If you want your cat to be healthy, you have to feed them properly! Most cats benefit from high-quality, organically sourced wet food, although many also benefit from having dry food mixed with their wet food or served at different times throughout the day.
When you’re looking for pet food, whether dry kibble or wet food, you’ll want to keep these things in mind:
- Make sure your cat food is formulated for your specific cat and their age. Kitten food has extra vitamins for small kittens’ brain development and muscle growth. Adult cat food supports cats as they age.
- The first ingredient should be meat or animal protein, as cats are obligate carnivores. The cat food brands also shouldn’t have lots of carbohydrates.
- The best wet cat food should have extra vitamins and minerals, like probiotics, phosphorus, and amino acids, to supplement your cat’s diet.
- Good wet cat food should also have high moisture content. Experienced pet owners know that cats get their daily water from foods, so quality cat food will have broth.
- Formulations with quality ingredients should be free of gluten or sulfates.
- Good flavor reviews and variety. Many cats can become picky eaters if they don’t get enough variety early in life. Be sure to give your cat lots of novel flavor experiences they will enjoy (again, this will primarily be protein-rich flavors — chicken, beef, and fish).
As you can see, cat owners have plenty to think about when choosing food for their feline friends. However, you can always know that the cat food you purchased is good if it’s from a trusted brand or certified by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Furthermore, you can check whether a cat food brand is certified or approved by nutritionists and veterinarians.
In other words, doing your research will go a long way toward improving and ensuring your cat’s health for years to come. Your cat relies on you for their daily nutrition, whether they are an indoor or outdoor cat!
Let’s break down 10 of the best cat foods you can purchase to make sure your cat never goes hungry.
Best for Total Nutritional Support: Purina Pro Plan Gravy, High Protein Wet Cat Food Variety Pack
Key specs: Three-ounce cans, 24 cans total; chicken and turkey flavors
The Purina Pro Plan Gravy, High Protein Wet Cat Food Variety Pack is one of the best cat foods in large part thanks to its ingredients — they provide everything cats need to maintain health throughout all life stages (at least when combined with dry food).
Pros
This wet cat food option has many other advantages:
- Nutritional support for cats of all ages except for kittens, offering 25 essential vitamins and minerals in addition to taurine to promote fur health
- Wet cat food is excellent for cats’ hydration, as most cats get their daily water from what they eat rather than from pure water
- Textures and flavors are popular among indoor cats, so it’s a great choice for picky eaters
- Several different flavors, ranging from chicken and turkey to salmon and rice or seafood stew
- Decent value for money
Cons
If you’re looking for wet cat food that doesn’t require dry food supplementation, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
Usually, this cat food needs to be supplemented with dry food — it’s not totally nutritionally complete, except for certain indoor cats.
Best for Dry Food Nutrition: Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein, Natural Adult Dry Cat Food
Key specs: Six-pound bag; chicken flavor
Maybe you’re in the market for top-tier dry cat food. In that case, Blue Buffalo’s option is right for you. It comes packed with vital nutrients and has plenty of amino acids, which can be important for ensuring your cat’s skin and coat stay smooth and healthy. Antioxidants and vitamins round out its nutritional content.
Pros
There’s plenty to like about this cat food overall, so check out these benefits.
- The best dry cat food overall thanks to its quality and ingredients, featuring real chicken and excellent vitamins and minerals
- Precise blend of antioxidants and vitamins was chosen by animal nutritionists and veterinarians to support immune system
- Fatty acids for skin and coat health
- No grains, soy, wheat, or potentially harmful by-products
- An excellent supplement for wet food due to its high nutritional content
Cons
But you’ll also want to consider the downsides associated with this cat food option.
- Not enough food by itself since it lacks moisture
- A little expensive, as you only get six pounds of food for about $30
Best for Senior Cats: Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food, Adult, Chicken Recipe
Key specs: Four-pound bag; chicken flavor
Older cats need a different nutritional mix compared to their younger counterparts. This Science Diet Dry Cat food is good for older cats and cats that need to keep their weight controlled (often a problem with senior kitties, who have slower immune systems than younger cats).
Pros
You’ll find many things to like about this cat food once you give it a try.
- One of the best senior cat foods — packed with vitamin E and omega fatty acids to facilitate good fur coat health, muscle development, and cognition
- Made with high-quality, natural ingredients in the United States
- Good value for money with a four-pound bag available for about $20
- Good flavor for older cats, who may be picky eaters due to lifetime habits they pick up and develop over time
- Comes packed with other minerals to facilitate good heart health, which is essential for older felines
Cons
At the same time, this cat food’s specialization means it’s not the best choice for every feline friend.
This food is not appropriate for kittens — only for adult or senior cats at the recommendation of your veterinarian.
Best for Weight Control: IAMS ProActive Health Adult Indoor Weight Control & Hairball Care Dry Cat Food
Key specs: 22-pound bag; chicken and turkey flavor
Some cat foods are specifically formulated for weight control and dieting, including the Proactive Health cat food. You get a lot of value for money with this purchase, and you can adhere to your veterinarian’s recommendations if your kitty is overweight. Aside from that, it’s nutritionally complete and quite tasty for cats.
Pros
Should you give this cat food a try, you’ll find plenty to like about it.
- Burns fat and maintains your cat’s metabolism with l-carnitine to prevent obesity
- Chicken is the primary ingredient
- Nutritionally rich with omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids
- A great part of hairball care regimens and a major part of a balanced weight control diet
- Lots of value for money as you get 22 pounds of food for under $40, so it’s easy to stock up without breaking the bank
Cons
You may also find that your cat isn’t a fan of this cat food, depending on their flavor preferences.
- Some cats may not like the flavor, which can be fairly limited
- Does include a complex ingredient list, which you may not prefer if you like to know everything that your cat eats
Best for Kitten Nutrition: Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Kitten Thin Slices in Gravy Canned Cat Food
Key specs: Three-ounce cans, 24 cans total; chicken flavor
Just like with senior cats, kittens have specific nutritional requirements pet parents need to meet. This cat food will help you provide them with a delightful eating experience every time. It has plenty of vitamins and minerals.
Pros
Consider these many benefits your cat will experience once you purchase this cat food for them.
- Ideal wet food choice for kittens thanks to its ingredients
- Comes packed with a perfect ratio of carbohydrates, protein, and fats to meet the nutritional needs of highly playful and energized kittens
- Helps to facilitate a strong immune system development thanks to antioxidants, vitamin E, and vitamin C
- Boosts digestion and growth in kittens by providing nutrients like calcium to grow bones and muscles
- Comes in watery gravy, helping kittens remain hydrated as they learn how to manage their cravings
Cons
Sooner or later, however, you’ll have to transition your cat to a different food if you stick with this option during their kitten months.
- Not appropriate for kittens or cats over the age of 12 months
- A little expensive, though the cost is temporary until your cat is old enough to transition into adult food
Best for Affordability: Meow Mix Original Choice Dry Cat Food
Key specs: 6.3-pound bag; mixed flavor
If your cat enjoys dry food, they might like this cat food option. You might like it because of its price point and other benefits, like good nutrition, good protein sources, and the guarantee that it is made in the United States.
Pros
Check out these big benefits of purchasing the Meow Mix Original Choice Dry Cat Food.
- One of the most affordable cat food products you can purchase, giving you 6.3 pounds of food for under $10 — a solid choice for budget-minded consumers
- Offers balanced and complete nutrition for cats, even with the low price tag
- Protein to support strong and healthy muscle development
- Made in the United States to ensure quality control standards
- Appropriate for all life stages
Cons
Before you purchase this cat food, remember that there are some downsides to keep in mind.
- Includes soy protein, corn gluten, and other by-products that you may not prefer in your cat’s food
- Not specialized for kittens, senior cats, or cats with specific digestive disorders
- Flavor is specific, and some cats may not like it if they have not grown up tasting it
Best for Digestive Health: Purina Fancy Feast Gravy Wet Cat Food Variety Pack
Key specs: Three-ounce cans, 30 cans total; poultry and beef flavor
If your cat has an upset stomach, you can help by choosing one of the best cat foods for digestive health. This option comes with hydrating ingredients, tasty gravy, and a variety of nutrients and vitamins to boost your cat’s microbiome and gut health. As a side benefit, you might see fewer hairballs once your cat starts eating this food.
Pros
There are many positive advantages to choosing this food for your feline friend.
- Packed with hydrating gravy and plenty of vitamins and minerals to ensure that your cat doesn’t have digestive upsets
- Packaged in recyclable, easy-to-open cans, so it’s relatively environmentally friendly
- Several flavors that cats love
- Complete and balanced nutrition, so your cat can just eat this without dry food
- Promotes skin and coat health
- Good value for money given how much you get for your purchase
- Seafood flavor is also available
Cons
Alternatively, it may not be right for you given these possible downsides.
- Not ideal for picky eaters, as the flavors are straightforward and basic
- Not ideal for senior cats due to a lack of other amino acids and antioxidants
Best for Total Wet Food Nutrition: Sheba Perfect Portions Paté Adult Wet Cat Food Trays
Key specs: 2.6-ounce packs, 48 servings total; chicken and turkey flavor
Many cats benefit from eating only wet food, as it means they can get plenty of hydration from their meals. This wet cat food is a stellar choice thanks to its perfectly proportioned containers, nutritional content, and extra vitamins. On top of that, you never need to worry about artificial ingredients or fillers being added to your cat’s diet.
Pros
You might like this adult wet cat food for the following reasons.
- Provides all the nutrients and vitamins needed, so it could be a good choice if your cat does not eat dry food easily
- Provides plenty of hydration, so your cat doesn’t need to drink extra water
- Variety pack comes with three entrée flavors and textures, giving your cat extra excitement and variety
- Perfectly proportioned, so you don’t need to measure how much to feed your cat
- No soy, green, corn, wheat, artificial flavors, or artificial preservatives
- Helps cats with sensitive stomachs, as this is a good weight management cat food overall
Cons
One downside is that the containers are made of plastic and must be thrown away, so it’s a bit wasteful.
Best for Fish Fans: Purina Fancy Feast Seafood Classic Pate Collection Grain Free Wet Cat Food Variety Pack
Key specs: Three-ounce cans, 24 cans total; fish flavor
Many cats are fans of fish — after all, it’s what they’d hunt if they were in the wild. This cat food is a good choice for more than its ingredients, however. It’s quite tasty and nutritious enough that you don’t necessarily need dry food as a supplement.
Pros
Many cats and their parents love this cat food for the following reasons.
- The best cat food for cats that prefer seafood flavors
- Appropriate for cats of all life stages
- Comes in recyclable, easy-to-open cans
- Several fish flavors and varieties
- Made with high-quality and real ingredients
- Nutritionally balanced, so your cat may not need more food to meet all nutritional requirements
- Decent value for money, as you can get 24 cans for under $20
Cons
Simultaneously, this cat food might not be right due to the below disadvantages:
- Pate texture is generally only appropriate for cats that are used to it
- May contain some by-products or other ingredients that you don’t want in your cat’s food
Best for Kittens and Adults: 9Lives Seafood & Poultry Favorites Wet Cat Food Variety
Key specs: 5.5-ounce cans, 24 cans total; seafood and poultry flavors
Many of the best cat food options are those that you can feed both kittens and adults. That way, you don’t have to introduce a new food type or flavor to your kitten as they mature. This wet cat food includes all the nutrients your kitten needs but is good enough for adult cats that you won’t have to go through the potentially difficult transition later.
Pros
Check out these big benefits if you’re looking for a well-rounded, long-term cat food solution.
- You can feed your kitten this food and not have to transition them immediately to an adult alternative
- Good value for money for your purchase
- Has complete nutritional requirements for kittens and adult maintenance
- Available in several flavors and textures
- Moist wet food, providing your cat with extra hydration throughout the day
Cons
But don’t forget to think about these cons, as well, as they can impact whether or not this food is right for you and your kitty.
- Does contain some by-products that you don’t want in your kitten’s diet
- Not certified or verified by any veterinarians or dietitians for animals
The Bottom Line
In the end, any of these cat foods could be just what your feline friend needs for a balanced diet. The Sheba Perfect Portions Paté Adult Wet Cat Food Trays is the perfect choice for cats that only eat wet food, while the IAMS ProActive Health Adult Indoor Weight Control & Hairball Care Dry Cat Food is a great option for cats that need to lose a few pounds!
Think about what your cat needs, and talk to your veterinarian to make sure you purchase exactly what your cat needs for long-term health and wellness.
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