What is the top 5 best dry cat food

The best dry cat foods of 2024, reviewed with advice from vets

What to look for in dry cat foods

When shopping for the best dry cat food for your kitten, adult, or senior cat, you'll want to consider the following criteria:

AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement: The most basic measure of nutritionally complete cat food is an AAFCO statement on the label. AAFCO is a nonprofit organization that defines the standard nutritional requirements for pet food and animal feed. Food with an AAFCO statement for growth or all life stages is guaranteed to be complete and balanced for kittens, while food with an AAFCO statement for maintenance or all life stages is guaranteed to be complete and balanced for adult cats.

Guaranteed analysis and nutrient profiles: The guaranteed analysis consists of the percentages of protein, fat, and other important nutrients in a food. Food for kittens should have a minimum of 30% protein and 9% fat, and food for adult cats should have a minimum of 26% protein and 9% fat. Food for cats of any age should also contain other essential nutrients, including amino acids like taurine, fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins.

To compare the nutrients in wet food to those in dry food, convert the percentages of fat, protein, and fiber in wet food to a "dry matter basis." You can use these directions from the Tufts University Cummings Veterinary Medical Center, call the food manufacturer, or ask your vet for help.

Key ingredients: The ingredients on a pet food label appear in order of weight. Because cats are obligate carnivores, proteins in the form of whole meat or meat meal should come first on the ingredients list.

Expert formulations: For this guide, we prioritized brands with a dedicated nutrition expert on staff, which aligns with the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) guidelines and our experts' guidance. We also opted for brands active in research on small animal nutrition, as well as brands that collaborate with universities and colleges.

Manufacturing standards: When selecting a cat food brand, consider a manufacturer's quality control measures and the types of facilities they use. For instance, manufacturers that own their plants have more control over the ingredients in the recipe and the food your cat consumes. Just keep in mind that it's not enough for a brand to say they conduct quality control. Pet food companies should also provide information about their quality control practices on their website or upon request.

Calorie content: The calorie content of cat food is listed in kilocalories (kcals). Your cat will have different calorie needs, depending on their age and activity level. Kittens grow quickly in their first year, and all that growth requires plenty of energy. Therefore, kittens should eat multiple meals per day without calorie restrictions. As your kitten approaches 9 to 12 months of age, talk to your vet about their ideal body condition, weight, and caloric needs.

Once cats reach their adult years, the amount of food they should eat depends on their weight, energy level, breed, and overall health. Your vet can offer more detailed and personalized guidance about how many calories your cat requires per day.

Best Dry Cat Food (2024): 15 Healthiest Top Kibble Brands

Choosing the best dry cat food is a convenient addition to your kittys meal plan that comes with many benefits for you and your cat.

The best kibble will have all the nutrition that your cat needs to be fit and healthy at every cat life stage. Dry food has the bonus of stying fresh longer and being easy to clear up.

While opinions on dry cat food can vary, most pet parents agree that a good cat kibble can be an excellent way to supplement your felines nutrition and make daily care a lot easier.

Of course, just like any kitty purchase, choosing the best dry cat food brands means knowing what your feline friend needs to stay as healthy and happy as possible.

Weve already covered all the tips and tricks you need to know about buying the best wet cat food.

Now its time to switch gears and consider the best tasting dry cat food and crunchy nibbles that many cats will love. In this article, well be covering everything from how to know if dry cat food is healthy, to which kinds of ingredients youll need to watch out for on the label.

Plus, weve created a list of the best dry cat food options. Each of the products on this list has passed stringent testing to ensure its as safe and healthy as possible for your kitty.

But why should you trust us to help you decide what the healthiest dry cat food is for your cat?

That's simple. I's because we've researched in depth and then invested the money, time and effort, buying, testing and rating the top dry cat foods for you.

We've analysed the whole market for dry cat food and narrowed down our choices to just over 100 types of dry food that we've tested across our team (who are cat experts, feline nutritionists and veterinarians) in the last year.

We've then researched further by surveying our social media community that is well over 1 million cat owners to see what dry cat foods they've put their trust in. Only the top dry cat food that we found to be high quality and healthy and that also gets the approval of out cat loving community has made this final list of top dry cat foods.

We've taken all that data and opinion so that all the dry cat food picked below is trusted by us, so that you can make your choice knowing you'll be doing the best for your adult cat or kitten, and that they will like the taste!

Below we'll look at all the things you need to know to be able to identify the right dry food for your cat.

But first, let's see what comes out as our top rated dry cat food.

Best Dry Cat Food - Our Top Pick

The best dry cat food we tested is Dr. Elsey's Cleanprotein Formula Dry Cat Food.

This brand has an excellent repuation for quality and production standards. Further, this is one of the most nutrient dense dry foods you can buy and it's made primarily from species appropriate ingredients. As a bonus, it's low in carbohydrates, so it's also suitable for cats watching their weight.Significiantly, the Dr. Elseys Cleanprotein received the highest overall average score from our community survey, even though it wasn't the bestseller.

That's largely because high quality comes at a price and this brand is definitely a little more expensive than some options. But, it doesn't cost significantly more and we felt it was well worth it!

Dr. Elsey's Cleanprotein Formula Dry Cat Food

Our choice is the Dr. Elsey's Cleanprotein Formula Dry Cat Food

Once youve learned how to identify the best dry cat food below, well dive into our tested and certified list of the top 14 best dry cat foods on the market.

So, first, let's look what makes a good dry cat food.

Dry vs Wet Cat Food - When isKibble Best?

A lot of cat owners argue wet food is the only true way to provide your kitty with the nutrition he or she really needs.

However, if you were to speak to a cat nutritionist, youd probably learn that (like people), all cats are different. Some kitties genuinely love kibble far more than any wet food no matter what kind of food you get. For many, they prefer the taste, but for others it's the added texture and crunch.

Dry cat food doesnt have the same quantity of fresh meat, plant content, and other nutritional substances as your standard wet food.

However, this doesnt mean that its necessarily 'bad' for your cat or even 'less good'. A good cat kibble is excellent for a few reasons.

Heres why you might end up looking for a top dry cat food for your furry pal:

• Diversity: Like us, cats dont love eating the exact same meal every day. Sometimes they want a change, which means shaking things up with not just different flavors, but new textures too. A quality dry food is excellent for giving your cat something new to explore, so they dont get bored of getting the same meal every day.
• Free feeding: It can be difficult to ensure youre always available to refill your kittys bowl when needed. Dry food is convenient to leave out alongside wet food for when your kitty wants a little bit of extra nutrition.
• Nutrition: Well-made dry cat food is excellent for giving cats access to essential nutrition. You can get foods specially made for different breeds of cats, and products that contain extra taurine, or nutrients that help with cleaning out hairballs.
• Dental support: Though dry food shouldnt be the only tool you use to manage your cats dental health; it can be helpful for getting rid of sticky food and gunk that may build up around the gums and teeth.

Crucially, however, even the best dry cat food is rarely a full nutritional solution on its own.

First and foremost, youll need to ensure you always have a bowl of fresh water available if youre going to be feeding your cat a lot of dry food because theres less moisture included in the dry food itself.

Most cats will get the majority of their water from their food rather than using a bowl of water or a water fountain.

Some vets take the view that wet cat food is better than dry cat food when it comes to getting water into your cat simply because it has a higher moisture content.

Other vets, on the other hand, argue that when cats eat dry food they are more likely to proactively drink water. There is no clear evidence either way.

It's true however that most dry cat food has a low moisture content (generally around 10% by volume) but there are some cry cat food options that do have a higher moisture content so it's worth looking out for those.

In addition there is little scientific proof that wet food is measurably better for your cat across a number of health indicators.

In other words there is no specific health benefit in either wet or dry food as long as the food you choose is high-quality, balanced and nutritionally complete.

One truth is that dry cat food tends to be higher in calories. This is why a vet may put your cat on a wet food diet if they are a little on the heavy side. Even then, there are dry cat foods that are great for weight loss as well.

Dry cat food can also feature a lot of excess fiber and grain which might not be ideal for your cats long-term health and wellbeing.

This is why its so important to learn what constitutes a high quality cat food before you start investing in new kibble. Pay close attention to what you put in your cats bowl every day.

Choosing the Best Dry Cat Food: Knowing your Cats Basic Needs

Generally, dry cat food works best when its mixed with wet food as part of your kittys regular menu.

Using dry food alongside wet food should help to avoid any potential downsides from feeding your furry pal too much of one product or another.

However, youll need to ensure that the right combination of foods is addressing your cats basic nutritional needs.

The most important things your cat will always need include:

• Protein: From a meat, fish, or poultry source (named)
• Taurine: Essential amino acid for cats
• Water: Moisture content
• Vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids (Omega-3)

Cats dont need carbohydrates in their diet, but you may find many grains like wheat, rice, and corn as fillers throughout dry and wet cat foods.

Other ingredients like binders, coloring, and flavoring are added through cat food manufacturers to satisfy the needs of the customer.

Always look for the best high-protein, low-carb dry cat food.

Your cat is an obligate carnivore, which means it will thrive best with minimal carbohydrates making up its diet, and all recipes need to be high in animal proteins.

Your cat doesnt need a high-carb diet, and its important to ensure youre not filling them with too many carbs.

The best dry cat foods will have a carb content of around 10% or less and it should contain plenty of protein.

This means that the protein sources of your cats diet should be listed at the very top of the list of ingredients (within the first five mentioned ingredients).

When checking the label, remember that manufacturers are required to list ingredients based on their proportion in the contextual mass of the overall products.

Dogs thrive relatively well with a significant amount of carbohydrates in their diet, but cats dont.

Check the first five ingredients and make sure that the protein is in at least this section. It doesnt have to be the top ingredient, but its definitely a good sign if it is.

What to Look for on a Dry Cat Food Label

If youre worried about giving your cat the best dry cat food possible the best thing you can do is learn how to read labels effectively.

Start by making sure that you examine the top five ingredients first, with a strong focus on protein.

Protein content should be at least 30%, and it needs to come from a named animal. In other words, you dont just want meat.

How many calories in dry cat food?

The label should also indicate how many calories is in the food per serving (measured by weight or in cups). Most cats should be eating a minimum of 25-35 calories per pound of their own weight.

That means that a ten pound cat needs at least 250 calories per day and up to 350. An average house cat is around that 10 pound mark in weight and the average dry cat food is around 350 claories per cup.

But, read the label and see how many calories are in the dry cat food you're looking at.

And, importantly, note that those minimum calorie amounts are generally for a sedentary indoor cat. If you have an active adult cat (especially if they roam outside), you might need to up that minimum to 40 calories per pound and right up to 55-60 per pound for larger active cats.

It's a bonus if the label also tells you what the source of those calories is, meaning whether they come from protein, fat or carbohydrate.

Generally about one third of each is a good balance, but if one is more dominant it should be calories from protein. And the main source of protein should always be animal proteins, which means natural meat and fish (or even insect!) meats and meat prodcuts.

Key nutrients in dry cat food

The healthiest dry cat food will have the right balance of key nutrients that your cat needs on a daily basis.

Imagine what your cat would be dreaming of if he could make his own kibble (or get you to do it)!

So when checking the label on dry cat food, look for:

• Omega fatty acids from substances like flaxseed and salmon oil for healthy skin and a soft and shiny coat for your kitty. (Omega-3 fatty acids promote healthy fur and skin).
• Dietary fiber from tomato and similar substances to improve intestinal health. Fiber shouldnt be too high in your food, but a small amount is good.
• Prebiotics like chicory root to support digestion and improve your cats chances of getting the most value from its food.
• Probiotics to improve the healthy bacterial balance in the gut. These will show up in the form of ingredients like dried Lactobacillus Plantarum fermentation product, and dried enterococcus to be listed in the guaranteed analysis.
• Cranberries to support urinary tract health this isnt a must-have, but its definitely a good ingredient to look at because cat urinary infections can be profoundly serious.
• Glucosamine and Chondroitin sulfate to support your kittys joint health so they can run around and jump everywhere with grace and speed.

Added vitamins like Vitamin A and E are excellent, too, although its worth talking to your vet about the kinds of extra nutrients best for your cat.

Different felines have different nutritional needs. This is particularly true if you have a specific breed of cat. Larger cats might require more taurine, for instance, while cats prone to hairballs may need the additional fiber in hairball cat food to help remove excess hair from their system.

Remember, just because a cat food is cheap doesnt mean its good value.

Ingredients to avoid in dry cat food

You need to avoid food with a long list of fillers, by-products, or artificial flavors. Basically anything that isn't natural, and this is often (but not always) given away by a hard to pronounce scientific sounding name.

Its generally wise to avoid artificial flavors, colors and preservatives, since these are known to cause or increase inflammation or damage your cats overall health over time. It's best to look for natural dry cat foods that are made from animal proteins and natural preservatives.

Make sure you look for a complete and balanced food according to the AAFCO guidelines. When examining the quality of the food, pay close attention to danger words like:

• Byproducts
• Beat and bone meal
• Animal digest
• Chemical preservatives like BHT and BHA
• Ethoxyquin or Propyl gallate
• Cornmeal filler
• Carbohydrate fillers

As you would expect, and as we've highlighted above, you should be looking to avoid dry cats foods that list artficial colors, artificial flavors and artificial preservatives in their ingredients.

As a general rule all artifical enhancements are going to be a negative, whereas the more natural and unprocessed ingredients you identify will be a positive. Much like what you'd exepct with human food, the best cat food is free from artificial ingredients.

What Does AAFCO Approval Mean?

Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is the American group responsible for controlling the way that manufacturers create cat foods.

This advisory body proposes regulations for the labeling and production of animal food, including all kinds of pet food. Memberships with AAFCO are maintained by the FDA as well as various crucial groups like the Animal Protection Institute.

AAFCO can be a helpful resource when choosing any kind of dry or wet cat food because the company helps to define terms for labeling by-products in the food, as well as defining quantity determination for labels.

There are criteria in place by the AAFCO group which also determine what a complete and balanced food can be.

Crucially, AAFCO does not have any regulatory powers, but memberships consist of various regulatory bodies who do have these powers. AAFCO is also not responsible for testing, but it does recommend protocols for testing.

Theres also no definition of human-grade protein quality with AFFCO, and theres no guideline in place to determine when food should be labeled for things like weight control or dental care.

Are Cheaper Dry Cat Foods Better?

Before you assume that cheaper dry cat food will be better for your bank account, remember that cheap foods are often a false economy.

Studies show cats will eat as much as they need to get the nutrients required. They may eat twice as much of carbohydrate-rich food not giving them the right nutrition just so that they can get the right nutrients they would need from a smaller portion of better food.

To ensure your cat gets the healthy food they need, its important to look for the right selection of assurances.

For instance, the food must pass the feeding test for the life stage recommended in the label.

The composition of the food also needs to exceed nutrient levels established by AAFCO. Preservatives, included in commercial pet foods shouldnt cause too much of a problem in most pets, but its worth avoiding anything with too many.

Other points to think about include:

• Artificial ingredients: Artificial and synthetic ingredients arent ideal for anyone including your pets. Its important to be aware of any fillers and artificial substances that might go into cat foods to make them look more aesthetically appealing. If youre not sure about an ingredient, look it up to learn more about its nutritional value.
• Safety record: Consider looking at the safety record for the brand youre going to be buying from. A reputable cat food brand will be happy to provide information on their background and how they test the quality of their food. If you find that food has had many recalls in the past, this could be a sign of bad manufacturing practices.
• Value: Just because cat food shouldnt be ridiculously cheap doesnt mean it cant be good value. Quality dry cat food will include all the ingredients your cat needs without breaking the bank. Avoid spending over the odds for food just because it has a specific brand name or reputation attached to it.

Best Dry Cat Foods - 15 Top Rated Choices

Now weve covered everything you need to know for choosing dry cat food, the next step is to start looking at some of the top contenders.

Here are the foods that we reserached, bought and tested on our cats and asked our community what they and their cats thought of them

These are the ones our experts considered to be the best rated dry cat food products out of all the options we tested (with the help of some hungry kitties).

Dr. Elsey's Cleanprotein Formula

• High Protein
• Nutrient Dense
• Non Inflammatory
• Easy to Digest

• Quality Animal Protein
• Balanced Nutrition
• Omega-3 and 6 Fatty Acids
• Some Corn Grain

Rachael Ray Nutrish Super Premium

• Real Chicken
• Indoor Cat Formula
• Antioxidant Rich
• Expensive

Royal Canin Feline Health for Kittens

• Specific Kitten Recipe
• High Protein
• Small Sized Kibble
• Easy to Chew and Digest

Iams Proactive Health Indoor

• Weight Control
• Hairball Control
• Good Value
• Some Meat ByProducts

Hills Science Diet Perfect Weight

• Weight Control
• Vet Formulated
• All Natural Ingredients
• Quite Expensive

Purina ONE Sensitive Systems

• Excellent Stomach Care
• Omega-3 and 6 Fatty Acids
• Nutrient Dense
• Good Value

Iams Proactive Health Senior

• High Animal Protein
• Immune Support
• Antioxidant Rich
• Large Kibble

Hills Science Diet High Fiber

• Natural Fiber
• Optimal Magnesium
• High Protein
• Omega-3 and 6 Fatty Acids

Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach

• Grain Free
• Added Prebiotics
• Extra Vitamins & Minerals
• Expensive

Hill's Science Diet Urinary Control

• Natural Fiber
• Easily Digestible
• Supports Urinary Health
• Low Magnesium

Stella & Chewys Freeze-Dried Morsels

• Real Raw Nutrition
• Very High Protein
• Zero Grain & Fillers
• Quite Expensive

Purina Veterinary Dietetic Management

• Supports Urinary Health
• Supports Blood Glucose
• Omega-3 and 6 Fatty Acids
• Expensive

Diamond Premium Maintenance

• Reduces Shedding
• Antioxidant Rich
• High Protein
• Significant Smell!

• Dental Care Formula
• Reduces Plaque
• High Protein
• Can be Expensive

1. Best Overall Dry Cat Food -Dr. Elsey's Cleanprotein Formula Dry Cat Food

Looking for a sensational grain-free food for your kitty?

Dr. Elseys is probably the best grain-free dry cat food for you. This amazing food comes with absolutely no grain, no legumes, and no other unnecessary plant-sourced ingredients.

The sole binding ingredient is gelatin, which means the carb content is very low. The food is amazing for minimizing carbs, with a rating under 10%.

The recipe includes chicken as the main ingredient, with pork, egg, and other positive substances all ranked towards the very top of the ingredients list.

If you need something thats high in protein and low in carbs, then this is the food for you. Additionally, you can avoid a wide range of inflammatory ingredients known for causing allergic reactions in cats.

Dr. Elsey's Cleanprotein Formula Ingredients

Chicken, Dried Egg Product, Pork Protein Isolate, Gelatin, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Flaxseed, Natural Flavor, Salmon Oil, Potassium Citrate, Calcium Carbonate, Fructooligosaccharide, Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, Vitamins, Biotin, Minerals, Potassium Chloride, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Taurine, Salt, Rosemary Extract.

Calorie Content: 4,030 kcal/kg - 554 kcal/cup

Moisture Content: 12%

• High in protein and low in carbohydrates
• Excellent range of animal ingredients, including gelatin
• Extremely dense in nutrients, so your cat only needs a little bit
• No inflammatory ingredients to cause allergic reactions
• Easy to eat for all kinds of cats due to their small shape

• Expensive pricing (but shop around!)

2. Best Value Affordable Dry Cat Food -Iams Proactive Health

Iams proactive health is our best quality affordable dry cat food pick but it does have a few downsides to consider, like the high amounts of whole grain corn and chicken by-product in the ingredients but it has a lot to offer too.

Chicken is still the number one ingredient for this cat food, so you know youre getting a decent balance of protein. The solution also comes with prebiotics built-in for digestion.

Made in the USA, Iams proactive health comes with access to both Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. The solution helps to nourish your cats heart, with added potassium and calcium.

Additionally, Iams can help your kitty maintain stronger muscles with quality protein and a completely balanced nutrition system.

Iams Proactive Health (Chicken Recipe) Ingredients

Chicken, Chicken By-Product Meal, Ground Whole Grain Corn, Corn Grits, Corn Gluten Meal, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Flavor, Dried Egg Product, Sodium Bisulfate, Potassium Chloride, Brewers Dried Yeast, Fish Oil (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, DL-Methionine, Fructooligosaccharides, Vitamins, Biotin, Taurine, Minerals, L-Carnitine, Rosemary Extract

Calorie Content: 3,693 kcal/kg - 373 kcal/cup

Moisture Content: 10%

• Chicken as the number 1 ingredient
• Supports healthy digestion and heart health
• Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids included
• Nourishes strong muscles with zero fillers
• Plenty of calcium and protein

• Lots of byproducts included
• Some grain

3. Best Premium Dry Cat Food -Rachael Ray Nutrish Super Premium

Ideal for those in search of a premium dry food mix, the Rachael Ray Nutrish Super Premium food is a high-quality premium dry cat food with chicken and chicken meal as its top two ingredients.

This product is fantastic for giving your kitty plenty of much-needed protein. You get farm-raised chicken as the primary ingredient, along with real salmon, lentils, and a blend of special nutrients.

One thing thats particularly impressive with the Rachael Ray mix is how many natural prebiotics you get from products like pumpkin intended to improve the functioning of the digestive tract.

Berries full of antioxidants can also help to support a healthy immune system, and there are tons of amino acids and vitamins included too.

Rachael Ray Nutrish Super Premium (Chicken Recipe) Ingredients

Chicken, Chicken Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Brown Rice, Brewer's Rice, Dried Peas, Poultry Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Whole Flaxseed, Fish Meal, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Natural Flavor, Caramel (Color), Salt, Potassium Chloride, Dicalsium Phosphate, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Dried Carrots, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Calcium Carbonate, L-Tryptophan, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Sodium Selenite, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Source of Vitamin B6), Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K Activity), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement.

Calorie Content: 3,635 kcal/kg - 386 kcal/cup

Moisture Content: 9%

• Minerals, vitamins, and amino acids added
• Real chicken as number 1 ingredient
• Wholesome salmon, lentils, and dried pears
• Berries for antioxidants
• Superfood blend for indoor cats

• Expensive for a small bag
• Terrible smell for a dry food

4. Best Dry Food for Kittens - Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Dry Food for Young Kittens

What if your cat is still just a kitten, especially if they are as young as 4 months old?

Our choice for the best dry cat food for kittens is this specially formulated recipe from Royal Canin. Their reputation for creating precisely formulated recipes for the exact nutritional needs of cats is second to none.

With this kitten formula, they have ensured that the dry kibble is perfectly suited to the needs of your growing kitten from the age of 4 months to 1 year old.

Firstly, the kibble is smaller than standard so that it is easier for little kittens to get into their mouths and secondly, its also slightly softer and more chewable as they will still have teeth emerging.

The formula is designed to give your kitten easily digested proteins to fuel their increased activity. At this stage of their development their growth has slowed but their energy needs have increased.

In addition to those proteins, this recipe has just the right vitamins, and other essential minerals to ensure digestive health as their stomachs mature as well as proper bone development and healthy growth. There is also an exclusive blend of antioxidants to ensure that your kitten will get the right immune system support in this crucial stage of their development.

This Royal Canin kitten food is highly recommended by vets and feline nutritionists and we think this very highly regarded dry kitten food is an easy pick too.

Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Dry Ingredients

Chicken By-Product Meal, Brown Rice, Brewers Rice, Chicken Fat, Corn Gluten Meal, Wheat Gluten, Corn, Natural Flavors, Egg Product, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Powdered Cellulose, Fish Oil, Vegetable Oil, Sodium Silico Aluminate, Grain Distillers Dried Yeast, Sodium Pyrophosphate, Potassium Chloride, Psyllium Seed Husk, Calcium Carbonate, Fructooligosaccharides, Hydrolyzed Yeast (source of Betaglucans), Choline Chloride, Vitamins, Biotin, Taurine, Salt, Trace Minerals, Magnesium Oxide, Carotene, Rosemary Extract, Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid.

Calorie Content: 3,847 kcal/kg - 369 kcal/cup

Moisture Content: 8%

• Specific formula for kittens 4 months to 1 year old
• Easy to chew and digest
• Excellent Immune System support
• High animal protein content for energy

5.Best Dry Cat food for Indoor Cats -Iams Proactive Health Adult Indoor

Our best dry cat food for indoor cats is another pick from Iams, the Proactive Health Adult system comes with hairball control to help your kitty avoid digestion issues.

The number one ingredient once again is chicken, so you know youre getting a great source of protein. Theres also L-Carnitine to help burn fat and improve metabolism functioning too.

Custom made for indoor cats, Iams natural blend of fiber solutions helps to prevent hairballs from forming, and theres 10% less fat than the Iams original mix.

The Omega 6 and 3 contents also helps to promote healthy coats and healthy skin.

Iams Proactive Health Adult Indoor Ingredients

Chicken, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn Grits, Corn Gluten Meal, Ground Whole Grain Corn, Ground Whole Grain Sorghum, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Turkey, Powdered Cellulose, Natural Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Brewers Dried Yeast, Dried Egg Product, Sodium Bisulfate, Caramel Color, Choline Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Fish Oil (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Fructooligosaccharides, Vitamins, Biotin, Taurine, Minerals, Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid (preservatives), L-Carnitine, Rosemary Extract

Calorie Content: 3,364 kcal/kg - 302 kcal/cup

Moisture Content: 10%

• Chicken is a good source of protein
• Fantastic for preventing hairballs
• Supports weight control and metabolism
• Excellent for low-fat diet requirements
• Affordable pricing

• Some chicken byproducts included
• Kibble pieces are quite large

6.Best Dry Cat Food for Weight Loss -Hills Science Diet Perfect Weight Dry Cat Food

If your furry friend starts to look a little chubby in places, your vet might recommend using a low fat cat food, like our best dry cat food for weight loss pick from Hills Science.

With chicken as the number one ingredient, Hills Science Perfect Weight offers an excellent source of protein and assists with weight management.

The mixture supports lean muscle development and gives your kitty excellent metabolism control.

Recommended by vets around the world, Hills Science is made with all-natural, high-quality ingredients, including roasted vegetables and extra taurine.

The product is also excellent if you need help measuring the right amount of food, as it offers useful guidance.

Hills Science Diet Dry (Perfect Weight) Ingredients

Chicken, Brewers Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Wheat Gluten, Powdered Cellulose, Chicken Meal, Dried Tomato Pomace, Dried Beet Pulp, Flaxseed, Chicken Fat, Chicken Liver Flavor, Coconut Oil, Lactic Acid, Calcium Sulfate, Potassium Chloride, L-Lysine, Choline Chloride, Carrots, DL-Methionine, Taurine, Iodized Salt, vitamins , Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Dicalcium Phosphate, minerals, L-Carnitine, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Natural Flavors, Beta-Carotene

Calorie Content: 315 kcal/cup

Moisture Content: 8%

• Great for weight control and metabolism
• Vet recommended formula
• High-quality ingredients (chicken at number 1)
• Natural ingredients throughout
• Range of package sizes available

• Quite expensive
• May change formula from time to time

7.Best Dry Cat Food for Sensitive Stomach - Purina ONE Sensitive Systems Adult Dry Cat Food

Some cats have more sensitive digestion than others, which is why Purina offers sensitive cat food specifically for those with troublesome tummies.

Our best dry cat food for a sensitive stomach option is ideal for cats with food intolerance, digestive problems, and sensitivities to preservatives. The number one ingredient in this food is turkey, with extra rice to support digestion.

The Sensitive dry cat food from Purina comes with added zinc and fatty acids to support a healthy coat and skin. Theres also access to prebiotics to support better cat digestive tract health. Natural fibers ensure your cat will even have an easier time going to the bathroom.

Purina ONE Sensitive Systems Adult Ingredients

Lamb, Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken Meal, Soybean Meal, Soy Protein Isolate, Fish Meal, Beef Fat Preserved With Mixed-tocopherols, Dried Egg Product, Natural Flavor, Oat Meal, Soybean Oil, Wheat Flour, Chicory Root Inulin, Gelatin, Potassium Chloride, Phosphoric Acid, Salt, Minerals, Choline Chloride, L-lysine Monohydrochloride, Vitamins, Taurine, Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Calcium Carbonate. K461719

Calorie Content: 4,349 kcal/kg - 539 kcal/cup

Moisture Content: 12%

• Turkey as number one ingredient
• Excellent for protecting against sensitive stomachs
• Fatty acids for skin and coat
• Wide range of extra nutrients and minerals
• Decent value

• Can be difficult to get hold of
• It may have an off-putting smell for some cats

8.Best Dry Cat food for Senior Cats -Iams Proactive Health Healthy Senior

Iams Proactive health is our best dry cat food for senior cats pick.

It is designed specifically for older cats, who might need some extra protection and support for their digestion.

The product contains chicken as the number one ingredient, so senior cats can develop strong muscles with plenty of protein. Access to a host of essential nutrients like phosphorus and calcium helps to promote strong bones too.

The Iams dry cat food mix helps to support the immune response of older cats, with access to things like vitamin E.

There are also extra nutrients and antioxidants added to this cat food to help give your cat the resiliency it needs as it navigates old age. You can even get a range of bag sizes too.

Iams Proactive Health Healthy Senior Ingredients

Chicken, Chicken By-Product Meal (Source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Corn Grits, Ground Whole Grain Corn, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Natural Flavor, Dried Egg Product, Brewers Dried Yeast, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Potassium Chloride, Fish Oil (Preserved with mixed Tocopherols), Choline Chloride, Fructooligosaccharides, Vitamin E Supplement, Calcium Carbonate, Taurine, Vitamins (Niacin, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin A Acetate, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate (Source of vitamin B1), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Source of vitamin B6), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement (Source of vitamin B2), Inositol, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Zinc Oxide, Manganese sulfate, L-Carnitine, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Rosemary Extract

Calorie Content: 3746 kcal/kg - 399 kcal/cup

Moisture Content: 10%

• Chicken as number one ingredient
• Excellent for protecting the immune system
• Antioxidants, vitamin E, calcium, and phosphorus
• Good value packages
• Range of size options to choose from

• Very large kibble might be problematic for dental issues
• May be harder to digest than some options

9.Best High Fiber Dry Cat Food -Hills Science Diet High Fiber Hairball Cat Food

While fiber might not be the most important ingredient in a cats dry food, its still a key nutrient that you need to make sure your cat is getting.

The right fiber contents will help to prevent hair balls and support your kitty in creating healthy waste. This Hills Science best for high fiber dry cat food pick is one of their hariball control recipes, which is a good thing because it comes with access to extra natural fiber to help keep kitties comfortable and reduce hairballs.

Omega 6 and Vitamin E work together in this food blend to support a healthy coat and skin. Youll also get chicken as the first ingredient for a decent dose of protein.

All-natural ingredients sourced in the USA ensures youre getting amazing quality within each Hills Science pack. Just expect to pay a little extra for your cats meals.

Hills Science Diet High Fiber Ingredients

Chicken, Whole Grain Wheat, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken Fat, Powdered Cellulose, Chicken Meal, Wheat Gluten, Chicken Liver Flavor, Dried Beet Pulp, Calcium Sulfate, Lactic Acid, Soybean Oil, Potassium Chloride, Fish Oil, Choline Chloride, L-Lysine, Iodized Salt, Dicalcium Phosphate, vitamin, Biotin, Taurine, minerals, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Natural Flavors, Green Peas, Apples, Cranberries, Carrots, Broccoli, Beta-Carotene

Calorie Content: 3,673 kcal/kg - 323 kcal/cup

Moisture Content: 8%

• Excellent source of natural fiber
• Optimal levels of magnesium for urinary system
• Healthy skin and coat from Vitamin E and Omega 6
• Excellent high-quality protein
• Natural ingredients

• Expensive
• Variable quality control

10.Best Dry Cat Food for Diarrhea -Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach

Just like humans, cats can end up with stomach problems when they experience stress, have the wrong food, and more.

Fortunately, Blue Buffalo can help with these tummy issues. Made with high-quality chicken as the first ingredient, Buffalo includes everything your cat needs to develop healthy muscles, skin, and fur.

This cat food for treating diarrhea is also infused with prebiotics.

The extra prebiotics, and omega fatty acids support your cats digestive health and encourage positive nutrient absorption.

Theres also the addition of lifesource bits, which are the special food extras from Blue Buffalo with extra mineral and vitamin content.

There are no byproducts, preservatives, or unnecessary chemicals in this food at all.

Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach Ingredients

Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Barley, Pea Protein, Peas, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Egg Product, Natural Flavor, Flaxseed (Source Of Omega 6 Fatty Acids), Pea Fiber, Menhaden Fish Meal, Fish Oil (Source Of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), DL-Methionine, Calcium Sulfate, Fructooligosaccharide, Calcium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Potatoes, Dried Chicory Root, Taurine, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, Salt, Cranberries, Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Vegetable Juice For Color, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Blueberries, Barley Grass, Parsley, Turmeric, Dried Kelp, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Copper Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Copper Amino Acid Chelate, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source Of Vitamin C), L-Lysine, Biotin (Vitamin B7), L-Carnitine, Vitamin A Supplement, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Dried Yeast, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Extract, Dried Trichoderma Longibrachiatum Fermentation Extract, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Extract, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Oil Of Rosemary

Calorie Content: 3,773 kcal/kg - 422 kcal/cup

Moisture Content: 9%

• Excellent grain-free ingredients
• Lifesource bits for antioxidants and nutrients
• Sensitive stomach support with prebiotics
• Extra vitamin and mineral content
• Real meat as the number one ingredient

• Some cats respond poorly to the LifeSource bits
• Expensive pricing

11.Best Dry Cat Food for Urinary Health -Hill's Science Diet Dry Cat Food, Adult, Urinary & Hairball Control

Our best dry cat food for urinary health choice is again from the team at Hills Science.

The urinary and hairball control formula will protect your cat from unwanted hairballs and eliminate urinary problems. It is designed for cats who need to manage potential problems with their urinary tract or even kidney disease.

Since urinary problems are very dangerous in cats, Hills Science has added extra magnesium to their mix to protect your kitty. Theres also extra fiber to remove unwanted hair in the stomach.

The Hills Science dry cat food features chicken as its number one ingredient, as well as pork fat and other sources of protein.

Omega 6 and vitamin E support a healthy coat and skin, and theres all-natural ingredients throughout, so you dont have to worry about any chemicals.

Hills Science Diet Urinary & Hairball Control Ingredients

Chicken, Whole Grain Wheat, Corn Gluten Meal, Pork Fat, Powdered Cellulose, Wheat Gluten, Chicken Liver Flavor, Dried Beet Pulp, Soybean Oil, Lactic Acid, Calcium Sulfate, Fish Oil, Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, L-Lysine, Iodized Salt, Dicalcium Phosphate, Taurine, vitamins, Biotin, Potassium Citrate, minerals, L-Carnitine, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Natural Flavors, Green Peas, Apples, Cranberries, Carrots, Broccoli, Beta-Carotene

Calorie Content: 3681 kcal/kg - 324 kcal/cup

Moisture Content: 8%

• Chicken as number one ingredient.
• Supports healthy coat and skin
• High-quality protein to maintain cat muscle
• USA-made with natural ingredients
• Reduces hairballs in cats

• Can be expensive
• Ingredients regularly updated and changed

12.Best Freeze-Dried Cat Food -Stella & Chewys Freeze-Dried

Stella & Chewys best freeze-dried cat food is designed to capture the natural nutritional value of raw meat in an easy-to-eat freeze-dried food.

If youre trying to turn your cat away from kibble, but are looking for something that isn't a true wet food, then this is the cat food for you excellent for giving your kitty some of the crunch they want, without some of the risks of normal dry food.

Although it is low in moisture because of the air drying procedure, this food is specifically designed to have warm water added (optionally) to make it somewhere between a kibble and wet food - and, of course, that ups the moisture content considerably.

Stella and Chewy contains all high-quality meat products like chicken, chicken liver, chicken gizzard and more so that the main ingredients are meat products.

This all-natural recipe offers the benefits of raw food nutrition with the convenience of freeze-dried preparation. Plus the very high quality ingredients and high percentage of meat makes this one of the most high protein dry cat foods on the market.

Everything is perfectly optimized for cats, with no dangerous chemicals or added extras.

Stella and Chewys food might be a little different for some cats to get used to at first, but, as we said, you can always add water to help your cats out.

Lastly, Stella and Chewy's is made in the USA in their own kitchens.

If you want to try this take on a healthy dry cat food it comes with out highest recommendation.

Stella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried Mosels (Chicken) Ingredients

Chicken (Ground With Bone), Chicken Liver, Chicken Gizzard, Pumpkin Seed, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Phosphate, Choline Chloride, Fenugreek Seed, Dried Pediococcus Acidilactici Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Longum Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Taurine, Tocopherols (Preservative), Dandelion, Dried Kelp, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Riboflavin Supplement, Sodium Selenite, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Manganese Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement

Calorie Content: 4,360 kcal/kg - 182 kcal/cup

Moisture Content: 5%

• Brilliant source of protein
• Great for transitioning away from kibble
• Low carbohydrate content
• Fantastic range of nutrients and minerals
• No unnatural ingredients

• Can be difficult to get used to at first
• Too expensive to be most cat's only food source

13.Best Dry Cat Food for Allergies (Hypoallergenic) -Purina Veterinary Diet DM Dietetic Management

Stella & Chewys best freeze-dried cat food is designed to capture the natural nutritional value of raw meat in an easy-to-eat freeze-dried food.

If youre trying to turn your cat away from kibble, but are looking for something that isn't a true wet food, then this is the cat food for you excellent for giving your kitty some of the crunch they want, without some of the risks of normal dry food.

Although it is low in moisture because of the air drying procedure, this food is specifically designed to have warm water added (optionally) to make it somewhere between a kibble and wet food - and, of course, that ups the moisture content considerably.

Stella and Chewy contains all high-quality meat products like chicken, chicken liver, chicken gizzard and more so that the main ingredients are meat products.

This all-natural recipe offers the benefits of raw food nutrition with the convenience of freeze-dried preparation. Plus the very high quality ingredients and high percentage of meat makes this one of the most high protein dry cat foods on the market.

Everything is perfectly optimized for cats, with no dangerous chemicals or added extras.

Stella and Chewys food might be a little different for some cats to get used to at first, but, as we said, you can always add water to help your cats out.

Lastly, Stella and Chewy's is made in the USA in their own kitchens.

If you want to try this take on a healthy dry cat food it comes with out highest recommendation.

Stella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried Mosels (Chicken) Ingredients

Chicken (Ground With Bone), Chicken Liver, Chicken Gizzard, Pumpkin Seed, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Phosphate, Choline Chloride, Fenugreek Seed, Dried Pediococcus Acidilactici Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Longum Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Taurine, Tocopherols (Preservative), Dandelion, Dried Kelp, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Riboflavin Supplement, Sodium Selenite, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Manganese Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement

Calorie Content: 4,360 kcal/kg - 182 kcal/cup

Moisture Content: 5%

• Excellent range of nutrients and minerals
• Protects against urinary problems
• Supports healthy blood glucose
• Omega fatty acids for healthy skin and fur
• High antioxidant level

• Can be very expensive
• May not be ideal for diabetic cats

14.Best Dry Cat Food for Shedding -Diamond Premium Recipe Maintenance Complete and Balanced

Shedding is a natural part of looking after a cat, but some breeds definitely create more excess fur than others. Fortunately, the Diamond Premium dry cat food can help reduce shedding in cats.

This product comes with chicken as a leading ingredient, and a good balance of both protein and fat.

Antioxidants are included for the cats immune system, as well as omega fatty acids for skin and fur.

Diamonds dry cat food is made responsibly from sustainable ingredients within the US.

The premium food is custom-made for a moderately active cat and can assist in keeping your cat as healthy and beautiful as possible for longer.

Diamond Premium Recipe Maintenance Complete and Balanced Ingredients

Chicken By-Product Meal, Whole Grain Ground Corn, Wheat Flour, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Corn Gluten Meal, Ground White Rice, Dried Beet Pulp, Natural Chicken Flavor, Flaxseed, Fish Meal, Sodium Bisulfate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Dl-Methionine, Taurine, Dried Lactobacillus Plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium 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 B12 Supplement, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid. Contains A Source Of Live (Viable), Naturally Occurring Microorganisms.

Calorie Content: 3,742 kcal/kg - 424 kcal/cup

Moisture Content: 10%

• Reduces shedding and fur loss
• Great protein and fat balance
• Sustainably sourced ingredients in the US
• Antioxidants and omega fatty acids included
• Ideal for healthy skin

• Not ideal for highly active cats
• Quite a significant smell

15.Best Dry Cat Food For Dental Care Care -Hill's Science Plan Adult Oral Care

Designed for oral and teeth protection for cats, Hills Science Plan has designed a fantastic dry cat food for reducing plaque.

This oral car dry cat food can actually help to clean your cat's teeth as they eat and can mechanically remove plaque and tartar with every bite.

This clinically proven cat kibble features chicken as the number one ingredient and comes with daily dental protection to help clean teeth and freshen breath simultaneously.

Theres also plenty of protein for lean muscle management.

With high-quality ingredients like Vitamin E and Omega 6 for fur and skin, the Hills Science dry food is perfect for all kinds of cats.

Theres even a range of packet sizes to choose from.

Hill's Science Plan Adult Oral Care Ingredients

Chicken, Brown Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken Fat, Powdered Cellulose, Wheat Gluten, Chicken Meal, Flaxseed, Chicken Liver Flavor, Lactic Acid, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Sulfate, Choline Chloride, L-Lysine, Iodized Salt, Taurine, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), DL-Methionine, Oat Fiber, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Natural Flavors, Beta-Carotene, Apples, Broccoli, Carrots, Cranberries, Green Peas.

Calorie Content: 331 kcal/cup

Moisture Content: 10%

• Excellent for tooth and mouth care
• Chicken as the number one ingredient
• Good for reducing plaque and bad breath
• Decent source of vitamins and fatty acids
• Great range of packet sizes

• Very changeable ingredient list
• May be quite expensive

Best Dry Cat Food - Verdict

Its worth noting that, while dry cat food has its benefits, its not always a complete source of nutrition for your kitty.

Even the best dry cat food needs to be supplemented with water and the occasional bit of wet food to ensure your furry friend stays in the best shape. Cats who eat only dry food are more likely to be subject to urinary tract problems.

The best way to make the most of your dry food choice is to rotate it into a feeding plan that includes both wet and dry food. Proper hydration will prevent urinary tract disease, support healthy skin, and ensure that your feline can stand up to disease and illness.

It may also be worthinvesting in a cat water fountain to encourage your cat to drink more healthy water. Cats tend to avoid still water naturally, as they often assume the water is stagnant. A water fountain, on the other hand, will appeal to a cats natural instinct to drink from moving water.

With all our research compiled and having used all the data from our community, our number one choice for the best dry cat food all around for kibble lovers is Dr. Elseys Cleanprotein mix, with fantastic carb reduction, and high protein contents.

Youll also find that this food doesnt run out as quickly, due to its high nutrient density.

As an overall best pick it's a simple decision to make, but do look through the other recommended dry cat food for the right one to suit your cat and their specific needs.