Wet cat food tends to include a lot more meat ingredients than dry.
The increased moisture in the recipes is excellent for cats in need of extra hydration, and picky-eaters will also appreciate the variety of flavors available.
On this page, we share our list of the best wet cat foods, selected because they contain more protein and fewer carbohydrates.
Our top picks
- Applaws Broth Pots Jump to review
- Smalls Jump to review
- Blue Buffalo Freedom Jump to review
- Instinct Original Jump to review
- Weruva B.F.F. Minced Jump to review
- Wellness CORE Signature Selects Jump to review
- Health Extension Jump to review
- Open Farm Jump to review
- Orijen Jump to review
- The Honest Kitchen Jump to review
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Applaws Broth Pots
Applaws Chicken Breast with Carrots & Green Beans in Broth received the Cat Food Advisor’s highest rating: 5 stars.
It is one of 13 recipes in this product range made by Applaws, which is owned by MPM, premium pet food company MPM which specializes in the production of high quality, human-grade pet foods.
Applaws Chicken Breast with Carrots & Green Beans in Broth 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 83.3% protein, 0.8% fat and 7.8% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 1%.
This food provides cats with an excellent source of quality protein and essential fatty acids. It is made with natural, wholesome ingredients and is free from grains, carrageenan, artificial colors, flavors and preservatives.
An extensive range offering a variety of meat and fish flavors. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Applaws Broth Pots Wet Cat Food range hereThings we like
- Natural ingredients
- High quality protein
- Essentials fatty acids
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken broth, rice, carrots & green beans Texture Wet Type Broth Protein Percentage 83.3% AAFCO Standards Unspecified Best For Adult cats Sample buyer review...
"I did try my cats on the new food. The result was quite amazing and actually ended in me having to break-up a "punch-up" between two of them. I have already received my first order, despite my reservations about the cost. I am hoping that as it appears to be so healthy that they may have their hunger satisfied on a smaller quantity of Applaws than ordinary cat-food."
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Smalls
Smalls Fresh Ground Bird 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 Ground Bird 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 55.4% protein, 30.4% fat and 6.3% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 55%.
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.
Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Smalls Fresh Cat Food range hereThings we like
- High protein
- Preservative free
- Ideal for picky eaters
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken liver, green beans, peas & water Texture Wet Type Fresh Protein Percentage 55% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Kittens, cats and senior cats $35 off your first order
Use code CATFOODADVISOR
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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Blue Buffalo Freedom
Blue Buffalo Freedom Adult Cat Grain-Free Indoor Chicken wet food received the Cat Food Advisor’s highest rating: 5 stars.
It is one of five recipes in this product range made by Blue Buffalo, which is owned by multinational food manufacturer General Mills.
The bulk of the protein in the Blue Buffalo Freedom Adult Cat Grain-Free Indoor Chicken wet food comes 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% protein, 27.3% fat and 23.8% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 67%.
This food contains high-quality ingredients with high levels of protein. It is made with natural, wholesome ingredients, free from grains, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
An excellent limited ingredient recipe.
Read our review of the full Blue Buffalo Freedom Wet Cat Food range hereThings we like
- Natural ingredients
- High levels of protein
- No artificial colors or flavors
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, carrots, sweet potatoes Texture Wet Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 83.3% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult & senior cats Sample buyer review...
"My cats love eating this food! They sit at their bowls every morning waiting for me to give it to them. Their coats are always healthy and shiny and they have very regular bowel and urinary habits. I highly recommend!"
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Instinct Original
Instinct Original Real Chicken received the Cat Food Advisor’s highest rating: 5 stars.
It is one of seven recipes in this product range made by Instinct Pet Foods.
Instinct Original Real Chicken 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.
Dry matter label analysis reveals a wet recipe containing 45.5% protein, 34% fat and 12.5% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 75%.
Packed full of named meat products, as well as vegetables and fruit, this particular recipe is quite high in fat, so if you’re looking for a lower fat option the rabbit and salmon recipes would be a good alternative.
Read our review of the full Instinct Original Wet Cat Food range hereThings we like
- Natural ingredients
- Free from plant-based fillers
- No artificial colors or flavors
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, egg product, dicalcium phosphate Texture Wet Type Paté Protein Percentage 45.5% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Senior cats/adult cats/kittens Sample buyer review...
"My cat is extremely picky with her canned food...and treats. I tried several different brands of wet food and ended up giving her canned corned beef (that we eat). I am happy that we have found an alternative with Instinct brand cat food! She absolutely loves the liver paté! The food is made of natural ingredients (you can pronounce and know all of the ingredients when you read the can!) The food is an excellent pate texture with very light gravy juice. Thank you for a healthy product for my cat!"
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Weruva B.F.F. Minced
B.F.F Minced Tuna & Chicken Chuckles (Tuna & Chicken Dinner in Gelee) received the Cat Food Advisor’s highest rating: 5 stars.
It is one of eight recipes in this product range created by Weruva, a Massachusetts based company. The food is manufactured in Thailand but made from ingredients sourced from around the world.
B.F.F Minced Tuna & Chicken Chuckles gets the bulk of its protein from tuna, an oily marine fish not only high in protein but also omega 3 fatty acids, essential oils needed by every cat to sustain life.
Dry matter label analysis reveals a wet recipe containing 70.6% protein, 11.8% fat and 9.6% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 17%.
B.F.F is produced in a human food facility, with many ingredients and processes used in products made for people. There is a named meat or fish in every recipe and all the products are gluten and grain free.
Read our review of the full B.F.F. Minced Wet Cat Food range hereThings we like
- Animal proteins
- Grain & gluten-free
- Hydration focused foods
Main Ingredients Tuna, fish broth, chicken (boneless, skinless breast), sunflower seed oil, calcium lactate Texture Wet Type Minced Protein Percentage 70.6% AAFCO Standards Unspecified Best For Adult cats Sample buyer review...
"My cat is a very picky eater. I have tried many different types of cat food. I decided to try this and I am so glad I did. When I opened the can of food to feed him he started jumping up and down. He ate everything as soon as I put his bowl down. I have not seen him clean his bowl like that in a very while."
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Wellness CORE Signature Selects
Wellness CORE Signature Selects Flaked Skipjack Tuna & Wild Salmon Entrée in Broth received the Cat Food Advisor’s highest rating: 5 stars.
It is one of eight recipes in this product range made by Wellness Pet Company which also consists of Wellness Natural Pet Food, Old Mother Hubbard by Wellness, WHIMZEES by Wellness, Sojos, Eagle Pack and Holistic Select.
Wellness CORE Signature Selects Flaked Skipjack Tuna & Wild Salmon Entrée in Broth gets the bulk of its protein from tuna, an oily marine fish not only high in protein but also omega 3 fatty acids, essential oils needed by every cat to sustain life.
Dry matter label analysis reveals a wet recipe containing 66.7% protein, 23.3% fat and 2% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 35%.
Wellness CORE Signature Selects is a wet cat food made from natural ingredients, high in protein and essential fatty acids. It’s packed with either animal or fish-derived ingredients. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Wellness CORE Signature Selects Wet Cat Food range hereThings we like
- Healthy protein blend
- Supports daily hydration
- Contains essential fatty acids
Main Ingredients Tuna, tuna broth, water sufficient for processing, mackerel and salmon Texture Wet Type Broth Protein Percentage 83.3% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Senior cats/adult cats Sample buyer review...
"My cat is super picky when it comes to wet food. She has had digestive issues since she was a kitten. She will only eat Tuna. She doesn't like pate. There are only a few brands that she will fully eat. I honestly think this is her favorite hands down. I don't mind paying extra for it knowing that she is getting the nutrients she needs and it's easy for her to digest."
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Health Extension
Health Extension Grain-Free Tuna & Prawns Recipe received the Cat Food Advisor’s highest rating: 5 stars.
It is one of nine recipes in this product range made by Vets Choice which was rebranded in 2015 to become Health Extension.
Health Extension Grain-Free Tuna & Prawns Recipe gets the bulk of its protein from tuna, an oily marine fish not only high in protein but also omega 3 fatty acids, essential oils needed by every cat to sustain life.
Dry matter label analysis reveals a wet recipe containing 62.5% protein, 12.5% fat and 17% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 32%.
Health Extension has high levels of protein, low levels of fat and carbohydrates and the formulation offers a well balanced diet, full of good quality ingredients.
Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Health Extension Wet Cat Food range hereThings we like
- High quality meat source
- Good level of moisture
- High levels of protein
Main Ingredients Tuna, tuna broth, prawns, sunflower oil & tapioca starch Texture Wet Type Paté or in Savoury Sauce Protein Percentage 32% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Senior cats and adult cats Sample buyer review...
"My cats hear the click of a spoon on the can and come running and meowing for Health Extension Tuna and Prawns. They patiently wait for their bowls to be filled then run ahead of me to their eating spot and chow down. Highly recommend."
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Open Farm
Open Farm Harvest Chicken Rustic Blend Wet Cat Food received the Cat Food Advisor’s highest rating: 4.5 stars.
It is one of six recipes in this product range made by the Canadian company, Open Farm Pet Foods, which focuses on using locally sourced ingredients from farms which meet strict animal welfare and quality standards.
Open Farm Harvest Chicken Rustic Blend 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.
Dry matter label analysis reveals a wet recipe containing 38.9% protein, 33.3% fat and 19.8% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 67%.
Open Farm wet cat food is an above-average quality food product that provides cats with a source of omega 6 fatty acids, due to a single-protein blend of humanely raised chicken and non-GMO dandelion greens.
Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Open Farm Wet Cat Food range hereThings we like
- 100% human-grade ingredients
- Meats from audited high welfare farms
- No artificial flavors, colors or preservatives
Main Ingredients Humanely raised chicken, chicken bone broth, pumpkin & carrots Texture Wet Type Rustic Blend Protein Percentage 67% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Kittens, cats and senior cats Sample buyer review...
"My boys love this food so much they scream every time I go into the kitchen. The subscription shipments are reliable and convenient and their customer support is wonderful. Open Farm is thoroughly human- and cat-approved in our household."
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Orijen
Orijen Tuna, Salmon & Beef Entrée Wet Cat Food recipe received the Cat Food Advisor’s highest rating: 5 stars.
It is one of five recipes in this product range made by Champion Petfoods, a Canadian company founded by Reinhard Muhlenfeld in Alberta, in 1975. The Orijen brand was launched in 2005 and is the first and largest pet food manufacturer in Canada.
Orijen Tuna, Salmon & Beef Entrée Wet Cat Food recipe gets the bulk of its protein from tuna, an oily marine fish not only high in protein but also omega 3 fatty acids, essential oils needed by every cat to sustain life.
Dry matter label analysis reveals a wet recipe containing 70% protein, 20% fat and 2% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 46%.
Orijen wet cat food is an above-average quality food that contains fresh animal ingredients in its first few ingredients. This range contains no peas, lentils, legumes, carrageenan or gums and each recipe is tailored to meet the nutritional needs of cats at different stages of life.
Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Orijen Wet Cat Food range hereThings we like
- High quality meat sources provide the majority of protein
- Broths provide high moisture content
- No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Main Ingredients Tuna, chicken, salmon, whole sardine & chicken liver Texture Wet Type Entrée Protein Percentage 46% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Cats and senior cats Sample buyer review...
"My cats love it and the ingredient profile is great, top quality proteins, no fillers or thickeners. The product is a moist loaf of meat shreds. Will be ordering again."
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The Honest Kitchen
The Honest Kitchen Minced Turkey in Bone Broth Gravy recipe received the Cat Food Advisor’s second highest rating: 4.5 stars.
It is one of 10 recipes in this product range by the Honest Kitchen founded in 2002 by Lucy Postins in San Diego. This is a premium brand of pet food that focuses on high-quality nutrition as the ultimate recipe for health and wellness.
The Honest Kitchen Minced Turkey in Bone Broth Gravy recipe gets 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 52.8% protein, 22.2% fat and 17% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 46%.
The Honest Kitchen recipes are a premium product offering high quality ingredients. The company aims to create minimally processed and nutritionally balanced pet food using whole food ingredients. The recipes contain human-grade meats, fruits, and vegetables, and the products are free from artificial additives, preservatives, or by-products.
Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full The Honest Kitchen Wet Cat Food range hereThings we like
- Human grade
- High in protein
- No artificial preservatives, feed grade by-products, fillers, GMO ingredients, corn, wheat or soy
Main Ingredients Turkey, turkey broth, pumpkin, carrots & blueberries Texture Wet Type Broth Protein Percentage 46% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Kittens, cats and senior cats Sample buyer review...
"As my senior cat likes this variety, I'm constantly on the lookout for new foods (as he doesn't like fish). I tried this as recommended, mixing a wee bit at a time in his usual food and was thrilled that he loved it! His preference used to be shredded food, but now enjoys the minced type - he doesn't leave a drop or crumb. Recommend highly"
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Why feed your cat wet food?
The main benefit of feeding your cat wet food is the water content. Cats with kidney disease, urinary tract disease or diabetes need more water in their diet and wet food provides an easy way for cat parents to ensure they get this. It is also beneficial for cats with sensitive stomachs as it is easier to digest.
Wet food is also more comparable with the fresh prey cats would have eaten in the wild.
Do vets recommend wet food for cats?
Wet food is generally easier for cats to chew, so is often recommended by vets for cats with dental health issues or older cats who may have fewer teeth. It also tends to be lower in fat than dry food, so is good for cats that may need to lose a few pounds.
How much wet food should you give your cat?
Most cats need between four to five ounces of wet cat food a day. However, it is important to note that some types of wet food contain more calories than others – pate-style varieties, for example, tend to be higher in calories than gravies and flakes.
Do cats that only eat wet food need water?
Although a diet of wet food provides a cat with the bulk of the water they need, it is important they still have access to fresh drinking water. This is because water helps cats flush toxins from the kidneys. It also aids digestion and the absorption of nutrients in their food.
Where should you put a cat’s water bowl?
Interestingly, cats often prefer their water to be kept in a different location to their food. A cat’s natural instinct is to drink water which is separate from where they eat or go to the toilet. This is because they want to be sure their water is not contaminated by any potential bacteria.
Can you feed your cat a mix of wet and dry food?
The answer is, of course, yes . . . but it can lead to over feeding, so you need to regulate the amount of each food you give them to ensure they are getting the right amount of calories.
First, you need to determine the daily recommended amount of dry food they should be eating depending on the size, age and weight of your cat. There’s a handy measurement table on the side of each bag of kibble.
You can choose your own ratio of dry to wet food, but a general rule is two thirds dry to one third wet food. Wet and dry food have 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.
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.
