Best Dry Cat Food
Our TOP Pick
(4.7 / 5)
- It is loaded with vitamins and minerals that promote overall cat health.
- Contains a blend of antioxidants that support immune health.
- Made with real chicken with lean proteins as the primary ingredient with zero grains.
- Grain FREE
(4.7 / 5)If you’re a new cat owner, you might be wondering what type of cat food to give to your feline friend. Of course, you’d want the best cat food available out there but also easy on the wallet, and something that your cat would enjoy, too.
If you have no idea what to buy, then this guide will surely help you choose the best dry cat food for your cat.
Now, you might be wondering, why dry cat food? Isn’t wet food better? Well, we’ll talk about that in this guide as well.
So let’s get down to it. Here is a guide to the best dry cat food available in the market today, as well as a few tips on what to consider when making your purchase.
Here is a list of Top 5 Dry Cat Foods in The Market
| Product | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
1. Purina Cat Chow Naturals  (4.8 / 5) | $$$ |
|
2. Rachael Ray Nutrish, Chicken and Brown Rice Flavor  (4.6 / 5) | $$ | |
3. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Indoor Dry Cat Food (4.7 / 5) | $$$ | |
4. Purina ONE Indoor Advantage Adult Cat Food (4.8 / 5) | $$ | |
5. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food for Kittens (4.8 / 5) | $ |
*We reviewed all the products below – jump to review section here.
Why Choose Dry Cat Food Versus Wet Food?
Most people would advise you to choose wet food over dry cat food, simply because they have solids and moisture at the same time.
But did you know that most wet or canned cat food contains 70 to 80% water? Yes, that’s right, only 20% of the food is actually made of solid food. And that’s not even pure meat, as most of the products available in the market contain other ingredients such as vegetables, fruits, and even carbohydrates. That would mean that out of that 20%, only a small amount is made of real meat.
Cats are obligate carnivores and they need meat protein in their diet. In the wild, cats only eat meat, with no carbohydrates or any plant sources. Cats do not digest plants, so any food that has vegetables and/or fruits are not necessarily good for their diets.
Related: what vegetable can a cat eat
Dry cat food contains 12% to 15% water and that means about 75% is made of solid food, which contains meat and other ingredients. Nutrition-wise, dry cat food is better. If you feed your cat dry food, you must always place water beside her feeding bowl so she gets enough hydration.
Dry food is also easier to store as you don’t have to refrigerate it once it’s open, and it also lasts longer since it doesn’t spoil easily. Dry cat food is also cheaper than wet or canned cat food.
Things to Consider when Choosing the Best Dry Cat Food for Your Cat
We may present to you our top 5 best dry cat food in the market, but the choice is always up to you and your cat’s needs. When choosing the best dry cat food, these are the things to consider to ensure your feline friend is getting the most nutrition and the best food that they prefer to eat.
Here are four things to consider:
1. Real Meat as the First Ingredient
Manufacturers are required to reveal the list of ingredients on their product labels. The first ingredient on the list must be primary animal meat, such as salmon, tuna, chicken, or beef. Whole meats have the best concentration of proteins and fats from a single source, which means your cat is getting enough protein from this ingredient.
The next ingredients can be made of meat, veggies, wholesome grains, or fruits. Make sure that out of the first five primary ingredients listed, 3 out of 5 are from animal sources.
There’s also a debate whether or not animal by-products are beneficial for cats. This includes organs such as the liver, or heart of animals. Though studies have not been conclusive, it’s best that you choose a product without these ingredients, just to be sure.
2. No Artificial Ingredients or Preservatives
Cats are very sensitive and any artificial ingredients can prove to be an allergen. Preservatives also contain chemicals that may be harmful to your cat. In terms of other ingredients on the list, make sure that everything is natural and free from chemicals.
Related: What ingredients are toxic to cats?
Most cat food manufacturers add veggies, fiber, and fruit to the list of ingredients to add more nutrition. However, since cats can’t really digest any plant-based foods, you might look at products that have few of these ingredients.
3. Must Contain Added Vitamins and Minerals
Because you’re only feeding your cat dry cat food, the kibble you choose must meet your kitty’s daily nutritional needs. It must contain proper vitamins and minerals, such as amino acids, taurine, and other needed nutrients.
Related: What is the best vitamin for cats?
4. Protein Content
As mentioned before, your preference for the best dry cat food must include your cat’s personal needs. If your cat is a kitten, she would need more protein than adult cats because they are still in the development stage. They need more protein than usual. They would need more than 30% protein in their daily meals so they develop into healthy adult cats.
Adult cats, on the other hand, need a minimum of 30% protein in their food. Senior cats also need more than 30% protein every day. However, if your cat has kidney disease, then she would need less than 30% in her diet.
6 of the Best Dry Cat food in the Market [Review]
1. Purina Cat Chow Naturals
It has no added artificial flavors or preservatives and contains real chicken as its primary ingredient. It is also packed with 25 added essential vitamins and minerals, with a balance of biotin, choline, and taurine.
With Omega-6 fatty acids, it also supports healthy skin and shiny coat, as well as improved immune health.
Purina Cat Chow Naturals is a simple, straightforward, and high-quality product that meets your cat’s daily nutrition needs, and comes in a tasty chicken flavor that your cat will love.
What we liked
- Added with 25 essential vitamins and minerals for 100% complete and balanced nutrition.
- Comes in a variety of other flavors.
- Contains real chicken meat.
- Provides natural dry cat food without artificial ingredients.
What we didn't like
- If you have a multicat household, you’d need to buy another product for kittens.
2. Rachael Ray Nutrish, Chicken and Brown Rice Flavor
Perfectly blending health and flavor, cat owners will have peace of mind that finicky cats won’t have a problem with this flavor.
It comes in real chicken and brown rice flavor, made from US farm-raised chicken as its primary ingredient. Its protein content is 34%, 9% moisture, and its fat content is 14%.
What makes this dry cat food a hit with cats is its flavor. Feline kitties seem to love the recipe, which also contains veggies and added essential vitamins and minerals, as well as amino acids.
The recipe also contains beet pulp, which is a wholesome fiber that provides natural prebiotics that supports healthy digestion.
What we liked
- Great flavor and recipe
- Made with real chicken
- No added artificial flavors or ingredients
- A portion of the profits will go to The Rachael Ray Foundation, which helps animals in need.
- The kibbles are small and easy to swallow, making them great as kitten food, too.
What we didn't like
- Some cats may not have a liking to the taste of brown rice.
- Small kibbles may be more appropriate for small cats or kittens.
- With only 9% moisture content, you have to make sure your cat is drinking a lot of water with this meal.
3. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Indoor Dry Cat Food
What makes this cat food stand out is Blue Buffalo’s exclusive LifeSource Bits formula, containing a healthy blend of antioxidants, and vitamins and minerals. The formula has been carefully selected by holistic vets and animal nutritionists, and contains carrots, cranberries, blueberries, and other healthy carbs. This formula is meant to improve immune health, and promote a healthy oxidative balance. It also targets life stage requirements for specific feline health.
The kibbles have also been cold-formed, which is a process that requires very low heat to preserve the nutritional value of the meats and minerals.
It contains 38% protein, 16% fat, and 9% moisture.
What we liked
- It is loaded with vitamins and minerals that promote overall cat health.
- Contains a blend of antioxidants that support immune health.
- Made with real chicken with lean proteins as the primary ingredient with zero grains.
What we didn't like
- With only 9% moisture, you must increase your cat’s water consumption with this diet.
- Since cats mostly get their nutrients from meat, the added fruits and vegetables may not be necessary.
4. Purina ONE Indoor Advantage Adult Cat Food
It also features a natural balance of antioxidants that help promote immune health, and its real turkey primary ingredient contains Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids that promote healthy skin and shiny coat.
The brand also markets their product as a 28-day challenge where they guarantee that after 28 days of consuming this cat food, your cat will have brighter eyes, healthier teeth and gums, and have a healthy dose of energy everyday.
They also promise minimal hairballs and help your cat maintain a healthy weight.
What we liked
- Targeted benefits for adult, indoor cats.
- Helps with weight management.
- Packed with ingredients that promote health and the immune system.
What we didn't like
- Because it is specially designed as an adult dry cat food, if you have multiple cats in your homes, such as kittens or senior cats, you would have to buy another kind of cat food for them.
5. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food for Kittens
Additionally, It is packed with DHA from fish oil to support healthy brain and eye development, and provides balanced minerals for strong teeth and gums.
The kibbles are small, at 6 x 3.5mm size, which are perfectly easy to chew and swallow. They’re also natural and great tasting, with no artificial flavors, ingredients, or preservatives. The natural chicken flavor is loved by kitties, and it also contains natural fiber for their growing digestive systems.
With precise nutrition and small kibbles, this product is on the top of our list for the healthiest dry food for kittens.
What we liked
- Perfectly designed for kittens.
- Contains fiber for easy digestion.
- The kibbles are small enough for kittens and easy to swallow.
What we didn't like
- If you’re looking for a general dry pet food for your multicat household, this precise option for kittens may not be the best option for you.
Can You Mix Wet Cat Food to Dry Cat Food?
If you’re unsure your cat will like dry cat food or if you’re concerned about your cat’s hydration, you can mix wet cat food or canned cat food with the dry kibbles.
Or, if your cat has been used to wet or canned cat food and you want to make the transition to a nutrition-rich option, you can start by introducing the dry kibbles to your cat gradually.
Start with a small portion mixed with wet cat food, until your cat becomes comfortable with eating dry cat food completely.
The Bottom Line
We want the best for our feline friends and if you’re unsure about dry cat food, then you don’t need to worry. Cats will love the flavor, and the crisp and crunch of dry cat food. Aside from better nutrition, dry cat food can also help clean teeth and gums, providing oral health.
Related: Cat treats for dental health
When it comes to choosing the best food for your cat, you must ensure high protein content, with real meat being the first primary ingredient. This is the first indication that the product is of high quality and can provide your kitty’s daily needs for protein.
Having a healthy cat is important because a healthy cat is a happy cat, and that’s ultimately what you want for your feline friend.