10 Best Healthy Dry Cat Foods: Unbiased Review- Cats.com (original) (raw)
Kirsten McCarthy / Cats.com
For most cats, a dry food diet is less than ideal because of its low moisture content, calorie density, and high levels of carbs. That said, dry food does offer some advantages for the right person—and the right cat. Dry food is convenient to serve and store, it’s economical, and it has a longer shelf life than canned wet food.
Dry food may not be perfect, but there are things to look for in terms of quality. The best dry cat foods will be rich in high-quality protein. They won’t contain a lot of veggies. And they’ll be free of additives that might harm your cat over time.
Based on hours of research and testing, we’re bringing you an updated list of the best dry cat foods in the industry. The following foods earn their place with outstanding ingredient quality, nutritional merits, and safety records.
At a Glance: Top 10 Best Healthy Dry Cat Foods to Buy
Why Trust Cats.com
Kirsten McCarthy / Cats.com
Over the past four years, I’ve tested dozens of cat food brands and hundreds of individual products with my two cats, Wessie and Forest. I’ve spent countless hours delving into brand histories and reading customer reviews to determine which cat food companies have a strong reputation for product quality, safe manufacturing practices, and customer service.
Drawing on a combination of research, personal experience, and reports from samples sent to an ISO 17025-certified food testing and analysis lab, I selected these products as the best dry cat food you can buy. With the help of Wessie and Forest, I tested these products personally and performed a qualitative analysis of their formulas. Here’s the full methodology behind our cat food ratings.
Finally, we consulted 7 veterinarians to get their professional opinion on what makes great cat food.
Our Veterinary Advisors
- Dr. Sarah Wooten, DVM, CVJ
- Dr. Chris Vanderhoof, DVM, MPH
- Dr. Sarah Reidenbach, DVM
- Dr. Chyrle Bonk, DVM
- Dr. Jamie Whittenburg, DVM
- Dr. Albert Ahn, DVM
- Dr. Elizabeth Youens, DVM
Top Picks Explained
While we’ve since updated the products featured in this roundup, we still love the dry cat foods that Mallory discusses in this video.
Top 10 Best Dry Cat Foods on the Market Reviewed
Our top pick for the best dry cat food is the Open Prairie RawMix recipe from Open Farm. Made with humanely and sustainably sourced ingredients, it’s a protein-packed choice for cats with added flavor from freeze-dried raw organ meats.
We consider a variety of factors when ranking our recommendations, and our top pick might not be the ideal choice for your cat. Consider your cat’s unique nutritional needs and preferences when choosing a cat food product.
Best Dry Cat Food: Comparison Table
| Product Name | Open Farm RawMix Open Prairie Recipe | Dr. Elsey’s cleanprotein Chicken Formula | Nulo Freestyle Chicken & Cod Recipe | Kirkland Signature Chicken & Rice Recipe | Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Mackerel & Lamb Recipe | Instinct Original Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Chicken Recipe | Tiki Cat Born Carnivore Kitten Food | FirstMate Chicken Meal with Blueberries | Young Again Mature Health Formula | Orijen Six Fish Grain-Free Dry Cat Food |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Protein | Chicken | Chicken | Chicken | Chicken | Mackerel | Chicken | Chicken | Chicken | Chicken | Herring |
| Age Range | All Life Stages | All Life Stages | All Life Stages | All Life Stages | All Life Stages | All Life Stages | Kitten | All Life Stages | Adult | All Life Stages |
| Guaranteed Protein | 38% | 59% | 40% | 30% | 44% | 41% | 42% | 36% | 54% | 40% |
| Calories Per Ounce | 106 | 113 | 110 | 115 | 128 | 122 | 111 | 100 | 132 | 118 |
| Cost Per Day | 0.90perday∣0.90 per day | 0.90perday∣0.85 per day | 0.60perday∣0.60 per day | 0.60perday∣0.17 per day | 3.31perday∣3.31 per day | 3.31perday∣0.49 per day | 0.88perday∣0.88 per day | 0.88perday∣0.76 per day | 0.58perday∣0.58 per day | 0.58perday∣0.75 per day |
*Cost per day is calculated using the food’s average cost per ounce and the daily caloric requirement for a healthy adult cat (about 200 calories).
What To Consider When Buying Dry Cat Food
Dry cat food is convenient and often cost-effective for many cat owners. But because it tends to be low in moisture and higher in carbs than wet cat food, it isn’t always the most biologically appropriate choice.
If you and your cat prefer dry food, however, there are still some good options on the market. Here are some things to consider when shopping for dry cat food.
Look For High-Protein, Low-Carbohydrate Options
Dr. Sarah Reidenbach, DVM, CEO of the nonprofit organization Ruthless Kindness, says that “an ideal diet would have 5-10% of calories from carbohydrates, about 50% of calories from protein, and about 45% from fat.”
Frustratingly, dry cat food is notorious for its high carbohydrate content. To make the situation even more challenging, carbohydrate content is not listed on cat food labels—meaning you’ll need to calculate it based on other nutrient values (you can use the carbohydrate calculator provided here.)
Consider The Type And Quality of Protein
Since meat contains all the amino acids that cats need, while plant protein doesn’t, it’s important to look for diets that emphasize animal-sourced protein. It’s also best to avoid animal by-products. These aren’t necessarily worse than clearly-named cuts of meat, but they do introduce a degree of uncertainty about protein quality.
Dr. Chyrle Bonk, DVM, veterinary writer for ExcitedCats, advises that cat owners “check the ingredients list on the label and be sure that the food you choose uses real, whole meat as at least the first ingredient, preferably first two to three. Whole meat is more easily digestible and provides all of the necessary protein for a cat.”
Avoid Products That Contain Artificial Flavors
Because they may stir up inflammation or erode your cat’s health over time, it’s a good idea to avoid artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Instead, look for natural dry cat foods that rely on animal-sourced flavors and safe preservatives.
Choose Reputable Brands
Not all cat food brands are created equal. To find a brand you can trust, it’s helpful to investigate their recall history. Avoid brands with a history of frequent recalls, deception, or secrecy. Additionally, a brand’s customer service (or lack thereof) can tell you a lot about the company. Brands that offer prompt, transparent service are preferable to those that are unresponsive.