The 30 Best Healthy Wet Cat Foods
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After months researching, testing, and reviewing countless recipes, we’ve chosen the following products as the best wet cat food you can buy.
At the top of our list is Smalls Chicken Recipe Wet Cat Food, a fresh food formula that features a prey-inspired blend of animal ingredients, including muscle meat, organs, and blood. Each of the following 30 products brings something different to your cat’s bowl.
At A Glance: The Best Wet Cat Foods To Buy
We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below where we highlighted the features of each product. You’ll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Compare Best Wet Cat Food
Best Human-Grade Food
3. Open Farm Grass-Fed Beef Rustic Blend Wet Cat Food |
Best Wet Cat Food In A Pouch
4. Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Pumpkin Lickin' Chicken in Pumpkin Soup Grain-Free Cat Food Pouches |
Best For All Life Stages
5. Feline Natural Chicken & Venison Feast Grain-Free Canned Cat Food |
Best Wet Cat Food For Sensitive Stomach
6. Vital Essentials Rabbit Mini Patties Grain Free Limited Ingredient Freeze-Dried Cat Food |
Best Wet Cat Food For Weight Loss
7. Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Chicken Frick 'A Zee Chicken Recipe |
Best Wet Cat Food For Kittens
8. Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Turkey & Chicken Liver Pate Canned Kitten Food |
Best Wet Cat Food For Seniors
9. Dr. Elsey's Cleanprotein Turkey Formula Canned Cat Food |
Best For Kittens On A Budget
10. Fancy Feast Kitten Tender Turkey Feast Canned Cat Food |
||
Protein
21% Min |
Protein
10% Min |
Protein
8% Min |
Protein
9.0% Min |
Protein
9.0% Min |
Protein
52% Min |
Protein
10% Min |
Protein
12% Min |
Protein
11% Min |
Protein
11.0% Min |
Fat
8.05% Min |
Fat
9.0% Min |
Fat
6% Min |
Fat
1.4% Min |
Fat
5.0% Min |
Fat
15% Min |
Fat
2.5% Min |
Fat
7.5% Min |
Fat
9.0% Min |
Fat
5.0% Min |
Fiber
0.4% Max |
Fiber
1.0% Max |
Fiber
2% Max |
Fiber
0.5% Max |
Fiber
0.2% Max |
Fiber
3% Max |
Fiber
0.5% Max |
Fiber
1.0% Max |
Fiber
1.5% Max |
Fiber
1.5% Max |
Life Stage
Adult |
Life Stage
Adult |
Life Stage
Maintenance |
Life Stage
Adult |
Life Stage
Adult |
Life Stage
All Life Stages |
Life Stage
Adult |
Life Stage
Kitten |
Life Stage
Adult |
Life Stage
Growth |
Type
Fresh |
Type
Wet/Canned |
Type
Wet |
Type
Chunks in Gravy |
Type
Wet/Canned |
Type
Dry |
Type
Wet |
Type
Wet/Canned |
Type
Wet/Canned |
Type
Paté |
Made In
United States |
Made In
United States |
Made In
Canada/United States |
Made In
United States |
Made In
New Zealand |
Made In
United States |
Made In
Thailand |
Made In
United States |
Made In
United States |
Made In
United States |
Some foods promise to help cats with digestive sensitivities. Other foods offer a rare combination of great prices and excellent nutrition.
Though they’re different in many ways, all of them share certain key qualities. They come from companies with a reputation for safety and deliver species-appropriate levels of protein, fat, and carbohydrates.
Before we go in depth on the top 30 best wet cat foods on the market, let’s talk about the qualities we looked for when choosing these products.
Here’s How We Chose The Best Wet Cat Food On The Market.
Before choosing the foods on this list, we established a list of criteria for cat food excellence. These nutritional and quality principles guide our choices when recommending products anywhere We’re All About Pets.
Whether we are looking at the best food for seniors or the best paté on the market, every food must meet the following key qualities:
We Looked For Foods That Were Rich In High-quality, Animal-sourced Protein.
Protein is vital to your cat’s health. Cats have some of the highest protein demands of any species in existence, requiring at least 2 grams of protein per pound of body weight every day.
Even slightly inadequate protein intake will lead to the loss of lean muscle mass. Because protein intake is so important for your cat’s health, the best wet cat food is rich in high-quality protein.
Highly-digestible, bioavailable protein nourishes your cat without a lot of waste.
We know that protein ranges from ultra-digestible—like a fresh egg—to minimally digestible, like a hunk of leather.
Where different ingredients sit on that spectrum, however, isn’t quite so clear. Though we haven’t fully mapped protein bioavailability for cats, we do know that animal-sourced protein appears to be more efficient than most plant proteins.
This is because cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they must consume meat in order to meet their nutritional requirements. A cat cannot survive on a diet consisting only of plant proteins.
We also know that animal by-products have mixed digestibility values due to their inconsistent composition.
We picked foods that emphasized animal-sourced protein from clearly-named cuts of flesh and organs.
The Best Wet Cat Food Contains The Right Amount Of Animal-sourced Fatty Acids.
Fat is the second-most important macronutrient in your cat’s diet. Cats require moderate amounts of fat to stay healthy.
Ideally, that fat should come from animal sources, so the best foods contain ingredients like chicken fat, salmon oil, beef fat, and krill oil. These ingredients contain an array of fatty acids that are easily utilized by your cat’s body.
We Looked For Foods With Minimal Carbohydrate Content.
Unlike humans—who primarily metabolize carbohydrates and use them as their main energy source—the feline body is optimized for gluconeogenesis, a process that turns protein into glucose. Cats don’t need carbohydrates at all.
Your cat could survive and thrive without any carbohydrate matter in his diet.
And though cats do have a limited ability to metabolize carbohydrates if they have to, it’s not a good idea.
Even healthy cats have some insulin resistance, making them similar to diabetic or prediabetic humans. And when they eat too much carbohydrate matter for too long, cats are more likely to develop full-on diabetes.
Here’s the bottom line on carbohydrates in wet cat food.
Cats don’t need carbohydrates to survive. A little carbohydrate matter is okay here and there, but long-term consumption of a high-carbohydrate diet could cause health problems.
A low-carb diet is the best choice for ensuring your cat’s long-term health. We looked for wet cat foods that contained 10% carbohydrate matter or less.
Finally, we ensured that our top picks were produced by well-respected companies with a history of quality.
Our Top Picks For The Best Wet Cat Food
Before choosing any food, we analyzed its brand and company history, considering customer reviews, recall history, and more. We looked for foods produced by companies with reputations for quality, safety, and consistency.
Smalls Fresh Smooth Bird
Product Info
- Protein: 21% Min
- Fat: 8.05% Min
- Fiber: 0.4% Max
- Life Stage: Adult
- Type: Fresh
- Made In: United States
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Rich in nourishing animal-sourced protein
- A low-carbohydrate food appropriate for cats of all kinds
- Shipped to your door according to a regular schedule
- Cats love the way the food tastes
- The subscription model may be inconvenient for some customers
This homemade-style food is cooked from fresh, human-grade ingredients in a human food processing facility, then packed into a brick and shipped to your door. Though it contains vegetables in addition to fresh chicken, this food remains a low-carbohydrate item with 3.5% calories from carbohydrates.
The Smalls subscription model allows you to subscribe to regular shipments of food, making cat food shopping a little bit more automated than before.
Hound & Gatos 98% Chicken & Liver Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 10% Min
- Fat: 9.0% Min
- Fiber: 1.0% Max
- Life Stage: Adult
- Type: Wet/Canned
- Made In: United States
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Composed primarily of muscle meat and organs for species-appropriate nutrition
- Doesn’t contain any potentially-harmful additives like artificial colors and flavors
- Contains salmon oil as a source of nourishing omega-3 fatty acids
- Zero carbohydrate content
- Receives mixed customer reviews—some cats don’t like the taste or texture of Hound and Gatos food.
With an ingredient list including just chicken, broth, liver, agar as a thickener, and an array of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids added for nutritional completeness, this food is one of the simplest on the market. It’s a good option for cats of all kinds, including those with food sensitivities and allergies.
Open Farm Grass-Fed Beef Rustic Blend Wet Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 8% Min
- Fat: 6% Min
- Fiber: 2% Max
- Life Stage: Maintenance
- Type: Wet
- Made In: Canada/United States
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Made with 100% human grade meat proteins
- No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- 100% traceable ingredients
- Made with a single meat protein (grass-fed beef)
- Expensive
- Contains red lentils
It’s made using grass-fed beef as a single, ethically-sourced meat protein, and in contrast to typical foods made from feed-grade ingredients, this meat is handled according to human food safety standards at every stage of production. So from harvest to delivery, the food is meant to be good enough for you to eat. When you consider that most cat foods contain ingredients considered unfit for human consumption, this makes Open Farm’s foods a big upgrade over the typical diet.
Additionally, Open Farm also uses ingredients that are 100% traceable so you always know where every item in the food comes from.
With plenty of protein, healthy fat content, and minimal carbohydrate matter with most nutrients coming from animal ingredients, this food nourishes your cat like the carnivore they are.
Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Pumpkin Lickin' Chicken in Pumpkin Soup Grain-Free Cat Food Pouches
Product Info
- Protein: 9.0% Min
- Fat: 1.4% Min
- Fiber: 0.5% Max
- Life Stage: Adult
- Type: Chunks in Gravy
- Made In: United States
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Rich in protein from chicken breast
- A straightforward, simple food with a single protein source
- Comes in pouches, which some find easier to open and serve
- Contains pumpkin as a digestive aid
- Around 17% carbs on a dry matter basis
The chicken is set in a pumpkin-infused broth, which may help cats with digestive issues. The recipe receives positive reviews from customers, with 90% of reviewers on Chewy saying they’d recommend it to a friend.
Feline Natural Chicken & Venison Feast Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 9.0% Min
- Fat: 5.0% Min
- Fiber: 0.2% Max
- Life Stage: Adult
- Type: Wet/Canned
- Made In: New Zealand
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Rich in species-appropriate nutrition from muscle meat, organs, and blood
- Made from high-quality New Zealand ingredients
- Doesn’t contain any potentially-harmful gelling agents
- Minimal carbohydrate content
- One of the most expensive foods on the market
This recipe is among the few that contain kidney, liver, and blood. these nutrient-rich animal parts are seldom seen on cat food labels, except when included in the general category of animal by-products. The food doesn’t contain xanthan gum, carrageenan, guar gum, or other common gelling agents.
Indeed, it contains fewer additives in general compared to the average cat food. The food is enriched with a variety of synthetic vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. New Zealand green-lipped mussels add omega-3 fatty acids, including ETA—a fatty acid that’s more concentrated in these mussels than any other marine animal or plant.
Vital Essentials Rabbit Mini Patties Grain Free Limited Ingredient Freeze-Dried Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 52% Min
- Fat: 15% Min
- Fiber: 3% Max
- Life Stage: All Life Stages
- Type: Dry
- Made In: United States
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Formulated for cats with food intolerances and allergies
- Rich in bioavailable animal protein
- Contains a single protein source
- Doesn’t contain any potentially-harmful additives
- Low carbohydrate content
- The food has not received many customer reviews and is not one of the better known brands on the market
The company is one of the few that subject their products to DNA testing, which helps to ensure that the foods don’t contain any proteins not disclosed on the label.
Each recipe is infused with the company’s Good4Life blend of digestive supplements. This recipe is made with chicken as its lone protein source, with chicken and liver its primary ingredients. Chicken accounts for 96% of the total recipe.
The other 4% of the food consists of agar-agar, dried kelp, and a variety of supplements that make each meal nutritionally complete.
Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Chicken Frick 'A Zee Chicken Recipe
Product Info
- Protein: 10% Min
- Fat: 2.5% Min
- Fiber: 0.5% Max
- Life Stage: Adult
- Type: Wet
- Made In: Thailand
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Primarily made from species-appropriate chicken meat
- Rich in moisture to keep your cat satisfied
- Low carbohydrate content
- One of the most expensive foods on the market
Because this recipe is so moisture-rich and doesn’t contain much besides shredded chicken, it’s low in calories, doesn’t have a lot of carbohydrate content, and is a great option for cats who need to lose weight.
Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Turkey & Chicken Liver Pate Canned Kitten Food
Product Info
- Protein: 12% Min
- Fat: 7.5% Min
- Fiber: 1.0% Max
- Life Stage: Kitten
- Type: Wet/Canned
- Made In: United States
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Primarily composed of nutrient-rich animal ingredients
- Doesn’t use any vaguely-named ingredients
- Free of common irritants
- A calorie-dense food ready to fuel your kitten’s growth and activity
- Contains several thickening gums
To support kittens' growth, the food features a protein-rich blend of poultry and fish. The ingredient list includes turkey, chicken liver, chicken meal, and herring. Multiple sources of DHA help ensure healthy brain and eye development.
Dr. Elsey's Cleanprotein Turkey Formula Canned Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 11% Min
- Fat: 9.0% Min
- Fiber: 1.5% Max
- Life Stage: Adult
- Type: Wet/Canned
- Made In: United States
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Rich in readily-digestible animal protein sources
- Contains multiple sources of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids
- A calorie-dense food that may help seniors maintain lean muscle mass
- Doesn’t contain any potentially-harmful artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- Not appropriate for cats with hyperthyroidism and other health conditions
These ingredients may help to alleviate inflammation associated with arthritis and other inflammatory conditions common among seniors. They can also help to maintain the softness and sheen of your senior’s coat.
Fancy Feast Kitten Tender Turkey Feast Canned Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 11.0% Min
- Fat: 5.0% Min
- Fiber: 1.5% Max
- Life Stage: Growth
- Type: Paté
- Made In: United States
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Rich in animal-sourced protein
- Calorie-dense to support kittenhood growth and development
- Minimal carbohydrate content
- Contains artificial colors and flavors
- Contains milk, which may irritate some cats
- The higher calorie content may not be appropriate for some cats
Of course, the food’s not perfect. It contains several ingredients that we’d rather not see in cat food—things like vaguely-named liver and fish, animal by-products, and artificial flavors and colors.
Authority Chicken Entree Adult Pate Canned Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 10.0% Min
- Fat: 6.5% Min
- Fiber: 0.8% Max
- Life Stage: Adult
- Type: Paté
- Made In: United States
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Contains a mix of muscle meat and organs
- Primarily made from nourishing animal ingredients
- Doesn’t contain artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives commonly found in other budget foods
- Low carbohydrate content
- Free of animal by-products
- Contains menhaden fish oil as a source of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids
- Contains ocean fish, a vaguely-named ingredient
- Contains rice
In contrast to other similarly economical foods, this recipe doesn’t contain any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives that might harm your cat over time. With menhaden fish oil as a source of omega-3 fatty acids, this food helps to support skin and coat health while fighting inflammation.
WholeHearted All Life Stages Canned Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 10% Min
- Fat: 2.0% Min
- Fiber: 1.0% Max
- Life Stage: All Life Stages
- Type: Wet/Canned
- Made In: United States
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Low carbohydrate content
- Contains chicken as the primary ingredient—no animal by-products or vaguely-named ingredients
- Free of potentially-harmful additives
- Contains omega-3 fatty acids from tuna oil
- Contains tapioca starch
- Some cats don’t like the way the food tastes
Thanks to the inclusion of tuna oil, the food gives your cat a healthy dose of omega-3 fatty acids for coat health and reduced inflammation.
Considering this food’s budget-friendly price, its lack of by-products, artificial colors, and artificial flavors are welcome surprises.
Fancy Feast Flaked Fish & Shrimp Feast Canned Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 17.5% Min
- Fat: 2.0% Min
- Fiber: 1.5% Max
- Life Stage: Adult
- Type: Wet
- Made In: United States
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Low carbohydrate content helps this food control blood sugar and reduce insulin reliance
- Rich in animal-sourced protein
- Doesn’t contain any potentially-harmful carrageenan or other additives
- Contains vaguely-labeled fish that can be contaminated with heavy metals or other toxins
It’s also low in calories and moisture-rich, helping it to control your cat’s weight along with his blood sugar. It doesn’t contain any artificial colors, flavors, or potentially harmful preservatives.
Health Extension Grain-Free Chicken & Pumpkin Recipe Canned Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 10% Min
- Fat: 2.0% Min
- Fiber: 1.0% Max
- Life Stage: Adult
- Type: Wet/Canned
- Made In: Thailand
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Less expensive than other comparable foods
- Rich in protein to support lean muscle mass
- Contains pumpkin, which may help to relieve constipation and other digestive issues
- Doesn’t contain any artificial colors or flavors
- Calorie-dense, allowing you to feed less and help your cat maintain muscle mass
- Contains a small amount of pea protein
Chicken serves as the food’s main protein source. It also contains pumpkin, which may help to promote digestive health. Thanks to the food’s caloric density, it adds up to about $2 per day, making it cheaper than similar products.
Wellness Complete Health Pate Chicken Entree Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 10.5% Min
- Fat: 7% Min
- Fiber: 1% Max
- Life Stage: Adult
- Type: Wet Food
- Made In: United States
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Contains chicken, turkey, and chicken liver as primary ingredients
- Rich in nourishing animal-sourced protein
- Low carbohydrate content
- Doesn’t contain any potentially-harmful artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- The food receives positive customer reviews
- May contain too many thickening gums for some tastes
- Contains carrots and ground flaxseed
The food features chicken and chicken liver instead of the animal and poultry by-products you’ll find in many comparably-priced foods. Though the food contains carrots and flaxseed, it’s low in carbohydrates and appears to be an all-around species-appropriate food. Cats seem to love the way it tastes.
Nulo Freestyle Turkey & Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Canned Cat & Kitten Food
Product Info
- Protein: 11% Min
- Fat: 6.5% Min
- Fiber: 0.75% Max
- Life Stage: All Life Stages
- Type: Wet/Canned
- Made In: United States
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Features clearly-named, apparently high-quality meat ingredients
- Contains menhaden fish oil as a source of omega-3 fatty acids
- Low in carbohydrates
- Not a good option for cats who need a limited-ingredient diet
Menhaden fish oil adds omega-3 fatty acids, which help to control inflammation while supporting your cat’s skin and coat health.
A mix of guar gum and agar-agar—two of the safest gelling agents you’ll find in pet food—help to thicken and stabilize the paté. The food also contains a touch of pumpkin. Pumpkin is a popular food additive for cats with constipation and other digestive problems.
Tiki Cat Hookena Luau Ahi Tuna & Chicken in Chicken Consomme Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 17% Max
- Fat: 3.0% Min
- Fiber: 0% Max
- Life Stage: Adult
- Type: Wet/Canned
- Made In: Thailand
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Rich in animal-sourced protein from chicken and tuna
- Extremely low carbohydrate content—ideal for diabetic cats
- Contains tuna oil as a source of beneficial omega-3s
- Doesn’t contain any artificial colors, flavors, or inflammatory preservatives
- One of the most expensive foods on the market
- The food’s low fat content isn’t ideal for every cat
Like all Tiki Cat foods, it’s low in fat and calories, making it a good option for cats who need to lose weight.
Tiki Cat Koolina Luau Chicken with Egg in Chicken Consomme Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 17% Min
- Fat: 2.9% Min
- Fiber: 0% Max
- Life Stage: Adult
- Type: Wet
- Made In: Thailand
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Has a straightforward ingredient list featuring chicken muscle meat and egg
- Doesn’t contain common irritants
- Digestible and highly bioavailable
- Free of vaguely-named ingredients and by-products
- Not a good option for cats with chicken sensitivities
- Relatively expensive
Eggs are a good source of choline and lecithin, nutrients that may help prevent hairball formation. It’s a good option for cats with food sensitivities, hairball problems, and digestive issues in general.
Simply Nourish Essentials Chicken Recipe Adult Pate Canned Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 9.5% Min
- Fat: 6.5% Min
- Fiber: 1.0% Max
- Life Stage: Adult
- Type: Wet/Canned
- Made In: United States
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- A limited-ingredient food with a single protein source
- Free of carrageenan and other ingredients that might irritate your cat over time
- Rich in animal protein with minimal carbohydrate content
- Soft consistency is easy to eat
- Gets mixed palatability reports
Thanks to its slim ingredient list and soft, easy-to-eat consistency, it’s a good choice for sensitive cats of all kinds.
Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Funk In The Trunk Chicken in Pumpkin Consomme
Product Info
- Protein: 10% Min
- Fat: 1.6% Min
- Fiber: 0.5% Max
- Life Stage: Adult
- Type: Wet/Canned
- Made In: United States
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Rich in protein from chicken and tuna
- May help cats with constipation and other digestive issues
- Cats like the way this food tastes
- One of the most expensive foods on the market
It’s a moisture-rich food featuring chicken and tuna in a creamy pumpkin consommé. It contains several thickening gums, which increase the food’s fiber content and may help to soften and bulk stool.
Hound & Gatos 98% Rabbit Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 11% Min
- Fat: 7.0% Min
- Fiber: 1.0% Max
- Life Stage: Adult
- Type: Wet/Canned
- Made In: United States
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- A species-appropriate, low-carbohydrate food
- Primarily made from rabbit, a novel protein for many cats
- Doesn’t contain any inflammatory thickeners or additives
- Contains salmon oil as a source of omega-3 fatty acids
- Some cats don’t like the way this Hound & Gatos food tastes
This rabbit-based food features a single protein source and not much else, promising to nourish your cat without causing inflammation or causing an allergic reaction. Additionally, it contains salmon oil. This ingredient helps to ease IBD-associated inflammation and discomfort.
Weruva Truluxe Steak Frites with Beef & Pumpkin in Gravy Grain-Free Canned Food
Product Info
- Protein: 10% Min
- Fat: 1.3% Min
- Fiber: 0.5% Max
- Life Stage: Adult
- Type: Wet/Canned
- Made In: Thailand
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Rich in animal protein
- One of the lowest-phosphorus foods you can buy without a veterinarian’s prescription
- A good option for senior cats
- Low carbohydrate content
- Contains a few unnecessary plant ingredients
- Among the most expensive foods on the market
With beef at its heart and minimal carbohydrate matter, this food manages to deliver both species-appropriate nutrition and minimal phosphorus, making it a good option for seniors and any cat on a low-phosphorus diet.
HI-TOR Veterinary Select Neo Diet - Discontinued
Product Info
- Protein: 8.0% Min
- Fat: 10% Min
- Fiber: 1.0% Max
- Life Stage: Adult
- Type: Paté
- Made In: United States
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Primarily made from carnivore-friendly meat ingredients
- An affordable alternative to traditional renal diets
- Contains animal by-products and vaguely-named ingredients
- Contains carrageenan
Hill's Prescription Diet y/d Thyroid Care with Chicken Canned Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 8% Min
- Fat: 6% Min
- Fiber: 1.5% Max
- Life Stage: Adult
- Type: Wet/Canned
- Made In: United States
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- The only food that can help to control hyperthyroidism
- Low phosphorus and controlled sodium help to address kidney disease, which is common among senior cats
- Contains beneficial omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
- Relatively high in carbohydrate matter
- Contains animal by-products
- This food is highly restricted in iodine and not suitable for cats with normal thyroid function
It’s a good option if your cat can’t undergo other treatments, but it’s not a complete solution to hyperthyroidism nor a nutritionally ideal choice.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Renal Support D Thin Slices in Gravy Canned Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 6.5% Min
- Fat: 6.5% Min
- Fiber: 1.7% Max
- Life Stage: Adult
- Type: Wet/Canned
- Made In: United States
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- One of the most popular prescription foods for cats with kidney disease
- Highly palatable to many cats
- High caloric density helps sick cats maintain a healthy weight
- Contains omega-3 fatty acids to reduce inflammation
- Some cats prefer paté-style foods
- At 22% carbohydrates on a dry matter basis, this food is starchier than we’d like it to be
Caru Classic Wild Salmon & Turkey Stew Grain-Free Wet Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 9.0% Min
- Fat: 2.0% Min
- Fiber: 1.0% Max
- Life Stage: Adult
- Type: Stew/Purée
- Made In: United States
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Made with generous doses of species-appropriate meat ingredients
- Has a soft, easy-to-eat consistency that makes it a good choice for cats with poor dental health
- One of the few human-grade foods on the market
- Low in carbohydrate matter
- Among the most expensive cat foods you can buy
- It can be hard to get all of the food out of its carton
It’s made from a blend of salmon, fish broth, turkey, and an array of fruits and vegetables. All Caru foods are made from human-quality ingredients in a human food processing facility.
Hill's Prescription Diet a/d Urgent Care with Chicken Canned Dog & Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 8.5% Min
- Fat: 5.2% Min
- Fiber: 0.5% Max
- Life Stage: Adult
- Type: Wet/Canned
- Made In: United States
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Features highly-digestible sources of protein for maximum nourishment
- Contains fish oil as a source of omega-3 fatty acids
- Ideal for cats in need of nutritional support
- Doesn’t contain any animal by-products
- Free of potentially-harmful additives
- Only available by prescription
- May not be a suitable as a long term diet
This food from Hill’s Prescription Diet is made for cats who need a nutritional boost. It’s calorie-dense with ultra-digestible protein and elevated levels of B vitamins and potassium. The food’s palatable taste and soft, creamy consistency make it appealing and easy to eat.
Ziwi Peak Venison Recipe Canned Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 10% Min
- Fat: 4% Min
- Fiber: 2% Max
- Life Stage: Adult
- Type: Pate
- Made In: New Zealand
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Contains a mix of nutrient-dense muscle meat, organs, and bone
- Contains green-lipped mussel as a source of omega-3 fatty acids
- Appropriate for cats with food sensitivities and allergies
- Made from New Zealand ingredients
- Doesn’t contain any artificial colors or flavors that might harm your cat over time
- Contains chickpeas
- At 20% carbohydrate on a dry matter basis, this food is higher-carb than we prefer
The food contains green-lipped mussels as a source of omega-3 fatty acids. Unfortunately, this food contains chickpeas instead of traditional binding agents. This legume adds plant protein and carbohydrates that your cat doesn’t need.
Castor & Pollux Organix Organic Chicken & Chicken Liver Canned Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 9% Min
- Fat: 5% Min
- Fiber: 1% Max
- Life Stage: All Life Stages
- Type: Pate
- Made In: United States
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Made with USDA-certified organic ingredients
- Packed with species-appropriate animal protein
- Contains a single source of protein
- Rich in omega-3 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat
- Contains some unnecessary plant ingredients
- Some cats dislike the pate texture
This particular recipe features organic chicken and chicken liver as the primary proteins, supplemented with dried egg. Salmon oil provides a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids which offer anti-inflammatory benefits and support healthy skin and coat.
Though this recipe is packed with protein and healthy fats, it does contain a few plant ingredients, including organic pea protein. Overall, however, the carbohydrate content remains low, under 5%. This recipe contains plenty of moisture to support your cat’s hydration and it doesn’t contain any fillers, by-products, or potentially harmful additives.
Soulistic Originals Double Happiness Tuna & Crab Surimi Dinner in Gelee Wet Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 10% Min
- Fat: 1.4% Min
- Fiber: 0.5% Max
- Life Stage: Adult
- Type: Wet/Canned
- Made In: Thailand
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Features dolphin-safe tuna
- Extremely low in carbohydrate matter
- Cats seem to love the way this food tastes
- Contains carrageenan, a potentially-inflammatory additive
- Limited customer reviews
It contains substantial chunks and shreds of tuna and crab surimi set in a thickened broth. With its low carbohydrate content and irresistible taste, this food is a carnivore-appropriate feast. The food’s biggest drawback is its use of carrageenan. This potentially-carcinogenic thickener may worsen inflammation and is an ingredient we typically avoid in cat food.
Carl Weisbrod
The article says cats don't process carbohydrates well and develop diabetes from too high carbohydrate content. It goes on to say that cat food should not have higher than 10 percent carbohydrate content. Then the article goes on to recommend multiple foods that have much higher than 10% carb content, including some with 25-30+ percent (!), as well as other brands where the carbohydrate content is not disclosed. Hard to take such reviews seriously.
Mallory Crusta
Hi Carl, thanks for the comment and for pointing this out. You're right—that pattern very much diminishes the credibility of the article. The ones that are marked as really high-carbohydrate here are the Vital Essentials and Feline Naturals recipes, Caru Wild Salmon & Turkey, and the Renal Morsels for cats with kidney disease. I researched and wrote this article last year, and I know that none of these (with the exception of the renal diet) are high-carb products. It appears that our automated nutrient chart program is generating inaccurate carbohydrate values based on the limited information provided by the guaranteed analysis, which leads to a distorted impression of the foods' overall carbohydrate content. As for the ones where carbohydrate content is not reported, this also comes from the fact that our nutritional analysis program only knows how to read the guaranteed analysis, so if the minimum and maximums given in the GA add up to 100% (or more, which happens because these values are not exact), it will generate a carbohydrate content of 0%. Again, I appreciate you bringing this to our attention, and I'll see if we can get this sorted out so that the charts make more sense to future readers. Let me know if you want specific information on any of the products listed here, and I'll do my best to get you the numbers you need. Best, Mallory
Noel Lopez
one of my cats is allergic to fowl, almost all of these are chicken based except for Ziwi, I've been giving her Ziwi and she loves it but are there any other wet foods that are not fowl?
Kate Barrington
Great question, Noel! There are plenty of brands that use single proteins in their formulas, including options other than chicken. Open Farm is a great option - they have wet foods with salmon, turkey, beef, or herring and mackerel (https://openfarmpet.com/collections/wet-cat-food/). You could also try shopping for wet cat food on Chewy and scrolling down to the left side of the page where you can click "Chicken Free" under "Special Diet" to view all of their options. Just double-check the ingredients to make sure it's truly chicken-free.
Mike
I have three cats, all of different families, and all different types, and any cat food with salmon in it, they all vomit it up? Why?
Kate Barrington
Hi Mike! If you've been feeding them salmon food for any length of time, it's possible that all three have developed a fish allergy. It may also simply be the case that it doesn't agree with them - some cats are just sensitive to certain foods. Have you tried other foods? Have you noticed a difference between salmon wet food and salmon dry food?