We have looked at a multitude of cat food products and read through countless customer feedback comments in order to put together comprehensive reviews for our viewers delving into the 6 best dry cat foods for outdoor cats in 2023. But first, a little background…
What Do Wild Cats Eat?
Wild cats thrive on almost every continent on Earth. People joke that cats domesticated humans and not the other way around. In fact, even though we have been companions for over 4000 years, research shows that about fifty percent of pet moggies still live outdoors.
Nonetheless, outdoor cats need feeding and care, although not as much as their indoor buddies. Unsurprisingly, these outdoor cats can be picky about the kind of food they eat.
Being carnivores, a cat must eat meat. In the wild, small cats eat rodents, birds, lizards, insects and fish.
Their delicate carnivorous digestive systems are not designed to digest plants, grains or carbohydrates, and as such, they can get horribly sick when they eat high amounts of those unnatural cat foods. Many cat food products are packed with fillers, that are not a natural part of a carnivore’s cat.
Outdoor cats are more active than their indoor relatives and they will be battling the elements of heat and cold, therefore outdoor cats require more calories. It is important to, not only give your cat food that is equivalent to their natural wild diet (mice, lizards and birds), but to feed them food that is nutritious and free from ingredients that carnivores won’t tolerate.
What to Expect From Our ‘Best Dry Cat Foods for Outdoor Cats’ Reviews
We have researched and reviewed cat foods and selected products that we consider to be suitable and right for your outdoor cats.
The foods we have reviewed are perfect for outdoor cats, and of course indoor cats will do very well with any of them. Their digestive systems are the same, only their calorie requirements may differ. Here are our 6 best dry cat foods for outdoor cats in 2022.
Best Dry Cat Food for Outdoor Cats 2022
| Product | Average Customer Rating | Features | Price AMAZON | Price CHEWY | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Friskies Dry Cat Food, Surfin’ and Turfin’ Favorites | 4.8 STARS | All age cats Inexpensive Chicken flavor |  |  |
 | Purina Beyond Grain-Free, Natural | 4.8 STARS | Adult cats Grain free Natural probiotics No artificials Chicken | | |
 | Purina One Tender Selects Blend | 4.8 STARS | Adult cats Crunchy bites Real chicken Omega-6 | | |
 | Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free, Natural | 4.5 STARS | Adult cats Real beef High protein 36% Grain free | | |
 | Royal Canin Fit Active Dry Cat Food | 4.8 STARS | Adult cats Chicken flavor Balanced calories | | |
 | Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Cat Food | 4.5 STARS | Adult cats High protein 36% Salmon meat Balanced nutrition | | |
Reviews of the Best Dry Cat Foods for Outdoor Cats in 2022
Friskies Dry Cat Food, Surfin’ and Turfin’ Favorites
Purina Beyond Simply Grain Free White Meat Chicken & Egg Recipe adult dry cat food. Purina’s pet nutritionists design their cat food to include high-quality ingredients from carefully considered sources. Their high-protein cat food’s main ingredient is white meat, chicken raised, without steroids.
Offering a nutrient-rich blend that is one hundred percent complete and balanced for adult cats. This natural cat food, with added minerals and vitamins, contains feline probiotics for digestive health.
They have crafted a gluten and grain-free, dry cat food, without artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. Their dry food, when mixed with their wet food range and toppers, can make mealtime for cats in your home a satisfying experience.
All Purina’s products are made in USA where they take positive steps to make it right for your pet and good for the planet.
This product- Friskies Surfin and Turfin, includes essential fatty acids, healthy protein, zinc, Vitamin A, Taurine, and antioxidants. The cat food is suitable for kittens, lactating mother cats and adult cats.
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- Mix flavors
- Support immune system
- Support healthy skin and coat
- Essential vitamins and nutrients
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- Artificial colors
- Ingredients include corn and soybeans
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Purina Beyond Grain Free, Natural
The most important ingredient in this cat food is chicken. This product is grain-free; no wheat, corn, soy, or any type of grain is used as a filler. This is important as grains do not exist in a wild cat’s diet. However, they do include peas as an ingredient. Another ingredient very suitable for cats is eggs. Note that the Purina chicken meat has been sourced from USA, not overseas.
Understandably pet owners do not want to feed their cats artificial flavors or colors! Purina’s products do not have these. This cat food is made from natural ingredients that are safe for your cat. The positive addition of Taurine helps with muscle growth and good vision in your cats. Purina Beyond Grain Free is available in a 5 Lb bag. Other recipes are also available- like salmon.
Purina’s grain free product qualifies to be include in the 6 best dry cat foods for outdoor cats in 2022 list!
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- No grain
- Natural ingredients sourced in USA
- Improve eyesight
- Real meat
- Vitamins, minerals and probiotics
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- Pieces are a little large
- Some cats digestive systems don’t agree with dry foods
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Purina One Tender Selects Blend
Purina ONE Tender Selects Blend with Real Salmon adult dry cat food offers delicious crunchy bites. Formulated with real ingredients, including small amounts of real carrots and peas.
Containing no artificial flavors or preservatives, this formula uses real chicken as its main ingredient, packed with omega-6 fatty acids. It is well known that fatty acids help nourish and maintain healthy skin and a lustrous fur coat.
An inclusion of antioxidants promotes immune health. Cat owners’ reviews of the product say it must have a great taste as their cats seem to love it. Along with a great taste, this cat food meal delivers 100% complete and balanced nutrition for adult cats.
The crunchy kibble helps reduce plaque build-up and whiten teeth. An important point to note is this dry food for cats contains no grain fillers.
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- Real salmon
- No artificial ingredients
- Support strong muscles
- High protein
- Reduced plaque on teeth
- Suitable for adult cats
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- Strong aroma
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Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free, Adult Cat Food
Inspired by the diet of the lynx (picture on the packet), a vigorous and renowned hunter, BLUE Wilderness is a grain-free, protein-rich food, containing meats that cats like. BLUE Wilderness is a product of the Blue Buffalo company. Based in the United States, Blue Buffalo makes premium-quality pet foods that contain real meat. There product also includes fruit and vegetables in the mix (peas and sweet potatoes). This addition of carbohydrates is claimed by the company to help fuel your cat’s energetic lifestyle.
This dry food recipe is packed with a blend of red meat (mainly beef).
In addition, it contains omega 3 & 6 fatty acids to support a healthy coat. Also included are antioxidants, vitamins and minerals carefully selected by holistic veterinarians and animal nutritionists. These additions support immune system health.
It must be noted that this particular product does not contain corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors or preservatives.
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- Real meat (beef)
- Grain free
- Support immune system
- No artificial colors or flavors
- Support healthy and shiny skin
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- Does include chicken meal
- Not sort after by fussy cats
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Royal Canin Fit Active Dry Cat Food
Royal Canin Adult Fit & Active dry cat food appears to be tailored for adult cats with access to the great outdoors to live a long, healthy life. Outdoor cats are so much more active than indoor cats, this product has ensured calorie requirements are suitable for maintaining a healthy, ideal weight.
Antioxidants have been added, which helps promote immune health. The dry cat food provides a balanced blend of vitamins and minerals to maintain optimal cat wellness.
It is suggested that cat owners try pairing with Royal Canin Adult Instinctive wet cat food formulas to add variety and interest to your cat’s meal.
The main ingredient is chicken meal. This product does include grain fillers.
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- High energy
- Maintain weight
- Balanced vitamins and minerals
- Antioxidants
- Targeted for outdoor cats
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- Not grain-free
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Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Cat Food
With real salmon being the main ingredient in the Wellness complete Dry Natural Cat Food product, cats should find it irresistible!
This appears to be a well-rounded recipe with a focus on the nutrition that moderately active cats need to stay fit and healthy. This is a formula suitable for both indoor and outdoor cats. Specially formulated for cats, this adult grained cat food has the right balance of protein and fat.
It also has a balanced blend of Omega Fatty Acids, vitamins and minerals. The company has crafted the dry cat food to support total wellbeing, including plenty of energy for playtime, sound digestion and immunity, a lustrous skin and coat, healthy eyes and strong teeth, plus controlled minerals for urinary health support.
Made in the USA with no GMO ingredients. This food is available in three different sized bags.
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- No corn
- Real meat
- No Artificial colors or flavors
- Support healthy skin and coat
- Support immune and urinary health
- Made in USA
- No GMO
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- Contains grains
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Best Dry Cat Foods for Outdoor Cats Conclusion
If you have any questions regarding any of the 6 best dry cat foods for outdoor cats in 2023 that we have reviewed, or questions on cat related products or topics in general, please send us a message and we will endeavor to provide answers.
We have reviews on the Wholehearted Cat Food Brand looking at the features and flaws of both dry and wet cat foods.
A Final Word
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