10 Best Dry and Wet Cat Foods Reviewed
Just like humans, cats need nutritional and well balanced food to remain healthy. However, figuring out which food is good for your cat, is not an easy task. There’s a wide variety of cat food products on the market and every product claims to be the right one for your pet.
Fortunately, we’re here to help. We’ve done all the hard work of sifting through the different options available to find the best cat food products.
Before we jump right in, let’s learn a little about the different types of cat food you can purchase today.
Different Types of Cat Food
Understanding the different types of cat food available today will help you decide what’s best for your cat. Cat food can be divided into three main categories: dry, wet, and raw. These options all have their unique benefits and downsides. Let’s go over them in more detail.
Dry Cat Food
Dry cat food, also known as kibble, is the most convenient type of cat food. Cat owners love dry foods as they can be left out in the open for cats to consume whenever they want. They are also usually more affordable, longer lasting, and easier to preserve than their wet counterparts. You'll be able find a wide range of automatic feeders for your cat, which are very convenient, because they can serve your cat several meals a day, while you are away.
Since dry cat food provides less moisture than wet food, adequate healthy water sources must be provided to keep your cat hydrated.
The best dry cat food are the ones that are rich in protein. Adult cats benefit from a well-balanced diet of natural and organic dry cat foods.
Wet Cat Food
Wet cat food has a higher moisture content than dry food. Thus, it is great for keeping your cat hydrated. Some animal experts even recommend wet food over dry food.
However, canned wet cat food is usually more expensive than dry food. It’s also much less convenient to serve and store wet food. That's why we recommend getting a refrigerated automatic wet food feeder, which can serve wet food automatically while you're away from home.
Dry cat food is usually supplemented with wet foods. Such a combination provides the best of both worlds for you and your cat.
Read about affordable wet cat foods here.
Raw Cat Food
Cats are strict carnivores in their natural habitats. They get a lot of nutrients from animal tissue. Thus, raw cat food is much healthier for the digestive system of cats.
Raw cat food consists of mostly fresh meat and organs. It is generally free from preservatives such as BHA and BHT which are potentially harmful. A raw cat food diet mimics a cat’s natural “wild” diet. No wonder many health-conscious cat owners swear by it.
Providing a raw cat food diet for cats, however, is not an easy task. A lot of money and work can go into preparing and storing raw food. Finding and purchasing raw food is also more difficult than with the other options and raw cat food is the most expensive type of cat food.
Animal health experts recommend blending wet, dry, and raw foods together in a cat’s diet for optimal health.
10 Best Dry and Wet Cat Foods Reviewed
1. ORIJEN Cat & Kitten High-Protein, Grain-Free, Premium Quality Meat, Dry Cat Food
Editor's Rating: 4.8/5 Overall Score
ORIJEN has specialized in making a biologically appropriate food for cats, which is made with 90% animal ingredients and which cats have evolved to eat. The company uses only whole animal ingredients from free-run chicken and turkey, wild caught fish and cage free eggs.
All their foods are made of 90% meat and 10% vegetables, fruits and botanicals. There is 0% grain. It's appropriate for cats and kittens. You can choose between 3 flavors and 3 bag sizes.
Pros
- Rich in meat proteins and fats that naturally support peak health
- Fresh regional ingredients
- Grain free formula
- Appropriate for cat and kittens
Cons
- Some cats might need some time getting used to the taste
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2. Nulo Adult & Kitten Grain Free Dry Cat Food with BC30 Probiotic
Editor's Rating: 4.8/5 Overall Score
This is another high meat and low carb food, with 83% animal based protein found inside, from real meat like duck, chicken and turkey. It's very low on carbohydrates, most of them come from ingredients such as: lentils, sweet potato and chickpeas. This low carb food, will support your cat's weight management and be less susceptible to kidney disease and other health issues.
Nulo has added a patented BC30 probiotic to their food, which supports the digestive system and immune health. It also has different vitamins E & C, omega 3 & 6, calcium, etc. It has small disk shape, which is a texture cats love and is easy to eat by kittens. Nulo also offers different recipes for: cat & kitten, indoor cats, and adult trim.
Pros
- Rich in protein, low in carbs
- Grain-free formula
- Has BC30 probiotic, for healthy digestion
- Suitable for cats and kittens
Cons
- Available in two flavors only
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3. Sheba Perfect Portions Cuts in Gravy Wet Cat Food Tray Variety Packs
Editor's Rating: 4.6/5 Overall Score
Sheba is known for making premium cat food, by using real protein, plus essential vitamins and minerals. They do not use any grain during the preparation process, no corn, soy or wheat is added. No artificial flavors or preservatives are added either.
They have a 24 multi-pack box, which contains 3 delicious flavors. In the variety pack you'll find 12 roasted chicken, 6 gourmet salmon, and 6 tender turkey trays.
Pros
- Real protein
- No grain, corn, soy or wheat used
- Suitable for kitten, adult or senior cats
- Variety of flavors to choose from
Cons
- Canned food has shorter preservation time
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4. Rachael Ray Nutrish Superfood Blends Dry Cat Food
Editor's Rating: 4.6/5 Overall Score
This cat food combines together real meat with different superfoods, which have all the necessary nutrition your indoor cat needs. You can choose between 3 flavors: chicken, lentils & salmon, turkey, chickpeas & salmon, or chicken, chickpeas & salmon.
It has lentils inside which support weight and metabolism, dandelion greens and pumpkin are natural probiotics and support digestion, while the cranberries and blueberries are rich antioxidants and support healthy immunity. It has all the necessary vitamins and minerals which indoor cats need. The food has kibble size and is crispy and crunchy, it has a small size making it easy to chew and swallow.
Pros
- Real protein
- No grain, corn, soy or wheat used
- Suitable for kitten, adult or senior cats
- Variety of flavors to choose from
Cons
- Canned food has shorter preservation time
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5. Wellness Complete Health Natural Grain Free Wet Canned Cat
Editor's Rating: 4.6/5 Overall Score
Wellness uses only premium all natural foods when preparing their products. The offer delicious chicken and herring pate, made with quality proteins, and combined with essential vitamins and minerals. In their recipe they have also added cranberries, for urinary health, flaxseed for healthy skin and coat, and carrots which are rich in antioxidants.
There are no meat by-products, artificial flavors, colors or preservatives added. The company also manufactures food in different wet food texture: sliced, gravies, minced, morsels or pate. They also have different flavors: salmon, tuna, turkey and chicken. If you're looking for cheaper wet canned food, read our list.
Pros
- Grain free
- High quality protein used
- Essential vitamins and minerals added
- Different textures and flavors available
Cons
- Canned food has shorter preservation time, compared to dry food
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6. Purina Fancy Feast Grilled Feast in Gravy Canned Wet Cat Food
Editor's Rating: 4.5/5 Overall Score
Purina's Fancy Feast Grilled recipes provide high quality protein cats love to eat. They are made from real meat, poultry or seafood. They are slow cooked and tender, which makes them delicious and easy to chew and consume. Purina manufactures all their food in U.S. factories. There is a wide variety of flavors to choose from, and different textures as well: grilled, chunky, pate, gravy, sliced, minced and others; all high-protein cat food varieties.
They also offer the the Purina Fancy Feast Creamy Delights varieties come in either a flaked or pate texture. They are fortified with minerals and vitamins such as Vitamins A, E, and B-12. Most cats develop a fondness for a particular flavor of the product. If you’ve got picky adult cats in need of healthy nutrition, the Purina Fancy Feast variety packs may well contain multiple flavors that will win them over.
Pros
- High quality protein
- Essential vitamins and minerals
- Different flavors and sizes to choose from
- Complete and balanced nutrition for adult cats
Cons
- Some cats might not be used to the gravy texture of the food
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7. Taste of the Wild Grain Free High Protein Real Meat Recipe
Editor's Rating: 4.4/5 Overall Score
The Taste of the Wild Grain Free High Protein Cat Food features high quality animal protein - trout, chicken, salmon, and venison. It also provides your cat with an optimal blend of omega-6 and omega-3 amino acids. Taste of the Wild is available in the Canyon River (Trout and Salmon), Lowland Creek (Quail and Duck), and Rocky Mountain (Venison and Salmon) flavors. The flavors are rich in vitamins and minerals and contain fatty acids, proprietary probiotics, and fruits and vegetables.
The product also contains carbohydrates such as peas, raspberries, and blueberries. It is ideal for the digestive system of adult cats. This is great food for cats with smelly poop, to improve the smell.
The product is manufactured in the USA and the ingredients are sourced from trusted, sustainable sources. The product does not contain corn, wheat, or any other filler ingredients. It also lacks artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. The price of the product is very competitive when compared to other high quality products on the market.
Pros
- Has 42% protein
- Essential vitamins, minerals, omega fatty acids, and antioxidants
- No grain, corn, wheat, filler
- Suitable for kittens, adult and senior cats
Cons
- Some cats and kittens might need more time getting used to the taste
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8. Purina ONE Tender Selects Blend Adult Dry Cat Food
Editor's Rating: 4.4/5 Overall Score
If you're looking for dry food for your adult cat, then Purina has some very good choices that you should consider. The Purina One Tender Selects Blend uses real chicken as their number 1 ingredient. There are no artificial flavors or preservatives found inside. It has natural vitamins, minerals and nutrients for a balanced nutrition your adult cat needs.
There are five bag sizes available, so you can get the one that you need for your pet.
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Pros
- Uses chicken or fish as number 1 ingredient
- No artificial flavors or preservatives
- Has essential vitamins and nutrients
Cons
- Has 2 flavors to choose from, wish there were more
9. Meow Mix Original Choice Dry Cat Food
Editor's Rating: 4.3/5 Overall Score
This is another affordable and well balanced food for kittens and adult cats. It is high in protein, which supports healthy muscles. It has all essential vitamins and minerals needed. Meow Mix Original Choice mixes several flavors together: chicken, turkey, salmon and ocean fish. It comes in variety of sizes, so if you have multiple cats at home you can order a larger size bag for all of them.
Pros
- It is made of high protein
- Has all essential vitamins and minerals
- Affordable option
Cons
- The Meow Mix Original Choice comes in one flavor only
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10. WELLNESS CORE Natural Grain Free Dry Cat Food
Editor's Rating: 4.3/5 Overall Score
The Wellness Core Natural Grain Free Dry Cat Food product is a great product to consider if you have an adult cat. It contains premium animal proteins including Chicken, Turkey, Whitefish, and Herring, as well as vegetables.
This grain free product contains the essential vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, probiotics, prebiotics, and carbohydrates for healthy nutrition. These help to promote healthy eyes, skin, teeth, and gums in adult cats. The high protein levels also support leaner body mass, while the high quality carbohydrates will boost energy levels of your cat.
The product is made in the USA and features only natural ingredients. There are no filler ingredients such as Wheat, Corn, or Soy, and it does not contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
Wellness Core Natural Dry Cat Food comes in 2 lb, 5 lb, and 11 lb bag sizes. The product is reasonably priced for the quantity and quality you’re getting.
Pros
- Rich in premium protein
- Naturally grain free, no soy, corn or wheat
- No meat by-products, or artificial additives
Cons
- Is suitable for adult cats, not for kittens or seniors
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What to Consider Before Buying Cat Food
When shopping for cat food, there are a number of important features you should always look out for. Let’s discuss some of them below.
Quality Ingredients in Cat Food
Premium cat food brands always use quality ingredients such as real animal protein, vegetables, fruits, good fats, and herbs. Thus, always look out for these ingredients as their presence on the nutrition label of the product.
When checking for quality protein, look for the actual name of the animal such as tuna, salmon, or chicken. Organ meat such as beef or chicken liver is also an excellent source of protein. Animal protein is the best protein for cats as it’s easy to digest.
Feeding your cat with high quality ingredients will keep her healthy and improve her energy levels.
Low quality ingredients, on the other hand, can worsen the health of your cats. These ingredients which are usually found in cheap, low quality products are also bad for the environment.
Cat food ingredients to avoid include artificial colors, flavors, preservatives such as BHA and BHT, rendered fat, Sodium Nitrate, Vitamin 3K, and Sodium Nitrite. Ingredients like these can irritate the digestive system of some cats.
In addition, filler ingredients such as corn, wheat, sugar, and soy are not necessary to the diets of cats. They should also be avoided. In case you cat has a sensitive stomach, you can feed them special food that will help with their digestion.
Age of Cat: Kitten, Adult or Senior Cat Food
Similar to humans, cats have different nutritional needs depending on their age.
Kittens, for example, generally require diets that are rich in calories and protein to aid their growth and development.
Older cats and senior, on the other hand, need less calories but require specific nutrients such as taurine to prevent heart problems. Cat food for older cats should also have less fat to aid digestion and minimize the risk of potential weight gain. You can find food for older cats with dental issues.
Thus, it is important that you purchase cat food that is appropriate for the age of your cat. You can find out which foods are ideal for your cat’s age by reading the labels or consulting your veterinarian.
Special Dietary Needs
If your cat has any special dietary needs such as urinary tract problems or allergies, then you should keep that in mind when shopping for cat food.
It’s usually best to consult with your veterinarian about what kind of cat food will best suit your cat’s diet. There are different varieties of food for cats with special dietary needs such as grain-free cat food, renal support, limited ingredient, and skin health.
Best Cat Food For Indoor Cats
Indoor cats are spending all their time indoors, and might not be as active as outdoor and wild cats. This can lead to weight gain, so pay attention to their weight as they grow. As far as the nutritional requirements of indoor cats, they still need high protein food. There should be no grains, soy, corn or wheat added. You can also opt for getting food, which specifically mentions on the label that it's for indoor cats.
Feeding Your Cat FAQs
How much food should I feed my cat?
It all depends on several factors such as the health, age, and activity level of your cat. A typical 10 lb cat will require around 250 calories every day. However, your vet can aid you in determining how much food intake is right for your feline. If you're little feline, is not gaining enough weight, you can try giving them cat food specifically for weight gain.
Should I give my cat “people” food?
No. Not every item on a human’s menu is safe for cats. Besides, giving your furry pet little treats of “people” food could lead to nutrient imbalances and cause weight gain.
Can cat food go bad?
How long cat food lasts depends on the food type and how well it is stored. All cat food products have expiration dates on the labels and should be used before those dates.
Canned food should be disposed of if it has been left open for more than 4 hours. However, opened canned food can last for up to a week if stored properly in a refrigerator.
How much water should I give my cat?
You should always have fresh water available for your cat. This is even more important if you’re feeding your cat only dry food.
Keeping your cat properly hydrated will prevent her from developing urinary tract infections and will also assist with digestion of essential nutrients.
Should I change my cat’s food from time to time?
You can, if you want to. Depending on the preferences or unique health needs of your pet, you might have to switch up its diet occasionally.
When changing your pet’s food, don’t do it all at once. Rather, introduce the new items to her diet in little amounts and slowly build up from there.
Can I feed my cat both dry and wet food?
Yes. In most cases, a combination of both types of cat food is best for cats. In fact, many veterinarians recommend doing so. Learn more about choosing food for your cat.
Feeding your cat dry cat food along with the wet variety allows you to benefit from the convenience of dry food while keeping your cat properly hydrated.
Bottom Line
Hopefully, you’ve enjoyed this detailed buying guide on cat food. Keeping your cat healthy and eating nutritional food is every pet owners' responsibility. There are lots of different cat food choices available, but our number one pick is the ORIJEN Cat & Kitten High-Protein, Grain-Free, Premium Quality Meat. In their recipe ORIJEN uses 90% meat and 10% vegetables, fruits and botanicals, so you're sure your cat is getting the best ingredients. In the end, the best cat food product for your feline comes down to your preferences and those of your cat. So experiment with the products reviewed above to find what works best for you and your furry friend.