Last updated Apr 7, 2023
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.While dry cat food may not provide the moisture your cat needs, it offers a convenient and often affordable solution for cat owners. When shopping for dry cat food, it’s important to consider the carbohydrate content and the quality of the ingredients. Animal-based protein should be a priority with as few plant ingredients as possible.
Canadian cat food manufacturers often utilize human-grade ingredients and nutrient-preserving processing methods which puts them on par with some of the top brands made in the U.S.
Below, we’ll preview some of the factors to consider when shopping for cat food in Canada and take an in-depth look at our top 10 favorite brands of dry cat food in Canada.
At A Glance: Best Dry Cat Food To Buy In Canada
Want a quick look at the best cat foods 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.
Open Farm Dry Cat Food
- Made from 100% traceable ingredients
- Rich in highly digestible animal protein
- Free from artificial additives
Zeal Canada Gently Air-Dried Cat Food
- Gently air-dried to preserve nutrition
- Rich in species-appropriate animal protein
- Easily digestible whole-food ingredients
Go! Solutions Dry Cat Food
- Packed with animal-based protein
- Salmon oil for omega-3 fatty acids
- Supplemented with probiotics
Smack Raw Dehydrated Cat Food
- Made with all-natural humanely raised meat
- Includes nutrient-rich organ meats
- Dehydrated at low temperatures to preserve nutrition
Dr. Marty Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food
- Rich in species-appropriate animal protein
- Freeze-dried to retain flavor and nutritional value
- Covered by a 90-day money-back guarantee
FirstMate Dry Cat Food
- Single source of quality animal protein
- Limited list of ingredients
- Free from artificial additives
Orijen Dry Cat Food
- Rich in high-quality animal protein
- Contains nutrient-rich organ meats
- Rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3s
Gather Free Acres Dry Cat Food
- Made with organic ingredients
- Nutrient-rich chicken fat for essential fatty acids
- Free from artificial color, flavor, and preservatives
Canadian Naturals Dry Cat Food
- Made with regional non-GMO ingredients
- Multiple sources of high-quality animal protein
- Supplemented with probiotics for healthy digestion
Amor Human-Grade Air-Dried Cat Food
- Rich in species-appropriate meat and organs
- Free from fillers and artificial additives
- Locally sourced ingredients
What You Need To Know About Cat Food Made In Canada
As a cat owner, your cat’s long-term health and wellness are your top priorities. On top of adequate exercise and routine veterinary care, a nutritious diet is the best way to support it.
It’s easy enough to grab a bag of cat food off the shelf at the grocery store or pet store, but quality varies widely among brands. To make sure you choose a nutritious and species-appropriate diet, you have to know what you’re looking for and that involves a little research.
The good news is, if you’re shopping for cat food in Canada you don’t have to learn an entirely different set of nutritional standards. If you’re familiar with the Association of American Feed Control Officials’ (AAFCO) nutritional recommendations, you’re good.
Canada uses the nutritional standards set by AAFCO in the United States, but there are some differences in terms of federal regulations for pet food.
Also Read: The 10 Best Cat Treats In Canada
In the United States, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for regulating the manufacture and marketing of food for people and pets. In Canada, it’s the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). While it’s the role of the CFIA to issue and enforce certain standards, experts in the Canadian pet food industry suggest that the organization doesn’t always follow through.
While enforcement of CFIA regulations is largely done on the honor system in Canada, that isn’t to say that there’s no hope for pet owners to find quality products for their pets.
The Pet Food Association of Canada (PFAC) is a voluntary organization similar to AAFCO in the U.S. This organization doesn’t have any regulatory power, but they exist to help pet food manufacturers comply with federal regulations. PFAC also helps them adhere to AAFCO nutritional guidelines.
The long and short of it is that dishonest pet food manufacturers will always find a way to skirt the rules. If you’re shopping for cat food in Canada, however, you can rest easy knowing that any product that’s PFAC recommended also meets AAFCO requirements and will provide for your cat’s minimum nutritional requirements.
Just remember that your cat deserves more than the bare minimum. It’s up to you do understand your cat’s nutritional needs and to shop smart for a nutritious and species-appropriate diet.
In addition to performing our own qualitative analysis of the brands reviewed here, we submitted samples for analysis at an ISO 17025 certified food testing and analysis lab.
Also Read: Why We Lab Test Cat Food and How to Interpret the Reports
We bought the products at full retail price, and the entire testing process was funded by Cats.com without direct input or influence from the companies involved.
Analytical testing in a food chemistry lab gives us the exact macronutrient and micronutrient content of each recipe. The tests also look at microbial content, yeast, mold, and heavy metals, helping you ensure that you’re only putting the best in your cat’s bowl.
To access the lab reports for each food reviewed here, click the “view lab report” link in the product review.
The 10 Best Dry Cat Food In Canada: Our Top Picks
Now that you the basics about Canadian cat food, you may be curious to learn more about some of the specific brands available. Below you’ll find a list of some of our favorite Canadian pet food companies with a quick recipe review from each brand.
#1 Open Farm Dry Cat Food
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Founded in 2014, Open Farm was one of the first pet food manufacturers to focus on ethically and sustainably sourced ingredients. They set out with the goal of creating cleaner, healthier, and higher quality pet food and they’ve accomplished that goal through the use of premium ingredients, ethical practices, and complete transparency.
Open farm uses only wild-caught fish and humanely-raised meats in their formulas. They work only with suppliers who adhere to ethical and sustainable standards. Even their packaging is carefully crafted to reduce emissions and minimize the company’s carbon footprint.
This company offers a wide variety of pet foods for dogs and cats including dry food, wet food, freeze-dried raw, and gently cooked frozen food. They also offer an assortment of broths, supplements, and treats.
Featured Recipe: Open Farm Homestead Turkey & Chicken Dry Cat Food
First 5 Ingredients: Turkey, Chicken, Ocean Whitefish Meal, Herring Meal, Garbanzo Beans
Fresh turkey appears as the first ingredient on this recipe’s list, followed by not one but three other sources of animal protein. Ocean menhaden fish meal appears later on the list as a fifth source.
In addition to five animal proteins, this recipe gets a not insignificant amount of plant protein from garbanzo beans, red lentils, and green lentils. In fact, there’s a fairly long list of plant-based ingredients which puts the overall carbohydrate content higher than we’d like.
We appreciate that this formula is free from artificial additives, however, and the quality of the ingredients appears to be high. We love that Open Farm offers tracing information for their ingredients on the website along with third-party lab test results for safety.
Overall, this appears to be a nutritious dry food with moderate protein and fat content and carbohydrate content on par with the typical dry cat food.
Ingredients:
Turkey, Chicken, Ocean Whitefish Meal, Herring Meal, Garbanzo Beans, Red Lentils, Coconut Oil, Ocean Menhaden Fish Meal, Green Lentils, Pumpkin, Natural Flavor, Non-GMO Cranberries, Dried Chicory Root Extract, Apples, Choline Chloride, Salt, Dandelion Greens, Taurine, Turmeric, Potassium Chloride, Dicalcium Phosphate, Dried Yucca Schidigera Extract, Mixed Tocopherols, Calcium Carbonate, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin A Acetate, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Rosemary Extract.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- First four ingredients are high-quality animal proteins
- Made with 100% traceable, ethically sourced ingredients
- Free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
What We Didn’t Like:
- Fairly expensive
- Doesn’t provide the moisture your cat needs
#2 Zeal Canada Gently Air-Dried Cat Food
Zeal Canada offers air-dried dog and cat foods that are rich in meat and organs to provide balanced nutrition for pets. Their air-drying process preserves food naturally at 80-degrees Celsius, similar to jerky and other artisan meats, by gently evaporating moisture. The process kills bacteria while preserving nutrients, enzymes, amino acids, and flavor.
All of Zeal Canada’s recipes are made in Canada with locally sourced meat and organs. They deliver the nutrition of raw food without the need for refrigeration or rehydrating.
Zeal Canada follows AAFCO standards for their formulas using high-quality, naturally sourced ingredients. Their recipes are free from artificial fillers and binders. Just keep in mind that because the food is air-dried, it doesn’t contain the moisture your cat needs.
Featured Recipe: Zeal Air-Dried Salmon and Turkey for Cats
First 5 Ingredients: Salmon, Turkey, Turkey Heart, Turkey Liver, Bamboo Fiber
Formulated for cats with sensitivities to chicken in mind, this air-dried cat food features high-quality animal protein from salmon and turkey. In addition to fresh salmon and turkey, this recipe contains organ meats like turkey heart and liver.
Aside from these animal-based ingredients, the only other main ingredients appear to be bamboo fiber, sunflower lecithin, and krill meal.
Bamboo fiber is not an ingredient you see in cat food often and there isn’t a lot of information available about it. According to Chewy, Zeal Canada uses fiber from the edible species of bamboo Phyllostachys and Bambusa sp., using the shoots that are no more than one year old. The only ingredient is fiber.
This ingredient is likely included to improve the texture of the product, as is sunflower lecithin.
Overall, this air-dried cat food is rich in protein and healthy fats with moderately low carbohydrate content but it doesn’t provide the moisture your cat needs.
Ingredients:
Salmon, Turkey, Turkey Heart, Turkey Liver, Bamboo Fiber, Sunflower Lecithin, Krill Meal, Parsley, Taurine, Vitamin A, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Pyridoxine, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Calcium Iodate, Zinc Proteinate, Magnesium Sulphate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Potassium Chloride, Rosemary Extract.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Rich in species-appropriate animal protein
- Limited number of plant-based ingredients
- Free from fillers and artificial additives
What We Didn’t Like:
- Doesn’t contain the moisture your cat needs
- Fairly expensive
#3 Go! Solutions Dry Cat Food
Part of the Petcurean family, Go! Solutions is a line of pet foods designed to address specific needs. This lineup includes formulas for food allergies, skin problems, and digestive issues.
Go! Solutions offers both wet foods and dry foods for cats. Their recipes are made with ingredients sourced from the United States and Canada, produced in facilities located in both countries as well. All of their meat is sourced from animals deemed fit for human consumption.
Featured Recipe: Go! Solutions Carnivore Grain-Free Chicken, Turkey & Duck Recipe
First 5 Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Deboned Chicken, Deboned Turkey, Duck Meal, Turkey Meal
The Carnivore line from Go! Solutions contains high levels of protein to appeal to your cat’s carnivorous needs. This recipe starts with seven sources of animal-based protein with three additional sources later on the list.
Though this recipe is certainly loaded with protein, there are a significant number of plant ingredients. There aren’t any concentrated plant proteins on the list, but several ingredients like peas and sun-cured alfalfa. Even with all of these plant ingredients, however, the total carbohydrate content is still below average for a dry cat food but still higher than we’d like.
This recipe is free from artifificial additives like colors, flavors, and preservatives. It is, however, supplemented with probiotics to support your cat’s digestion.
Overall, this is a high-protein, moderate fat recipe with below-average carbohydrate content for a dry cat food.
Ingredients:
Chicken Meal, Deboned Chicken, Deboned Turkey, Duck Meal, Turkey Meal, Salmon Meal, Deboned Trout, Chicken Fat, Natural Fish Flavor, Peas, Potatoes, Whole Dried Egg, Potato Flour, Tapioca, Deboned Salmon, Deboned Duck, Salmon Oil, Pumpkin, Apples, Carrots, Bananas, Blueberries, Cranberries, Lentils, Broccoli, Cottage Cheese, Suncured Alfalfa, Sweet Potatoes, Blackberries, Squash, Papayas, Pomegrate, Phosphorus, Salt, Potassium Chloride, DL-methionine, Taurine, Choline Chloride, Dried Chicory Root, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Extract, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Extract, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate, Thiamine Mononitrate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Beta-Carotene, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Zinc Oxide, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Sodium Selenite, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Rosemary.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Packed with species-appropriate animal protein
- Salmon oil for omega-3 fatty acids
- Free from artificial color, flavor, and preservatives
What We Didn’t Like:
- Doesn’t contain the moisture your cat needs
- Significant number of plant ingredients
#4 Smack Raw Dehydrated Cat Food
A Canadian-based pet food company founded in 2008, Smack produces raw dehydrated cat and dog foods. The brand’s story began with a family dog named Zorro who passed away from cancer. Zorro’s life and passing inspired his family to create a line of wholesome and nutritious raw foods that support optimal health so other families don’t have to experience the same heartbreak.
Smack foods are made using a gentle, low-temperature air-drying method. This process preserves more nutrition than freeze-drying and also retains maximum flavor.
Every Smack formula features a limited list of high-quality ingredients including Canadian-grown USDA organic free-range chicken, humanely raised pork, and bone-in wild BC salmon.
Featured Recipe: Smack Purrfect Pork Raw Dehydrated Cat Food
First 5 Ingredients: Pork (Bone-In), Pork Organs (Heart, Liver, Kidney, Tongue
This raw dehydrated recipe from Smack features a single source of high-quality animal protein: pork. In addition to fresh bone-in pork, it contains a handful of pork organs including heart, liver, and kidney.
Aside from these animal-based ingredients, this raw dehydrated food contains several plant-based ingredients. Pumpkin provides dietary fiber to support digestion while an assortment of fruits and vegetables provide essential nutrients to negate the need for synthetic supplements.
This is a high-protein, high-fat formula that contains a limited number of whole-food ingredients. Unfortunately, it doesn’t contain the moisture your cat needs and it is fairly high in carbohydrates.
Ingredients:
Bone-In Pork, Pork Heart, Pork Liver, Pork Kidney, Pork Tongue, Pork Spleen, Pumpkin, Kale, Apple, Celery, Blueberry, Cranberry, Turmeric, Tocopherols.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Packed with species-appropriate animal protein
- Limited number of main ingredients
- Single-source protein recipe, highly digestible
What We Didn’t Like:
- Fairly expensive
- Contains several unnecessary plant ingredients
- Doesn’t contain the moisture your cat needs
#5 Dr. Marty Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food
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Developed by Dr. Martin Goldstein, Dr. Marty pet food is focused on supporting healthy digestion through a macrobiotic diet. With over 40 years of experience in veterinary medicine, Dr. Marty created a line of pet products that support comprehensive wellness including pet foods, supplements, and treats.
Dr. Marty cat food is freeze-dried and made without any artificial ingredients. All ingredients are sourced fresh and gently frozen to preserve the nutrition and flavor.
While Dr. Marty isn’t a Canada-based brand, their production facilities are located in North America, and they ship to Canada for a $9.95 fee.
Featured Recipe: Dr. Marty Nature’s Feast Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food
First 5 Ingredients: Salmon, Turkey, Whitefish, Chicken Liver, Chicken Heart
Gently freeze-dried to preserve the nutritional value and natural flavor of the raw ingredients, this formula is packed with species-appropriate animal protein. Not only is fresh salmon the first ingredient, but the following five ingredients are animal-based proteins as well.
The ingredients list for this product is fairly short, though there are a significant number of plant ingredients included. In fact, the overall carbohydrate content of the formula is fairly high, around 25% on a dry matter basis.
Like all dehydrated foods, this product doesn’t contain the moisture your cat needs for proper hydration. You could try to rehydrate it with water, but some cats dislike the texture.
Overall, this is a moderately high protein, high-fat dehydrated formula with low moisture and moderately high carbohydrate content.
Ingredients:
Salmon, Turkey, Whitefish, Chicken Liver, Chicken Heart, Chicken Gizzard, Sweet Potato, Flaxseed, Egg, Pumpkin Seeds, Peas, Carrot, Apple, Blueberry, Cranberry, Ginger, Salt, Kelp, Sunflower Seeds, Spinach, Broccoli, Kale, Mixed Tocopherols (preservatives).
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- First six ingredients are high-quality animal proteins
- Freeze-dried to retain nutritional value and flavor
- Free from fillers, by-product meals, and artificial additives
What We Didn’t Like:
- Fairly expensive
- Contains unnecessary plant ingredients
- Doesn’t contain the moisture your cat needs
#6 FirstMate Dry Cat Food
Founded in 1989, FirstMate was originally a dog food company. The company is family-owned and operated, based out of British Columbia. The FirstMate brand includes product lines under the names KASIKS and Skoki.
FirstMate sources the majority of their ingredients from North America, the primary exception being their Australian lamb. This brand uses only wild-caught fish and humanely-raised meats to ensure the quality and sustainability of their products.
When it comes to their dry food selection, FirstMate currently offers five recipes for adult cats, indoor cats, and kittens.
Featured Recipe: FirstMate, Chicken Meal with Blueberries Formula Dry Food
First 5 Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Potato, Chicken Fat, Whole Blueberries, Phosphoric Acid
Formulated with chicken meal as the first ingredient, this recipe is a single-source protein dry food. Not only does it contain a single source of animal protein, but it has a limited list of main ingredients which makes it a good option for cats with food allergies or sensitivities.
This FirstMate dry cat food only contains two plant ingredients – potato and blueberries – but the carbohydrate content is still fairly high. This is likely due to the fact that potato is the second ingredient and there are no other added sources of protein.
While blueberries provide antioxidants and essential nutrients, they don’t seem to prevent the need for synthetic supplementation to ensure nutritional balance.
Overall, this food appears to provide a moderate source of animal-based protein and fat with a limited list of ingredients but the carbohydrate content is higher than we’d like.
Ingredients:
Chicken Meal, Potato, Chicken Fat, Whole Blueberries, Phosphoric Acid, DL–Methionine, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Calcium Carbonate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate), Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, D-Pantothenic Acid, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid) Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Propionate, Taurine, Yeast Extract, Kale, Rosemary Extract.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Single source of high-quality animal protein
- Limited list of ingredients
- Chicken fat as a nutritious, animal-based fat source
What We Didn’t Like:
- Doesn’t contain the moisture your cat needs
- Fairly high carbohydrate content
#7 Orijen Dry Cat Food
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Orijen is the flagship brand of Champion Petfoods and it is the largest pet food manufacturer in Canada. The company was originally founded in 1985 by Reinhard Muhlenfeld as an animal feed company catering to local Alberta farmers. As of 2018, however, Orijen had become a major brand with over 500 employees and manufacturing facilities in both the U.S. and Canada.
Headquartered in Alberta, Canada, Orijen aims to create pet foods that provide biologically appropriate nutrition. Their formulas are designed with WholePrey ratios in mind and the first five ingredients are always fresh or raw.
Featured Recipe: Orijen Original Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Turkey, Whole Mackerel, Turkey Liver, Turkey Heart
This dry food formula begins with a long list of animal ingredients. In addition to fresh chicken, turkey, and mackerel, this formula contains an assortment of poultry organ meats including turkey giblets and chicken liver. From there, the list goes on to include eggs and an assortment of dehydrated meats.
While this formula is certainly rich in animal protein and contains several sources of animal-based fats, there are a significant number of plant ingredients. In fact, the carbohydrate content of this formula is pretty high, around 30% on a dry matter basis.
For a brand that supports biologically appropriate nutrition, it’s a little surprising that Orijen doesn’t offer any wet cat food formulas. No dry food can provide the moisture your cat needs, so it’s important to provide your cat with plenty of fresh water.
Overall, this formula provides a concentrated source of animal protein and fat with low moisture and above-average carbohydrate content.
Ingredients:
Chicken, Turkey, Whole Mackerel, Turkey Giblets (Liver, Heart, Gizzard), Flounder, Chicken Liver, Whole Herring, Eggs, Dehydrated Chicken, Dehydrated Turkey, Dehydrated Mackerel, Dehydrated Chicken Liver, Dehydrated Egg, Chicken Fat, Whole Red Lentils, Whole Pinto Beans, Whole Peas, Whole Green Lentils, Whole Chickpeas, Natural Chicken Flavor, Whole Navy Beans, Pollock Oil, Lentil Fiber, Pea Starch, Chicken Heart, Choline Chloride, Dried Kelp, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Proteinate, Whole Cranberry, Whole Pumpkin, Whole Butternut Squash, Collard Greens, Whole Apples, Whole Pear, Freeze-Dried Chicken, Freeze-Dried Turkey, Copper Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Dried Chicory Root, Turmeric, Sarsaparilla Root, Althea Root, Rosehips, Juniper Berries, Citric Acid (Preservative), Rosemary Extract, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Animalis Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Packed with species-appropriate animal protein
- Contains plenty of nutrient-rich organ meats
- Supplemented with animal sources of omega-3 oils
What We Didn’t Like:
- Fairly expensive
- Contains unnecessary plant ingredients
- Doesn’t contain the moisture your cat needs
#8 Gather Free Acres Dry Cat Food
Another brand under the Petcurean umbrella, Gather is one of the company’s newest additions. Featuring sustainably produced, certified organic ingredients, Gather is one of Petcurean’s more premium lines of pet products.
What makes this brand unique is that Gather provides detailed information about their suppliers. For this recipe, Miller Acres provides the organic, free-range chicken which acts as a single source of species-appropriate animal protein.
Featured Recipe: Gather Free Acres Organic Free-Run Chicken Recipe for Adult Cats
First 5 Ingredients: Organic Chicken, Organic Dehydrated Chicken, Organic Peas, Lentils, Chicken Fat
When it comes to high-quality ingredients, this Free Acres recipe from Gather won’t leave you wanting. Not only is this formula made with certified organic free-run chicken as the main ingredient, but there is an assortment of other organic and whole-food ingredients as well.
This recipe is made with non-GMO fruits and veggies, though there are more of them than we’d like. These ingredients contribute to a high carbohydrate content around 30% as fed.
While this formula may have more plant ingredients than we’d like to see, it is free from artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. The ingredients are also free from antibiotics and added growth hormones.
Overall, this is a moderate protein, low fat dry cat food formula low in moisture with above-average carbohydrate content.
Ingredients:
Organic Chicken, Organic Dehydrated Chicken, Organic Peas, Lentils, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Organic Flaxseed, Natural Chicken Flavor, Blueberries, Cranberries, Egg Shell Meal, Vitamins (Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Inositol, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (A Source Of Vitamin C), Thiamine Mononitrate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement), Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Dl-Methionine, Taurine, Dried Rosemary.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Rich in species-appropriate animal protein
- Contains a number of organic ingredients
- Free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
What We Didn’t Like:
- Fairly expensive
- High overall carbohydrate content
- Doesn’t contain the moisture your cat needs
#9 Canadian Naturals Dry Cat Food
A well-trusted brand among pet owners in Canada, Canadian Naturals is a 100% family-owned company. The family has more than 50 years of experience in the pet industry and the company is headquartered in Fraser Valley in Abbotsford, British Columbia.
Canadian Naturals owns their own manufacturing facilities on the West Coast, and they use regionally sourced farm-fresh ingredients. In fact, you can view the information about many of their local suppliers on the company website.
Not only does Canadian Naturals offer a generous selection of premium pet food formulas, but they put the safety of pets first with their Safe Quality Food program. This brand is also devoted to keeping their products affordable for pet owners who seek high quality and great value.
Featured Recipe: Canadian Naturals Turkey & Salmon Cat Recipe
First 5 Ingredients: Turkey Meal, Peas, Potatoes, Chicken Fat, Salmon Meal
Packed with protein from high-quality animal sources, this recipe starts off strong with turkey meal as the main ingredient. Salmo meal appears later on the list along with egg.
Chicken fat is the primary source of added fat, a nutritious option for cats and full of essential fatty acids. Both salmon meal and flaxseed provide some omega-3 fatty acids which support your cat’s skin and coat health.
The downside of this formula is that it contains a significant number of unnecessary plant ingredients, some of which may contribute to the total protein content of the formula (like peas). The estimated carbohydrate content is around 40% on a dry matter basis which is much higher than the average dry cat food formula.
Overall, this appears to be a moderate protein, moderate fat formula with high carbohydrate content that lacks moisture.
Ingredients:
Turkey Meal, Peas, Potatoes, Chicken Fat, Salmon Meal, Natural Flavor, Tomato Pomace, Egg, Flaxseed, Choline Chloride, Phosphoric Acid, Potassium Chloride, DL-Methionine, L-Lysine, Apples, Blueberries, Carrots, Spinach, Tomato, Sweet Potatoes, Cranberries, Broccoli, Pumpkin, Bananas, Brewer’s Yeast, Sodium Chloride, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Rosemary Extract, Taurine, Yucca Schidigera Extract, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Peppermint, Garlic, Parsley, Green Tea Extract, Turmeric, Thyme, Rosemary, Cayenne, Cinnamon, Chamomile.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Several sources of high-quality animal protein
- Made with regionally sourced non-GMO ingredients
- Supplemented with probiotics for healthy digestion
What We Didn’t Like:
- Contains unnecessary plant ingredients
- Doesn’t contain the moisture your cat needs
#10 Amor Human-Grade Air-Dried Cat Food
Founded by Barbara Fellnermayr in Vancouver, Canada, Amor pet foods was inspired by a life of volunteering with local pets. Fellnermayr spent the majority of her career managing the first Vancouver City Pound and then worked at the Coquitlam City Pound.
During her time at the Vancouver City Pound, Fellnermayr worked with the City of Vancouver to release the city’s first no-kill policy. Coquitlam soon followed suit.
Through Amor pet foods, Fellnermayr continues to work for the health and wellness of pets in her local community and throughout Canada. This brand offers a variety of locally sourced, human-grade, air-dried foods made with premium animal proteins and ingredients sourced from regional farms.
Featured Recipe: Amor Cat MEGA Morsels Beef Recipe Air-Dried Cat Food
First 5 Ingredients: Free-Range Beef, Beef Liver, Beef Heart, Carrots, Squash
This air-dried cat food formula features beef as a single source of premium-animal protein. In addition to beef muscle meat, it contains beef liver and beef heart. It’s worth noting that the formula contains eggs as a supplementary source of protein as well, so it might not be truly single-source and could be an issue for cats sensitive to chicken.
All the ingredients included in this Amor recipe are human grade, including the non-medicated beef. The beef is purchased whole and ground in-house to ensure quality.
While beef makes up the majority of this formula, it does contain some unnecessary plant ingredients and contribute to a higher-than-average carbohydrate content. Unfortunately, the product information on the package and the Amor website is a little lacking, so we don’t have exact values.
It’s also worth noting that while this is an air-dried recipe that contains very little moisture, Amor says it can easily be rehydrated with equal parts cold water.
Ingredients:
Free-Range Non-Medicated Beef, Beef Liver, Beef Heart, Carrots, Squash, Yams, Kale, Parsley, Parsnips, Free-Range Eggs, Salmon Oil, Kelp.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Rich in species-appropriate animal protein sources
- Gently air-dried to preserve nutrition and natural flavor
- Made with locally sourced ingredients, meat ground in-house
What We Didn’t Like:
- Contains unnecessary plant ingredients
- Doesn’t contain the moisture your cat needs
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re shopping for cat food in the United States, in Canada, or elsewhere the most important thing to keep in mind is your cat’s nutritional needs.
Cats are obligate carnivores which means they are biologically adapted to a meat-based diet. Animal protein should always be the first ingredient in your cat’s diet food. Plant ingredients should be kept to a minimum (or avoided entirely) with animal-based fats for nutritional balance.
Dry cat food, unfortunately, tends to be higher in carbohydrates than wet food and it doesn’t provide the moisture your cat needs. That being said, it’s a more affordable and convenient option for many cat owners.
If you simply prefer dry cat food, look for a recipe that’s as high in protein and low in carbohydrate as possible and supplement your cat’s moisture intake elsewhere in his diet. We recommend the ten dry cat food formulas reviewed above.
Should you have a little wiggle room in your budget to upgrade your cat’s diet or to supplement it with something a little more species appropriate, consider one of our top picks for the best wet cat food in Canada.
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Orijen in Canada does make wet food now so you should probably update your description. I would not mind a review of their food.
Hi, why is the breakdown for the orijen cat food different here than on the orijen review page?
Thanks for asking, Sue! It looks like the information in this article was outdated, so I’m correcting it!