Looking for a high-quality cat food that your fur baby will love? Look no further than our list of the best cat foods. Here you’ll find cat food recommendations for your kitty’s age, weight and what he/she would prefer to eat. Some cats prefer wet food over dry food and vice versa. Learn about: What to look for in a good cat food What ingredients are bad for your cat How to determine if your cat is overweight or obese And much more!
Best Cat Food With High Protein
Our List
- Best Overall High-Protein Cat Food: Smalls Human-Grade Fresh
- Best High-Protein Dry Cat Food: ORIJEN Original Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
- Best Budget-Friendly High-Protein Cat Food: Crave Adult Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
- Best High-Protein Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food: Smalls Freeze-Dried Raw
- Best High-Protein Cat Food for Senior Cats: Blue Buffalo Healthy Aging
- Best High-Protein Cat Food for Kittens: Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Turkey & Chicken Liver Pate Canned Kitten Food
- Best High-Protein Cat Food Topper: PureBites Mixers Grain-Free Cat Food Toppers
Best High-Protein Cat Food: Overall Winner
Our pick: Smalls Human-Grade Fresh
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Smalls human-grade fresh cat food is a clear frontrunner when it comes to quality ingredients and taste. This high-protein wet cat food is available in three proteins (chicken, turkey, or beef) with no additives or mystery meats. For example, the Bird recipe features chicken thigh, breast, liver, and heart. These yummy human-grade recipes are also a smart option for picky eaters, as they are available in smooth, ground, or pulled textures, depending on what your feline friend prefers.
Highlights
- Chicken and turkey are available in three textures (smooth, ground, or pulled) and beef is available in two textures (smooth or ground) to suit your cat’s taste
- Transparent, additive-free ingredient list
- Science-backed formula that you can feel good about
- Ships right to your door for added convenience
- Meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages
Things to Consider
- The price is high compared to other options on the list
- Smalls’ “Cat Concierge” customer service team is only available online; no direct phone support
Best High-Protein Dry Cat Food
Our pick: ORIJEN Original Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
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Looking for a high-protein dry cat food that will appeal to picky eaters? The ORIJEN Original Grain-Free Dry Cat Food is formulated with 90 percent premium animal ingredients, including chicken, turkey, turkey giblets, chicken liver, whole mackerel, whole herring, and flounder. If that’s not enough to entice your finicky feline, it’s also freeze-dried coated for added flavor. Plus, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that the tasty ingredients also support your kitty’s digestion, skin and coat, and heart health. What more could you and your cat ask for?
Highlights
- The formula is crafted with 90 percent whole-prey animal ingredients, including poultry, organs, and bones
- First five ingredients are fresh or raw
- Contains prebiotics like dried chicory root and fiber from fruits and veggies
- Omega-3 fatty acids from pollock oil support skin and coat health
- The freeze-dried coated formula will appeal to most picky eaters
- Meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages
- Comes in 4-, 10- or 12-pound bags
- Made in the USA
Things to Consider
- The price point is quite high for dry cat food
- Includes a mix of plant-based protein
- If your cat isn’t a fan of the Original recipe, other flavors are available
Best Budget-Friendly High-Protein Cat Food
Our pick: Crave Adult Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
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Your feline friend deserves high-quality cat food, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend your entire grocery budget on premium kibble. Crave is a good option for those looking for a relatively budget-friendly dry adult cat food that doesn’t skimp on quality. The 40 percent high protein formula features real chicken as the first ingredient—no soy or grains like corn or wheat. It also contains quality carbohydrate sources for energy, plus vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.
Highlights
- 40 percent high-protein diet to support a strong, lean body
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- No chicken by-product meal, soy, corn, or wheat
- No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
- Available in 2-, 4- and 10-pound bags
- Great price point for the quality
- Comes in other flavors like Chicken & Salmon or Salmon & Ocean Fish
- Meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for maintenance
Things to Consider
- Chicken is not the only source of protein. Also contains pea protein, split peas, fish meal, and potato protein
- Some customers were surprised at the size of the kibble, which is a bit larger than other cat foods
Best High-Protein Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food
Our pick: Smalls Freeze-Dried Raw
Get $15 off your first subscription trial with code GPC5
If you’re looking for a convenient yet efficient way to ensure your cat is getting a high-protein meal that is minimally processed and rich in nutrients, freeze-dried raw cat food is worth considering. Smalls freeze-dried raw offers the same high-protein advantage as raw cat food without the fuss of having to handle raw meat on a regular basis. There are three different formulas to choose from: chicken, turkey, and duck, all of which are free from mystery meat, byproducts, artificial flavors, and preservatives.
Highlights
- Very convenient alternative to traditional raw cat food options
- Free from added byproducts and artificial flavors
- Crunchy texture ensures even picky cats will gobble it right up
- Meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages
Things to Consider
- The formula is expensive compared to other brands
- Smalls’ customer service is only available via text or chat
Best High-Protein Cat Food for Senior Cats
Our pick: Blue Buffalo Healthy Aging
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Senior cats require a much more specific diet than kittens or adult cats, including less calorie-dense portions and slightly less protein. That said, most healthy senior cats should still be consuming a relatively high-protein diet. The Blue Buffalo Healthy Aging is a smart option for the majority of senior cats and features deboned chicken as the first ingredient. The senior-specific formula includes the right balance of essential proteins, amino acids, and carbohydrates to ensure your senior furbaby remains healthy and happy into their golden years.
Highlights
- Made with deboned chicken, brown rice, sweet potatoes, blueberries, cranberries, flax, peas, and carrots
- Formulated with the right amino acids and essential proteins to support senior health
- Great price point for the quality of the formula
- Enhanced with additional antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals
- Free from artificial additives, corn, wheat, and soy
- Meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for maintenance
Things to Consider
- Some pet parents mentioned that their cats didn’t like the taste or texture
- The kibble size might be too large for senior cats with missing teeth
Best High-Protein Cat Food for Kittens
Our pick: Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Turkey & Chicken Liver Pate Canned Kitten Food
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You might not think that kitten-specific food makes that much of a difference for your new furbaby—but kittens require a much more nutrient dense food for the first few months of their life. Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Turkey & Chicken Liver Pate canned kitten food is an excellent high-protein option geared toward kittens, thanks to its grain- and additive-free recipe, added DHA to help support both healthy brain and eye development, and soft pate texture that makes it easy for those tiny little teeth to comfortably chew.
Highlights:
- Turkey is the first ingredient
- Formulated with high-quality ingredients that support kitten health
- Soft pate texture allows kittens to easily chew
- Free from artificial additives, grains, and other fillers
- Meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages
- Comes in 3-oz and 5.5-oz cans
Things to Consider:
- The price per serving is rather high
- Some pet parents mentioned that their kittens didn’t like the flavor
