Last updated May 3, 2024
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
The best human-grade cat food is made with human-edible ingredients and processed, stored, and transported in keeping with the best manufacturing practices for human food.
It is also species-appropriate, made primarily with animal-based ingredients to support your cat’s carnivorous needs.
At a Glance: Best Human-Grade Cat Food To Buy
Want a quick look at the best human-grade cat foods reviewed in this article? In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. You’ll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Smalls Ground Bird Fresh Cat Food
- Species-appropriate fresh cat food recipes
- Delivered to your door each month
- Rich in animal protein and healthy fats
Open Farm Homestead Turkey Rustic Blend Wet Food
- Packed with high-quality animal protein
- Rich in moisture to support hydration
- Recloseable packaging is recyclable
Caru Classic Wild Salmon & Turkey Stew Grain-Free Wet Cat Food
- Fully human-grade
- Rich in species-appropriate nutrition
- Low in carbohydrates
Raised Right Cat Food
- Recipes formulated by veterinarian, Dr. Karen Becker
- Limited ingredient whole food recipes that are low in carbs
- 100% human-grade food made in a USDA inspected facility
The Honest Kitchen Grain-Free Dehydrated Cat Food
- Completely human-grade
- Rich in animal-based protein
- Dehydrated to preserve nutrition
JustCats Fish & Chicken Fresh Cat Food
- Multiple sources of animal protein
- 100% human-edible ingredients
- Fresh food delivered to your door
Whole Life Just One Ingredient Pure Salmon Fillet Freeze-Dried Cat Treats
- Made with a single ingredient
- Packed with protein and omega-3s
- Completely human-grade
Top Picks Explained
Why Trust Cats.com
Having spent the past four years studying feline nutrition and evaluating commercial cat food products, I’ve come across countless brands that use terms like “human-grade.” To write this piece, I researched the AAFCO, FDA, and USDA definitions of the term and identified brands that fit the bill. From there, I narrowed my picks to the most species-appropriate products from brands with a strong quality, safety, and customer satisfaction history.
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
The products featured here have been subjected to in-house testing by several members of our team (and their cats, of course). During testing, we make observations about the products’ texture, consistency, aroma, and appearance. We rely on our cats’ opinions on flavor and general appeal but also take notes about details like shipping, packaging, and customer experience.
#1 Overall Best: Smalls Ground Bird Fresh Cat Food
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 13% Min
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Calories Per Ounce: 40
- Typical Cost Per Day: $4.00 per day
Each featuring a single source of protein, Smalls fresh cat food recipes are formulated according to your cat’s carnivorous needs. They’re made with a protein-rich blend of muscle meat and organs with animal-sourced fat and minimal carbohydrate. This particular recipe is chicken-based with green beans, kale, and dandelion greens to provide natural, digestible sources of key nutrients.
Smalls is a subscription-style fresh cat food delivery service. To order, you provide basic information about your cat so Smalls can gauge their dietary preferences and caloric requirements.
Your first delivery will be a sampler of ten 5-ounce packets in a variety of flavors and textures. From there, you’ll receive monthly deliveries which you can customize in your consumer account. Change, pause, or cancel your subscription at any time from your account, by email, or via text message. All new Smalls customers receive free cat treats for life.
Ingredients
Chicken, Chicken Liver, Green Beans, Water Sufficient for Processing, Dried Yeast, Tricalcium Phosphate, Kale, Magnesium Proteinate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Dandelion Greens, Dried Kelp, Taurine, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Cod Liver Oil, Salt, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Sodium Selenite, Biotin.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Chicken Liver, Cod Liver Oil
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Species-appropriate fresh cat food recipes
- Delivered to your door each month
- Rich in animal protein and healthy fats
- Very low carbohydrate content
What We Didn’t Like:
- Only available as a subscription plan
- No phone support (text and email only)
#2 Runner Up: Open Farm Homestead Turkey Rustic Blend Wet Food
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 8.0% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 24
- Typical Cost Per Day: $4.46 per day
From ingredient quality to ethical sourcing and environmentally friendly packaging, Open Farm human grade wet cat food takes an approach to cat food that we’re not seeing from a lot of other brands.
This particular formula features humanely raised, human-grade turkey as a single source of high-quality animal protein. Nutrient-dense bone broth provides moisture and helps to support overall wellbeing, while pumpkin and chicory root promote digestive health. This recipe also contains cranberries for urinary health support.
While it does contain some plant ingredients, the food remains low-carbohydrate and honors your cat’s needs as a carnivore.
In addition to being made with 100% human-grade ingredients, this stew is prepared in FDA-compliant human-grade facilities in the United States, making it a legally human-grade product from sourcing to production.
The food comes in a reclosable, recyclable package, helping to reduce its impact on the environment.
Between its human-grade status and the attention to ethical sourcing and packaging, this food from Open Farm definitely stands out from the pack. If your cat likes juicy stews and you’d like to make more environmentally-friendly choices, this is definitely a human-grade product to consider.
Ingredients
Humanely Raised Turkey, Turkey Bone Broth, Pumpkin, Carrots, Spinach, Red Lentils, Agar Agar, Non-GMO Cranberries, Garbanzo Beans (Chickpeas), Chicory Root, Sunflower Oil, Coconut Oil, Salt, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite, Dried Kelp, Potassium Chloride, Dandelion Greens, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Turmeric.
Guaranteed Analysis
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What We Liked:
- A 100% human-grade product
- Packed with high-quality animal protein
- Rich in moisture to support hydration
- Recloseable packaging is recyclable
- Free from artificial flavors and preservatives
What We Didn’t Like:
- Somewhat pricey
#3 Best Wet Food For Picky Cats: Caru Classic Wild Salmon & Turkey Stew Grain-Free Wet Cat Food
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 9.0% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 22
- Typical Cost Per Day: $4.44 per day
One of the few truly human-grade cat food brands available on Chewy, much like other premium human grade canned cat foods, Caru offers a varied selection of wet food products as well as broths and other meal toppers. According to the brand’s website, all “stews and broths are made with 100% human grade ingredients, and they are processed and handled in accordance with FDA regulations for human food.”
Not only does Caru cat food come with the peace of mind of being human-grade, but it is packed with the protein and moisture your cat needs. Fresh salmon and turkey provide the primary sources of protein in this recipe, supplemented with egg whites.
This recipe does contain a few plant ingredients like tapioca starch for thickening as well as carrots, sweet potato, and apples to provide whole food sources of key nutrients, but it is still low in carbohydrates which makes it a species-appropriate choice for your cat.
Ingredients
Salmon, Fish Broth, Water Sufficient for Processing, Turkey, Tapioca Starch, Egg Whites, Carrots, Sweet Potato, Apples, Natural Flavor, Tricalcium Phosphate, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Calcium Carbonate, Dandelion Greens, Potassium Chloride, Vitamins (Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement), Minerals (Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Magnesium Amino Acid Chelate, Iodine Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite).
Guaranteed Analysis
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What We Liked:
- Fully human-grade
- Rich in species-appropriate nutrition
- Packed with protein and moisture
- Low in carbohydrates
What We Didn’t Like:
- Somewhat pricey
- Consistency may be a little watery
#4 Best Fresh: Raised Right Cat Food
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 21% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 44
- Typical Cost Per Day: $4.12 per day
Raised Right Pets is a cat food meal delivery service that makes and sells human-grade food. The meals are formulated by a team of pet nutrition experts, Raised Right’s recipes are lightly-cooked, human-grade foods primarily made from nourishing animal-derived ingredients.
If you like the idea of making homemade cat food but don’t feel ready for the time and effort involved, Raised Right Pets is a convenient alternative.
Traceability and transparency are also part of the Raised Right brand. The Raised Right website allows you to learn more about the origins of every ingredient and releases lab reports for each batch.
Raised Right’s chicken recipe is made primarily from chicken thighs, breast, and liver, which are species-appropriate sources of protein and other nutrients. In addition to meat, the recipe contains small amounts of fruit and vegetables. On a dry matter basis, this food is about 10% calories from carbohydrates.
Ingredients
Turkey Thigh, Turkey Heart, Turkey Liver, Carrots, Blueberries, Organic Spearmint, Cod Liver Oil, Egg Shell Powder, Flaxseed Oil, Organic Kelp Powder, Taurine, Thiamine Mononitrate
Guaranteed Analysis
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What We Liked:
- Formulated by a veterinarian and pet food formulation expert
- Releases documentation on lab testing
- Fully human-grade products
- Species-appropriate recipes honor your cat’s needs as a carnivore
- The subscription model gives you access to a team of nutrition experts
- Doesn’t contain any common additives that might harm your cat
What We Didn’t Like:
- Contains fruit and veggies
- Price is above the market average
#5 Best Dry Food: The Honest Kitchen Grain-Free Dehydrated Cat Food
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 35% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 13
- Typical Cost Per Day: $3.11 per day
Another fully human-grade formula, this dehydrated cat food from The Honest Kitchen is a high-quality choice and one of the best human grade dry cat food on the market today. Made with 100% human-edible ingredients and gently dehydrated to preserve nutritional value, this recipe is packed with animal-based protein and whole-food sources of essential nutrients.
This grain-free formula features chicken and eggs as the main ingredients and the recipe’s two protein sources. The rest of the list is made up of dried fruits and vegetables along with vitamin and mineral supplements to ensure balanced nutrition.
We love that this formula is completely human-grade, though we’d prefer to see a lower carbohydrate content. It’s also important to note that this is a dehydrated food, so it doesn’t provide the moisture your cat needs in its packaged form. The Honest Kitchen recommends rehydrating this food with warm water before serving and that’s how we’d serve it as well.
Ingredients
Dehydrated Chicken, Dehydrated Eggs, Dehydrated Potatoes, Dehydrated Sweet Potatoes, Organic Flaxseed, Dehydrated Pumpkin, Dehydrated Spinach, Dried Cranberries, Minerals [Tricalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Potassium Iodide, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite], Taurine, Vitamins [Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), D- Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D3 Supplement].
Guaranteed Analysis
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Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Completely human-grade
- Rich in animal-based protein
- Dehydrated to preserve nutritional value
- Rich source of moisture once rehydrated
What We Didn’t Like:
- Carbohydrate content is fairly high
- Fairly expensive
- Some cats dislike the texture
#6 Premium Pick: JustCats Fish & Chicken Fresh Cat Food
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 12% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 42
- Typical Cost Per Day: $4.50 per day
This low-carbohydrate, high-protein fresh food is a nutritious option for cats and a great choice if you’re looking to upgrade your feline friend from kibble or canned food. It features numerous sources of high-quality animal protein with plenty of healthy fat and moisture to support your cat’s hydration.
Brought to you by Just Food for Dogs, this JustCats formula is made with human-edible ingredients like Alaskan wild-caught cod and sardines wild-caught in Norway. While all ingredients are 100% human-edible, this is one of those formulas that isn’t completely human-grade simply because their manufacturing facilities aren’t licensed for human food production.
What we appreciate about this recipe is that the very first ingredient is packed with animal-based protein and healthy fats, but it isn’t the only source – you’ll find three more sources of animal protein on an ingredient list that is surprisingly short. This food comes frozen, so it must be thawed before feeding, but you can purchase it by subscription or as a one-time purchase.
Ingredients
Alaskan Pacific Wild-Caught Cod, Whole Atlantic Sardines, Dried Yuca Root, Chicken Thighs, Chicken Hearts, Chicken Liver, Multi-Vitamin & Mineral Blend.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Multiple sources of high-quality animal protein
- Made with 100% human-edible ingredients
- Fresh food delivered to your door
- Can be purchased one-time or by subscription
What We Didn’t Like:
- Fairly expensive
- May not be ideal for cats with food allergies
#7 Best Cat Treats: Whole Life Just One Ingredient Pure Salmon Fillet Freeze-Dried Cat Treats
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 89% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 187
- Typical Cost Per Day: $6.19 per day
If you want to boost the quality of your cat’s diet without committing to an all human-grade diet, switching to human-grade treats could be an affordable alternative. These single-ingredient treats from Whole Life are made with just one ingredient and comply with all human-grade requirements.
These Whole Life Just One Ingredient treats feature 100% pure wild Alaskan salmon as the single ingredient which makes them great for sensitive stomachs. They are freeze-dried in small batches to ensure quality and nutritional integrity, not to mention all of that natural salmon flavor.
Salmon provides an excellent source of species-appropriate nutrition for cats, especially animal-based protein and omega-3 fatty acids. These treats can be served straight out of the bag or crumbled over your cat’s food for use as a meal topper. You can even soak them in water to rehydrate them, giving them a soft texture your cat will love.
Ingredients
100% Pure Wild Alaskan Salmon
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Made with a single high-quality ingredient
- Packed with protein and omega-3s
- Completely human-grade
- Can be served as a treat or meal topper
What We Didn’t Like:
- Some cats may dislike the texture
What Is Human Grade Cat Food?
The term “human grade” has a clear definition.
When you see the term “human grade” on a pet food label, there’s an implication of quality. For years, that implication was all consumers had to go on, but things changed in 2016 when the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) added the following definition to their handbook:
“The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines products fit for human consumption to be officially “edible.” These foodstuffs have been processed, inspected and passed manufacturing regulations (i.e. process control regulations) that are designed to assure safety for consumption by humans.”
So, we now have a clear definition of what makes a product fit for human consumption, but how does that definition apply specifically to pet food?
Before we get into those details, there’s one point of clarification we want to make. It involves the difference between human-grade pet food and pet food made with human-grade ingredients.
First and foremost, keep in mind that all animal food products are subject to inspection by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under 21 CFR 507. To substantiate human-grade claims, AAFCO has set forth a number of guidelines that incorporate relevant FDA requirements.
Here’s an overview of the requirements a product must meet to be considered human-grade:
- The term “human-grade” can only be used in reference to the product as a whole. This means every ingredient and the resulting product must be stored, handled, processed, and transported in a manner consistent with current Good Manufacturing Practices (21 CFR part 117) and all applicable federal human food laws.
- Any manufacturing facility that processes or packages a human-grade pet food product must be registered both as an FDA food facility and an FDA feed facility.
- Manufacturing facilities must establish and maintain written procedures to ensure “human grade” storage, transport, and handling throughout the distribution process.
- Companies must be able to provide documentation upon request to show that:
- All ingredients used in the product are fit for human consumption.
- All ingredients and the resulting product are stored, handled, processed, and transported in compliance with 21 CFR part 117.
- The final product is considered ready-to-eat.
- The facility is licensed to produce human food by all required authorities.
Even though the term “human grade” has been more clearly defined, you can still find pet food products that are not labeled human grade but claim to be made with human grade ingredients.
In May 2021, AAFCO released detailed guidelines for human grade pet food claims which include recommendations for the use of human grade claims.
Here are some of those recommendations:
- Pet food products carrying the “human grade” designation must be clearly labeled as animal food (such as “cat food” or “dog treats”).
- Statements of grade or quality must not appear in the ingredient statement.
- The most prominent use of the term “human grade” must be used in juxtaposition with the intended use and in the same style, color print, and type size as the term “human grade.”
- The use of terms like “human grade ingredients” should only be made if the product as a whole meets the requirements for human grade pet food.
- The label must be in compliance with all applicable labeling rules.
While AAFCO may be the advisory body that helps develop standards and definitions for the American pet food industry, the FDA is still responsible for creating and enforcing regulations.
The requirements to meet the FDA human grade label are strict, but many companies take advantage of the somewhat murky regulations regarding the use of the term “human grade” in reference to ingredients rather than the product as a whole. It’s your job as a pet owner to understand what the terms on pet food packages mean and to investigate unclear claims yourself.
What Makes Human-Grade Cat Food Different?
Human grade cat food is cat food made with human-edible ingredients to create a final product that is processed, stored, and transported in a way fit for human food. The key distinction between human grade cat food and other cat food lies in the term “human-edible.”
To put it simply, human-grade cat food does not contain “inedible” ingredients. But what qualifies as an inedible ingredient by human standards?
According to the FDA, “The pet food canning industry utilizes undecomposed animal and marine tissues from various sources. These include products of the rendering industry such as various meat, poultry, and bone meals; meat scraps and offal from packing house waste, freshly boned-out animals; and occasionally meat from animals that may have died otherwise than by slaughter.”
In other words, you won’t any of the lowest quality fillers and by-products commonly used in cheap pet foods in human-grade cat food.
Also Read: Human-Grade Cat Food: What It Is and How It’s Different
Keep in mind, however, that just because human-grade cat food is only made with human-edible ingredients, the human-grade designation doesn’t have anything to say about the nutritional makeup of the product. AAFCO guidelines still apply when it comes to nutritional minimums, but you could just as easily find a plant-based dry cat food that meets human-grade requirements as a meat-based raw, fresh, or canned human-grade cat food.
Human grade cat food isn’t necessarily the best you can buy.
Your cat’s health should be your top priority and the best way to protect your cat’s wellbeing is to feed him a nutritious, high-quality diet. Human-grade cat food might fit the bill, but it’s still your job to do the research and find a product worth its salt.
The human grade designation provides some degree of peace of mind in terms of ingredient quality and production standards, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. In fact, AAFCO says themselves that, “Whether a product is or is not advertised as human-grade has no impact on product safety.”
If you’ve spent any time researching cat food, you know as well as we do that some of the most expensive cat foods are the least species-appropriate (i.e. Purina). Similarly, even cat foods made with high-quality ingredients aren’t necessarily the best option for your cat.
Human grade cat food can be just as inappropriate for your cat as any other type of cat food. Take the time to research the brand and formula you’re considering whether it’s human grade or not.
Look for brands that use thoughtfully sourced ingredients in species-appropriate formulas. Make sure the company follows strict production standards and frequently tests for quality. Double-check the brand’s recall history and don’t believe everything you read on a pet food package.
For more cat food recommendations, check out our list of the best cat foods you can buy.
Might me worth reviewing Milk pet food – also freshly made food delivery 🙂
Can someone please please explain why Smalls is listed as number one and Open Farm is the runner up when the separate long-form review pages on Cats.com gave a higher grade to Open Farm?
“In total, we give Open Farm cat food a 50 out of 60 rating or an A- grade.”
“We give Smalls fresh cat food a 45 out of 60 rating or a B grade.”
https://cats.com/open-farm-cat-food-review
https://cats.com/smalls-for-smalls-cat-food-review
Hi Jonathan, the rankings on each page will vary depending on factors specific to a particular roundup. This article, for instance, emphasizes the human-grade aspect of a particular product and brand, and in this case, we thought that Smalls was a better representative of a human-grade food, though Open Farm offers a better customer experience and has a better recall history, which is why it has a higher rating overall.