Compared to dry food, wet cat food—also known as canned food and usually packaged in a can, pouch, or box—offers two main benefits: each serving has more hydration and fewer carbohydrates. “More moisture in canned diets can help manage many common diseases or illnesses that cats can get as they grow older,” Dr. Kerri Blackburn, DVM, of River’s Edge Animal Hospital in South Carolina, told The Spruce Pets.
The majority of us like Hill’s Science Diet Adult Entree Cat Food, which is made by American veterinarians and scientists and comes in a range of tasty, high-protein flavours.
We asked 350 cat owners what meals they like for their feline companion and why in order to assist you in choosing the best wet food for cats. In order to guide our cat food choices, we gathered a variety of information, such as the weight and age of the cat as well as specifics on the factors that influenced their choice of food. Below our suggestions, under the headline How We Found The Best Wet Food For Cats, you can read more about our polling process.
Because of their desert heritage, cats have a low thirst drive by nature, thus moist wet food is a better way to keep them hydrated. Wet food can assist cats, especially older ones, stay hydrated and maintain renal function because it usually has a moisture level of about 75%, which is much greater than dry food’s 10%. Furthermore, wet foods that are high in protein and low in carbohydrates meet the requirements of a cat’s carnivorous diet by offering vital amino acids that promote muscular growth and general well-being.
Over time, wet foods are less likely to cause obesity since they usually contain fewer carbohydrates per serving than kibble. The moisture level of wet cat food is also significantly higher, and since many cats don’t drink enough water each day, this additional hydration is very beneficial for cats.
Overall suggested best food
Hill's Science Diet Adult Canned Cat Food
The wet formula of cat food in Hill’s Science Diet is suitable for the majority of cats and is made with flavours they will like. The majority of the 299 survey respondents cited their veterinarian’s recommendation as the primary factor influencing their choice, and many praised the brand for having a wet food formula that fits their cat’s dietary needs, such as hairball control, weight management, and skin sensitivities. Hill’s Science Diet canned cat food, which is also our top choice for premium dry cat food, ranked highly among them.
In order for your cat to drink water together with their calories and nutrients, water is the first ingredient. A variety of options are available, such as Savoury Chicken, Liver & Chicken, Ocean Fish, Savoury Salmon, Savoury Turkey, Tender Chicken, Tender Tuna, and Turkey & Liver. The second ingredient is actual animal protein, such as chicken, tuna, or pig, depending on the recipe and flavour.
All of the recipes for Hill’s Science Diet Adult Entree Cat Food are created by scientists and veterinarians to provide the best possible nutrition in each serving, including calcium, protein, fibre, antioxidants, vitamin C, and vitamin E. The food is made in the United States and comes in five-ounce cans with a pull-tab closure. To make mealtime exciting for your cat, a variety of wet meals are packaged together in a handy variety pack, and the dry and wet food can be combined together.
Best For Kittens
Purina ONE Healthy Kitten Wet Food
PURINA ONE Healthy Kitten Wet Food is designed to give a growing kitten the protein, vitamins, nutrients, and hydration they need to develop into a healthy cat. Real chicken is the primary component in each three-ounce can of the Chicken & fish dish, which is then followed by chicken liver, hog lung, chicken broth, and fish. It has no artificial colours, flavours, preservatives, or grains that could aggravate your young feline.
In order to guarantee that the formula analysis is precise and nutritionally balanced, the kitten-safe food is made at Purina’s facilities in the United States and goes through multiple quality control rounds.
The fact that there is only one flavour of Purina One Healthy Kitten Wet Food is the sole drawback.
Best to Gain Weight
Tiki Pets Tiki Cat Wet Food
The Tiki Pets range of Tiki Cats Luau canned cat food is full of healthy proteins that will help your cat maintain a healthy weight, and it contains no grains, guar gum, or fillers.
Increasing the portion size of each meal is one of the simplest solutions if your physician has advised your cat to gain weight.
Choosing the larger size for at least one meal a day will allow your cat to eat more healthy fats, such as the kind found in salmon. Tiki Cats Luau wet cat food comes in two sizes: 2.8 and 6 ounces.
Eight recipes in the Luau collection use chicken and a range of fish species that cats like, including tilapia, tuna, salmon, mackerel, and seabass. Each can of the food has larger chunks of actual protein and is scented to encourage your cat to consume. Additionally, non-GMO products are used in the creation of each Tiki Cats Luau recipe.
Best to Loss Weight
Hill's Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Wet Cat Food
Being a pound or two overweight might cause physical and cardiovascular problems for cats. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight can assist your cat in returning to their ideal weight. In a liquid-rich mix, Cat Food offers lean protein, fiber, and balanced nutrients to help them feel full between meals.
More than 70% of adult cats who consumed Perfect Weight Cat Food, which is part of the American-formulated Hill’s Science Diet, lost weight in ten weeks. Additionally, they promise complete satisfaction on all of their products. Made with real chicken and veggies, the canned cat food for weight loss and maintenance comes in flavours
Natural Wet Food
Blue Tastefuls
Real animal protein is the primary ingredient in Blue Tastefuls Wet Cat Food, which is produced with natural ingredients in a variety of flavours. Flaked and pate are the two consistencies available. The pate wet food is smooth and creamy, while the flaked canned food in the Tastefuls range is chunkier with actual protein bits. However, all have a lot of protein and moisture, as well as extra vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to help keep cats healthy. Artificial flavours, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavours and by-product meals are never used in the production of Blue Tastefuls Wet Cat Food.
Wet Food for Seniors
Purina Pro Plan Prime Plus Wet Food
Cats older than seven years old can benefit from Purina’s Pro Plan Prime Plus Wet Cat Food. In general, it is preferable to keep a diet full of proteins, good fats, vitamins, minerals, and water throughout all phases of your cat’s life, according to Dr. Barrack, even if the ideal food for your senior cat will depend on your particular cat’s health requirements.
All six of the grain-free flavours in Pro Plan Prime Plus are produced in the US. Each formula includes prebiotic fibre for simpler digestion, antioxidants beta carotene and vitamin E to assist your senior cat’s immune system, and a minimum of 10% protein to help preserve their lean muscle mass.
A cat’s level of activity may fluctuate as they get older. You can reduce the amount of food they eat if they are becoming less active or gaining weight. Fortunately, you are less likely to have any food left over because Pro Plan Prime Plus Wet Cat Food is only available in three-ounce cans. As always, before making any significant dietary changes for your cat, speak with your veterinarian.
Premium Variety
Purina Fancy Feast Classic Pate Collection
Some cats are so devoted to Fancy Feast canned food that they won’t eat any other cat food, according to poll respondents.Purina Fancy Fancy Classic Pate Collection Cat Food offers packages containing a variety of their protein-rich wet food recipes if your cat is a variety-lover.
Three Classic Pate variety packs are available for adult cats: Poultry & Beef, Chicken & Beef, or Seafood. Three distinct recipes including real chicken, turkey, beef, or seafood as the primary component are included in each option. The grain-free foods are supplemented with vitamins and minerals to ensure that each serving of the meal is balanced and nutritionally full.
Numerous cat parents who participated in our study said that they would prefer a larger can size, but the variety packs are available in cases of 12, 24, and 30, with 3 ounce cans of each flavour distributed equally. There are variety packs for Fancy Feast’s different textures, such as flaked, grilled, and shredded, as well as kitten-specific variety packs made with nutrients growing cats require. The smooth pate meal is especially suitable for elderly cats who might struggle with kibble. Additionally, there are no artificial flavours or preservatives in the meals.
Grain Free
Weruva Canned Cat Food
The Weruva Cats Grain, gluten, starch and carrageenan are all absent from the Kitchen brand of wet cat food. To maintain the health of your cat’s skin and coat, the range includes a number of recipes that are all produced with natural ingredients, fish oil, and protein derived from animals. The two can sizes of the moisture-rich cat food—3.2 and 6 ounces—are BPA-free.
To offer your cat new tastes with every meal, Cats In The Kitchen flavours can be bought separately or in variety packs. Additionally, you can cover and store any leftover meals in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Important Tips For Choosing Best Wet Cat Food
Look for AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) clearance when choosing wet food, as this ensures that the food satisfies set nutrient requirements for cats. Additionally, veterinarians advise examining ingredient lists to make sure that the highest-quality protein sources—such as actual meat or fish—appear first. Specialised formulae that support diseases like kidney disease, diabetes, or sensitive stomachs are available for cats with unique needs. BUSINESS INSIDER MENTAL FLOSS.
Including a range of premium wet foods can be a terrific way to meet your cat’s unique nutritional requirements and satiate their palate. To make sure any new diet fits your cat’s health needs, ask your veterinarian for further details on popular brands and particular formulations.
