Top 10 Best Dry and Wet Cat Food: A Buyer’s Guide [2020]

Proper nutrition is vital for all animals, including our feline companions. According to animal nutritionists and veterinarians, the type of food you offer your furry family member plays a huge role in her overall health and well-being.

When it comes to cat food, there’s certainly no shortage of options to choose from. Visit any pet supply, grocery, or big box store and you’ll find shelves upon shelves of varieties. Heck, you can even purchase cat food at your local pharmacy and from online retailers! While having a lot of variety is a great thing, it can make the process of selecting the right food a bit overwhelming. With such a dizzying array of choices, trying to narrow down the options and select the best food for your kitty can be a pretty difficult task.

Not worry; we’ve got you covered! To help you find the most tastiest – and more important, the most nutritious – food for your feline friend, we’ve put together a list of the top cat food options currently on the market. To make our selections, we rated each brand and formula on three primary factors:

According to our analysis, the very best brands of dry and wet cat food feature a variety of nutritional profiles, flavors, and price points. Even more importantly, our feline companies love gobbling them up, which is definitely a tell-tale sign of a food’s quality.

The Pick of the Litter: Nulo Cat Food

What’s the very best brand of cat food on the market? Based on the above-mentioned factors, and the responses of our feline sample testers, Nulo is the highest ranking cat food around. This brand is independently owned, which means that it isn’t a part of a big corporation, so there’s no behind-the-scenes politics going on (many corporate-owned cat food brands are associated with some questionable dealings, as we learned during investigation). Nulo is also based in the United States, so you don’t have to worry about any harmful ingredients making their way into their formulas (which often happens with overseas brands; especially those that are based in China). Additionally, all varieties of their wet and dry food formulas are made with the highest quality ingredients and offer complete, balanced nutrition.

This brand offers a myriad of benefits, some of the most notable of which include the following:

Nulo offers recipes that provide ideal nutrition for all lifestyles and life-stages, from kittens through seniors, as well as outdoor and indoor cats.

Check out our in-depth

Runners Up

While Nulo offers the best possible nutrition for cats, there are other brands that come close to the offering the same complete nutrition and also use very high-quality ingredients. The following brands of cat food adhered to our above-mentioned criteria. Also like Nulo, these brands can be purchased reputable pet stores, as well as through online retailers.

Our six runners up for the best cat food include the following brands…

Wellness

Our first runner up for the best cat food is Wellness. This brand, which is owned by WellPet, LLC, an American-based company, is committed to ensuring pets maintain their overall wellness, and they do that by creating a variety of both wet and dry cat food formulas that offer balanced nutrition for all life stages and lifestyles. As they say, “Make it Well. Make it Count.” Wellness is so committed to the well-being of animals that they are proud supporters of organizations that assist needy animals, such as the WellPet Foundation (their own charity) and the Human Animal Bond Research Initiative, a foundation that aims to improve the connection between humans and animals.

All Wellness cat food recipes are free of harsh and harmful ingredients, such as fillers, additives, by-products, and preservatives. Additionally, all recipes are formulated under the guidance of veterinarians and animal nutritionists, so you know your kitty cat will be getting the nutrition that she needs.

Check out our in-depth

Taste of the Wild

Taste of the Wild is our second runner up. “Based on Your Pet’s Ancestral Diet” is the manufacturer’s slogan, which means that their cat food formulas are designed to mimic the nutrition that our companion cats’ wild ancestors (think lions, tigers, leopards, etc) would eat.

Taste of the Wild offers both dry and wet cat food, and there are options available for all ages and lifestyles. Like Wellness, Taste of the Wild relies on the insights of veterinarians and animal nutritionists, so you can have peace of mind knowing that your furry friend will get the complete nutrition she needs. Additionally, the manufacturer is so committed to offering the healthiest, safest food for pets that they have developed strict quality assurance protocols to certify the safety of their food. All recipes are subjected to testing to ensure they pass the company’s protocols before it’s shipped out and distributed to pet food suppliers – and ultimately, cat parents. According to Taste of the Wild, “We don’t make anything we wouldn’t feed our own pets.” That statement is a testament to their commitment to quality because the safety and well-being of our furry family member’s is every pet parent’s objective.

Fromm

Next up is the Fromm cat food, which is made by the Fromm Family Pet Food company. This family-owned and operated company is based in the United States. It’s been operated by the same family since the company was originated five generations ago. The creators of Fromm Family Pet Food are also committed to providing our four-legged friends with the highest quality, safest nutrition possible. They do this by using wholesome ingredients in all of their recipes. All wet and dry food formulas are free of synthetic ingredients and preservatives. Furthermore, they thoroughly vet the suppliers that they source their ingredients from (nothing is sourced from China or any other Asian location), as well as any third-parties that handle production and packaging.

To further certify the safety of their cat food, Fromm has all of their food tested by a third-party lab. The lab runs tests to assure everything is bacteria-free. Additionally, the company adheres to stringent quality assurance protocols throughout every stage of the production process, from development to packaging.

Orijen

According to Orijen, they “Nourish as Nature Intended”. All of their recipes are, as the manufacturer states, “Biologically Appropriate”; a trademark statement that has become their promise to pet parents. That means that their food is properly formulated to meet the unique nutritional needs of felines. Their recipes are comprised of the most wholesome ingredients, including free-range chicken, turkey, and meat, wild-caught fish, and cage-free eggs. Their ingredients are sourced from suppliers that the company thoroughly vets, and all food is delivers to their kitchen freshly butchers or picked and chock-full of essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.

Orijen has facilities in both the US and Canada. All products are manufactured by the company; not third-party facilities. As such, the company is able to closely monitor the production, packaging, and distribution of all the food they offer.

Organix

Made by Castor & Pollux, an American-based pet food manufacturer, Organix was created in 2003, and since it was first introduced, it has been hailed as the top organic pet food in the country. In 2017, they enhanced the quality of their food even more by ensuring that all recipes are USDA organic; it’s currently the only complete line of pet food that is certified organic by the USDA.

Their recipes contain optimal levels of vital nutrients, which are sourced from premium-quality ingredients, such as free-range poultry, locally sourced fruits and vegetables, prebiotics and probiotics, and omega-3 fatty acids. Since Organix cat food is USDA certified organic, it contains absolutely no harmful ingredients; no GMOs, synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, artificial preservatives, antibiotics, or growth hormones.

Nature’s Logic

According to Nature’s Logic, their food is “The Way Pet Food Should Be”. According to their website, this American-based company (whose home office is located in Lincoln, Nebraska) is the “first and only full-line of pet food with no synthetic ingredients”. The founders of the pet food company are pet parents themselves, and their goal is to provide the best possible, most nourishing, and safest food possible for our feline companions.

All of their dry and wet cat food is completely free of chemically manufactured ingredients, so you can have confidence knowing that your kitty won’t be exposed to the possible risks that are often attributed to artificial ingredients. In addition to being completely natural, their products are grain-free and are fortified with natural sources of probiotics and enzymes, which means that all formulas are easy to digest. Of course, Nature’s Logic recipes are comprised of premium-quality, nutrient-rich ingredients, including real animal proteins and nourishing plant-based ingredients, too.

ZiwiPeak

Last up on our runner’s up list of the best cat food brands is ZiwiPeak. This brand is different than all the others featured in our review, as it isn’t based in the United States, but rather, it’s a New Zealand based company. While some American cat parents may be hesitant to feed their feline friends imported food, rest assured that New Zealand, like the US, has very stringent quality control protocols for pet food. ZiwiPeak adheres to all of these standards, so you can be sure that the wet or dry cat food you are offering your kitty is safe.

ZiwiPeak cat food is made with nutrient dense ingredients; in fact, their recipes contain more than 90 percent animal proteins, so it very closely mimics the ancestral diet of your domesticated friend. Ingredients featured in their recipes including named sourced of protein, green lipped mussels, and even kelp and herbs, which are nutrient-rich, low clycemic carbohydrates.

Out of more than 200 different brands of pet food, ZiwiPeak has received a first-place ranking from independent research that assesses quality nutrition. Additionally, the company only uses ingredients from suppliers who are committed to maintaining humane practices.

Top 6 Dry Cat Foods

Many cat parents opt to feed their furry family members dry cat food, and for good reason; it’s easy. It has a longer shelf life than wet cat food, and it doesn’t have to be refrigerated after opening, which means it can sit out longer and storage isn’t a major concern. If you are one of the millions of pet owners who has decided that dry kibble is the best choice for you and your cat, it’s essential that you select a formula that offers complete, balanced nutrition. Additionally, it should be palate pleasing so your feline friend will enjoy mealtime. Affordability is an important factor, too.

With that said, here’s a look at our picks for the six best dry cat food products that meet the dietary requirements of our four-legged friends:

Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Dry Cat Food

Formulated for adult cats, Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Dry Cat Food meets the five requirements that indicate balanced nutrition:

1. A wholesome blend of essential vitamins and minerals
2. Fortified with probiotics and preboitocs
3. Dietary fiber
4. Essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
5. Vital proteins and complex carbohydrates

The first two ingredients – de-boned chicken and turkey – are clear indicators that this dry cat food is made of healthful ingredients that meet the nutritional needs of felines.

Nutritional Profile

• 45 percent protein
• 18 percent fat
• 3 percent fiber

Advantages

• Made with named animal proteins (de-boned chicken and turkey)
• Grain-free
• Good for cats who have specific dietary needs, such as diabetics

Disadvantages

• Some customers said that it has a pungent smell
• Others complained that the bag was bulky and heavy

Taste of the Wild Grain Free High Protein Dry Cat Food

Taste of the Wild’s Grain Free High Protein Dry Cat Food is packed with protein (just like the name says). It’s comprised of premium sources of animal protein, like salmon, trout, venison, and chicken, so you can be sure that your furry family member will be getting the optimal levels of amino acids she needs to thrive.

Additionally, this dry food is made with healthful, easy to digest carbohydrates, such as blueberries, raspberries, and peas.

Nutritional Profile

• 42 percent protein
• 18 percent fat
• 3 percent fiber

Advantages

• All ingredients are healthful and source from reputable suppliers
• Contains a proprietary blend of probiotics to support digestive health
• Compared to other high-quality cat food brands, it’s affordably priced

Disadvantages

• A few customers said that they noticed their cats gained weight when they free-fed them this dry cat food, so do make sure you are monitoring portions and that you establish and eating schedule.

Fromm FourStar Cat Food Gamebird

FourStar Gamebird from Fromm is a little bit different than other dry cat food formulas we’ve seen. In addition to featuring turkey, it’s also made with pheasant, quail, and duck; ingredients that aren’t usually found in dry cat food recipes. This blend of premium sources of protein will ensure your feline friend is getting the healthy dose of amino acids she needs to thrive. It’s also grain-free and contains a blend of fresh, delicious, and nutritious fruits and veggies.

According to many pet parents, they noticed their cats’ coats were more lustrous after they offered them this product. Others have noted that there was a significant improvement in digestion, too.

Nutritional Profile

• 35 percent protein
• 18 percent fat
• 6 percent fiber

Advantages

• Made with unique sources of animal protein, such as pheasant, quail, and duck
• Pet parents noted that it helped to reduce skin problems and improved coat health
• Improves digestion

Disadvantages

• A few customers noted that they thought it caused weight gain
• Others said that there were problems with the packaging; namely, the seal wouldn’t close

Orijen Dry Cat Kitten Food

Orijen Dry Cat Kitten Food is ideal for pet parents who have a blend of kittens and adult cats, or who have recently adopted a kitten and don’t want to worry about switching food as their little one grows. This dry cat food is specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs of both kittens and adult felines.

Made with the perfect balance of essential nutrients, including animal-based protein, vitamins, minerals, complex carbohydrates, and micronutrients, this recipe will nourish kitties of all ages. It will ensure your kitten grows into a healthy, strong adult, and it will keep your adult cat strong and healthy as she ages. This recipe is comprised of top-quality ingredients, including free-range poultry, wild-caught fish, and cage-free chicken, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables.

Nutritional Profile

• 40 percent protein
• 20 percent fat
• 3 percent fiber

Advantages

• Nourishes skin and coat
• Easily digestible
• Ingredients are always fresh; never frozen

Disadvantages

• Some customers said that it had a pungent odor
• Others said that the powerful odor caused their cats’ feces to smell

Castor & Pollux Organix Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Cat Food

The Organix Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe from Castor & Pollux serves up a healthy dose of vital nutrients for adult cats. The first ingredient is real, USDA certified organic chicken, so you can be sure that your kitty will get the protein she needs to fuel her energy levels and support her joint health. It also contains a variety of other healthful, organic ingredients, such as peas, and brown rice.

This recipe is easily digestible and packed with nutrition; however, do note that it contains more carbs than other dry food on our list, so it may not be well-suited overweight or less active felines.

Nutritional Profile

• 31 percent protein
• 14 percent fat
• 5 percent fiber

Advantages

• Easy to digest
• Customers noted that it reduced the occurrence of hairballs

Disadvantages

• Higher carbohydrate levels, so it may not be ideal for cats who are suffering from obesity or who aren’t very active
• Some customers noted that their pets’ didn’t seem to find the taste palatable

Nulo Adult and Kitten Grain Free Dry Cat Food

Last up on our list of the best dry cat food is an option that comes from our pick for the best brand of cat food: Nulo. Their Adult and Kitten Grain Free Dry Cat Food is designed for both kittens and adults, so if you have pets of varying ages, or you don’t want to worry about switching brands, this is a great choice.

Comprised of the best possible, all-natural ingredients, all of which are sourced from reputable, American-based suppliers, this dry food is bursting with nutrition and flavor. Like all Nulo cat food recipes, this one is made with prime cuts of real animal protein, as well as healthful fruits and vegetables.

Nutritional Profile

• 40 percent protein
• 20 percent fat
• 4 percent fiber

Advantages

• Offers balanced nutrition for cats of all ages and lifestyles
• Easy to digest

Disadvantages

• Some cat parents said that their pets’ didn’t seem fond of the flavor

Top 4 Wet Cat Foods

While wet food costs more, it has a shorter shelf life than dry, and it does have to be refrigerated within a few hours of opening, there are definite advantages to canned food. For one thing, many cats find it more palatable, as its texture and taste more closely resembles what they would eat in the wild. For another, it’s easier to chew, making it a better option for felines who are suffering from dental health issues. Lastly, wet food has a higher moisture content than dry food, so it’s nourishing and hydrating.

With that said, here are our top four picks for the best wet cat food:

Wellness Divine Duos with Beef Pate and Diced Chicken Liver

Packed with protein, which is sourced from beef and chicken liver, this wet food is as wholesome as it is tasty. It has a high moisture content and low phosphorous levels, so it’s a great choice for older cats or felines who are suffering from kidney problems.

Nutritional Profile

• 36 percent protein
• 33 percent fat
• 3 percent fiber

Advantages

• Packed with protein and other vital nutrients
• Offers balanced nutrition for kittens and adult cats alike

Disadvanatages

• High price tag

Nature’s Logic Feline Beef  Feast

With more than 95 percent animal-based ingredients, Nature’s Logic Feline Beef Feast offers balanced nutrition for your obligate carnivorous friend. It also contains fresh fruits and veggies, which supplies dietary fiber, making it a low calorie, easy to digest wet food.

Nutritional Profile

• 36 percent protein
• 25 percent fat
• 10 percent fiber

Advantages

• Mostly made of animal-based ingredients
• Low calorie content

Disadvantages

• Some pet parents said it cause stomach problems

Halo Spot’s Stew Cats Wholesome Chicken Recipe

This wet food offers balanced nutrition for cats of all ages. Made with chicken meat, broth, and liver, as well as a healthy dose of veggies, this recipe is backed with wholesome goodness and has a taste your feline friend will love.

Nutritional Profile

• 56 percent protein
• 37 percent fat
• 9 percent fiber

Advantages

• Packed with protein
• Easy to digest
• Palatable taste

Disadvantages

• Made with garlic powder, which can be hazardous to a cat’s health in high doses
• High price tag

ZiwiPeak Canned Cat Cuisine New Zealand Beef Recipe

Hailed as one of the healthiest wet cat foods on the market, this recipe from ZiwiPeak is made with the highest quality, safest ingredients. It contains free-range, grass-fed, antibiotic- and hormone-free beef. It also contains New Zealand green lipped mussels; a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin, which strength the joints and improve mobility. It’s also packed with other essential vitamins and minerals that felines need to thrive.

Nutritional Profile

• 36 percent protein
• 25 percent fat
• 5 percent fiber

Advantages

• Easy to digest
• Strengths joints
• Made with safe, high-quality ingredients

Disadvantages

• Slightly higher phosphorous levels, which may be problematic for cats with kidney issues

Top Food for Kitten

Kittens have different dietary needs than their adult counterparts. In order to ensure proper growth and development, it’s important that parents of kittens feed these small, furry felines a diet that is specially formulated to meet their dietary requirements.

Think of a kitten as a human child; their bodies and brains are growing at a rapid rate. To support optimal growth, they need to eat food that will nourish them and encourage optimal physical and cognitive development. Protein is cats of all ages, but kittens need even more to ensure their bones, muscles, and organs will flourish. They also need other vital nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids and DHA, which play a crucial role in eye and brain development.

So, what’s the best cat food for kittens? In our opinion, it’s Wellness Core Natural Grain Free Wet Canned Kitten food. Made with natural de-boned turkey, deboned chicken, and fish meal, it serves a healthy dose of protein. It also contains optimal levels of omega-3 fatty acids and DHA, so you can be sure your little kitty’s eyes and brain will get the vital nutrition they need to develop properly.

According to pet parents, their kittens love the taste and they are quite pleased with the development they see in their pets’ when they eat this food. They noted that it seemed easy to digest, it nourished the skin, and it provides their growing kittens with the energy they need to thrive.

How to Select the Best Food for Your Cat

While all of the options listed in our review are top-quality and will certainly offer your feline companion the vital nutrition she needs, you may decide that you want to choose a different formula.

To ensure you’re picking the best food for your cat or kitten, ALWAYS make sure you assess the nutritional profile and read the list of ingredients.

Nutritional Profile

A well-balanced cat food that will offer optimal nutrition for your cat will offer:

• A high protein content
• Low amounts of carbohydrates
• A high moisture content

Ingredients to Look For

A quality cat food will feature the following ingredients:

• Real animal protein, sourced from named animals; chicken, turkey, venison, tuna, salmon, beef, etc
• Complex carbohydrates, like sweet potatoes, chickpeas, and peas. Complex carbs are easier to digest, have a high nutritional value, and are low in calories

Ingredients to Avoid

Stay away from cat food that lists any of the following ingredients:

• By-products, which can consist of things like brain, blood, spleen, lungs, bone, stomach, fatty tissue, and intestines. They offer little nutritional value and can be harmful to a cat’s health.
• Artificial anything; steer clear of anything that contains synthetic dyes, flavors, preservatives, and fillers, as they can also be hazardous to a feline’s health.
• Simple carbohydrates, such as corn, soy, rice, and wheat; they’re difficult to digest, high in calories, and many cats are allergic to these gluten-based ingredients.

Summing It Up

Your cat “is what she eats”. If you want to ensure she lives the happiest, healthiest, and longest life possible, it’s essential that you offer her a well-balanced diet that meets unique feline nutritional needs. In this review, we touched on some of the key ingredients quality foods contain, and offered our picks for some of the best dry and wet cat food formulas on the market. If you choose any of the options listed above, you can have confidence knowing your feline friend will receive the essential nutrients she needs to thrive.

Summing It Up

Your cat “is what she eats”. If you want to ensure she lives the happiest, healthiest, and longest life possible, it’s essential that you offer her a well-balanced diet that meets unique feline nutritional needs. In this review, we touched on some of the key ingredients quality foods contain, and offered our picks for some of the best dry and wet cat food formulas on the market. If you choose any of the options listed above, you can have confidence knowing your feline friend will receive the essential nutrients she needs to thrive.

Want to learn more about your cat’s wellness or cat products? Check out some more Pure Bred Cats articles!