There is a lot to think about when choosing the best food for your cat.
It needs to include all the essential vitamins, minerals and amino acids necessary to keep them healthy, as well as being high in protein to sustain their energy throughout the day.
And there is so much choice. . .
Long gone are the days when there was just canned wet food and bags of dry kibble. Now we have a choice of raw, fresh, organic, freeze-dried, dehydrated and frozen, to name just a few.
The Cat Food Advisor wants to be able to help cat parents make informed decisions when choosing a food. All our reviews are independent and unbiased and validated by our team of veterinarians and pet nutritionists.See our list of recommendations of the best 10 cat food, below.
Our top picks
- Smalls Jump to review
- FreshPet Select Jump to review
- Darwin’s Natural Selections Jump to review
- Castor & Pollux Organix Jump to review
- Just Food For Cats Jump to review
- Raised Right Jump to review
- Vital Essentials Mini Patties Jump to review
- Tiki Cat Born Carnivore Jump to review
- Blue Buffalo True Solutions Jump to review
- Open Farm Jump to review
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Smalls
Smalls Fresh Smooth Fish recipe received the Cat Food Advisor’s highest rating: 5 stars.
It is one of seven products in a range made by Smalls, a company which was only founded in 2017. The food is manufactured in a human-grade commercial facility near Chicago.
Smalls Fresh Smooth Fish recipe derives the bulk of its protein from cod, a marine species of fish native to both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North America. It is a quality item with raw fish containing up to 73% water.
Dry matter label analysis reveals a wet recipe containing 55.8% protein, 26.9% fat and 9.3% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 48%.
This food is made from human-grade ingredients, cooked to lock in nutrients and then frozen to maximize freshness. High in protein, Smalls’ recipes are designed to promote strong bones and toned muscles in cats.
Read our review of the full Smalls Fresh Cat Food range hereThings we like
- High protein
- Preservative free
- Ideal for picky eaters
Main Ingredients Cod, salmon, pumpkin, nutritional yeast, peas & green beans Texture Wet Type Fresh Protein Percentage 55.8% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Kittens/cats/senior cats $35 off your first order
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Sample buyer review...
"After feeding, my cat gets this burst of energy and starts running around the house! And his fur is softer and more vibrant, with higher contrast. Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend anything else."
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FreshPet Select
FreshPet Select Tender Chicken & Beef recipe received the Cat Food Advisor’s second highest rating: 4.5 stars.
It is one of four recipes in this product range made by FreshPet, a company founded in 2006 which specializes in creating recipes packed full of high quality proteins and farm-fresh produce.
FreshPet Select Tender Chicken & Beef recipe derives the bulk of its protein from chicken, which is naturally rich in the 11 essential amino acids required by a cat to sustain life.
Dry matter label analysis reveals a wet recipe containing 51.4% protein, 28.6% fat and 14.9% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 56%.
This food provides cats with an excellent source of quality protein and essential fatty acids. It is made with natural, farm-fresh ingredients, free from carrageenan, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
Read our review of the full FreshPet Select Cat Food Review range hereThings we like
- 100% farm-raised poultry, beef and fish
- Garden fruits & vegetables
- Eco-friendly packaging
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken liver, beef, natural flavors, carrots Texture Wet Type Fresh Protein Percentage 51.4% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Kittens, cats & senior cats Sample buyer review...
"We have a 13-year-old Manx who has had GI issues all of his life. We happened upon the Freshpet refrigerator in our local grocery store by chance and were amazed at the difference it has made for him."
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Darwin’s Natural Selections
Darwin’s Natural Selections Chicken recipe received the Cat Food Advisor’s second highest rating: 4.5 stars.
It is one of three recipes in this range made by Darwin’s, one of the first pet food companies to bring raw pet food direct to pet parents.
Darwin’s Natural Selections Chicken derives the bulk of its protein from chicken, which is naturally rich in the 11 essential amino acids required by a cat to sustain life.
Dry matter label analysis reveals a wet recipe containing 53.3% protein, 30% fat and 8.7% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 56%.
Natural Selections’ recipes are minimally processed to preserve the vital nutrients your cat needs. All meat is pasture-raised and grass-fed so your pet is receiving top-quality meat.
Read our review of the full Darwin’s Natural Selections Raw Cat Food range hereThings we like
- Top quality ingredients
- Grain-free
- Specific formulas for health issues
Main Ingredients Chicken meat, chicken necks (including bone), chicken gizzards, chicken livers, chicken hearts Texture Raw Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 53.3% AAFCO Standards Unspecified Best For Adult cats Get 10lbs of Darwin’s Raw Food for $14.95
Sample buyer review...
"We switched our two cats to Darwin’s when our oldest was about 6 months old — and our younger kitten was about 4 months. They absolutely love their meals, and Darwin’s is significantly cheaper than buying wet food on a monthly basis, or feeding them homemade raw beef-based meals. I wish everyone knew the benefits of raw feeding and just how convenient it can really be!"
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Castor & Pollux Organix
Castor & Pollux Organix Grain Free Organic Chicken & Chicken Liver recipe received the Cat Food Advisor’s highest rating: 5 stars.
It is one of four recipes in this product range made by Castor & Pollux, a leader in certified organic products; creating pet food made from the highest-quality ingredients.
Castor & Pollux Organix Grain Free Organic Chicken & Chicken Liver obtains the bulk of its protein from chicken, which is naturally rich in the 11 essential amino acids required by a cat to sustain life.
Dry matter label analysis reveals a wet recipe containing 40.9% protein, 22.7% fat and 28.4% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 56%.
This food is made from USDA certified organic ingredients, is grain-free and has no added artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. The potential benefits of an organic diet for your cat includes a reduction of allergies and itchy skin, reduced digestion problems and better overall health.
Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Castor & Pollux Organix Wet Cat Food range hereThings we like
- USDA certified organic ingredients
- No chemical preservative or dyes
- Dehydrated fruits & vegetables
Main Ingredients Organic chicken, water sufficient for processing, organic chicken liver and organic peas Texture Wet Type Organic Protein Percentage 40.9% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All cats & kittens, especially those with allergies or a sensitive stomach Sample buyer review...
"Our cat, Athena, came home from a shelter a month ago. She had been there four months and eaten many different brands of canned food. I was hoping I could get her to eat a grain-free high quality food; she's overweight. Well, she loves all three of the grain-free Organix canned chicken products. And we'll be trying the dry food soon! Thanks Organix!"
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Just Food For Cats
Just Food For Cats Just Cats Fish & Chicken recipe received the Cat Food Advisor’s second highest rating: 4.5 stars.
It is the only fresh product made by Just Food For Cats, the sister company of Just Food For Dogs.
The Just Cats Fish & Chicken recipe derives the bulk of its protein from wild-caught alaska pacific cod, an excellent low-fat protein source with naturally occurring omega-3 fatty acids which are beneficial in developing a healthy skin and a shiny coat.
Dry matter label analysis reveals a wet recipe containing 46.2% protein, 17.3% fat and 28.5% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 38%.
This food provides an excellent source of quality protein and is made in open-to-public kitchens. The home-made food is lightly cooked to retain its nutritional value.
Read our review of the full Just Food for Cats Fresh Cat Food range hereThings we like
- High levels of animal protein
- Moisture rich
- Gluten & grain-free
Main Ingredients Wild-caught alaska pacific cod, chicken thighs, chicken hearts, chicken liver and tapioca starch Texture Wet Type Fresh Protein Percentage 46.2% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult & senior cats Sample buyer review...
"Our cat stopped eating over a period of months. She became so finicky. The pet store clerk recommended Just Food For Cats. Well, I guess we found what she likes. She gobbles it up, crawls up our legs as we prepare it and is back to her old self again. Her coat is shiny and she has more energy and is playful. We are so happy and relieved. Thanks for making this great food!"
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Raised Right
Raised Right Original Turkey recipe received the Cat Food Advisor’s highest rating: 5 stars.
It is one of four products in a range made by Raised Right, a family-run business with a headquarters in Rye, New York.
Raised Right Original Turkey derives the bulk of its protein from turkey which is naturally rich in the 11 essential amino acids required by a cat to sustain life.
Dry matter label analysis reveals a wet recipe containing 63.6% protein, 24.2% fat and 4.1% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 38%.
This food is a high quality product, packed with human-grade ingredients which provide an excellent source of protein. It is also free from artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors, and controversial ingredients.
Read our review of the full Raised Right Fresh Cat Food range hereThings we like
- Human-grade ingredients
- Excellent source of protein
- Low in fat and carbohydrates
Main Ingredients Turkey thigh, turkey heart, turkey liver, carrots, blueberries, Texture Wet Type Fresh Protein Percentage 63.6% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult & senior cats Sample buyer review...
"I was looking for an alternative for the subscription service my cats were on. When I found this, I was so impressed by the ingredients. I had called customer service with some questions before the order and they were super helpful and easy to get hold of. My cats love it too!"
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Vital Essentials Mini Patties
Vital Essentials Mini Patties Rabbit Entreé recipe received the Cat Food Advisor’s second highest rating: 4.5 stars.
It is one of six products in a range made by Vital Essentials, the flagship brand of Carnivore Meat Company — a leading manufacturer of raw frozen and freeze-dried pet foods and treats in America.
Vital Essentials Mini Patties Rabbit Entrée recipe derives the bulk of its protein from rabbit, which is naturally rich in the 11 essential amino acids required by a cat to sustain life.
Dry matter label analysis reveals a wet recipe containing 59.8% protein, 16.3% fat and 15.9% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 27%.
This freeze-dried raw cat food is high in protein and essential fatty acids. Freeze-dried ingredients are considered nutritionally superior to meat meals, due to the gentleness of the process used to create them.
Read our review of the full Vital Essentials Mini-Patties Freeze-Dried Cat Food range hereThings we like
- High animal-sourced protein
- Low carbohydrate content
- No added hormones or antibiotics
Main Ingredients Rabbit, rabbit liver, rabbit heart, rabbit kidney & rabbit lung Texture Freeze-dried Type Raw Protein Percentage 59.8% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Kittens/cats/senior cats Sample buyer review...
"Well balanced freeze dried raw cat food. Other brands of freeze dried raw food are like sawdust, these nibs aren’t. My kitten enjoys the texture, the airy crunch (not hard), and flavor."
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Tiki Cat Born Carnivore
Tiki Cat Born Carnivore High Protein Deboned Chicken & Egg recipe received the Cat Food Advisor’s second highest rating: 4.5 stars.
It is one of eight products in a range made by Tiki Cat, a company founded in 2005 by Christine and Robert Hackett. Christine had previously worked in research and development for PetCo and decided the pet food market needed a new kind of product — food that was more species-appropriate and had fewer grains and carbohydrates.
Tiki Cat Born Carnivore High Protein Deboned Chicken & Egg recipe derives the bulk of its protein from chicken, which is naturally rich in the 11 essential amino acids required by a cat to sustain life.
Dry matter label analysis reveals a wet recipe containing 47.8% protein, 21.1% fat and 23.1% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 44%.
This dry cat food is rich in meat and or fish protein and relatively low in carbohydrate content. It also has no processed plant proteins, such as corn gluten, and is gently baked to preserve the nutrients and flavor.
Read our review of the full Tiki Cat Born Carnivore Dry Cat Food range hereThings we like
- Non GMO ingredients
- High in protein
- No artificial additives
Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken meal, dehydrated chicken, dried egg product & tapioca Texture Freeze-dried Type Raw Protein Percentage 47.8% AAFCO Standards Unspecified Best For All cats Sample buyer review...
"Our two new kittens and our adult cat love this food. We are supplementing the dry food with wet food — Tiki is right, changing up flavors and textures is a great way to keep our cats happy and to broaden their horizons! I’m so pleased I took a leap of faith and purchased this food!"
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Blue Buffalo True Solutions
Blue Buffalo True Solutions Adult Cat Blissful Belly Digestive Care Formula dry food recipe received the Cat Food Advisor’s second highest rating: 5 stars.
It is one of five products in a range made by Blue Buffalo, a company which was founded by Bill Bishop and his sons when their dog, Blue, was diagnosed with cancer. Unable to find a natural option with high-quality ingredients for their boy, they created their own.
Blue Buffalo True Solutions Adult Cat Blissful Belly Digestive Care Formula dry food derives the bulk of its protein from chicken, which is naturally rich in the 11 essential amino acids required by a cat to sustain life.
Dry matter label analysis reveals a wet recipe containing 37.4% protein, 17.6% fat and 37.1% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 47%.
This dry cat food is made from high-quality natural ingredients such as real chicken and has no artificial flavors or preservatives.
Read our review of the full Blue Buffalo True Solutions Dry Cat Food range hereThings we like
- Meat as the main ingredient
- Different recipes for health concerns
- No artificial additives or animal by-products
Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, pea protein & barley Texture Dry Type Natural Protein Percentage 37.4% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Cats & senior cats Sample buyer review...
"I am thrilled with the nutritional contents of this cat food. My cat seems to enjoy the texture with or without wet food. I love the hearty ingredients for a wholesome diet!"
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Open Farm
The Open Farm Open Prairie Grain Free Raw Mix recipe received the Cat Food Advisor’s second highest rating 4.5 stars.
It is one of two recipes in this product range by Open Farm which was founded in 2014 by Jacqueline Prehogan. The cat food arm of the operation has its headquarters in Canada, and the products are developed and formulated in Canada. However, production takes place over the U.S. border in the state of Minnesota.
The Open Farm Open Prairie Grain Free Raw Mix recipe gets the bulk of its protein from chicken, which is naturally rich in the 11 essential amino acids required by a cat to sustain life.
The dry matter label analysis reveals a wet recipe containing 42.2% protein, 15.6% fat and 34.2% carbohydrates, with a fat-to-protein ratio of 37%.
Open Farm Raw Mix is an above-average quality cat food. The kibble, coated in a bone broth and freeze-dried raw, contains added chunks of raw meat, so is protein-rich.
Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Open Farm Raw Mix Cat Food range hereThings we like
- 100% animal welfare certified
- High protein kibble, with nutrient dense organ meats
- No added antibiotics or hormones
Main Ingredients Chicken, turkey, menhaden fish meal, peas, chickpeas Texture Raw mix, wet Type Fresh Protein Percentage 42.2% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Kittens, cats and senior cats Sample buyer review...
"I’m very happy with the ingredients in this cat food. My cat really enjoys it."
Buy at 
How do we rate cat food?
In short, we analyze the labels which are government-regulated and standardized. We study the ingredient list and estimate the meat content.
We mark down cat foods made with plant-based fillers or generic animal by-products, as well as those that use artificial colors and preservatives.
Cats are carnivores, so we favor cat food which is rich in meat.
Do cats get bored of eating the same food every day?
Just like us, cats do need variety in their diet (even if it is just mixing up the flavors of the food you give them).
However, some cats definitely do better when they eat the same food every day, especially if they suffer from a sensitive stomach or are picky eaters.
If you are going to transition your cat onto a new food, you should do so slowly (over the course of a week or two) as this will help avoid an upset stomach.
Additionally, puzzle feeders or food-dispensing toys can provide mental stimulation and engage cats during mealtime, making the experience more enjoyable.
Please remember, cat nutrition is a serious business. Any time you change your cat’s food or add something new to their diet, it’s a good idea to run it by your vet first.
Do vets recommend dry or wet food for cats?
This is not a straight-forward yes or no answer. At the end of the day, vets recommend a complete, balanced diet for cats and this can be kibble or wet food.
Wet food requires greater attention to dental hygiene, as the risk of developing periodontal disease is higher. It is also preferable for cats suffering from health conditions where fluid intake needs to be increased.
There are certain conditions which warrant special diets (sometimes prescription-based) and these can be kibble or wet food.
Many vets are now recommending human-grade, fresh, wet foods and more species appropriate diets but, it is important to remember, there is no one-size that fits all.
There are pros and cons to both wet and dry. So, please discuss options with your vet if you are in any doubt, especially if your cat is suffering from a condition that requires dietary therapy.
Can you feed your cat a mix of dry and wet food?
Yes, you can, but you need to be careful as it can lead to overfeeding which could cause your cat to suffer from health problems further down the line.
It is, therefore, very important to regulate the amount of each food you give your cat to ensure they get the right amount of calories they need.
To determine the daily recommended amount of dry food your cat should have, depending on its size, age and weight, check out the measurement table on the side of each bag of kibble.
You can choose your own ratio of dry to wet food, but we recommend two thirds dry to one third wet. Each food type has a different number of calories per gram, so take the weight of dry food you’re not feeding your cat, and multiply this by 2.5 to get the right weight of wet food.
How many meals should your cat have a day?
Most adult cats are fed one to two times per day, however, free feeding of kibble or combining regular wet food meals with free access to kibble are common feeding methods.
Free feeding may be appropriate for many cats but can be problematic in households with multiple cats where more dominant cats consume more calories than they require and have a propensity to gain weight. Conversely, less dominant animals can be left with too little food to maintain an appropriate body weight.
It is important to establish a consistent feeding routine for your cat and ensure they have access to fresh water at all times. Additionally, the portion sizes and type of food should be appropriate for your cat’s age, weight, and dietary requirements.
Sources
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Article reviewed by
Veterinarian
Dr Georgia Jeremiah has a first class honors degree in comparative pathology with field experience in anatomic and clinical pathology, studying disease processes in a multitude of species.
