There are approximately 95.6 million cats living in American households (National Pet Owners’ Survey 2017). Every one of these cuddly felines need to be fed. The question is… How to choose the best cat food for your pussy cat? In this article Cat Food Advisor delves into this question.
We have reviewed what we consider to be the 10 best cat foods available on Amazon to help you decide on what’s best for your cat.
What Do Wild Cats Eat?
First up, domesticated cats are equal to wild cats in their digestive make-up and their nutritional requirements. The diet of a wild cat is mainly made up of small rodents, such as rats and mice. Other common prey are rabbits, moles, shrews and birds. However, these cats will prey on almost any small animal, such as large insects, lizards, frogs and snakes. Those wild cats that are game to get wet will even go to the effort to catch and eat fish.
What Nutrition is Important for a Healthy Cat?
Cats are true carnivores. They are meat eaters- plain and simple! They require protein from meat for good vision, a strong heart and muscle development, and a healthy reproductive system. Meat also contains moderate amounts of fat, and a minimal amount of carbohydrates. Domesticated cats require these general proportions today, just as their wild cousins do. Cats also require many other nutrients, including vitamins, fatty acids, minerals and amino acids.
Is It Safe to Feed Your Cat Raw Meat?
Whilst it is quite OK to feed your cat a commercial wet or dry food, Cat Food Advisor suggests that you can offer variety in your cat’s diet by feeding it cooked or raw meat.
It is important to ensure that the meat you feed your cat is fresh, as spoilt raw meat, raw fish and raw eggs, can contain bacteria that trigger food poisoning. In addition, an enzyme in raw fish destroys thiamine, which is an essential B vitamin for cats. A lack of thiamine can cause neurological problems. Therefore, it is advisable to not to overfeed your cat raw fish.
So, If Not Raw Meat, What Should You Feed Your Cat?
Cooked beef, turkey, chicken, and small amounts of lean deli meats are a great way to give cats their nutritional requirements.
Commercially, there are two types of cat foods available- wet cat food and dry cat food. These commercial products vary widely, and therefore require looking carefully at their ingredients and where their ingredients have been sourced from.
Many cheaper cat foods will be bulked up with fillers. Cat Food Advisor has looked into grain fillers– often these fillers are not a natural part of a cat’s diet. You want to avoid them. Be aware of grain or corn fillers. Also steer clear of GMO ingredients and products that are excessively fatty, salty or they have added sugar.
Dry Cat Food or Wet Cat Food?
It seems that most cats prefer wet cat food over dry cat food, although there are always exceptions. Wet cat food is closer to what wild cats eat- in texture and water content.
Dry food is fine if it is complete and balanced. Dry food generally is less expensive than canned food, and once dished up to your cat, may stay fresher for longer. Wet food gives additional moisture for cats. If only fed dry food, cats would need to be provided with lots of fresh water. This is especially so if they are prone to developing urinary tract blockages, constipation or weight problems.
Many wet foods come in three-ounce cans. Cat Food Advisor recommends to feed approximately one can a day for every three to three and a half pounds of body weight. However, ingredients within different products/brands vary and therefore feeding rates will vary. A happy, healthy cat will maintain a good weight and stay active.
For an average sized adult cat, it is recommended to feed ¼ cup of dry food morning and again in the evening. This is only a rough guide, as products vary, and so do cats!
You will know how much to feed your cat through trial and error. If your cat leaves food, then perhaps you are feeding it too much. If your cat is putting on too much weight, then ease off on its food.
Cat Food Advisor recommends mixing it up a bit for your cat, so he/she does not get bored with a mono-diet. A mixture of wet cat food, dry cat food and raw or cooked meat will keep your cat very happy.
Cat Food Advisor- Best Dry Cat Food 2021
| Product | Customer Average Rating | Features | Buy AMAZON | Buy CHEWY | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Purina Cat Chow Natural Original | 4.7 STARS | Kitten, Adult, Senior Cats Chicken meat Chicken/Salmon flavor 25 Vitamins & Minerals |  |  |
 | Meow Mix Original Choice | 4.8 STARS | Kittens & Adult Cats Inexpensive Vitamins & Minerals | | |
 | Blue Wilderness High Protein Grain Free | 4.8 STARS | Adult Cats Real Chicken High Protein Grain Free | | |
 | Purina One Indoor Advantage | 4.5 STARS | Indoor Adult Cats Real Turkey No Fillers High Protein | | |
 | Taste of the Wild Grain Free | 4.7 Stars | Cats of All Ages High Protein 42% Grain free Chicken Probiotics | | |
Best Wet Cat Food 2021
| Product | Customer Average Rating | Features | Price AMAZON | Price CHEWY | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Purina Fancy Feast Grilled Collection | 4.8 STARS | Adult Cats Grilled Seafood Vitamins & minerals | | |
 | Purina Friskies Variety Pack | 4.7 STARS | Kittens and Adult Cats Salmon, Chicken & Turkey Pate Texture | | |
 | Purina Fancy Feast Classic Pate Variety Pack | 4.7 STARS | Adult Cats 3 Chicken Recipes Pate | | |
 | Purina Fancy Feast Medleys Variety Pack | 4.7 STARS | Adult Cats 3 Chicken Recipes Shredded | | |
 | Purina Pro Plan Focus Urinary Tract Health | 4.7 STARS | Adult Cats Reduced PH Low Magnesium Chicken Recipe Uti Health | | |
Cat Food Advisor- Best Kitten Food 2021
Let’s take a look at the comparison chart to see what best kitten food you can choose for your cat.
| Product | Customer Reviews Average Rating | Features | Buy AMAZON | Buy CHEWY | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Royal Canin Feline Wet Kitten Food | 4.7 STARS | Best for kittens under 4 months Pork Soft loaf | | |
 | Hill's Science Diet Wet Cat Food | 4.6 STARS | Good immunity Stronger bones Vet recommended Chicken | | |
 | Purina Fancy Feast Wet Food | 4.8 STARS | Seafood 3 Recipes Vitamins & Minerals | | |
 | Blue Buffalo Kitten Dry Cat Food | 4.8 STARS | Vitamins & Minerals Grain Free Real Chicken Taurine | | |
 | Purina Pro Plan Kitten Wet Food | 4.8 STARS | Real Chicken or Fish Classic or Flaked 3 Recipes in Pack Immune Health | | |
 | Hill's Science Diet Dry Kitten Food | 4.8 STARS | Small kibble Vet Recommended Real Chicken Balanced | | |
Check out our reviews for the 10 Best Kitten Foods of 2021
Cat Food Advisor Dry Cat Food Reviews…
Purina Cat Chow Natural Original
The nutrition that a cat needs is definitely provided in Purina dry cat food and reviews on the product claim that it taste makes their cat happy. There is a healthy balance of protein, carbohydrates, fatty acids, essential vitamins, and essential minerals providing for a 100% complete nutrition.
Purina dry food with chicken and salmon flavor is available in two different size packs. The small pack size is 1 lb and the larger bag is 13 lb. It also contains high fiber content that helps to control hairballs and avoids digestion problems.
- Made of real chicken- cats’ favorite!
- Suitable for cats of all ages, kittens, adults and senior cats
- Quality protein
- No artificial colors, flavors or preservatives
- 100% complete and balanced nutrition
- Helps to control hairball
- Provides essential vitamins and minerals
- Improve immune system
- Omega 6 to support healthy skin and a shiny coat
- Not grain-free
Meow Mix Original Choice
Meow Mix contains four flavors- chicken, turkey, salmon and ocean fish. All flavors that will have your cat salivating! Protein, carbohydrates, fatty acids, essential vitamins and essential minerals are provided for 100% complete and balanced nutrition.
Meow Mix dry food with chicken, turkey, salmon, fish flavor is available in two different size packs. The small pack size being 3 lb and the larger 3.15 lb. This food contains ground corn and soybeans as a source of carbohydrate.
- High-quality protein
- Variety of meats (protein source)- chicken, turkey, salmon
- Provides essential vitamins and minerals
- 100% complete and balanced nutrition
- Four flavors to choose from
- Made in USA
- Not grain-free (corn and soybeans)
- Carbohydrates are high
- Contains artificial color.
Blue Wilderness High Protein Grain Free
Blue Wilderness High Protein Grain Free cat food is only for adult cats. Its protein comes from real meat, making it tasty for cats and a healthy option. The product promotes healthy skin and a shiny coat with an inclusion of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. Essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants have been added to this dry cat food to support the immune system.
Blue Wilderness dry food with chicken flavor is available in three different size packs. The smallest pack size being 2.5 lb, a larger bag- 6 lb and the largest- 12 lb. If you are offering your cat only dry food, Cat Food Advisor recommends ensuring your cat has plenty of drinking water on hand for hydration.
- Made of real chicken as a healthy source of protein
- Animal nutritionists formulated the product with inclusions of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals
- Grain-free
- Support immune system
- Support healthy skin and a shiny coat
- Provides essential vitamins and minerals
- No artificial flavors
- All ingredients natural
- Customer reviews indicate that some cats have an allergy to certain ingredients
Purina One Indoor Advantage
Purina One is a veterinarian recommended food, and safe for your cat, as only natural ingredients are used. It provides 100% nutrition with no added fillers, making this food a great choice for your cat. It includes fatty acids, minerals, vitamins and fiber. Fiber helps with cat hairballs and keeps the digestive system flowing. Real turkey forms the main protein source and customer reviews vouch for the great taste.
Purina One dry food with turkey flavor is available in four different size packs (3.5 lb, 7 lb, 16 lb 22 lb). Natural vitamins and minerals have been added for whole-body health.
- No artificial flavors
- Veternarian recommended
- Real turkey meat
- Minimize hairball problems
- Helps maintain a healthy weight
- Omega 6 added for healthy skin
- Added vitamins and minerals
- Not grain-free- contains corn, rice, soy meal
Taste of the Wild Grain Free
The taste of the wild’s rocky mountain feline formula, with roasted venison and smoked salmon is, according to customer reviews, to be revered by cats! There are no grain fillers, rather the addition of some easy to digest vegetables such as peas and sweet potato provide carbohydrates for energetic cats. Good levels of protein to support lean strong muscles. Safe for your cat as this food is made in the USA with advanced food safety protocols. Additions of vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids, offering a well rounded diet for cats.
Cat Food Advisor likes that this product is made with all natural ingredients, you can be rest assured that there are no added artificial flavors or colors. The protein level is higher than carbohydrates which is a better balance and something other brands don’t always have right.
Taste of the wild dry food with venison and salmon flavor is available in a 15 lb size pack.
- No artificial flavors
- Good balance of protein to carbohydrates
- Grain-free
- Easy to digest
- Support the immune system and overall health
- Support healthy skin and a shiny coat
- A little more expensive than other brands
- Customer reviews- some cats don’t favor it
You may like to read our reviews on the 8 Best Dry Cat Foods to Buy in 2021
Wet Cat Food Reviews…
Purina Fancy Feast Grilled Collection
Purina Fancy Grilled collection canned wet cat food would have to be a favorite choice for kittens! Customer reviews account for the great taste. Purina provides 100% complete and balanced nutrition for kittens. Purina wet food consists of high quality protein with meaty cuts of poultry or seafood, with a light gravy. The product is made in USA, abiding by the food regulators.
To ensure your cat is hydrated, Purina’s wet food is moist and easy to eat and digest. Essential vitamins and minerals have been included added to support the overall health of your cat
Purina Fancy Feast wet food offers different flavors and is available in two size packs. One containing 24 cans and the other, 30 cans- each can being 3 oz.
- Made of real meat- poultry and seafood
- 100% complete and balanced
- Different flavors available
- Provides essential vitamins and minerals
- Wet food for Kittens
- Customer reviews- some cats digestive system doesn’t agree with the fish ingredient
Purina Friskies Variety Pack
Purina Friskies offers a mix of recipes all in one pack. Meal times will be interesting for your cat as he/she will get a variety of meats and flavors. Served as a pate, makes the wet cat food smooth and easy to eat. Suitable for cats of all ages giving a 100% balanced diet. The product does have added artificial flavors, making it tasty for cats.
Available in five different size packs (all detailed on Amazon). Recommended feeding for an adult cat- ¾ to 1 oz per pound of body weight daily. Growing kittens will require more per pound of body weight.
- Chicken and Turkey meat
- 100% complete and balanced
- Different flavors available
- Smooth texture
- Reasonably priced
- Artificial flavors used
- Customer reviews- some not happy with product presentation
Purina Fancy Feast Classic Pate Variety Pack
A gourmet adult cat food with 100% complete and balanced nutrition. Three chicken recipes are offered in this pack, each with a different texture (pate/chunks/roasted)- enabling variety for your cat. Added essential vitamins and minerals supporting the overall health of cats. The product is grain free.
Purina classic pate wet food with different flavors/textures is available in a 24 cans. Each can being 3 oz. There are several different meat flavors in the Purina Wet Cat Food range, including recipes specifically for kittens.
- Grain-free
- 100% complete and balanced
- 3 different chicken recipes in each pack
- Provides essential vitamins and minerals
- 3 different textures- pate, chunks, roasted
- Reasonably priced
- Purina offers a range of other meat recipes
Purina Fancy Feast Medleys Variety Pack
A gourmet cat food recipe with 100% complete and balanced nutrition providing essential vitamins and minerals to support the overall health of adult cats. Quality ingredients, including the best protein from tuna and white meats. Contains long grain rice and garden greens for a source of carbohydrates.
Purina medleys wet cat food offers different flavors available- seafood, chicken, turkey and Tuscany flavor, all in savory sauces. The product comes in five size pack sizes, as well as single 3oz cans. You can better understand these choices on Amazon. Purina’s wet cat food is not grain-free.
- Variety of recipes
- Quality ingredients
- Balanced nutrition
- Choice in pack sizes
- Protein- Tuna and white poultry meats
- Suitable for kittens and adult cats
- Shredded or flaked- not pate
- Not grain-free
- Customer reviews- some cats do not like it!
Purina Pro Plan Focus Urinary Tract Health
Purina Po Plan Focus offers a low PH, low dietary magnesium wet cat food that improve urinary tract health in cats. It is easy on the digestive system and a good choice for sensitive cats, or cats with health challenges. The cat food contains real chicken providing high-quality protein.
Purina Pro Plan wet cat food with different flavors is available in eleven different size packs. You can better understand these packages on Amazon. Formulated for adult cats with essential vitamins and minerals to support overall health.
- Maintain urinary tract health- low PH and low magnesium
- Made with real meat- chicken
- Different flavors available
- Provides essential vitamins and minerals
- Improve immune and digestive systems
- Formulated for Adult cats
- Artificial flavors used
- More expensive when compared to other brands
Buy on Amazon Buy on Chewy
You may also like to check out Cat Food Advisor ‘s reviews on the 8 Best Wet Cat Foods for 2021
Cat Food Advisor ‘s Final Words
Here Cat Food Advisor ‘s summary of things to keep in mind when choosing the right nutrition for your cat.
- Grain-free cat food is best. Seek products with minimal grains.
- Look for quality protein meats.
- Avoid over doing fish recipes for cats- fish is OK, but not too much.
- Foods with cat essential vitamins and minerals is great!
- Fatty acids are needed for healthy skin and coats.
- Avoid artificial flavors, colors and preservatives.
- Look for foods with the correct balance of protein vs carbohydrates. Too many starchy ingredients suggests that the carbohydrates are high.
- Look for foods that replicate a wild cat’s diet.
- Offer variety and a mix of foods.
- Raw meats are good, so long as they are fresh!
- Cat’s with sensitive digestion or urinary tracts require low PH, low magnesium foods.
- The addition of cat probiotics helps with digestion.
- You will get what you pay for- cheaper often means a product less nutritious.
- Avoid GMO products.
Cat Food Advisor recommends that if unsure, or your cat reacts to certain foods, to seek veterinary advice.
Hopefully, your precious feline won’t be dragging rats into your home any time soon! If kept well fed with one of the Cat Food Advisor top 10 best cat foods, then that should not happen. You should now be an expert on How to Choose the Best Cat Food!
