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.Whether wet, dry, raw, or freshly cooked, the best cat food honors your cat’s needs as an obligate carnivore. It’s rich in animal-sourced protein, has the right amount of fatty acids, and doesn’t spike your cat’s blood sugar with excessive carbohydrates.
After researching feline nutrition and reviewing all kinds of cat foods, we learned which brands and products are worthy of your cat’s bowl—and which ones aren’t.
With taste, nutrition, and quality ingredients always top of mind, here are 10 of the best cat foods you can feel good about feeding your cat.
At a Glance: Best Cat Food to Buy in 2023
Smalls Cat Food
- Fresh food made with human-grade ingredients
- Real, high-quality animal protein
- High in protein and moisture, very low in carbs
Open Farm RawMix
- Open Farm offers superior transparency compared to other brands
- Rich in animal-derived protein
- Seems to be made from high-quality ingredients
Nulo Freestyle Turkey & Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
- Primarily animal-based recipe with low carb content
- Rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration
- Plenty of omega-3 fatty acids for skin and coat health
RAWZ 96% Turkey & Turkey Liver Pate Canned Cat Food
- Made with a single source of animal protein
- Negligible carbohydrate content
- Rich in moisture and animal-sourced fat
Open Farm Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food
- Gently freeze-dried
- Grain-free, legume-free
- 100% traceable ingredients
Caru Classic Turkey Stew Grain-Free Wet Cat Food
- Made with a single source of animal protein
- Rich in hydrating moisture
- Cats seem to like the flavor and texture
Koha Wet Cat Food
- No heavy carb fillers like corn, soy, wheat, or potatoes
- Ideal for sensitive stomachs and inappetent cats who need encouragement to eat
Tiki Cat Puka Puka Luau Succulent Chicken
- Rich in nourishing animal protein
- High moisture content helps to flush the urinary tract
- Low ash shouldn’t contribute to crystal formation
Weruva Truluxe Steak Frites
- Offers a blend of vitamins, minerals, and taurine: essential for your older kitty’s vision and heart health
- Made with grass-fed beef
- 100% grain-free
Wellness CORE Kitten Turkey & Chicken Liver Recipe Classic Pate Review
- Ultra-soft pâté texture is easy for kittens to eat
- Rich in protein and calories
- Hydrating canned food
Top Picks Explained
Why Trust Cats.com
We personally purchased and tested the foods on this list. With hundreds of cat food reviews under our belt, we’ve acquired a strong handle on what makes one cat food rise above the rest. During our research on the best cat foods, we considered a range of feline health concerns and pet parent lifestyles. Then we went to work analyzing ingredient lists, contacting companies directly, and taking a deep look at customer feedback.
While testing these products with our own cats, we examined the food’s texture, smell, consistency, packaging, and of course, palatability.
In addition, we tested several recipes at an ISO 17025-certified food testing and analysis lab. This gives us the precise macronutrient and micronutrient content of each recipe, looking at microbial content, yeast, mold, and heavy metals.
Also Read: Why We Lab Test Cat Food And How To Interpret The Reports
Finally, we consulted seven veterinarians to get their professional opinion on what makes a great cat food.
Our Veterinary Advisors:
- Dr. Sarah Wooten, DVM, CVJ
- Dr. Chris Vanderhoof, DVM, MPH
- Dr. Sarah Reidenbach, DVM
- Dr. Chyrle Bonk, DVM
- Dr. Jamie Whittenburg, DVM
- Dr. Albert Ahn, DVM
- Dr. Elizabeth Youens, DVM
The Best Cat Food on the Market: Our Top 10 Picks
At the top of the list is Smalls Cat Food. It’s hard to beat this wet food’s combination of outstanding protein content, emphasis on animal-sourced ingredients, and the exclusion of additives that might harm your cat over time.
Our rankings are determined by a variety of factors, including quality of ingredients, price, and popularity, among others. Each cat will have different needs and preferences, so while Smalls is our top choice, it may not be ideal for your unique cat. To help you choose the right food for your cat, we’ve broken down our recommendations by type, price category, and other key considerations.
#1 Overall Best: Smalls Fresh Cat Food
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 15.5% Min
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Calories Per Ounce: 40
- Typical Cost Per Day: $4.00
Smalls is a fresh cat food delivery service that uses human-grade ingredients, including premium proteins like chicken, turkey, and fish. Choose from minced-style recipes or classic pâté to provide your cat with protein-rich, low-carb cat food that’s formulated for cats of all life stages. In addition to their fresh food, Smalls offers a selection of freeze-dried cat foods, treats, and meal toppers.
The brand’s Fresh Ground Bird recipe features chicken and chicken liver as its top two ingredients. The only carbohydrate ingredients are peas, green beans, and kale, all naturally grain-free and rich in nutrients. This formula is high in protein, low in carbs, and rich in moisture.
Though Smalls doesn’t portion out your cat’s meals for you, they do provide detailed feeding recommendations according to your cat’s calorie requirements. Each package contains about 16 ounces of food, with markings on the package at 50-calorie increments. Smalls cat food is delivered frozen, so you’ll need to thaw the package overnight in the fridge first before feeding.
When you place your first sample order, Smalls offers free treats for life. You can adjust your meal plan, pause deliveries, or cancel your subscription through the customer portal, via email, or by text.
Ingredients
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Chicken Liver, Chicken Hearts
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Peas, Canola Oil
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Fresh food made with human-grade ingredients
- High-quality animal protein
- High in protein, very low in carbs
- Moisture-rich
What We Didn’t Like:
- Only available through a meal plan subscription
- Doesn’t offer phone support
#2 Best Dry Food: Open Farm RawMix
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 38% min
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Calories Per Ounce: 105
- Typical Cost Per Day: $1.15
Open Farm is a newer pet food brand that’s earned our respect with excellent transparency and end-to-end quality, including detailed information on ingredient sourcing, partnerships with ethical suppliers, and typical analyses available for each recipe.
What distinguishes Open Farm’s RawMix from other dry foods is its inclusion of freeze-dried raw ingredients. The line’s Grain-Free Open Prairie recipe features nutrient-packed kibble coated in a blend of bone broth and freeze-dried raw meat.
While this formula is carbohydrate-heavy, we like that it contains more animal-derived protein than other Open Farm formulas. This recipe derives its animal protein from chicken, turkey, and menhaden fish meal. Additional protein comes from chicken liver, chicken neck, and whitefish meal. This recipe is fairly low in fat, so it isn’t as calorie-dense as others on this list.
If you’ve been following Cats.com for a while, you may notice that this food has replaced Dr. Elsey’s cleanprotein dry food as our favorite kibble. While the Open Farm food is less carnivore-oriented and higher in carbohydrates, we were concerned by a string of complaints about Dr. Elsey’s food.
While new customers will probably have a great experience with Dr. Elsey’s, a lot of existing customers had trouble with an apparent change in texture and flavor, and they found that their cats were no longer interested in eating it.
Read our full Dr. Elsey’s review here.
Ingredients
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Turkey, Menhaden Fish Meal, Ocean Whitefish Meal, Chicken Liver, Chicken Neck, Turkey Gizzard
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Peas, Chickpeas, Lentils, Coconut Oil, Sunflower Oil
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Open Farm offers superior transparency compared to other brands
- Rich in animal-derived protein
- Seems to be made from high-quality ingredients
What We Didn’t Like:
- Fairly pricey option
- Main sources of added fat are plant-based: coconut oil and sunflower oil
- High in carbohydrates
#3 Budget Pick: Nulo Freestyle Canned Cat Food
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 11% Min
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Calories Per Ounce: 35
- Typical Cost Per Day: $1.62
For an affordable option that doesn’t compromise on quality, consider moisture-rich Nulo Freestyle Wet Food. Nulo’s Turkey and Chicken Recipe is meat-based and features fresh turkey, chicken, and chicken liver with supplemental protein from fresh tuna. Menhaden fish oil is a species-appropriate source of omega-3 fatty acids to help support your cat’s skin and coat.
While this recipe does contain a few added plant ingredients, the overall carbohydrate content is still low—especially in comparison to the average dry food. It doesn’t contain grains or difficult-to-digest beans and legumes, but it does contain added fiber from cranberries and pumpkin.
The fiber content of this recipe is within the appropriate range for cats but it’s worth noting that certain starchy thickeners like guar gum have been linked to soft stools in some cats. That said, based on customer reviews, cats mostly enjoy this recipe and tend to tolerate it well.
Ingredients
Ingredients We Liked: Turkey, Chicken, Turkey Liver, Tuna, Menhaden Fish Oil
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Guar Gum
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Primarily animal-based recipe with low carb content
- Rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration
- Plenty of omega-3 fatty acids for skin and coat health
- Doesn’t contain grains, fillers, or artificial additives
What We Didn’t Like:
- Somewhat expensive
- Guar gum may cause soft stools in some cats
#4 Premium Pick: RAWZ Canned Cat Food
- Made In: Thailand
- Guaranteed Protein: 11% Min
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Calories Per Ounce: 37
- Typical Cost Per Day: $3.25
RAWZ Wet Cat Food is made in a human-grade food facility, with zero meat by-products, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. Another factor that sets this line apart from other wet food brands is that it isn’t thickened with carrageenan (linked to intestinal inflammation) or gum thickeners like guar gum and xanthan gum (known to cause loose stools).
The RAWZ Chicken and Chicken Liver Pâté is made with 96% chicken and chicken liver. The recipe’s single protein makes RAWZ a good choice for cats with food allergies or sensitivities. And the high moisture content and short ingredient list make it easily digestible as well.
This recipe also contains fenugreek seeds and dandelion greens, but given the low carbohydrate content of the food overall, they don’t appear to contribute significantly in terms of the product’s composition.
Some cat owners may also appreciate that RAWZ donates 100% of their profits to benefit individuals who have experienced spinal cord or traumatic brain injuries. A portion of the proceeds goes toward providing these individuals with service dogs.
Ingredients
Ingredients We Liked: Turkey, Turkey Liver
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Made with a single source of animal protein
- Negligible carbohydrate content
- Rich in moisture and animal-sourced fat
- Contains 96% turkey and turkey liver
What We Didn’t Like:
- Fairly expensive, over $3.00 per day
- Some reviewers don’t like the food’s consistency
#5 Best Raw: Open Farm Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 47%
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Calories Per Ounce: 142
- Typical Cost Per Day: $4.17
Open Farm has an outstanding reputation for transparency and safety. If you want to give your cat the benefits of raw, they offer a freeze-dried line that’s prepared from high-quality ingredients and delivers on nutrition. Their Chicken and Salmon Freeze-Dried Recipe is made with free-range chicken and sustainably sourced wild salmon.
What’s more, Open Farm is refreshingly transparent with its sourcing. To get a true picture of what you’re putting in your cat’s bowl, customers can trace where each ingredient comes from on the company’s website.
During the freeze-drying process, moisture is removed, so we always recommend rehydrating with warm water.
Ingredients
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken with Ground Bone, Salmon, Chicken Neck, Chicken Liver, Taurine
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Salt
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Gently freeze-dried
- Grain-free, legume-free
- 100% traceable ingredients
- Rich in animal-derived protein
- Organic fruits & vegetables are always 100% non-GMO
What We Didn’t Like:
- Low moisture content before rehydration
- Expensive
#6 Best for Picky Eaters: Caru Classic Turkey Stew Grain-Free Wet Cat Food
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 11% Min
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Calories Per Ounce: 30
- Typical Cost Per Day: $4.50
Cats can be finicky in their food preferences; some prefer certain types, flavors, and textures. If you’re having trouble getting your cat to eat traditional canned or dry cat foods, this stew-style recipe from Caru might pique their interest.
Caru’s grain-free Turkey Stew is made with a single source of animal protein: fresh turkey. The food is gently cooked in turkey broth for flavor and moisture, so it supports your cat’s hydration as well. That said, some reviewers comment that the food contains too much liquid and verges on soupy. When it comes to the texture of cat food, your cat has the final say. It also doesn’t hurt that the dry matter carbohydrate content of this recipe is very low, under 5%.
This wet cat food is pretty expensive, costing over $4 a day to feed your cat. It does, however, come in resealable cardboard cartons rather than cans, so it’s easy to store the leftovers if you prefer to mix it with another food.
Ingredients
Ingredients We Liked: Turkey, Egg Whites
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Tapioca Starch
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Made with a single source of animal protein
- Rich in hydrating moisture
- Cats seem to like the flavor and texture
- Very low carbohydrate content
What We Didn’t Like:
- Fairly expensive
- Cardboard cartons can be tricky to open
#7 Best for Sensitive Stomachs: Koha Wet Cat Food
- Made In: Canada
- Guaranteed Protein: 8% min.
- Age Range: Adult cats
- Calories Per Ounce: 38
- Typical Cost Per Day: $2.70
With just one protein, Koha Limited Diet wet foods are a good match for cats with digestive problems or food sensitivities. They boast a high moisture content and up to 96% real meat for your little carnivore.
Koha’s Limited Ingredient Duck Pâté is made with a single meat source, making it easier to digest. The recipe also includes New Zealand green-lipped mussels for joint support, cranberries for urinary health, and pumpkin for digestive health. It has a decadent, creamy texture and taste that should appeal to most cats, even those who need encouragement to eat.
Ingredients
Ingredients We Liked: Duck, Green-Lipped Mussel, Taurine, Tumeric
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- No heavy carb fillers like corn, soy, wheat, or potatoes
- Ideal for sensitive stomachs and inappetent cats who need encouragement to eat
What We Didn’t Like:
- Some recipes can be extremely expensive
- High in phosphorus
#8 Best for Weight Loss: Tiki Cat Puka Puka Luau Wet Food
- Made In: Thailand
- Guaranteed Protein: 16% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 25
- Typical Cost Per Day: $4.50
If you’re looking for a healthy way for your cat to lose weight, the right food can help. Consider Tiki Cat’s Puka Puka Luau Wet Food. The protein content of the brand’s Succulent Chicken Recipe is incredibly high at about 80% measured as dry matter, and there is no significant carbohydrate content. It’s definitely worth noting the very low calorie and fat content of this food.
This recipe from Tiki Cat is low in ash, which will help lower the risk of urinary crystal formation. This recipe also has enough moisture to flush the urinary tract and has a species-appropriate pH that won’t cause crystal formation.
We’ll admit, this food is very expensive to feed as a staple diet. However, the cost may be less than a prescription diet formulated to support urinary tract health.
Ingredients
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Sunflower Seed Oil
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Rich in nourishing animal protein
- High moisture content helps to flush the urinary tract
- Low ash shouldn’t contribute to crystal formation
- Species-appropriate pH helps keep things in balance
What We Didn’t Like:
- Contains sunflower oil instead of species-appropriate animal fat
- Low fat content isn’t right for every cat
- Very low in fiber
#9 Best for Seniors: Weruva Truluxe Steak Frites
- Made In: Thailand
- Guaranteed Protein: 10% min.
- Calories Per Ounce: 21
- Typical Cost Per Day: $6.00
Weruva wet foods are known for high moisture levels and animal-based proteins. Their Truluxe line is regarded as the brand’s highest-quality foods, made with unique meats and an emphasis on hydration.
Weruva’s Truluxe Steak Frites Dinner with Beef & Pumpkin is served in a sumptuous gravy—which not only entices reluctant eaters to finish their dinner, but also adds moisture to your senior cat’s diet.
What sets this food apart from the rest is its low phosphorus content. While still above AAFCO’s minimums for adult cats, the food has lower phosphorus content than most. This may help to support kidney health. The soft food is also easier for cats with dental problems to eat.
Ingredients
Ingredients We Liked: Beef Broth, Beef, Taurine
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Potato Starch, Carrot
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Offers a blend of vitamins, minerals, and taurine: essential for your older kitty’s vision and heart health
- Made with grass-fed beef
- 100% grain-free
- Carrageenan-free
- Free from artificial ingredients and meat by-products
What We Didn’t Like:
- Very expensive option
#10 Best for Kittens: Wellness CORE Kitten Classic Pâté
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 12% Min
- Age Range: Kitten
- Calories Per Ounce: 36
- Typical Cost Per Day: Up to $5.00
Wellness CORE’s Chicken, Turkey, and Chicken Liver Recipe has everything we look for in kitten food. It’s loaded with nourishing animal protein from turkey, chicken liver, chicken muscle meat, and chicken meal. The dry matter carbohydrate content is below 10%, and it’s a hydrating source of moisture.
While menhaden fish oil is the primary added fat in this recipe, herring also supplies animal-sourced omega-3 fatty acids. Both are strong sources of DHA, which contributes to brain and eye development in kittens. Omega-3s also play an important role in supporting healthy skin and coats in cats.
This recipe doesn’t contain any grains or starchy beans, peas, or legumes.
At over 50% crude protein measured as dry matter, this recipe is formulated to support the development of lean mass. It’s also calorie-dense enough to fuel your kitten’s growth at about 36 calories per ounce.
Ingredients
Ingredients We Liked: Turkey, Chicken Liver, Chicken, Chicken Meal, Herring, Menhaden Fish Oil
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Guar Gum, Cassia Gum, Xanthan Gum
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Ultra-soft pâté texture is easy for kittens to eat
- Rich in protein and calories
- Hydrating canned food
- Supplemented with fish oil as a species-appropriate source of DHA
What We Didn’t Like:
- Can be quite expensive when feeding a hungry kitten
What to Consider When Buying Cat Food
Choosing great cat food starts with an understanding of your cat’s unique nutritional needs as an obligate carnivore. Veterinarian Dr. Lizzie Youens, BVSc, MRCVS explains, “Our domestic pet cats have not altered their physiology much from their wildcat ancestor.” In other words, they crave meat.
According to Dr. Youens, cats gain most of their energy from protein, rather than carbohydrates; they use fats to process certain vitamins and nutrients. “An extra point to consider for our feline friends is that they cannot make certain amino acids, such as taurine, and so they must be provided as part of their balanced diet.”
When weighing your options, Dr. Chris Vanderhoof, DVM, MPH, a veterinarian practicing at VCA Centreville Animal Hospital, recommends asking yourself the following:
- What life stage is my cat in (kitten, adult, or senior)?
- If a senior, does my cat have any specific nutritional needs that a diet can address, such as muscle loss or arthritis?
- Does my cat have any medical conditions that can be addressed with a particular diet?
- Is this cat food nutritionally balanced? (Does it carry an AAFCO statement, and is it meeting at least the minimum nutritional requirements for my cat’s life stage?)
- Does this cat food have a moderate caloric density (especially important for indoor cats)?
- Is this a food that my cat loves and will gladly eat?
Keeping these parameters in mind, here’s what to look for when choosing the best food for your cat.
Look for Low Carbohydrate Content
Cats primarily utilize protein and fat as energy sources. While they can metabolize carbohydrates, high carbohydrate content is not a part of the natural feline diet. There’s little evidence that high-carb foods are harmful, but they’re also not necessary. We prefer foods that model a cat’s ancestral diet.
Choose High-Quality Protein
It helps to understand the difference between crude protein and digestible protein. Digestibility values, not percentages in the guaranteed analysis, are key to measuring nutritional value. For example, an egg and a feather may share the same protein values on a label’s guaranteed analysis. But an egg (unsurprisingly) is far more digestible and nourishing than a feather. For that reason, we prefer foods that incorporate high-quality, clearly-named protein sources.
Avoid Animal By-Products
Animal by-products are one of the most misunderstood ingredients in cat food. While many common by-products are highly nourishing and delectable to cats, digestibility and quality control are major concerns.
Vaguely-specified ingredients may be produced from any number of animal parts. Besides not knowing what type of animals contributed to the by-product stew, you don’t know if it contains more wholesome liver or nutritionally weak chicken feet. To ensure maximum protein digestibility, avoid purchasing cat foods with meat by-products and other vaguely-named ingredients like “meat”, “poultry”, and “meat and bone meal”.
Choose Minimal Plant Protein
While it’s unclear exactly where each source of plant protein lies on the digestibility spectrum, we do know that protein from peas, potatoes, and other plants is less efficient than that from animal ingredients. While a single prey animal offers all the amino acids a cat needs, plant ingredients need to be combined with animal protein and synthetic additives to recreate that mix of amino acids. Furthermore, many cat guardians report that their cats have less waste when they’re eating a diet composed primarily of animal-sourced protein.
Prioritize Moisture-Rich Foods
Our cats’ ancestors were desert dwellers. Because fresh water was scarce, early wild cats evolved to have low thirst drives and a natural inclination to get their water from the moisture-rich bodies of their prey. This means that they typically don’t drink enough water to compensate for moisture-depleted dry food.
Favor Foods Free Of Harmful Ingredients
Artificial flavors and colors are unnecessary and have been tied to health consequences for both humans and animals. Some preservatives may also be of questionable safety. For example, BHA is considered safe in animal feed for all species except for cats due to inadequate safety data. Most pet foods have replaced them with natural alternatives including Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols), rosemary extract, and other antioxidants.
Seek Brands With Trustworthy Reputations
While it doesn’t tell us everything about the brand, a company’s recall history provides key insights into its ethics, safety standards, and the quality of its products. If a company faces voluntary, or worse—mandatory—recalls every five years, purchasing from that company could subject your cat to three or more potentially harmful slip-ups during their lifetime. A communicative, transparent company isn’t afraid to share this information with its customers.
Additionally, it’s helpful to check out what other consumers are saying about the brand. Through social media, blogging, reviews on retail platforms, and sites like Consumer Reports, pet parents can easily share their complaints or praises with the world.