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.
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.
Also Read: Why We Lab Test Cat Food and How to Interpret the Reports
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.
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!