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Choosing the right cat food is a major part of keeping your cat happy and healthy — and the good news, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the options, is that there is no one “right” cat food. “Compared with the haphazard diet of whatever prey and scavenged dead things feral cats can find, our pets have an excellent source of nutrition in conventional commercial cat foods,” says Dr. Brennen McKenzie, a veterinarian who blogs about science-based pet care at SkeptVet.
To help you find the best food for your cat, we’ve consulted McKenzie and 17 other experts to walk us through the many different options — including grain free, raw, human grade, and freeze dried — and explain why a cat owner might choose one brand or type over another. We’ll get more into it in the criteria below, but note that some of the determining factors will depend on your cat’s specific needs (often determined by their age), while others are more subjective (as cat owners know, picky felines often have unexplainable preferences). We also asked some of our cat parents on staff to feed these foods to their felines to see how it all went down.
What we’re looking for
Life stage
“The most important part when you’re buying food for your pet is looking for the nutritional-adequacy statement and making sure it’s for the appropriate life stage for your pet,” says Martha G. Cline, a certified veterinary nutritionist at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in New Jersey. All pet food should have a nutritional-adequacy statement from the Association of American Feed Control Officials noting whether it meets the standards for growth (good for kittens), adult maintenance (for maintaining a healthy weight), or all life stages (any age).
Nutritional breakdown
Unlike with human food, you generally won’t find a nutrition label on your cat’s food breaking down the specific quantities of carbohydrates, fat, and protein it contains. For the most part, McKenzie says that’s okay since all food that meets AAFCO standards will provide a sufficient amount of all macronutrients. “There is a range within which cats can thrive, and individual cats all have slightly different needs,” he says, adding that “nearly all commercial diets fall within these ranges.”
However, some vets are more specific in their recommendations. Jennifer Berg, founder of Tribeca Veterinary Wellness, says “more protein than fat, then very little of any kind of carbohydrate is what we feel is probably ideal.” Jennifer Coates, a veterinary expert at the online pet-supplies retailer Chewy, agrees that cats need more protein than many other species and stresses that the protein “should be sourced from animals.” And veterinarian Lisa Pierson has compiled a thorough, publicly available Google spreadsheet of the nutrient profile for hundreds of cat-food flavors if you’d like to see an individual formulas’ nutritional breakdown. But it’s best to ask your vet if they recommend a specific composition for your cat’s needs.
You may notice that some cat foods are labeled “grain free,” but vets are wary of this marketing term as it doesn’t tell you much about food’s actual nutrition. “Grain-free foods can be nutritionally excellent or terrible, and the presence or absence of grains themselves says nothing about the health impact of the diet,” McKenzie says. “Anxieties about grains, and carbohydrates generally, in cat foods are not based on real science and should not be the basis for selection of a cat food.”
Wet food or dry food
The two main forms of cat food are wet and dry. Before choosing one form over the other, ask your vet what they recommend for your cat’s particular needs. Because cats naturally drink little water, some vets prefer wet food since its higher moisture content keeps cats hydrated, which may help prevent kidney disease. Other vets disagree, arguing that dry food encourages cats to drink more water and that there’s little scientific evidence to promote the link between wet food and healthier kidneys. Wet food is lower in calories, so some vets may recommend it if your cat is struggling to maintain a healthy weight. Dry food, or kibble, has the advantage of staying fresh longer, which may make it a good option if your cat likes to graze at her meals over the course of the day. Some dry food is actually freeze-dried, a process manufacturers use to keep ingredients fresh (especially with raw food) without risking bacterial contamination. Within the wet-food category, you’ll find pâtés (loaf-style food with a homogenous texture), shredded-meat formulas, and meat-in-gravies (a liquid-based food with chunks of meat). Picky cats tend to have a favorite style of food, so you may have to try a few different types.
Approximate cost per ounce
The cost of cat food varies depending on the brand and formula you choose, and more expensive food isn’t necessarily healthier. Since you’ll be buying a lot of food over the course of your cat’s lifetime, we’ve listed the approximate cost per ounce for each food based on the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (which may be different than the retailer price as those can change because of different promotions). As for how much food to feed, cats generally require 200 to 250 calories per day, but this number varies based on their size, activity level, and whether they need to lose or gain weight. (Calorie counts per ounce of food vary, so you’ll need to check the feeding instructions on the packaging.) Megan Shepherd, a veterinary nutritionist at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech, advises checking with your veterinarian for more specific guidance and consulting this body-condition score chart to see if your cat is under- or overweight.
Best cat food overall
Life stage: Adult | Nutritional breakdown: High protein, moderate fat, low carb | Wet food or dry food: Wet, meat in gravy | Approximate cost per ounce: $0.36
This Purina Pro Plan formula checks all the nutritional boxes for adult cats without special dietary needs, according to two veterinarians we interviewed. It’s high in protein with moderate fat and plenty of fiber. Purina employs full-time veterinary nutritionists and invests heavily in research and development. “They’re continuously testing their products and doing studies to improve them and keep up with the knowledge that we continue to ascertain about cats to make the food as optimal as possible,” says veterinarian Dr. Cori Blair of Feline Health.
Picky cats seem to like it too. When our deals editor, Sam Daly, introduced this food to her two cats, she says, “they totally obliterated everything,” despite their tendency to just graze on wet food. While the consistency is chunkier than shredded food, Daly says the light sauce was enough to entice her “gravy fiends.” Plus, it kept the formula from drying out too quickly. The chicken flavor is also less smelly — a big plus in Daly’s book — compared with other similar options she has fed her pair.
Best meat-in-gravy cat food
Life stage: Adult | Nutritional breakdown: Very high protein, low fat, very low carb | Wet food or dry food: Wet, meat in gravy | Approximate cost per ounce: $0.36
If your cat prefers meat-in-gravy formulas, Berg says this chicken-in-gravy flavor from Weruva is a good option because of its high-protein and low-carbohydrate content. The brand is recommended by pet-nutrition consultant Susan Lauten. It is grain-free, if that’s something you’re looking for, but as stated above, “grain free” is more of a marketing term than a reliable indicator of healthiness.
Best (less expensive) meat-in-gravy cat food
Life stage: Adult | Nutritional breakdown: High protein, moderate fat, moderate carb | Wet food or dry food: Wet, meat in gravy | Approximate cost per ounce: $0.25
There’s nothing wrong with saving money on cat food as long as you’re picking a food that’s nutritionally sound. The sale price of this Fancy Feast option is $24 for 30 tins, which is significantly cheaper than the Weruva above, though note that the cans are smaller. “A lot of people will say Fancy Feast is kind of the McDonald’s for cats, but it’s actually not the case,” says Berg. “Plenty of the Fancy Feast are actually quite high in protein and very low in carbohydrates.” This variety pack of protein-rich, meat-in-gravy flavors checks all her boxes and would be a good option for cats who like to mix up their meals.
Best pâté cat food
Life stage: Adult | Nutritional breakdown: Moderate protein, fat, and carbs | Wet food or dry food: Wet, pâté | Approximate cost per ounce: $0.22
Strategist senior editor Jen Trolio has been feeding this pâté food from Whole Paws, Whole Foods Market’s in-house pet-food line, to her two indoor tabbies for at least a decade. Despite occasionally trying other brands, Trolio says she always returns to this formula for its middle-of-the-road price, minimal odor, and grain-free ingredients. She says her cats have fewer digestion issues when they eat this food (which has a smooth consistency rather than being chunky or firm) — especially the one “who’s a little more sensitive in the tummy.” And while wet meals are never going to smell great, Whole Paws is less offensive than other pâté options, says Trolio, who splits a 5.5-ounce can between the two cats every morning and evening. As the cats turn 16 years old this year, Trolio says it’s hard to know what factors have helped them stay healthy for this long, but as she puts it, “surely the food isn’t hurting them.” She appreciates that this food available in flavors like turkey and salmon, which her cats enjoy.
Best shredded cat food
Life stage: Adult | Nutritional breakdown: Very high protein, low fat, very low carb | Wet food or dry food: Wet, shredded | Approximate cost per ounce: $0.68
If you browse Pierson’s chart, you’ll see Tiki Cat offers many options that are high in protein and low in carbs, and Lauten likes the brand’s wet and dry foods. Lots of Tiki Cat food is fish-flavored, which is extremely attractive to cats because of its salty taste, but some vets, including Berg, actually discourage feeding cats fish because fish-flavored cat food has been linked to hyperthyroidism. Your vet can help you decide whether or not you should limit fish in your cat’s diet. This variety features shredded chicken and should appeal to cats who like their food a little chunkier.
Best (less expensive) shredded cat food
Life stage: Adult | Nutritional breakdown: Very high protein, low fat, low carb | Wet food or dry food: Wet, shredded | Approximate cost per ounce: $0.57
Daly used to feed her two cats the Tiki Cat above but says the brand was a bit too expensive considering her kitties weren’t finishing their helpings. Reveal’s cans, which Daly bought on a whim, come in at $7 cheaper than Tiki Cat, though the cans are .33 ounces smaller. While the shredded appearance of the food is very similar to Tiki Cat, Daly says “it’s a bit less stinky — not that that matters to my cats, but it matters to me — and has more broth.” Daly even says she was “immediately shocked by how much both the chicken and fish options looked and smelled like something humans would eat.” Now, her cats gobble up their food in an instant.
Best cat food for sensitive stomachs
Life stage: Adult | Nutritional breakdown: Moderate protein, fat, and carbs | Wet food or dry food: Dry, kibble | Approximate cost per ounce: $0.60
For cats with digestive issues or sensitive stomachs, veterinarian Jamie Freyer recommends this specially formulated food from Royal Canin. Such ingredients as easily digestible proteins, prebiotics, and fiber-rich psyllium-seed husks promote intestinal health and regular bowel function. Lots of vets mentioned the brand because of the science that goes into its food and the vigorous testing it conducts.
Best cat food for sensitive teeth
Life stage: Adult | Nutritional breakdown: Moderate protein, fat, and carbs | Wet food or dry food: Wet, mousse | Approximate cost per ounce: $0.71
Dental issues such as missing teeth can make it difficult for a cat to break down denser foods. Tazz Latifi, a certified pet nutritionist and retail consultant, recommends the mousse pouches from Tiki Cat because the texture is very smooth and soothing to consume, she says. “They can just lick it, and it reduces the stress of chewing. The scent captures their attention — it’s very palatable,” she explains. Some dental issues can leave nerves exposed in a cat’s mouth, Latifi adds, which can be very painful. In any case, it’s best to consult your veterinarian immediately (if you haven’t already) for a proper care plan.
Best cat food for weight maintenance
Life stage: Adult | Nutritional breakdown: Moderate protein, fat, and carbs | Wet food or dry food: Wet, pâté or meat in gravy | Approximate cost per ounce: $0.70
For cats that are heavier than their ideal body weight or even experiencing signs of obesity, Dr. Gabrielle Fadl, a medical director at Bond Vet, recommends looking for a lower-calorie food from a brand that’s veterinary formulated, like Royal Canin. That way, your cat receives the same volume of food but at a lower calorie count so they don’t feel deprived, Fadl says. Joanna Douglas, executive director of branded content at Vox Media, says her tabby siblings, Goji and Guava (who were fostered by Howard and Beth Stern), have been eating Royal Canin since they were kittens. Now, as adult cats, the two feed on this weight-care option — in combination with Royal Canin’s Adult Instinctive canned food — which was approved by a veterinarian to manage their calorie intake. Douglas says Guava, the pickier eater, is a fan of both. “With all the Royal Canin cat food, I have to say, I think it makes their coats really luxurious. People comment on how nice they feel and how good they look,” she says.
Best cat food for purebreds
Life stage: Adult | Nutritional breakdown: Moderate protein, fat, and carbs | Wet food or dry food: Dry, kibble | Approximate cost per ounce: $0.41
If you have a purebred cat, Freyer recommends looking at Royal Canin’s breed-specific foods that are designed for the unique needs of cats like Persians, Maine coons, and Bengals. For example, in the brand’s dry food for Persian cats, the pieces of kibble are almond-shaped, which are easier for these cats to nibble with their shortened jaws.
Best human-grade cat food
Life stage: Adult | Nutritional breakdown: Very high protein, moderate fat, low carb | Wet food or dry food: Wet, pâté or minced | Approximate cost per ounce: $0.80
Like “grain free,” some vets say “human-grade” is more of a buzzy phrase than a statement of quality. (As McKenzie points out, “All the ingredients in potato chips and corn dogs are, by definition, ‘human grade.’”) But Dr. Paola Cuevas, veterinary consultant at Hepper and Pet Keen, likes that Smalls’s human-grade food is high in moisture and meets AAFCO formulation standards. The direct-to-consumer brand’s minced and pâté varieties use only USDA-certified ingredients, and each meal is gently cooked, as opposed to canned, which can contain toxic by-products that Cuevas says have been linked to cancer in humans. Four flavors (chicken, turkey, beef, and fish) are available, and cat owners can take a short quiz to determine the best formula for their feline companion. Note that the cost of food may vary slightly as recommended portion sizes are based on your cat’s age and weight.
Best raw cat food
Life stage: Adult | Nutritional breakdown: Very high protein, high fat, low carb | Wet food or dry food: Wet, raw | Approximate cost per ounce: $1.08
Latifi feeds this to her own two cats because it’s made of human-grade ingredients and doesn’t contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, making each meal highly digestible. This raw food satisfies a cat’s cravings for protein, Latifi says, so a smaller serving not only packs lots of nutrients but staves off hunger for longer than other processed food she has tried.
Best freeze-dried cat food
Life stage: Adult | Nutritional breakdown: High protein, moderate fat, low carb | Wet food or dry food: Dry, freeze-dried | Approximate cost per ounce: $2.42
While a few vets mentioned the benefits of raw or freeze-dried food for cats, most cautioned against preparing it on your own because of the risk of contamination. “The less processed a food is, the more nutritious it is, but very few people want to deal with the possible bacterial dangers that feeding raw food brings,” says Chyrle Bonk, veterinary consultant at Excited Cats. Instead of grinding up raw meat in your kitchen, she recommends this freeze-dried raw food from Instinct that mimics the nutrient-rich food your cat would eat in the wild but comes in a form that’s safe to feed at home. “This makes a very nutritious, less processed version of cat food that cats seem to do well on,” she says.
Best cat food for senior cats
Life stage: Adult and senior | Nutritional breakdown: Moderate protein and fat, low carb | Wet food or dry food: Wet, meat in gravy | Approximate cost per ounce: $0.49
If you look at Pierson’s chart, you’ll see that the fourth column tracks how much phosphorus is in each food listed. Phosphorus might not be the first thing you look for when shopping for your own food, but this mineral is a very important factor in cat health. While phosphorus is essential for bone development in young cats, as cats age, Berg says too much of it can cause or worsen kidney disease, a common problem among older cats. That’s why AAFCO standards have higher minimums for phosphorus in kitten foods than in adult formulas.
AAFCO doesn’t have a maximum phosphorus level, but Berg recommends trying to stay under 200 milligrams per 100 calories if your cat is 10 years old or older. Senior cats still require lots of protein in their diet, though, so Berg says to make sure you aren’t sacrificing protein in a lower-phosphorus formula: “Phosphorus tends to go up as the protein goes up,” she says. “But there are some proteins that are higher in phosphorus than others.” This nutritionally balanced Weruva food contains only 163 milligrams of phosphorus per 100 calories.
Best cat food for kittens
Life stage: Kitten | Nutritional breakdown: High protein, moderate fat, low carb | Wet food or dry food: Wet, pâté | Approximate cost per ounce: $0.70
If you’re buying food for a kitten, make sure to look for the AAFCO nutritional-adequacy statement for growth. “Because kittens are growing and developing, they require more calories than adult cats do on a per-pound basis,” says Coates. “Kitten foods are generally higher in fat than foods designed for adults to provide them with these extra calories.” Blair and Parker are fans of Royal Canin, and the brand’s just-for-kittens food is packed with protein and fortified with all the vitamins and minerals the littlest kitties need to thrive. It’s the same food that Hannah Shaw (better known as the Kitten Lady on Instagram) feeds her rescue kittens. “The pâté is the perfect soft texture for weaning kittens and provides them with high-quality nutrition that helps them thrive,” she says.
Best (less expensive) cat food for kittens
Life stage: Kitten | Nutritional breakdown: Moderate protein, moderate fat, low carb | Wet food or dry food: Wet, pâté | Approximate cost per ounce: $0.30
Fancy Feast (our top pick for less expensive meat-in-gravy food for adult cats) makes kitten food that meets AAFCO requirements for growing kittens. This variety pack includes four different flavors, so there’ll likely be something for every member of a new litter to enjoy.
Some more other cat food (and treats) we’ve written about
Our experts
• Liz Bales, veterinarian
• Jennifer Berg, veterinarian and founder of Tribeca Veterinary Wellness
• Cori Blair, veterinarian with Feline Health
• Chyrle Bonk, veterinary consultant at Excited Cats
• Martha G. Cline, veterinarian and certified veterinary nutritionist at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital
• Jennifer Coates, veterinary expert at Chewy
• Paola Cuevas, veterinary consultant at Hepper and Pet Keen
• Sam Daly, Strategist deals editor
• Joanna Douglas, executive director of branded content at Vox Media
• Gabrielle Fadl, medical director at Bond Vet
• Jamie Freyer, veterinarian
• Tazz Latifi, certified pet nutritionist and retail consultant
• Susan Lauten, pet nutrition consultant
• Brennen McKenzie, veterinarian and blogger at the SkeptVet
• Hannah Shaw (the Kitten Lady), cat rescuer
• Megan Shepherd, veterinarian and veterinary nutritionist at the Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech
• Jen Trolio, Strategist senior editor
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