Welcome To Our Complete Guide To The Best Wet Cat Food. Giving Reviews Of The Top Brands, And Helping You To Make The Right Choice For Your Cat.
Choosing the best wet cat food for your kitty can be confusing.
There are many varieties of wet cat food out there, all competing for your attention. But what are the best wet cat food brands? How do we pick the good from the bad?
The answer may depend on the age, health and nutritional needs of your individual cat.
In a rush? Check out our top 5 best wet cat food choices here now:
| BEST WET CAT FOOD | BENEFITS | OUR RATING | |
|---|---|---|---|
  | Nature's Variety Instinct | Grain Free, Gluten Free, High Protein, Low Carb, Natural Wet Cat Food |  |
  | Weruva Cats In The Kitchen | Grain Free, Gluten Free, High Protein, Low Carb Wet Cat Food | |
  | Wellness Natural | Grain Free, Natural, Wet Cat Food | |
  | Merrick Purrfect Bistro | Grain Free, Deboned Meat Protein Wet Cat Food |  |
  | AvoDerm Natural | Grain Free, Natural, Wet Cat Food | |
You can find out more about these and lots of other options in the article below.
We’ll also look at some key fundamentals of feline nutrition that all cat owners should know about.
We will review several of the best wet cat food brands, so you can feed your best friend a healthy wet cat food diet!
Cat nutrition facts
The most important thing to remember about cats is that they are obligate carnivores, which means that they require nutrients found only in animal products.
Cats need meat to survive.
For carnivores like cats, good wet cat food will contain a large amount of protein, a moderate amount of fat, and the smallest amount of carbohydrates and fillers possible.
We will help you find the best wet cat food that has a perfect balance of these nutrients.
Benefits of wet cat food
Most cat owners know that there is some debate about whether to feed your cat a wet or dry diet.
Some cats are prone to urinary issues and male cats are particularly susceptible to urinary blockages.
Moisture content is the biggest factor when comparing wet, dry, and “semi-moist” cat foods. Researchers have found that dry food can have as little as 6% water, while wet food can be up to 75% water.
Research shows that the increased water content of wet food can be helpful for male cats that get urinary obstructions.
Eating wet cat food is more likely to make your cat drink more, due to the higher levels of protein.
Best wet cat food
So, what is the best wet cat food? Let’s take a look at some high quality wet cat food brands that you can buy, broken down by nutritional content as well as your cat’s own individual dietary needs.
Healthiest wet cat food
Studies have found that when cats have the freedom to self-regulate their food intake, they naturally choose a high protein, low carbohydrate diet.
This balance is key for optimal feline nutrition, and should be kept in mind when choosing a brand.
IAMS Purrfect Delights Pate Adult Wet Cat Food
You can tempt your cat with the high-quality protein found in IAMS wet cat food. It contains no added gluten, artificial flavors, corn, or soy.
This yummy cat food comes in packs of 18 to 24 cans, and contains real salmon, chicken and turkey.
There are a variety of flavors to choose from too, so even pickier kitties should be happy with this option.
CRAVE Grain Free High Protein Wet Cat Food
CRAVE is another brand that is rich in animal protein. It contains no soy or grains like corn and wheat.
Many owners report that their cats find this brand very palatable. Great news if your cat has a tendency to turn her nose up at her dinner.
Real chicken is the primary ingredient in this grain free wet cat food, and it also has added vitamins and minerals.
All designed to keep your cat healthy in a natural way.
Grain free wet cat food
Look for the words “grain free” on cat food cans if you are seeking a wet cat food with the high protein, low carb balance that is recommended by veterinary nutritionists.
There are many brands to choose from, here are some of the best.
Purina Pro Plan True Nature Natural Grain Free Formulas Canned Cat Food
This popular Purina Pro Plan True Nature grain free cat food contains no corn, wheat, or soy. It also has no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
It comes in a wide variety of flavor combinations, and each one contains natural meats.
Wellness Natural Grain Free Wet Canned Cat Food
This quality Wellness Natural cat food brand has a grain free formula with no added meat by-products or artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.
There are a large variety of meat combinations on offer, and even a special kitten food for those owners of younger cats.
Wellness has a great reputation for healthy wet cat food, and is well worth a look.
Halo Spot’s Pate Food for Cats
Halo’s grain free wet cat food option is highly digestible.
It contains whole meats, not meat meals. Any non-grain vegetables used are non-GMO.
And there are also no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
Avo Derm Natural Canned Wet Cat Food
Avo Derm is a premium natural cat food brand.
It contains all-natural protein, with no by-product meals, corn, wheat, or soy.
There are no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
High protein wet cat food
Some brands of wet cat food contain higher levels of protein than others.
Be sure to read labels carefully.
If you are looking for brands with the maximum amounts of animal protein you can get, consider these options:
EVO Cat Turkey & Chicken 95% Canned Food
This EVO wet cat food formula contains 95% animal protein.
It is also low carb and grain free.
The brand strives to replicate the high protein diet cats eat in the wild.
Nature’s Variety Instinct Grain Free Recipe Natural Wet Canned Cat Food
Instinct Grain Free Cat Food also contains 95% animal protein.
It is designed to recreate a wild cat’s natural high protein diet.
This yummy choice contains no corn, wheat, soy, or fillers and no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
There are a multitude of delicious flavors to choose from, and even a kitten formula.
A great choice if you are looking for a high protein, low carb option. This could be the best wet cat food for your kitty.
Best wet cat food for weight loss
Obesity is a common problem in housecats. Diet wet cat food, along with exercise, can be an important component of your cat’s weight loss plan.
According to veterinary nutritionists, high protein, low carb food is the best weight management diet for cats. Here are some options if your cat is on the chubby side!
Low carb wet cat food
Experts report that because cats are obligate carnivores, they have a limited ability to both digest and utilize carbohydrates in the diet.
This means that carbs are essentially a wasted ingredient in your cat’s food.
Look for high protein, low carb wet cat food like these options.
Merrick Purrfect Bistro Grain Free
The first ingredient in this Merrick Purrfect Bistro wet cat food is deboned meat protein.
It contains no corn, wheat, soy, or gluten.
This yummy grain free option could be the best wet cat food if you are looking for a deboned meat protein option.
It comes in two sizes and a huge range of flavors. So you are sure to find one that is the best wet cat food taste for your kitty cat.
Cats in the Kitchen Grain-Free Wet Cat Food Cans & Pouches by Weruva
Try Weruva Cats in the Kitchen for a high protein, low carb diet.
It contains grass-fed lamb and fish oil, with no grain, gluten or starch.
If your cat is a bit of a picky eater, they will hopefully still enjoy this formula as it’s designed with ‘finicky felines’ in mind!
As a kitty parent it’s also great to have the choice between pouches and cans when choosing the best wet cat food. And this brand has both!
Organic wet cat food
Looking for a natural wet cat food? Many brands say that they are organic and all-natural, but how can you be sure?
Always read the label carefully if organic ingredients are important to you.
Newman’s Own Premium Canned Formulas for Cats
Newman’s Own is a well-known maker of organic food for humans.
Their cat food is organic too!
It contains organic chicken as a primary ingredient, with no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives and no corn or wheat.
Best wet cat food for older cats
The most important facts to keep in mind about the feeding of older cats is that they tend to suffer from weight loss and have a decreased ability to digest fat and protein.
Experts say that your senior cat’s food should be energy-dense and highly digestible and palatable. Feed small amounts several times a day.
Interestingly, nutritious kitten food can be a good option for older cats, but if you’re looking for a wet food made for your senior kitty, consider these brands:
Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Aging 12+
This vet-recommended senior formula is by Royal Canin.
It supports joint and kidney health.
And the texture of the food is good for an older cat’s sensitive teeth and gums.
NUTRO Senior Wet Cat Food
NUTRO Senior has a balance of proteins, fats, and carbs formulated for older cats.
Tender morsels in plenty of gravy makes this food tasty and easy to eat if your senior cat has dental problems.
What is the best wet cat food?
As you can see, there are plenty of high quality wet cat foods to choose from when shopping for your kitty.
A good understanding of the basics of feline nutrition, a willingness to take some time to read cat food can labels, and an awareness of your own cat’s special needs will help you choose the best food for your cat.
References
- “Feeding Your Cat.” Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Feline Health Center, 2014.
- Mata, F. “The Choice of Diet Affects the Oral Health of the Domestic Cat.” Animals, 2015.
- Buffington, C. “Food and Feeding Management.” Ohio State University Indoor Pet Initiative, 2010.
- Salaun, F., Blanchard, G., Le Paih, L., et al. “Impact of Macronutrient Composition and Palatability in Wet Diets on Food Selection in Cats.” Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 2016.
- Villaverde, C. and Fascetti, A.J. “Macronutrients in Feline Health.” Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice, 2014.
- Laflamme, D. and Gunn-Moore, D. “Nutrition of Aging Cats.” Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice, 2014.
- Salas, A., Manuelian, C., Gargante, M., et al. “Fat Digestibility is Reduced in Old Cats with Subnormal Cobalamin Concentrations.” Journal of Nutritional Science, 2014.
Free Updates For Cat Lovers!
Our cat care articles, tips and fun facts, delivered to your inbox
Leave a Reply