Last updated May 8, 2024
Kirsten McCarthy / Cats.com
If you’re worried that you can’t afford to feed your cat well, you’ve come to the right place. It IS possible to feed your cat great food on a skinny budget.
After years spent studying the cat food industry, identifying which brands are and aren’t worth the money, and which economy brands are quietly turning out great products, we’ve identified a few affordable foods that are outperforming their pricier competitors.
At a Glance: Best Cheap Cat Food 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.
Dave's Pet Food Naturally Healthy Grain-Free Turkey Formula Canned Cat Food
- Contains over 45% dry matter protein from animal sources
- Rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration
- Affordably priced around $0.27 per oz when you buy larger cans
Nulo Freestyle Turkey & Chicken Grain-Free Canned Cat and Kitten Food
- First five ingredients are all animal-based
- Rich in hydrating moisture
- Menhaden fish oil provides plenty of omega-3s
Kirkland Signature Maintenance Cat Chicken & Rice Formula
- Very economical, costs under $0.25 per day
- Relies primarily on animal-sourced protein and fat
- Free from potatoes, peas, and plant proteins
BFF Tuna & Pumpkin Valentine Dinner in Gravy Canned Cat Food
- Primarily made from tuna, a readily-digested animal ingredient
- Doesn’t contain any animal by-products or low-value animal ingredients
- Free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives that might harm your cat over time
Purina ONE Chicken Recipe Paté Natural Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
- All five main ingredients are animal-based
- Rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration
- Affordably priced and easy to find in stores and online
Fancy Feast Flaked Fish & Shrimp Feast Canned Cat Food
- Extremely low carbohydrate content
- Free of carrageenan, artificial colors, artificial flavors, and other potentially-harmful additives
- Rich in nourishing animal protein
Wellness Complete Health Pate Chicken Entree Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
- Contains a mix of muscle meat and organs
- Primarily made from nourishing animal ingredients
- Relatively low carbohydrate content
Why Trust Cats.com
Mallory Crusta / Cats.com
We’ve reviewed over 200 of the world’s most popular cat food brands and hundreds of different formulas. We’ve spent hours researching, contacting pet food companies, analyzing labels, and reading customer reviews. With the help of our cats, we also got hands-on experience with most of these foods.
Finally, we consulted 7 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
How We Tested
We personally purchased and tested the products on this list. The entire testing process was funded by Cats.com without direct input or influence from the companies involved.
When researching cat food, we analyze the information on the label, including the guaranteed analysis, list of ingredients, and life stage designation. We also consult customer reviews for insight regarding reformulations or issues with product quality and check for product recalls.
During our in-depth testing, we make observations about the product’s appearance, texture, consistency, smell, and packaging. We also feed the food to our cats to get their opinion regarding palatability and general appeal.
Top Picks Explained
We’ve updated our recommendations since its release, but the video below provides an in-depth look at some of the brands on this list.
Topping our list of the best affordable cat food is Dave’s Pet Food Naturally Healthy Grain-Free Chicken Formula Canned Food. For the price of a can of Fancy Feast, you get a simple, meat-based meal on par with those from spendy brands like Tiki Cat and Weruva.
Some companies suggest that expensive food is an investment in your cat’s health. The implication is that by paying top dollar now, you’ll save thousands in vet bills later. While buying low-quality cat food could cause ill health, not all low-cost food is low-quality.
Also Read: How Much Does It Cost To Own A Cat
Top 7 Best Affordable Cat Foods
The following are moisture-rich, low-carbohydrate foods that should support long-term health. They’re also some of the cheapest foods on the market. Win-win.
#1 Overall Best: Dave’s Pet Food Naturally Healthy Grain-Free Turkey Formula Canned Cat Food
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 10% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 33
- Typical Cost Per Day: $1.85 per day
Priced under $0.27 per oz when you purchase it in 12.5-ounce cans, this turkey recipe from Dave’s Pet Food is a budget-friendly pick. Turkey muscle meat is the primary ingredient, followed by nutrient-rich chicken liver and chicken as a source of supplemental protein. Chicken broth is a flavorful alternative to water as this recipe’s main moisture source.
Measured as dry matter, this formula contains over 45% protein. The food doesn’t contain added fat, but the dry matter fat content is still significant at nearly 23%. This helps increase the food’s calorie density to around 33 calories per ounce.
Given its low cost and calorie density, Dave’s Pet Food is a great choice if you’re trying to feed your cat well on a budget. Other products might cost less per ounce, but their lower calorie content means you’ll need to feed your cat more to meet their needs.
Ingredients
Turkey, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Chicken, Guar Gum, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Agar-Agar, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Minerals (Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Potassium Iodide), Choline Chloride, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid), Cranberries, Blueberries, Taurine, Dried Squash, Zucchini, Sodium Carbonate.
Ingredients We Liked: Turkey, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Chicken
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Guar Gum
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Contains over 45% dry matter protein from animal sources
- Rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration
- Affordably priced around $0.27 per oz when you buy larger cans
- Short list of simple ingredients, easily digestible
What We Didn’t Like:
- Guar gum causes loose stools in some cats
- Could benefit from an animal source of omega-3s
#2 Best Wet: Nulo Freestyle Turkey & Chicken Grain-Free Canned Cat and Kitten Food
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 11% Min
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Calories Per Ounce: 35
- Typical Cost Per Day: $1.94 per day
With its high concentration of animal protein, healthy fat, and moisture, this Nulo Freestyle recipe is a species-appropriate choice that won’t break the bank. It costs as low as less than $0.30 per ounce when you buy the 12.5-ounce cans – buying smaller quantities increases the price.
In fact, on a per-calorie basis, this food is even cheaper than some of the most popular recipes from Fancy Feast, making it a surprisingly accessible high-quality option.
This canned food formula starts with five animal ingredients, including turkey, chicken, and chicken liver. Menhaden fish oil provides an excellent source of animal-sourced omega-3 fatty acids to support your cat’s skin and coat health.
This recipe is lower in carbohydrates than many wet cat foods in its price range, measured under 20% as dry matter. It does, however, contain guar gum as a binder – this ingredient has been known to trigger loose stools in some cats.
Overall, this is a high-protein, high-fat formula with moderate carbohydrate content. It’s also a moisture-rich recipe that supports your cat’s hydration and should be easy for most cats to digest.
Ingredients
Turkey, Chicken, Turkey Liver, Turkey Broth, Tuna, Natural Flavor, Guar Gum, Potassium Chloride, Agar Agar, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Cranberries, Pumpkin, Menhaden Fish Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Tomato, Dried Kelp, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Salt, Iron Proteinate, Sodium Carbonate, Zinc Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin E Supplement, Magnesium Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Niacin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Rosemary Extract.
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:
- First five ingredients are all animal-based
- Rich in hydrating moisture
- Menhaden fish oil provides plenty of omega-3s
- Under 5% total carbs as fed
What We Didn’t Like:
- Contains a few unnecessary plant ingredients
- Thickened with guar gum and agar agar
#3 Best Dry Food: Kirkland Signature Maintenance Cat Chicken & Rice Formula
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 30% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 115
- Typical Cost Per Day: $0.13 per day
Cats have naturally low thirst drives, so a wet food diet is ideal for supporting your cat’s hydration. If a canned food diet simply isn’t in the budget – or if your cat just won’t eat anything else – dry food may be an option.
This kibble from Kirkland Signature has many of the characteristics you’d expect from a commercial dry cat food. It’s low in moisture and very high in carbohydrates. Unlike many cheap dry foods, however, the carbs in this recipe come from grains rather than potatoes, peas, or legumes. This food also doesn’t contain any plant proteins like pea protein concentrate.
While certainly not the most species-appropriate choice for cats, this dry food is free from red flag ingredients. It relies on animal-sourced fat and contains probiotics which may provide some digestive support.
What really puts this recipe on our list, however, is the price. At just $0.13 per ounce, it should only cost you about $0.22 per day to feed a 10-pound cat.
Ingredients
Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Ground White Rice, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Chicken Flavor, Flaxseed, Sodium Bisulfate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Dried Chicory Root, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Animalis Fermentation Product, Zinc Proteinate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Potassium Iodide, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Manganous Oxide, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin D Supplement, Folic Acid.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Chicken Fat
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Very economical, costs under $0.25 per day
- Relies primarily on animal-sourced protein and fat
- Free from potatoes, peas, and plant proteins
- Doesn’t contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
What We Didn’t Like:
- High in carbohydrates
- No dry food provides the moisture your cat needs
#4 Upgrade Wet Food: BFF Tuna & Pumpkin Valentine Dinner in Gravy Canned Cat Food
- Made In: Thailand
- Guaranteed Protein: 12% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 24
- Typical Cost Per Day: $2.37 per day
If you’re on a very tight budget, the BFF Tuna & Pumpkin Valentine Dinner in Gravy Canned Cat Food recipe above is a decent option. Should you have a little more wiggle room with your finances, however, you can give your cat a significant upgrade on quality while keeping your daily feeding cost around $3.08 per day .
This recipe contains a mix of minced tuna and pumpkin. It’s a chunky stew thickened with potato starch, stabilized with xanthan gum, and made nutritionally complete with all the vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that adult cats need to thrive.
With a hearty combination of pumpkin and tuna and a chunky texture cats love, this food is a delicious option that even picky eaters seem to love. In terms of macronutrient distribution, this is one of the better products in the OMG line. Its carbohydrate content is a little higher than we’d like, but 12% carbohydrates is better than most foods on the market. Though this food doesn’t contain any added oils or fats, the natural richness of pumpkin and tuna make it one of BFF’s fattier recipes. It’s over 12% fat on a dry matter basis.
Ingredients
Tuna, Water Sufficient For Processing, Pumpkin, Potato Starch, Sunflower Seed Oil, Calcium Lactate, Xanthan Gum, Choline Chloride, Tricalcium Phosphate, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Nicotinic Acid (Vitamin B3), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Ferrous Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Manganese Sulfate, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Copper Sulfate, Folic Acid, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source Of Vitamin K), Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement.
Ingredients We Liked: Tuna
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Potato Starch, Sunflower Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Primarily made from tuna, a readily-digested animal ingredient
- Doesn’t contain any animal by-products or low-value animal ingredients
- Free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives that might harm your cat over time
- Low carbohydrate content
- Low calorie content makes it a good option for cats who need to lose weight
- A moisture-rich, hydrating food
What We Didn’t Like:
- Fish-based foods aren’t ideal for long-term feeding
- Low in animal-sourced fat
#5 Best Pate: Purina ONE Chicken Recipe Paté Natural Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 11% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 31
- Typical Cost Per Day: $2.48 per day
This Purina ONE chicken recipe paté is primarily composed of chicken and chicken liver. The formula also contains pork lungs and fish, though the type of fish is unspecified. This food is free from plant ingredients as well as artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
Not only is this wet food low-carb, but it’s free from the carrageenan used as a thickener in many other low-cost cat foods. It does contain two vaguely named animal ingredients (liver and fish), but all the main ingredients are animal-based.
Purina ONE cat foods are easy to find in pet stores as well as big box stores and some groceries. If you’re looking for an affordable option, this chicken recipe could be a good choice. It’s priced around $0.36 per ounce which adds up to about $2.25 per day for the average 10-pound cat.
Overall, this is a very high-protein, moderate-fat wet cat food with very low carbohydrate content. It’s also high in moisture for hydration and has a smooth paté texture that may be good for senior cats and cats with dental problems.
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.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Liver, Pork Lungs, Fish
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Guar Gum
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- All five main ingredients are animal-based
- Rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration
- Affordably priced and easy to find in stores and online
- Very low carbohydrate content
What We Didn’t Like:
- Contains vaguely named animal ingredients
#6 Best Shredded: Fancy Feast Flaked Fish & Shrimp Feast Canned Cat Food
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 15% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 29
- Typical Cost Per Day: $1.95 per day
If your cat prefers chunky wet food, this Fancy Feast recipe has a shredded or flaked texture they might like. The food has a short ingredient list which makes it easily digestible for most cats.
With no added plant ingredients, this recipe is very low in carbohydrates and it’s a good source of protein and hydrating moisture. It does, however, contain guar gum which has been known to cause loose stools in some cats.
This food contains nearly 80% protein when measured as dry matter but the fat content is very low – under 10%. Even so, the food contains about 29 calories per ounce. The daily feeding cost for this food is a little lower than the previous recipe, about $2.00 per day making it one of the best cat foods for multi cat household.
Overall, this is a very high-protein recipe with low fat and carbohydrate content. It relies primarily on plant-based fat but is free from artificial additives.
Ingredients
Ocean Fish, Fish Broth, Shrimp, Vegetable Oil, Tricalcium Phosphate, Guar Gum, Choline Chloride, Vitamins [Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Vitamin K), Folic Acid, Vitamin D-3 Supplement], Minerals [Ferric Pyrophosphate, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Potassium Iodide], Sodium Nitrite (To Promote Color Retention).
Ingredients We Liked: Ocean Fish, Shrimp
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Vegetable Oil, Guar Gum
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Extremely low carbohydrate content
- Free of carrageenan, artificial colors, artificial flavors, and other potentially-harmful additives
- Rich in nourishing animal protein
What We Didn’t Like:
- Primarily made from vaguely-named ocean fish, which may include low-value fish parts
#7 Best Bulk Buy: Wellness Complete Health Pate Chicken Entree Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 10.5% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 33
- Typical Cost Per Day: $2.24 per day
Once you find a product your cat enjoys, buying in bulk can save you money in the long run. This Wellness Complete Health formula is a great choice for bulk buyers because it comes in 12.5-ounce cans. Smaller cans will cost you more, but a case of 24 large cans averages to about $0.35 per ounce.
This Wellness paté is made from a blend of chicken, chicken liver, and turkey muscle meat. The only other ingredients aside from supplements are carrots, cranberries, and ground flaxseed.
Many customer reviews mention the texture of the food. It’s a very smooth paté texture appropriate for older cats and cats with dental problems. The high moisture content of the food combined with its limited list of ingredients also makes it a digestible choice for cats with sensitive stomachs.
Overall, this is a high-protein, high-fat wet cat food with moderate carbohydrate content. It’s a good source of hydrating moisture and an easy-to-chew choice for cats.
Ingredients
Chicken, Chicken Liver, Turkey, Chicken Broth, Carrots, Natural Flavor, Guar Gum, Cranberries, Ground Flaxseed, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Salt, Cassia Gum, Xanthan Gum, Choline Chloride, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Beta-Carotene, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin E Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Niacin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Chicken Liver, Turkey
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Guar Gum
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Contains a mix of muscle meat and organs
- Primarily made from nourishing animal ingredients
- Relatively low carbohydrate content
What We Didn’t Like:
- Contains some decorative plant ingredients
What Kind Of Food Is A Good Investment In Your Cat’s Health?
There’s no evidence that cheap ingredients directly translate to health problems. For example, you could easily feed your cat food that’s loaded with by-products without ever seeing any health issues as a result.
Instead, the biggest dietary contributors to health problems are low moisture content and high carbohydrate content.
Look For Moisture-Rich Cat Food.
A dry diet, whether it costs four cents an ounce or eight dollars a day, will not provide the moisture your cat needs, increasing his chances of developing lower urinary tract disease. Urinary tract disease is painful and life-threatening.
It’s worth avoiding regardless of financial considerations, but let’s not ignore the fact that treating a urinary tract blockage could cost thousands of dollars.
Wet food is a little bit more expensive than dry food, but it’s worth the added cost. The cheapest wet food is better than the most expensive kibble.
Also Read: Wet vs. Dry Cat Food: What’s Better for Cats?
Think Catkins—Steer Clear Of High-Carbohydrate Foods.
Though the causes of obesity and diabetes are convoluted and not completely understood, we do know that controlling carbohydrate content can help to reduce your cat’s chances of developing both. The value of controlling your cat’s carbohydrate intake is just another reason to opt for wet food instead of dry.
Also Read: The 10 Best Healthy Canned, Soft & Wet Cat Foods
A low-carbohydrate dry food is a rare thing and you’ll pay a pretty penny for it. Low-carbohydrate wet food, however, is the rule rather than the exception, particularly among the cheapest brands on the market.
If you want to save money while reducing your cat’s carbohydrate intake, buying wet food is the easiest and most economical way to do it.
Avoid Potentially-Harmful Additives.
Cheap cat food gets a lot of bad press because it tends to contain animal by-products, but these may not be these foods’ biggest flaw. Instead, their biggest shortcoming may be their tendency to contain potentially-harmful additives like artificial colors, dangerous preservatives, and carrageenan. Avoid these ingredients whenever you can.
We have not tried any of those foods yet.
Are there any affordable dry foods that you recommend?
Hi Keara,
Great question! Though dry foods are never our first recommendation, there are a few options that are both affordable and relatively high-quality. Simply Nourish, American Journey, and I and Love and You are a few brands to consider.
Hope this helps!
– Mallory
I don’t think you should be recommending people feed their cats fish every single day even humans are recommended to not consume too much fish because of Mercury for starters.
I was once recommended by a vet to give my cat Royal Canin and I’ve tried to keep it like that afterwards for all of my cats, but it is expensive and hard to buy when the budget gets low. I see that you recommend wet food. Is it really worth the spending that extra money on the dry Royal Canin or would they be better off with a cheaper wet food like the ones mentioned here?
Hi Noel,
Thanks for your comment.
Based on my experience and research, I would say that yes—it’s better to feed your cats an economical wet food than a relatively expensive dry food like Royal Canin. The problem with almost every dry food, including Royal Canin, is that it has too much of something your cat doesn’t need and too little of something your cat does need.
Those things are, respectively, carbohydrates and moisture.
Dry food loads your cat with carbohydrates, which don’t play well with cats’ mildly insulin-resistant bodies. Eating dry food for a long time may increase a cat’s risk of diabetes. And while it’s spiking blood sugar, dry food is depriving your cat of moisture. For an animal with a limited thirst response and a body not well-made for drinking, a dry diet is a recipe for chronic mild dehydration.
A decent budget-level wet food does neither of those things. It’s low in carbohydrates and, obviously, has plenty of water. Foods like the one on this list are the most convenient way to give your cat species-appropriate nutrition.
As a side note, it’s okay to mix up your cats’ diets. If you can sneak in a few economical wet meals along with the Royal Canin kibble, you may be able to lower your expenses and improve your cats’ diets without making any radical changes.
Hope this helps you to make a decision!
Best,
Mallory
Hi there! I came late into the kitty nutrition game and feel absolutely horrible about the nutrition I gave my cats before I became aware that decent food is an absolute must for preventive care, thus a happy and healthier kitty. However, I am also really broke as I’ve lost my job in April, so I feel your pain lol I was taught by my very patient vets and hours of research that the best plan is a mix of dry and wet food. The dry food helps thier teeth and the wet food for thier nutrition and hydration. The bigger meal should be the wet food, however. Canin is way too rich for my blood and I personally find them , and Hills, kinda gimmicky, which hits my antitrust button. Right now I feed my 6 cats American Journey kibble and wet food. I add in a 1/2 tsp of Honest Kitchens Goat Milk powder to thier wet food. This allows me to add more protein to thier wet food and moisture. Adding too much water can mess up thier liver but by adding the protein powderd milk, I can add in a good bit of liquid without causing them too get imbalanced. I usually add a lil less then 1/4 cup hot water to the milk, and stir into thier wet food dish. My cats weight, health, teeth are in great condition and thier fur is beyond smooth, soft and floofy. The vets/techs can’t keep thier hands off of them at thier visits . They can’t stop remarking about the quality of thier fur. Unfortunately, I have finally run out of my savings which means I will be downgrading thier food once more but because I add in the goats milk I feel that the downgrade won’t be AS bad because they will still get that protein boost. Granted, the less protein in the base food means less overall, even with the goats milk, but it will upgrade a subpar cheap food into an at least a decent food. For me, that goats milk is a life saver and worth every penny. Because I give them a bit less then what’s suggested, one can lasts me about 6ish weeks coming in at 14ish dollars. Something to consider
Hi I’m very interested in why adding to much water will hurt a cats liver? Can anyone tell me?
I wonder about that comment as well, never heard that before. Maybe the vet with ALL ABOUT CATS can confirm or correct that statement so we can all learn from it.
Hi all, I’ve contacted our veterinary team to see if they’ll be able to clear this up. Thanks for asking!
Hi all, Mallory has asked me to weigh in on the comment above about water and cat’s livers.
I’m not sure where the original commenter got their info, but water is not dangerous for a cat’s liver. In fact, as with all animals, water is essential – and, in general, the more the better. The body very carefully controls the amount of water in your cat’s body with their kidneys, which keep the balance of salts and water in the blood just right. Can cats have too much water and overwhelm their kidneys? Whilst ‘water poisoning’ is a thing, it would be impossible to get a cat to drink the necessary quantities to cause this – it only happens in cats very rarely, when the cats are on IV fluids and a machine breaks or an error is made causing the fluid rate to be too high. And this doesn’t cause liver issues, but problems with the brain,
So, water is not bad for cats’ livers. And chronic dehydration will definitely cause problems with the kidneys over time. Encouraging your cats to drink as much water as possible (and giving them some wet food too) is one of the best things you can do to help your cat stay healthy.
One of my cats is a rescue with HIV. He is happy and doing well. But he had to have all his teeth removed. I need to give him food good for cats with HIV but since he has no teeth I would like to give him pate or as close to that as possible. Please recommend a low-cost food for Buster.
Hi Pat,
Thanks for your comment. There are quite a few decent low-cost paté-style foods on the market. In particular, WholeHearted has a wide selection of paté-style foods. These patés are comparable in quality and nutritional value to the shredded recipe on this list. I’m not sure how soft WholeHearted patés are, but you can always thin the food with a splash of warm water if it’s on the drier side. The Simply Nourish paté listed above is also a good option.
Because cats don’t really chew their food anyway, eating without teeth isn’t usually a big problem. As long as Buster’s eating a high-moisture food that’s well-cooked, nutritionally balanced, and not too chunky, he should be comfortable and able to get his meals down easily.
Hope this helps.
Best,
Mallory
Hi Pat, I do cat rescue and have so many that live with me, I don’t want to put them back out. HIV+ cats can live a very long healthy life. I have had several that had all of their teeth pulled. Cats can adjust to just about anything, they eat dry and cans and treats as if they had teeth. Just wanted to share with you as a real person who is not trying to sell you on anything. I have tnr’d over 1000+ cats in my area (not including the domestic cats that I adopted) in the past 25 years. I have seen almost everything. Just my opinion from my experience. Have a wonderful blessed Christmas.
Can you please explain/clarify the crude protein on the can label (i.e., 10%) with your YouTube video analysis of protein content (i.e.,50% protein)? How does that work?
Hi Roberta, that’s a great question. The larger values you’re seeing are calculated on a dry matter basis. That means that they represent the portion of the food made up of a given nutrient if it didn’t contain any water. So, for example, the guaranteed analysis of a typical wet cat food may say that the food is 10% protein, but that percentage takes water into consideration. If there was no water in the food, protein might make up 50% of the total. A nutritionally-identical dry food, however, would have 40% protein content on the label and, well, 50% protein on a dry matter basis. Taking water out of the equation just makes it easier to compare foods. Hope this explanation made sense!
I have 3 indoor cats and 2 outdoor cats. I am considering switching from Blue Buffalo Hairball to the Fancy Feast flaked. One of my indoor cats is a chunker and needs to lose weight. I think this may be more suitable for her since dry food is not ideal because of it’s carb content and lack of moisture. My question is how much to feed the cats since I have 5 and they eat twice a day. These cans are 5.5 ounces each. Is that supposed to be split between two cats? Whatever info you can give would be most appreciated!
Hello Eva, thank you for your comment! I’d recommend using this calculator to find each of your cats’ calorie needs and then working with the calorie content printed on the foods’ labels to decide how much to give each of your cats. Your kitties will each have slightly different requirements, so I can’t say how many cans you’ll need for each of them.
This is a great article, and a fantastic website! I’ve been gathering up all this catfood data on my own, and here you’ve gone and done it for me! AND taught me more about feline nutrition along the way!
After spending $1,500 to save my Moca’s life, I know how important hydration, protein, and low-carb is for a cat. Moca developed crystals in his bladder, which his Vet said was due to the grain-y catfood. We had to make life-long changes to keep him healthy – and as a result, the rest of our Cat Crew has gotten healthier, shinier coats. (And reduced vomiting.)
I don’t consider Moca “allergic” to grains, but SO. MANY. websites like to harp on “grain-free won’t help your cat with allergies.” No, but it will save my overweight kitty with the small bladder from becoming totally blocked. Even so-called “veterinarian” websites harp on how “grain-free is a fad.” Outrageous!!!
But here you’ve explained it so much better than I was understanding it. And the part about the fat coming from animal sources, I wasn’t even on the lookout for that!
So on behalf of Moca (and his brothers Caramel and Butterscotch and Venti)… thank you!
Thank YOU! It’s wonderful to hear that our site has been a good resource for you and your crew. This kind of feedback is very much appreciated. All the best!
– Mallory
Awesome resource—thank you very much!
I have a few specific questions please:
1. On the #1 pick—on the guaranteed nutritional analysis, for Ash content—does n/a mean “not available” as in they don’t track it, or “not applicable” as in only trace amounts?
2. On your picks, is it only the stated flavor and form (pate/chunk/flake) that you recommend? Obviously the nutritional analysis may vary somewhat—
3. I am now looking for the country of origin for your top picks, to try and avoid potentially harmful ingredients. Do you happen to know this? Before reading your article I bought a case of Wellness Signature Selects, shredded chicken and turkey in sauce. I noticed it says Product of Thailand on the case packaging, so I will take that back and get one of your picks instead.
I am currently feeding Sheba Perfect Portions flake/cuts chicken and turkey—because its US origin—but I want to get away from the plastic packaging.
Thanks much,
Karen T
Hello Karen, thank you for commenting! Here are replies to all of your questions:
1. The n/a means “not available”, meaning that we were unable to obtain information on the food’s ash content.
2. Not necessarily—nutritional analyses do vary between recipes, so the answer will depend on the specific food in question. In general, however, other recipes from the mentioned lines should have similar nutritional qualities and should be equally good options for your cat.
3. We don’t have information on all of the ingredient sources of all of the products mentioned here. Working down the list, here’s what we do know. WholeHearted wet foods are made in the United States from ingredients sourced from the United States, New Zealand, South America, and other countries internationally. Simply Nourish wet foods are made in Thailand using primarily Thai-sourced ingredients. Authority foods are made in the United States from domestic and imported ingredients. As you noticed, Wellness foods are made in Thailand. Most Fancy Feast products are made in the United States, but the recipe shown here is manufactured in Thailand. And finally, the Kirkland Signature dry food recipe is made in the United States.
I hope that this helps to give you some clarity!
Best,
Mallory
What’s your feeling about fish or salmon in cat food? Is it safe? My cat loves tuna and salmon. I usually don’t give her cat food with shrimp in it because I’m allergic to shellfish, but I’m more worried about if there are toxins in various fishes.
Hi Susan, great question! Fish-based cat foods do present a few issues, including concerns about heavy metals and other contaminants. It can be difficult to ascertain where the fish in your cat’s food came from, too, which means that you don’t know how the fish was treated. And with so many foods containing generically-named fish of unknown species, that puzzle becomes even more complex. Very often, fish will contain the species of fish most likely to be contaminated—large fish higher on the food chain—but you wouldn’t know that without quite a lot of investigation.
Overall, I would consider fish-based foods to be an acceptable option, but you’re going to want to be cautious and keep the fishy foods a part of a varied rotation, not letting them become the primary food in your cat’s diet. I hope that this wasn’t too muddling—the bottom line is that, yes, there is reason for concern, but that doesn’t mean that these foods are inherently harmful and they certainly don’t seem to be when part of a varied diet including other proteins.
Hope this helps!
Do you know of any wet food comparable to authority? It has been discontinued on chewy, and I’m having trouble finding a food that will cost about this price without sacrificing the quality. (I find other “budget” foods like wellness and fancy feast are actually quite expensive costing $2+ per day)
Hi there, thank you for making us aware of this! WholeHearted’s pate foods may be a good alternative to the Authority food listed here. Of course, you still have Friskies, but that does come with a lot of by-products and additives that you might not want in your cat’s bowl. I hope you can find a good alternative soon.
I have 5 cats. I switched from Authority Pete to WholeHearted chicken flakes since Authority discontinue their Chicken Entree. They love WholeHearted chicken flakes. But as you mentioned, they seems to require more food than regular feeding portion. I am going to try WholeHearted’s Pete next and see how they do. Thank you for your recommendations!
What do you think about pure balance dry cat food(Wild and free chicken recipe to be specific) from Walmart and sheba wet cat food?What dry cat food and wet do you recommend from Walmart?
Hello Lexi, it’s okay, but not fantastic, in my opinion. You can learn more about our thoughts on Pure Balance here: https://cats.com/pure-balance-cat-food-review
I was wondering if you could review the Redford Naturals brand from Pet Supplies Plus? It’s the closest store near me and I’m looking for a budget freindly option to add to our rotation.
Hello Carley, we will consider reviewing it in the near future! Thank you for the request.
How do you feel about Redford Naturals wet food?
Hi Carley, we haven’t looked into this brand in-depth, but we will consider reviewing it in the near future. For now, it appears that their recipes are similar to what you might get from Taste of the Wild—decent, but not perfect. Hope this helps!
Hi Mallory.
Your thorough info is fantastic and helpful! I really appreciate your straight forward style of delivering information.
We feed our two indoor cats a mixed diet of dry and wet- this way, when we occasionally go away for a few days, we can leave out water and dry kibble and they don’t balk at the dry food. (We’ve tried having a friend come in while we’re gone, but unless it’s someone they know well, that seems to cause more stress for them than just leaving out extra food and water.)
On a daily basis, for each meal I give them part dry with some wet and also add a tablespoon of water for extra moisture. For dry we feed Simply Nourish Grain Free (main ingredient is chicken or salmon, not by-products) or sometimes American Journey. For wet, we rotate between Aldi’s Heart to Tail, and homemade, which is either fresh (cooked) salmon skin/meaty scraps from our own human meals or cod or chicken ‘cubes’ which they love. The cubes I make from human grade cod or chicken, steamed without seasoning, then cooled to room temp and run through a blender (including the water used to cook), then freeze in ice cube trays before popping the cubes into freezer bags. It’s easy to thaw one cube for each of them to add to any meal. Because our cats also get commercially prepared cat food with every meal, they are still getting taurine and other key nutrition that may not be in the homemade.
This has been a ‘frugal’ way for me to feed them good quality ingredients. I would love to hear your thoughts on feeding homemade or suggestions for other homemade options. I will also look for the Wholehearted canned food to add into our rotation, because that is definitely a better grade than the Aldi. Thank you so much for the recommendations!
Hi there! Thank you so much for sharing; sounds like you’re doing an excellent job of feeding your cats well while remaining frugal. As for homemade food, I would recommend the following articles:
Making Cat Food: Homemade and Raw Cat Food Diets Explained
6 Delicious Homemade Cat Food Recipes
Hope these help!
– Mallory
Hi I have a question but first a little back story I adopted this kitten around 2 months ago she was outside I socialized her she still lives outside. I bought her pure balance cat food she does eat it but i was maybe thinking i could buy 4health cat food because it is more cheaper and the ingredients are somewhat similar for a cheaper price plus 4health does offer way bigger bags so what do you think would be better sticking to pure balance or buying 4health? My kitten is almost 4 months old
Hihi! I recently rescued my cat, B.B. and I was wondering if you could give your thoughts on the brands: Hills and Applaws
I’ve been watching your cat food videos but a lot of brands recommended aren’t available in my country and I’m not particularly keen on regularly ordering cat food from overseas, the shipping would eventually burn my wallet :”) My vet recommended those two brands and Royal Canin (but you already did a video on this brand haha). I’m currently feeding B.B. Fancy Feast which my vet equated to McDonalds for humans, “tasty but not nutritional” as she said LOL
I’m feeding B.B. Acana’s Indoor Entree and Pacifica dry food too but I’m planning on dropping the Pacifica as I’m questioning if she had an allergic reaction to it, if you could give your thoughts on Acana too that’d be really appreciated <3 Thank you for all the good knowledge!
Hello Sean, thank you for commenting! There’s nothing that I could say in a comment that isn’t already gone over in-depth in the brand reviews for each of these.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition Review
Applaws Cat Food Review
Acana Cat Food Review
Hope you find these helpful! We also plan to review these brands on YouTube very soon. Thanks for being here.
– Mallory
Hi Mallory,
I would love to hear your thought on the brand Fussie Cat (canned/wet food in particular). My holistic-ish vet recommends it but doesn’t sell it (I’m always cautious of a recommendation that a vet sells). She says that, nutritionally, it’s the best she’s found. Would you please do a review of this brand?
Thanks for all of the great information you provide! It’s so helpful.
Hello Kim, thank you for commenting! We haven’t reviewed Fussie Cat, but it is on our list for a review in the very near future. In the meantime, I’ve done a quick round of research. Fussie Cat wet food is relatively good in terms of macronutrient distribution—high in protein without a ton of starchy ingredients—but it does contain carrageenan, which could increase inflammation. As for their dry food, it’s alright, but not perfect. On the positive side, Fussie Cat kibble is free of animal by-products, artificial colors, and other low-value ingredients, but it’s also chock-full of legumes and relatively high in carbohydrates, neither of which are ideal for an obligate carnivore.
Am I looking at this wrong or are the dry weight basis carb contents totally contradicting what the article says?
# 1 pick has 18.75% carbs, # 2 has 11.36, # 3 has 10%???
Love how this website shills for grain-free food when study after study in dogs show grain free foods correlate to heart problems and death. No studies yet on cats, but not unreasonable to make the leap. Cats and other animals have been eating the so-called “bad foods” for decades with no issues whatsoever. Only now in the internet age do we have all these websites claiming that you’re poisoning your pets by feeding them anything other than supposed “all-natural grain-free” crap. Run by people who are not even vets or have any actual credibility in the subject matter. I’d be skeptic of this “unbiased” review website.
Certainly, grain-inclusive foods are not poison, and you’re right—they’ve been nourishing cats for decades. However, the issue with the possible correlation between grain-free diets and DCM in cats is that, just as cats have thrived on grain-inclusive diets for decades, they’ve also been healthy on grain-free diets for centuries. We know from years of research that there is no such thing as a grain deficiency in cats, and the majority of wet cat foods have always been grain-free—they just don’t bear that label or contain any of the trendy ingredients we see in a lot of foods that target the grain-free-oriented consumer. So any correlation between grain-free diets and DCM (which, by the way, does not appear to be nearly as significant an issue in cats as it is in dogs) most likely cannot be directly attributed to the absence of grains. It’s not accurate to simply claim that grain-free foods correlate to heart problems and death. Those who are studying this matter make it clear that the cause is still unknown and that the issue relates to foods that fall into the BEG (boutique companies, exotic ingredients, grain-free) category…not directly to the absence of grains. You can read about it from a veterinary nutritionist here.
Yours was a fantastic reply to the previous comment about the grain-free foods. Not that that person spoke with any kind of authority on the matter, but you with little effort dispelled the validity of the comment. It can be very overwhelming for the average pet owner to make good sense of all, and I do mean all (there is so much), of the pet food nutrition information topic. And statements like the one that poster made do nothing but confuse and mislead people just trying to make the best choices they can for their pets. So again, thank you.
Thank you! I’m glad you appreciated it. 🙂
Could you recommend some good affordable cat treat options, thank you.
Well, I’m totally confused by the same seemingly contradictory info that Nick questioned on 2 Dec 2021. Until recently, I always fed my cats dry food, believing that the nutrition was complete and it was actually better than wet for preventing plaque. HA! I now realize that I was a sucker for advertising BS and that dry food contains far too much carbohydrate to be a healthful option. So now I have a keen interest in the carb content of wet food. However, I can’t begin to understand how you could like the #1 choice (WholeHeart), for its “low carb content” and even rate it #1, when the pie charts show carb percentages by dry weight and calorie content that are actually HIGHER than every other food. And you disliked #2 for having the HIGHEST carbs when it definitely appears to be the third highest. Did the nutritional data somehow get switched around?
Carbohydrate content isn’t listed on the labels of any cat foods I’ve looked at, and I really would like to find a good affordable food.
Thanks
Hi Andy, the text in the article is consistent with the product information and should give you an accurate picture of these foods. However, the pie charts were added later and use a different calculation method, leading to the contradictions you’re seeing. We’re currently reevaluating the way that these charts are created, and you should see greater consistency soon. If you would like to get your own carbohydrate information for a specific food, I recommend entering the information from the guaranteed analysis into this nutrient calculation tool. I’m sorry about the inconsistencies, and we’re doing our best to improve. In the meantime, I hope this information helps. – Mallory
When I had a cat diagnosed with diabetes and was not happy with the treatment nor insulin regimen provided to me by his attending vet, I contacted Cornell for testing advice and food recommendations. They highly recommended Tiki wet cat food as their first choice because it was one of the lowest canned food in carbs and the tuna and fish are human grade and test mercury free. What do I know!! So what is your take on Tiki wet food for cats?? And how about Young Again Dry carb free cat food? Is it testing as they say and can a diabetic cat eat it safely?
Both of those are outstanding options for a diabetic cat. You’re absolutely on the right track, and I’m optimistic about diabetic remission given that combination of foods. Good luck!
I am not sure that is a good source. Wellness has way too much salt to be a healthy cat food. Besides every brand has better and worse choices so good luck finding the good one 🙁
Dry food is appropriate food for a cat? After seeing a cat dying from kidney failure this is so upsetting to read.
Hey there, we haven’t lab tested this particular Wellness recipe, so I can’t comment on its sodium content at this time, but I appreciate this observation. Regarding dry food, we discouraged the use of kibble in this article—a low-moisture diet can be detrimental to a cat’s long-term health, especially when it comes to urinary tract health. At any rate, thank you for commenting.
HI,
Thank you for all you do! In this article the #1 rated Whole Hearted review states low carbohydrate content. But, In your individual review on this canned food you state that it is high in carbohydrates. This is confusing as it is conflicting information. Can you please clarify.
Also, what do you think of Nulo canned food and Weruva Paw Lickin Chicken canned food?
Also, Crave indoor dry cat food?
I am gone 12 hrs a day so I cannot leave canned food out for my cat so unfortunately I do need to give her some dry food while I am away. Otherwise, she is only given canned food.
Hello Mel, thanks for commenting. This article is in need of an update, as we have learned that WholeHearted wet cat food is higher in carbohydrates than initially assumed. At 18% carbohydrates on a dry matter basis, it is, indeed, relatively high in carbohydrates. Nulo is an excellent option, especially if you’re looking for something more budget-friendly. Weruva’s Paw-Lickin’ Chicken is also excellent, though it’s pretty expensive. I wouldn’t recommend Crave’s indoor dry food—you can learn why in our Crave brand review. Instead, I’d recommend opting for kibble from Nulo, Instinct, or any of the other brands listed in our review of the best dry cat food.
Thank you for your time and the information!
Do you have a review on the Nulo dry cat food? I looked but couldn’t find one.
We review a couple of their dry recipes here: https://cats.com/nulo-cat-food-review
Hope this helps!
Hi Mallory, great info but unfortunately my cat inly likes the fancy feast shrimp and fish out of the list. I wanted to ask how you feel about Natural balance platefulls 3oz packages? My cat really likes every flavor of this brand but im concerned it might not be so healthy and wanted your advice. Thank you
Natural Balance Platefulls are rather high in carbohydrates and contain potentially less-digestible plant proteins, so I wouldn’t recommend them very heartily.
Sorry but you’re prices are so far out of date! I looked at a few and for example the authority food is $1.35/ 5.5 ounce can making it .25 cents an ounce and then you’ll need to add the $6 a gallon of gas to drive to the store and get that cat food making a special trip for cat food and driving an hour round trip to find it and spending at least $12 on the gas to get there in my fuel efficient car still seems like a heck of a bad deal! I personally will stick with the Fancy Feast grain free that I can get a few minutes from home while I’m grocery shopping for everyone else including the 4 cats my daughter “rescued” and then left for me to feed and take care of! I do agree with you that dry cat food must isn’t worth it especially if you have neutered male cats! My moms female cats ate dry food for 25 years of their long lives and never had issues 2 of the male cats have stervite crystals! Not stones but they are all eating canned food now!
Hi Rose, thanks for the comment. We’ll go through and check to make sure all of the prices are accurate for 2022.
Fussie Cat wet food is relatively good in terms of macronutrient distribution—high in protein without a ton of starchy ingredients—but it does contain carrageenan, which could increase inflammation.
Mallory, I have been feeding my 8 yr old boy Wholehearted senior recipe for 7 + pate and Wellness pate which was recommended here. However, I just found out about carrageenan being in the senior recipe, which, as you know is a carcinogen and even banned in the UK. I am on a budget, and I thought I had found a couple of good pate foods. Weruva has some great recipes but a lot of them contain potato starch. Maybe it’s not as bad as straight potatoes? With the Wellness, I’m concerned about the cranberries. As we now know, grapes are toxic to pets. But there is conflicting evidence as to why. Some say it’s the ingredient called tartaric acid, which is also in cranberries. So I was hoping you could share your knowledge about this. I feel like I have to find the lesser of the evils.
A few years ago, my male cat “Mohawk” was having urinary tract issues that went on for several years, numerous expensive trips to the vet and eventually surgery. My vet had recommended bags of Royal Canin {RC) dry food. After continued UT issues and pain for poor Mohawk, and frustration on my part, I did my research which confirmed what Mallory has said in these videos. Cats need more moisture to help prevent UT blockages. In nature they get moisture out of their food, but not from dry kibble. Why did my vet recommend dry food? Well, I try to be positive, but honestly… I have noticed in several vet practices I have visited they have this RC food on their shelves. I’m convinced the manufacturer of RC is pushing this stuff on thousands of vets with false claims, steep discounts, “independent” (not!) studies, whatever they need to do to get their food onto shelves and recommended by vets in the practice. I have read anecdotal information in forums from other cat owners that their vet recommended RC for UTI. Even someone has posted here about being recommended the RC food After reading numerous scholarly articles on UT in cats I’m wondering if I now have more UT prevention nutrition knowledge than most vets. Don’t they teach animal nutrition in vet schools? Or is it like with human doctors, they get a short class on nutrition at one time in their education? They veterinarians l know love animals and would never knowingly recommend something detrimental to cats. So why recommend a dry food for cats with UT unless the company that makes it is pushing bad information to practices?
I would like to make two points. 1) The first is a request for All About Cats. Is there anything you can do to educate vets to stop recommending dry kibble for cats with UT issues? In other words, counteract whatever pseudoscience Royal Canin is pushing at them. 2) For folks who have cats who like kibble more than wet food (which most of my six cats do) I add filtered water to their food and sometimes splash in a little unsalted chicken broth. They lick the bowl clean and get their moisture easy-peasy. I don’t even have to wait for the kibble to absorb the water, they drink it anyway. This works with all six of my gatos.
Hey Laura, yep—these are big questions. I think most vets recognize the importance of hydration but recommend dry UT foods because they’re more convenient and accessible, but nonetheless, we can view those foods as nutritionally deficient in a sense, and it’s not right that so many vets nonetheless fail to mention moisture as a key to disease prevention. Most vets don’t receive a lot of nutrition education as part of their standard veterinary training, so you shouldn’t expect the average vet to have that kind of specialization. As for what we can do, I hope that the information we’ve put out so far will help to shift things, but we can think about some more vet-facing content or even other pushes to change this. Thanks for reaching out.
Since the shelves at USA stores are unusually empty, I have been shopping for cat food on line. The products you recommend are literally among the most expensive available. I am not sure how you define “affordable.” We usually keep 4-6 cats, who typically live to be around 20 years old. They function perfectly well on Friskies canned food, and the most economical dry food we can find.
Hi! I am trying to find an inexpensive wet cat food that is best for my mostly indoor cat. I was wondering if you could do a review of the performatrin “Naturals” line- I am wondering if it is better than the performatrin ultra options?
Hello Julia, apologies for the late reply! Yes, we’ll consider covering the Naturals line in addition to the Ultra line! I’ve made a note of this. Thank you!
As of 09/11/22, these prices on the article are outdated, which is weird considering that this article was “updated” on 09/09/22. For example, Nulo is no longer 22 cents an ounce, it is at its cheapest 27 cents an ounce, and that’s if you buy two cases of the 12.5oz cans. Also, the price per ounce is above 30 cents for Wellness as well. I think this article needs another update.
Thank you, Jay. We’re updating the article accordingly.
I must be poorer than I thought. $2 for a can of 5.5 oz cat food is not cheap to me. $1+ for 3 oz food also is not cheap.
I have been feeding my cats Purina Cat Chow Complete and Friskies Pape for a few years but I have so many now with outside fur babies its about 20 and with this inflated economy what can I get
Doesn’t get much cheaper than those two, I’m afraid. Aside from switching to dry food entirely, you may be able to get better deals by shopping for cat food at a food bank or another low-cost resource.
I will never trust someone who reccomends purina. They have knowingly killed so many animals so many pets including my own that anyone claiming they are worth anything is now untrustworthy!
This is the fourth article I have read from this site advising on the best foods for our cats. Firstly, Fancy Feast never should have made it onto this list. The only good from the food is its price. Guar Gum, Menadione Sulfate Bisulfite has no business being in ANY pet food. It causes liver toxicity and damages cell membranes. There are plenty of natural sources of vitamin K that help in the digestinal tract, but they cost a few pennies more so manufacturers go to the synthetic source. And it is my understanding that lungs do not have the same nutritional value as exceeding organs such as kidneys, liver heart. Finally, just based on ethics alone Purina Products should not be on this list either.
I have been thinking of giving my cat raw foods since there are no affordable manufactured foods that are limited ingredients, organic without gums, starches, and grains. Even buying lamb would be cheaper than the WAY OVERPRICED pet foods on the market now. I will have to find a good source of ground bones so my cat gets the calcium and iron that can be lost during the manufacturing high heat, pressure cooking process that many use.
If anyone knows of a source, please reply or make a comment. Thank you ahead of time.
Hi, thanks for the thorough information on some brands of cat food. However, your chosen brands are quite expensive to feed 6 indoor cats and several outdoor feral cats. Special Kitty is only one brand of cat food that uses many fillers but, in my opinion, after viewing the labels for several expensive brands, some do not appear to be that much better. Cat and dog food brands that are of somewhat better quality have prices that are too high which discourages some people from having pets. Thanks
For those of us feeding multiple cats on a limited budget, >$100 for a 12 or 24- can case is *not* affordable. I buy 72 3-oz cans/week for my 4 cats; Fancy Feast has been all I can afford, and right now they’re all turning up their noses at it (I buy 24 flavors, so they have a selection at every meal). All are healthy. I need to find a workable, affordable, sustainable solution, can you help?
It’s difficult, because some of these more “affordable” options do cost more upfront (because you need to buy them in bulk to get the biggest savings). Since your cats are turning down Fancy Feast, they might prefer Sheba. If you have the time to make it, homemade raw cat food can also be a more cost-effective option as well. Wishing you all the best.
When my cat gets finicky with his food, I put some treats that he likes in it and mix it up, and he gobbles it right down.
What I’m looking for that is very hard to find (and reasonably priced) non-GMO wet cat food. I would like reviews on non-GMO wet cat food that even though more expensive, I’d like to know the best options.
I was disappointed to find after I changed to I and Love and You that the ‘feed’ for the animal protein is not known. That tells me that GMO corn/other GMO foods are in the feed and I don’t want that.
Please make a list/video focusing on non-GMO completely (not just partial non-GMO) and price. Thank you.
Hi Elizabeth, that’s a good request! We’ll consider doing a piece on the best non-GMO food. For now I believe Open Farm’s foods (which incorporate a lot of pasture-raised meats) may fit your needs.
Hi, I am looking for a good brand of wet food for my kittens. They’re 3 months old and were eating Fancy Feast Kitten Variety Pack from the shelter and they love it. Since learning about the artificial flavoring and colors in that food, I have stopped feeding it to them and am looking for an alternative that is moisture rich and healthy for them. I also have a 1-year-old cat that I’d like to find a good wet and dry food for. Currently, my 1-year-old and the two kittens are eating Purina One Healthy Kitten dry food which is what the shelter was feeding all of them. I’m not sure if that dry food is good for all 3 of them. Thank you.
Very informative and helpful.
No where in the above discussions is Atta Cat mentioned. We have been feeding feral cats (captured, sterilized and released) Atta Cat for over 20 years and several have been quite healthy over that time period. Granted we don’t know what else they may be eating but we have to refill the feeder fairly often. So we were wondering where you would rate this rather inexpensive dry cat food. The following is their description (sales pitch) for their food:
“Atta Cat! ® Cat food provides your feline friend with 100% complete and balanced nutrition at every stage of their life. Atta Cat! ® Cat food has everything your cat needs to look and feel their best. High-quality protein from natural animal sources promotes muscle health. 23 Essential vitamins and minerals helps promote healthy skin, coat and overall energy. Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids help promote brain functions, organ health, and immune system support.”
What do you say?
When it comes to feeding feral cats, it makes sense to feed the best thing you can afford. In this case, Atta Cat isn’t a nutritionally-optimal diet—we’re seeing a primarily corn-based ingredient list with artificial colors and meat meals. However, it is nutritionally complete and balanced while also being affordable, so I think it’s a good option for cats who wouldn’t otherwise be getting a complete diet. We’ll consider reviewing this brand in depth in the future!
In the previous reply I did not mention that the cat food feeder is inside an insulated shop with a monitored enclosed area, the ‘Kitty Condo’, made with two by fours and chicken wire with a ‘person’ door access in the shop and a ‘cat door’ to the outside that has an opening small enough that the cat really has to want to get inside to get to the food (it has discouraged the racoons so far and the skunks don’t like the smaller opening either for some reason…we have had issues with both in the past). There is also clean unfrozen water and carpeted enclosures available in there for those really cold nights.
Wow, sounds like a wonderful space for the local cats. Seeing as it’s monitored, you should be able to keep an eye on who’s coming in and out, and it sounds like you’re doing a great job of making it a primarily cat-friendly place.
Thank you for the helpful review! I’m moving to the US from England and looking to find decent food that isn’t triple the price of what I pay at home. I’m noticed Natural Value in shops and on Amazon and am wondering if you know much about it? Carrageenan is a named ingredient and I know that can be a controversial one!
Hi Lucy, thanks for the comment! Yes, this is an okay food but quite high in gums, including the particularly-controversial thickener, carrageenan. Again, it’s controversial and not necessarily the worst choice for your cat, so especially as part of a rotation with other diets, it will likely be fine for your cat. You can find similar foods from Costco’s store brand, Kirkland, and some of the other brands on this list. Wishing you all the best with your move and finding a great food for your cat!
Thank you so much!
This quote “The cheapest wet food is better than the most expensive kibble.” spreads misinformation and is completely false. You should be recommending a mix of wet/dry food as opposed to giving people the idea that Friskies wet food for every meal every day is somehow going to be better for your cat than a mix of high/mid quality dry and wet foods. Also, add water to your cats wet and dry food instead of being totally reliant on the products given moisture content.
I’m also confused as to why the top image shows Weruva when it’s not listed in the article at all. I was looking forward to seeing where it was rated on the list so I’m a little disappointed that it was advertised but not talked about.
Finally, Wellness is no where close to being a “cheap” cat food.
All in all I’m pretty disappointed with this article, as I believe it is spreading a lot of false information.
Hi Alyssa, thanks for your feedback! I can see how that comment could be misconstrued. We’re working on updating our product roundups, so we’ll be updating our images to reflect current recommendations and will be going through the content as well. Thanks for bringing this one to our attention!
Purina ONE Chicken Recipe has guar gum, but it is not listed in the ingredients that you don’t like.
Thanks for catching that, Virginia! I’ve fixed that.
Kirkland Signature Maintenance Cat has recently changed their formula, the new kibbles are smaller and darker in colour. I was wondering if it is still the best dry food with the new formula? My two cats have been experiencing health concerns since they switched over and I’m trying to pinpoint if I need to change their food. It seems lately when human food changes it’s to save the manufacturers some money and not increase the quality of the product.