Whether you’re a cat parent or someone who cares for cats, ensuring they are fed well is obviously essential to their well-being. But with so many wet cat food options on the market, most of which come in cans, which is right for your little floof?
“Canned diets tend to be more palatable and offer a greater variety of tastes and textures,” says Dr. Danielle Opetz, doctor of companion animal nutrition for Fromm Family Foods. “Additionally, canned diets have a much higher water content and can help with hydration and satiation.”
To find the best wet cat food, I consulted with Opetz and other veterinarians to learn more about their recommendations regarding cat food ingredients, appropriate calorie counts and how to account for your cat’s life stage when choosing their food.
Most wet cat foods are meat-based. One important way they differ is the specific meat base, whether it’s chicken, salmon, lamb or another kind of meat base. Texture or consistency may also vary: There are pâtés, soft loaves and shredded varieties. All wet cat foods contain higher concentrations of water than dry food and thus are a more hydrating option.
It’s important to pay attention to the ingredients when buying wet cat food; they should be high-quality and healthy ingredients. One of the main ingredients to look for is taurine. According to Opetz, taurine is an especially important amino acid for cats and should not be overlooked.
In addition to taurine, Dr. Sara Ochoa, veterinarian and co-founder of How To Pets, recommends prioritizing wet cat foods made with high-quality protein sources. “Opt for wet cat foods that list quality protein sources, such as chicken, turkey, fish or beef, as the first few ingredients,” advises Ochoa. Since cats don’t require as many carbohydrates as proteins, Ochoa recommends minimizing carbohydrates by purchasing wet cat food without corn, wheat or soy (or with minimal amounts of these fillers).
Also, keep an eye out for substantial amounts of fiber, plus essential vitamins and minerals to maintain your cat’s overall health. Finally, look for U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Association of American Feed Controls (AAFCO)-certified brands.
When it comes to wet cat food ingredients to avoid, Dr. Dwight Alleyne, DVM and veterinarian expert on JustAnswer, recommends doing your best to stay away from food containing meat by-products, artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. Ochoa also advises avoiding those with added sugars and sweeteners (such as molasses or corn syrup).
When shopping for the best wet cat food, it is important to consider your cat’s life stage, since kittens and older cats typically have different nutritional needs. “For example, kittens have different phosphorus and calcium requirements for bone growth, and that’s why it is so important that a kitten be on a diet specifically labeled for kittens,” explains Dr. Anna Kaufman, a veterinarian at BondVet.
When a kitten approaches the age of one, Kaufman recommends switching to an AAFCO diet. Then, when a cat gets older and into their senior age, she recommends consulting with a veterinarian to customize their diet. Wet cat food labels often indicate which life stage the food is designed for, so you can use this as a guide when shopping for your cat unless your veterinarian instructs you to act otherwise.
To accurately determine how many calories your cat needs, it’s best to ask your veterinarian. After you know how many calories your cat requires, you can look for the best wet cat food that fulfills their caloric requirements.
That said, you want to ensure you don’t overfeed your pet because this can lead to obesity, says Opetz. “Foods that are formulated to be nutritionally balanced and complete will include feeding recommendations based on weight,” she explains. “From there, pet owners may inquire with the manufacturer if additional feedings are recommended based on age, activity level and need.” You can also double-check the recommended portion size with your veterinarian.
According to Opetz, “guaranteed analysis” is information that manufacturers are required to disclose to consumers about the protein, fiber, fat and moisture content of wet cat food. (It’s important to note that guaranteed analysis informs consumers about the minimum and maximum amounts of these ingredients, rather than exact amounts.)
Best for indoor cats
If you’re looking for wet cat food for indoor cats of varying life stages, Royal Canin’s Adult Feline Health Nutrition Morsels in Gravy is a great choice, since it provides cats with the nourishment they need without an excess of calories. This food is also made for cats that are spayed and neutered.
Since this wet cat food only contains 65 kilocalories per three-ounce can, it’s a great option for cats who primarily stay indoors.
Get it here: Royal Canin Adult Feline Health Nutrition Morsels in Gravy Cat Food for Indoor Cats
Best for senior cats
Shopping for wet cat food for a senior cat? Look no further than Hill’s Science Diet Senior Wet Cat Food Savory Chicken Entree. Designed for cats seven years of age and older, this high-quality, meat-based wet cat food is designed to sustain kidney health. It also contains taurine, vitamin C, vitamin E and antioxidants to keep older cats nourished and heart-healthy.
This chicken-based wet cat food contains taurine, vitamin C, vitamin E and antioxidants to keep older cats’ hearts and kidneys healthy.
Get it here: Hill’s Science Diet Senior Wet Cat Food Savory Chicken Entree
Best affordable
If you want to buy wet cat food but don’t want to break the bank, Purina Fancy Feast Petites Gourmet Gravy Wet Cat Food may be a good option. For just slightly more than a dollar per tub, the recipe is made with chicken broth, chicken, wheat gluten, liver and rice. It doesn’t contain any artificial colors or preservatives and is designed to nourish adult cats of varying life stages.
For just more than $1 per tub, this wet cat food is a suitable choice for those looking to feed their cat while staying within a budget.
Get it here: Purina Fancy Feast Petites Gourmet Gravy Wet Cat Food
Best for diabetic cats
If your cat requires special wet food to help them manage their diabetes, consider talking with your veterinarian about Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets DM Dietetic Management Savory Selects wet cat food. Since this wet cat food is low in carbohydrates and high in protein, it helps cats maintain healthy glucose levels. Plus, it has antioxidants for an added boost. (This food requires a prescription or approval from a veterinarian before it can be purchased.)
This wet cat food can be a great option for cats with diabetes because of its low carbohydrate and high protein makeup.
Get it here: Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets DM Dietetic Management Savory Selects Wet Cat Food
Best for weight loss
This wet cat food from Tiki Pets can aid in cat weight loss because it’s packed with protein, as well as containing vitamins B3 and B12 to help keep blood circulating and energy levels high. This food has zero ingredients made with GMOs, and when it comes time to throw out the cans, you can recycle them.
Packed with protein and vitamins, this salmon-based wet cat food can help your cat lose weight.
Get it here: Tiki Cat Luau Wild Salmon in Salmon Consomme
Best for adult cats
Wellness Complete Health Grain-Free Wet Canned Cat Food Chicken & Herring Dinner is one of the best wet cat foods for adult cats. In addition to its smooth loaf shape and texture, it doesn’t contain any grains. It also has prebiotics and probiotics to help aid digestion and regulate the immune system. Each can also contains a third of a cat’s daily water needs.
This wet cat food from Wellness Pet Food is worth the investment because of its hydration benefits, in addition to other benefits.
Get it here: Wellness Complete Health Grain-Free Wet Canned Cat Food Chicken & Herring Dinner
Best shredded
If your cat is a fan of shredded cat food, it’s hard to go wrong with the Four Star Shredded Chicken in Gravy Entree Canned Cat Food from Fromm Family Pet Food. Since it’s shredded, each can contains a hearty portion of moisture to help keep your cat hydrated. And, whether your cat is a young adult or a senior, they can enjoy this food, since it’s designed to be consumed by all life stages.
This shredded cat food is made with high-quality ingredients and lots of water to keep your cat hydrated.
Get it here: Fromm Four Star Shredded Chicken in Gravy Entree Canned Cat Food
Best grain-free
Looking for grain-free cat food? Consider adding this food from Weruva Cats to your cart. Since it’s a variety pack, you can treat your cat to four different grain-free, tasty options (Kitty Gone Wild, Chicken Frick A’ Zee, Funk In The Trunk and Lamb Burgini) made with chicken and fish. Regardless of the flavor, each variety is also starch-, gluten- and carrageenan-free. Plus, the cans are colorful and BPA-free.
This grain-free cat food offers variety and offers BPA-free cans.
Get it here: Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Lamb Variety Pack Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
Best for sensitive stomachs
Formulating healthy stool is necessary for everyone, including cats (and dogs, who may also need special dog food for sensitive stomachs). If your cat suffers from digestive issues, they may benefit from Royal Canin’s Digestive Care Thin Slices in Gravy wet cat food. This brand has conducted studies showing that cats who have consumed this formula experience enhanced stool quality. Its thin slices are easy to consume, and at about $29 for 12 cans, it’s relatively affordable.
This wet cat food is an affordable option for cats who regularly endure digestive issues.
Get it here: Royal Canin Digestive Care Thin Slices in Gravy Wet Cat Food
Best for kittens
Keeping your kitten healthy is important and it starts with what you feed them. Purina ONE Grain Free, Natural Paté Wet Kitten Food, Healthy Kitten Chicken & Salmon Recipe is a great option if you’re looking for wet cat food with a paté texture and a delicious taste. Made with chicken, liver, chicken broth and pork lungs, your kitten will receive the nutrients they need without any artificial colors.
This paté-textured cat food is made with nutrients designed for kittens.
Get it here: Purina ONE Grain Free, Natural Paté Wet Kitten Food, Healthy Kitten Chicken & Salmon Recipe
I selected the best wet cat foods after interviewing Dr. Danielle Opetz, doctor of companion animal nutrition for Fromm Family Foods; Dr. Sara Ochoa, veterinarian and co-founder of How To Pets; Dr. Dwight Alleyne, DVM and veterinarian expert on JustAnswer; Dr. Anna Kaufman, veterinarian at BondVet; Dr. Danielle Adams, DVM and staff veterinarian at VCA Firehouse Animal Hospital; and Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, B.Sc., DVM. and member of Rover’s Pet People Panel. During our interviews, I inquired about various wet cat foods they recommended and different factors pet owners or caregivers should consider when shopping, including ingredients, guaranteed analysis and life stage.
Since wet cat food should meet the standards set by AAFCO, I included options that meet these nutritional standards.
I had a cat for about 13 years, so I included some of the wet cat food (namely from Purina) that I fed my cat throughout their life to keep them happy and healthy.
Whether or not it’s OK to give cats wet food every day depends on the type of cats you’re caring for and the advice of your veterinarian. However, most of our experts agree that incorporating wet cat food into the daily diet of your cat is okay as long as it’s fresh and made with high-quality ingredients.
That said, both Greenstein and Kaufman note that cats that exclusively or regularly eat wet cat food require their teeth to be brushed more frequently — and may require professional teeth cleaning at times — because they will experience more build-up. If you choose to feed your cat wet cat food, you must be able to afford this required dental maintenance.
The healthiest food for an indoor cat depends on your specific cat. However, “a diet that has a higher fiber content can be helpful since indoor cats tend to spend a lot of time grooming,” explains Adams.
Several factors should be considered when deciding how much wet food to feed your cat. Opetz notes that it’s important to consider your cat’s weight, activity level, age and breed. Ochoa adds that a cat’s life stage, condition and other health considerations — whether or not they are diabetic or have kidney problems — should be considered. Talking with your veterinarian about how much food your cat needs and reviewing the feeding recommendation on the packaging is also advised to ensure a proper feeding routine.
Yes, you can mix different types of wet cat food. However, when you do mix wet cat food, you should be doing so in a way that ensures your cat receives the proper nourishment and considers life stage, allergies and medical conditions. (The same goes for your pups, who might also require a specific dog food for allergies).
Furthermore, Ochoa adds that you should monitor portion sizes to prevent overfeeding and observe to see how well your cat reacts to blending different kinds of food. If you plan on mixing different types of wet cat food, “stick with a manufacturer that formulates their foods to be interchangeable to avoid digestive upset,” says Opetz. As with any changes you may make to your cat’s diet, it is best to double-check with their veterinarian first.
