Which wet cat food is healthiest
The 10 Best Canned, Soft, & Wet Cat Foods of 2024
Cat Food Reviews
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Mallory Crusta / Cats.com
The best wet cat food is like a freshly killed mouse in a can. Its soft, juicy, and delicious while providing all the protein, fat, and micronutrients your cat needs to stay fit and friskywithout excessive carbohydrates or unnecessary additives.
In this guide, youll discover the benefits of wet cat food and learn how to make a healthy choice for your cat. Weve also included in-depth reviews of our favorite recipes.
At a Glance: Top 10 Best Wet Cat Foods to Buy
Best for Sensitive Digestion
9.6
Picked by 31 people today!
- Short list of simple ingredients for digestibility
- Contains over 50% dry matter protein
- Rich in moisture to support hydration and digestion
Why Trust Cats.com
When selecting wet cat foods for testing, I prioritized recipes made primarily with animal ingredients and chose a variety of flavors and textures. My selections were informed by in-depth research into the nutritional value of wet food for cats as well as my own experience having tested hundreds of products with my own cats.
I ordered these products at full price and tested them at home with my two cats, Wessie and Forest. While my cats provided their opinions on taste and general appeal, I performed an in-depth analysis of the product information and made my own observations. I also researched the brands, seeking information about their recall history, manufacturing practices, and general reputation within the cat-lover community. Heres the full methodology behind our cat food ratings.
I also consulted our team of veterinary experts to determine what features to look for in a healthy wet cat food.
Finally, we consulted seven veterinarians to get their professional opinion on what makes great cat food.
Our Veterinary Advisors
Top Picks Explained
Were constantly updating our recommendations, so the products in this video no longer match our top picks, but the video still offers an in-depth look at some of the brands on this list.
Is Wet Food Better for Cats Than Dry Food?
Veterinarian Dr. Lizzie Youens, BSc, VCSc, MRCVS states that our domestic pet cats have not altered their physiology much from their wildcat ancestor. Cats are carnivores: they are nutritionally dependent on meat.
Some types of food are more in line with your cats carnivorous needs than others. Across the price spectrum and all varieties, wet food is almost universally lower in plant ingredients, starches, and sugars than kibble.
The high carbohydrate content of dry cat food is hard to nutritionally justify. Some high-carb ingredients are necessary for the extrusion process to work but your cats ability to digest and utilize nutrients from plant ingredients is limited. Carnivorous animals like your cat are better physiologically adapted to processing animal products.
Its also important to understand that cats dont naturally drink a lot of waterthey instinctively prefer to get moisture from their food. Though cats who eat dry food do drink more water than those on moist diets, they nevertheless get less hydration than a wet food-fed cat. Because they take in so much less water, these cats are prone to chronic dehydration and, consequently, feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD).
The 10 Best Canned, Soft, & Wet Cat Foods on the Market
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 7% min.
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Calories Per Ounce: 30
- Price Per Ounce:$0.54 per oz
- Typical Cost Per Day:$3.60 per day
Though relatively new to the pet food industry, Open Farm has quickly become popularespecially among eco-conscious consumers. Open Farm pet food is made from responsibly sourced, human-grade ingredients. The brands sourcing policy emphasizes humanely raised poultry and meat, as well as sustainably-harvested wild-caught fish. All their fruits and vegetables are non-GMO.
This chicken-based recipe appears to rely primarily on animal-sourced protein, though its hard to say how much beans and legumes like garbanzo beans and lentils contribute to the total crude protein content. As a whole, the food is moderately high in protein, measured at nearly 39% on a dry matter basis, and fairly low in carbohydrates at under 20%.
The foods dry matter fat content is almost equal to the protein content. At 30 calories per ounce, this recipe is fairly calorie-dense, so follow the feeding recommendations carefully if your cat is prone to weight gain. Overall, if you prefer to support brands that are conscious of their impact on the environment, Open Farm might be a good pick.
Humanely Raised Chicken, Chicken Bone Broth, Pumpkin, Carrots, Spinach, Red Lentils, Agar Agar, Cranberries, Garbanzo Beans (Chickpeas), Chicory Root, Sunflower Oil, Coconut Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Salt, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite, Dried Kelp, Potassium Chloride, Dandelion Greens, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Turmeric.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken
Ingredients We Didnt Like: Sunflower Oil, Coconut Oil
Crude Protein: 7%
Crude Fat: 6%
Crude Fiber: 2%
Moisture: 82%
Protein: 38.89%
Fat: 33.33%
Fiber: 11.11%
Carbs: 16.67%
Protein: 28.49%
Fat: 59.3%
Carbs: 12.21%
What We Liked:
- Made from responsibly-humanely raised chicken
- Animal protein sources are the foods primary ingredients
- Free of potentially-harmful artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
- Cats tend to love the taste of this food
What We Didnt Like:
- Contains some beans and legumes
Crude Protein: 9%
Crude Fat: 8%
Crude Fiber: 1%
Moisture: 78%
Protein: 40.91%
Fat: 36.36%
Fiber: 4.55%
Carbs: 18.18%
Protein: 27.75%
Fat: 59.91%
Carbs: 12.33%
What We Liked:
- Made with turkey as a single source of protein
- Negligible carbohydrate content
- Rich in moisture and animal-sourced fat
What We Didnt Like:
- Some reviewers say the consistency is a little dry
Crude Protein: 16%
Crude Fat: 2.6%
Moisture: 80%
Ash: 1.6%
What We Liked:
- Great for cats who prefer shreds and stews over pate
- Very high in moisture and animal-sourced protein
- Low fat and negligible carbohydrate content
- Popular among picky eaters
What We Didnt Like:
- Relies primarily on plant-sourced fat
- Low calorie density may require larger portions for some cats
Crude Protein: 10%
Crude Fat: 1.3%
Crude Fiber: 0.5%
Moisture: 86%
Protein: 71.43%
Fat: 9.29%
Fiber: 3.57%
Carbs: 15.71%
Protein: 65.12%
Fat: 20.56%
Carbs: 14.33%
What We Liked:
- Rich in easily digestible animal protein
- Good source of hydrating moisture for cats
- Fairly low carbohydrate content
- Low in phosphorus, may support kidney health
What We Didnt Like:
- Relies on plant-sourced fat
- Made In: New Zealand
- Guaranteed Protein: 10% Min
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Calories Per Ounce: 34
- Price Per Ounce:$1.20 per oz
- Typical Cost Per Day:$7.00 per day
Since being founded in 2004, Ziwi Peak has consistently produced some of the best natural cat foods on the market. While the company is best known for dehydrated jerky-style food for pets, their canned cat food offers superior hydration. Ziwi Peak relies on ethically sourced meat and seafood from New Zealand, farms, ranches, and waters. All their farmed proteins are free-range and grass-fed while their fish ingredients are sustainably sourced.
This product is 92% meat, organs, and bone from non-rendered venison, meaning that it delivers species-appropriate nutrition thats easy for your cat to digest. In addition to lung, kidney, liver, and other organs, the food contains venison tripe, which is the deers highly-nourishing stomach lining.
The recipe also contains green-lipped mussel, a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin. These nutrients help support your cats joint health. Though the recipe contains a small amount of chickpeas, its still fairly low in carbohydrates and generally reflects your cats natural dietary needs. Its made without artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, and is free from carrageenan and gum thickeners.
Venison, Water Sufficient for Processing, Venison Tripe, Venison Liver, Chickpeas, Venison Lung, Venison Heart, Venison Kidney, New Zealand Green Mussel, Venison Bone, DL-Methionine, Dried Kelp, Minerals (Magnesium Sulfate, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex), Taurine, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid).
Ingredients We Liked: Venison, Venison Tripe, Venison Liver, Venison Lung, Venison Heart, Venison Kidney, New Zealand Green Mussel, Venison Bone
Ingredients We Didnt Like: Chickpeas
Crude Protein: 10%
Crude Fat: 4%
Crude Fiber: 2%
Moisture: 78%
Ash: 3%
Protein: 45.45%
Fat: 18.18%
Fiber: 9.09%
Carbs: 13.64%
Protein: 44.03%
Fat: 42.77%
Carbs: 13.21%
What We Liked:
- Made with 92% muscle meat, organs, and New Zealand green mussels
- Novel protein source for cats with food allergies
- High in moisture to support hydration
- Glucosamine and chondroitin provide joint support
What We Didnt Like:
Best Wet Cat Food: Comparison Table
| Product Name | Smalls Ground Bird Fresh Cat Food | Open Farm Harvest Chicken Rustic Blend | Daves Pet Food Naturally Healthy Grain-Free Turkey Formula Canned Food | RAWZ 96% Turkey & Turkey Liver Pat | Tiki Cat Succulent Chicken Recipe in Chicken Consomm | Weruva Truluxe Steak Frites Dinner | Koha Chicken Stew | Caru Classics Turkey Stew | Ziwi Peak Venison Recipe | Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Chicken Frick A Zee |
| Primary Protein | Chicken | Chicken | Turkey | Turkey | Chicken | Beef | Chicken Stew | Turkey | Venison | Chicken |
| Age Range | All Life Stages | All Life Stages | Adult | All Life Stages | Adult | Adult | Adult | All Life Stages | All Life Stages | Adult |
| Guaranteed Protein | 13% | 7% | 10% | 9% | 16% | 10% | 8% | 9% | 10% | 10% |
| Calories Per Ounce | 40 | 30 | 33 | 37 | 25 | 21 | 24 | 28 | 34 | 23 |
| Cost Per Day | $4.00 per day | $3.60 per day | $1.64 per day | $2.90 per day | $5.00 per day | $6.00 per day | $3.30 per day | $3.60 per day | $7.00 per day | $3.50 per day |
*Cost per day is calculated using the foods average cost per ounce and the daily caloric requirement for a healthy adult cat (about 200 calories).
What to Look for When Buying Wet Cat Food
With its focus on animal ingredients and hydrating moisture, wet cat food is one of the most species-appropriate options for cats. But all wet cat foods are not created equal. Its important to prioritize formulas that complement your cats biology as an obligate carnivore and avoid additives that could harm your cat.
Here are a few things to consider when shopping for wet cat food.
Choose Low-Carbohydrate Options
Dr. Youens reminds us that, as carnivores, cats have quite unique needs from their diet, gaining most of their energy from protein rather than carbohydrate and using fats to process certain vitamins and essential nutrients. An ideal diet for cats gets fewer than 10% of its calories from carbohydrates. When carbohydrates are included, whole grains and low-glycemic veggies are preferable to harder-to-digest ingredients like peas and legumes.
Prioritize Animal-Sourced Protein
Your cats body is designed to process whole prey, so animal-sourced ingredients are more biologically valuable than plants. Animal protein contains all the amino acids your cat needs, so its best to choose cat foods that list whole meat as the first ingredient. Plant proteins like corn gluten meal and pea protein arent carnivore-appropriate.
Dr. Albert Ahn, DVM recommends choosing whole proteins over meat by-products. While by-products are not necessarily problematic, there is some degree of uncertainty surrounding their quality. Dr. Ahn recommends cat foods that are minimally-processed, using high quality, wholesome ingredients that can help provide excellent nutrition.
Avoid Artificial Additives and Unsafe Ingredients
Synthetic flavors, colors, and preservatives can trigger inflammation or otherwise damage your cats health over time. Its best to stick with wet cat foods that use natural alternatives. Canned foods tend to rely less heavily on preservatives than kibble but often make use of binders and thickeners. Though naturally derived, gum thickeners may contribute to loose stools while some ingredients, like carrageenan, have been called into question as a potential health risk.
Select Reputable Brands
Buy from companies with a reputation for quality control, safety, reliability, and good customer service. Avoid brands with an extensive history of recalls or poor customer service. Theres no need to dismiss a company based on a single minor recall, however, provided that they responded to it swiftly, honestly, and effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
What wet food do vets recommend for cats?
Dr. Albert Ahn, DVM recommends that pet owners look at the ingredient panel of the food they are purchasing for their kitten or adult cat. The more ingredients that are whole (e.g. chicken, beef, etc.), rather than heavily processed (e.g. chicken meal, fish meal, turkey meal, etc.), the better.
What is the best wet cat food from the grocery store?
Product availability differs by location and store, so pet owners should evaluate individual products before making their selection. Choose a wet cat food that names a whole animal protein as the first ingredient. Foods with shorter ingredients lists tend to be more easily digestible, provided they do not contain artificial additives or a high concentration of plant ingredients.
What wet food is the healthiest for cats?
The healthiest option is one that honors your cats nutritional needs as an obligate carnivore. The food should contain a higher concentration of animal than plant ingredients, ideally with a carbohydrate content under 10% (measured as dry matter). It should be rich in moisture and free from artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.
How many cans of wet cat food should a cat eat per day?
It depends on the recipes caloric density. A healthy 10-pound adult cat requires about 200 calories per day. To determine how many cans youll need to offer, divide 200 by the total number of calories per can. Alternatively, you can find the approximate per-ounce caloric density by dividing the calories per kilogram by 35.
