Dry cat food is an easy and convenient choice for most cat owners. Like any other pet, cats need a balanced and nutrient-dense diet to stay healthy. This means that not just any dry cat food will do. You need a healthy formula that meets your cat’s dietary requirements in full.
Fortunately, there are plenty of dry cat foods available to choose from. Whether you need grain-free dry cat food, a weight maintenance alternative or simply something designed for a growing kitten, there is an ideal dry cat food that can meet those needs. Our top ten recommendations and buying guide will make it even easier for you!
Quick List - Top Dry Cat Foods
Rachael Ray
A Premium Ingredient Formula Ideal for Fussy Eaters
Meow Mix
A Good Mix of Value and Nutrition for Multiple-Cat Households
Taste of the Wild
Premium Ingredient Recipe for Cats of All Ages
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When it comes to the best nutrition for your cat, the how is as important as the what. Free feeding (leaving food out all the time so your cat can eat when it wants to) is a common habit among cat owners. But should you really be doing it?
Dry cat food makes free-feeding easy since kibble stays fresh for a long time. However, cats can put on a lot of weight when they are free-fed since they have unlimited access to food.
Limiting your cat's food intake by serving two or three small meals a day may be better for their health in the long run. This is especially true for indoor cats that do not get a lot of exercise. Your cat may simply eat out of boredom when there is food around all the time which can, in turn, lead to obesity and poor health.
Choosing the best dry cat food means knowing your cat’s primary dietary requirements. With so many options to choose from, our quick and easy tips will help you narrow down the best dry cat foods for your kitty.
Cats need a nutritionally balanced diet to stay healthy. Good quality dry cat foods are made with nutrient-rich and balanced ingredients that will meet your cat's dietary requirements. A healthy animal-based protein should always be one of the primary ingredients in the dry cat food you choose.
Taurine is another key ingredient that you want in your cat's dry food. This essential amino acid has multiple health benefits for your cat. It improves heart health, eyesight, digestion and reproductive health. Go for high-quality dry cat foods that are enriched with taurine to help boost your cat's health.
Avoid dry cat foods with high carbohydrate content as they can lead to excessive weight gain which will, in turn, cause your kitty health complications.
Dry cat foods packed with filler content such as animal-based powders have little nutritional value for your cat. Ingredients like wheat, corn, and soy are often used to inexpensively boost the protein content of dry food.
It's better to avoid them as much as possible since they are common food allergens in cats, and meat is a healthier source of protein for your kitty’s diet.
Age-appropriate dry cat food will meet the dietary requirements for your cat best. Check the labels to ascertain which stage of life the dry cat food is appropriate for.
Cat food designed for adult maintenance will not be a good choice for kittens as it may lack some of the nutrient requirements a growing kitty needs. Kitten food tends to have a higher protein content and more essential vitamins to support the nutritional needs of a growing kitten.
Senior cats can be more prone to obesity since they are less active, so feeding them low-carbohydrate dry cat foods is better in order to avoid the health complications that come with excessive weight gain. Most senior cat foods contain supplements that boost joint health too, which is essential for senior cats.
Some cats are allergic to grains, and others eat grain-based foods their whole lives with no apparent health issues. If your cat has a sensitive stomach, try a grain-free dry cat food. They are easier to digest and less likely to cause gut problems for your cat.
There are plenty of questions about whether grain-free diets are better and many cat owners are not sure whether to go grain-free or not. Scientists, on the whole, recommend grain-free diets since they are more appropriate for cats which are carnivorous in nature and therefore better suited to digest animal protein.
Pea protein is a common ingredient in cat foods. Peas are a source of vitamins and vegetable protein and usually will not cause health problems for your cat. However, some cats are allergic to pea starch and should not be fed dry cat foods with pea starch.
Cats with certain health conditions will be put on special diets and might require dry cat foods that will not aggravate their conditions. For instance, cats with urinary tract infections and bladder issues may do better on Limited-Ingredient diets.
Kidney disease in cats has been linked to dehydration. This means that if you are feeding your cat a dry food diet, you should always ensure they are getting plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
Dry cat foods with high protein and phosphorous content are not recommended for cats with kidney disease. There are plenty of hypoallergenic dry cat foods that are meant for cats prone to allergies. These types of dry cat food are an ideal choice for ultra-sensitive cats.
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), sets the minimum nutrient guidelines that dry cat foods need to meet to be certified as complete and balanced. Always go for dry cat foods that have been AAFCO certified as this is an indication that the dry cat food will meet the nutritional needs of your cat.
The AAFCO statement will also list which life stage a particular dry cat food is best for. Some will be labeled as “Adult Maintenance”, while others are certified for kittens or "All Life Stages." This will help you determine if the dry cat food is best for your cat based on their age.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Orijen Cat and Kitten Dry Cat Food|12 pounds | ![]() | A High-Protein Formula for Cats of Any Age | |
2 | Rachael Ray Nutrish Superfood Blends Dry Cat Food|6 pounds | ![]() | A Premium Ingredient Formula Ideal for Fussy Eaters | |
3 | Meow Mix Original Choice Dry Cat Food|6.3 pounds | ![]() | A Good Mix of Value and Nutrition for Multiple-Cat Households | |
4 | Taste of the Wild Rocky Mountain Premium Dry Cat Food|14 pounds | ![]() | Premium Ingredient Recipe for Cats of All Ages | |
5 | IAMS Proactive Health Adult Indoor Dry Cat Food|7 pounds | ![]() | A Balanced Formula for Weight Management | |
6 | Hill's Science Diet Adult 1-6 Dry Cat Food|7 pounds | ![]() | Promotes a Healthy and Shiny Coat in Young Cats | |
7 | Iams Proactive Health Kitten Dry Cat Food|3.5 pounds | ![]() | A Protein-Rich Recipe Ideal for a Growing Kitten | |
8 | Blue Buffalo Wilderness Natural Adult Indoor Dry Cat Food|2 pounds | ![]() | A Softer Dry Food Perfect for Senior Cats | |
9 | Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Dry Cat Food|10 pounds | ![]() | Balanced Nutrition for Better Digestive Health | |
10 | Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach and Skin Dry Cat Food|15.5 pounds | ![]() | A Carefully Formulated Recipe for Cats with Allergies |
This dry cat food recipe formula is a protein-rich, grain-free recipe that is complete and balanced for cats of all ages. It is made from quality proteins including chicken, turkey, fish, and eggs.
With a host of vitamins and antioxidants from vegetables and fruits, Orijen dry cat food is formulated to meet all the dietary requirements of an active and growing kitty.
Since it is grain-free, this recipe is easily digestible even for kittens and senior cats. Reviewers also loved this dry cat food since it boosts shiny coats and healthy skin for their cats.
This dry cat food formula is packed with nutrient-dense ingredients including chicken, pumpkin, lentils, and blueberries. It delivers a complete and balanced recipe to meet all your kitty’s dietary requirements. The healthy animal protein ensures that your cat stays active and develops healthy lean muscle.
Rich in healthy fiber from ingredients such as pumpkin, this recipe is easily digestible even for senior cats. Reviewers also loved that even picky eaters seemed to enjoy the flavor of this dry cat food. The higher antioxidant content will also help in boosting your cat’s immunity and keeping him healthy and strong.
If you are having a hard time finding a dry cat food for your fussy eater, this Rachael Ray Nutrish Dry Cat Food is one of the best options.
This dry cat food from Meow Mix is highly rated as one of the best options for quality ingredients and great value for money. Wholesome nutrition does not have to be expensive, and this budget-friendly dry cat food is a popular choice for many cat owners.
This dry cat food works great for both indoor and outdoor cats. It is also enriched with plenty of vitamins and essential minerals to boost immunity and keep your cat's coat healthy and shiny.
Even picky eaters do not need any coaxing to eat Meow Mix Dry Cat Food, so if your kitty tends to be picky, this formula may just be the best dry cat food choice.
This Rocky Mountain dry cat food is designed to meet the dietary requirements of cats at any stage of life. With 42% protein content, plenty of omega fatty acids and a host of essential minerals, when it comes to balanced nutrition for your kitty, this is one of the best dry cat foods.
The high protein content supports lean muscle growth for healthy and active cats while taurine ensures a healthy heart. If your kitty has digestive issues, the probiotic content which boosts gut health will help improve digestion.
Reviewers found that even fussy eaters seemed to love the flavor of this food. It is also highly rated for boosting a healthy and shiny coat.
Indoor cats can be prone to putting on excess pounds, which is why a good weight management formula is a good choice. Packed with all the nutrients your cat needs, this food is designed to provide balanced nutrition in a low-calorie recipe.
IAMS Proactive dry cat food comes with all the healthy goodness of wholesome natural ingredients such as chicken and turkey. The low-fat content and inclusion of L-carnitine works to help your cat lose weight, which is essential for good health.
This Hill's Science Diet dry cat food is specifically formulated to meet the dietary requirements of adult cats. If your kitty is between one and six years old, this nutrient-dense formula will help them get all the nutrients they need for lean muscle growth.
This formula has plenty of wholesome protein from chicken. It also comes enriched with essential minerals that help to boost kidney and bladder health. It has taurine, which is essential for maintaining good heart health and keeping your cat healthy and active.
If your cat has coat problems, the rich omega fatty acids content in this formula will ensure their coat is kept healthy and shiny. For an active adult cat, this is one of the best dry cat foods you can choose.
Your kitten needs plenty of nutrients and healthy ingredients to support growth. This protein-rich formula from Iams is designed to meet the nutritional requirements of a growing cat. It contains healthy protein from chicken, omega fatty acids, and plenty of essential vitamins and minerals.
With omega-3 DHA for boosting brain health and taurine to promote a healthy heart, you can be sure your kitten is getting the best nutrition for growth. This dry cat food comes in convenient small kibble sizes for your small kitten to chew easily and to avoid choking hazards.
Reviewers loved that this kitten food is not just high-quality but also budget-friendly. If you want a healthy recipe for your kitten, Iams Kitten Dry Cat Food is one of the best options.
This dry cat food is ideal for adult cats and seniors. It is completely grain-free and does not contain common food allergens like corn, wheat or soy making it a great choice for adult cats prone to food allergies.
Made with wholesome protein-rich ingredients and LifeSource Bits, Blue Wilderness Indoor dry cat food supports lean muscle growth and promotes joint health. It is formulated to boost immunity which helps to protect your cat from common infections.
Reviewers rated this food highly for its soft texture that makes it easy to chew. The small bite-sized pieces are also convenient, especially if your cat has dental issues.
Limited ingredient diets are a healthy choice for cats with digestive issues. They contain only a limited number of nutrient-rich ingredients to meet your cat’s dietary requirements without upsetting their stomach. This formula from Natural Balance is rich in protein for maintaining lean muscle health.
Rich in prebiotic fiber and completely grain-free, this dry cat food provides a healthy meal that is easy to digest. A healthy gut promotes proper nutrient absorption and reduces digestive health issues. This dry cat food is also free of any artificial flavors or preservatives and filler content.
This Natural Balance Limited Ingredient dry cat food is highly rated for helping to resolve common food allergies.
Food sensitivities can make finding the best dry cat food for your kitty an uphill task. This Hill's Science formula is specifically formulated to provide balanced nutrition for cats with stomach and skin sensitivities.
It contains healthy ingredients that boost gut and skin health including omega fatty acids and prebiotic fiber. This recipe comes with a host of antioxidants that help to boost your cat’s immunity and ward off common infections.
If your cat is prone to food allergies and needs a highly digestible recipe, this dry cat food is a good one to try. Reviewers loved that this recipe works great for cats that can’t seem to keep food down and those with itchy skin.
We know you only want what's best for your fuzzy buddy. That's why we've searched for lots of great toys, beds, litter boxes, and grooming products to help you choose!
No. 1: Orijen|Cat and Kitten Dry Cat Food|12 pounds
No. 2: Rachael Ray|Nutrish Superfood Blends Dry Cat Food|6 pounds
No. 3: Meow Mix|Original Choice Dry Cat Food|6.3 pounds
No. 4: Taste of the Wild|Rocky Mountain Premium Dry Cat Food|14 pounds
No. 5: IAMS|Proactive Health Adult Indoor Dry Cat Food|7 pounds
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