What is the best liquid to add to cat food

10 Best Liquid Cat Foods in 2024: Reviews & Top Picks

There are a variety of reasons why your pet might need to eat a liquid diet. When your cat is sick and wont eat, you may wonder what you can do to get nutrients¹ into your pets system. A cat may not be able to eat its normal diet after surgery or an injury, as well, or they might not have any teeth to chew up crunchy kibble.

In this guide, well list our top picks based on reviews for the best liquid cat foods. Well discuss the pros and cons of each as well so that you have the information needed to make an informed decision to suit your cats needs. We also recommended consulting your veterinarian before switching your cat to any liquid diet to ensure its necessary.

A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2024

The 10 Best Liquid Cat Foods

1. Solid Gold Holistic Delights Best Overall

Solid Gold Holistic Delights Creamy Bisque with Chicken & Coconut Milk is a holistic formula designed to provide essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants, and taurine¹ for your cat. The added coconut milk is easy to digest and gives your cat the calcium it needs. This formula is also grain-free for cats that are allergic to grains.

The bisque-type formula is easy to open and pour, and you can serve it over dry food or use it strictly on its own. This cat food comes in a case of 12 at a reasonable price and works well for picky eaters. A drawback is the pouches are not resealable, and some cats refuse to lap up the liquid. Nonetheless, with the quality ingredients and price, we feel this liquid cat food is the best overall liquid cat food.

Disclaimer: We recommend checking with your veterinarian before feeding a grain-free diet, as grains are beneficial to cats unless your cat has a food allergy.

• Holistic formula
• Comes in a 12-pack at a reasonable price
• Added coconut milk for easy digestion
• Can serve over food or on its own

• Pouches are not resealable
• Finicky cats may not like the flavor

2. Nulo FreeStyle Hearty Beef Bone Broth for Cats Best Value

Nulo FreeStyle Hearty Beef Bone Broth is made with all-natural ingredients and contains superfoods, such as turmeric and apple cider vinegar. This grain-free option includes kale, carrots, parsley, basil, thyme, and lemon juice. It comes in a 20-ounce pouch at a good value and is made in the U.S.A. The formula is kettle-cooked for 10 hours and is naturally rich in collagen.

You can use this in your cats regular food but also on its own for a temporary liquid diet. This liquid will keep your cat hydrated, and most cats lap it up. You have a choice of three flavors: hearty beef, classic turkey, or home-style chicken. Some consumers claim the broth is too vinegary and makes some cats turn up their noses. Still, with the healthy ingredients and reasonable price, we feel this food is the best liquid cat food for the money.

Disclaimer: We recommend checking with your veterinarian before feeding a grain-free diet, as grains are beneficial to cats unless your cat has a food allergy.

• Made with all-natural ingredients
• A grain-free option for cats with grain allergies
• Kettle-cooked for 10 hours
• Comes in a 20-ounce carton at a good value
• 3 flavors

• May be too vinegary for some cats

3. Made by Nacho Humanely-Raised Beef Bone Broth Premium Choice

Made by Nacho Humanely-Raised Beef Bone Brothoffers prebiotics for healthy digestion. In addition to bone broth, the manufacturer added juices from non-GMO apples and carrots for a flavor your kitty will love. This broth will keep your recovering kitty hydrated, and you can use it as a topper once your kitty returns to a regular diet.

Made by Nacho is inspired by world-renowned chef Bobby Flay. Flay incorporates premium proteins in each recipe and pairs flavors that will entice your cat to eat. The liquid contains no peas, wheat, corn, or soy.

Some consumers state their cat does not like the broth and wont drink it. However, you can use a syringe to feed your cat while on a liquid diet, as this broth serves excellent nutrition. This liquid food is expensive, but the benefits outweigh the price if you can swing it.

Disclaimer: We recommend checking with your veterinarian before feeding a grain-free diet, as grains are beneficial to cats unless your cat has a food allergy.

• Made from humanely-raised beef
• Incorporates non-GMO apple and carrot juice
• Contains prebiotics and premium proteins
• Pea, wheat, soy, and corn free

4. WHISKAS Cat Milk Best for Kittens

WHISKAS cat milk is excellent for kittens that need a liquid diet. Its 98% lactose reduced and includes essential vitamins such as crude protein and calcium. It contains no artificial flavors or colors and was developed by top nutritionists to ensure your kitten receives all the nutrients required to get back on a healthy track. The added calcium promotes healthy teeth and bones, and it comes in a three-pack of 6.75-ounce cartons at a reasonable price.

The formula may be thicker than you need, but you can add a little water to make it thinner for easier administering. Beware that it states it comes in an 8-count, but it only comes in a box of three.

• 98% lactose-free
• Contains essential vitamins, protein, and calcium
• Contains no artificial flavors or colors
• Reasonably priced

• Liquid may be too thick
• Confusion about the number of cartons youll receive

5. Chicken Soup for the Soul

Chicken Soup for the Soul Chicken & Turkey Recipe is suitable for cats with no teeth that do not need a solely liquid diet. Chicken, chicken liver, and chicken broth are the primary ingredients, followed by turkey broth and salmon.

Made in the U.S.A., this recipe is complete and balanced. The pt style makes eating easier for cats with few or no teeth. This food contains taurine, which is vital for vision, heart, and digestion. It has no by-products, wheat, corn, or soy. It also lacks artificial flavors or colors and comes in 5.5-ounce cans in a case of 24.

Please note that this food is not completely liquid and may not work for a kitty with a poor appetite or that is recovering from an injury or surgery.

• Contains top quality ingredients
• Complete and balanced
• Pt style for cats with little or no teeth
• Includes taurine
• Made in the U.S.A.

• Not completely liquid food
• Expensive

6. The Honest Kitchen Goats Milk With Probiotics for Cats

The Honest Kitchen Goats Milk is 100% human-grade and contains essential nutrients your cat needs, especially if your cat needs a temporary liquid diet. This powder contains 1.5 billion probiotics and is free from by-products, preservatives, and GMO ingredients. Its easy to mix; just add water to the mix per instructions, and youre ready to serve. This formula is human-grade and made in a human food facility.

This powder comes in a 5.2-ounce canister, 1.3-ounce packets, and a 5.2-ounce bundle of two. It is gently dehydrated and made from free-range, pasture-raised goats milk. You can use this powder as a topper with your cats regular diet once you start feeding dry or wet food.

This product is a little pricey, and it takes quite a bit of powder to mix it correctly. It also spoils quickly in the fridge, so dont mix too much at once.

• Human-grade ingredients
• Made from free-range, pasture-raised goats milk
• Contains no preservatives, by-products, or GMO ingredients
• Contains 1.5 billion probiotics

• Spoils quickly in fridge
• Expensive

7. Virbac Rebound Recuperation for Cats

For cats recovering from surgery or an illness, Virbac Rebound Recuperation is an excellent option. This fluid therapy will help your cat regain strength while providing essential nutrients. It comes in a 5.1-ounce bottle, is easy to feed, and you can use a syringe or pour it into your cats bowl.

This formula supports the GI tract and immune system and promotes eating and drinking. Its full of vitamins and can be stored in the fridge upon opening for 7 days. Some complain that the formula has a strong, foul smell, and most cats need this fed via syringe due to no interest in the product. With the essential nutrients, we recommend using a syringe so your kitty gets the nutrients it needs to regain strength. Its also a little pricey.

• Fluid therapy for recovering cats
• Provides essential nutrients
• Supports GI tract and immune system
• Can store in fridge for 7 days after opening

• May have a strong smell
• Expensive

8. Fancy Feast Purina High Protein, Limited Ingredient for Cats

Fancy Feast Purina High Protein, Limited Ingredient is grain-free and suitable for senior cats 7 and up. It contains shredded chicken in a broth-type liquid stew, making mealtime easier for senior cats with little to no teeth.

Its fortified with vitamins, an amino acid, and taurine to give your senior cat the daily boost it needs to be healthy. Its packed with protein and contains no artificial flavors, preservatives, or by-products.

This food may contain more chunky bits than broth, and its price is a tad on the high end.

Disclaimer: We recommend checking with your veterinarian before feeding a grain-free diet, as grains are beneficial to cats unless your cat has a food allergy.

• Suitable for senior cats 7 and up
• Fortified with vitamins, an amino acid, and taurine
• Contains no by-products, artificial preservatives, or colors
• Gives senior cats a daily boost

• Only suitable for cats 7 and up
• May contain more chunky bits than broth
• Expensive

9. Tiki Cat Broths Salmon in Broth with Meaty Bits for Cats

Tiki Cat Broths Salmon in Broth with Meaty Bits contains high-quality proteins and will keep your cat hydrated. Its 100% free from grains, by-products, artificial flavors, colors, and fillers. Real salmon broth and salmon are the main ingredients and will give your recovering kitty a boost.

Some consumers state that the portion is skimpy, and it may be hard to get all of it out of the pouch, so keep that in mind before you buy it.

Disclaimer: We recommend checking with your veterinarian before feeding a grain-free diet, as grains are beneficial to cats unless your cat has a food allergy.

• Made with real salmon broth and salmon
• No fillers, artificial flavors, or colors
• Contains high-quality proteins
• Excellent for hydration

• Portion inside pouch may be skimpy
• May be hard to empty contents from pouch

10. Hartz Delectables Savory Broths for Cats

Hartz Delectables Savory Broths come in multiple flavors, including chicken, turkey, tuna, salmon, shrimp, and white fish. These recipes come in a pack of 12 with 1.4 ounces each and are grain-free with no fillers or artificial flavors. Once youre done with feeding your cat a liquid diet, you can still use this food as a tasty topper. This broth can also come in handy for cats with little to no teeth, as you can use it to moisten dry food and provide a little something extra. Its also reasonably priced, especially for 12-packs.

The tear strip may fail, and you may need to cut the packet to get all of it out. The smell might be a bit pungent for some, and the gravy may be lacking in portion.

Disclaimer: We recommend checking with your veterinarian before feeding a grain-free diet, as grains are beneficial to cats unless your cat has a food allergy.

• Comes in a variety of flavor
• No fillers, artificial flavors, or colors
• Reasonably priced

• Tear strip may fail upon opening
• May have a pungent smell

Buyers Guide: Finding the Best Liquid Cat Food

Now that weve explored our top 10 picks for the best liquid cat foods, you still may have some questions. Liquid diets are not for every cat, and you need to be aware of when to feed a liquid diet, so lets dive deeper.

When to Feed a Liquid Diet for Cats

A liquid diet for cats is not meant to be a long-term regime for their diet but rather for hydration and regaining strength due to an illness or post-surgery. A liquid diet may also be beneficial for cats with little to no teeth.

You may have noticed our disclaimer regarding grain-free formulas. Most liquid diets are grain-free and are not intended to be your cats sole food. The inclusion of grains is beneficial to most cats unless they have a grain allergy. Thats why its important to only feed a liquid diet when necessary.

Some cats with a terminal illness may benefit from a permanent liquid diet, but in that instance, we recommend consulting your veterinarian on what to feed your cat to ensure youre providing all the necessary nutrients.

How Do I Feed My Cat a Liquid Diet?

You can try to put the liquid in your cats bowl and see if your cat licks it up. Some cats may be too weak to eat, especially after surgery. In that case, you can administer the liquid through a syringe¹ to ensure your recovering cat gets all the necessary components to regain strength.

Feeding a liquid diet is not as easy as it sounds, and youll need patience. Start slowly, and dont force too much liquid into the mouth at once. Also, ensure the liquid is at room temperature before feeding. You can always consult your veterinarian about techniques that may make the process easier for the both of you, as force-feeding¹ requires patience.

Can I Make My Own Liquid Diet for My Cat?

Its possible to make your own liquid diet, but we strongly advise consulting your vet before diving in. In some cases, you can mix wet food with a little water in a blender. One advantage here is the wet food will have complete and balanced nutrients, but again, feeding your cat a liquid diet will more than likely be a temporary situation.

How Many Milliliters of Liquid Food Should I Feed My Cat Daily?

How many milliliters of liquid food per day will depend on why youre feeding your cat a liquid diet. As weve mentioned, a liquid diet is usually only needed if your cat is recovering from an injury or surgery or has a terminal illness. In those cases, your veterinarian will explain how much to feed each day and when.

In the event your cat is not eating due to a loss of appetite and hasnt eaten in a day or two (especially 2 days), its vital to give your cat nutrients. But how much do you feed¹ ?

A healthy cat requires roughly 180225 calories per day, while a 1-pound kitten will require 4050 calories per day. A cat will eat roughly 20 milliliters of food per pound of its body weight daily. For example, a 10-pound cat will require 200 milliliters per day, while a 2-pound cat will require 40 milliliters per day. Calorie intake cannot be achieved in one feeding, so youll need to portion the liquid food into three equal meals every 34 hours.

Only provide a small amount at a time and wait until your cat swallows before applying more liquid food into your cats mouth. And be as gentle as possible!

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Final Thoughts

Based on consumer reviews, Solid Gold Holistic Delights Creamy Bisque with Chicken & Coconut Milk is a holistic formula with added coconut milk for easy digestion at a reasonable price. Nulo FreeStyle Hearty Beef Bone Broth provides all-natural superfoods for the best value. Made by Nacho Humanely-Raised Beef Bone Brothis inspired by chef Bobby Flay and includes non-GMO apple and carrot juice. For kittens, WHISKAS Cat Milk is 98% lactose-free, and Chicken Soup for the Soul Chicken & Turkey Recipe is complete and balanced.

We wish you luck in your cats health, and always consult your veterinarian on how much to feed.

Featured Image Credit: Chendongshan, Shutterstock