How To Choose The Best Wet Cat Food For Your Cat
Wet food is a great way to give your cat a delicious and nutritious meal. Veterinarians actually recommend alternating between protein sources and dry and wet food for your cat. Switching up their food prevents them from getting bored of the same thing; adding in wet food is a great way to make sure that your feline friend stays hydrated. Deciding which cat food to buy can be tedious, especially if you’re not sure how to compare brands. Below, we've compiled five of our favorite wet cat foods, as well as a few tips to help you choose the right one.
Best Choice
Wide Flavor Variety
Pros:
As opposed to your typical paté wet food, this wet cat food from Purina Friskies is shredded, which introduces a new texture that cats go crazy for. Friskies has a few large variety packs, but this is our favorite because of the wide variety of flavors. The flavors in this pack include beef in gravy, turkey and cheese in gravy, ocean whitefish and tuna in sauce, and chicken and salmon in gravy, adding a nice variety to your cat’s diet.
Cons:
Although Friskies wet food will meet the basic nutritional needs of your cats, some people aren’t pleased with how it does so. It doesn’t matter to everyone, but this cat food contains meat byproducts and is not organic. So pet owners who prioritize organic ingredients should look for a different option.
Best Protein Cat Food
Perfectly Portioned Meals
Pros:
Sheba prides itself on being a premium cat food brand, but what really sets them apart? For starters, their paté is packed with high-quality ingredients, including whitefish, salmon, chicken, and tuna. Additionally, you won’t find any fillers, such as corn, wheat, or soy, which provide little nutritional value for your feline friend. We also love the unique packaging, with portions that make it easy to serve an amount of food that you know your cat will finish.
Cons:
Depending on the size of your cat, you may end up going through this pack pretty quickly. Luckily, it’s not too expensive, but we recommend feeding your cat a combination of wet and dry food to keep things interesting and to make the wet food last longer.
Best with Poultry
Authentic Meaty Texture
Pros:
This Fancy Feast variety pack comes from a brand synonymous with exceptional pet care. This wet food is perfect for cats who can’t get enough poultry and owners who don’t want their space to smell like fish. A can of Fancy Feast makes a well-balanced meal for cats of any age and provides them with the essential vitamins and minerals they need to keep their bones, joints, and fur healthy. Cats love the savory gravy, and we love that it gives them a little bit of added hydration.
Cons:
The only drawback of this wet food is that the gravy can get a little messy when your cat is dining. However, many customers have found their cats tend to lick up every drop of gravy, so this problem tends to solve itself.
Best Variety Pack
Budget-Friendly and Healthy
Pros:
You get a little bit of everything when you buy this surf and turf variety pack. The flavors include tuna and whole shrimp in sauce, chicken, and beef in sauce, and salmon and crab meat in sauce, all of which feature real meat that even the pickiest kitty will devour. A hefty dose of essential vitamins rounds out this wet cat food to make it a complete and balanced meal. We also love how easy the cans are to open. No struggling with metal cans, you can just tear the lid off and pour the food out.
Cons:
This cat food contains some fillers and artificial coloring that some people like to steer clear of, but it also keeps the cost low. Overall, the ingredients in this wet cat food look a lot better than many other wet cat foods at the same price point, which is why it made our list.
Best Natural Cat Food
High-quality canned cat food
Pros:
The product is manufactured by a highly trusted brand in the pet food industry. The product contains thinly sliced meat pieces, which are covered in gravy. An alternative option is available too, offering a loaf that is soaked in a sauce. The product offers an ideal balance of nutritional elements that have been prepared specifically for cats. The cat food is ideal for adult cats aged between one and seven years. The formula assists with digestion and weight.
Cons:
The product is somewhat expensive when compared to some of the other wet cat food products currently available on the market. Customers do need to buy the product in bulk if they are interested in feeding their cat this wet food. Only a single flavor option seems to be available, which may not be ideal for all cats.
What Really Matters
Protein Source
Having a named protein source, such as tuna, chicken, turkey, lamb, or beef as the first ingredient is a great sign when shopping for wet cat food. One protein isn’t superior over the others, and oftentimes, more than one protein source is listed, so go with whatever flavors you know your cat likes. Vets recommend switching up protein sources so your cat can enjoy various flavors, so it doesn’t matter what specific protein is listed, as long as it at the top of the ingredient list.
Carbohydrates
While it is true that cats don’t need carbs to the same degree as humans, some carbs are actually good for your cat. It’s pointless to try to avoid them completely unless your cat has an allergy or sensitivity and your vet recommends a grain-free wet food. Instead, be on the lookout for high-quality grains and try to avoid frivolous carbs like corn, wheat, and soy. These carbs contribute very little to your cat’s daily nutritional needs and are the most common food allergens in cats. Examples of high-quality grains that add a healthy dose of vitamins and carbs include rice, barley, and oats.
FAQs
How can I tell if a wet cat food is for kittens, adults, or seniors?
Some foods are designed specifically for kittens, while others are formulated for senior cats. Certain keywords will clue you in as to what life stage the food is designed for. For example, cat food that is good for cats of all ages will often use the phrase “complete and balanced for all life stages“. However, wet food that is intended only for adult cats may say something like “for adult maintenance.” Food formulated for kittens focuses on growth and reproduction. It’s imperative to make sure you get a wet food that is appropriate for your cat’s current life stage because it will meet their unique nutritional needs.
Are meat byproducts bad for cats?
Byproducts may be something you want to avoid in your personal diet, but they are perfectly fine for cats to consume. Meat byproducts are typically the parts of the animal that aren’t meat, including bones, fur, beaks, organs, feet, etc. We know it may sound gross, but these non-meat parts contain a ton of nutrients and more closely resembles their carnivorous diet in the wild. So, although you don’t want byproducts to be the first ingredient, there’s no need to shy away from them altogether.
Is wet food better than dry food?
Most vets recommend alternating between feeding your cat wet and dry food, but one is not objectively better than the other. Both are necessary to give your cat a complete diet as they both provide different things. Dry cat food tends to be higher in carbs, but wet food is a great source for hydration. Even though neither is healthier than the other, that doesn’t mean your cat won’t like one better than the other. Still, it’s important to keep their diet varied because too much of either can lead to obesity and other health problems.
Why Trust Us
Since 2008, CatTime has provided millions of cat owners with all the information they need to keep their pets happy and healthy. Our experts know exactly what it takes to raise our furry friends and our goal is to help all owners, new or experienced, care for their cats with all the right food, toys, equipment, and accessories.