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At our house, feeding the cat is a daily bonding exercise. Our big Siberian mix, Max, sits by his bowl and purrs loudly when he sees the can of wet cat food. He also likes snacking on a low-calorie dry cat food that’s always available to him. He’s happy—but it made us wonder, what makes for the best dry cat food?
We went on a search to learn more about cat nutrition and this style of feline food.
What Should We Feed Our Cats?
With all the dry, canned, fresh, and raw foods on the market, it can be difficult to decide what to feed your cat.
The first thing to know is that cats are obligate carnivores; they need an ample supply of meat. As meat-eating hunters, cats evolved with diets containing high levels of animal protein, moderate amounts of fat, and only minimal carbohydrates from vegetables and grains.
Can Dry Food Fit in Your Mix?
Many adult cats can thrive on a full or partial diet of convenient and affordable dry foods—here’s a look at the pros and cons.
Pros:
- Convenience. Leave food out in the morning and go about your workday. While some cats are gobblers, most are content to simply graze throughout the day. You won’t come home late in the evening to an anxious, hungry cat.
- Freshness. Dry food can be left out if your cat is at home alone for the weekend. A feeding device can ensure they access the right amount of food each day.
- Reassurance. If your cat is a rescue or suffers from food insecurity, just knowing that a bowl with dry food is available can reduce anxiety about eating.
- Cleaning. Dry food is less messy and less smelly.
Cons:
- Low moisture. Many cats get water from their food, but dry food can’t satisfy this need. Make sure your cat has access to fresh water and is actually drinking it. You can also include some wet food as part of their diet.
- Taste. Many cats tend to prefer wet food, so dry foods are often coated in fat to make them more appealing to your kitty’s taste buds. While some cats will happily chow down on dry foods, others vastly prefer wet food and will let you know about it. If your cat is finicky, not eating well, or takes medication that must be mixed into food, you may need to include wet food in their daily meal plan.
- Bulky bags. Dry cat foods are heavy, and many come only in large bags. They can be a pain to lug into your house. And if you try a new food and your kitty turns up his nose—well, there you are with 15 pounds of unwanted kibble.
Unsplash/Reno Laithienne
It’s likely just fine to feed your cat an all-dry food diet—but be sure to check with your vet who knows your cat and their specific health issues. (Note: Very small kittens aren’t fully able to chew kibble and get enough nutrition from it and will need at least some wet food.)
If you do feed your cat dry food, make sure that it stays fresh and that your cat has access to water at all times. It’s not a bargain to buy a huge bag of dry food if you have only one cat—dry food should be consumed within two months of opening the package. Store dry food in a cool, dry location, away from sunlight to prevent spoiling, and keep the original bag (which is designed to keep food fresh) or container tightly closed.
The Best Dry Cat Foods
The dried cat foods that made our list are approved by the Feline Nutrition Expert Subcommittee of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) as meeting the basic minimum nutritional requirements for cats. They contain these feline diet essentials:
- High in protein
- Moderate amounts of animal fats
- Essential vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and amino acids
Be sure to select a food that is appropriate for your cat’s age, weight, and health status. We’ve included some dry foods for kittens (small bites and kitten-safe) as well as weight management formulas and foods for senior cats (generally lower in calories).
Here are our top picks for cats of all ages. (We’ve noted which foods have small packages available in case you have a finicky feline diner.)
The Best Dry Cat Foods for Kittens
Purina One Healthy Kitten Formula
This highly rated kitten kibble leads with chicken, an excellent protein for cats. It includes an antioxidant-rich mix of vitamins A and E, along with DHA, a nutrient found in their mother’s milk. This option is available in 3-, 5-, and 16-pound bags.
Shop on Chewy Shop on AmazonIams ProActive Health Kitten Food
This blend is designed for kittens up to 1 year old and includes the rich protein diet they need—along with vitamins and minerals, fish oil for brain and vision development, and taurine to help promote good vision and a healthy heart. It’s available in 3.5-, 7- and 16-pound bags.
Shop on Chewy Shop on AmazonRoyal Canin Feline Health Kitten Food
This food is formulated for kittens between 4 months and 1 year who are ready to enjoy dry food. The small kibble is designed specifically for sharp little teeth! Chicken and rice are the lead ingredients in a recipe that includes highly digestible proteins, vitamins, and essential minerals. It comes in 3.5-, 7-, and 15-pound bags.
Shop on Chewy Shop on AmazonThe Best Dry Cat Foods for Adult Cats
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
This popular adult cat food is a great source of chicken—a lean protein that cats need for nutrition and energy. The grain-free formula contains the antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals essential to feline good health. Try it out with a 2.5-pound bag or buy it in 6-, 9.5-, or 12-pound packages.
Shop on Chewy Shop on AmazonNatural Balance Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
Reviews report that cats find this food particularly tasty; it’s part of a limited ingredient line that allow you to pick the specific type of protein for your kitty. This formula has green peas and duck as the primary ingredients, along with vitamins and minerals required for an adult cat. It’s available in 5- and 10-pound bags.
Shop on Chewy Shop on AmazonRachael Ray Nutrish Chicken with Lentils Dry Indoor Cat Food
This affordable dry food is designed for indoor cats and is excellent for the less-active adult kitty. Chicken, lentils, and salmon head up the recipe, along with pumpkin, dandelion greens, berries, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Find it in a 3-pound bag or in 6- and 14-pound sizes.
Shop on Chewy Shop on AmazonHill’s Science Diet Adult Dry Cat Food
Hill’s Science Diet foods are targeted for cats in particular age ranges or with particular dietary needs. This formula, made in the U.S., is designed for active cats 1 to 6 years of age. Chicken is the first ingredient, followed by wheat, corn, and rice. It comes in 4-, 7-, and 16-pound bags.
Shop on Chewy Shop on AmazonThe Best Dry Cat Foods for Senior Cats
This Blue recipe has chicken as the first ingredient, followed by wholesome grains, veggies, and fruit. It also includes Blue’s own LifeSource Bits—a combination of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins chosen by animal nutritionists to support your cat’s overall health and wellness. It’s available in 3-, 5-, and 7-pound bags.
Shop on Chewy Shop on AmazonIams ProActive Health Senior Dry Cat Food
Designed for a healthy senior cat, this formula has a crunchy kibble that helps prevent plaque buildup. The chicken and corn-based recipe includes L-carnitine to promote healthy weight, as well as a fiber blend that includes prebiotics and beet pulp for healthy digestion. It comes in 3.5-, 7-, and 16-pound bags.
Shop on Chewy Shop on AmazonTips for Testing a New Cat Food
As you transition in new foods, it’s important to be patient with your cat. Experts recommend starting a new cat food slowly. First mix in a small quantity of the new food with the old, and up the proportion of new food every day or two. While your cat is adjusting, monitor their enthusiasm for the new food and how their stomach is handling it—keep an eye out for vomiting or diarrhea.
If your cat repeatedly turns their nose up at the new food, accept that you may have to back down—or try another food entirely. When a cat refuse to eat altogether, it puts them at risk for hepatic lipidosis, a serious health condition. Remember, slow is fast when trying out new things with your cat.
