There’s nothing more heartbreaking than watching your cat go hungry. If you’re feeding your kitty a prescription diet, that’s probably why — but if you’ve decided to wean your cat off prescription food and go with a canned option instead, it’s time to start your search for the best canned cat food.
Canned cat food has the reputation of being less nutritious than its dry counterpart, but that’s just not true. In fact, if you’re looking for a wet food to help a cat who’s having trouble chewing or has a compromised immune system, canned can be a better option than watery, smelly wet food.
We found the best canned cat food by sampling dozens of options, and we’re confident that our top picks will have even finicky eaters diving into their dinner.
Read on for our top picks for the best canned cat food.
Our Editor’s Best Canned Cat Food Reviews
- PACKED WITH REAL CHICKEN, SALMON OR DUCK: This grain free cat food contains more of the fish or poultry cats love to provide the energy your adult cat needs to stay active
- PATÉ STYLE CANNED CAT FOOD: This high protein cat food features a smooth texture your feline friend can’t resist
- NATURAL CAT FOOD: All BLUE canned cat foods are made with the finest natural ingredients enhanced with vitamins and minerals
- MADE WITHOUT WHEAT: BLUE wet cat food contains NO chicken (or poultry) by-product meals, NO corn, wheat (a common thickening agent used by many other brands) or soy, and NO artificial flavors or preservatives
- Contains one (1) Variety Pack of BLUE Wilderness High Protein Grain Free, Natural Adult Pate Wet Cat Food, Chicken, Salmon, Duck 3-oz (12 count- 4 of each flavor)
- REAL MEAT FIRST: This Blue Buffalo wet cat food is made with real, high-quality chicken, tuna, or fish as the first ingredient
- PACKED WITH FLAVOR AND NUTRITION: This canned cat food contains the finest natural ingredients enhanced with vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to support overall cat health
- THREE SAVORY FLAVORS: This wet cat food paté variety pack includes chicken, tuna, and fish & shrimp flavors
- HEALTHY, WHOLESOME INGREDIENTS: This canned cat food contains no chicken (or poultry) by-product meals and is free of corn, wheat, and soy
- Contains: Four (4) 3-oz cans of BLUE Tastefuls Natural Flaked Wet Cat Food, Tuna; four (4) 3-oz cans of BLUE Tastefuls Natural Flaked Wet Cat Food, Chicken; and four (4) 3-oz cans of BLUE Tastefuls Natural Flaked Wet Cat Food, Fish & Shrimp
- Friskies Prime Filets wet cat food made with real meat, poultry or seafood. Savory sauce or gravy for cats adds flavor and moisture
- Shredded soft cat food chunks offer a tempting texture. Provides 100 percent complete and balanced nutrition for adult cats
- Multi-can Friskies canned cat food variety pack makes it easy to stock your pantry. Contains essential vitamins and minerals in every serving
- Enticing, moist cat food aroma tempts her to her dish. Checked for quality and safety to provide added peace of mind
- Canned cat food variety pack formulated to meet or exceed industry standards for cat food
- High protein cat food formulas include antioxidants for a healthy immune system and linoleic acid and vitamin A to nourish skin and coat
- Adult cat food with gravy made with real chicken or turkey for a taste cats love and no artificial colors or preservatives
- Soft cat food made with vitamin A and taurine to support healthy vision
- Provides 100 percent complete and balanced nutrition for adult cats and includes high in protein to help maintain muscle
- Canned cat food variety packs proudly manufactured at Purina-owned, U.S. facilities
- Purina Friskies Shreds wet cat food variety pack made with real beef or poultry. Thinly shredded pieces for a tempting texture
- Savory, thick gravy for cats adds extra yum to every bite. Made with high-quality ingredients and no artificial colors or preservatives
- Purina Friskies cat food delivering high-quality nutrition for adult cats. Contains essential vitamins and nutrients
- Convenient multi-can pack. Three delicious Friskies Shreds cat food recipes to choose from
- Purina Friskies Shreds canned cat food variety pack Made in Purina-owned U.S. facilities.
- Contains twelve (12) 5.5 oz. cans of 9Lives Meaty Paté Favorites Wet Cat Food: four (4) 5.5 oz. cans of Meaty Paté Super Supper; four (4) 5.5 oz. cans of Meaty Paté With Real Chicken & Tuna; and four (4) 5.5 oz. cans of Meaty Paté With Real Chicken
- 100% complete nutrition for kittens and adult maintenance
- Meaty Paté Super Supper (4 Cans)
- Meaty Paté With Real Chicken & Tuna (4 Cans)
- Meaty Paté With Real Chicken (4 Cans)
- Fancy Feast wet cat food made without artificial colors or preservatives
- Crafted with real, high-quality ingredients to deliver a 100 percent complete and balanced canned cat food for adult cats
- Fancy Feast pate cat food developed in partnership with our expert nutritionists to create a unique and unforgettable taste experience for your cat
- Canned cat food variety pack crafted with real chicken, turkey or beef as the number one ingredient with a smooth cat food wet pate texture
- Protein-rich, gourmet soft cat food recipe creates a flavor-filled experience. Savory gravy adds to the delicious taste
- Smooth, pleasing pate cat food texture with poultry or seafood flavors for the tastes cats love with no artificial colors or preservatives
- Three different Friskies pate cat food recipes to add variety to her diet and make it easy to stock your pantry
- 100 percent complete and balanced adult cat food nutrition containing protein to help support strong muscles and taurine to support healthy vision
- Friskies canned cat food pate variety pack checked for both quality and safety to provide added peace of mind
- Wet cat food pate packaged in recyclable cat food cans and formulated to meet or exceed industry standards for cat food
- Real meat, poultry or fish is the number one ingredient in these high protein cat food recipes, helping support your cat's strong muscles
- Every ingredient has a purpose, crafting grain free cat food wet formulas that provide 100 percent complete and balanced nutrition for all life stages and 0 percent fillers
- Natural cat food with added vitamins, minerals and nutrients made by veterinarian-recommended Purina ONE
- Cats get four recipes in this wet cat food variety pack, including Grain Free Turkey, Grain Free Chicken, Grain Free Ocean Whitefish and Grain Free Beef
- These pate cat food formulas nourish a cat's healthy skin and coat, support healthy hydration, and antioxidants support a healthy immune system
- Soft cat food made with real chicken or turkey with savory gravies for added moisture and softness
- Wet food for cats featuring tender chunks for a texture cats love with 100 percent complete and balanced nutrition for adult cats with no artificial colors or preservatives
- Moist cat food containing essential vitamins and minerals
- Purina Friskies cat food manufactured in Purina-owned facilities in the USA and rigorously checked for quality and safety
- Soft cat food recipes packaged in easy pull-tab recyclable cans
Best Canned Cat Food Buying Guide
Before choosing the best canned cat food you should consider following options:
1. Fish: Fish is a great source of protein for your cat, and many veterinarians recommend fish as the first ingredient in a cat’s food.
However, some fish may contain potentially harmful levels of mercury. You’ll find varying amounts of fish in wet or dry formulas.
2. Meat: Canned foods with a high percentage of meat are usually made up of chicken.
Chicken is rich in protein, so this is an ingredient you can feel good about giving to your cat.
3. Vegetables and Tuna: Canned cat foods often contain a combination of different meats and vegetables.
You’ll often see tuna in wet cat foods. Tuna is packed with protein, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for your cat’s heart and eye health.
4. Protein Content: Protein is essential for a cat’s growth and maintenance, so you’ll want to make sure the food you choose has enough.
Most adult cat foods contain around 30% protein, but you can find some that are higher or lower.
5. Calorie Count: You’ll also want to make sure the food you choose has enough calories, as a cat burns a higher percentage of calories than humans.
Cats are often overweight, so it’s important to give them a food that has the right amount of calories.
6. Carbohydrates: Most cat foods contain about 5-10% carbohydrates, which provides energy for your cat.
However, some wet foods may contain higher levels of carbohydrates, which may not be good for your cat.
7. Cost: The cost of the food you choose is something you’ll want to consider, especially if you have more than one cat.
It’s also important to consider the cost if you have to switch foods, as many cats don’t like the new brand as much as the old one.
8. Taste: Your cat’s opinion of the food is important, so you may have to experiment with a few different brands before you find one your cat likes.
What else you should know about canned cat food
1. What are the best canned cat food brands?
There is no definitive answer to this question as different cats have different preferences. However, some of the most popular canned cat food brands include Friskies, Fancy Feast, and 9Lives.
2. What are the best canned cat foods for kittens?
The best canned cat foods for kittens are those that are high in protein and low in carbohydrates. Kittens need a lot of protein to grow and develop properly, so look for a food that is at least 30% protein. Carbohydrates should make up no more than 10% of the food, as they are not as easily digestible for kittens and can cause weight gain.
3. What are the best canned cat foods for adult cats?
There are a lot of great canned cat foods on the market, but some of our favorites are Weruva Cats in the Kitchen, Tiki Cat, and Fancy Feast.
4. What are the best canned cat foods for senior cats?
There are a few factors to consider when choosing the best canned cat food for a senior cat. The first is the age of the cat. A senior cat is typically over the age of 7. The second is the health of the cat. A senior cat may have health problems that require a special diet. The third is the activity level of the cat. A senior cat may be less active than a younger cat and require a different diet.
Some of the best canned cat foods for senior cats include:
-Royal Canin Geriatric
-Hill’s Science Diet Senior
-Purina Pro Plan Senior
-Eukanuba Senior
-Iams Senior
These are just a few of the many options available. It is important to talk to your veterinarian about the best diet for your senior cat.
5. What are the best canned cat foods for cats with allergies?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best canned cat food for a cat with allergies will vary depending on the specific allergies that your cat has. However, some general tips that may help you choose the best canned cat food for your allergic cat include:
– opting for a limited ingredient diet that only contains a few main ingredients, as this will help to minimise the risk of your cat having an allergic reaction to one of the ingredients
– choosing a hypoallergenic cat food formula that is specifically designed for cats with allergies
– avoiding canned cat foods that contain artificial ingredients, colours or flavours, as these are more likely to trigger an allergic reaction in sensitive cats.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best canned cat food. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best canned cat food will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.