What is the healthiest thing to feed a cat

The 11 Best Cat Foods in 2024, Recommended By Vets

Feeding your cat awell-balanced and nutritious dietis a vital part of your cats health. But with so many options on the shelves, how can you know whats the best cat food?

You may wonder if dry cat food or wet cat food is the way to go, or what to select if your cat has health-related issues, such as frequent stomach issues like diarrhea, or urinary tract health concerns.

While theres no one-size-fits-all food bagit all depends on your cats health needs. There are a few key things to look for when determining the best food for cats, which is why we asked our team to curate a list of veterinary approved cat foods to help make the decision a bit easier.

Here are the best cat foods, as recommended by our team of veterinarians.

Finding the Best Cat Food: What To Look For

Our vets highly recommend that the food you feed your cat meets standards set by theAssociation of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), which oversees the regulation of pet food and animal feeds. AAFCO states that there are six essential nutrients required for cats:

• Water:Along with drinking water, cats also get this essential nutrient from wet food.
• Carbohydrates:While carbs are typically thought of as an energy source, cats have evolved to get most of their energy from protein and fat. Therefore, they have relatively low carbohydrate needs.
• Protein:Your cat needs protein for their cells to grow, repair, and function properly. Protein amounts and the source of protein are important considerations when evaluating the right food for your feline friend.
• Vitamins:Vitamins are essential for normal feline metabolism. The AAFCO states that cat foods should include vitamins A, B12, D, E, and K; thiamin; riboflavin; pantothenic acid; niacin; pyridoxine; folic acid; biotin; and choline.
• Minerals:Minerals help build strong bones and teeth, and they turn your cats food into energy. The AAFCO states that cat foods should contain calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, chloride, magnesium, iron, copper, manganese, zinc, iodine, and selenium. If your cat is eating a balanced diet adhering to AAFCO standards, you should not need to provide additional supplements or multivitamins.
• Fat content:Fat is the most energy-rich nutrient in cat foods and acts as a transport module to help other nutrients be absorbed. Some fats, such as essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, also help decrease inflammation and are important for skin health and wound healing.

Other considerations when looking into the best cat food may include:

• Addition of antioxidants:Antioxidants are extremely beneficial for a variety of health concerns, such as reducing inflammation, supporting eye health, supporting aging and aiding brain function, and generally preventing cell damage
• Addition of prebiotics and probiotics:Prebiotics and probiotics are important to maintaining gut health. Prebiotics are often high-fiber foods to support the good bacteria in the digestive tract, whileprobiotics are live microorganismsthat help improve that bacteria.
• Ingredient list:Its best to think of ingredients as vehicles for nutrient delivery. Ingredients that seem less appealing at first, such as a byproduct, are highly digestible and provide pets with essential nutrients. The ingredient list does not provide any information on the quality of the cat food or if the ingredients were used in amounts that would provide a nutritional benefit.

The 10 Best Cat Foods of 2024 We Tested Them All

Cat Food Reviews

Our reviews are based on extensive research and, when possible, hands-on testing. Each time you make a purchase through one of our independently-chosen links, we may earn a commission.

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Mallory Crusta / Cats.com

Whether wet, dry, raw, or freshly cooked, the best cat food honors your cats needs as an obligate carnivore. Its rich in animal-sourced protein, has the right amount of fatty acids, and doesnt spike your cats blood sugar with excessive carbohydrates.

After researching feline nutrition and reviewing all kinds of cat foods, we learned which brands and products are worthy of your cats bowland which ones arent.

With taste, nutrition, and quality ingredients always top of mind, here are 10 of the best cat foods you can feel good about feeding your cat.

At a Glance: Best Cat Food to Buy in 2024

Best for Sensitive Stomachs

9.4

Picked by 31 people today!

• No heavy carb fillers like corn, soy, wheat, or potatoes
• Ideal for sensitive stomachs and inappetent cats who need encouragement to eat

Top Picks Explained

Why Trust Cats.com

Over the past four years, Ive tested hundreds of cat products including dozens of cat food brands. Informed by my personal experience and countless hours of research on feline nutrition, I selected the best cat foods on the market to test at home with my two cats, Wessie and Forest.

In choosing products to test, I prioritized meat-centric formulas for cats in various life stages with different needs and preferences. All products were purchased at full retail price and evaluated in-depth. My cats provided input on the foods flavor and general appeal while I analyzed the product information to determine its nutritional adequacy. I also researched the brands to assess their trustworthiness and rate of customer satisfaction.

Our team of veterinary experts provides additional informative support as well as their professional opinion on what makes a great cat food product. Heres the full methodology behind our cat food ratings.

Finally, we consulted seven veterinarians to get their professional opinion on what makes a great cat food.

Our Veterinary Advisors:

The Best Cat Food on the Market: Our Top 10 Picks

At the top of the list is Smalls Cat Food. Its hard to beat this wet foods combination of outstanding protein content, emphasis on animal-sourced ingredients, and the exclusion of additives that might harm your cat over time.

Our rankings are determined by a variety of factors, including quality of ingredients, price, and popularity, among others. Each cat will have different needs and preferences, so while Smalls is our top choice, it may not be ideal for your unique cat.

• Made In: Thailand
• Guaranteed Protein: 11% Min
• Age Range: All Life Stages
• Calories Per Ounce: 37
• Typical Cost Per Day:$2.90 per day

RAWZ Wet Cat Food is made in a human-grade food facility, with zero meat by-products, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. Another factor that sets this line apart from other wet food brands is that it isnt thickened with carrageenan (linked to intestinal inflammation) or gum thickeners like guar gum and xanthan gum (known to cause loose stools).

The RAWZ Chicken and Chicken Liver Pt is made with 96% chicken and chicken liver. The recipes single protein makes RAWZ a good choice for cats with food allergies or sensitivities. And the high moisture content and short ingredient list make it easily digestible as well.

This recipe also contains fenugreek seeds and dandelion greens, but given the low carbohydrate content of the food overall, they dont appear to contribute significantly in terms of the products composition.

Some cat owners may also appreciate that RAWZ donates 100% of their profits to benefit individuals who have experienced spinal cord or traumatic brain injuries. A portion of the proceeds goes toward providing these individuals with service dogs.

Turkey, Turkey Liver, Turkey Broth, Fenugreek Seeds, Dandelion Greens, Taurine, Natural Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Magnesium Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Manganese Proteinate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Salt, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid.

Ingredients We Liked: Turkey, Turkey Liver

Ingredients We Didnt Like: None

Crude Protein: 9%

Crude Fat: 8%

Crude Fiber: 1%

Moisture: 78%

Protein: 40.91%

Fat: 36.36%

Fiber: 4.55%

Carbs: 18.18%

Protein: 27.75%

Fat: 59.91%

Carbs: 12.33%

What We Liked:

• Made with a single source of animal protein
• Negligible carbohydrate content
• Rich in moisture and animal-sourced fat
• Contains 96% turkey and turkey liver

What We Didnt Like:

• Fairly expensive, over$3.25 per day
• Some reviewers dont like the foods consistency

Crude Protein: 47%

Crude Fat: 37%

Crude Fiber: 5%

Moisture: 5%

Protein: 49.47%

Fat: 38.95%

Fiber: 5.26%

Carbs: 6.32%

Protein: 32.9%

Fat: 62.9%

Carbs: 4.2%

What We Liked:

• Gently freeze-dried
• Grain-free, legume-free
• 100% traceable ingredients
• Rich in animal-derived protein
• Organic fruits & vegetables are always 100% non-GMO

What We Didnt Like:

• Low moisture content before rehydration
• Expensive

Crude Protein: 16%

Crude Fat: 2.6%

Moisture: 80%

Ash: 1.6%

What We Liked:

• Rich in nourishing animal protein
• High moisture content helps to flush the urinary tract
• Low ash shouldnt contribute to crystal formation
• Species-appropriate pH helps keep things in balance

What We Didnt Like:

• Contains sunflower oil instead of species-appropriate animal fat
• Low fat content isnt right for every cat
• Very low in fiber

Crude Protein: 10%

Crude Fat: 1.3%

Crude Fiber: 0.5%

Moisture: 86%

Protein: 71.43%

Fat: 9.29%

Fiber: 3.57%

Carbs: 15.71%

Protein: 65.12%

Fat: 20.56%

Carbs: 14.33%

What We Liked:

• Offers a blend of vitamins, minerals, and taurine: essential for your older kittys vision and heart health
• Made with grass-fed beef
• 100% grain-free
• Carrageenan-free
• Free from artificial ingredients and meat by-products

What We Didnt Like:

• Made In: United States
• Guaranteed Protein: 12% Min
• Age Range: Kitten
• Calories Per Ounce: 36
• Typical Cost Per Day:$3.5 per day

Wellness COREs Chicken, Turkey, and Chicken Liver Recipe has everything we look for in kitten food. Its loaded with nourishing animal protein from turkey, chicken liver, chicken muscle meat, and chicken meal. The dry matter carbohydrate content is below 10%, and its a hydrating source of moisture.

While fish oil is the primary added fat in this recipe, herring also supplies animal-sourced omega-3 fatty acids. Both are strong sources of DHA, which contributes to brain and eye development in kittens. Omega-3s also play an important role in supporting healthy skin and coats in cats.

This recipe doesnt contain any grains or starchy beans, peas, or legumes.

At over 50% crude protein measured as dry matter, this recipe is formulated to support the development of lean mass. Its also calorie-dense enough to fuel your kittens growth at about 36 calories per ounce.

Turkey, Chicken Liver, Turkey Broth, Chicken, Herring, Chicken Hearts, Natural Flavor, Fish Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Ground Flaxseed, Dried Chicory Root, Tricalcium Phosphate, Guar Gum, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Cranberries, Sunflower Oil, Choline Chloride, Dried Kelp, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Cassia Gum, Xanthan Gum, Salt, Magnesium Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Niacin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid.

Ingredients We Liked: Turkey, Chicken Liver, Chicken, Herring, Fish Oil

Ingredients We Didnt Like: Guar Gum, Cassia Gum, Xanthan Gum

Crude Protein: 12%

Crude Fat: 7.5%

Crude Fiber: 1%

Moisture: 78%

Protein: 54.55%

Fat: 34.09%

Fiber: 4.55%

Carbs: 6.82%

Protein: 37.84%

Fat: 57.43%

Carbs: 4.73%

What We Liked:

• Ultra-soft pt texture is easy for kittens to eat
• Rich in protein and calories
• Hydrating canned food
• Supplemented with fish oil as a species-appropriate source of DHA

What We Didnt Like:

• Can be quite expensive when feeding a hungry kitten

What to Consider When Buying Cat Food

Choosing great cat food starts with an understanding of your cats unique nutritional needs as an obligate carnivore. Veterinarian Dr. Lizzie Youens, BVSc, MRCVS explains, Our domestic pet cats have not altered their physiology much from their wildcat ancestor. In other words, they crave meat.

According to Dr. Youens, cats gain most of their energy from protein, rather than carbohydrates; they use fats to process certain vitamins and nutrients.

An extra point to consider for our feline friends is that they cannot make certain amino acids, such as taurine, and so they must be provided as part of their balanced diet.

When weighing your options, Dr. Chris Vanderhoof, DVM, MPH, a veterinarian practicing at VCA Centreville Animal Hospital, recommends asking yourself the following:

• What life stage is my cat in (kitten, adult, or senior)?
• If a senior, does my cat have any specific nutritional needs that a diet can address, such as muscle loss or arthritis?
• Does my cat have any medical conditions that can be addressed with a particular diet?
• Is this cat food nutritionally balanced? (Does it carry an AAFCO statement, and is it meeting at least the minimum nutritional requirements for my cats life stage?)
• Does this cat food have a moderate caloric density (especially important for indoor cats)?
• Is this a food that my cat loves and will gladly eat?

Keeping these parameters in mind, heres what to look for when choosing the best cat food for your cat.

Look for Low Carbohydrate Content

Cats primarily utilize protein and fat as energy sources. While they can metabolize carbohydrates, high carbohydrate content is not a part of the natural feline diet. Theres little evidence that high-carb foods are harmful, but theyre also not necessary. We prefer foods that model a cats ancestral diet.

Choose High-Quality Protein

It helps to understand the difference between crude protein and digestible protein. Digestibility values, not percentages in the guaranteed analysis, are key to measuring nutritional value. For example, an egg and a feather may share the same protein values on a labels guaranteed analysis. But an egg (unsurprisingly) is far more digestible and nourishing than a feather. For that reason, we prefer foods that incorporate high-quality, clearly-named protein sources.

Avoid Animal By-Products

Animal by-products are one of the most misunderstood ingredients in cat food. While many common by-products are highly nourishing and delectable to cats, digestibility and quality control are major concerns.

Vaguely-specified ingredients may be produced from any number of animal parts. Besides not knowing what type of animals contributed to the by-product stew, you dont know if it contains more wholesome liver or nutritionally weak chicken feet. To ensure maximum protein digestibility, avoid purchasing cat foods with meat by-products and other vaguely-named ingredients like meat, poultry, and meat and bone meal.

Choose Minimal Plant Protein

While its unclear exactly where each source of plant protein lies on the digestibility spectrum, we do know that protein from peas, potatoes, and other plants is less efficient than that from animal ingredients. While a single prey animal offers all the amino acids a cat needs, plant ingredients need to be combined with animal protein and synthetic additives to recreate that mix of amino acids. Furthermore, many cat guardians report that their cats have less waste when theyre eating a diet composed primarily of animal-sourced protein.

Prioritize Moisture-Rich Foods

Our cats ancestors were desert dwellers. Because fresh water was scarce, early wild cats evolved to have low thirst drives and a natural inclination to get their water from the moisture-rich bodies of their prey. This means that they typically dont drink enough water to compensate for moisture-depleted dry food.

Favor Foods Free Of Harmful Ingredients

Artificial flavors and colors are unnecessary and have been tied to health consequences for both humans and animals. Some preservatives may also be of questionable safety. For example, BHA is considered safe in animal feed for all species except for cats due to inadequate safety data. Most pet foods have replaced them with natural alternatives including Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols), rosemary extract, and other antioxidants.

Seek Brands With Trustworthy Reputations

While it doesnt tell us everything about the brand, a companys recall history provides key insights into its ethics, safety standards, and the quality of its products. If a company faces voluntary, or worsemandatoryrecalls every five years, purchasing from that company could subject your cat to three or more potentially harmful slip-ups during their lifetime. A communicative, transparent company isnt afraid to share this information with its customers.

Additionally, its helpful to check out what other consumers are saying about the brand. Through social media, blogging, reviews on retail platforms, and sites like Consumer Reports, pet parents can easily share their complaints or praises with the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best dry cat food?

The best dry cat food is rich in animal-derived protein, low in carbohydrate content, and made from high-quality ingredients. One of the best brands for dried cat food is Open Farm RawMix.

What is the best wet cat food?

The best wet cat food honors your cats needs as a carnivore. Its a meat-rich product that delivers all the protein, fat, and micronutrients your cat needs without a lot of plants and starch. A few of our favorite brands include Smalls, RAWZ, and Nulo.

What is the healthiest cat food?

The healthiest cat food is nutritionally complete and balanced, emphasizing meat over plants and protein over starch. Look for expert-formulated recipes that were made with carnivores in mind.

Is dry or wet food best for cats?

Because its more hydrating and typically lower in carbohydrates, wet food is best for cats. A dry diet is convenient, but it could increase your cats chances of health complications over time.

Is grain-free cat food best for cats?

Cats dont need to avoid grains. What they need to avoid is excessive carbohydrates. Grain-free foods often replace grain with an unhealthy dose of biologically inappropriate ingredients like potatoes and peas.