful rather than nutritious. So, the body’s center for fighting harmful intruders—the immune system—starts attacking. When this happens, your cat’s skin begins to itch, and they might develop lesions and rashes, have diarrhea or vomit, and become more susceptible to secondary infections.  

“An intolerance is usually more associated with just the digestive tract,” explains Dr. Korinn Saker, DVM, board-certified feline nutritionist and professor at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. A cat might pass gas or feel bloated when they have a food intolerance, but the signs and symptoms aren’t system-wide and are typically less severe than an allergic reaction. “If not managed over time, allergies can be life-threatening,” she adds.

Common Cat Food Allergens

The protein source in the food often cause allergic reactions. Fish, chicken, beef, eggs, and milk are the most common culprits of food allergies in cats. Sauvé notes that scientists are still working to fully understand the range of compounds that could cause reactions, as they’re not always straightforward. 

“Cats don’t generally outgrow their allergies,” Saker adds. Instead, you and your cat have two options: 

1. Identify the offending food and eliminate it from the diet 
2. Begin a novel protein or hydrolyzed diet 

There’s no way around it; changing a cat’s diet is the key to treating food allergies, Sauvé says. 

Types of Cat Food for Allergies

Before changing your cat’s diet to resolve food allergies, Saker and Sauvé both recommend talking to your veterinarian. “There are other diseases that can mimic the symptoms of the food allergy,” Sauvé says. To rule out other conditions, your veterinarian will first evaluate the symptoms and may perform basic tests like skin scraping and cytology to ensure it’s not a bacterial skin infection or parasites. 

Once your veterinarian diagnoses food allergies as the cause, they’ll recommend a food elimination trial or a prescription diet. 

It’s also important to note that because food allergies cause your cat to itch and lick, secondary skin infections are common. Without antibiotics for the infection, switching your cat’s diet likely won’t resolve the secondary symptoms. 

Novel protein cat food

Whether called a novel-protein diet or a limited-ingredient diet, the idea behind this hypoallergenic diet is that your cat eats only a protein they haven’t had before, or a protein known to not cause a reaction. 

However, identifying a novel protein can be more difficult than some pet parents may think. “There are very few people who know every food their cat’s digestive tract has been exposed to or that can recall it all,” Saker says. Consider a paté labeled chicken and gravy. Saker says that while the label might indicate this is a chicken-only meal, a closer look at the ingredient list likely indicates multiple protein sources.  

Again, Saker stresses the importance of talking to your veterinarian before trying to do this on your own. “Trying an elimination diet trial on your own without the help of a veterinarian can be a little tricky,” she says. This is because it involves a complete dietary history of your cat, identification of a novel protein, and a strict and patient trial-and-error period of feeding a novel protein-only diet. 

Hydrolyzed protein cat food

In cases where a diet elimination trial is too difficult or symptoms do not resolve, your vet may recommend a hydrolyzed protein diet.  

This is a special prescription food that uses a chemical process to cut the protein into super small pieces. “It decreases the molecular weight of the proteins so that it’s so small that the proteins are not recognized by the immune system,” Sauvé explains. If your cat is allergic to chicken, there’s a chance they can continue eating their favorite food when it has been hydrolyzed. 

Just keep in mind that this doesn’t work for every single cat. “There are still some animals that might recognize the weight of those molecules,” Sauvé warns. “Most animals won’t, but there are more sensitive animals that will recognize this hydrolyzed weight.”

Over-the-counter vs. prescription hypoallergenic cat food

According to Saker, choosing between a prescription hypoallergenic diet and an over-the-counter diet comes down to a few factors. First, hydrolyzed diets are only available with a prescription. If novel protein is not an option or if your cat is experiencing a severe reaction, they must see their veterinarian for a prescription hydrolyzed diet.  

Saker also mentions that the manufacturing protocols for non-prescription diets aren’t as strict. “There is a chance of some degree of contamination of other protein sources in the over-the-counter diets,” Saker explains. “Those diets are not made on a dedicated line in the production plant. In between runs of different diets they certainly clean the machines, but there’s always an opportunity for protein allergens to get trapped in the machine and make their way to the next run of food.” Not all cats will have a reaction to trace amounts of allergens, but more sensitive cats are at risk. 

How We Made Our Selections

With expert guidance from Sauvé and Saker, we rounded up the best foods for cats with allergies. In addition to ensuring that our recommended cat foods meet the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards for a complete and balanced meal, we took the following factors into consideration:

Nutritional values. Of course nutrition is high on any pet parent’s list of priorities when it comes to purchasing cat food, so we made sure to provide many healthy options on our list.

Quality control. Since the smallest trace of an ingredient can trigger an allergic reaction, we made sure to call out the brands with top-notch quality control protocols. 

Ratings/reviews. We looked into what other pet parents had to say about each of our selections, sharing their thoughts and feedback throughout.

Price. While most cat foods for allergies tend to be on the pricier side, we took the cost of each option into account and included at least one less expensive option.

Cat Food for Allergies: Buyer’s Guide

Before you click “add to cart” (or literally add it to you cart), keep the following in mind when researching and purchasing novel protein or hypoallergenic food for cats:

Talk to your veterinarian

If you suspect your cat has food allergies or sensitivities, talk to your veterinarian before changing their diet. Food allergies share symptoms with other conditions that only your veterinarian can diagnose or rule out. If your cat has red, itchy, or irritated skin, they may need a soothing ointment or antibiotic before their symptoms resolve. 

A prescription may be necessary

Your veterinarian will suggest the most appropriate diet for your cat based on a complete dietary history and national needs. For cats with severe reactions or when an elimination diet isn’t possible, a recommended diet may require a written prescription from your veterinarian. 

For cats with minor symptoms or when a novel protein is identified, there are limited-ingredient diets available in dry, wet, freeze-dried, and budget options. However, cat food labels are not required to disclose trace amounts of other ingredients, like the cross-contamination of proteins, Sauvé says. 

Read food labels

A cat food might be advertised as containing a certain protein, but the ingredient list might reveal that multiple proteins were used to meet the nutritional needs, Saker says. Instead, look for single-protein foods labeled as limited-ingredient. Small-batch and privately-owned manufacturing sites with on-staff veterinarians ensure the highest quality and nutritional profiles of foods.

Sauvé adds that while pinpointing the allergen, consider avoiding foods with fish, chicken, beef, eggs, and milk, as they’re the most common proteins to cause allergic reactions in cats. If your cat is open to eating different foods, try a novel protein like venison, rabbit, or pork. 

Whichever food you choose, it should have a statement saying it meets the nutritional requirements set by AAFCO for kittens, adults, or all life stages. This ensures the nutritional adequacy and quality of the food. 

Cat Food Allergy FAQs

Can cats have allergies to food?

Like humans, cats can have food allergies. Feline food allergies don’t develop during your cat’s life. Instead, your cat is born with an allergen and experiences immune reactions when introduced to that allergen through food. 

How do I know if my cat has food allergies?

Symptoms of feline food allergies can include excessive licking or grooming, gastrointestinal upset (vomiting and/or diarrhea), decreased appetite, weight loss, ear infection, excessive gas or bloating, miliary dermatitis, and respiratory irritation. 

What food is good for cats with allergies?

A novel protein diet may contain foods like rabbit, pork, or venison, which can be good alternatives to allergy-inducing proteins like chicken or fish. When skin irritation is a symptom of your cat’s allergic reaction, “Omega-3 fatty acids could be one of the tools in our box to help the animal be more comfortable,” Sauvé says. However, Saker warns that if your cat has an allergy to fish, you’ll likely want to avoid foods with fish oil. 

How long does it take for cat food allergies to go away?

“Generally, when you do a food elimination trial, it may take about two to four weeks for gastrointestinal signs to resolve, meaning vomiting, diarrhea, and regurgitation,” Saker says. Skin conditions related to allergies take longer to resolve – anywhere from eight to twelve weeks. “If you don’t see something improving within two weeks, it’s likely that the particular diet alone is not the key,” she adds.

Can food allergies cause sneezing in cats?

Food allergies can cause respiratory irritation in cats. Because the symptoms of food allergies can mimic many other upper respiratory infections, it’s important to schedule a checkup with your veterinarian to pinpoint the issue. 

The post  9 Favorite Cat Foods for Allergies in 2025 appeared first on Vetstreet.

All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the Vetstreet editorial team and do not reflect a direct endorsement by the author. However, Vetstreet may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.

For over 45 years, Meow Mix has been the brand countless cat moms and dads have chosen and trusted to help keep their cats happy, healthy, and excited about mealtime. Meow Mix has earned a reputation for providing delicious food for cats of all ages, from growing kittens to active adult cats and senior felines. 

Best of all, Meow Mix offers a variety of wet and dry food options so yummy, your cat is sure to find a favorite. Let’s dig into this beloved brand and the different recipes Meow Mix offers so that you can find a Meow Mix cat food formula that best suits your cat’s needs. 

What is Meow Mix?

The Meow Mix brand was first introduced in 1974 by Ralston Purina and quickly became a hit in both pet and pop culture. Cat parents loved the new kibble’s convenience, quality, and affordability, not to mention the brand’s obvious appeal to cat palates. 

But it was the catchy Meow Mix jingle that kept the cat food brand on the minds (and lips) of millions of Americans…even those who weren’t in the market for kitty kibble. The commercial’s iconic jingle and oh-so-catchy “Meow meow meow meow” lyrics racked up the highest audience impact score of any TV commercial on the airwaves at the time, making the brand a household name.

Now, almost half a century later, the jingle and its accompanying slogan — “The only brand cats ask for by name” — remain as recognizable as ever. And Meow Mix remains as popular among cats and their parents, too. According to reports from J.M. Smuckers, the company that now owns the brand, sales of Meow Mix cat food have increased for the past five years, with consumer demand outpacing production in the most recent quarter.

Is Meow Mix Good for Cats?

Catchy jingle aside, what most pet parents want to know is whether Meow Mix provides what cats need to thrive. According to the brand, the answer is yes. All Meow Mix formulas offer complete and balanced nutrition appropriate for cats of various ages who are in generally good health. 

Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they require a diet made up mostly of proteins, essential amino acids, fatty acids, and vitamins found in meat and animal products. However, according to veterinarian and co-host of The Pet Buzz. Dr. Michael Fleck, DVM, not all protein-rich formulas fit the bill. 

“Unfortunately, food labels may be deceiving,” warns Fleck. Some show that protein makes up a high percentage of the food, but that protein may not be easy for a cat to digest. And if they can’t digest it, they could be missing out on vital nutrients.   

“Meow Mix guarantees easily digestible protein with high palatability that meets the feline daily requirements,” Fleck says. He notes that Meow Mix cat food also fortifies its formulas with essential ingredients like taurine to meet cats’ dietary needs.

For felines that need to watch their weight, Meow Mix offers options that are low in calories, but packed with flavor. 

Types of Meow Mix Cat Food

Meow Mix offers a variety of dining options designed to tempt the tastebuds of kittens to senior cats, and every feline in between. With a variety of flavor profiles and textures, there is something for even the finickiest of eaters in the Meow Mix cat food line. 

Here is a quick overview of the options you have to choose from.

Meow Mix Dry Cat Food: Meow Mix features a variety of tasty dry cat food options designed to appeal to cats who like to crunch, as well as those who prefer morsels they can really sink their teeth into. These include:

• Meow Mix Kibbles Dry Cat Food – the original kibble, packed with flavor and tons of crunch 
• Meow Mix Kitten Li’l Nibbles Dry Cat Food – crunchy kibble that’s sized for smaller mouths
• Meow Mix Tender Centers Dry Cat Food –  dual-textured morsels that are crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside  

Meow Mix Wet Cat Food: Meow Mix offers a smorgasbord of wet cat food formulas, each one carefully formulated to be absolutely irresistible, no matter what flavors or textures tickle your feline’s fancy. 

• Meow Mix Tenders in Sauce Wet Cat Food – tender and appealing, in a velvety sauce
• Meow Mix Chunks in Gravy Wet Cat Food – a heartier texture with meaty chunks 
• Meow Mix Tasty Layers Swirled Paté Wet Cat Food – packed with tantalizing flavors and textures for your feline gourmet 
• Meow Mix Paté Toppers Wet Cat Food – meaty shreds over an irresistible paté

Meow Mix Cat Food Formulas to Consider

To help you decide which Meow Mix formula is right for your cat, here’s a deeper dive into some of the brand’s signature recipes and the benefits of each: 

Meow Mix Dry Cat Food Options

Meow Mix Original Choice Dry Cat Food: This crunchy cat kibble is packed with the wholesome ingredients and flavors cats love, like chicken, turkey, salmon, and fish. Plus, the of-so-muchable texture makes every morsel impossible to resist. Your cat is sure to come running, whether you choose the Original Choice recipe or one of the other options designed with particular cats in mind. For example, Meow Mix Indoor Health Dry Cat Food is specifically tailored to help indoor cats who may not be as active maintain a healthy weight. 

Key Benefits:

• Made with high-quality protein to help support strong, healthy muscles
• Provides 100% complete and balanced nutrition suitable for all life stages
• Packed with essential vitamins and minerals cats need to thrive 
• Contains fatty acids to help promote a healthy coat
• Available in 3.15 lb bags or 30 lb bags
• Choose from Meow Mix Original Choice featuring the flavors of chicken, turkey, salmon, and ocean fish, or Seafood Medley featuring the flavors of tuna, shrimp, crab, and trout
• Also available in specialty formulas for Hairball Control, Indoor Health, Kitten Li’l Nibbles 

Meow Mix Tender Centers Dry Cat Food: These toothsome dry cat food morsels are crunchy on the outside with a tender, meaty center, so your cat gets the best of both worlds! This formula is appropriate for cats of all ages, but we especially love it as a choice for picky cats or those going through a spell of food boredom. If you’re looking to add even more pizzaz to your cat’s food bowl, try formulas enhanced with Basted Bites for an extra burst of irresistible flavor. Or choose from options enhanced with Vitality Bursts, which contain a special blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to help support your cat’s health. 

Key Benefits:

• Crunchy on the outside, tender and meaty on the inside 
• Provides 100% complete and balanced nutrition suitable for all life stages
• Every recipe contains both meat and fish flavors to keep cats engaged at mealtime
• Choose from Meow Mix Tender Centers featuring Salmon & Chicken flavors or Tender Centers Basted Bites formulas with Beef & Salmon flavors or Chicken & Tuna flavors for even more deliciousness  
• Also available in a Tender Centers with Vitality Bursts option that contains a special blend of nutrients to help support a healthy immune system, healthy skin and coat, and strong teeth and bones  

Meow Mix Wet Cat Food Options

Meow Mix Tenders in Sauce Wet Cat Food: Formerly known as Meow Mix Tender Favorites, this delicious Meow Mix wet cat food contains pieces of real meat, poultry, or seafood in a velvety fish broth-based sauce the brand describes as absolutely “lick-able.” 

Key Benefits:

• A variety of flavors to choose from to cater to your cat’s unique preferences and palate
• Comes in individual containers with a peel-off lid for easy feeding
• Provides 100% complete and balanced nutrition suitable for adult cats 
• Packed with high-quality animal proteins, including chicken, beef, liver, and fish
• Choose from Meow Mix Tenders in Sauce formulas with real Chicken & Beef, real Chicken & Liver, real Salmon & Crab, real Tuna & Whole Shrimp, real Turkey & Giblets
• Also available in a variety pack featuring Poultry & Beef favorites or a Tuna & Whole Shrimp multipack

Meow Mix Chunks in Gravy Wet Cat Food: Formerly known as Meow Mix Savory Morsels, Meow Mix Chunks in Gravy is sure to hit the spot for cats who prefer a heartier texture in their dinner bowl. As the name promises, this wet cat food option features juicy chunks of seafood or poultry covered in a delicious savory gravy. 

Key Benefits:

• Provides 100% complete and balanced nutrition for adult cats
• Whether you’re feeding at home or on-the-go, simply peel off the lid and serve
• Packed with real animal proteins and a meaty or fishy flavor profile cats will love
• Fortified with essential nutrients to give your cat a dietary boost
• Choose from Meow Mix Chunks in Gravy with real Chicken Breast or serve up a seafood buffet with a variety pack of Meow Mix Chunks in Gravy Seafood Favorites, featuring real Ocean Whitefish & Tuna, real Tuna & Salmon, and real Salmon & Ocean Fish 

Meow Mix Tasty Layers Swirled Paté Wet Cat Food: This uber-indulgent Meow Mix wet cat food is a great choice for cats who crave variety. Each recipe offers an enticing combo of flavors and textures cats love. The outer layer features a swirl of two silky smooth patés in a duo of delicious flavors around a center stuffed with shreds of real chicken or seafood. Kick every meal up a notch with this decadent kitty cuisine option. 

Key Benefits:

• Provides 100% complete and balanced nutrition suitable for adult cats
• Irresistible textures and flavor profiles designed to win over even the pickiest eaters
• Whether your cat likes to nibble or nosh, this formula has it all — smooth  patés and meaty shreds
• Comes in individual containers with a peel-off lid for easy feeding
• Choose from Meow Mix Tasty Layers recipes in Chicken & Tuna stuffed with real Chicken and Chicken & Turkey stuffed with real Chicken or Tuna & Whitefish stuffed with real Tuna
• Also available in a variety pack

Which Meow Mix Cat Food Formula Fits Your Feline? 

With all the great recipe choices Meow Mix has to offer, it can be challenging to know which one is best for your cat. There’s often a lot riding on that decision. Not only are pet parents looking for the recipe that will be best for their cat’s overall health and wellness, but — as we all know — most cats will let you know if the meal doesn’t meet their lofty taste standards.   

With Meow Mix formulas, you can rest easier on that last front, as all formulas are developed around the flavors and textures that most appeal to feline palates. And, with nearly 50 years of success under its belt, the brand knows a thing or two about what it takes to keep cats excited and content in the meal department. 

With that out of the way, we talked to some veterinary experts about other considerations that could impact your decision. Here are two things they recommend you keep in mind.

Trust your instincts. Some pet parents can drive themselves crazy wondering: Is wet or dry food better for cats? Or: Does my cat need a special diet? There’s no shortage of opinions on these topics. But, ultimately, there are only three that count: Your vet’s, your cat’s, and your own.

“Some cats prefer dry food vs. canned food, while others prefer fish over other meat flavors,” says Dr. Dwight Alleyne, DVM, a veterinarian in Sandy Springs, Georgia. As long as your cat is in good health, the best food for them is one that hat meets AAFCO’s nutritional standards and one your cat will happily eat. And no one knows your cat’s preferences better than you. (Especially if your cat is vocal about them.)

According to Alleyne, active healthy cats should do fine with a formula like Meow Mix Original Choice dry cat food. However, it’s always a good idea to make sure your vet is on board before switching your cat’s food. 

Re-evaluate your choices as needed. A cat’s dietary needs may change due to a variety of factors ranging from age, to health, to preferences. So it’s important to check in with your veterinarian regularly to ensure your cat’s food still meets their needs. 

“Dietary discussions begin with your first kitty visit to the veterinarian,” Fleck says. A cat’s dietary needs may change throughout their life, and your veterinarian is the best resource for recommendations that will fit each stage. 

This is sponsored content produced in partnership with PetSmart. The author received compensation from PetSmart for their services in writing this article.

The post Meow Mix Cat Food Review appeared first on Vetstreet.

Some cats only have hairballs once or twice a year, but others — especially cats with long coats — may cough up those slimy clumps of hair on a regular basis. If your cat has frequent hairballs, you may want to consider switching them to a hairball control cat food to help alleviate their symptoms. Here’s what you need to know about these special cat food formulas. 

Cat Food for Hairballs: Our Top Picks

• Overall Best Hairball Control Cat Food: Purina ONE Indoor Advantage
• Best Prescription Cat Food for Hairballs: BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet GI Gastrointestinal Support Dry Cat Food
• Best Wet Hairball Control Cat Food: Hill’s Science Diet Hairball Control Adult Wet Cat Food
• Best Value Hairball Cat Food: IAMS Proactive Health Adult Hairball Care Dry Cat Food
• Best Hairball Cat Food for Long-Haired Cats: Royal Canin Persian Breed Adult Dry Cat Food
• Best Grain Free Cat Food for Hairballs: Merrick Purrfect Bistro Grain Free Hairball Control Cat Food

6 Best Hairball Control Cat Foods 

All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the Vetstreet editorial team and do not reflect a direct endorsement by the author. However, Vetstreet may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.

If your cat has a problem with hairballs, switching to a hairball control food is often an effective preventative measure. Here’s a selection of the best cat food for hairballs that you can buy today: 

Overall Best Hairball Control Cat Food

Our pick: Purina ONE Indoor Advantage

Dr. Butzer’s top pick for a hairball control cat food is the Purina ONE Indoor Advantage, which is also designed to support a healthy weight for indoor cats. The dry cat food has a fiber-rich formula and omega-6 fatty acids to help prevent hairballs, and it also contains four antioxidants to support a strong immune system. 

This particular formula has 10 percent less fat than other Purina ONE foods, making it a top choice for indoor-only cats, and it’s free from artificial flavors, preservatives, and fillers. Plus, real turkey is the first ingredient, and the crunchy kibble pieces have a tasty smell that most cats seem to love. 

Pros

• Designed specifically for indoor cats
• High fiber and fatty acids help prevent hairballs
• Lower fat formula to maintain a healthy weight
• No artificial flavors, preservatives, or fillers
• Made in the USA

Cons

• Bag isn’t resealable 

Best Prescription Cat Food for Hairballs

Our pick: BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet GI Gastrointestinal Support Dry Cat Food

If your cat has a sensitive stomach, Dr. Butzer also recommends this prescription diet that she says can help with hairballs. The grain-free dry food is made with easily digestible ingredients for improved nutrient absorption, and it also contains vitamins E and C, as well as other antioxidant-rich ingredients for immune system health. A high level of prebiotic fiber helps support your cat’s digestive health and manage hairballs. Just keep in mind that you will need a prescription from your veterinarian to purchase this food, and it’s more expensive than over-the-counter cat food for hairballs. 

Pros

• Easy-to-digest dry food
• High levels of prebiotic fiber
• Grain-free formula
• Deboned chicken is the first ingredient

Cons

• More expensive than over-the-counter foods
• Not specifically designed for hairball control
• Must have a prescription to purchase

Best Wet Hairball Control Cat Food

Our pick: Hill’s Science Diet Hairball Control Adult Wet Cat Food

For kitties who prefer wet food, the Hill’s Science Diet Hairball Control Wet Cat Food is a popular cat hairball remedy. The formula comes in 3-ounce cans and has a savory chicken flavor with a minced consistency. It’s fortified with vitamin E and omega fatty acids for healthy skin and fur. Plus, it’s manufactured in the U.S. and exceeds industry standards for purity and nutrient content.

Pros

• Savory chicken flavor
• Includes vitamin E and omega-3 and -6 fatty acids for hairball prevention
• Many customers said that that this food helps with hairball control
• Made in the USA

Cons

• Not recommended for kittens and pregnant/nursing cats
• Larger cats may require multiple cans per day

Best Value Hairball Cat Food

Our pick: IAMS Proactive Health Adult Hairball Care Dry Cat Food

When you look at the price per pound of food, this option from IAMS is one of the best values available. The dry cat food contains a blend of fiber and prebiotics to help reduce hairballs, as well as omega-3 and -6 fatty acids to promote skin and coat health. Real chicken is the first ingredient in the dry kibble, and its crunchy texture can help reduce plaque buildup. 

Pros

• Affordable price
• Fiber and prebiotics help control hairballs
• Fatty acids support coat health
• Over 7,000 5-star customer reviews
• Made in the USA 

Cons

• Some pet owners say their cats don’t like the taste

Best Hairball Cat Food for Long-Haired Cats

Our pick: Royal Canin Persian Breed Adult Dry Cat Food

Long-haired cats like Persians are more prone to hairballs, and the Royal Canin Persian Adult Dry Cat Food is a highly rated dry food for these breeds. Though it’s on the higher end of the price spectrum, this kibble is designed to help maintain a shiny, healthy coat in long-haired cats while controlling hairballs and supporting healthy digestion. It contains amino acids, vitamins, and omega fatty acids for healthy fur, as well as a blend of fibers to help cats pass ingested hair. Plus, the kibble itself is almond-shaped, which is easier for Persian cats to eat due to their shortened jaws. 

Pros

• Formulated for cats with long hair
• Fiber blend helps pass hairballs
• Blend of nutrients, including omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, promotes skin and coat health
• Special kibble shape is ideal for Persian cats

Cons

• Higher price point

Best Grain Free Cat Food for Hairballs

Our pick: Merrick Purrfect Bistro Grain Free Hairball Control Cat Food

If you prefer to give your cat grain-free food, Merrick Purrfect Bistro Grain-Free Hairball Control Cat Food is a top choice in this category. The dry kibble is free of grains, wheat, corn, and soy, as well as artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives; instead, it’s made with whole foods like real deboned chicken, sweet potatoes, and other easily digestible carbohydrates. Natural fiber helps with hairball control, while omega fatty acids support your cat’s skin and coat. 

Pros

• Natural fiber for hairball control
• No grains, wheat, or, corn
• Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids support skin and coat health
• Great for indoor or outdoor cats
• Made in the USA

Cons

• Some pet parents report their cats don’t like the taste

What is Hairball Control Cat Food?

Hairballs are something that most cat owners will deal with at one point or another. “Hairballs are a result of cats doing their regular grooming and not all of the hair making it into their stomachs but getting stuck on the lining of the esophagus,” explains Dr. Lindsay Butzer, DVM. “When this hair builds up a lot, it creates a wad of slimy hair that gets vomited up.” While any cat can get a hairball, they’re more commonly a recurring problem in those with longer hair. 

In addition to regular brushing to remove loose hair, some cat owners also feed their pets hairball control food, which can both help lessen the amount of hairballs and/or help hair pass through your cat’s digestive system more smoothly. “They are made with extra ingredients that help support your cat’s skin, haircoat, and gut [and] also help reduce hairballs, such as increased fibers and increased oils [like] fish oils and vegetable oils,” explains Dr. Butzer. These foods may not prevent hairballs altogether, but they’re often effective at reducing the frequency of them, especially when used in conjunction with grooming. 

Is Hairball Cat Food Recommended by Veterinarians? 

For cats who struggle with hairballs, hairball control cat food is a vet-approved option. “Hairball control food can be fed daily and for the entire life of your cat,” says Dr. Butzer, and she also notes that these foods are suitable for any type of cat. 

While hairball control cat food can be given daily, Dr. Butzer explains that other hairball treatment products should be used only as needed. “Products such as Laxatone or mineral oil, which you can put on your cat’s nose or paws to lick off, should only be given when your cat is experiencing daily vomiting of large hairballs.”

How We Chose Our Selections

In addition to recommendations from Dr. Butzer, we took the following factors into consideration when selecting our best hairball control cat foods.

Formulation. We paid close attention to each food’s formula, calling out ingredients that can be beneficial to controlling or preventing hairballs.

Reviews. We checked out what other pet parents were saying about each option, noting what they liked/didn’t like.

Price. While some of the selections on our list are a bit pricier, we tried to include a variety of foods to fit most any budget.

Cat Food for Hairballs: Buyer’s Guide

Before clicking “add to cart,” here are a few things to consider while purchasing cat food for hairball control. 

Price can make a difference. While we know that cat food can get pricey, if your cat is struggling with frequent hairballs, Dr. Butzer recommends avoiding inexpensive cat foods, which often have high levels of sugars and salts. “This can lead to a dry esophagus and hairball formation,” she says. (And remember, we did include a great value option on our list!)

Ingredients matter. You’ll want to look for higher-quality formulas that contain more fiber. Regular cat food generally has 1-2% crude fiber, while hairball control formulas may have 5% or more. Ingredients like omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are also common in hairball control foods, and as always, it’s important to select a food that meets AAFCO standards as a complete and balanced source of nutrition for your cat’s life stage.

Have a backup plan. While cat food for hairballs can be given to any kitty, there are some potential side effects to keep an eye out for. “Since hairball control food may have increased oils, this may cause diarrhea or loose stool in your cats,” says Dr. Butzer. “If your cat is not tolerating a specific hairball control diet brand, try a gastrointestinal brand formulated for sensitive stomachs and see if the fiber in the food alone will help with hairball control.”

The post 6 Best Hairball Control Cat Foods, According to Vets appeared first on Vetstreet.

Salmon is a popular human health food since it’s typically low in fat and high in nutrients, like Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. According to Dr. Alejandro Caos, DVM, at TheVets, salmon can be an equally healthy choice for cats. However, there’s just one caveat: Salmon isn’t a complete protein on its own, as it doesn’t contain enough essential amino acids, such as taurine, says Dr. Caos. Therefore, it should always be paired with another protein source to ensure your cat gets all the essential amino acids they need. 

Keep reading to explore the benefits of salmon cat food, as well as our recommendations for the best salmon cat food for cats of every age.

Our Picks

All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the Vetstreet editorial team and do not reflect a direct endorsement by the author. However, Vetstreet may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.

• Best Salmon Dry Cat Food: Open Farm Rustic Salmon Dry Cat Food
• Best Salmon Wet Cat Food: Fromm Chicken, Duck, and Salmon Canned Paté
• Best Chicken and Salmon Cat Food: Rachael Ray Nutrish Indoor Complete Chicken, Lentils & Salmon 
• Best Salmon Paté Wet Cat Food: Beyond Grain Free Wild Salmon Recipe Paté Wet Cat Food
• Best Budget Salmon Cat Food: Purina Fancy Feast Salmon Feast Classic Grain Free Wet Cat Food Paté
• Best Salmon Cat Food for Kittens: BLUE Wilderness Salmon Natural Kitten Paté
• Best Salmon Cat Food for Weight Management: Nulo Freestyle Adult Trim Cat Food
• Best Salmon Cat Food for Sensitive Stomachs: Hill’s Adult Perfect Digestion Dry Cat Food 
• Best Salmon Cat Treats: A Better Treat Wild-Caught Freeze-Dried Salmon Treats

Best Salmon Cat Food: 9 Top Picks

Ready to find a salmon cat food option for your fluffy feline? Here are our favorites.

Best Dry Salmon Food

Our pick: Open Farm Rustic Salmon Dry Cat Food

Dr. Caos says it’s important to know what type of fish your cat eats and where it comes from, since large predatory fish like tuna may contain mercury and other contaminants [2]. One of the many reasons we like this option from Open Farm is because its ingredients are 100 percent traceable. According to the brand, this grain-free dry cat food recipe is made with wild-caught salmon from Alaska, herring from Mexico, and whitefish from Washington and Alaska. Cranberries from Wisconsin provide antioxidants and Vitamin C, while chickpeas from North Dakota are a fantastic source of protein, iron, copper, zinc, and magnesium. 

Pros

• 100 percent traceable ingredients
• Grain-free recipe
• Fruits and vegetables are non-GMO
• Also comes in a wet food variety 
• Meets AAFCO recommendations for all life stages
• Open Farm is a certified Ocean Wise brand, which means they practice sustainable fishing practices 

Cons

• At 470 calories per cup, this is one of the most calorie-dense picks on our list
• Higher price point 

Best Wet Salmon Food

Our pick: Fromm Chicken, Duck, and Salmon Canned Paté

Cats that don’t drink enough water may benefit from canned food since it contains more moisture than dry food; plus, some kitties just prefer the soft texture. Fromm is a family-owned business that makes and cans all its food in privately owned and operated facilities. In addition to salmon (which is an excellent source of lean protein and healthy fatty acids), this recipe includes other nutritious ingredients like chicken liver that provides essential nutrients to support the metabolism, as well as dried eggs that offer essential amino acids for skin, coat, bone, and brain health. 

Pros

• Hydrating formula
• Contains a delicious mix of salmon, chicken, and duck
• No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
• Privately owned and operated Wisconsin-based facilities
• Company employs a full-time nutritionist with an MS degree in animal nutrition
• Meets AAFCO recommendations for all life stages

Cons

• Higher price point

Best Chicken and Salmon Cat Food

Our pick: Rachael Ray Nutrish Indoor Complete Chicken, Lentils & Salmon Recipe

Because salmon should always be paired with another protein for your cat’s food to be complete, we often see it combined with chicken. We love that this recipe not only features a complete and balanced mix of chicken, chicken meal, chicken fat, and salmon, but also contains additional fiber-rich ingredients like pumpkin to help keep your cat feeling full between meals. Have a kitty that’s not into chicken? No prob! Rachael Ray Nutrish offers a turkey, salmon, and chickpea recipe as well.  

Pros

• Good choice for weight management
• Omega-3 fatty acids help promote brain health
• No artificial colors or preservatives
• Meets AAFCO recommendations for adult cats
• Additional salmon recipes to choose from

Cons

• This recipe was recently reformulated to include Nutrish® Whole Health Blend, which is a blend of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil, lean protein, and whole grains. Some pet parents say the transition of formulas caused digestive upset in their cats 

Best Salmon Paté Wet Cat Food

Our pick: Beyond Grain Free Wild Salmon Recipe Paté Wet Cat Food

The salmon in this recipe is served alongside fish broth, chicken, and liver, making it a beautifully balanced paté that’s low in calories. Plus, it’s free from grains and corn, as well as artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. We selected the canned variety of this recipe due to its high palatability and water content; however, it’s also available in kibble form if your cat prefers dry food. 

Pros

• 99 calories per can
• No grains, corn, or artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
• Meets AAFCO recommendations for adults
• Company employs full-time veterinary nutritionists
• Marine Stewardship Council certified, which means sustainable fishing practices were used to source the salmon

Cons

• Not suitable for kittens

Best Budget Salmon Cat Food

Our pick: Purina Fancy Feast Salmon Feast Classic Grain Free Wet Cat Food Paté

A staple in the cat food community, Purina Fancy Feast offers a variety of delicious dry and wet foods at a reasonable cost – including this savory salmon paté recipe. While salmon is the number one ingredient, liver, and poultry can also be found in this grain-free recipe for added protein. Pet parents rave about how much their cats love it, and you can’t beat the price!

Pros

• Great price point
• Includes other protein sources in addition to salmon for a 100 percent complete and balanced meal
• Formulated without artificial flavors or preservatives
• Meets AAFCO recommendations for all life stages

Cons

• According to customer reviews, this may not be the best option for pickier cats

Best Salmon Kitten Food

Our pick: BLUE Wilderness Salmon Natural Kitten Paté

Salmon and chicken are the first two ingredients in this paté made for your growing carnivore. The formula is also tailored to support kittens’ growth needs, with DHA from fish oil for healthy development of the brain and eyes, balanced minerals for strong bones and teeth, and high-quality protein for strong muscles.

Pros

• Smooth paté is easy for kittens to eat
• Formulated without corn, wheat, or artificial flavors or preservatives
• Brand employs a full-time nutritionist with a Ph.D. degree in animal nutrition
• Meets AAFCO recommendations for kittens

Cons

• Not ideal for kittens who don’t like/can’t tolerate chicken

Best Weight Management Salmon Cat Food

Our pick: Nulo Freestyle Adult Trim Cat Food

“Fish is generally lower in fat than other animal protein sources such as beef or pork, which can make it a good choice for cats that need to lose weight or are prone to obesity,” Dr. Caos says. In fact, there are several lean proteins in this low-calorie, low-carb option from Nulo, including chicken, turkey, and deboned cod, in addition to salmon. L-carnitine is also included as a fat-metabolizing ingredient, while the BC30 probiotic promotes healthy gut flora to help with digestion.

Pros

• Made with lean proteins, L-Carnitine, and BC30
• Low in calories and carbohydrates
• Meets AAFCO recommendations for adult cats
• Brand employs a full-time nutritionist with a Ph.D. in animal nutrition 

Cons

• There’s no wet variety of this recipe
• Higher price point

Best Salmon Cat Food for Sensitive Stomachs

Our pick: Hill’s Adult Perfect Digestion Dry Cat Food

For cats with sensitive stomachs, this salmon formula contains a special blend of prebiotics, whole-grain oats, and pumpkin to help feed your cat’s natural gut microbiome and regulate digestion. Plus, the naturally occurring fatty acids from salmon, which is the number one ingredient, may decrease inflammation of the gut, helping your furry friend feel their best [3]. Plus, according to the brand, your cat will have more regular, healthier stools within seven days of fully transitioning to this food. 

Pros

• Salmon is the number one ingredient
• Contains ActivBiome+, a specialized blend of prebiotics, whole grain oats, and pumpkin for a healthy gut
• No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
• Meets AAFCO recommendations for adult cats
• Employs full-time veterinary nutritionists

Cons

• This recipe includes chicken fat and chicken meal, so it’s not ideal for cats with chicken allergies
• Not suitable for kittens

Best Salmon Cat Treats

Our pick: A Better Treat Wild-Caught Freeze-Dried Salmon Treats

Treats shouldn’t be any cat’s main source of calories and nutrients, but they can be a rewarding and nutritious addition to your kitty’s regular meals, Dr. Caos says. He adds that skin-on salmon treats, like this option from A Better Treat, are a natural source of protein, Omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins that benefit the skin, coat, and overall health of your cat. The single-ingredient treats are made in Los Angeles, California.

Pros

• Only one ingredient: freeze-dried wild-caught Alaskan salmon
• Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins for a healthier skin and coat
• Good for dogs too
• Made in the USA

Cons

• Not meant to be a full meal for your cat. Treats shouldn’t make up more than 10 percent of your cat’s daily calorie intake 

How We Chose Our Selections

In addition to guidance from our experts, we considered the following when selecting our favorite salmon cat food picks:

Protein. We zeroed in on the ingredients of each option to ensure that they have the AAFCO stamp of approval and provide a complete, balanced meal.

Texture. Because we know different kitties prefer different types of food, we tried to include a nice mix of wet and dry options for you to choose from.

Reviews. We checked out pet parent reviews to get their take on each selection, highlighting their likes, as well as their occasional dislikes.

Price. While some of the foods on our list may be at the higher end of the price spectrum, we included some lower-cost options as well.

Salmon Cat Food FAQs

Let’s break down a few of the most commonly asked questions about salmon for cats.

Can Cats Eat Salmon?

“Fish is not only an appropriate food for cats, but may be the food with the greatest value,” says Dr. Michael Fleck, DVM, The Animal Medical Center of Bradenton. Fish is rich in omega fatty acids, which are “healthy fats” that can be obtained through our diet. According to Dr. Caos, omega fatty acids are essential for the development of eye and brain functions in kittens and can have important health benefits like improving immune function and reducing inflammation. That’s why both experts often recommend diets rich in fatty acids — such as commercial salmon cat foods — for cats with arthritis, heart disease, and certain skin conditions.

Dr. Caos adds that fish is also lower in fat than other readily available proteins, so it can be a good choice for weight management diets.

Can Cats Eat Canned Salmon?

Canned salmon packed in water can be an occasional treat for a cat. Never give your cat salmon canned with salt, oils, spices, sauces, or other ingredients that could be harmful. Opting for salmon treats or freeze-dried single-ingredient treats for pets is generally a better choice that your cat may find tastier.

Can Cats Eat Salmon Skin?

Raw salmon skin and meat may harbor harmful bacteria and parasites, even if it’s sushi or sashimi grade. You should always cook salmon to an internal temperature of at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit before serving it as a small treat; however, even cooked salmon skin can be a choking or gastrointestinal hazard since it’s tough to chew and digest, Dr. Caos says. 

“If you do want to give your cat salmon skin as a treat, it’s best to choose high-quality, commercially prepared salmon skin treats that are specifically made for cats,” Dr. Caos says. “These treats are designed to be safe and healthy for cats, and they are typically made with carefully selected and prepared salmon skin to ensure that they are free from harmful bacteria and other contaminants.”

Is Salmon Oil Good for Cats?

Unlike whole salmon, salmon oil is a concentrated dose of Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids. However, since complete and balanced diets with an AAFCO label contain the Omega fatty acids your cat or kitten needs, it may not be necessary to supplement with salmon oil. “It’s best to consult with your veterinarian to determine if supplementing your cat’s diet with Omega fatty acids is appropriate and what the optimal dosage is,” Dr. Caos says. 

Can Cats Be Allergic to Salmon?

Fish is one of the most common food allergies in cats [4]. According to Dr. Caos, symptoms of food allergies in cats may include: 

• Itchy skin, especially around the face, ears, and paws
• Redness, scabbing, or flaking of the skin
• Respiratory issues such as coughing and wheezing
• Digestive upset

The symptoms of food allergies in cats may resemble those of other conditions, so talk with your veterinarian to rule out the underlying cause. 

Salmon Cat Food Buying Guide

When shopping for nutritious salmon cat food, our experts say to keep these considerations in mind:

Nutrition

Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they require a diet that contains meat-based protein to get all their essential vitamins and nutrients, particularly essential amino acids such as taurine. 

Purchasing commercial cat food that meets or exceeds AAFCO’s recommended nutritional standards ensures that the recipe is “complete and balanced” and your cat is receiving all the necessary nutrients for their life stage. However, if you choose to buy cat food from a specialty brand or prepare it at home, it’s crucial to keep in mind that fish protein alone does not provide complete nutrition, so a second protein source must be included in the recipe. 

As far as treats go, when not made of a single-ingredient protein, only purchase cat treats that are made especially for them. “Some treats marketed for dogs may contain ingredients that are harmful or inappropriate for cats,” Dr. Caos says. 

Texture

Salmon cat food comes in a variety of formulas, including wet, dry, and dehydrated raw. The texture you choose depends on availability, your budget, and your cat’s preferences. If your cat has any medical conditions, talk to your veterinarian about the right type of food. 

Cost

Cost doesn’t always correlate with quality. While ingredients like byproducts and meat meals get a bad rap, they’re nutritious sources of protein that keep pet food costs down [5]. Therefore, nutritious cat food can be found at all price points. 

The post Salmon Cat Food: 9 Favorite Fishy Formulas appeared first on Vetstreet.

If you’re a pet parent in search of fully or partially organic options for your feline family member, it can be tricky to know where to begin.

Good news! We did the hard work for you, researching what’s out there and talking to experts about what to look for. In this article, we cover what classifies cat food as “organic,” the pros and cons of this option, and our favorite brands (as recommended by veterinarians).

Best Organic Cat Foods: Our List

All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the Vetstreet editorial team and do not reflect a direct endorsement by the author. However, Vetstreet may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.

• Best Overall Organic Cat Food: Purina Beyond Organic Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe
• Best Wet Organic Cat Food: Evanger’s Organics Braised Chicken Dinner
• Best Affordable Organic Cat Food: Tender & True Pet Nutrition Organic Chicken & Liver Recipe
• Best Dry Organic Cat Food: Petcurean Gather Free Acres Organic Dry Cat Food
• Best Freeze-Dried Organic Cat Food: Open Farm Harvest Chicken Freeze Dried Raw Cat Food 
• Best Grain-Free Organic Cat Food: Stella & Chewy’s Purrfect Cage-Free Chicken Paté

6 Best Organic Cat Foods of 2025

Now that you’re armed with valuable info organic food for felines, let’s go over some of our favorite options. To make it easier to tell which options are fully organic and which simply contain some organic ingredients, we’ve split our list into two sections.

Certified Organic Cat Foods

Best Overall Organic Cat Food

Our pick: Purina Beyond Organic Chicken & Sweet Potato Cat Food

Made with quality ingredients, this organic paté cat food is high in protein thanks to organic, free-range chicken. Loaded with added vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to balance out your cat’s nutrition, it can help with muscle development and support their energy and immunity.

Pros

• USDA certified organic seal
• Derived from organic, free-range chicken raised without antibiotics or growth hormones
• Non-GMO Project Verified
• No corn, wheat, soy, or poultry by-product

Cons

• This option is in paté form, so if your cat likes a bite, you may need to supplement with kibble or a minced option

Best Wet Organic Cat Food

Our pick: Evanger’s Organics Braised Chicken Dinner

Made by a family-owned business, Evanger’s wet cat food contains wholesome raw ingredients in their natural juices to lock in nutrients. Made with all-natural organic chicken, this option is high in protein. It’s also gluten and grain free and loaded with antioxidants to aid in a healthy immune system.

Pros

• USDA certified organic; certified kosher
• Made from start to finish in the United States
• Added taurine
• Grain and gluten free
• No soy, corn, or wheat

Cons

• Contains liver, which, in large amounts, can affect cats’ bone growth

Best Affordable Organic Cat Food

Our pick: Tender & True Pet Nutrition Organic Chicken & Liver Recipe

With its main ingredient being cage-free organic chicken, this dry cat food is a tasty option for kitties in all life stages. In addition to being high in protein, it also includes antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to provide optimal nutrition for your feline friend. The best part? It’s very reasonably priced!

Pros

• USDA certified organic
• Great price point
• Free of grain, corn, wheat, and soy
• No added hormones, preservatives, colors, or flavors
• Made with humanely raised and ethically sourced ingredients

Cons

• Some pet parents felt the size of the individual pieces of kibble was too small

Cat Foods with Organic Ingredients

Best Dry Organic Cat Food

Our pick: Petcurean Gather Free Acres Organic Dry Cat Food

One of the great things about this dry cat food is that it features a single source of poultry protein: sustainably produced, certified organic, free-run chicken. And beyond that, we love that it’s packed with ingredients – like organic flaxseed, blueberries, cranberries, organic peas, and lentils – that provide added health benefits. Plus, it’s formulated without wheat, corn, soy, or artificial additives, making it a fantastic choice for your kitty.

Pros

• Single poultry protein recipe made with sustainably produced, certified organic, free-run chicken
• Contains other organic and beneficial ingredients
• No wheat, corn, soy, or artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
• Non GMO

Cons

• For adult cats only
• Not 100% organic 

Best Freeze-Dried Organic Cat Food

Our pick: Open Farm Harvest Chicken Freeze Dried Raw Cat Food

20% off first auto-ship order with code VETSTREET

While not everything in this freeze-dried cat food is organic, Open Farm prides itself on using 100% traceable ingredients, as well as non-GMO fruits and veggies. This grain/legume-free option is an excellent source of protein thanks to the never-cooked freeze-dried chicken. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile. Mix it with kibble, or let it stand on its own as a well-balanced meal for your kitty.

Pros

• Made with 98% humanely raised, free-to-roam, freeze-dried chicken that’s antibiotic, hormone, and steroid free
• Contains organic fruits and vegetables
• Added nutrition from organs and ground bones
• Can be a mixer or a full meal
• Available in other flavors

Cons

• Higher price point
• Not 100% organic

Best Grain-Free Organic Cat Food

Our pick: Stella & Chewy’s Purrfect Cage-Free Chicken Paté

Known for its whole muscle meat, bone broth, and organic fresh-cut vegetables, this grain-free chicken paté from Stella & Chewy’s is a perfectly well-balanced meal time option for your cat. It’s made with 100% human-grade ingredients and contains no artificial preservatives or coloring, hormones or antibiotics, or corn, wheat, or soy. Plus, added taurine packs an extra punch of nutritional value.

Pros

• Made with 100% human-grade ingredients, including cage-free chicken and organic vegetables
• Free from grains, artificial preservatives/coloring, and added hormones/antibiotics
• Contains added taurine
• Available in other flavors like turkey and salmon

Cons

• Higher price point
• Not 100% organic 

What Is Organic Cat Food?

If you’re wondering if natural cat food is the same as organic, the short answer is no. While the terms natural and organic can sometimes be used interchangeably to refer to cat food of its variety, they technically don’t mean the same thing. 

“Regardless of the standard set by AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) for natural food, [organic cat food] refers to foods with better quality ingredients that do not have any additives, preservatives, or synthetic ingredients (including synthetic multivitamins),” according to Dr. Chinonyerem Ukweni, pet owner, animal lover, and veterinarian with Pet Parking. “[These foods] are minimally processed and do not have certain ingredients like soy and animal by-products that otherwise meet the AAFCO natural food guidelines.” 

And not to confuse you even more, but you also may have also encountered “human-grade cat food,” which is becoming more and more popular. This type of cat food is made with ingredients that meet the human standard of food, meaning that they follow the standards of what we eat. However, Dr. Ukweni points out that this preference is lifestyle based and has nothing to do with the nutritional quality of the cat food. So, basically, just because a cat food is human grade doesn’t necessarily mean it’s organic.

Pros and Cons of Organic Cat Food

Now that we have the basics down, let’s go over some of the pros and cons of organic food for cats.

Pros

Ingredients. One obvious pro is quality ingredients. When you read cat food labels, it’s comforting to know that all of the ingredients are, in fact, organic. However, if having cat food that is 100% organic is crucial for you, it’s important to look for that USDA certification seal on the packaging. If a cat food is marketed as having organic ingredients but doesn’t have that seal, it means that not all of the ingredients are. 

Availability. Another plus is that we’re starting to see different types of cat food more and more. Rather than maybe just one option, you have several to choose from.

General wellness. According to veterinarian Dr. Iram Sharma, organic food for cats can have some health benefits. “This type of food is great if your cat is dealing with obesity as it can help in weight-management. Consuming organic cat food regularly will [help] cats to have regular bowel movements and keep their poop and pee less smelly,” Dr. Sharma says. “The main reason for that is that organic food doesn’t contain artificial flavors or colors that may cause different irritations to the cat’s digestive system. Instead, these organic ingredients are digestible and can improve the cat’s immune system.”

Cons

Cost. While you want what’s best for your cat, especially when it comes to what they eat, sometimes money can be a factor. Most organic food does come at a higher price, however, more affordable options are available.

Shelf life. Another disadvantage to consider is the shelf life. Because of the lack of preservatives, most organic options won’t last as long as their non-organic counterparts.

Our Selection Process

In addition to talking to Dr. Ukweni and Dr. Sharna, we also considered the following when building our list of best organic cat foods. 

Organic certifications. While we did highlight several cat foods that are organically certified by the USDA, we also included a few options that are not fully organic but do contain organic ingredients.

Ingredient quality. We took a close look at the ingredients of each selection, calling out the quality and nutritional benefits.

Ratings/reviews. In addition to the USDA, of course, having the seal of approval from other pet parents is incredibly helpful when purchasing food for your cat, so we made sure to take a look at what they had to say in the reviews section.

Price. As mentioned above, these cat foods are naturally going to be on the expensive side, but we tried to keep all budgets in mind and included a less expensive option as well.

Organic Cat Food Buyer’s Guide

Ready to get shopping? Before you start adding organic kitty food to your cart, it’s important to consider the following:

Budget. Organic food for cats is naturally going to be more expensive than non-organic, so it’s important to understand how much you want to spend before getting your cat hooked on something that may be out of your price range.

Your cat’s health condition/age. A cat’s health and age should always be a priority when it comes to feeding. “Avoid feeding senior or diabetic cats natural food that is high in carbohydrates, low in protein and does not meet their nutritional requirement,” Ukweni recommends. “Always consult your veterinarian to advise accordingly.”

Label info. Check to see if the cat food you’re considering is actually 100% organic, or if it simply contains some organic ingredients. “Cat food labeled 100% organic informs buyers that every ingredient used in producing the cat food was minimally processed as human-grade organic food with ingredients derived from plants and animals not exposed to pesticides, hormones, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, [or] irradiation, and are not genetically engineered,” says Ukweni. “The USDA organic seal on the package indicates the quality of the organic products.”

Shelf life. Ukweni advises cat parents to pay close attention to the shelf life. “Most of them lack preservatives and [can] go bad once opened.”

Bottom Line: Put Your Cat’s Needs First

Even after you consider the important factors listed above, don’t forget you’re feeding a cat and not a human. While humans may lean into eating organic foods or choose to be vegetarian or vegan for various reasons, when it comes to cats, what’s “healthiest” is really about their needs as a species. 

“Sadly, the emphasis on organic ingredients containing vegetables in place of measurable synthetic multivitamins has resulted in nutritional disorders in cats due to their peculiar nutritional needs as obligate carnivores,” Ukweni explains. “A study on cats raised on plant-based diets as against meat-based diets showed the former cats were prone to gastrointestinal disorders and developed nutritional disorders.” 

Whether organic or not, the best thing you can do for your cat is choose a food that they enjoy and is all-around healthy and beneficial for them.

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According to recent surveys, 30 percent of pet parents say they’re more in tune with their pet’s health than ever. And 88 percent are taking preventive measures to protect their pet’s health, which starts with what’s in the food bowl [1].

Current trends in pet food focus on serving pets top-of-the-line food that looks and sounds like something a human would feel comfortable eating. It’s called premiumization, and with premiumization comes premium price tags.  

However, a higher price doesn’t necessarily mean higher quality. Dr. Bruce Kornreich, director of the Cornell Feline Health Center at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine explains it like this: “There are certainly quality, low-cost cat foods on the market. There are also higher-cost cat foods that may not be such high quality. In other words, the cost may not correlate with the true nutritional quality of the food.”

Here’s how to know if what you’re buying is worth the price, plus our selection of seven high-quality, cheap cat foods that won’t break the bank.

Our Top Picks

All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the Vetstreet editorial team and do not reflect a direct endorsement by the author. However, Vetstreet may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.

• Best Affordable Cat Food Overall: Purina Cat Chow Complete
• Best Affordable Dry Cat Food: Rachael Ray Nutrish Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
• Best Affordable Wet Cat Food: Dave’s Naturally Healthy & Delicious
• Best Affordable Kitten Food: Purina Fancy Feast Kitten Classic Paté
• Best Affordable Limited-ingredient Cat Food: Instinct Limited Ingredient Wet Cat Food
• Best Affordable Freeze-Dried Cat Food: Stella & Chewy’s Dinner Morsels
• Best Affordable Frozen Raw Cat Food: Darwin’s Natural Foods

How We Made Our Selections of Affordable Cat Food Brands

While Dr. Kornreich and other members of the Cornell Feline Health Center team can’t endorse specific pet food brands, with his and Dr. Shoveller’s expert guidance, we rounded up the best low-cost cat food for every type of kitty at each stage of life, taking the following into consideration.

Nutrition. We factored in nutritional values and caloric density, and made sure our recommended cat foods meet the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards for a complete and balanced meal. 

Quality control. We also looked at important quality control standards, highlighting companies that focus on maintaining the excellence of their food.

Ratings and reviews. What other cat parents say is important, too. So, we considered real reviews to get a well-rounded view of each option. 

Price. Obviously cost was high on our radar here. We can’t guarantee your finicky feline will love her new reasonably priced cat food – but for the low cost of these high-quality selections, trial and error will be lighter on the wallet.

7 Best Cheap Cat Foods That Provide High-Quality Nutrition

From wet to dry, frozen to freeze-dried, here are our picks for the best cheap cat food that’s healthy:

Best Affordable Cat Food Overall

Our pick: Purina Cat Chow Complete

According to Dr. Shoveller, grocery store brands like Purina Cat Chow are where you’ll find the most bang for your buck: they’re affordable, available almost anywhere you shop, and typically stamped with the AAFCO seal of approval. Purina leads in pet nutrition, with on-staff veterinarians formulating every recipe and the Purina Institute working hard to advance our understanding of pet health and nutrition. For these reasons, it gets our vote for best cheapest cat food on our list.

Every crunch of this affordable cat food is nutritionally complete for all life stages. It’s made extra delicious with beef fat and liver flavoring that even the most finicky of felines are sure to love. And thanks to Purina’s interactive ingredient list, there are no mystery ingredients in this recipe.

Pros

• Contains 32% protein to promote strong muscles and healthy joints
• Includes 25 essential vitamins and minerals
• Meets the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages
• Manufactured at Purina’s Missouri plant, which means more quality control in every bag
• Under $11 for 6.3 lbs, or $1.72 per lb

Cons

• Pet parents and their cats love this formula, but many wish it was available in more flavors to curb boredom at the bowl

Best Affordable Dry Food

Our pick: Rachael Ray Nutrish Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe

We love seeing a protein as the first ingredient of any pet food recipe, which is one of the reasons this tasty option from Rachael Ray Nutrish snagged a spot on our list. Ideal for cats in all life stages, this kibble is rounded out with ingredients like fiber-forward brown rice and beet pulp to help promote healthy digestion. Plus, it contains no wheat, soy, or artificial flavors, making it great for kitties with allergies.

Pros

• Chicken is the first ingredient listed; also available in salmon
• Brown rice aids in digestion
• Made without wheat, soy, or artificial flavors/preservatives
• Company utilizes independent third parties to assess and audit food safety programs at each manufacturing facility
• Meets AAFCO standards
• Made in the USA
• A little under $27 for 14 lbs, which comes to $1.89 per pound

Cons

• This particular recipe is only available in two flavors

Best Affordable Wet Food

Our pick: Dave’s Naturally Healthy & Delicious

When it comes to affordable wet cat food for adult cats, it’s hard to beat the offerings of Dave’s Pet Food. Founded over 20 years ago by dog dad Dave with the help of a veterinary nutritionist, the brand has consistently produced nutritionally complete food at a low price point. In this recipe, you’ll find ingredients like chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, and turkey. Plus, the larger 12.5 oz cans makes Dave’s a great value. In terms of cheap wet cat food, we like that this formula has no wheat or gluten and pet parents can feel good serving it.

Pros

• Formulated with Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids
• Free from grains, artificial flavors and colors, and carrageenan 
• Meets AAFCO standards
• USA made
• About $36 for twelve 12.5 oz cans, which comes to 0.24 cents per oz

Cons

• Pet parents note that the cans can be waterier than expected, which has its pros and cons. But Dr. Shoveller notes that “water is so important and overlooked in cats. If I have any doubts [that a cat isn’t drinking enough water], I’m recommending wet foods.”

Best Affordable Kitten Food

Our pick: Purina Fancy Feast Kitten Classic Paté

Your kitten is going to eat a lot, and Fancy Feast is a good, affordable option. This soft, hydrating wet food recipe is formulated with essential vitamins and minerals to ensure healthy development. Purina promises that every ingredient is blended for a purpose, from strong bones and muscles to a healthy immune system and the development of brain and eye functions.

Pros

• Smooth paté for easy consumption and weaning
• Available in a variety of flavors and a multipack
• USA-sourced ingredients
• Manufactured at Purina’s Missouri plant
• Meets the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for kittens, so you know you’re serving up the nutrients for your kitten to grow big and strong
• Under $24 for twenty-four 3 oz cans, which comes to .28 cents per oz

Cons

• Variety pack options include whitefish and salmon. Fish can cause allergic reactions in cats and is not recommended as a primary source of protein for them [2].

Best Affordable Limited-Ingredient Food

Our pick: Instinct Limited Ingredient Wet Cat Food

Veterinary visits to get to the bottom of your cat’s sensitive stomach or allergies can be pricey, but high-quality limited-ingredient cat food doesn’t need to follow suit. Instinct’s limited-ingredient recipes are made with one protein and a single vegetable, and without extras like grain, corn, and wheat – all at a reasonable price. Plus, because their recipes have been developed in partnership with the University of Nebraska and PhD-level nutritionists and stamped with the AAFCO statement, you can feel good knowing your cat is getting a complete and balanced meal.

Pros

• Developed in partnership with the University of Nebraska and PhD-level nutritionists
• Simple ingredient list includes one protein and one vegetable
• No grain, potato, corn, wheat, soy, or artificial colors/preservatives
• Tested by an external lab
• Has achieved an “Excellent” Safe Quality Food (SQF) Food Safety rating and an SQF Quality Certification
• Meets AAFCO standards
• Under $30 for twelve 5.5 oz cans, which comes to .47 cents per oz, which really is a good option for best cat food for the price

Cons

• Higher in price than other picks on this particular list, but still a better deal than many alternative options

Best Affordable Freeze-Dried Food

Our pick: Stella & Chewy’s Dinner Morsels

Freeze-dried raw cat foods are a good choice when you’re looking for a shelf-stable, easy-to-travel-with food option. The morsels are high-pressure processed, which means harmful bacteria are destroyed without compromising nutritional benefits.  And while freeze-dried cat foods in general tend to be a bit pricier than more traditional types, Stella & Chewy’s is one of the more healthy affordable cat food options. We love Stella & Chewy’s for their product transparency (every certificate of analysis report can be tracked), quality ingredients, and wide selection of responsibly sourced proteins. Plus, if your finicky feline doesn’t like it, the company accepts returns of any unused portion within 14 days of purchase.

Pros

• Every recipe is fortified with added vitamins and minerals, probiotics, and antioxidants
• Made with USA-sourced proteins in the company’s FDA-inspected Wisconsin facility
• Meets AAFCO standards
• Company accepts returns of opened food within 14 days of purchase
• $10.99 for a 3.5 oz bag, which comes to $3.14 an oz

Cons

• Needs to be rehydrated with warm water or unsalted broth before serving
• Higher price point than standard kibble or wet food

Best Frozen Raw Food

Our pick: Darwin’s Natural Pet Products

Also a bit pricier than some of the other picks on our list, Darwin’s Natural Pet Products does stand out for its affordable trial price: 10 pounds of raw frozen food delivered to your door for just $14.95. After that, Darwin’s estimates that an 11-pound spayed adult cat with a normal activity level would cost $18.69 to feed each week with Darwin’s. Hop onto the company’s website to input your own cat’s information for a tailored feeding plan, curated by Darwin’s on-staff veterinarians.

Pros

• Manufactured at Darwin’s Seattle, Washington plant for added quality control
• Complete and balanced formulas
• Delivered frozen, straight to your door
• Curated recipes by Darwin’s on-staff veterinarians
• Intelligent Design prescription pet food is available for cats with kidney disease

Cons

• Minimum order of 10 pounds
• Limited proteins available

Cheap Good Cat Food: Affordable Doesn’t Mean Bad

Quality is really complex, says Dr. Anna Kate Shoveller, professor and Champion Pet Foods chair in canine and feline nutrition at the University of Guelph. She compares choosing high-quality cat food to shopping for meat at the grocery store. Sure, a T-bone steak is of higher quality than ground meat, but both choices provide the essential nutrients we need.

When it comes to affordable cat food brands that deliver essential vitamins and nutrients, there are a few ingredients that get a bad rap, including by-product meal, fillers, and preservatives. But you shouldn’t always believe the marketing. 

By-Product Meal

“This notion that by-products are ‘bad’ is misleading,” Dr. Kornreich says. By-products are cost-effective ingredients that are upcycled from the human food industry. And they’re not all made the same. They range from high concentrations of bone to chicken breast meat mixed with other animal parts. And by the way, the whole animal is a biologically appropriate food for cats (even if we wouldn’t dare eat it).

If you’re wondering how to tell the quality of a by-product meal, look at the ash content. Ash is minerals from bone. So, the higher the ash content, the more bone-dense the food may be. If the label doesn’t include the nutritional profile, “contact the company and ask the specific concentrations in their by-product,” Dr. Kornreich suggests.

Fillers 

Fillers can include corn, rice, and potatoes. “Fillers, in terms of the word, would suggest it holds no nutrient value for the animal,” Dr. Shoveller says. But she adds that it’s just not true. For example, “animals – dogs and cats – can use carbohydrates to form glucose, and glucose can be used for energy. So, these ingredients all have a value, they just all have a different cost coming in.”

However, Dr. Kornreich says to look out for ingredients that have no proven benefits, like certain flavorings, apricots, and flaxseed.

Preservatives

“What’s worse, preservatives or rancid food?” Dr. Kornreich asks. “Preservatives are not inherently bad; they’re the things that make it so that cat food can remain nutritionally complete, balanced, and healthy and not spoiled or dangerous.” And, he adds, synthetic preservatives are typically more effective at keeping foods fresh than natural preservatives.

Dr. Kornreich also offers a warning about buzzwords like human-grade ingredients. Human-grade foods “may not garner any additional benefit for the well-being of the cat. Just because it says human-grade, doesn’t mean it’s better for the cat,” he says. Plus, jumping through the hoops of certifying that ingredients are human-grade and meet AAFCO standards is expensive – a cost that’s passed onto the consumer.

Cheap Cat Food Buyer’s Guide

When it comes to what you’re putting in your cat’s body on a daily basis, questions and uncertainty are inevitable. Here are a few things to consider before shelling out your cash for a new cat food, especially regarding inexpensive cat food that is healthy.

Talk with your veterinarian. “Your veterinarian is the best source of information,” Dr. Kornreich says. “[Pet parents] should really be consulting with their veterinarians regarding the cat food that’s appropriate for their specific cat. A kitten should be fed differently than an adult. A cat with renal disease should be fed differently than a healthy cat.” Be sure to chat with your veterinarian to understand the right amount of nutrients your cat needs and how many calories per day she should eat. 

Look for an AAFCO statement. Even the cheapest healthiest cat food should have an AAFCO statement. This means the food meets the nutrient requirements set by the AAFCO, or that the company has successfully tested and proven that the food is safe to feed your pet.

Review the nutrient profile. At a minimum, most pet foods list the amounts of protein, fat, fiber, moisture content, and sometimes ash. The caloric information should also be listed. If the company doesn’t list nutrient profiles on the product, or if you want additional information about the ingredients, contact the manufacturer..

Consider quality control standards. According to Dr. Kornreich, a few questions can provide a lot of information on the quality control and assurance of the food:

1. Does the manufacturer of the food own the plant? “If they do, they have a tighter ability to control quality,” Dr. Kornreich explains.
2. Do they employ a full-time board-certified veterinary nutritionist?  
3. What specific quality control does the company undertake? “Just saying a food is high quality doesn’t make it high quality,” Dr. Kornreich says.
4. Does the company conduct any research, and is the research published?
5. When requested, does the company provide a complete nutrient profile?
6. Do they disparage other companies? It’s a red flag if companies need to put down other companies to make their products look good.

Purchase an appropriate amount: “I always encourage pet parents not to buy ahead on food,” Dr. Shoveller says. Buying in bulk can save money up front, but improper storage can lead to mold (AKA expensive veterinary visits if eaten). Plus, the longer some types of cat food sit – like an open bag of kibble – the less nutritious it becomes.

Best Inexpensive Cat Food FAQs

The post 7 Best Cheap Cat Foods That Provide High-Quality Nutrition appeared first on Vetstreet.

You may have heard of the benefits of grain-free cat foods. In fact, many cat foods are marketed to be “healthier” options, but what does that mean exactly? In this article, we’ll provide insights and advice on just that, as well as our selections for the best grain-free cat food out there.

Our Top Grain-Free Picks

All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the Vetstreet editorial team and do not reflect a direct endorsement by the author. However, Vetstreet may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.

• Best Overall Grain-Free Cat Food: Weruva Truluxe Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
• Best Wet Grain-Free Cat Food: The Honest Kitchen Grain-Free Caté
• Best Dry Grain-Free Cat Food: Purina Beyond Simply Grain-Free Natural Dry Cat Food
• Best Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Cat Food: Reveal in Broth Grain-Free Wet Food
• Best Fresh Grain-Free Cat Food: Smalls Cat Food
• Best Raw Grain-Free Cat Food: Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Dinner Morsels
• Best Grain-Free Kitten Food: Blue Buffalo Wilderness High-Protein Grain-Free Kitten Paté
• Most Affordable Grain-Free Cat Food: Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Wet Cat Food 

8 Best Grain-Free Cat Foods of 2025

All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the Vetstreet editorial team and do not reflect a direct endorsement by the author. However, Vetstreet may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Best Overall Grain-Free Cat Food

Our Pick: Weruva Truluxe Grain-Free Canned Cat Food

This grain-free, gluten-free wet food is a favorite of my own three cats, and it’s highly rated on several retailers’ sites. Not only are the ingredients (grass-fed beef, cage-free chicken, and dolphin-safe wild caught tuna – just to name a few) ethically sourced, its tasty morsels in gravy and shredded proteins are sure to satisfy even finicky felines. Plus, it’s available in two different can sizes for added convenience.

Pros

• Sustainably sourced ingredients
• Wide selection of flavors; order individually or a variety pack
• GMO and MSG free
• Available in 3 oz or 6 oz cans

Cons

• Weruva is one of the pricier varieties of cat food out there 

Best Wet Grain-Free Cat Food

Our Pick: The Honest Kitchen Grain-Free Caté

Get 40% off your first purchase at The Honest Kitchen with code 40GREATPET

One of the things we appreciate about The Honest Kitchen is their commitment to using thoughtfully sourced ingredients, and this grain-free caté is no exception. The 100% human-grade wet cat food contains high-quality proteins and beneficial ingredients without any fillers, GMOs, corn, soy, or artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. Cats will love the variety of flavors and luscious paté texture, and pet parents will feel great about serving it.

Pros

• High in protein
• Thoughtfully sourced, human-grade ingredients
• No fillers, GMOs, feed-grade ingredients, corn, soy, wheat, or artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
• Available in a variety of recipes: chicken, turkey, salmon & cod, salmon & turkey, and beef & chicken (can be purchased as a variety pack)

Cons

• Higher price point
• Some customers found the packaging to be messy when opened

Best Dry Grain-Free Cat Food

Our Pick: Purina Beyond Simply Grain-Free Natural Dry Cat Food

When you think of dry pet food, you probably automatically assume it must be filled with carb-heavy grains, but that’s not always the case. This grain-free dry cat food is made of wild-caught whitefish and cage-free egg – no corn, wheat, soy, or poultry by-product meals. High in protein, this dry food also comes packed with natural probiotics, which are great for your cat’s digestive health.

Pros

• Great source of protein
• No preservatives or artificial colors/flavors
• Formulated with natural probiotics, as well as added vitamins, minerals and nutrients
• Made in the United States

Cons

• Some customers mentioned that it has a strong fish smell

Best Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Cat Food

Our Pick: Reveal in Broth Grain-Free Wet Food

When you open the can of Reveal, it’s clear how many ingredients are inside: very few. On its label, you’ll see three to four recognizable items listed, which can be comforting to parents of cats with food allergies. This limited-ingredient, grain-free wet cat food is also 100% natural and available in several different flavors.

Pros

• Simple, all-natural ingredients
• Multiple flavors available
• Great source of Omega-3 and Omega-6
• No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives

Cons

• Meant to be served alongside dry cat food for a balanced diet 

Best Fresh Grain-Free Cat Food

Our Pick: Smalls Human-Grade Fresh Cat Food

32% off + free treats for life with code VETSTREET5

Smalls, a subscription meal service for cats, offers high-protein, grain-free meals with no fillers. The fresh recipes feature ingredients that are humanely harvested, sustainably sourced, and packed with nutrition due to the brand’s preparation practices. Choose from three different protein options (bird, other bird, or cow), and textures (smooth, ground, or pulled). 

Pros

• Human-grade, all-natural food
• Multiple protein and texture options
• Ingredients are sourced from the US or Canada 
• Every batch is tested for pathogens and has to pass the company’s high standards of excellence
• In addition to fresh, Smalls also offers freeze-dried food options
• USDA certified 

Cons

• Fresh cat food might be super different from what your cat is used to and could be a transition
• Must be refrigerated or frozen
• Only available online on Smalls.com

Best Raw Grain-Free Cat Food

Our Pick: Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Dinner Morsels

Aiming to give cats a diet similar to what their ancestors ate in the wild, Stelly & Chewy’s presents tasty morsels with natural proteins in a freeze-dried raw variety. Good for digestion, teeth, gums, skin, coat, and overall vitality, this grain- and gluten-free option delivers a balanced diet with no unnecessary fillers. Plus, it comes in a variety of flavors your cat is sure to love.

Pros

• Raw diets are known to mirror cats’ diets in the wild
• Several responsibly sourced proteins/flavors to choose from, like chicken, salmon and chicken, duck duck goose, rabbit, salmon and cod, and turkey
• Fortified with vitamins and Omega fatty acids
• Great for cats or kittens
• Made in small batches with minimal production

Cons

• Texture may be different than what cats are used to 

Best Grain-Free Kitten Food

Our Pick: Blue Buffalo Wilderness High-Protein Grain-Free Kitten Paté

Young cats will love Blue Buffalo’s kitten paté. This grain-free wet cat food is packed with plenty of vitamins and minerals, and you won’t find corn, wheat, soy, or poultry by-product anywhere in these cans. Rich in protein, the natural, gluten-free food also presents a smooth texture that won’t intimidate new eaters of solids.

Pros

• No artificial flavors or preservatives
• Paté form is easy on tiny kitten jaws
• Includes DHA to help kittens’ brain development
• Available in chicken and salmon; variety pack lets your kitten sample both flavors

Cons

• Salmon recipe does also contain chicken, which could pose an issue for kittens with sensitivities to poultry

Most Affordable Grain-Free Cat Food 

Our Pick: Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Wet Cat Food

Made without grains, by-products, or artificial flavors/preservatives, this grain-free wet cat food boasts either chicken or fish as its number-one ingredient, depending on the flavor you choose – and there are a bunch of yummy ones available. It also includes plenty of vitamins, minerals, and taurine for added health benefits and comes in at a price that won’t totally break the bank.

Pros

• Great price point
• Available in several chicken or fish flavors (or sometimes a combo of both!)
• Includes added vitamins, minerals, and taurine
• No chicken by-product or artificial flavors/preservatives

Cons

• Contains carrageenan
• Some customers said their cat only ate the gravy, not the actual food

What is Grain-Free Cat Food?

Grain-free food for cats excludes wheat, corn, and other sources of grains.

It’s also important to note that “a grain-free diet is not necessarily carbohydrate-free, as ingredients such as potato, tapioca, lentils, peas, carrots, beans, cranberries, etc., [might be] used in commercial grain-free cat food,” says Dr. Alex Schechter, a veterinarian with Pure Paws of Hell’s Kitchen and Burrwood Veterinary. “Grain-free foods are high in protein; they are gluten-free cat food by default.”

A cat may require grain-free food due to an allergy, and when shopping, Dr. Colleen Lambo, a veterinarian with at-home veterinary service The Vets, has some advice: “It is best to focus on diets formulated to avoid your cat’s specific grain allergy,” she says. “Grains in general are not harmful to cats. Wild cats often eat the stomach of their prey first, which is full of the healthy, tasty grains consumed by the prey. Their in-home diets should include appropriate levels of these grains to meet their needs.”

How We Made Our Selections

In addition to personal experience, we considered a variety of factors when selecting the grain-free cat food for this roundup, including:

Veterinarian recommendations. We talked to several veterinarians to get their take on grain-free cat food options. According to them, the trusted brands that use quality ingredients and undergo the highest levels of testing include (but are not limited to): Purina, Weruva, Smalls, Blue Buffalo, and Royal Canin.

Ingredient quality. Beyond ensuring that each selection is, in fact, grain free, we took a look at the included ingredients, calling out the selections that are all natural, free from artificial additives, etc. 

Reviews. We also scoured retailers to uncover the highly rated grain-free cat food varieties with thoughtful reviews. 

Price point. Finally, we took cost into consideration, providing options that would work for a variety of budgets.

Grain-Free Cat Food Buyer’s Guide

Ready for your kitty to go grain-free? Before you buy, take a look at our helpful tips to ensure you’re choosing the right grain-free cat food for your feline.

Investigate Ingredients

“The most crucial ingredient to search for in grain-free cat food, and any cat food, is protein,” says Dr. Schechter. “Cats need protein to maintain their daily nutrition, and some grain-free cat meals also contain carbs like sweet potatoes, peas, or lentils to replace the grains. If these products are higher than the amount of protein in the cat food, it can be unhealthy for your pet.”

Also, he adds, “Reading the food’s labels and the ingredient list is also vital to ensure that there are no extraneous fillers or additives.”

Choose Quality Brands

It’s also important to do your research on the brand you’re considering to make sure they’re producing the quality food your cat deserves. “The benefits of purchasing a diet that is formulated by a large and well-known company is that these companies tend to have research behind their diet to support any claims and any advantages the specific diet will have for the targeted pet population,” says Dr. Shadi Ireifej, veterinarian, board-certified specialist, and owner of VetTriage, a vet telehealth service.

Look for Veterinarian-Formulated Options

We love seeing pet foods that are formulated by experts, and Dr. Schecter agrees. “It is usually advisable to look for diets developed by veterinarians or that have undergone third-party testing,” he says. “This guarantees the food’s safety and high standards.”

“It would be assumed that a veterinary-formulated diet would be of added benefit, but these diets should at minimum meet the standards of AAFCO for the targeted pet population,” adds Dr. Ireifej.

Think About Your Cat’s Preferences

Don’t forget to factor in your cat’s specific preferences. If you want to go grain-free, you can try dry, wet, or both. Some cats prefer dry over wet, or vice versa. There are also fresh and raw options out there that are high in protein, but some cats are not fans as it’s not what they’re used to. This is all about texture and smells. Cats can be fickle, and you’ll want to take their cues into consideration.

Talk to Your Veterinarian

It’s always a good idea to talk to your veterinarian if you need guidance on what to feed your cat – especially when there are grain sensitivities or allergies involved. They will be able to identify if your cat has specific nutritional needs (grain-free or not).

Grain-Free Cat Food Pros and Cons

As the saying goes, nothing is perfect. There are benefits and drawbacks to most things in life, and the same goes for grain-free cat food. Let’s go over the pros and cons of this specific food type.

Pros

Grain-free food is great for cats who have sensitive skin and digestive intolerances, says Dr. Schechter. “Due to the starchy and dry nature of carbohydrates, grains are complex to digest for a cat,” he explains. “Grain-free cat food, when not loaded with other carbohydrates, is an excellent alternative to a cat’s natural diet and offers the best nutritional value. It helps to reduce allergic reactions, is easy to digest, and also helps to get the feline a shiny and lustrous coat.”

Schechter also points out that grain-free cat food contains high-quality primary protein sources, such as chicken, beef, fish, and eggs. “These have better bioavailability and provide more energy than those found in grain-based foods. High-quality proteins help support a cat’s overall health and development and maintain muscles and bones.”

Lastly, he adds, less grains and carbohydrates can also reduce the risk of diabetes and obesity. 

Cons

Now for the cons. Since protein is the main component in grain-free cat food, it can also mean that grain-free cat food is higher in fat. “If you are not feeding your pet the correct portion, grain-free food can cause weight gain in the pet,” Dr. Schechter cautions.

Ireifej also notes that there are not enough studies evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of feeding a cat a grain-free diet. Most of the research is anecdotal evidence. 

Grain Free Cat Food and Heart Disease

A few years ago, the FDA released information about grain-free foods causing heart problems in some pets, particularly dogs. While there were a couple of cat-related incidents reported, Dr. Ireifej points out that, “There are currently no reports supporting that a grain-free diet in cats predisposes them to cardiac disease.” 

Switching Your Cat to a Grain-Free Food

Before making the move to a grain-free diet for your cat, Schechter has some advice to make the process as successful as possible:

Begin gradually. Over a few days, gradually combine the new grain-free meals with the old food. This will prevent intestinal problems and aid in your cat’s adjustment to new food.

Opt for a high-quality meal. To avoid artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors, look for grain-free food produced with quality ingredients.

Keep an eye on your cat’s health. Look for any changes in your cat’s actions or look that can point to a food intolerance or allergy. Consult your veterinarian right away if you detect any changes.

Offer an abundance of water. Dehydration can result from a grain-free diet’s higher protein and fat content. Make sure your cat has plenty of access to clean, fresh water.

The post 8 Best Grain-Free Cat Foods in 2025 appeared first on Vetstreet.

Many cat owners have come to swear by the fresh food options that are now readily available in grocery stores, pet stores, or via online subscription. These foods boast easy digestibility, enticing flavors, and health benefits not found in traditional cat food. But how true are these claims? And what exactly differentiates fresh cat food from the canned stuff?

For pet parents who prefer a non-processed cat food, most fresh cat food options are made this way or are very minimally processed. Refrigerated cat food is made to maintain and preserve its freshness and nutritional value. Here are our top six picks followed by answers to commonly asked questions about fresh cat food.

Our Picks:

All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the Vetstreet editorial team and do not reflect a direct endorsement by the author. However, Vetstreet may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.

• Best Fresh Food for Cats Overall Winner: Smalls Human-Grade Fresh
• Best High-Protein Fresh Cat Food: JustCats Fish & Chicken
• Best Natural Fresh Cat Food: Darwin’s Natural Selections
• Best Grain-Free Fresh Cat Food: Freshpet Vital Cat Food
• Best Low-Carb Fresh Cat Food: Raised Right
• Best Raw Fresh Cat Food: Raw Paws Signature Blend for Dogs and Cats

6 Best Fresh Cat Food Delivery Services and Brands to Consider

If you’re interested in feeding your kitty fresh foods, here are our picks for the best fresh cat food brands to consider:

Best Fresh Food for Cats Overall Winner

Our Pick: Smalls Human-Grade Fresh

32% off + free treats for life with code VETSTREET5

Our overall fresh foods for cats pick is Smalls Human-Grade Fresh. This protein-rich food is available in three proteins (chicken, turkey, and beef) and two textures (smooth and ground), making it easy to find an option that works for even the pickiest cat. Splitting each packet of Smalls into two daily meals is easy, and ideal for most average-sized adult cats.

Their “Bird” recipe features chicken thigh, breast, liver and heart, their “Other Bird” recipe has skin-on turkey thigh and chicken liver, and their “Cow” recipe contains lean ground beef, cow liver and heart. These tasty proteins are complemented with veggies like green beans, peas, and kale or spinach. Because Small is human-grade cat food, this means it is made with human-grade ingredients.

Smalls Human-Grade Fresh cat food does not contain meat byproducts or artificial colors or flavors. It’s also free of preservatives. Smalls makes a point of only using USDA-certified, humanely harvested and sustainably sourced ingredients. We also like that Smalls is a service that delivers cat food straight to your door, so you always have some on hand when your kitty is hungry. 

Highlights

• This fresh food for cats is delivered right to your door
• No artificial colors or flavors
• Free of preservatives
• Made in the USA
• Formulated to meet nutritional levels established by AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages
• Each packet can be split into two daily meals (feed one 200kcal packet of Smalls fresh food daily for every 10 pounds of your cat’s body weight)

Things to Consider

• Food arrives frozen and should only be thawed 24 hours before you are ready to use it
• Open wet food must be kept in the fridge and only keeps for 5-7 days 
• Only available through a subscription service

Best High-Protein Fresh Cat Food

Our Pick: JustCats Fish & Chicken

JustCats Fish & Chicken fresh food is a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet formulated for adult cats of all breeds. It contains yuca root, which absorbs and retains moisture, which helps ensure your cat is fully hydrated. It also includes chicken liver, which is rich in essential nutrients. Made with wild-caught Alaskan Pacific cod to tempt even the most finicky cats, this fresh cat food is ideal for adult cats of all breeds.

Further, JustCats Fish & Chicken has no preservatives, grain, or gluten. JustCats is also touted as being good for cats with allergies or sensitive GI tracts, which pet parents appreciate. Each packet can be split into two meals, fed separately in the morning and evening, if preferred.

This is a refrigerated cat food that contains fish. It is good for3 to 4 days once thawed and refrigerated unopened, and 2 to 3 days once thawed and refrigerated opened. Frozen unopened packages are good for 1 year.

Highlights

• High-protein formula
• Moisture-rich formula is great for cats who don’t drink a lot of water
• Contains no growth hormones
• Yucca root helps ensure your cat stays hydrated
• Grain- and gluten-free

Things to Consider

• Available in one flavor and one size
• Tapioca starch is the only carbohydrate source
• Not formulated for growing kittens
• Bag is not resealable, so you will need a separate storage container
• Will need to be kept in the refrigerator once opened

Best Natural Fresh Cat Food

Our Pick: Darwin’s Natural Selections

Darwin’s Natural Selections offers complete and balanced nutrition for cats. Comprising free-range, cage-free, or pasture-raised meats and organic vegetables, this raw food is minimally processed to maintain vital nutrients and is crafted using human-quality ingredients. Further, it contains no grains, fillers, hormones, or chemical preservatives. It is available in three proteins—chicken, turkey, and lamb—for cats that crave a little variety. This is real cat food with real ingredients you can see.

All of Darwin’s meals are complete and balanced and meet the guidelines of AAFCO. Because of this, the company states supplements are not necessary. Darwin’s has been in business for over 15 years and have served over 25 million, fresh, raw food for cats and dogs across the United States. Darwin’s prides themselves on preparing their pet foods at a company-owned facility in the Washington area. Each formula is designed to be species appropriate. Available in chicken, turkey, or beef, Natural Selections are minimally processed so that your cat enjoys all the nutrients they need.

Highlights

• Made with ethical ingredients such as free-range meats and bioavailable nutrients
• Created with human quality ingredients
• Access to in-house consultants to help tailor meals for your cat
• High protein selections in beef, chicken, and turkey
• Contains no fillers, grains, hormones, or chemical preservatives
• Vegetables in every recipe
• Easy ordering process with shipments direct to your residence

Things to Consider

• Kittens should not eat raw food
• This is a refrigerated cat food

Best Grain-Free Fresh Cat Food

Our Pick: Freshpet Vital Cat Food

Freshpet Vital Cat Food is 100 percent natural, forgoing grains and meat meals. This chicken and beef paté comes in 1-pound rolls, allowing you to slice off a precise portion for your cat. Freshpet foods are found in a refrigerator, at Petco, PetSmart and other specialty locations, and must remain refrigerated and used within seven days of opening.

Each recipe for cats is made with 100 percent antibiotic-free/organic U.S-raised chickens. Because it contains a higher amount of moisture, this will help your cat stay hydrated in addition to drinking water. Made for all life stages, the beef, chicken, and egg combination helps tempt the palates of more finicky cats. Avoid freezing Freshpet for cats to ensure your kitty gets the best taste.

Highlights

• Non-GMO verified
• Developed by veterinary nutritionists
• No nitrates or fillers
• Can be served as slices or cubed
• Meats are gently cooked
• Can be fed to kittens at larger amounts per content packaging
• Meets AAFCO Cat Nutrient Profiles for all life stages

Things to Consider

• Must be refrigerated at all times
• Food must be portioned by the pet parent
• Available in one pound rolls
• Food can be frozen, but the consistency may vary after thawing

Best Low-Carb Fresh Cat Food

Our Pick: Raised Right

Get 20% off your first 16 bag box with code PETS20

Raised Right has two human-grade cat food recipes, one made with turkey and one made with chicken. The food is lightly cooked in a USDA-inspected facility with ingredients that pass the standards necessary for human consumption. Raised Right’s food was developed with the assistance of a veterinarian and pet food formulation expert. The recipes are low in carbohydrates and do not contain any high-carb fillers like potato, rice, oats, corn, or wheat. Raised Right will also help you create a nutritional plan for your pet based on his or her activity level.

If you live in one of the 48 contiguous states in the USA, Raised Right will deliver their fresh cat food direct to your address. Because there is no signature required on arrival, you won’t have to worry about missing your cat’s delivery. Each bag arrives with a ‘best before’ date on which contains the freezer shelf life. After defrosting your cat’s Raised Right food, it remains fresh when refrigerated for six days.

Highlights

• Low-carb meals
• Raised Right developed a proprietary algorithm to determine how many calories your cat should be consuming per day based on their age, weight, and activity level.
• Food contains fruits and vegetables for a balanced diet
• Food developed in partnership with a veterinarian and pet food formulation expert
• Food meets AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles

Things to Consider

• Only available online through a subscription service
• Food arrives frozen and must be defrosted prior to use
• Once defrosted, food must be used within six days

Best Raw Fresh Cat Food

Our Pick: Raw Paws Signature Blend for Dogs and Cats

Raw Paws is, as the name states, a raw food available in many different flavors for both dogs and cats. Both species, dogs and cats, can eat the same food. Raw Paws cat and dog roll chicken blend is sourced from Midwest family farms using ethically raised chickens. The chicken rolls arrive as one-pound ‘chubs,’ and are made solely using frozen raw chicken which is broken down as chicken breast, chicken leg quarters, chicken heart, chicken backs, chicken liver, and chicken gizzard.

Of note, the suggested daily serving for cats: Kitten: 0.8 oz for every one pound of your kitten’s weight, Adult: 2 oz for every five pounds of your cat’s weight, Senior: 1.8 oz for every 5 pounds of your cat’s weight.

Highlights

• Ideal for picky eaters
• Each box contains 20 one-pound rolls
• Arrives frozen
• Made without any grains, additives, or preservatives
• Great for cats with sensitive stomachs or food sensitivities/allergies
• Made in the USA

Things to Consider

• Raw food is more expensive than other fresh foods on our list
• Pet parents must thaw and serve as needed or partially thaw in the fridge and cut into portions with a serrated knife.

What is Fresh Cat Food?

Let’s start with the basics. According to Dr. Emily Swiniarski, veterinarian and chief medical officer of PAWS Chicago, fresh cat foods “tend to use products that are less processed [than traditional cat foods], such as raw meat instead of meat meal.” These foods also typically use fewer preservatives and must be refrigerated or frozen to prevent bacterial growth and maintain freshness. 

However, it’s also worth noting that a cat food with “fresh” on the label won’t necessarily meet the above criteria. “The United States Food and Drug Administration does not specifically restrict foods from being labeled as ‘fresh,’ so there are no set standards,” Swiniarski explains.

The best fresh food for cats is the one that your cat enjoys and is best for her. Cats tend to be creatures of habit, so you’ll transition her slowly and ensure she is introduced to the taste, aroma, and texture of fresh cat food in a proper way. You may need to adjust the transition process according to your cat’s reaction and digestive reaction.

Pros and Cons of Fresh Cat Food

We all know that cats are picky creatures, so one of the biggest benefits of fresh cat food is that it might be more appealing to your kitty than the alternatives. “Some cats may prefer the texture and taste of fresh foods as opposed to canned foods,” Swiniarski says. “And, depending on the brand and contents, fresh food may be easier to digest.”

Swiniarski is sure to add, though, that fresh food has a shorter shelf life. “In addition, fresh food cannot be left out to be grazed on throughout the day—cats will need to eat their fresh food within approximately an hour.”

Fresh Cat Food: What to Look For

Regardless of what type of cat food you want to feed your fur baby—fresh or kibble, raw or canned—you want to make sure that the food meets the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards. “Whichever fresh food you feed your cat should be approved by AAFCO or a veterinary nutritionist. This ensures the diet is well balanced,” Swiniarski says. This information should appear somewhere on the food’s label. You’ll also want to consider:

Brand transparency: Is the company transparent about where its ingredients come from and how its recipes are prepared? Do they own and operate their own kitchen facilities? Is the food regularly tested by an independent laboratory for safety? See if this information is readily available. If you’re feeding fresh, raw cat food, find out what type of pathogen control methods the company uses and how those methods affect the nutritional benefits of the food.

Quality of ingredients: Look for recipes that feature whole food ingredients and that are free of preservatives, fillers, artificial colors and flavors, and “mystery meats.” You may notice the term “human-grade” on some fresh pet foods, which means it is made from ingredients that are fit for human consumption. According to AAFCO’s definition, human-grade cat food must ensure that “every ingredient and the resulting products are stored, handled, processed, and transported in a manner that is consistent and compliant with regulations…for human edible foods.” (1) Keep in mind that the term “human-grade” is only used for pet foods. Food for humans is simply considered “edible” by the US Department of Agriculture (1). 

Shelf life: If your fresh food is frozen, what is the freezer shelf life? This may range from six months to a year, depending on the brand. Most companies recommend thawing meals in the refrigerator overnight. Check the package to see how long the food will stay fresh in the fridge once defrosted (usually around 5-7 days). If your food arrives fresh, not frozen, find out if you are able to freeze any leftover food within a one-week window. Is the cat food fresh on arrival? Yes and then you will follow manufacturer instructions.

Satisfaction guarantee: If your cat is a picky eater, check to see whether the company will offer a full refund after a trial period of trying the new food—and how many days you have to let them know if you’re not satisfied.

Fresh Cat Food: Tips and Advice

If you’re thinking of changing your cat’s food to one of the delectable options above, there are a few things you should keep in mind. 

Most of the foods above are recommended for adult cats, not kittens. Kittens have different nutritional requirements. Furthermore, raw food is not suitable for kittens because kittens are more susceptible to food-borne illness than adult cats. If you’re switching your cat’s food, know that transitioning should be a gradual process, not a sudden switch. Most experts recommend spacing the transitions out over at least a week, first introducing a bit of the new food to their old food before gradually phasing the old food out (2). Changing food without a transitional period can give your kitty an upset stomach or other digestive issues.

Fresh Cat Food FAQs

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There are a lot of kitten food options on the market. Choosing one isn’t as simple as going to the store and grabbing whatever is on the shelf. You’ll need to consider important questions, like: Do you want to go grain-free? Do you want to feed your kitten wet food, dry food, or both? Do you need the food to be shelf-stable, or do you have room to store it in your fridge or freezer?

To help you find healthy cat food for kittens, we asked veterinary experts, “What’s the best food for kittens?” Then we factored in pet parent reviews, our first-hand experience, ingredient quality, nutrition, manufacturing, and more. Here are the contenders to consider when choosing the best kitten food for you and your pet.

Guide to Good Kitten Food: Our Top Picks

All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the Vetstreet editorial team and do not reflect a direct endorsement by the author. However, Vetstreet may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.

• Best Overall Winner: Smalls Human-Grade Fresh Wet Cat Food
• The Best Kitten Dry Food: Purina ONE Kitten Formula Dry Cat Food
• Best Grain-Free Kitten Wet Food: Wellness Complete Health Kitten Formula
• Best Kitten Wet Food Up to 12 months: Royal Canin Kitten Loaf in Sauce
• Best Dry Kitten Food Grain Free: Wellness CORE Grain-Free Kitten Formula Dry Cat Food
• Best Budget-Friendly Kitten Food: Purina Fancy Feast Kitten Classic Pate 

6 Best Kitten Food Formulas to Try

The food you feed your kitten in their first formative months can set the stage for lifelong health. Here are some highlights from our most recommended kitten food contenders. Read on to find the perfect match for your kitten’s unique food preferences, nutritional needs, health, and overall wellness in our selections of the best cat food for kittens.

Best Kitten Food: Overall Winner

Our pick: Smalls Human-Grade Fresh Wet Cat Food

32% off + free treats for life with code VETSTREET5

Smalls is a subscription meal service for cats that offers high-protein, human-grade wet food with no fillers. It only includes USDA-certified, humanely-harvested, sustainably-sourced ingredients. You can choose from three proteins (chicken, beef, and turkey) and two textures (smooth and ground), making it ideal for cats who can be a bit picky about what they eat.

We like this food for kittens for two reasons: Recipes feature super-high quality ingredients and a wide variety of tastes and textures. We also like that it is shipped straight to your door. It’s easy to set up a delivery schedule so you never have to worry about running out of Fluffy’s favorite food.

Highlights

• Shows up at your doorstep; no trip to the store required
• High-protein food without any fillers
• USDA-certified and sustainably sourced ingredients 
• Made in the USA
• Contains enough taurine to exceed AAFCO standards

Things to Consider

• They don’t offer age-specific food, but it’s suitable for cats of all ages
• Food arrives frozen and should only be thawed 24 hours before you are ready to use it
• Open wet food must be kept in the fridge and only keeps for 5-7 days
• This food is only available through a subscription service 

The Best Kitten Dry Food

Our pick: Purina ONE Kitten Formula Dry Cat Food

Purina ONE Kitten Formula Dry Cat Food is specially formulated to help kittens grow into strong, healthy cats. It’s one of the healthiest kitten dry food formulas on the market because it’s packed with protein. It also contains four sources of antioxidants, as well as DHA, a nutrient that supports brain and vision development. The number one ingredient in Purina ONE Kitten Formula is chicken, but the recipe also features wholesome peas and carrots to help ensure your kitty is getting vital vitamins and nutrients. Most impressive is that every single ingredient in Purina ONE Kitten Formula has a nutritional purpose; there are no added fillers.  

Highlights 

• Optimal levels of protein, fat, and calcium for a growing kitten
• No fillers
• Immune support
• Extremely well-reviewed
• Inexpensive and readily available

Things to Consider

• If you’re serving your kitten a dry food-only diet, you have to be sure there’s fresh water available at all times
• You can also add water to this dry food to make it more appealing to smaller kittens, but you’ll need to change it out several times a day
• Some reviewers note that this food has a strong odor

Best Grain-Free Kitten Wet Food

Our pick: Wellness Complete Health Kitten Formula

If you’re looking to go the canned kitten food route, Wellness Complete Health Kitten Formula is a fantastic option. It’s grain-free and lists chicken as its first ingredient. This kitten wet food is also rich in omegas from flaxseeds and fish oil (which support healthy skin and coat). It also contains antioxidants, taurine, vitamins, and minerals that support growth spurts. Further, the pate features a savory sauce that not only tastes delicious, but it also keeps your kitten hydrated.

Highlights

• 100% grain-free recipe
• Made with antioxidant-rich cranberries, vitamins, minerals, omega fatty acids, and taurine to support growth and development
• Contains broth that helps keep your kitten hydrated and supports urinary health 
• Made in the USA

Things to Consider

• Like all wet cat food, this needs to be refrigerated after opening
• Comes in 3-oz cans
• Some Amazon customers noted issues with getting expired food

Best Kitten Wet Food Up to 12 months

Our pick: Royal Canin Kitten Loaf in Sauce

Specifically formulated for kittens up to 12 months of age, this canned kitten food provides a healthy balance of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates for growing felines. It contains a blend of antioxidants, including vitamin E, to help support your kitten’s immune system. The formula pairs high-quality proteins with prebiotics for digestive health and balanced gut bacteria. We recommend the Royal Canin brand for its long-standing commitment to keeping pets first when developing recipes with the input of veterinarians and nutritional experts. 

Highlights

• Contains a blend of antioxidants to support a kitten’s immune system
• Promotes healthy growth and digestion
• Easy-to-chew loaf texture 

Things to Consider

• Not grain-free
• On the expensive side
• Like all wet cat food, this needs to be refrigerated after opening

Best Dry Kitten Food Grain-Free

Our pick: Wellness CORE Grain-Free Kitten Formula Dry Cat Food

The first two ingredients of Wellness CORE Grain-Free Kitten Formula Dry Cat food are deboned turkey and whitefish. This protein-rich kibble is formulated to help your kitten develop strong and healthy muscles. The recipe also features DHA omega-3 fatty acids (from salmon oil) that contribute to healthy brain and eye development. Plus, it contains taurine, vitamins, and minerals that support immunity and overall well-being, as well as flaxseeds to keep your kitten’s coat healthy with omega-6 fatty acids. Finally, Wellness adds its proprietary ActiCoat probiotic coating to every morsel to help support healthy digestion.

Highlights

• 100% grain-free recipe
• First two ingredients are turkey and whitefish
• Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
• Provides optimum calories for growth and development
• Made in the USA 

Things to Consider

• If you’re serving your kitten a dry food-only diet, you have to be sure there’s fresh water available at all times
• You can also add water to this dry food to make it more appealing to smaller kittens, but you’ll need to change it out several times a day
• Many reviewers note it has a strong odor

Best Budget-Friendly Kitten Food

Our pick: Purina Fancy Feast Kitten Classic Pate 

Fancy Feast Kitten food differs from the others on this list in that it contains real milk, which provides extra calcium for growing bones. It comes in four different recipes, and each recipe features poultry or fish as the number one ingredient. Fancy Feast Kitten also has a smooth texture that is easy to eat. It’s also one of the most affordable kitten food options out there.

Highlights

• Real poultry or fish is the number one ingredient 
• 100% complete and balanced nutrition for kittens, so you can help her grow into a strong and healthy cat.
• Made with real milk, which provides calcium
• Smooth pate texture is easy for small kittens to eat

Things to Consider

• Not grain-free
• Not as moist as other wet foods (does not come in “gravy”)
• Only available in 3-oz cans
• Like all wet cat food, this needs to be refrigerated after opening

Top Kitten Food vs. Cat Food: What’s the Difference?

Some pet parents may wonder: Why not just choose a good cat food for kittens? But kittens have different nutritional needs than adult cats. So it’s important to feed kittens food that is specifically formulated for them.

“Both kittens and cats are obligate carnivores, so they require a certain amount of protein and amino acids in their diet to be healthy,” Dr. Emily Swiniarski, chief medical officer of PAWS Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, explains. “Where they differ is that kittens need more fat and protein in their diets than adult cats. This is because kittens grow very rapidly and need to support that growth.” 

A kitten’s metabolism starts to slow around 8 or 9 months, and that’s when Swiniarski recommends transitioning your cat to adult food. “Don’t just swap out the food suddenly, though,” she cautions. “That can cause your cat to become ill.” She recommends introducing the adult cat food mixed in with the kitten food and eventually phasing the kitten food out. 

Good Kitten Food: What to Look For

So, how can you tell which cat food for kittens is best? Any food you feed your kitten should, at the very least, meet the requirements of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). “That’s the bare minimum,” Swiniarski says. Pet parents can see if their pet food has the AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement on the label.

It’s also critical that kitten food be “cooked.” Not in the traditional sense, on the stovetop or in your oven, but you should avoid feeding a kitten raw food, Swiniarski says. “Raw food is more likely to carry harmful bacteria like salmonella, and kittens are particularly susceptible to food-borne illness,” she explains. 

You’ll also have a choice between grain-free and grain-inclusive kitten foods. In addition, you’ll notice that some recipes feature deboned meats whereas others may include bone meal and organ meats. Swiniarski says there is no reason to avoid a kitten food that contains grain or bone meal if your kitten likes it. “There are a lot of myths about the harm foods with these ingredients can cause pets, but most of them are false,” she says.

Pet parents who need some help finding a healthy kitten brand should ask their veterinarian how to choose the most healthy kitten food formula. “They’ll help you make the right decision for you and your cat,” she says.

How Much to Feed a Kitten

To ensure kittens get the nutritional support they need, Swiniarski recommends giving them access to both wet food and dry food, and not limiting their food intake until they are grown. “Kittens need to have an unlimited supply of food at all times,” she says. “You can offer canned food twice or even three times a day and then have dry food available for when they’re hungry in between meals. They should be allowed to eat whenever and however much they want.” She adds, “As I mentioned before, kittens are rapidly growing. When they’re hungry, it’s because there is a nutritional need.”

Swiniarski also notes that pet parents should look for a cat food that offers a variety of flavors and textures within the same brand. “You want your kitten to grow into an adult cat who isn’t picky, and the best way to do that is to give them a variety when they are young.”

The post Best Kitten Food of 2025 appeared first on Vetstreet.

That shift away from traditional, highly processed pet food has opened up a variety of exciting new meal options for cats and dogs. Raw pet food is one such category that’s on the rise…and cats, in particular, are eating it up!

According to global healthcare knowledge provider BMJ, a recent international survey of pet owners found that more than 53 percent of cat owners give their feline friends raw food as part of their diet, either exclusively or in combination with traditional cat food. 

If you’re interested in exploring the benefits of raw cat food — but don’t want to DIY raw meals for your kitty daily — there are plenty of raw cat food options on the market. Here’s everything you need to know about this tasty and intriguing trend in cat food.

Which Raw Cat Foods Ranked Highest?

Taking all key factors into consideration, we rounded up our favorite raw food options for cats. Curious about what made our list? Here it is:

All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the Vetstreet editorial team and do not reflect a direct endorsement by the author. However, Vetstreet may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.

• Best Overall Raw Cat Food: Nature’s Variety Instinct Raw Meals Freeze-Dried Cat Food
• Best Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food: Smalls
• Best Grain-Free Raw Cat Food: Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Morsels Cat Food
• Best Frozen Raw Cat Food: Tiki Cat Raw 
• Best Raw Cat Food Delivery Service: Darwin’s Natural Selections Raw Cat Food
• Best Raw Cat Food Topper: Instinct Raw Boost Mixers Freeze-Dried Cat Food Topper
• Best Raw Cat Treats: PureBites Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Treats

7 Top Picks for Best Raw Cat Food

Best Overall Raw Cat Food

Our Pick: Nature’s Variety Instinct Raw Meals Freeze-Dried Cat Food

For raw cat food that’s nutritionally complete, delicious, and easy to serve, you can’t go wrong with Instinct Raw. For 15 years, Instinct — known as “the raw brand” — has been perfecting a variety of raw cat food options. But we like Instinct’s Freeze-Dried Raw Cage-Free Chicken Meal best overall because it combines unbeatable quality and convenience with complete and balanced nutrition. The recipe is packed with 85% raw animal proteins, including responsibly sourced chicken meat and nutrient-rich organs like chicken livers and hearts. Plus, it features GMO-free apples, carrots, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash, so the meal is super tasty, too. The ingredients are never cooked to ensure your cat gets the full nutritional benefit and are freeze-dried right in company-owned facilities in Lincoln, Nebraska. The kibble-shaped morsels are shelf-stable, making this food easier to store and serve, whether you opt to feed it to your cat as-is or mix it with water for a moist, tasty meal. Best of all, Instinct is the ONLY raw pet food company in North America with an “Excellent” Safe Quality Food (SQF) Food Safety rating, so you know you’re getting the best of the best.

Highlights:

• Complete and balanced nutrition for all life stages, according to AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles.
• Convenient kibble shape for easy portioning.
• Shelf-stable freeze-dried formula.
• No fillers, by-product meals, artificial colors, or preservatives.
• Satisfaction guaranteed or full refund/exchange. 

Things to Consider:

• Though appropriate for all life stages, Instinct also offers a recipe formulated for kittens.  
• Only available in chicken flavor.

Best Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food

Our pick: Smalls

32% off + free treats for life with code VETSTREET5

Smalls’ freeze-dried cat food is minimally processed dehydrated food with the water removed before packaging. It stores easily and is high in protein, natural micronutrients, antioxidants, and phytonutrients. This premium freeze-dried cat food can be stored unopened for up to 18 months. Once opened, serve your cat within 30 days. Every Smalls recipe is freshly made in the United States and tested for bacteria before shipping. Based on your cat’s daily caloric needs, scoop one or two portions from the 12-ounce bag into a dish and serve.

Highlights

• Very nutrient-dense with a low moisture level to prevent bacteria from growing
• Choose from three bird proteins. 
• Every ingredient and recipe is made in the United States
• Rich amount of protein from various birds
• Contains goat’s milk as a probiotic to support a cat’s digestion
• Contains no artificial additives, fillers, or by-products
• Convenient home delivery so you’ll never run out of cat food.
• Exceeds AAFCO’s standards of taurine levels required
• Packing is recyclable. 
• Food should be stored in a cool, dry place. Requires no refrigeration.

Things to Consider

• Most freeze-dried cat food is meant to be rehydrated by adding water, but Smalls’ cat food is to be served as-is without additional water.
• Check the phosphorus level on some of the recipes if your cat has kidney issues.
• Cost is $30 for a 12-ounce bag. 
• Requests for a refund are approved after a two-week trial period is completed. 
• Follow the feeding guidelines provided in each bag (on average, a 10-pound cat should eat ⅝ cup of Smalls freeze-dried raw per day; double for kittens or pregnant/nursing cats)

Best Grain-Free Raw Cat Food

Our Pick: Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Morsels Cat Food

It’s hard to beat the convenience of this freeze-dried cat food from Stella & Chewy’s. It offers all the nutrients your cat needs to be happy and healthy. And, because it’s freeze-dried, it won’t take up any space in your fridge or freezer. The food is made from 98% meat, organs, and bone, and it’s fortified with vitamins and minerals, as well as added taurine. The fruits and vegetables in the formula are all certified organic, and the food comes in the form of large morsels that you can either feed to your cat as-is or soak in water to reconstitute. Plus, the food comes in a variety of flavors, including turkey, salmon, and duck, so you’re sure to find a flavor that your cat loves.

Highlights:

• Complete and balanced formula with added taurine.
• Several protein sources available.
• Shelf-stable formula for easy storage.
• Made with organic fruits and vegetables.
• No fillers, artificial preservatives, or colorings.

Things to Consider:

• The morsel size may be too large for some cats to eat. 

Best Frozen Raw Cat Food

Our Pick: Tiki Cat Raw Frozen Cat Food

If you’ve got plenty of room in your refrigerator or freezer to share with your cat, Tiki raw cat food is a great meal solution. It’s made from high-quality protein with no added vegetables, fillers, or hormones, and it comes in a range of flavors. The variety pack includes turkey, duck, and chicken, so your kitty can sample a smorgasbord of tasty, protein-packed options. The pureed formula is soft and easy for cats to eat once it’s been thawed, and the plastic containers have resealable lids to help maintain freshness. 

Highlights:

• Complete and balanced meal for adult cats.
• Several flavors are available.
• Soft, easy-to-eat textures.
• Resealable containers.
• No fillers or preservatives.

Things to Consider:

• Food must be stored in the refrigerator or freezer.

Best Raw Cat Food Delivery Service

Our Pick: Darwin’s Natural Selections Raw Cat Food

Though raw pet food is becoming more widely available in most pet food aisles, trekking to the store every few weeks to pick it up can be a hassle. With a Darwin’s Natural subscription, feeding your cat a raw diet is easier than ever. All you have to do is take a quiz to determine your pet’s individual needs, then Darwin’s Natural recommends a meal plan for them. In addition to their standard Natural Selections raw cat food, the brand also offers an Intelligent Design veterinary recipe — prescription pet food designed specifically for cats with kidney disease. 

Darwin’s Natural foods feature a complete and balanced formula, and they’re made with free-range, cage-free, or pasture-raised meats and organic vegetables. There are no grains, fillers, or preservatives in the food, and the brand’s introductory offer allows you to buy 10 pounds of food for just $14.95. 

Highlights:

• Complete and balanced formula. 
• Automatic shipments are delivered to your home.
• Formulated with guidance of veterinary nutritionists.
• No grains, fillers, hormones, or chemical preservatives.
• In-house consultants create a meal plan for your pet.
• Discount on first order.

Things to Consider:

• The Intelligent Design formula requires a prescription. 
• Minimum order is 10 pounds. 
• Food should be kept frozen and consumed within 48 hours of thawing. 

Best Raw Cat Food Topper

Our Pick: Instinct Raw Boost Mixers Freeze-Dried Cat Food Topper

Not sure if your cat is ready for raw? With this freeze-dried food topper from Instinct Raw, you can test the waters without having to worry about transitioning to a whole new diet. Just add the shelf-stable raw nuggets to your cat’s current food at mealtime. They’re also great as tasty, protein-packed treats. The toppers, which are meant to complement conventional cat food, come in both chicken and rabbit flavors. The recipes feature nutrient-dense proteins, like chicken, rabbit, and pork, and non-GMO fruits and vegetables. Even if you’ve never considered feeding your cat a raw food diet, these tasty toppers are a great way to get picky eaters interested in mealtime again!

Highlights

• More affordable than a fully raw diet
• Add the power of raw to traditional cat food 
• Available in cage-free chicken and farm-raised rabbit varieties
• No fillers, artificial colors, or preservatives
• Shelf-stable freeze-dried formula 
• Made in the USA

Things to Consider

• These toppers are formulated as a complementary food and should not replace a complete and balanced cat food 
• You may need to reduce your cat’s regular food to accommodate the extra calories in these toppers 

Best Raw Cat Treats

Our Pick: PureBites Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Treats

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a simpler (and more delicious) cat treat than these freeze-dried pieces of chicken breast. They have just one ingredient, and the bite-sized pieces contain just 2 calories per piece. The treats are ideal for cats of all ages, and the brand recommends them for pets with sensitive stomachs or allergies thanks to their extremely limited ingredient formula. Because the raw meat is freeze-dried, the treats can be stored at room temperature, and there are several package sizes available, all of which are reasonably priced. 

Highlights:

• Just one ingredient — chicken breast.
• Only 2 calories per treat.
• Suitable for all life stages.
• Freeze-dried formula is shelf-stable. 
• Ideal for cats with sensitive stomachs. 

Things to Consider:

• Treats can be crushed if they’re shipped with other heavy items. 

What is Raw Cat Food?

Just like it sounds, a raw cat food diet involves feeding your pet uncooked animal products similar to what they would eat if they lived in the wild. As obligate or “true” carnivores, cats require only the nutrients found in prey animals to survive. From their razor-sharp teeth to their shortened digestive tract, everything in your cat’s body is designed to break down and metabolize raw, animal-based ingredients for optimal nutrition.

To replicate a natural feline diet, most commercial raw cat foods are made from raw muscle and organ meat, as well as ground bones. Some formulas also include fruits and vegetables — though this is more for taste appeal, as cats don’t require any plant-based ingredients to thrive.

Because raw cat foods contain no artificial preservatives, manufacturers use a variety of methods to retain their nutritional benefits while making them easy and convenient to serve. Some raw cat foods are frozen, while others are freeze-dried for shelf stability. 

As for forms and styles of raw cat food, take your pick! You can choose raw cat food that comes in blocks of meat (similar to the ground beef you might buy in the grocery store) or pre-formed into patties or kibble for easy portioning. If you don’t want to transition your pet to a fully raw diet, there are also raw treats and raw meal toppers, which are designed to be fed in addition to traditional cat food. 

Pros and Cons of Raw Cat Food

Many raw cat food manufacturers claim uncooked, meat-based formulas are easier for cats to digest and help improve their skin and coat. Further, these foods are made without any of the preservatives found in traditional cat food, so they are closer to the natural foods cats would eat in the wild. Yet, while many pet parents rave about the health benefits their raw-eating cats enjoy, science is still on the fence.

“There are no published benefits of raw diets,” explains Brian Evans, DMV, Medical Director at Dutch, a telemedicine service for pets. “Most of the benefits that are ascribed to feeding raw diets are anecdotal, and this type of evidence does not tend to translate to universal truths.”

According to Evans, though individual pets may respond well to a raw diet, that doesn’t necessarily mean a raw diet is right for every dog or cat. And even if a pet’s health does seem to improve after switching to a raw food diet, it’s difficult to say whether that’s due to the raw nature of the food or some other factor, like the quality of the ingredients. 

Further study is required to prove whether raw diets are better for pets than conventional food options. In the meantime, if you’re interested in feeding your cat a raw diet, your pet’s own preferences, palate, and overall health outcomes will best determine whether raw cat food is the right fit.

Raw Cat Food: What to Look For

If you decide to feed your cat a raw diet, be sure to choose a product that meets all their nutritional needs. “As with feeding any diet, it is important to ensure the diet is ‘complete and balanced’ nutrition,” says Evans. “The best way to assess this is by looking for the AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy Statement, which will let you know that the diet has been formulated or tested to meet the nutritional needs of the life stage of your pet.” 

Ideally, you’ll also want to look for food that has undergone feeding trials and been formulated or recommended by a veterinary nutritionist.

Finally, keep in mind that cats eating a raw diet sometimes require supplemental taurine, an amino acid that’s key for proper eye and heart health. While this nutrient is abundant in muscle meat and organ tissues, its levels can be depleted during grinding, freezing, and thawing. Be sure to ask your veterinarian whether your cat will need this or any other nutrient supplement once you switch to raw food. 

Raw Cat Food FAQ

When it comes to raw cat food, pet parents have plenty of questions! Here are some helpful answers to the ones that tend to pop up most frequently. 

Should cats eat raw food? Is it safe? 

Raw cat food is generally considered safe for adult cats, and some pet owners find that a raw diet improves digestion, promotes healthier skin, and boosts energy. However, because these foods contain raw meat, there is a risk of you and your pet being exposed to bacteria such as salmonella.

To protect yourself and your family, handle refrigerated or frozen raw cat food like you would any raw meat — wash your hands, countertops, utensils, bowls, and any other surfaces it comes in contact with. To protect your pet, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when it comes to discarding uneaten food after a recommended time period. 

Is raw food good for cats?

While raw food is more like the food cats would naturally eat in the wild, there’s no scientific proof that it’s better for cats than cooked food. “There is nothing inherently better about raw meat,” explains Evans. “The same nutritional value can be harnessed by simply cooking the meat.”

What foods can cats eat raw?

Commercial raw cat foods are made from ingredients that are safe for cats to eat in raw form — primarily raw animal proteins, organs, and bones, as well as various cat-safe fruits and vegetables. 

If you’re considering prepping raw meals for your cat yourself, be sure to steer clear of ingredients that are harmful or toxic to cats when raw, like eggs.  

How much raw food should you feed a cat?

Most commercial raw cat foods provide specific feeding guidelines, so always check to see what is recommended for your cat’s size or weight. But in general, you’ll want to feed your cat between 2 and 4 percent of their ideal body weight, split into two or three meals a day. So if your cat’s ideal weight is 10 pounds, you’d feed them 0.2 to 0.4 pounds of food per day. 

How do you transition a cat to raw food?

“As with any diet change in cats, always transition the food slowly, ideally over 1 to 2 weeks,” Evans recommends. You should begin by mixing a small amount of the new food into their existing diet and increase the amount over several days.  

Can cats get salmonella?

According to the National Veterinary Institute, cats can get sick if they eat food with salmonella bacteria in it, and they may suffer a variety of gastrointestinal side effects. “Even if the cats do not become ill with bacteria such as E.coli, listeria, or salmonella, it is a household risk for the humans, especially those that are young, old, or immunocompromised,” says Evans.

Raw Cat Food: Tips and Advice

Not every cat is a good candidate for a raw diet. Many veterinarians do not recommend feeding raw food to kittens or cats with medical problems: “I strongly advise against feeding a raw diet to kittens as raw diets are not always nutritionally adequate [for this stage]. And if kittens do not get all of the nutrients they need when they are growing, they can have a lifetime of issues,” says Evans. 

He also cautions against feeding raw diets to very old cats, immunocompromised cats, and diabetics.

When feeding your cat a raw diet, it’s important to take proper safety measures to keep you and your pet safe. The CDC recommends washing your hands with soap and water after handling any raw pet food, as well as cleaning and disinfecting all surfaces the food touches. 

Keep raw foods frozen until you’re ready to use them, and store these foods out of reach of children. For freeze-dried raw cat foods, follow the manufacturer’s serving and safety recommendations, especially if you plan to rehydrate the food, which can impact the amount of time it is safe for your cat to eat.

The post Raw Cat Food: 7 Top Picks for Your Hungry Carnivore appeared first on Vetstreet.