How can you tell if dry cat food is healthy

The 10 Healthy Best Dry Cat Foods of 2024

Cat Food Reviews

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Mallory Crusta / Cats.com

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For most cats, a dry food diet is less than ideal because of its low moisture content, calorie density, and high levels of carbs. That said, dry food does offer some advantages for the right personand the right cat. Dry food is convenient to serve and store, its economical, and it has a longer shelf life than canned wet food.

Dry food may not be perfect, but there are things to look for in terms of quality. The best dry cat foods will be rich in high-quality protein. They wont contain a lot of veggies. And theyll be free of additives that might harm your cat over time.

Based on hours of research and testing, were bringing you an updated list of the best dry cat foods in the industry. The following foods earn their place with outstanding ingredient quality, nutritional merits, and safety records.

At a Glance: Top 10 Best Healthy Dry Cat Foods to Buy

Best Chicken-Free

9.0

Picked by 31 people today!

• Completely free from chicken products
• Made with 90% animal ingredients
• Rich in animal-sourced omega-3 fatty acids

Why Trust Cats.com?

Over the past four years, Ive tested dozens of cat food brands and hundreds of individual products with my two cats, Wessie and Forest. Ive spent countless hours delving into brand histories and reading customer reviews to determine which cat food companies have a strong reputation for product quality, safe manufacturing practices, and customer service.

Drawing on a combination of research, personal experience, and reports from samples sent to an ISO 17025-certified food testing and analysis lab, I selected these products as the best dry cat food you can buy. With the help of Wessie and Forest, I tested these products personally and performed a qualitative analysis of their formulas. Heres the full methodology behind our cat food ratings.

Finally, we consulted 7 veterinarians to get their professional opinion on what makes great cat food.

Our Veterinary Advisors

Top Picks Explained

While weve since updated the products featured in this roundup, we still love the dry cat foods that Mallory discusses in this video.

Top 10 Best Dry Cat Foods on the Market Reviewed

Our top pick for the best dry cat food is the Open Prairie RawMix recipe from Open Farm. Made with humanely and sustainably sourced ingredients, its a protein-packed choice for cats with added flavor from freeze-dried raw organ meats.

We consider a variety of factors when ranking our recommendations, and our top pick might not be the ideal choice for your cat. Consider your cats unique nutritional needs and preferences when choosing a cat food product.

• Made In: United States
• Guaranteed Protein: 38% Min
• Age Range: All Life Stages
• Calories Per Ounce: 106
• Typical Cost Per Day:$0.90 per day

Open Farm made our top pick for several reasons. First, we appreciated the brands transparency regarding sourcing, testing, and nutritional info. Theyre one of the few cat food brands that provide a typical analysis and let consumers trace every ingredient. We were also impressed with the foods exceptional ingredient quality and palatabilityseconded by our test cats who loved this food!

In addition to their collection of wet and dry foods, Open Farm now offers several freeze-dried recipes and a small collection of kibble. These dry foods are given a healthy boost with a coating of powdered bone broth and freeze-dried raw organ meats, like turkey gizzards.

This RawMix Open Prairie Recipe emphasizes animal-derived protein from chicken, turkey, and menhaden fish meal. It also receives supplemental protein from ocean whitefish meal, chicken liver, and chicken neck. Because it contains bone, the chicken neck is a species-appropriate source of minerals.

This recipe is fairly low in fat, so it isnt as calorie-dense as others on this list. Though some of the fat in this recipe likely comes from the fish meal, the main sources of added fat are plant-based: coconut oil and sunflower oil. The food also contains peas, chickpeas, and lentils, which contribute significantly to the recipes high carbohydrate content.

Open Farm RawMix is not nutritionally perfect, and you can certainly find dry foods that are higher in protein and fat with lower carb content. That said, this pick is still a good choice if youre okay with a higher-carb food that scores high on ingredient quality and trustworthiness.

With an average cost of $0.56 per ounce, its a touch pricier than many dry foods. It should cost about $1.15 per day to feed the average 10-pound cat.

Chicken, Turkey, Menhaden Fish Meal, Peas, Chickpeas, Ocean Whitefish Meal, Lentils, Coconut Oil, Pumpkin, Natural Flavor, Cranberries, Apples, Sunflower Oil, Dandelion Greens, Chicken Liver, Chicken Neck, Vitamins (Niacin Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pantothenic Acid, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin), Potatoes, Tapioca, Dried Chicory Root, Choline Chloride, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate), Organic Butternut Squash, Organic Carrots, Organic Blueberries, Turkey Gizzard, Montmorillonite Clay, Miscanthus Grass, Chicken Bone Broth, Flaxseed, Turmeric, Dried Yucca Schidigera Extract, Taurine, Organic Spinach, Organic Kale, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Organic Sunflower Seeds, Rosemary Extract.

Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Turkey, Menhaden Fish Meal, Ocean Whitefish Meal, Chicken Liver, Chicken Neck, Turkey Gizzard

Ingredients We Didnt Like: Peas, Chickpeas, Lentils

Crude Protein: 38%

Crude Fat: 14%

Crude Fiber: 3%

Moisture: 10%

Protein: 42.22%

Fat: 15.56%

Fiber: 3.33%

Carbs: 38.89%

Protein: 35.51%

Fat: 31.78%

Carbs: 32.71%

What We Liked:

• Top three ingredients are animal proteins
• Kibbles are coated with bone broth and freeze-dried turkey gizzard
• Made with humanely raised and sustainably sourced ingredients
• Free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives

What We Didnt Like:

• Fairly high in carbohydrates
• Expensive, over $8 per pound

• Made In: United States
• Guaranteed Protein: 40% min.
• Age Range: All Life Stages
• Calories Per Ounce: 110
• Typical Cost Per Day:$0.60 per day

If youre looking to save money without compromising on quality, Nulos Freestyle line is worth checking out. This grain-free Chicken and Cod formula is made with 83% animal-based proteins, and the first four ingredients are deboned chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, and deboned cod. This recipe also includes omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin and shiny coats.

Additionally, Nulo Freestyle recipes include a probiotic strain to support your cats immune system and GI health. Youll also find antioxidants, Vitamins C, E, and A, and taurine for vision and heart support. On the downside, this food contains peas and lentils, which contribute to a higher level of carbohydrates.

Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Deboned Cod, Whole Peas, Lentils, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols & Citric Acid), Natural Flavor, Pea Fiber, Ground Flaxseed, Dried Chicory Root, Dried Kelp, Dried Sweet Potato, Dried Cranberries, Calcium Carbonate, Dl-Methionine, Taurine, Zinc Proteinate, Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Iron Proteinate, Niacin Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Manganese Proteinate, Pyridoxidine Hydrochloride, Sodium Selenite, Riboflavin Supplement, Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid, Rosemary Extract.

Ingredients We Liked: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Deboned Cod, Ground Flaxseed

Ingredients We Didnt Like: Whole Peas, Dried Sweet Potato, Lentils

Crude Protein: 40%

Crude Fat: 20%

Crude Fiber: 4%

Moisture: 10%

Protein: 44.44%

Fat: 22.22%

Fiber: 4.44%

Carbs: 28.89%

Protein: 34.91%

Fat: 42.39%

Carbs: 22.69%

What We Liked:

• Suitable for both kittens and adult cats
• Free from potatoes and tapioca

What We Didnt Like:

• Includes legumes
• Some cats may not like the tiny kibble size

• Made In: United States
• Guaranteed Protein: 30% min.
• Age Range: All Life Stages
• Calories Per Ounce: 115
• Typical Cost Per Day:$0.17 per day

If you want to feed your cat dry food on a budget, Kirkland Signatures kibble is a great option. Along with a better grade of primary ingredients, Kirkland Signature dry cat food contains nutraceuticals that are seldom found in the cheapest kibble on the market.

Kirklands Chicken and Rice Dry Cat Food features chicken and chicken meal as its primary ingredients. A mix of brown and white rice adds carbohydrates and consistency. Though its not radically high in protein and isnt a low-carbohydrate food, this product has some notable benefits. For one, unlike most foods at this price point, Kirkland contains a mix of supplemental probiotics and prebiotics that may help to support digestive health and overall well-being.

At about 115 calories per ounce, this is a fairly calorie-dense dry food for cats. Its one of the most economical options weve found and should only cost about $0.25 per day to feed the average 10-pound cat. While its convenient to buy Kirkland Signature cat food on Amazon, youll find the best deals in Costcos pet product aisle. This food is also available at Walmart.

Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Ground White Rice, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Chicken Flavor, Flaxseed, Sodium Bisulfate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Dried Chicory Root, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Animalis Fermentation Product, Zinc Proteinate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Potassium Iodide, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Manganous Oxide, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin D Supplement, Folic Acid.

Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Chicken Fat

Ingredients We Didnt Like: None

Crude Protein: 30%

Crude Fat: 20%

Crude Fiber: 3%

Moisture: 10%

Protein: 33.33%

Fat: 22.22%

Fiber: 3.33%

Carbs: 41.11%

Protein: 25.96%

Fat: 42.03%

Carbs: 32.01%

What We Liked:

• Primarily composed of clearly-named protein sources
• Doesnt contain any of the artificial colors and potentially harmful preservatives found in most budget cat foods
• One of the most affordable foods you can buy

What We Didnt Like:

• Not a low-carbohydrate food

• Made In: New Zealand
• Guaranteed Protein: 44% min.
• Age Range: All Life Stages
• Calories Per Ounce: 128
• Typical Cost Per Day: $3.31 per day

This cat food looks more like chunks of jerky than bits of kibbleand its made differently, too.

Whereas most kibble is extruded, this food is air-dried. A twin-stage dehydration technique destroys pathogenic bacteria while retaining nutrients. This process makes Ziwi Peak dry cat food one of the most species-appropriate and nutrient-dense dry products you can put in your cats bowl. All Ziwi Peak recipes are composed of 96% or more fresh meat, organs, bones, and New Zealand green-lipped mussels.

While most cat foods rely on synthetic vitamins and minerals to replace nutrients lost in cooking, Ziwi Peaks Air-Dried Mackerel and Lamb Recipe harnesses the nutritional power of the heart, tripe, liver, lung, kidney, and bone. With virtually no plant content, its extremely low in carbohydrates, landing at around 4%less than most canned food.

This food is more expensive than many others on the market, but its also very nutrient-dense, so you can feed your cat less at every meal. It should cost about $3.00 per day to feed the average 10-pound cat, which makes it an economical alternative to freeze-dried food.

Whole Mackerel, Lamb, Lamb Tripe, Lamb Lung, Lamb Heart, Lamb Liver, New Zealand Green Mussel, Lamb Kidney, Lamb Spleen, Lamb Bone, Lecithin, Inulin (from Chicory Root), Dried Apple Pomace, Minerals (Dipotassium Phosphate, Magnesium Sulfate, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Manganese Amino Acid Complex), Lamb Cartilage, Dried Organic Kelp, Salt, Preservative (Citric Acid, Mixed Tocopherols), DL-Methionine, Vitamins (Choline Chloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Taurine.

Ingredients We Liked: Whole Mackerel, Lamb, Lamb Tripe, Lamb Lung, Lamb Heart, Lamb Liver, New Zealand Green Mussel, Lamb Kidney, Lamb Spleen, Lamb Bone

Ingredients We Didnt Like: None

Crude Protein: 44%

Crude Fat: 24%

Crude Fiber: 3%

Moisture: 14%

Ash: 12%

Protein: 51.16%

Fat: 27.91%

Fiber: 3.49%

Carbs: 3.49%

Protein: 41.79%

Fat: 55.36%

Carbs: 2.85%

What We Liked:

• Minimally processed foods harness the nutritional value of fresh meat
• Made from high-quality ingredients
• Virtually zero carbohydrate content
• 95% of the protein in each meal is bioavailable

What We Didnt Like:

• At just 14% moisture, this food is no substitute for a hydrating canned, homemade, or raw diet
• Extremely expensive
• Not every cat will like the jerky texture

• Made In: United States
• Guaranteed Protein: 41%
• Age Range: All Life Stages
• Calories Per Ounce: 122
• Typical Cost Per Day: $0.49 per day

If youre struggling to find a dry food that satisfies your picky eater, consider Instinct Original. All of the foods in the Instinct line are grain-free and composed of at least 70% animal-based ingredients.

The brands Grain-Free Chicken Recipe starts with four animal ingredients: cage-free chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, and menhaden fish meal. This kibble also features a coating of freeze-dried raw chicken for enhanced nutrition and taste.

While theres no grain, corn, or potato in this recipe, it does include peas as a binder. Youll also find live, natural probiotics for better digestion. Additionally, Instinct Original contains omega fatty acids and antioxidants for healthy skin and coat.

Its worth noting that a recent formulation change prompted a few customer complaints of cats with diarrhea. This is likely due to a recipe change, which can cause GI upset in cats used to the original formula. It shouldnt affect new customers.

Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal, Peas, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), Tapioca, Natural Flavor, Dried Tomato Pomace, Montmorillonite Clay, Carrots, Apples, Cranberries, Choline Chloride, Salt, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin), Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide), Taurine, Freeze Dried Chicken, Freeze Dried Chicken Liver, Pumpkinseeds, Freeze Dried Chicken Heart, Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract.

Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal

Ingredients We Didnt Like: Peas, Carrots, Tapioca, Salt

Crude Protein: 41%

Crude Fat: 21%

Crude Fiber: 3%

Moisture: 9%

Protein: 45.05%

Fat: 23.08%

Fiber: 3.3%

Carbs: 28.57%

Protein: 34.75%

Fat: 43.22%

Carbs: 22.03%

What We Liked:

• Made without grain, potato, corn, wheat, or soy
• No animal byproducts, artificial colors, or preservatives

What We Didnt Like:

• Some reviews mention this food gave their cat diarrhea
• Kibble may flake & break down in the bag

• Made In: United States
• Guaranteed Protein: 54% min.
• Age Range: Adult & Senior Cats
• Calories Per Ounce: 132
• Typical Cost Per Day: $0.58 per day

Young Again offers a limited selection of dry cat foods, all formulated with high meat inclusions and low carbohydrate content. While the company sources its ingredients internationally, all of its animal ingredients are purchased from USDA- and FDA-approved human-grade food facilities.

The brands Mature Health formula is an excellent choice for senior cats who need the right balance of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and sodium to support kidney health. As your cat gets older, they require less of these nutrients. This meat-focused recipe features hydrolyzed pork and chicken meal as the primary ingredients. Fish oil is the main source of fat and provides plenty of skin- and coat-supporting omega-3s.

When measured as dry matter, this food contains 57.6% crude protein, which helps support your older cats lean muscle mass. Its a nutrient-dense diet as well, so your cat doesnt need to eat a lot of it to meet their energy needs.

Most importantly, this Young Again recipe doesnt contain high-glycemic ingredients like beans, peas, and legumes. The only significant plant ingredient is potato starch, likely used as a binder. The overall carbohydrate content remains very lowless than 6% dry matter.

Hydrolyzed Pork, Chicken Meal, Chicken Fat, Potato Starch, Chicken Liver Flavor, DL Methionine, L-Lysine, Fish Oil, Psyllium Husk (source of soluble dietary fiber), Potassium Citrate, Brewers Yeast, Fructooligosaccharides (FOS), Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Potassium Carbonate, Vitamin E Supplement, L-Tryptophan, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of stabilized vitamin C), L-Carnitine, Guar Gum, Betaine Anhydrous, Magnesium Sulfate, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Biotin (vitamin B7), Zinc Sulfate, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Rosemary Extract, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Niacinamide (vitamin B3), Thiamine Mononitrate (vitamin B1), Copper Proteinate, Folic Acid (vitamin B9), Vitamin A Acetate, Riboflavin (vitamin B2), Calcium Pantothenate (vitamin B5), Dried Aspergillus oryzae Fermentation Extract, Dehydrated Pediococcus Acidilactici Fermentation Product, Beta Carotene, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (vitamin B6), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Mixed Tocopherols, Potassium Sorbate and Citric Acid (Preservatives).

Ingredients We Liked: Hydrolyzed Pork, Chicken Meal, Chicken Fat, Fish Oil

Ingredients We Didnt Like: Potato Starch, Brewers Yeast

Crude Protein: 54%

Crude Fat: 22%

Crude Fiber: 3%

Moisture: 10%

Protein: 60%

Fat: 24.44%

Fiber: 3.33%

Carbs: 12.22%

Protein: 45.6%

Fat: 45.11%

Carbs: 9.29%

What We Liked:

• Meat-focused recipes support lean muscle mass
• Relies primarily on animal-sourced fat
• Low carbohydrate content, great for diabetic cats
• Free from beans, peas, and legumes

What We Didnt Like:

Best Dry Cat Food: Comparison Table

Product Name	Open Farm RawMix Open Prairie Recipe	Dr. Elseys cleanprotein Chicken Formula	Nulo Freestyle Chicken & Cod Recipe	Kirkland Signature Chicken & Rice Recipe	Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Mackerel & Lamb Recipe	Instinct Original Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Chicken Recipe	Tiki Cat Born Carnivore Kitten Food	FirstMate Chicken Meal with Blueberries	Young Again Mature Health Formula	Orijen Six Fish Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
Primary Protein	Chicken	Chicken	Chicken	Chicken	Mackerel	Chicken	Chicken	Chicken	Chicken	Herring
Age Range	All Life Stages	All Life Stages	All Life Stages	All Life Stages	All Life Stages	All Life Stages	Kitten	All Life Stages	Adult	All Life Stages
Guaranteed Protein	38%	59%	40%	30%	44%	41%	42%	36%	54%	40%
Calories Per Ounce	106	113	110	115	128	122	111	100	132	118
Cost Per Day	$0.90 per day	$0.85 per day	$0.60 per day	$0.17 per day	$3.31 per day	$0.49 per day	$0.88 per day	$0.76 per day	$0.58 per day	$0.75 per day

*Cost per day is calculated using the foods average cost per ounce and the daily caloric requirement for a healthy adult cat (about 200 calories).

What To Consider When Buying Dry Cat Food

Dry cat food is convenient and often cost-effective for many cat owners. But because it tends to be low in moisture and higher in carbs than wet cat food, it isnt always the most biologically appropriate choice.

If you and your cat prefer dry food, however, there are still some good options on the market. Here are some things to consider when shopping for dry cat food.

Look For High-Protein, Low-Carbohydrate Options

Dr. Sarah Reidenbach, DVM, CEO of the nonprofit organization Ruthless Kindness, says that an ideal diet would have 5-10% of calories from carbohydrates, about 50% of calories from protein, and about 45% from fat.

Frustratingly, dry cat food is notorious for its high carbohydrate content. To make the situation even more challenging, carbohydrate content is not listed on cat food labelsmeaning youll need to calculate it based on other nutrient values (you can use the carbohydrate calculator provided here.)

Consider The Type And Quality of Protein

Since meat contains all the amino acids that cats need, while plant protein doesnt, its important to look for diets that emphasize animal-sourced protein. Its also best to avoid animal by-products. These arent necessarily worse than clearly-named cuts of meat, but they do introduce a degree of uncertainty about protein quality.

Dr. Chyrle Bonk, DVM, veterinary writer for ExcitedCats, advises that cat owners check the ingredients list on the label and be sure that the food you choose uses real, whole meat as at least the first ingredient, preferably first two to three. Whole meat is more easily digestible and provides all of the necessary protein for a cat.

Avoid Products That Contain Artificial Flavors

Because they may stir up inflammation or erode your cats health over time, its a good idea to avoid artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Instead, look for natural dry cat foods that rely on animal-sourced flavors and safe preservatives.

Choose Reputable Brands

Not all cat food brands are created equal. To find a brand you can trust, its helpful to investigate their recall history. Avoid brands with a history of frequent recalls, deception, or secrecy. Additionally, a brands customer service (or lack thereof) can tell you a lot about the company. Brands that offer prompt, transparent service are preferable to those that are unresponsive.