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Table of Contents: Masthead Sticky
There are so many great cat food brands that finding the right recipe for your feline can be tough.
Veterinarians and an animal nutrition expert shared their insights into what makes a nutritious cat food.
Here are some of the best cat foods, including dry, wet, organic, LID, and fresh foods.
This article was medically reviewed by Karie Johnson, veterinarian and co-founder of VIP Vet Visit, a mobile vet service in the south suburbs of Chicago.
Waitforlight/Getty Images
Finding a nutritious, high-quality cat food that satisfies your cat and fits your budget is an unenviable challenge. To help you choose the best food for your cat, we pored over literature on pet food standards, labels, and ingredients and consulted with animal nutrition experts.
We evaluated the food in this guide according to the standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), which encompass nutritional adequacy, calorie content, guaranteed analysis, and ingredients. While the experts we spoke with declined to recommend specific foods, they helped us narrow down our selection criteria. The picks in this guide are only some of the excellent options available. If you're interested in exploring other cat foods, this guide provides the tools needed to evaluate the quality and nutritional value of any food.
A cat can live a long, healthy life whether they are fed dry food, wet food, or a combination of both, as long as the food is AAFCO complete and balanced. Just be careful not to overfeed. The average 8- to 10-pound adult cat should consume between 230 and 270 kcals/day to maintain a healthy weight, according to the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA). An extremely active or sedentary feline may have different needs.
Anyone who is considering a change to their cat's diet should consult their veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist first.
Here are the best cat foods you can buy in 2021Best adult dry cat food: Acana Homestead Harvest, Wellness Complete Health Adult Dry Salmon Recipe, Orijen Cat and KittenBest adult wet cat food: Natural Balance Chicken Liver and Pate Formula, Merrick Purrfect Bistro Chicken Recipe Pate, Instinct Original Salmon Recipe Grain-Free PateBest fresh cat food: Just Food For Dogs Just Cats, Nom NomBest limited ingredient cat food: Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Real Chicken Recipe, Natural Balance L.I.D. Chicken and Green Pea Formula, Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Fish and Potato RecipeBest organic cat food: Castor & Pollux Organix Organic Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe, Castor & Pollux Organix Organic Chicken and Chicken Liver Recipe, Purina Beyond Organic Chicken and Carrot RecipeBest budget adult dry cat food: Blue Buffalo Adult Indoor Health, Nutro Wholesome Essentials Adult Salmon and Brown Rice Recipe, Purina Beyond Simply Grain-Free White Meat Chicken and Egg RecipeBest budget adult wet cat food: Purina Pro Plan Savor White Meat Chicken and Vegetable Entree, Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Tender Morsels Chicken Entree, Wellness Gravies Salmon EntreeBest kitten food: Hill's Science Diet Kitten Chicken Recipe, Royal Canin Kitten, Wellness Core Grain-Free Kitten Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, and Deboned Chicken RecipeBest senior cat food: Nutro Wholesome Essentials Senior Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe, Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Chicken Recipe, Merrick Purrfect Bistro Grain-Free Indoor Senior Real Chicken and Sweet Potato Recipe
Updated on 5/21/2021: We rewrote this guide after extensive research and interviews with veterinary nutrition experts.
The best adult dry cat food
Chewy
Dry food is the most cost-effective way to keep a cat satiated. Like all cat food, a kibble must display an AAFCO complete and balanced statement on its label. This ensures the food has the appropriate balance of protein (at least 26%) and fat (at least 9%) as well as the other essential vitamins and minerals.
Cats are obligate carnivores and cannot survive on plant-based nutrients alone. Some form of whole meat or meat meal should be listed among the first ingredients, but don’t worry too much about the order in which they appear or what is listed after.
Many cat foods are prominently marketed as grain-free, but there’s no proven benefit to these diets. “Grains are a source of carbohydrates [and] while cats are obligate carnivores, some carbohydrates in their diets can be helpful if included at moderate levels,” said Kelly Swanson, PhD, professor of animal and nutritional sciences at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Fiber, for example, can help minimize hairballs, maintain healthy body weight, and aid in bowel movements.
It is easy to overfeed your cat with dry food since it is more calorie dense than wet food. Keep a close eye on your cat’s daily kibble intake to ensure they don’t gain weight, which can lead to other health problems.
Our picks for adult dry cat food:Acana Homestead Harvest (10-lb. bag)
Meat protein sources: Chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, chicken fat, egg, turkey, duck, chicken cartilage, chicken liver, chicken heartOther standout ingredients: Oatmeal, peas, green lentils, chickpeas, cranberries, kelpFeeding trials: NoNutrition breakdown: 33% protein, 16% fat, 4% fiberCalorie count: 429 kcal/cup
Homestead Harvest Adult Cat Food (10-lb. bag) (button)Wellness Complete Health Adult Dry Salmon Recipe (6-lb. bag)
Fish protein sources: Salmon, salmon meal, herring meal, menhaden fish mealOther standout ingredients: Rice, barley, oatmeal, ground flaxseed, tomato pomace, cranberriesFeeding trials: NoNutrition breakdown: 36% protein, 18% fat, 3% fiberCalorie count: 472 kcal/cup
Complete Health Adult Dry Salmon Recipe (6-lb. bag) (button)Orijen Cat and Kitten (12-lb. bag)
Fish and meat protein sources: Chicken, turkey, eggs, flounder, mackerel, chicken liver, turkey liver, herring, chicken heart, turkey heart, chicken fat, chicken necks, chicken kidney, ground chicken boneOther standout ingredients: Red lentils, pinto beans, green peas, green lentils, navy beans, chickpeas, Alaskan pollock oil, pumpkin, butternut squash, kelp, kale, spinachFeeding trials: Yes, for adult catsNutrition breakdown: 40% protein, 20% fat, 3% fiberCalorie count: 463 k/cal
Cat and Kitten (12-lb. bag) (button)
The best adult wet cat food
Chewy
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.
Our picks for adult wet cat food:Natural Balance Chicken Liver and Pate Formula (3-oz. cans, 24-pack)
Meat protein sources: Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, egg productOther standout ingredients: Brown rice, carrotsFeeding trials: NoNutrition breakdown: 40.9% protein, 27.3% fat, 6.8% fiberCalorie count: 100 kcal/3-ounce can
Chicken Liver and Pate Formula (3-oz. cans, 24-pack) (button)Merrick Purrfect Bistro Chicken Recipe Pate (3-oz. cans, 24-pack)
Meat protein sources: Deboned chicken, chicken liver, dried egg productOther standout ingredients: Alfalfa meal, salmon oil, ground flaxseedFeeding trials: NoNutrition breakdown: 45.5% protein, 23% fat, 4.5% fiber Calorie count: 96 kcal/3-ounce can
Purrfect Bistro Chicken Recipe Pate (3-oz. cans, 24-pack) (button)Instinct Original Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Pate (3-oz. Cans, 24-pack)
Meat and fish protein sources: Salmon, pork liver, egg productOther standout ingredients: Ground flaxseed, carrots, cranberries, pumpkin, tomato, blueberries, broccoli, cabbage, kaleFeeding trials: NoNutrition breakdown: 48% protein, 18% fat, 9% fiber, confirming with brandCalorie count: 90 kcal/3-ounce can
Original Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Pate (3-oz. Cans, 24-pack) (button)
The best fresh cat food
Nom nom and Just Food for Dogs
Fresh pet food is a relatively new trend in which whole meats, vegetables, essential vitamins, and minerals are combined, then frozen to maintain freshness. Some fresh pet foods are available via fuss-free subscription and delivery services and others are available in the freezer section of pet stores.
While fresh cat food is pricier than dry or canned foods, the difference between them is clear. In fresh foods, the whole ingredients are visible with the naked eye and have a consistency that rivals a home-cooked meal.
There are several fresh cat food companies that meet AAFCO standards, but only two have a full-time veterinary nutritionist on staff: Nom Nom and JustFoodForDogs. According to our experts, this is an essential quality to look for when choosing a food for your pet.
Our picks for fresh cat food:Just Food For Dogs Just Cats Fish and Chicken (18-oz.)
Meat and fish protein sources: Alaskan Pacific wild-caught cod, whole Atlantic sardines, chicken thighs, chicken hearts, chicken liverOther standout ingredients: Dried yucca rootFeeding trials: YesNutrition breakdown: 52% protein, 19.5% fat, 2% fiberCalorie count: 288 kcal/cupSave 35% on your first purchase and 5% on recurring autoship orders.This food is currently out of stock online.
Just Cats Fish and Chicken (18-oz.) (button)Nom Nom Chicken Cuisine (weekly)
Meat protein sources: Chicken, chicken liverOther standout ingredients: Carrots, spinachFeeding trials: NoNutrition breakdown: 67% protein, 15% fat, 3% fiberCalorie count: 282 kcal/cupSave 20% on your first order.
Chicken Cuisine (weekly) (button)
The best limited ingredient cat food
Chewy
Limited ingredient diets (LIDs) may be recommended for cats with gastrointestinal or dermatological issues that are likely caused by an adverse reaction or allergy to ingredients commonly found in cat food. Veterinarians often use LID foods to perform food elimination trials in order to pinpoint the source of a cat’s food sensitivity.
When it comes to healthy adult cats, Okada told us that there is no advantage to feeding an LID formula. These recipes were historically formulated with uncommon ingredients and novel proteins like wild game, but the inclusion of these ingredients in regular cat food has made it more challenging to identify appropriate foods for a cat in need of an LID. To make it more likely that an LID will work for a cat who develops allergies or food reactions later in life, Okada said that healthy adult cats should stick to regular cat food formulas that are complete and balanced.
Our picks for LID cat food:Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Real Chicken Recipe (5-oz. cans, 24-pack)
Meat protein sources: Chicken, chicken liverOther standout ingredients: Organic alfalfa meal, flaxseed oil, yucca extract, pea proteinFeeding trials: NoNutrition breakdown: 36.4% protein, 27.7% fat, 6.4% fiberCalorie count: 148 kcal/5-ounce can
Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Real Chicken Recipe (5-oz. cans, 24-pack) (button)Natural Balance L.I.D. Chicken and Green Pea Formula (5.5-oz. Cans, 24-pack)
Meat protein sources: Chicken, chicken liver, chicken mealOther standout ingredients: Peas, salmon oil, cranberriesFeeding trials: NoNutrition breakdown: 38.6% protein, 27.3% fat, 9% fiberCalorie count: 180 kcal/5.5-ounce can
L.I.D. Chicken and Green Pea Formula (5.5-oz. Cans, 24-pack) (button)Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Fish and Potato Recipe (11-lb. bag)
Fish protein sources: Whitefish, Menhaden fish meatOther standout ingredients: Pea protein, potatoes, peas, pea starch, tapioca starch, pea fiber, flaxseed, blueberries, cranberries, barley grass, parsley, turmeric, kelpFeeding trials: NoNutrition breakdown: 30% protein, 14% fat, 6% fiberCalorie count: 402 kcal/cup
Basics Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Fish and Potato Recipe (11-lb. bag) (button)
The best organic cat food
Chewy
In order for a cat food to be certified organic, it must meet USDA guidelines for organic human-grade foods, which includes at least 95% organic ingredients. These organic foods tend to be more expensive than regular pet food because the ingredients are sourced from the competitive human food market.
While the idea of organic cat food may be appealing, Tufts University’s Cummings Veterinary Medical Center says there is no good evidence that an organic diet has more health benefits than one made with conventionally produced ingredients.
It is true that organic cat foods may contain fewer pesticides, antibiotics, growth hormones, and GMOs, but often the difference is negligible. Ultimately, feeding a cat an organic diet is a personal choice, not a nutritional one.
Our picks for organic cat food:Castor & Pollux Organix Organic Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe (10-lb. bag)
Organic meat protein sources: Chicken, chicken meal, chicken liverOther standout organic ingredients: Pea protein, oatmeal, peas, brown rice, coconut oil, chicken fat, flaxseed, dried alfalfa meal, cranberriesFeeding trials: NoNutrition breakdown: 36% protein, 16% fat, 4% fiberCalorie count: 411 kcal/cup
Organix Organic Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe (10-lb. bag) (button)Castor & Pollux Organix Organic Chicken and Chicken Liver Recipe (5-oz. cans, 24-pack)
Organic meat protein sources: Chicken, chicken liver, dried egg product, Other standout organic ingredients: Peas, pea protein, coconut flour, flaxseed, cranberries, dehydrated alfalfa mealFeeding trials: NoNutrition breakdown: 41% protein, 23% fat, 4.5% fiberCalorie count: 174 kcal/3-ounce can
Organix Organic Chicken and Chicken Liver Recipe (3-oz. cans, 24-pack) (button)Purina Beyond Organic Chicken and Carrot Recipe (3-oz. cans, 12-pack)
Organic meat protein sources: Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liverOther standout organic ingredients: CarrotsFeeding trials: NoNutrition breakdown: 32% protein, 23% fat, 4.5% fiberCalorie count: 109 kcal/3-ounce can
Beyond Organic Chicken and Carrot Recipe (3-oz. cans, 12-pack) (button)
The best budget adult dry cat food
Chewy
Even if you have the money to spend, don’t write off budget cat foods altogether. There are a number of affordable AAFCO complete and balanced dry foods that are just as nutritious as more expensive kibble.
Not only do the budget dry cat foods we selected contain whole meats and protein-rich meat meals, they have ingredients like kelp and alfalfa that support gut health and antioxidant-rich blueberries and cranberries. The percentages of protein, fat, and fiber they contain are also on par with pricier brands.
Our picks for budget dry food:Blue Buffalo Adult Indoor Health (15-lb. bag)
Meat and fish protein sources: Deboned salmon, chicken meal, menhaden fish mealOther standout ingredients: Brown rice, oatmeal, barley, flaxseed, pea protein, alfalfa meal, cranberries, blueberries, barley grass, turmeric, dried kelp, yucca extractFeeding trials: NoNutrition breakdown: 35% protein, 16.5% fat, 6.5% fiberCalorie count: 415 kcal/cup
Adult Indoor Health (15-lb. bag) (button)Nutro Wholesome Essentials Adult Salmon and Brown Rice Recipe (14-lb. bag)
Meat and fish protein sources: Salmon, chicken mealOther standout ingredients: Brewers rice, brown rice, oatmeal, dehydrated alfalfa meal, beet pulp, yucca extract, pea protein, potato proteinFeeding trials: NoNutrition breakdown: 35% protein, 16.5% fat, 6.5% fiberCalorie count: 414 kcal/cup
Wholesome Essentials Adult Salmon and Brown Rice Recipe (14-lb. bag) (button)Purina Beyond Simply Grain-Free White Meat Chicken and Egg Recipe (16-lb. bag)
Meat protein sources: Chicken, chicken meal, egg product, beef fat Other standout ingredients: Pea protein, pea starch, cassava root flour, dried yeast, canola meal, pea fiber, carrotsFeeding trials: NoNutrition breakdown: 35% protein, 14% fat, 4% fiberCalorie count: 394 kcal/cup
Beyond Simply Grain-Free White Meat Chicken and Egg Recipe (16-lb. bag) (button)
The best budget adult wet cat food
Chewy
Wet cat food doesn’t have to cost a premium to be nutritionally complete and balanced. The budget wet cat foods we recommend are significantly higher in protein than the 26% AAFCO minimum recommendation for healthy adult cats without kidney problems.
Both the percentage of protein a cat food contains and the sources of that protein are important, said Swanson. Animal-based proteins typically provide the 10 essential amino acids and levels of taurine a cat’s diet requires. Other animal- or plant-based proteins are sometimes added to meet nutritional needs.
Like pricier wet foods, these budget options also contain 78% to 82% moisture which helps to keep a cat feeling full for longer while providing them with an additional source of hydration. Whether your cat prefers to eat only wet food or you feed it as part of a diet mixed with kibble, these recipes are a reliable option.
Our picks for budget adult wet cat food:Purina Pro Plan Savor White Meat Chicken and Vegetable Entree (3-oz. cans, 24-pack)
Meat protein sources: Chicken, liver, meat byproducts, turkeyOther standout ingredients: Wheat gluten, tomatoes, carrots, modified corn starch, soy protein concentrateFeeding trials: NoNutrition breakdown: 50% protein, 9% fat, 7.5% fiberCalorie count: 73 kcal/3-ounce can
Pro Plan Savor White Meat Chicken and Vegetable Entree (3-oz. Cans, 24-pack) (button)Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Tender Morsels Chicken Entrée Wet Cat Food (3 oz. cans, 24-pack)
Meat protein sources: Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, egg productOther standout ingredients: Potato starch, brown rice, carrots, sweet potatoesFeeding trials: NoNutrition breakdown: 50% protein, 22.2% fat, 8.3% fiberCalorie count: 80 kcal/3-ounce can
Tastefuls Tender Morsels Chicken Entrée Wet Cat Food (button)Wellness Gravies Salmon Entree (3-oz. cans, 12-pack)
Meat and fish protein sources: Salmon broth, turkey, salmon, turkey liver, egg whitesOther standout ingredients: Peas, carrots, flaxseed, cranberriesFeeding trials: NoNutrition breakdown: 51% protein, 22% fat, 14% fiberCalorie count: 68 kcal/3-ounce can
Gravies Salmon Entree (3-oz. cans, 12-pack) (button)
The best kitten food
Chewy
Kittens under a year of age need a somewhat different combination of nutrients to support their revving metabolism and growing bones. An AAFCO complete and balanced kitten food contains a minimum of 30% protein, 9% fat, and extra vitamin A, calcium, and phosphorus. These formulas also meet AAFCO’s standards for pregnant and lactating adult cats who require additional calories and nutrients.
Although it doesn’t matter whether a kitten is fed dry food, wet food, or a combination of the two, introducing young kittens to different types of food may prevent them from being picky eaters in adulthood. Regardless of the type of food you select, cats benefit from being fed out of a puzzle feeder instead of a regular bowl. The problem-solving and play required to extract the food provides a kitten important mental stimulation. The more energy they burn on puzzle toys, the less likely they’ll be to become bored and make trouble.
Our picks for kitten food:Hill’s Science Diet Kitten Chicken Recipe (15.5-lb. bag)
Meat protein sources: Chicken, chicken fat, egg productOther standout ingredients: Brown rice, wheat gluten, oats, wheat, barley, flaxseed, apples, broccoli, carrots, cranberries, peasFeeding trials: YesNutrition breakdown: 33% protein, 19% fat, 3.5% fiberCalorie count: 568 kcal/cup
Diet Kitten Chicken Recipe (15.5-lb. bag) (button)Royal Canin Kitten (15-lb. bag)
Meat protein sources: Chicken byproduct meal, chicken fat, egg product Other standout ingredients: Brown rice, brewers rice, corn gluten meal, wheat gluten, corn, beet pulpFeeding trials: NoNutrition breakdown: 34% protein, 16% fat, 4% fiberCalorie count: 369 kcal/cup
Kitten (15-lb. bag) (button)Wellness Core Grain-Free Kitten Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, and Deboned Chicken Recipe (5-lb. bag)
Meat and fish protein sources: Deboned turkey, turkey meal, deboned chicken, chicken meal, herring meal, chicken fat Other standout ingredients: Peas, potatoes, tomato pomace, flaxseed, cranberriesFeeding trials: NoNutrition breakdown: Nutrition breakdown: 45% protein, 18% fat, 3% fiberCalorie count: 497 kcal/cup
Core Grain-Free Kitten Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, and Deboned Chicken Recipe (5-lb. bag) (button)
The best senior cat food
Chewy
Once a cat hits 7 years of age, they are considered senior. Senior cats have the same minimum AAFCO nutritional requirements as younger adult cats, but decreased activity can cause them to pack on the pounds. And the more overweight a cat becomes, the more likely they are to develop conditions such as diabetes, liver disease, arthritis, and pancreatitis.
You can help your senior cat maintain a healthy body weight by closely controlling their portion sizes or by switching them to a senior diet that is lower in calories than typical adult formulas. Just be sure to check the calorie content because some senior foods actually have more calories and may still require portion control.
Senior formulas also have omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients that aren’t required in regular adult cat foods. These ingredients help reduce inflammation, improve cognitive function, and support the immune system. As long as the senior food is labeled AAFCO complete and balanced, it will contain the vitamins and minerals an older cat requires without the need to provide additional supplements.
Different cats have different needs as they age, so consult your veterinarian before switching your cat to a senior diet or determining whether additional supplements are required.
Our picks for senior cat food:Nutro Wholesome Essentials Senior Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe (14-lb. bag)
Meat protein sources: Chicken, chicken meal, chicken fatOther standout ingredients: Brown rice, brewers rice, alfalfa meal, oatmeal, flaxseed, beet pulpFeeding trials: NoNutrition breakdown: 36% protein, 17% fat, 6% fiberCalorie count: 386 kcal/cup
Wholesome Essentials Senior Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe (14-lb. bag) (button)Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Chicken Recipe (16-lb. bag)
Meat protein sources: Chicken, chicken fatOther standout ingredients: Whole grain wheat, corn gluten meal, brewers rice, beet pulp, oat fiber, apples, broccoli, carrots, cranberries, peasFeeding trials: NoNutrition breakdown: 27% protein, 16% fat, 3.5% fiberCalorie count: 500 kcal/cup
Diet Adult 7+ Chicken Recipe (16-lb. bag) (button)Merrick Purrfect Bistro Grain-Free Indoor Senior Real Chicken and Sweet Potato Recipe (7-lb. bag)
Meat protein sources: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, chicken liverOther standout ingredients: Peas, sweet potatoes, potato protein, whey protein, flaxseed, cranberries, salmon oil, organic alfalfa, yucca extractFeeding trials: NoNutrition breakdown: 43% protein, 13.5% protein, 8.5% fiberCalorie count: 353 kcal/cup
Purrfect Bistro Grain-Free Indoor Senior Real Chicken and Sweet Potato Recipe (7-lb. bag) (button)
Our 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 (AAFCO) 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.
Guaranteed analysis and nutrient profiles: The guaranteed analysis consists of the percentages of protein, fat, and other important nutrients in a food. Food for adult cats who are not pregnant should have a minimum of 26% protein, 9% fat, and the presence of essential nutrients, including amino acids like taurine, fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins. There is no minimum fiber or carbohydrate requirement for adult cats who are not pregnant and a complete and balanced food does not require added essential nutrients, said Okada.
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.
If you’re looking to compare wet food to kibble, you’ll find the guaranteed analysis of wet food doesn’t give you the full picture of how much of these vital nutrients is actually present. Read more about how to decipher the guaranteed analysis for wet food in the section on How to read a cat food label.
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.
Always look for pet food manufacturers that employ at least one full-time board-certified veterinary nutritionist or an animal nutrition expert with a master’s or doctorate degree.
Brands that formulate their products with the guidance of a veterinary nutritionist who is not on staff may be unable to ensure the highest quality standards.
“Pet food production requires a thorough knowledge of pet nutrition, pet food ingredients, processing methods and their effect on nutrients, plus a good understanding of physiology, chemistry, mathematics, microbiology and biochemistry,” said Okada. “My greatest concerns are for very small companies that may have the best of intentions but very limited experience and technical knowledge.”
Ingredients list: The ingredients on a pet food label are listed in order of weight. Proteins in the form of whole meat or meat meal should come first on the ingredients list. Don’t get too hung up on the order of the ingredients that come next.
Manufacturing standards: When selecting a cat food brand, it’s important to consider a manufacturer’s quality control measures and the types of facilities where they produce food. Parker said this information should be easily accessible on a pet food company’s website. If not, you should be able to call the company and get quick answers.
Some smaller pet food companies produce their food in facilities used by larger, more established manufacturers. According to Okada, this is a reliable way to ensure food quality and safety. When in doubt, select a larger manufacturer with a long history of making pet food. “If a problem arises, it will likely be discovered sooner if the product is widely distributed,” Okada said.
Calorie content: The calorie content of cat food is listed in kilocalories, or k/cals. According to WSAVA, the average cat weighing between 8 and 10 pounds should consume between 230 to 270 kcals/day. A cat food’s calorie content should be clearly listed on its packaging.
What are AAFCO standards?
Since its establishment in 1906, the nonprofit Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has set nutritional guidelines for pet food in the United States. AAFCO is not a regulatory agency, but the regulatory FDA is an AAFCO member with a non-voting advisory role. AAFCO does not test, approve, or certify pet food brands. Instead, it defines the ingredient, labeling, and testing standards that establish whether a pet food is nutritionally complete for animals at different life stages.
A cat food that meets AAFCO’s minimum standards is considered complete and balanced at one of two life stages: growth and reproduction, which includes kittens and pregnant or lactating females, or adult maintenance, which is intended for cats over a year of age.
To meet the minimum AAFCO standard, an adult cat food must contain at least 26% protein, 9% fat, and essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Food for kittens up to a year of age and pregnant or lactating adults must have a minimum of 30% protein, 9% fat, and higher levels of vitamin A, calcium, and phosphorus than adult maintenance foods.
Parker said that almost all commercially made cat foods exceed the minimum standards set by the AAFCO. In order to determine whether a product meets the minimum standards, the manufacturer must conduct a third-party laboratory analysis or feeding trials using AAFCO protocols. A cat food without an AAFCO complete and balanced statement for an individual cat’s life stage should never be fed as the cat’s primary food.
How to read a cat food label
Alyssa Powell/Insider
To really understand what is in your cat’s food and to compare one brand to another, you’ll need to navigate its nutritional content.
Guaranteed analysis: The guaranteed analysis on a cat food label is not at all straightforward, especially if you’re attempting to compare the nutrients in a wet food to those in a dry food. Because the two types of food have vastly different moisture contents (around 75% to 78% in wet food and 10% to 12% in dry food), the percentages of fat, protein, and fiber in wet food must be converted to “dry matter basis.”
To convert the moisture-containing guaranteed analysis to dry matter basis, check out these directions from the Cummings Veterinary Medical Center at Tufts University. You can also call the food manufacturer or ask your veterinarian for help.
AAFCO complete and balanced statement: To ensure that a cat food is nutritionally complete and balanced, it must contain one of three AAFCO statements on its label.
1. The first AAFCO statement confirms that the food’s minimum nutrient profile has been verified via a third-party laboratory analysis. It reads:
[Product] is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles.
2. Instead of submitting a food for laboratory analysis, a company may test the food through controlled feeding trials. These trials are not perfect — the AAFCO requires eight healthy cats to consume a food for six months. At the end of the trial, at least 75% of the cats in the trial must meet four blood test parameters and must not have lost more than 15% of their original body weight. This statement reads:
Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that [product] provides complete and balanced nutrition.
3. A cat food manufacturer whose family of products has already met AAFCO’s feeding trials criteria may carry an AAFCO statement for recipes that were not directly tested. That statement reads:
[Product] provides complete and balanced nutrition and is comparable in nutritional adequacy to a product which has been substantiated using AAFCO feeding tests.
Calorie content statement: The calorie content of cat food is listed in kilocalories, or k/cals. A cat food’s calorie content should be clearly listed on its packaging.
Other keywords to look for: The AAFCO has rules around how products can be marketed. If a single ingredient makes up 25% to 94% of a food’s dry matter, it must be called a “dinner,” “entree,” “formula,” or “recipe.” If a single ingredient makes up 95% or more of the dry matter, it can be labeled as “Tuna Cat Food,” “Chicken Cat Food,” or another meat-first name.
If the word “flavor” appears on a cat food label, do not assume that it contains the actual ingredient associated with the flavor. A “tuna-flavored cat food,” for example, does not have to contain tuna. The flavor may come from a broth, byproduct, or meal.
Some cat food labels include the phrase “No artificial flavors,” but don’t be concerned about labels that do not. According to the FDA, artificial flavors are rarely used in cat food.
“Premium” and “gourmet” are purely marketing terms. Foods labeled this way do not necessarily contain higher quality ingredients and they are not required to meet higher nutritional standards.
“Natural” refers to a cat food that does not contain artificial flavors or preservatives unless they come from AAFCO-approved sources.
Our sources
We spoke to the following experts in fall 2020 and winter 2021:
Valerie J. Parker, DVM, DACVIM, DACVN, associate professor, department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
Parker is a board certified veterinary nutritionist. She earned her veterinary degree at Tufts University and completed two residencies, one in small animal internal medicine at Iowa State University and the other in clinical nutrition at Tufts University. Her interests include nutrition management of chronic kidney disease, gastrointestinal disease, and endocrine and metabolic disease in pets. We spoke to Parker in a phone interview in September 2020.
Yuki Okada, DVM, CVA, PhD, ACVN Resident, Veterinary Nutrition Specialty Service, San Rafael, California
Okada received a veterinary degree from Michigan State University and has a PhD in veterinary biochemistry from Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University in Japan. Okada is completing a residency with the American College of Veterinary Nutrition to become a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. We consulted Okada via email in September 2020.
Kelly Swanson, PhD, professor of animal and nutritional sciences at University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
Swanson earned his master’s and doctorate degrees at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Now a professor at the university, he runs an animal sciences laboratory that studies the effects of nutritional intervention on health with an emphasis on gastrointestinal health and obesity. We consulted Swanson via email in March 2021.
The pet nutrition websites below were accessed between January and February 2021:
Association of American Feed Control Officials
AAFCO Methods for Substantiating Nutritional Adequacy of Dog and Cat Foods, Association of American Feed Control Officials
Global Nutrition Guidelines, World Small Animal Veterinary Association
Calorie Needs for an Average Healthy Adult Cat in Ideal Body Condition, World Small Animal Veterinary Association
Raw or Undercooked Animal-Source Protein in Cat and Dog Diets, American Veterinary Medical Association
Pet Food Labels, Food and Drug Administration
Get the Facts! Raw Food Diets Can Be Dangerous to You and Your Pet, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Salmonella, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Organic Pet Foods: Optimal Health or Overhyped?, Tufts University Cummings Veterinary Medical Center
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