Clearly Identifiable Meat Protein
We cannot stress this enough. Meat protein should always take precedence over any other kind of plant protein precisely because of the absence of taurine in the latter. Additionally, plant based proteins also contain fiber which we already know to be quite difficult to digest by obligate carnivores. It is important to look for a clearly stated meat protein such as chicken, tuna, or duck, just to name a few. If it says poultry meal your guess is as good as ours as to what kind of poultry products are included in the food.
American Journey Minced Chicken & Salmon Recipe Canned Cat Food
Though not specifically designed for kidney support, this American Journey Minced Chicken & Salmon Recipe Canned Cat Food is an affordable option in cat food that offers moderate protein content and an ideal balance of omega fatty acids. It features fresh chicken as the primary ingredient with grain-free carbohydrates for digestibility. It is rich in natural sources of key nutrients such as fresh fruits and vegetables, plus it is supplemented with chelated minerals for optimal nutrient absorption. This is also a canned food recipe which means that it is higher in moisture content and, because it has a thick gravy, it will be highly palatable for cats who need to gain weight.
- Pros: Affordable recipe, high in moisture content, moderate protein, real food ingredients, fresh fruits and vegetables, blend of omega fatty acids, chelated mineral supplements
- Cons: Not specifically designed for kidney support, some cats are sensitive to chicken ingredients
Petsradar’s Pick Of The Best Wet Cat Food
- Best wet cat food overall: Ziwipeak Daily Cat Cuisine Tins Lamb
- Best budget wet cat food: Iams Delights Land and Sea Collection
- Best wet cat food treat: Applaws Whole Tuna Loin Cat Treat
- Best wet cat food for food sensitivities: AVA Veterinary Approved Optimum Health
- Best wet cat food for picky pussycats: Blue Buffalo Wilderness Wild Delights Minced Chicken & Turkey in Tasty Gravy Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
- Best wet cat food for active cats: Crave Wet Cat Food with Chicken & Turkey in Loaf
- Best wet cat food for senior cats: Royal Canin Ageing 12+ in Gravy
- Best gourmet wet cat food: Gourmet Perle Wet Adult Cat Food
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
If you have a little four-legged fine-dining connoisseur on your hands, then Ziwi Peak has you covered with its gourmet range of canned cat cuisine.
This New Zealand-based brand is enjoying a meteoric rise in popularity and its easy to see why. With its ethical, humane and sustainable sourcing methods and strict quality standards, this is a brand you can trust to deliver.
The crew at Ziwi Peak understand that cats thrive on a meat-based diet, and this is reflected in their cat food, which contains at least 92% fresh meat, organs, seafood and bone to provide your cat with all the nutrients it needs to live a happy and healthy life. All of its products use real, wholesome and natural ingredients with no nasty additives or fillers.
Reasons to avoid
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
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Wet Cat Food Has Lower Plant Content Than Dry Food
Most dry cat food manufacturers use high-carbohydrate ingredients like corn, wheat, potatoes, or tapioca. These starchy ingredients are binders and help the kibble to maintain its shape.
Wet food manufacturing works differently. You can make wet food with nothing but meat, water, and supplements. Therefore, wet foods are usually relatively simple and species-appropriate.
Dry Cat Food Versus Wet Or Canned Cat Food
Dry cat food is a popular choice partly because it is more convenient than wet cat food. Dry food is cost-effective, odorless, and it can be stored for long periods of time without spoiling, says Ferris.
But Julien notes that dry cat food can also be higher in carbohydrates than wet cat food. Just as you think about all the sourdough youve been eating while baking at home, you should also consider the amount of carbs your cat is eating. An active cat can absolutely use carbohydrates as an energy source, says Julien, adding that a sedentary aka indoor cat will store extra carbs as fat.
Wet food requires a bit more effort it has to be refrigerated once the can or pouch is opened and can be more expensive. But it may also help cats get more water in their diet . Canned or wet food has higher levels of protein and fat, making it a great option for cats of various lifestyles and ages, says Kornreich.
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How Much Food Should I Feed My Cat
All cat foods state on the label the calorie content and suggested feeding guidelines in cups or tins so that you can work out how much to feed your cat based on their weight. However, its important to remember that every cat is unique and will metabolize their food differently. Cats also have a huge variation in normal weight, from 5.5 pounds to 18 pounds or more!
First, you should work out your cats weight and body condition score . The body condition score determines whether or not your cat is overweight, and in the case of the 9-point scale, it even approximates how much overweight your cat is. You then need to work out the calorie allowance for your cat. Your local veterinary clinic will usually offer a free consultation to determine this, or you can go to the Pet Nutrition Alliances calculator to get a recommended feeding amount in calories. You can then use the food tab to type in the calorie content of your pets food to get a recommendation for the number of tins or cups you should be feeding your pet each day. If youre mixing wet and dry food, dont forget to split the daily calorie allowance between the two so you dont overfeed your cat.
Iams Proactive Health Kitten
This budget-friendly dry kitten food has a lot to love. Designed with kitten development in mind, this formula is protein-rich and is packed with Omega-3 and DHA to help your kittens brain development.
The first ingredient in this product is chicken, and there are no added fillers at all. That yummy chicken that creates the taste your kitten loves is also helping them build strong muscles. The inclusion of Vitamin E is wonderful for boosting your kittens immune system. Its also full of the essential amino acids all meat-eating animals need.
IAMS is a well-respected cat food manufacturer that has been around for a long time. They have spent years researching foods that are great for your pet without breaking the bank. They are so confident that your kitten will thrive on this excellent formula that they offer a 100% money-back guarantee. The quality control checks they use far exceed the standards of both the FDA and the USDA. If youre on a budget, this is a fantastic dry kitten food to try.
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How We Determine The Best Wet Cat Food
Weve looked into every major wet cat food product on the market today, to develop a comprehensive list of the best wet cat foods for 2021. We made our decisions based on several metrics, including protein quality, moisture content, and sustainable packaging.
Below, youll find explainers on why these metrics matter, as well as the factors you should be considering when shopping for your cats next dinner.
The Best Adult Wet Cat Food
Wet cat food tends to be costlier than dry food. In terms of nutrition, wet food stands out from kibble in a few ways. It contains significantly more moisture, typically 75% to 80% versus 10% to 12% found in dry food. Because of that moisture content, wet food is more filling and may be a good choice for cats who love to eat a little too zealously.
However, Okada and Parker both agreed that feeding a typical adult cat wet food instead of, or in addition to, dry food offers no specific health benefits. It’s a decision that should be based on a cat’s preferences and a guardian’s budget.
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Nutrition Needs For Your Cat Depends On Age
After birth, the kittens should immediately crawl up to the mother and start sucking milk. So they get colostrum-a component of mothers milk, which is rich in antibodies and strengthens the immune system.
After a while, the kittens show their first interest in the solid food, and then you can start introducing solid food into their diet. Due to the immature digestive system, kittens need to receive easily digestible food.
To maintain good health, your cats diet should include the right balance of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins. High-quality and complete food will provide all this. In the absence of special recommendations from the veterinarian and provided that a balanced diet is followed, your pet will not need any other dietary supplements.
Kittens aged 2-12 months are playful, curious, and mobile. The food for them should be concentrated, rich in minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients for the proper development and growth of bones, teeth, and muscles. Therefore, food for kittens should contain more protein and fats than food for adult cats. Besides, the food for kittens volume and texture are different from the food for adult cats. Kittens need food with nucleotides that promote tissues development, optimal growth of the animal and improve its immunity.
Best Wet Cat Food Of : Overall Picks
The following foods all combine nutritional ingredients, complete nutrition, and palatability. They are also highly recommended by cat parents and have price points that make them accessible to the majority of families.
Here are our favorite wet cat foods of the year:
Cats can be finicky eaters, but thats where Smalls steps up to the plateor, rather, the bowl! Smalls human-grade fresh cat food is protein-rich and picky-cat friendly. Their gently cooked, all-natural wet cat food recipes are available in three proteinschicken, turkey or beefand rounded out with healthy veggies like green beans, peas, kale, or spinach to provide important vitamins and minerals. No mystery meats or by-products, artificial flavors, colors, preservatives or sketchy stuff herejust pure goodness delivered to your doorstep. You can also choose from two different textures, smooth or ground. Talk about putting cats first!
Highlights
- Cat food subscription service with doorstep delivery
- Human-grade, high-protein, grain-free recipes
- Wet food is available in three proteins and two textures
- USDA-certified, humanely-harvested, and sustainably-sourced ingredients
- No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
- Contains enough taurine to exceed AAFCO standards
- Made in the USA
- Smalls will donate 10 meals to its cat rescue partners per every trial purchase, now through 12/31!
Things to Consider
Highlights
Things to Consider
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Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Urinary Tract Health Best For Urinary Health
Purina Pro Plan has developed this food to protect your cats urinary tract. If youre looking for the best Purina cat food for urinary tract health, this food has been formulated to produce a low urine pH, which Purina has proven reduces the occurrence of some crystals in the urine. This means its less likely that your cat gets the most common types of bladder crystals or stones. They also reduced sources of dietary magnesium this should reduce the chance of struvite crystal formation.
Although this diet has lots of great benefits, its not a replacement for a prescription diet, which can actually treat urinary conditions. If your vet recommends a prescription diet that your cat wont eat, you should ask them for alternative suggestions to ensure your cat is still getting the benefits they need. Its also often best to increase water intake for cats with urinary issues, so a wet diet is preferable to a dry one.
Whilst the vast majority of cats do not need to gain weight, elderly cats or those recovering from illness may benefit from extra calories to regain condition. And just giving them extra portions of their usual diet wont necessarily be enough- sometimes their tiny stomachs cant take in all the nutrients they need unless the food youre feeding is calorie-dense. Kitten food is higher in calories and can be fed to adult cats for a short time to help them gain weight.
- Not suitable for long term feeding
Best Wet Cat Food Formulas Of 2022
All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the author. However, Great Pet Care may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.
When you bring a new cat home, one of the first decisions you have to make as a new pet parent is what type of cat food to feed your feline. And while there are hundreds of foods and cat food brands on the market, most cat owners will choose between two types of formulationswet cat food and dry cat food.
While there are benefits and drawbacks to both, wet cat food can offer a variety of benefits to our feline friends. In general, wet food tends to be higher in fat and protein and lower in carbohydrates compared to dry food, says Dr. Ericka Carroll, a San Francisco-based veterinarian who works for Hello Ralphie, a telehealth platform. Wet food also has significantly high moisture content compared to dry food.
Finding the best wet cat food for your four-legged companion will come down to your cats individual needs and preferences. But this guide will provide information about what to look for and consider when shopping for wet cat food and which brands and formulas you should consider for optimum nutrition.
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Best Hypoallergenic: Evangers Grain Free Rabbit Cat Food
- Not made for continuous feeding
- Some cats refuse to eat it
This grain free cat food is a great mixer with other dry foods or a vegetarian formula. This is an excellent choice for pets with other food allergies. Evangers formula is made with rabbit and is grain-free and gluten-free. Evangers grain-free game meats food is unique in its simplicity and can be fed to both dogs and cats.
Because this is 100% meat, the product is not intended to be fed as a complete and balanced diet. This as a meal lacks essential nutrients, and should not be fed continuously or as the sole meal in your cats diet.
Wet Cat Food Storage Tips
Unlike kibble, we cat food cannot be left out for cats to graze on all day long. If wet cat food is left out for too long it may cause a stomach upset for your cat due to bacterial growth, and it also wont be very appetizing once it has been left to dry up, says Garner.
After opening a can, Dr. Carroll says that any remaining food should be stored in the fridge and served laterwithin 1-2 days of opening. This storage issue can be avoided by opting for smaller sized cans, she adds.
If youre considering putting the wet food in the freezer, make sure to check the label beforehand. Some wet cat foods can be frozen, but make sure to check the packaging first, says Garner.
When serving already-opened wet cat food, you can add a bit of warm water to the mix to refresh it and add moisture.
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How Much Wet Cat Food Should I Feed My Cat
It will normally explain on the packaging how much to feed your cat with that particular brand. The recommendations on cat food packaging may include ranges, so youll need to determine where your cat fits within those ranges. Ask your vet if you’re not sure if you’re feeding too much or too little. Your cat leaving food is a telltale sign that they’re eating till they’re full.
General advice states that you shouldn’t leave your cat’s wet food out for more than an hour or two at room temperature. The reality is, it’ll probably be left out longer than that. If your cat regularly leaves portions of wet food for long periods, try cutting down the amount of food you are feeding.
Remember you can always make adjustments to meet your cats needs.
The Good Ingredients To Look For On A Nutrition Label
Premium brands use sustainable manufacturing processes. They source their ingredients from parts of the world known to use ethical and humane raising and farming practices.
Premium brands also use premium ingredients. The next time you’re at a pet store , be on the lookout for the following ingredients. They’re a good sign that the food you’re about to purchase is ideal for your pet:
- Real animal protein. These should be clearly listed so you know exactly where it comes from. This includes chicken, beef, eggs, venison, lamb, salmon, sardines, mussels, and duck. Organ meat is a bonus.
- Vegetables and fruits. Most of the carbohydrates should be veggies and fruit you might have in your fridge. Look for things like sweet potatoes, carrots, zucchini, apples, and berries.
- Good fats. These are naturally present in animal proteins but can also be supplemented. This includes omega-3 fatty acids, also known as EPA, DHA, and ALA.
- Herbs and marine plants. This can include basil, dill, thyme, rosemary, sage, and kelp.
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Shredded Sides In Broth
Inside the broth, you can find any kind of animal protein shredded up. Common varieties include shredded chicken or fish in a chicken broth. The broth is much thinner than other typical wet food, which is lighter on the stomach. This can be beneficial for cats that have sensitive stomachs or trouble digesting rich foods.