Last updated Apr 20, 2023
Medically reviewed by
Our Review Process
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’ll receive a percentage of the proceeds. Read more about how we’re supported here.The best cat food for diabetes is a low-carb diet that keeps blood sugar under control while providing all the protein, fat, and other essential nutrients your cat needs to thrive.
With obesity and diabetes so closely linked, great foods for feline diabetes also help your cat slim down to reach a healthy weight. That’s why we recommend Tiki Cat wet cat food as the overall best cat food for diabetic cats. With less than 2% dry matter carbohydrate content, this low-starch food controls blood sugar and reduces your cat’s reliance on insulin.
We love Tiki Cat, but it isn’t our only top pick for diabetic cats. Read on to see our favorite diabetes-friendly cat food recipes.
At A Glance: Best Cat Food For Diabetic Cats To Buy
Want a quick look at the products reviewed in this article? In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. You’ll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Tiki Cat Hookena Luau Cat Food
- Exceptionally low in carbohydrates
- Low in fat and moisture to encourage a healthy weight
- Contains tuna fish oil as an animal source of omega-3s
Smalls Fresh Smooth Fish
- High protein content, real animal protein
- Low in carbohydrates, estimated under 4%
- Made with human-grade ingredients
Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Lamb Recipe Cat Food
- Made with 96% fresh meat, organs, and bone
- Highly digestible and nutrient-dense
- Free from artificial additives
Purina ONE Chicken Recipe Pate Natural Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
- First five ingredients are all animal-sourced
- Very low in carbohydrates
- Rich in moisture to support hydration
Young Again ZERO Cat & Kitten Formula Dry Food
- Contains 60% dry matter protein
- Free from added starch and grains
- Very low in carbohydrates
RAWZ 96% Turkey & Turkey Liver Pate Canned Cat Food
- Made with 96% turkey and turkey liver
- High moisture content to support hydration
- Negligible carbohydrate content
Caru Classic Turkey Stew Grain-Free Wet Cat Food
- Made with a single source of animal protein
- Cooked in a flavorful gravy
- Very low in carbohydrates
Raised Right Original Turkey Adult Cat Recipe
- Made with a single source of animal protein
- Contains less than 10% carbohydrates measured as dry matter
- Rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration
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Why Should You Trust Us?
Over the past few years, we’ve reviewed over 200 of the world’s most popular cat food brands and hundreds of different recipes. We’ve spent hours researching, contacting pet food companies, reading customer reviews, and analyzing labels. With the help of our own cats, we’ve also gotten hands-on experience with many of these foods.
How We Tested
We purchased the foods on this list at full retail price and tested them with our own cats. The entire testing process was funded by Cats.com without direct input or influence from the companies involved.
Before We Get Into The Reviews, Let’s Learn More About Diabetes And How The Best Food Can Help.
There are two main types of diabetes mellitus—type 1 and type 2. Extremely rare among cats, type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder that destroys the patient’s ability to produce insulin.
Also Read: Feline Diabetes: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Remission Demystified
Instead, nearly all diabetic cats exhibit the metabolic patterns of type 2 diabetes. Also known as idiopathic hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), type 2 diabetes is an endocrine condition that typically involves some combination of insulin resistance and diminished insulin production in the pancreas.
When insulin isn’t properly utilized in the body, glucose remains in the bloodstream instead of being taken up by cells and converted into energy – this causes high blood sugar. High blood sugar levels affect your cat in several ways, causing lethargy, weakness, excessive urination, and an unwell feeling.
Diet Can Cause And Treat Your Cat’s Diabetes.
Elizabeth Hodgkins, DVM, Esq., cat nutrition expert and author of Your Cat: Simple New Secrets to a Longer, Stronger Life, describes feline diabetes as “a human-caused disease that kills cats.”
Dr. Hodgkins has a point. Diabetes is a menace for cats that lead human-controlled lifestyles – lifestyles that are in many ways disconnected from their natural instincts and biological needs.
Aside from a genetic predisposition to diabetes in Burmese cats, diabetes risk factors are largely environmental. The best candidate for type 2 diabetes is an overweight senior cat who spends his days lounging around indoors and munching on dry cat food—kitty cereal.
While we still don’t completely understand how diet contributes to diabetes, it does appear that cats on high-carbohydrate diets are most prone to developing it. These diets can also contribute to issues maintaining a healthy body weight.
And While The Wrong Diet Puts Your Cat At Risk For Diabetes, Choosing The Right Food Is Your Only Hope Of Curing It.
Most diabetic cats who leave behind a biologically inappropriate diet see significant reductions in their insulin requirements. Many actually go into remission and no longer need insulin injections.
The best time to clean up your cat’s diet is before he shows symptoms of diabetes. As diabetes progresses, the pancreas may become exhausted and stop secreting insulin. In this case, there’s no hope of remission and insulin therapy becomes a life-long commitment. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Fortunately, for anyone trying to wean their diabetic cat off the wrong food, rest assured that diabetic cats usually have a ravenous appetite. Hunger is often enough to force a picky diabetic cat to try something new.
What’s The Best Kind Of Food For Diabetic Cats?
The best food for diabetic cats honors your carnivorous cat’s dietary requirements.
As obligate carnivores, cats thrive on nutrients derived from animals. They can’t survive without the amino acids, fatty acids, and micronutrients (vitamins, minerals) naturally found in their prey.
What your cat’s natural diet doesn’t have is large concentrations of carbohydrates. A wild feline diet may have as little as zero carbohydrate matter. What little carbohydrate or fiber their diet might contain would come from nibbles of grass and digested plant matter found in the digestive tracts of their prey.
Compared to dogs and other omnivores, cats have a much more limited ability to digest plant matter. But it goes further than that – a cat’s physiology isn’t designed to digest heavy carbohydrate loads.
For example, cats lack salivary amylase (carbohydrate-digesting enzymes in their saliva). Further down the digestive tract, cats have levels of the digestive enzymes necessary to break down carbohydrates in the small intestine.
To put those details together, cats have a limited ability to metabolize large glucose loads. Even healthy, non-diabetic cats exhibit mild insulin resistance.
That’s Why the Best Cat Food for Diabetic Cats Is 10% Carbohydrates or Less On A Dry Matter Basis.
Ideally, your cat’s food should mimic his natural prey diet. An optimal feline diet is about 52% protein, 46% fat, and 2% carbohydrates. According to Susan Gottlieb and Jacquie Rand’s Managing Feline Diabetes: Current Perspectives, the highest remission rates—over 80%—are reported when diabetic cats eat a very-low carbohydrate diet containing 6% or fewer calories from carbohydrates.
Controlled levels of dietary carbohydrates lower your cat’s blood sugar. As blood sugar goes down, so does the need for insulin injections.
Because A Low-carbohydrate Diet Has an Immediate and Usually Significant Effect on Blood Glucose Levels, Home Testing Is Critical.
The effects of switching to a low-carbohydrate diet kick in immediately. This means that after changing your cat’s diet, you don’t need to wait weeks or even days before reducing the insulin dosage.
In fact, if you don’t reduce your cat’s insulin dosage according to his changing requirements, his blood sugar could dip dangerously low (hypoglycemia). Hypoglycemia in cats causes such symptoms as weakness and heart palpitations and could be life-threatening if not treated immediately.
In between veterinary visits, home testing can help you monitor the changes in your cat’s blood sugar and avoid a hypoglycemic crisis. Seek veterinary care immediately if your cat becomes hypoglycemic.
Your veterinarian can provide guidance on home testing so that you know how to do it and how often to test.
Choose High-Moisture Foods
Because most diabetic cats are overweight, it’s important to choose cat food that will encourage gradual weight loss (0.5 to 2% of body weight per week). Compared to calorie-dense kibble, moisture-rich foods are more satiating and will help your cat feel more satisfied between meals.
In Addition to Moisture Depletion, Dry Foods Have Another Problem—Carbohydrates.
Consider that an average canned food may contain less than 3% carbohydrates on a dry matter basis. Dry food from the same brand might be 44% carbohydrate matter. Both are marketed as complete and balanced foods, yet the dry formula may contain as much as fifteen times more carbohydrates.
If protein were the nutrient in question, you wouldn’t see that significant a discrepancy from one food to another. Cats who eat canned food all their lives don’t suffer from carbohydrate deficiencies.
So Why Are Most Dry Foods So High in Carbohydrates?
Dry cat food is high in carbohydrates by necessity and it’s the same reason keto cookies don’t look, feel, or taste the same as fresh chocolate chip cookies made with wheat flour and cane sugar.
Starchy ingredients help give the kibble its structure and crunch.
A few dry foods break that mold by using gelatin, guar gum, and other low-carbohydrate ingredients instead of the traditional potatoes and corn. If you want low-carbohydrate dry cat food, consider products from Ziwi Peak, Dr. Elsey’s, and Young Again.
Are Veterinary Diets Good For Diabetic Cats?
Not necessarily. Look for low carbohydrate levels, a healthy amount of moisture, and plenty of animal protein. If you find those qualities in a prescription food, that’s great. Your veterinarian can recommend a veterinary prescription diet if you are interested in feeding one to your cat.
Best Diabetic Cat Foods: Our Top 7 Recommendations
We’ve prioritized low-carbohydrate, high-protein cat food products. All of the recommendations on this list contain fewer than 12% carbohydrate measured as dry matter.
#1 Overall Best: Tiki Cat Hookena Luau Cat Food
Product Info:
- Brand: Tiki Cat
- Made In: Thailand
- Main Protein: Tuna
- Carbohydrates (Dry Matter): 1.36%
- Calories Per Ounce: 30
- Price Per Ounce: $0.57
First 5 Ingredients: Chicken Broth, Tuna, Chicken, Sunflower Seed Oil, Tricalcium Phosphate
With an ingredient list centering around meat and under 2% carbohydrate content on a dry matter basis, this food skips the starch and delivers all the protein your cat needs. It’s also a high-moisture wet food which helps keep your diabetic cat hydrated.
This food features a combination of flaked tuna and chicken, lending it a fresh consistency and a flavor that most cats seem to love. Plus, at 30 calories per ounce, it’s not overly calorie-dense. If you follow the feeding recommendations, you shouldn’t have to worry about weight gain.
The downside of this recipe is that it relies primarily on plant-based fat, though it does contain tuna fish oil as an animal source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Ingredients:
Chicken Broth, Tuna, Chicken, Sunflower Seed Oil, Tricalcium Phosphate, Tuna Fish Oil, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Niacin (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Iron Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Manganese Sulfate, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Folic Acid, Copper Sulfate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Exceptionally low in carbohydrates
- Low in fat and moisture-packed to encourage a healthy weight
- Contains tuna fish oil as a source of nourishing omega-3s
- Free from chemical preservatives, artificial ingredients, and animal byproducts
What We Didn’t Like:
- Fairly expensive
#2 Runner Up: Smalls Fresh Smooth Fish
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Product Info:
- Brand: Smalls
- Made In: United States
- Main Protein: Cod
- Carbohydrates (Dry Matter): 11.54%
- Calories Per Ounce: 37
- Price Per Ounce: $0.78
First 5 Ingredients: Cod, Salmon, Pumpkin, Nutritional Yeast, Peas
While higher in carbohydrates than our top pick, Smalls fresh food is still much lower in carbs than the average commercial cat food. It’s also packed with protein and hydrating moisture to help support lean muscle mass and overall health.
This Smalls Fresh Smooth Fish cat food recipe features fresh cod and salmon as the top two ingredients, both whole sources of animal protein. It also contains cod liver oil as an animal source of omega-3s, though the primary added fat source is plant-based (canola oil).
All Smalls fresh foods are made with human-grade ingredients and delivered to your door in regular shipments. The food isn’t pre-portioned for your cat but you can adjust the size of your order according to your cat’s calorie needs.
Ingredients
Cod, Salmon, Pumpkin, Nutritional Yeast, Peas, Green Beans, Canola Oil, Tricalcium Phosphate, Cod Liver Oil, Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Taurine, Dried Parsley, Magnesium Sulfate, Niacinamide, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Copper Sulfate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Manganese Sulfate, Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Potassium Iodide, Folic Acid, Biotin (Vitamin B7), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- High protein content from animal sources
- Rich in hydration moisture
- Relatively low in carbohydrates
- Contains animal-sourced omega-3 fatty acids
What We Didn’t Like
- Price is above the market average
- Meals are not individually pre-portioned
#3 Premium Pick: Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Lamb Recipe Cat Food
Product Info:
- Brand: Ziwi Peak
- Made In: New Zealand
- Main Protein: Lamb
- Carbohydrates (Dry Matter): 4.65%
- Calories Per Ounce: 141
- Price Per Ounce: $1.71
First 5 Ingredients: Lamb, Lamb Heart, Lamb Tripe, Lamb Liver, Lamb Kidney
Few dry foods have what it takes to earn a spot in a diabetic cat’s bowl. This air-dried food from Ziwi Peak is one of those few. Instead of extruding the food, Ziwi air-dries its ingredients, making it possible to forgo high-carbohydrate binders.
The food is primarily made from lamb muscle meat and organs, with green-lipped mussels as a source of omega-3 fatty acids, lamb bone as a source of minerals, and a variety of key supplements.
With dried kelp and inulin its only plant ingredients, the food is radically low in carbohydrates compared to other dry foods. At 5% carbs, it can help control your cat’s blood sugar and reduce his reliance on insulin.
If your cat is overweight, be careful with this food. It’s one of the most calorie-dense products on the market, with 318 calories per scoop. You’ll need to use careful portion control to make sure your cat doesn’t get more than he needs.
Ingredients:
Lamb, Lamb Heart, Lamb Tripe, Lamb Liver, Lamb Kidney, Lamb Lung, New Zealand Green Mussel, Lamb Bone, Lecithin, Inulin from Chicory, Dried Kelp, Minerals (Dipotassium Phosphate, Magnesium Sulfate, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Sodium Selenite), Salt, Preservative (Citric Acid, Mixed Tocopherols), Vitamins (Choline Chloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), DL-Methionine, Taurine.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Made with 96% fresh meat, organs, bones, and green-lipped mussel
- A highly-digestible, nourishing food that supports lean muscle and overall health
- Free of chemical preservatives, artificial ingredients, and animal byproducts
- Features high-quality ingredients from New Zealand
What We Didn’t Like:
- One of the most expensive foods on the market
- Very calorie-dense—not the best option for overweight cats
#4 Best Budget: Purina ONE Chicken Recipe Pate Natural Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
Product Info:
- Brand: Purina
- Made In: United States
- Main Protein: Chicken
- Carbohydrates (Dry Matter): 6.82%
- Calories Per Ounce: 32
- Price Per Ounce: $0.36
First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Liver, Chicken Broth, Pork Lungs, Fish
Premium-quality cat foods can cost a pretty penny, but you can find a decent cat food for a reasonable price – even a low-carb option for diabetic cats. This Purina ONE formula is animal-based and rich in moisture to support your diabetic cat’s overall health and nutrition.
Purina ONE cat food is readily available in stores and online and this particular recipe runs about $0.36 per ounce. It may not be as cheap as kibble, but it’s much lower in carbs and higher in animal protein than the average dry food.
This wet cat food formula features fresh chicken as the main ingredient, supplemented with protein from animal liver, pork lungs, and fish. While it’s good to see that all five of the main ingredients are animal-based, we’d prefer to see named sources for the liver and fish.
As long as your cat isn’t allergic to chicken or fish, this moisture-rich, low-carb recipe should be easily digestible.
Ingredients
Chicken, Liver, Chicken Broth, Pork Lungs, Fish, Natural Flavors, MINERALS [Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide], Guar Gum, Taurine, VITAMINS [Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), Niacin (Vitamin B-3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B-5), Vitamin A Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Vitamin K), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B-2), Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Biotin (Vitamin B-7), Folic Acid (Vitamin B-9), Vitamin D-3 Supplement], Choline Chloride, Salt.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- All five main ingredients are animal-based
- Very low in carbohydrates
- Rich in moisture to support hydration
- Fairly affordable and easy to find
What We Didn’t Like:
- Contains vaguely named animal ingredients
#5 Best Dry Food: Young Again ZERO Cat & Kitten Formula Dry Food
Product Info:
- Brand: Young Again
- Made In: United States
- Main Protein: Pork
- Carbohydrates (Dry Matter): 1.67%
- Calories Per Ounce: 128
- Price Per Ounce: $0.34
First 5 Ingredients: Hydrolyzed Pork, Chicken Meal, Chicken Fat, Chicken Liver Flavor, Guar Gum
It’s unusual to find dry cat food with under 25% carbohydrates, let alone one that contains less than 5% carbohydrate on a dry matter basis. Young Again cat food is specifically designed to be a low-carb choice and it is very popular among diabetic cats.
This particular formula features hydrolyzed pork as the primary protein, supplemented with chicken meal and herring meal. Chicken fat is the main source of added fat, though the food also contains fish oil which is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Keep in mind that this food is very calorie-dense, so you don’t need to feed your cat as much as you might with other dry foods. Also, as a dry food, it’s low in moisture. Make sure to supplement your cat’s moisture intake elsewhere in their diet.
Ingredients
Hydrolyzed Pork, Chicken Meal, Chicken Fat, Chicken Liver Flavor, Guar Gum, Herring Meal, DL Methionine, L-Lysine, Fish Oil, Psyllium Husk (Source of Soluble Dietary Fiber), Potassium Citrate, Fructooligosaccharides (FOS), Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Brewers Yeast, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Potassium Carbonate, Vitamin E Supplement, L-Tryptophan, L-Ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (Source of Stabilized Vitamin C), L-Carnitine, Betaine Anhydrous, Magnesium Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Salt, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Rosemary Extract, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Copper Proteinate, Biotin (Vitamin B7), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Vitamin A Acetate, Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Dried Aspergillus oryzae Fermentation Extract, Dehydrated Pediococcus Acidilactici Fermentation Product, Beta Carotene, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Mixed Tocopherols, Potassium Sorbate and Citric Acid (Preservatives).
Ingredients We Liked: Hydrolyzed Pork, Chicken Meal, Chicken Fat, Herring Meal, Fish Oil
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Guar Gum
Common Allergens: Chicken, Fish
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Low carbohydrate content under 5%
- Relies primarily on animal protein and fat
- Doesn’t contain grains or starchy potatoes
What We Didn’t Like:
- No dry food provides the moisture your cat needs
- Guar gum may cause loose stools in some cats
#6 Best For Weight Gain: RAWZ 96% Turkey & Turkey Liver Pate Canned Cat Food
Product Info:
- Brand: RAWZ
- Made In: Thailand
- Main Protein: Turkey
- Carbohydrates (Dry Matter): 8.52%
- Calories Per Ounce: 37
- Price Per Ounce: $0.60
First 5 Ingredients: Turkey, Turkey Liver, Turkey Broth, Fenugreek Seeds, Dandelion Greens
Although most diabetic cats are overweight or obese, some cats with undiagnosed or untreated diabetes may become underweight over time. In this case, the best food combines low carbohydrate content with generous doses of high-quality protein and animal-sourced fat.
This recipe is a little higher in carbohydrates than some on this list but still comes in under the 10% mark. It’s a high-protein formula made with a single source of animal protein, and it is rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration.
With about 37 calories per ounce, this food is more energy-dense than the other options on the list. That makes it a standout option for cats who need to put on some weight.
Ingredients
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 Didn’t Like: None
Common Allergens: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Made with a single source of animal protein
- Rich in hydrating moisture
- Free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
- May help underweight cats gain weight
What We Didn’t Like:
- Fairly expensive
- Some cats dislike the texture
#7 Best For Gravy Lovers: Caru Classic Turkey Stew Grain-Free Wet Cat Food
Product Info:
- Brand: Caru
- Made In: United States
- Main Protein: Turkey
- Carbohydrates (Dry Matter): 2.78%
- Calories Per Ounce: 30
- Price Per Ounce: $0.50
First 5 Ingredients: Turkey, Turkey Broth, Tapioca Starch, Egg Whites, Sweet Potato
It doesn’t do you any good to switch your cat’s diet to something healthier and lower in carbohydrates if they won’t eat it. If your cat is a fan of gravy, they may like this turkey stew.
Like many cat foods in gravy, this recipe does contain some added starch. The dry matter carbohydrate content is still very low, however, under 3%. The food contains over 60% dry matter protein as well, which, combined with the high moisture content of the food, makes this a species-appropriate choice for cats.
This turkey stew is made with human-grade ingredients and isn’t thickened with carrageenan or gums. It’s made in small batches in the United States and comes in a resealable cardboard carton rather than an aluminum can.
Ingredients
Turkey, Turkey Broth, Tapioca Starch, Egg Whites, Sweet Potato, Carrots, Apples, Natural Flavor, Tricalcium Phosphate, Choline Bitartrate, Taurine, Calcium Carbonate, Dandelion Greens, Potassium Chloride, Vitamins (Vitamin A Palmitate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement), Minerals (Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Magnesium Amino Acid Chelate, Iodine Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite).
Ingredients We Liked: Turkey, Egg Whites
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Tapioca Starch
Common Allergens: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Made with a single source of animal protein
- Rich in moisture to support hydration
- Contains less than 3% dry matter carbohydrate
What We Didn’t Like:
- Some find the consistency too watery
#8 Best For Sensitive Stomach: Raised Right Original Turkey Adult Cat Recipe
View On RaisedRight.com View On Amazon
Product Info:
- Brand Name: Raised Right
- Made In: United States
- Main Protein: Turkey
- Carbohydrates (Dry Matter): 6.06%
- Calories Per Ounce: 44
- Price Per Ounce: $0.67
First 5 Ingredients: Turkey Thigh, Turkey Heart, Turkey Liver, Carrots, Blueberries
Featuring fresh turkey thigh, turkey heart, and turkey liver as the main ingredients, this fresh cat food formula contains over 60% protein measured as dry matter. The carbohydrate content comes in at just over 6% dry matter, making it an appropriate choice for diabetic cats.
In addition to being high in protein, this food contains plenty of hydrating moisture. It’s also rich in animal-sourced omega-3 fatty acids from cod liver oil, though flaxseed oil contributes to the fat content as well. The food is fairly calorie-dense at 44 calories per ounce and is free from artificial additives.
The downside of Raised Right cat food is that you can only purchase it in quantities of four or sixteen 1-pound bags. Some cats also appear to dislike the flavor or texture of the food.
Ingredients
Turkey Thigh, Turkey Heart, Turkey Liver, Carrots, Blueberries, Organic Spearmint, Cod Liver Oil, Egg Shell Powder, Flaxseed Oil, Organic Dried Kelp, Taurine, Thiamine Mononitrate.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Made with a single source of animal protein
- Contains less than 10% carbohydrates measured as dry matter
- Rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration
- Cod liver oil provides plenty of animal-sourced omega-3s
What We Didn’t Like:
- Some cats seem to dislike the flavor
- Only available in quantities of 4 or 16 bags
Want To Explore More Options?
Dr. Lisa Pierson, DVM has created an extensive cat food database that allows you to narrow your search by nutrient values. Remember the values on this list may be outdated, so it’s important to follow up with more research to confirm that the food’s carbohydrate content is still within range.
Search Catinfo.org’s cat food database.
Related Articles:
- Best High Protein Low Carb Canned Cat Food
- What’s The Best Food For Cats With Kidney Disease?
- Best Cat Food For Sensitive Stomach
- Best Probiotics For Cats
*This article is not a substitute for veterinary advice. Your veterinarian can provide personalized suggestions relevant to your cat’s unique situation.
Why are the calculations for carbs so different in the text describing the food from graphs?
Weruva gravy lovers says around 2% carbs in the text, but in your graphs shows closer to 15%. How does that make sense and how is 15% carbs low carb for cats?
I’ve actually seen very odd calculations all over the site, I’m not sure what to trust
Dillon, the charts and the percentages given in the article were calculated using different methods. I gathered the 2% mentioned in the review from the typical nutrient analysis shown on the Weruva website, while the pie chart was calculated automatically based on the guaranteed analysis (less accurate). I’m aware of the strange discrepancies across the site and have been talking with our development team about a way we can make these automatic calculations more accurate. In the meantime, I apologize for the confusion. Generally, the numbers given in the text will be more reliable than those in the charts, as frustrating as that is. Thank you for reading the site and asking this question.
I am trying to determine the relative appropriateness of available canned foods for my diabetic cat, but the labels don’t include % carbs on a dry matter basis. Apparently, the standard reporting for labels is % protein, fat, fiber and moisture but this seems to miss the carb differences. The only other thing I see is kcal/kg or cal/can … can that be a helpful index of carbs?
Hi Gary, you can get a rough estimate of any food’s carbohydrate content by subtracting all of the other percentages (protein, fat, fiber, and moisture) from 100%. This calculator makes it easy. Hope this helps!
Have you an opinion on the Hill’s M/D diabetic cat food — both dry and wet ?
My 9 yr old cat was recently diagnosed with diabetes . Our vet recommends the Hill’s products . Our cat doesn’t seem to like the dry , which she is used to eating . My goal is to get her switched to the wet . She has never tried any wet foods , so this may be a challenge .
I’d like to find Nancy ( cat’s name ) a good diabetic food she will like . Thanks
Hi Mark, that’s a good question. The m/d foods are well-thought-out and can help; they contain a variety of components intended to help cats lose weight and manage blood sugar (though you’ll still have to combine them with insulin support in most cases), but at about 15% carbohydrate (dry) and 13% carbohydrate (wet recipe), the effect on the blood sugar is most likely not enough to put a cat into diabetic remission. In contrast, this does seem to be possible when feeding a diet under 10% carbohydrates on a dry matter basis and closely monitoring blood sugar levels. You may also find that your cat accepts a different low-carb formulation more readily, because the m/d’s high fiber content (intended to slow sugar absorption and help with weight loss) can be unappealing to cats. For a cat who prefers dry food, you may be interested in Young Again’s Zero food for adult cats, which is popular among those feeding diabetic cats.
Just curious as to why Young Again was not included on your list of 7 best foods for diabetic cats ?
Hi – I failed to mention that Nancy , prior to her diabetic diagnosis, was eating the Hilll’s K/D Early Kidney dry food ( for kidney problems ). She has been on this for years – she’s 9 now .
Not sure I understand your response
Thank you for this helpful list. Is it safe to assume that all varieties of these top-rated brands are low in carbs, or just the form & flavor you highlight in the review?
For the most part, yes! I can’t make any promises at this time, since varieties can be added/changed, so you’ll want to double check. But for the most part, they are all good options!