Best Dry Cat Foods 2021

Watch Your Cats Water Intake When Feeding Dry Food

Cats are notoriously bad at drinking water but its not their fault. In the wild, cats would get the majority of their hydration from eating rats and mice that they captured as prey. Wet food can provide a similar effect and cats that get canned will likely drink less water and be better hydrated.

But if youre feeding your cat a mostly dry food diet youll need to take some extra considerations to keep your feline friend hydrated.

Our Cat Food Research Methodology

To select the cat foods for this guide, we consulted two veterinary nutritionists and a professor of animal and nutritional sciences. None of these experts recommended specific brands or endorsed any of the products in this, but they helped us understand what makes a high-quality cat food and what to avoid.

We also consulted guidelines and recommendations from the Association of American Feed Control Officials and the World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s Global Nutrition Guidelines, among other organizations.

The cat foods chosen for this guide were selected based on the following criteria:

AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement: The most basic measure of a nutritionally complete cat food is the presence of an AAFCO statement on the label. AAFCO is a nonprofit organization that defines the standard nutritional requirements for pet food and animal feed. A cat food with an AAFCO statement is guaranteed to be complete and balanced for a cat at various life stages. Read more about AAFCO standards in the next slide.

Swanson told us that cats without properly functioning kidneys require diets that are lower in protein. The less protein a cat with kidney problems has, the less likely it will be to build up waste products in the blood that make them sick.

Expert formulations: For this guide, we prioritized brands that have a dedicated nutrition expert on staff, which aligns with WSAVA guidelines. Both of the veterinary nutritionists we spoke to agree.

Best Hairball Control Cat Food

Cat hairballs are unpleasant for both pets and their people. Thankfully, there are a number of cat foods formulated to help reduce hairball development. A good hairball control cat food contains increased fiber and fatty acids for skin and coat support. This pick from Hills Science Diet has more than 9 percent crude fiber from ingredients like whole grain wheat and beet pulp, as well as fish oil for omega-3s, to reduce hairballs. This diet is high in fiber, to reduce the risk of hairballs, says Dr. Barnette. In addition, it has optimal magnesium levels to help reduce the risk of certain urinary crystals and bladder stones.

Highlights

• Contains high-quality fiber, fatty acids, and antioxidants for healthy digestion, skin and coat, and immune system support
• Chicken as the first ingredient
• No chicken byproduct meal, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
• Available in 3.5-, 7-, and 15.5-pound bags
• and save 5% on your delivery

Things to Consider

• Made in the USA but ingredient are globally sourced
• Contains corn gluten meal and wheat gluten

Don’t Miss: How Much Does A Ct Scan Cost For A Cat

Orijen Dry Cat Food Cat & Kitten Biologically Appropriate & Grain Free

This is one of premium dry cat food. Premium cat and kitten food made with chicken and turkey. It has the right amount of protein, carbohydrate, and micronutrients to maintain your kitties health and weight.

A Premium cat food best for both cat and kitten. This food made with free-run chicken and turkey, wild-caught fish, and cage-free eggs.

They are made from fresh raw meat and biologically appropriate which make it best dry cat food for our kittens and cats. It mixed with a fresh, raw animal ingredient. Deboned chicken, deboned a turkey, whole eggs are its first few ingredients.

It contain 90% meat, 10% vegetables, fruits and no grain.

40% min Crude Protein and 20% min Fat

With Omega-3, Omega-6 fatty acid and Taurine

Life Stage: Adult, Kitten

Special Diet: Grain-Free, Gluten Free, No Corn No Wheat No Soy

List Of Healthiest Dry Cat Food 2022

You May Like: Are You Supposed To Bathe Your Cat

How To Switch To A New Cat Food

First Day: First meal: 3/4 old food with 1/4 new food Second meal: 2/3 old food with 1/3 new food.Second Day: First meal: 1/2 old food with 1/2 new food Second meal: 1/3 old food with 2/3 new food.Third Day: All new food.

NOTE: I have received lots of comments and questions about cat foods. Due to time availability, I wont be able to answer all of them, but I will try to do my best. Thank you for your understanding!

This article is for educational purposes only. The reactions of cats to cat foods are very different and no cat food can be guaranteed to be the best for all cats.

What To Look For In Cat Food For Vomiting

Unless you already know what ingredients your cat is reacting to, you may need to do an elimination diet. This involves feeding your cat a limited ingredient diet made with a novel source of protein for 8 to 12 weeks until all signs of sensitivity resolve.

This is generally the best course of action to take if you suspect a food allergy to a specific ingredient. If you suspect the issue is more related to the quality of the food, an elimination diet may not be needed. Your vet will give you specific instructions on how to perform the elimination diet.

Here are some things to look for in a good cat food for vomiting:

• Made with wholesome, natural ingredients
• Real source of animal-based protein
• Moderate healthy fat content
• Low carb content, easily digestible carbs
• Free from by-products and low-quality fillers
• No artificial additives like colors, flavors, or preservatives

Generally speaking, the shorter the ingredients list, the better. If a commercial cat food has a long list of ingredients, theres more for your cat to react to.

For foods with long lists of synthetic supplements at the end, you might want to question the quality of the main ingredients. Low-quality cat foods often have long lists of supplements because the nutritional integrity of the main ingredients becomes compromised during processing . Natural sources of nutrients are always preferable.

You May Like: Blue Freedom Wet Cat Food

Dr Elseys Clean Protein Dry Cat Food

14/20 rating

• Product name rule = recipe 25-94.9% of the named ingredient
• Approx carb amount = 3%
• First 5 ingredients = turkey, dried chicken, dried egg product, gelatin, pork protein isolate

The previous two dry foods are much more suitable for cats.

Dr. Elseys doesnt contain any mystery ingredients.

However, it seems they rely more on supplements than whole meat ingredients.

This is still a much better option than most dry cat foods.

AVOID the product that says with in the name. This will have less than 25% of the named ingredient.

Only use recipe in the name. This will have more than 25% of the named ingredient.

Buy Dr. Elseys on and Chewy .

Petsradar’s Pick Of The Best Dry Cat Food

This food contains two protein sourcesâchicken and salmonâto provide your cat with essential nutrients required to maintain healthy organs and lean muscle mass. Salmon additionally provides omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties that benefit catsâ skin, coats, and joints. The food contains lentils and dried pumpkin as sources of fiber to support digestive health.

Dr. Diana Hasler BVM& S MRCVS

Founded by the eponymous celebrity chef, the Rachael Ray Nutrish brand is well-known for its natural ingredients and nutritional benefits. It is therefore no surprise that this chicken-based, dry cat food option is a bestseller, and popular among cat owners to boot.

This particular brand uses real US farm-raised chicken free from poultry by-products. Full of Omega-6 fatty acids â not to mention protein â your catâs skin and coat will be guaranteed a healthy shine should you choose to purchase it.

Moreover, itâs grain-free, which effectively reduces any risk of allergies for your cat. Further reducing this risk is the fact that this contains a number of natural ingredients, such as brewers rice, corn gluten meal, as well as dried ground peas to contribute on the carbohydrate front. Added vitamins and minerals aid your catâs digestion and overall health, and there are no artificial fillers.

If your cat tends to overeat on those lovely treats and is looking rather plump, Blue Buffalo Weight Controlis the best choice to help slim them down.

You May Like: Medicine For Arthritis In Cats

Best Cat Foods To Stop Vomiting: The Verdict

Changing your cats food can often be one of the easiest ways to manage regular vomiting. Switching to one of these best cat foods to stop vomiting may well be a good call.

Our best choice for this purpose is the Blue Buffalo sensitive stomach dry cat food, complete with prebiotics to help improve healthy digestion.

Remember, if you have any concerns about your cats eating habits or regular vomiting, its important to speak to a vet.

The 31 Best Healthy Dry Cat Foods In 2022

This page contains affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post through our independently chosen links, which earn us a commission. Learn More

The best dry cat food honors your cats carnivorous needs with plenty of animal-sourced protein, just the right amount of fat, and low carbohydrate content. Its made from high-quality ingredients and comes from a company with a reputation for integrity.

Coming in at the top of our list is Dr. Elseys cleanprotein Chicken Formula. This food delivers an unexpected combination of crunch, flavor, and carnivore-appropriate nutrition. With plenty of species-appropriate protein and radically low carbohydrate content, this kibble is among the few that honors your cats nutritional needs.

Recommended Reading: When Do Kittens Eyes Change Color

Best Dry Cat Food For Sensitive Stomach

Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Morsels for Cats

KEY FEATURES:

• 98% cage-free chicken, organs and bone
• Taurine and probiotics

If your cat suffers from a sensitive stomach then they will need a specially formulated diet. A great option for this is the Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Morsels for Cats.

This formula focuses on pure natural ingredients and is absolutely packed with high-quality protein! This dry food features 98% cage-free chicken, organs and bone, plus taurine and probiotics.

Each recipe is 100% organic certified and crafted to perfection to ensure optimum health for your cat. This means that every ingredient serves a purpose as nature intended and doesn’t contain any added hormones, antibiotics, grains or fillers.

Protein – 45%

The Best Dry Cat Food

Calories per serving: 443 Kcals per cup

Crude protein minimum: 40%

Moisture maximum: 9%

Top three ingredients: deboned chicken, chicken meal, pea protein

Contains: magnesium, taurine, Omega 3, Omega 6, vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12, C, D3, E

No artificial flavors, preservatives, poultry by-product meals, corn, soy, or wheat

If you want a high-quality food for cats with real meat as the top ingredient, then the High Protein Grain Free Adult Dry Cat Food by Blue Buffalo might be just what you are looking for. This protein-rich recipe has deboned chicken as its number one ingredient and includes natural sources of fiber to improve the absorption of the nutrients included in the food. And thanks to the addition of menhaden fish meal, the recipe has an optimal balance of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, so its great for skin and coat health. There are also plenty of antioxidants thanks to wholesome veggies and fruits such as sweet potatoes, blueberries and cranberries, plus added vitamins and minerals for complete nutrition. Additionally, the food is free from corn, wheat, and soy, making it ideal for all cats, including kitties with sensitive digestive systems.

Calories per serving: 390 Kcals per cup

Crude protein minimum: 42%

Moisture maximum: 10%

Top three ingredients: chicken meal, peas, sweet potato

Contains: zinc, selenium, taurine, Omega 3, Omega 6, vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, D, E

No grains, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives

Recommended Reading: Cats In The Kitchen Wet Food

Heres How We Chose The 31 Best Dry Cat Foods On The Market

Through researching the pet food industry, reviewing dozens of foods, and doing hands-on testing, weve done the work to find the few dry foods that are worth pouring into your cats bowl.

Your typical kibble is loaded with corn, potatoes, rice, and other ingredients few cats would choose on their own. And finding food made from safe, high-quality ingredients? Thats a challenge, too.

As straightforward as those requirements are, finding great dry cat food isnt as simple as it sounds. Most dry foods look more like cereal than a carnivore-appropriate meal.

The following 31 foods are top-notch products that meet our quality standards. Weve included top recommendations for cats and households of all kinds, with options for adult cats, kittens, senior cats, and those with food sensitivities or other dietary needs.

Orijen Cat And Kitten Review

Best Overall Dry Food

Orijens dry recipe is an excellent choice for cats and kittens thanks to its plentiful and wholesome list of protein meats. The first 16 ingredients are all named proteins, composed mostly of chicken and turkey but with flounder, mackerel, sardines, and herring added to the mix. As a grain-free recipe, the formula contains green peas, lentils, and chickpeas, but fortunately, they are way below the first 10 ingredients. The downside to Orijen is that it costs more than the average kibble, but in return, youre getting a product with an excellent protein source that works for cats of all ages.

Recommended Reading: Russian Blue Kittens For Sale Seattle

Dr Elseys Cleanprotein Chicken Formula Grain

The grain-free label is perhaps most useful when shopping for dry foodsthe category where grains and other unhealthy fillers are the most widespread. Dr. Elseys cleanprotein dry formula is about as healthy as dry cat food gets, with a nutritional profile inspired by the protein levels found in natural prey.

With an all-animal first five ingredients, this formula manages to source 90 percent of its protein content from natural animal sources with a high biological valuemainly chicken, pork, salmon, and egg. This not only makes it a great supplement to wet food but also an effective way to support underweight or growing cats.

As a true grain-free recipe, Dr. Elseys is extremely light on carbohydrates and sugars, as well as being no-to-low oxalate, meaning that its appropriate for cats with a high risk of developing oxalate crystals and bladder stones.

Cats Are Carnivores & Why It Matters

Cats only eat meat. They are entirely carnivorous creatures. Sure, it may seem like some cats want to take a bite out of everything youre snacking on. But outside of meat and water, a cats body cant digest other food properly.

Of course, when you buy a bag of dry kibble, youre going to see added ingredients that arent meat. Thats because house cats cant simply go hunt every time theyre hungry to satisfy their need. So each recipe is crafted to give your pet a well-rounded eating experience according to their lifestyle.

That doesnt mean, however, that you should feed your cat a diet full of fillers and artificial additives. Certain ingredients are harmful long-term for any catnot just those with allergies or sensitivities.

Also Check: Serval Cat Pet For Sale

Important Features To Consider For Best Dry Kitten Food

Everyone benefits from dry food because they dont have to worry about food spoiling in the bowl while they are gone for the day. However, bear in mind that diversity is important, and give your kitty some wet food as well.

So, to increase hunger and provide variety, sprinkle some canned kitten food on top of the kibble.

A few key characteristics should be present in the best dry kitten food. Here are some things to think about when choosing kitten food:

• The nutrient profile

Kitten diet should be high in protein , fat , and calories.

Wet food has a lower amount of protein since it contains moisture, whereas dry food has had all the moisture removed. To compensate for the difference in nutrient levels, you must feed more wet food than dry food. Calcium and phosphorus, which build growing bones, are also crucial minerals in the kitten diet.

• The quality of the ingredients.

Look for high-quality components in kitten feeds, such as whole meats and labeled organ meats. Meat meals are fine in dry foods if they are identified .

Artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives should be avoided. Meats raised in the United States should be used in the highest-quality dishes.

How tasty is the cat food youve chosen? It could have the best ingredients, but if your cat wont eat it, its not worth the money.

Of course, each cat is unique, but if the majority of buyers say their kittens appreciate the food, you may be confident that yours will as well.