Today’s pet parents want more for their cats than just the cheapest cat kibble they can buy. Most cat owners want to feed their beloved pets the best dry cat food they can find. Thanks to the fact that people are so much more aware of the hidden dangers of the ingredients in their own foods, they’ve also become more aware — and warier — of the ingredients in the foods they feed their pets.

Related: Best Cat Food of 2021

In order to understand what should and shouldn’t be inside the dry cat food they give their pets, they have to understand what kind of diet is natural to a cat. The way we do that is to look at the diets of both wild cats, and domesticated cats that have become feral. Both wild cats and feral domesticated breeds eat primarily small animals, meaning a cat’s diet should be made up in large part by pure, whole protein.

We also find cats nibbling greens in the wild, and chances are if you have a cat that goes outdoors you’ve probably seen your own cat eating grass and greens, and possibly vomiting them up later. So why do they engage in this behavior? According to the experts, they eat grass and greens for the juice, which is rich in folic acid, something they need to properly process oxygen and move it through the blood. The rest of the grass comes back up because a cat’s digestive tract can’t process raw vegetable matter.

Related: Best Wet Cat Foods

By studying cats in the wild, we know that they don’t hunt and eat vegetables. So why do some of the best dry cat foods contain vegetables? Because in the wild cats eat smaller animals that DO eat vegetables, cats get small amounts of vegetables and seeds in their diets. It’s been found that a cat’s skin, coat, and overall health declines on a diet of protein alone. Therefore, the best dry cat foods are those that contain some vegetable matter as well as protein.

High protein, minimal grains, and some beneficial vegetables are all critical parts of a healthy cat’s diet. Browse through these picks of top dry cat food choices that contain these essential ingredients.

One of the best dry cat food options for supporting a cat’s lean muscle tissue is Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food.

This adult formula dry cat food includes high-quality protein for helping adult cats build lean muscle mass, more like that of cats in the wild. It offers a perfectly balanced mineral blend for your cat’s optimal kidney and bladder health, as well as a boost of taurine for heart health. Taurine is an essential amino acid found naturally in raw meats and fish, and because cats don’t produce this amino acid on their own, they depend on its presence in their diets. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food is formulated with the optimal levels of taurine to support an adult cat’s major organ health.

Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food is loaded with vitamin E and omega-3 and 6 to keep an adult cat’s fur and skin healthy and shiny. It is packed with powerful protein to more closely resemble a cat’s natural dietary requirements and to give a healthy feline immune system a boost with every bowlful.

Hill’s Science Diet is made with all-natural ingredients and is the number one dry cat food recommended by veterinarians. It contains clinically proven antioxidants and contains no artificially colored or flavored ingredients. No unnatural preservatives are used in this wholesome cat food blend.

Cats love Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food for its delicious, cat-friendly, natural-flavored ingredients, and pet parents will appreciate the scientifically balanced formula, making this one of the best dry cat food choices for pets and their owners.

Key Features
  • Dry cat food for adult cats
  • High in natural protein
  • Adds taurine for heart health
  • Optimal mineral balance
Specifications
  • Main Ingredients: Chicken, whole grain wheat, corn meal
  • Package Size: 16 lbs
  • Number of Flavors: 7
  • Brand: Hills Science Diet
Pros
  • Number 1 veterinarian recommended blend
  • Contains vitamin E and omega 3s and 6s
  • Promotes healthy skin and fur
Cons
  • Large packaging gives the illusion of more product than contained
  • Packaging and formula has changed and is causing confusion with those familiar with original formula

One of the best dry cat food options for those who choose grain-free foods for their pets is Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain-Free Natural Adult Cat Food. This is a dry food formulated in smaller-sized kibble pieces, making them easy for cats to chew completely for better absorption. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe is packed with real chicken to meet an adult cat’s need for a high-protein, low carb diet.

This cat-loving recipe is free of grains, such as corn and wheat which are not a natural part of a feline diet. Instead, carbs are added with the addition of natural sweet potatoes and peas to add fuel to energize your adult cat’s playful nature.

Blue Buffalo Wilderness adds a veterinarian-selected blend of vitamins, minerals, and essential antioxidants in small, fortifying “life source” bits to support a healthier immune system in your grown cat. These bits are processed at a lower cooking temperature in order to more fully retain the potency of the important nutrients.

Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain-Free Natural Adult Cat Food comes in three delicious flavors including chicken, duck, and salmon. All flavors are made with natural meat protein and no grains.

The Blue Buffalo company prides itself on formulating a food that is more suited to the evolutionary needs of a cat’s natural diet, which includes protein-rich, grain-free foods. This dry cat food for adults is a recipe formulated by the natural diet of the adult lynx in the wild, making it the best dry cat food to bring out the wild in your cat by promoting optimal health and well-being.

Key Features
  • High protein, chicken-formula dry cat food
  • Grain-free recipe
  • With lifesource bits: blend of important nutrients
  • For optimal health for adult cats
Specifications
  • Main Ingredients: Chicken, sweet potatoes, peas, fish meal
  • Package Size: 12 lbs
  • Number of Flavors: 3
  • Brand: Blue Buffalo
Pros
  • No animal-meal by products
  • Carbohydrates from sweet potatoes and peas rather than grains
  • Free of corn, soy, wheat, and soy
  • No preservatives or artificial flavorings
Cons
  • Lifesource vitamin bits can be ignored by finicky cats and left in bowl
  • Strong odor that cats love, but owners do not

One of the best dry cat food choices comes from a name you trust to deliver tasty, wholesome products. Rachel Ray Nutrish Super Premium Dry Cat Food Chicken & Brown Rice has been formulated from a Rachel Ray-inspired recipe to tempt even the most finicky feline eaters. With U.S. Farm-raised chicken listed as the first ingredient, you can trust Rachel Ray Nutrish to provide your cat with high-quality lean protein in a recipe created to give cats the protein-rich diet that best suits their ideal dietary needs.

Rachel Ray Nutrish Super Premium Dry Cat Food is ideal for indoor cats, adding nourishing and digestion-friendly vegetables such as peas, carrots, and beets. These superfoods are blended with nutritious, whole-grain brown rice and a super-protein blend of corn gluten to support muscle-mass development in healthy adult cats.

Rachel Ray Nutrish Super Premium Dry Cat Food contains no ground corn (corn gluten protein is not a corn grain, but a concentrated protein source derived from corn) no soy, wheat, or artificial flavors or preservatives. The protein and nutrient-rich recipe is blended and formed into small kibble pieces that are ideally suited to a cat’s small mouth and chewing abilities for the most thorough digestion and absorption.

Rachel Ray Nutrish Super Premium Dry Cat Food comes in two cat-friendly flavors: Chicken & Brown Rice, and Salmon & Brown Rice. A portion of all proceeds from sales of Nutrish Super Premium Cat Food goes to support the Rachel Ray Foundation to help animals in need, making it one of the best dry cat food options for animal lovers.

Key Features
  • Chicken and brown rice flavor dry cat food
  • Farm-raised chicken is first ingredient
  • Quality, purposeful ingredients
Specifications
  • Main Ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, corn meal, brown rice. beet pulp
  • Package Size: 14 lbs
  • Number of Flavors: 2
  • Brand: Rachel Ray Nutrish
Pros
  • No wheat or soy
  • No artificial flavors or preservatives
  • Portion of proceeds support Rachel Ray Foundation for animals in need
  • Small kibble size
Cons
  • Corn gluten meal is third ingredient and brown rice is fourth

Many pet owners believe the best dry cat food for their pet should be grain-free kibble in a protein-rich formula that their cat will devour. Nulo Grain-Free Dry Cat Food delivers serious protein from natural ingredients like salmon, turkey, chicken, peas, and lentils with a probiotic boost for digestive health.

Nulo uses a cat-friendly recipe that’s free of wheat, corn, and soy as well as tapioca and white potatoes. Instead, Nulo Grain-Free Dry Cat Food uses natural lentil fiber to encourage digestion and prevent hairballs. Beneficial ingredients like flaxseed, sweet potatoes, kelp, and cranberries make this one of the best dry cat food choices for complete nutrition.

Nulo’s dry kibble formula promotes a healthier weight with reduced carbohydrates and human-grade probiotics for digestive and immune health. A lower weight keeps cats vital and energetic and reduces the risk of kidney disease. Instead of fillers, Nulo packs their dry cat food with protein to provide grain-free nutrition to energize your cat and help ensure a long, active life.

Nulo’s formula has a natural meaty flavor with a hint of greens to appeal to even finicky cats. The disc-shaped kibble features a small, manageable size and crunchy texture that even older cats love. The texture also helps to keep a cat’s teeth clean and polished, preventing plaque and tartar build-up.

This may be the best dry cat food for protein with 82-percent natural protein from fish and poultry. Your cat will eat it up!

Key Features
  • 4lb bag of protein-rich dry cat food
  • Grain-free recipe with fish, turkey, chicken, and peas
  • Small-sized, disc-shaped kibble
  • Probiotic formula for digestive and immune health
Specifications
  • Main Ingredients: Salmon, turkey, chicken, cod, peas, lentils
  • Package Size: 4lbs
  • Number of Flavors: 3
  • Brand: Nulo
Pros
  • Resealable bag
  • Low carb formula includes lentil fiber rather than grain to prevent hairballs and weight gain
  • Enriched with vitamins, minerals, and human-grade probiotics
  • No wheat, corn, or soy
Cons
  • Very small size kibble may lead some cats to swallow it whole
  • Price increases discourage some users

Even the best dry cat food may not be the ideal food for a young, active cat with a high-energy level. Diamond Naturals Active Cat Formula supplies protein-powered energy for healthy, energetic cats. It’s also a great choice for kittens and pregnant or nursing cats with DHA for healthy eye and brain development.

The active-cat formula includes natural chicken protein, probiotics, and a wide array of superfoods to fuel your cat’s high energy level. With cage-free chicken meal as the first ingredient, this dry cat food fully meets your cat’s protein requirements, while probiotics and prebiotics support healthier digestion and a strong immune system for better overall health.

Diamond Naturals is formulated for active cats and gentle enough for kittens, with ground white rice, and omega-3 fatty acids for a shiny coat and healthy skin. Miscanthus grass aids digestion and prevents hairballs. Diamond Naturals includes superfoods for high-powered nutrition, including flaxseed, chia seeds, DHA-rich salmon oil, blueberries, pumpkin, oranges, kelp, spinach, and carrots. Everything your cat needs for a healthy, robust lifestyle comes in a small, crunchy kibble formula with a cat-friendly flavor from the natural chicken and chicken fat.

Diamond Naturals Active Cat Formula is a made-in-the-USA product and comes from a family-owned business with trusted global sources for wholesome, high-quality ingredients. It may be the best dry cat food to keep a young, healthy cat enjoying an energetic lifestyle for as long as possible.

Key Features
  • Natural high-protein formula for active cats, kittens, and pregnant or nursing cats
  • With species-specific probiotics, salmon oil, and miscanthus grass
  • Small, crunchy kibble with cat-approved flavor
Specifications
  • Main Ingredients: Cage-free chicken, rice, blueberries, oranges, chicken fat, flaxseed, probiotics
  • Package Size: 6lbs
  • Number of Flavors: 2
  • Brand: Diamond Naturals
Pros
  • Perfect for active cats, kittens, pregnant and nursing mother cats
  • Uses trusted sources from global resources
  • Includes antioxidants and probiotics
  • Superfood formula with blueberries, flaxseed, and omega fatty acids
Cons
  • May cause weight gain in older or more sedentary cats
  • Lots of crumbs and cat food dust at the bottom of the bag

One of the best dry cat food choices for those who go grain-free for their pets is Taste of the Wild Grain Free High Protein Dry Cat Food. This grain-free recipe is packed with protein at 42 percent of the total product. The unique blend of roasted venison and salmon gives your cat the high-protein diet that a cat’s digestive system is ideally formed to process. Cats in the wild eat high protein and low carb diets.

Taste of the Wild Grain Free High Protein Dry Cat Food is a cat-friendly blend of chicken meal, roasted venison, and salmon for protein. It is supplemented with natural fruits, legumes, and vegetables for nutritional balance for the healthiest skin and fur.

Cats will love to nibble this kibble that’s designed to tempt even finicky appetites with delicious, cat-approved meaty flavor in a digestible formula that includes species-specific cat probiotics to aid in more complete digestion and the thorough absorption of healthy nutrients.

Taste of the Wild Grain Free High Protein Dry Cat Food contains superfoods such as antioxidants and a prime fatty acid blend for promoting a healthy, shiny coat.

Taste of the Wild is made in the USA by a pet-loving company, and with no grain, wheat, corn, or fillers. Instead of grains, cats are given an energy boost with healthy peas and sweet potatoes. This easily digestible dry cat food contains no artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors — nothing a cat wouldn’t eat in the wild, making this the best dry cat food for bringing out the wild in your cat.

Key Features
  • High quality protein dry cat food
  • Roasted venison and smoked salmon recipe
  • Includes superfoods fruits and vegetables
  • Easy to digest formula with probiotics
  • Grain-free recipe
Specifications
  • Main Ingredients: Chicken meal, peas, sweet potatoes, chicken fat
  • Package Size: 14 lbs
  • Number of Flavors: 3
  • Brand: Taste of the Wild
Pros
  • No grain, corn, wheat or fillers
  • Free of artificial flavors and colors
  • Probiotics to ensure complete digestion and absorption
Cons
  • Chicken as main ingredient changed recently to chicken meal

One of the best dry cat food choices for those who prefer grain-free foods for their pets is Crave Grain Free High Protein Dry Cat Food. Real chicken is the first ingredient of Crave, delivering the high-quality protein which should be the staple of a healthy cat’s diet. Crave’s grain-free recipe is inspired by the ancestral diet of cats in the wild, packed with protein and containing carbs only from high-quality natural ingredients.

Crave is 40 percent high-quality protein to provide the necessary nutrients for adult cats to maintain healthy and lean muscle mass like their ancestors did living out in the wild. The high protein in this winning recipe comes from real whole chicken and salmon meal, to give this crunchy cat food a flavor and satisfaction that cats love and will keep them coming back for more.

This Crave Grain Free High Protein Dry Cat Food is formulated to be indoor-cat friendly and will satisfy your cat’s need for greens and vegetables with peas, alfalfa, beet pulp, and flax seed which enriches this crunchy cat kibble. Crave adds beneficial vitamins and minerals to keep your cat’s coat shiny and his skin healthy.

Crave Grain Free High Protein Dry Cat Food supports a healthy immune system and provides energy with carbs that are not grain-based. It contains no wheat, corn, or soy, making it easier on cats’ delicate digestive systems, and one of the best dry cat food choices for cats with allergies.

Key Features
  • Chicken and salmon high-protein formula dry cat food
  • Indoor cat-friendly recipe
  • Supports digestion and healthy immune system
Specifications
  • Main Ingredients: Chicken, peas, salmon meal, beet pulp, alfalfa
  • Package Size: 10 lb
  • Number of Flavors: 4
  • Brand: Crave
Pros
  • Chicken is number one ingredient
  • No corn, wheat, or soy
  • Includes quality carbohydrates
Cons
  • Kibble pieces may be too large for some cats
  • Many crumbs at the bottom of the bag

One of the best dry cat food for superior digestibility is Halo Natural Dry Cat Food, Wild Salmon & Whitefish Recipe. This protein-rich blend uses whole salmon and whitefish and never uses rendered fish or meat meals in their recipe. No corn is added. This provides better quality and more easily digested protein source that is more like the natural diet a cat would ingest in the wild. Fish and meat meals contain parts of the animal that may not be considered meat and are less easily digestible than whole meat and fish and are never used by Halo.

This recipe is rich in bioavailable nutrients and superior digestibility means that cats are provided with better nutrition and optimal absorption. Halo suggests that this super absorption quality is proven by the lower amounts of poop emitted by cats who eat Halo, with “the proof in the poop.”

Halo Natural Dry Cat Food Wild Salmon & Whitefish Recipe uses non-GMO products and only wild-caught seafood from fisheries with proven sustainability. Halo does not use factory-farmed fish products and rejects hormones, antibiotics, and other by-products of farmed fishing. Non-GMO vegetables and fruits are added, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, blueberries, and cranberries. These nutrient-dense superfoods promote healthier skin and coats in adult cats.

Taurine is also included in this dry cat food formula to promote and maintain healthy organs such as kidneys, eyes, and heart as well as to maintain superior muscle mass and function.

Halo Natural Dry Cat Food Wild Salmon & Whitefish Recipe may be one of the best dry cat food options for those who prefer whole, non-GMO, sustainably derived ingredients for their furry feline friends.

Key Features
  • Dry cat food based on whole wild salmon and whitefish
  • Formulated for easy digestion
  • Includes important vegetables for complete nutrition
Specifications
  • Main Ingredients: Holistic wild salmon and whitefish
  • Package Size: 6 lbs
  • Number of Flavors: 1
  • Brand: Halo
Pros
  • Uses whole ingredients and not "meals"
  • Uses only non-GMO vegetables
  • Protein-rich formula with superior digestibility
  • No corn products are included
Cons
  • Recipe change from salmon to salmon and whitefish has some pet owners and their cats disappointed

If you are looking for a cat food that lists chicken as the first ingredient to deliver high-quality protein to your cat, Instinct Raw Boost Healthy Weight Grain Free Recipe Natural Dry Cat Food may be the best dry cat food for your pet. Not only is chicken the number one ingredient in this healthy-weight recipe, but it is also added in additional whole pieces of raw, freeze-dried chicken, and chicken liver, for a super-protein boost in a pure and wholesome form that even finicky cats will savor.

Instinct Raw Boost Healthy Weight Grain Free Recipe Natural Dry Cat Food contains a healthy mix of proteins boosted by superfoods such as chickpeas, tomato, alfalfa, and more, to promote a healthy coat and skin in adult cats. An ideal level of natural fiber has been included in this recipe to boost digestion and promote a healthy metabolism and helps cats feel more full and satisfied in order to support a healthy weight. This crunchy kibble blend contains less fat and calories than the original Instinct Raw Boost Dry Cat Food.

Instinct Raw Boost Healthy Weight Grain Free Recipe contains no grain, corn, wheat, potato, or byproduct meal. It also has no artificial colors or preservatives. It is packed with healthy protein and crafted from minimally processed, whole-food ingredients, including the power and nutrition of raw chicken.

Instinct Raw Boost Healthy Weight Grain Free Recipe is one of the best dry cat food choices for those looking for a cat food with minimally processed kibble that blends tempting taste in a weight-friendly recipe.

Key Features
  • Healthy-weight conscious dry cat food
  • Grain-free high protein cat food
  • Freeze-dried raw chicken pieces included
  • Fiber and carnitine added for healthy metabolism
Specifications
  • Main Ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, chickpeas, salmon
  • Package Size: 10 lbs
  • Number of Flavors: 1
  • Brand: Instinct
Pros
  • Includes raw, freeze dried whole chicken
  • Chicken is first ingredient
  • Contains no artificial colors or preservatives
  • Free of grain, corn, wheat, soy, potato, and meal byproducts
Cons
  • Some cats eat only the freeze-dried chicken pieces and leave kibble

One of the best dry cat food options for adult cats with sensitive stomachs is Iams Proactive Health Sensitive Stomach Adult Cat Food. This protein-rich dry cat food is made with chicken and turkey, with chicken listed as the number one ingredient. This lean, high-quality protein recipe supports proper muscle mass development in cats and more closely resembles the natural diet of cats in the wild.

Iams Proactive Health Sensitive Stomach Adult Cat Food is specially formulated to promote the healthiest possible digestion for proper nutrient absorption and long-term health of the digestive system. Prebiotics are added to aid in cats’ digestive health and to ease the symptoms of sensitive stomachs in our feline friends. A specially tailored cat-friendly fiber blend is added to further aid and enhance digestion and to lessen unpleasant stomach symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.

Iams Proactive Health Sensitive Stomach Adult Cat Food adds antioxidant superfoods such as beet pulp, as well as important vitamins and nutrients including vitamins E, A, and B12, to further enrich this protein-rich blend of chicken, turkey, and egg.

Iams Proactive Health Sensitive Stomach Adult Cat Food contains no artificial preservatives or dyes. It is also free of wheat, which is sometimes a cause of stomach irritation in sensitive cats.

The perfectly-sized crunchy kibble in this Iams formula aids in removing plaque and bacteria from cats’ teeth to support healthy dentition.

The high-quality proteins and vitamins in this easy-to-digest adult cat food make Iams Proactive Health Sensitive Stomach one of the best dry cat food choices for cats with sensitive digestive systems.

Key Features
  • Chicken and turkey-based dry cat food
  • Healthy-protein recipe to support muscle mass
  • Includes prebiotics for digestive health
  • Digestible proteins for optimal absorption
Specifications
  • Main Ingredients: Chicken, corn, turkey, beets, eggs
  • Package Size: 16 lbs
  • Number of Flavors: 2
  • Brand: Iams
Pros
  • Recipe includes beet pulp superfood
  • Crunchy texture to reduce plaque build-up
  • Antioxidant enriched to boost immune health
Cons
  • May cause more malodorous bowel movements
  • Corn is listed as third ingredient

If you are looking for a grain-free dry cat food that lists pure ocean whitefish as its number one ingredient, Purina Beyond Grain Free Ocean Whitefish & Egg Recipe may be the best dry cat food for your cat.

Each carefully selected ingredient in Purina Beyond Grain Free is added to provide an adult cat with optimal feline nutrition with high-quality proteins that exceed industry standards for wholesome, lean muscle-building ingredients.

Ocean whitefish is the first ingredient in this crunchy, grain-free cat kibble. The egg is added for more lean protein and added flavor that cats love. All proteins used in Purina Beyond Grain Free are responsibly sourced and include fish, white meat chicken, quail, and pheasant, for 100 percent complete and healthily balanced nutrition for adult cats in ideal amounts of protein, fat, carbohydrates, and other essential nutrients.

Rather than grains, Purina Beyond Grain Free adds healthy carbs from pea starch, sweet potatoes, and cassava root flour.

Purina Beyond Grain Free adds critical vitamins and nutrients to ensure your cat’s healthiest skin and coat, and natural fiber to support healthy digestion and optimal absorption of nutrition.

Purina Beyond Grain Free is made to be free of corn, wheat, and soy. All ingredients can be traced back to Purina’s most trusted sources.

The grain-free quality of this dry cat food makes it easier on cats with sensitive digestive systems and often results in less vomiting and other digestive issues.

The high protein and natural ingredients in this perfectly balanced, grain-free formula makes Purina Beyond Grain Free one of the best dry cat food choices for responsible pet parents.

Key Features
  • Natural adult dry cat food
  • Grain-free product
  • No corn, wheat or soy
  • Complete balanced nutrition for adult cats
Specifications
  • Main Ingredients: Ocean whitefish, chicken meal. pea starch. egg
  • Package Size: 11 llbs
  • Number of Flavors: 4
  • Brand: Purina
Pros
  • Responsibly sourced proteins
  • Pea fiber and sweet potatoes offer grain-free carbs
  • Easy-to-open bag
Cons
  • Large kibble pieces may not be suitable for cats with dental problems
  • Strong fishy odor

When choosing the best dry cat food for your favorite furry friend, there are many things to take into consideration if you are a concerned pet parent. Not only do you want to find the dry cat food that offers your cat the best possible diet — and one that meets all of the requirements of an ideal feline diet — but also one that your cat will find tempting and tasty enough to enjoy eating.

The best dry cat food that you choose should also take into consideration the specific needs of your particular pet. Is your cat overweight? Is he an indoor-only cat? Does she suffer from stomach sensitivities or have special litter box needs? Dental issues? Is she a super-finicky eater who turns up her pink whiskered nose at all but the tastiest morsels?

What should we look for in dry cat food that offers solutions to some of these common feline dietary needs?

The Best Cat Food Ingredients for Cats with Sensitive Digestive Systems

If your cat frequently vomits, has digestive problems such as diarrhea, or frequent bowel movements, you may want to look for dry cat foods that avoid grains. There are many grain-free cat food brands that have no corn, wheat, or oat fillers. While some carbohydrates are necessary, both as binders for dry food and as a source of energy for your cats, many cats have trouble digesting and processing grains such as corn and wheat— which are not a natural part of a feline diet.

Instead, look for the best dry cat foods that offer binders and carbs in natural starches such as sweet potatoes — which also offer vitamin A — or stomach-friendly brown rice.

While protein is a critical part of a cat’s natural diet, and clearly the most essential part, a cat with a sensitive digestive system may need to avoid foods that derive protein from meat “meals” such as chicken meal, or fish meal. Choose instead the best dry cat foods that offers protein from whole lean meats such as chicken, turkey, and fish as their first listed ingredient, to function in a cat’s digestive system more like a cat’s natural diet.

Related: Best Cat Toys

Other Considerations in Choosing the Best Cat Food For Your Cat

When choosing a dry cat food, your own cat’s health requirements, age, weight, and personality should also come into the decision. There are great dry cat foods for boosting metabolism and lowering fat and calorie intake. You can choose a cat food for its small kibble size if your cat has dental problems or cat food that focuses on flavors and scents to tempt the most finicky feline eaters. Some of the best dry cat foods are formulated for cats who remain indoors, and these will include greens such as alfalfa, or other beneficial vegetables.

Whatever cat food you choose, it should be the best cat food for your particular cat. A wholesome, well-absorbed diet will help to ensure the health and well-being of your cat and potentially limit veterinary visits and other expenses related to pet health problems that could be avoided or minimized by feeding your cat the best dry cat food for his needs.

Resources— PetMD, PetNet, The Spruce Pets

FAQ

Q: Which food is better for cats: wet or dry?

According to veterinarians, this is one of their most commonly asked cat questions. Thankfully, most veterinarians agree that both types of cat food are an excellent source of feline nutrition.

While cats with kidney problems may benefit from the extra water content in canned cat food, the best dry cat food is a perfectly healthy option for most cats as long as they have access to plenty of fresh water. Dry cat food is less expensive and also easier to store. It’s also easier to serve with less mess or cleanup compared to canned cat foods.

Q: How often should I feed my cat?

Most veterinarians agree that kittens and young cats should eat as much as they want — which is typically up to 4 feedings per day. Once a cat is six months old, you can decrease the feedings to two meals per day.

Many cat owners leave small amounts of dry food in the bowl throughout the day for cats to nibble. This is fine as long as you don’t greatly exceed the amount you’d feed your cat in two full meals by constantly refilling the bowl. Instead, if your cat is a nibbler, you can pre-measure the amount of food you would give your cat in two meals and put a little in their bowl at a time to allow for nibbling in small meals throughout the day.

Q: How do I change my cat’s food to a new brand?

Instead of making a sudden change in your cat’s diet, it’s better to introduce the new food slowly, over the course of about 3 days. Begin by mixing the new food in with the old brand in a ratio of about 1 part to 3 on the first day, then half and half the next day, followed by a ratio of 3 to 1, new food to old. Then switch completely to the new cat food.

At this point, it’s a seamless transition for the majority of cats.

Q: Can my cat eat a vegetarian diet?

You should never switch a cat to a vegetarian diet. They are carnivores by nature and require a diet based heavily on meat and fish proteins from foods like poultry, fish, and beef. Common favorites used in the best dry cat food are salmon, turkey, chicken, duck, and lamb. Many of today’s dry cat foods include greens like spinach and kelp as well as other vegetables and superfoods along with meat-based protein.

If you wish to limit grains in your cat’s diet, look for grain-free cat food. Many use sweet potatoes as a filler instead of wheat, corn, or rice.

You should not try to replace meat completely in a cat’s diet.

Q: Should I change my cat’s food with age?

Kitten food and the best dry cat food for young, active cats tend to be more calorie-dense to fuel growing or energetic young cats. Look for dry or canned cat food labeled for kittens or active cats. Most cat foods will have a life-stage label that helps you to find the right food for your cat’s age. Look for cat food for adult cats once your cat is over a year old. These tend to be less fatty and help your cat to stay lean, fit, and active.

Once a cat becomes a senior or elderly cat, you should discuss their diet with their veterinarian. Geriatric cats may have medical conditions that a change in diet may help to address. Calorie control is the most common nutritional need for older cats and foods labeled for senior cats help to provide protein-rich nutrition with less fat and calories.

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