Updated: September 21, 2023 by CanCat Eat
As a pet owner, it is our responsibility to give the best food to our cat. Sometimes choosing the best cat food for our cats is a typical decision to make. Because of it being less expensive, simpler to store, and slower to die out in the open when contrasted with wet cat foods. There are advantages and disadvantages for both dry and wet cat food.
Dry cat food requires extra attention to hydration. They are best to use in combination with wet cat food or a good water source.
Indeed, even the most ideal dry foods need extra care for hydration. However, they’re ideal for use in a mix with wet food or some water sources. Many cat owners prefer dry cat food because it is easy to store.
Numerous proprietors have worries over nourishment with regards to picking dry cat food over wet. By choosing the respected brand you are ensuring, that your kitty is getting healthy and nutritionally complete food.
There are many high protein wet cat food brand available in the market. But, when it comes to choosing the best cat food for our feline friend. We always take caution, we want to give our cat best out of it.
Choosing the best dry food for our cat may not be an easy task. Healthy dry cat food is low in carbs and high in protein yet it provides sufficient moisture. It might look hard to choose the best dry food for our cats. But, we made it easy for you. After reading this guide, you will have complete knowledge and idea. You will be able to pick the best dry cat food by yourself.
We have done complete research for you. Here a table of our favorite 10 dry cat food and their protein and nutrition’s count.
Contents
Best Dry Cat Food For Cats
We’ll discuss each single dry cat food in details. Before going into details, we should keep in mind, the main ingredient of cat food is protein. As you go to our best selected dry cat food list, you will notice most have a protein content of 30% or more. It is because cats are carnivorous. Their diet primarily consists of animal-based protein in the wild.
So, we already know protein plays an important role in their body. That is why we have to note the protein content.
Here, we have listed best and healthy dry cat food, each with a high protein substance to advance great wellbeing.
Our Featured Pick Of Best Dry Food For Cats
Our Top Pick Of Dry Cat Food
Best Overall: BLUE Wilderness High Protein Grain Free
“Made with the premium ingredient, They are made with min 40% protein.”
Best for weight management: Hills Science Diet Adult Indoor
“Made with balanced and healthy ingredients for best indoor cats”
Best Grain Free: Taste of the Wild Rocky Mountain Grain-Free
“Grain Free made with no by-product”
Best For Hairball: Purina ONE Urinary Tract Health Formula
“Contain ingredients that help to eliminate hairball”
Best Budget: Rachael Ray Nutrish Dry Food
“Contain real animal protein source, cheaper compared to others”
Best High Protein: Nulo Grain Free Dry Cat & Kitten Food
“High protein cat food best for both adult cats and kittens”
Best Premium Pick: Wellness CORE Grain-Free Original Formula
“Made with protein-rich nutrition and grain-free original formula”
Best For Sensitive Stomach: Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach
“Can help to eliminate sensitive stomach issue”
Best For Indoor Cats: Blue Buffalo Freedom Indoor Adult Grain Free
“100% grain-free indoor recipe features protein rich diet”
BLUE Wilderness High Protein Grain Free
Blue Wilderness Indoor Dry Cat Food is grain free and stuffed loaded with protein. They have created an outstanding and the best dry cat food ever.
Why?
This is 100% grain free recipe and it typically comes in a single meat protein source like chicken. It has natural fiber and probiotic that helps to mention balance weight. It guarantees that their food contains no fake seasoning or hues, no grains, wheat or soy.
This cat food formulated with slightly softer LifeSource. It a high level of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals for healthy immune and joint support. Blue wilderness comes in five sizes and two different protein sources. So, you purchase a smaller bag to see if your cat likes this food or not.
We have seen foods that contain a high grain or carbohydrate content as filler ingredients. Grains don’t provide a good amount of nutrition to our cat.
A premium dry cat food brand offers the important ingredients a cat needs. Blue Buffalo cat food is grain and gluten free. They’re more likely healthy and filled with nutrition. This food comes with quality and natural protein source as the first ingredient.
Best Overall: This cat food has important ingredients required in a cat’s diet. Also, This is a Grain-Free formula, content no soy, no wheat, no gluten. You will find out below why a grain free diet is important.
We can also say the same thing for by-product meats. But, they are not always bad. But, with this high-quality cat food, you don’t have to worry about it. They are concern about by-product meals.
Read the full review of Blue Buffalo Dry Cat Food
They come with different variety and flavor and bag size option. So, you don’t have to worry about storing a bag of cat food in the house.
40% min Crude Protein and 15% min Fat
With Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acid
Life Stage: Adult
Made in USA
Special Diet: Grain-Free, High-Protein, No Corn No Wheat No Soy
Hills Science Diet Adult Indoor Dry Cat Food
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food is made for our indoor cats. But, yet our outdoor cat loves it too. They are balanced nutrition and contain high-quality ingredients. This means you can be sure there are no artificial flavors add in it. It has only the best source of proteins.
Real Chicken piece it is their primary source of protein and fats. And, the addition of fish oil that it has EPA and DHA for anti-inflammatory and nervous system health.
We have noticed improving the softness of our cat’s coat and fur after switching to Hill’s Science Diet. And, she is at a healthy weight.
Best For Indoor Cats: Lean protein help keeps up muscle in indoor cats and keeps them at a perfect weight. It is label for indoor cat. This is specifically designed for kitties that do not venture outside. It gives them a well-balanced diet they need.
This is great cat food. It is much cheaper to purchase. It is totally value for money product if you consider what health benefits it provides compared to the other brands.
31% min Crude Protein and 13% min Fat
Life Stage: Indoor
Made in USA
Special Diet: Indoor
Nulo Grain Free Dry Cat & Kitten Food
Nulo is one of the top pet food brands. Nulo Dry Cat Food contains all natural ingredients. It has grain free formula which is ideal for both cats and kittens. They have balanced nutrition that helps to maintain lean muscles, this is why this grain free dry cat food is perfect for growing kittens to adult cats.
The first four ingredients are deboned chicken, chicken meal, turkey, and deboned cod. It provides plenty of protein cats and kittens need to grow. A balanced amount of Omega-3 and Omega-6 oil contain in this cat food helps to promote healthy skin and coat.
Nulo Grain Free made is high protein cat food, made with 83% animal-based proteins. It is a perfect food for growing kittens to adult cats.
It has a pure probiotic strain that helps gastrointestinal health which makes it an ideal diet for the cat who need low carbohydrate and glycemic food.
40% min Crude Protein and 20% min Fat
With Taurine
Life Stage: Adult, Kitten
Made in USA
Special Diet: Grain-Free, Gluten Free, Low Glycemic, High-Protein
Purina ONE Urinary Tract Health Formula Cat Food
Purina’s ONE Dry Cat Food is basically made for improving urinary tract health. It provides urinary pH level and provides a low magnesium content to help maintain urinary tract health in the adult cat.
It has real chicken as its main ingredient to support healthy muscle and energy. Overall it provides 100% balanced nutrition with vitamin, taurine and omega oils to promote healthy skin and coat.
Purina is a well known brand. You can totally assume all of the content is at its highest quality. They promise 0% filler food. It meaning every ingredient is promising.
Appropriate for grown-up cats, it contains solid omega-6 unsaturated fats that help the sheen of your cat’s jacket and helps in keeping skin sound.
Best for skin and coat: This cat food has omega fatty oils that improve healthy skin and coat. Purina has many health formulas. But if your cat any illness it is advised to speak to your vet first before giving specific food to your kitty
Purina is an outstanding regarded brand, and you can be guaranteed that the majority of the substance are of the most noteworthy quality. Genuine poultry or fish is utilized which gives the best characteristic wellsprings of protein.
They guarantee a “0% filler” food, implying that every single fixing found in this dry food has a reason.
It’s accessible in an assortment of different recipes structured at other wellbeing needs, from hairball aversion to delicate absorption frameworks.
Purina’s unique wellbeing recipes are incredible, however, shouldn’t be utilized as a remedy for any disease similarly a solution food would be utilized. Address your vet first on the off chance that you have any wellbeing concerns.
Read the full review of this food here
31% min Crude Protein and 12.5% min Fat
With Omega-6 fatty acid and Taurine
Life Stage: Adult
Made in USA
Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Dry
Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural is one of the popular dry cat food brands. Well established Nutrish brand is now well-known in pet food. Nutrish Dry cat food is deserving mention in our list.
It is stuffed full of natural prebiotics. This cat food is perfect for those pet owners who are looking for natural and healthy dry cat food for their cats.
It is available in two different flavors. You get to choose from salmon and brown rice or chicken and brown rice. These are all natural ingredients. So, it provides good value for adult cats. As a reputed brand, they promise real meat and no preservatives or arterial flavors.
Popular Cat Food Brand: Popular brand in the pet industry. Marketed as a premium cat food, compared to be cheaper than other cat food brands.
It is really easy to choose this brand as their ingredients are all natural. They come in bags of 3, 6, and 14 pounds. So, you get plenty of buying options.
If you go through review select from the above button. You will be amazed why so many cat owners consider this to be one of the best dry cat foods around. And, what is the reason behind many cat owners and their kittens are happy with their food choice.
Read the complete review of Rachael Ray Nutrish Dry Cat Food
34% min Crude Protein and 14% min Fat
With Omega-6 fatty acid and Taurine
Life Stage: Adult
Made in USA
Purina Cat Chow Grain Free Real Chicken
Purina’s Cat Chow Naturals is one of the best selling dry cat food around. It contains natural fiber, made with real chicken and turkey. This gives your kitty the energy she needs. It is mixed with natural fiber blend helps to control hairball.
This US made dry cat food contain no artificial flavors or preservatives. So, you can feel completely safe while serving your cat. It has a complete and balanced formulation which makes it best for the adult cat and for their health.
Purina Cat Chow comes in different variety of flavors and formulas. Cat Chow also has a healthy formula for Indoor Cats.
It helps to promote a healthy weight for a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, it becomes a healthy weight control food for your cat.
Read the full review of this cat food here
38% min Crude Protein and 9% min Fat
With Taurine
Life Stage: Adult
Made in USA
Special Diet: Indoor
Taste of the Wild Rocky Mountain Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
This is a high protein balanced diet Grain free cat food from Taste of the wild. It contains real animal protein including chicken meal, salmon. They have natural flavoring. It is proving 390 kcal per cup of nutrition.
This cat food is formulated with novel proteins including roasted venison and smoked salmon. It has included with peas and sweet potato which deliver highly digestive energy to your cat. Essential minerals and amino acids are the main ingredients of this cat food, which makes it a complete and balanced food for your cat.
Natural grain free diet: Nutrient-rich and the highly digestible recipe, it made with a proprietary probiotic blend to help support your cat’s digestive health
It has Omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids that also promote healthy skin and coat for your cat. This is made in the USA by a family-owned company proving most scientifically advanced food safety. You can get in many sizes.
42% min Crude Protein and 18% min Fat
With Omega-3, Omega-6 fatty acid and Taurine
Life Stage: Adult
Made in USA
Special Diet: Grain-Free
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Original Formula Dry Cat Food
This is a protein rich nutrition food from wellness. Their grain free formula and its first two ingredients are deboned chicken and deboned turkey makes it the best choice for adult cats. This helps your adult cat to main lean, powerful muscles. It is mixed with antioxidants, omega fatty and probiotics to make sure his immune system health.
This cat food is best for his immune system, skin and coat and gastrointestinal system. It keeps your cat healthy and strong.
Protein Rich Ingredients: Made with high quality protein source, nutrient-dense recipe. It contains no meat by-products or grains or fillers.
You can be totally sure that your cat is getting a premium quality diet that contains no wheat, no fillers or any artificial ingredients. This makes it one of the premium dry cat food.
Wellness core provides a balanced profile high quality natural diet cat food. They are grain free and contain no meat by-products, artificial color, flavoring, preservations. So, you can be completely sure while serving the food to your cat.
45% min Crude Protein and 18% min Fat
With Omega-3, Omega-6 fatty acid and Taurine
Life Stage: Adult
Made in USA
Special Diet: Grain-Free, Gluten Free, No Corn No Wheat No Soy
Fromm FourStar Cat Food Gamebird
Fromm is a grain free dry cat food. It has duck, turkey, quail, and pheasant which is not easy to find in other cat food brands.
Many customers has noticed their cat’s skin and coat become shinier after switching to this product. It has chicory root extract which reduces the risk of worms in cats. Many cat owners got benefit after using this kibble for their cat.
Fromm grain free cat food made with duck, turkey, quail, and pheasant, complete balanced food for cats of all ages
Few noticed less shed than before after using this product. This is much cheaper than other brands, the same time it is high quality and it is grain free.
35% min Crude Protein and 18% min Fat
Life Stage: All Age appropriate
Made in USA
Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain Free Adult Dry Cat Food
This is 100% grain free food for an indoor cat. It has chicken and turkey that helps to build strong muscles. Blue Buffalo made this with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid, and blend of antioxidant, vitamin and minerals to support the immune system and wellbeing.
Best For Indoor Cat: Made with 100% grain free indoor feature protein rich recipe, packed with omegas to promote healthy skin and coat.
It has no grain, corn, gluten, wheat, soy or by-product meals. So, it is best for kittens and cats with sensitivities stomach and allergies.
32% min Crude Protein and 14% min Fat
With Omega-3, Omega-6 fatty acid and Taurine
Life Stage: Adult
Made in USA
Special Diet: Indoor, Grain-Free, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Gluten Free
Best Dry Cat Food For Kittens
Orijen Dry Cat Food, Cat & Kitten, Biologically Appropriate & Grain Free
This is one of premium dry cat food. Premium cat and kitten food made with chicken and turkey. It has the right amount of protein, carbohydrate, and micronutrients to maintain your kitties health and weight.
A Premium cat food best for both cat and kitten. This food made with free-run chicken and turkey, wild-caught fish, and cage-free eggs.
They are made from fresh raw meat and biologically appropriate which make it best dry cat food for our kittens and cats. It mixed with a fresh, raw animal ingredient. Deboned chicken, deboned a turkey, whole eggs are its first few ingredients.
It contain 90% meat, 10% vegetables, fruits; and no grain.
40% min Crude Protein and 20% min Fat
With Omega-3, Omega-6 fatty acid and Taurine
Life Stage: Adult, Kitten
Made in USA
Special Diet: Grain-Free, Gluten Free, No Corn No Wheat No Soy
Vet Recommended Dry Cat Food Brands
These are cat foods requires veterinary authorization. You need to provide the prescription during the checkout process.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet SO Dry Cat Food
If your cat is having a urinary health issue, this cat food will good to go. This dry cat food is formulated for adult cats with urinary health problems. This product requires veterinary authorization. You need to provide your vet information during the checkout process.
32.5% min Crude Protein and 13.5% min Fat
Life Stage: Adult
Made in USA
Special Diet: Prescription Food
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets DM Dry Cat Food
This is another veterinary prescribed cat food. Purina pro plan veterinary diet DM(Dietetic Management) has been formulated with high protein level and low carbohydrate to support the nutritional need of diabetic cats.
This dry cat food is Suited for cats with diabetes, enteritis, persistent hyperglycemia, or chronic loose stools. This is a veterinarian diet cat food which requires a valid prescription to address specific medical issue.
51% min Crude Protein and 15% min Fat
Life Stage: Adult
Made in USA
Special Diet: High-Protein, Prescription Food
What is the best dry cat food for a cat with a sensitive stomach?
A cat with a sensitive stomach can cause headache for us. As we are talking about dry cat food. Let’s discuss the best dry cat food for a sensitive stomach. You can also read our complete guide on Best Cat Food for Sensitive Stomach. There we have written an in-depth guide on it from our research and experience.
Food for cats with sensitive stomach generally contents less nutrition due to cat struggle to digest. We have found Blue Sensitive Stomach Chicken Recipe, Purina ONE Stomach Dry Cat Food, Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach to best dry cat food for sensitive stomachs.
BLUE Sensitive Stomach Chicken Recipe Adult Dry Cat Food
If your cat is having a sensitive stomach, this is one of the options. This food contains grain. If you think grain is the reason for your cat’s digestive problem. Then, you should move to a wet cat food instead.
If your cat has shown sensitivity toward grain contain food. Then, it is not the right choice for you.
With many happy customers, this is one of the best dry cat food for sensitive stomachs. There is no by-product meat. It contains deboned chicken as its first ingredient. You get high quality meat as a protein source. And, there is no corn, wheat or soy include in this product.
Blue Buffalo earned a great reputation among cat owner throughout the years providing quality cat food with a wide range of flavors at a very reasonable price.
Purina ONE Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Cat Food
This is a best dry cat food to prevent vomiting. Purina is a brand that always produces high quality cat food. This dry cat food from Purina for Sensitive stomach and skin. It is proving important minerals and vitamins to boost digestive health.
As it is made by Purina, you are getting high quality food with all the important nutrition and same time at a cheaper price.
It has real turkey as its first ingredients. You can read success stories from many cat owner in preventing vomiting from above.
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach Dry Cat Food
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food is for sensitive stomach. They produce quality cat food and earn an excellent name on the cat food industry. This is why we picked this brand in our list of sensitive dry cat food.
It is packed with antioxidants, vitamins C and vitamins E. This makes it a healthy food for an upset stomach. Antioxidant and vitamin blend work together to help sensitive stomach and for a healthy immune system.
They are made with natural high quality ingredients, no artificial flavor and color or preservatives.
Overall Science diet cat food is an excellent option to go for.
Choosing the Best Dry Food for Cats: A Fast Buyer’s Guide
As a cat owner, you want to choose a product that is high quality and same time cheap on the price. You also have to take care of your kitties taste. There many aspects you have to take care of, for example, you have a growing kitten or a cat in its senior year.
There will be different nutrition intake. Also, if you have a cat that is very active than a cat is not really active. Choosing the right cat food is about understanding the need of your cat. We have done the research and created a guide for you. This will help you to choose the best dry cat food according to your cat’s need.
There are three factors we should keep in mind while buying cat food for our cats.
- High protein
- Low carbohydrates
- High water content
The first ingredients should be animal based protein. They should be a type of meat, should never a by-product. You should stay away from artificial color and flavoring.
What are the other things you should look for?
You should avoid grains. High carbohydrates like rice, soy, wheat can spike your cat’s blood sugar and cause her weight gain.
Cats are a carnivorous animal. They don’t digest carbohydrate well. So, they don’t need it much.
You may find peas, sweet potatoes in your cat food ingredients. These are easy to digest and have more intuitions compared to wheat, soy, and corn also less calories.
If it is possible, always go with US based brands. These companies are better and source high quality ingredients and formulas.
You May Read: Best Soft Cat Food
Choosing the Best Dry Food for Cats: A Detailed Buying Guide
As a cat owner and consumer, it is our job to ensure we are purchasing the good quality dry cat food that fits our budget. There are many premium cat food available out there.
Let’s See What to Look in The Best Dry Cat Food
You will find many brands and different quality cat food in the market. Low quality dry cat food contain fillers, artificial color, flavors, preservatives and many stuff that has importance in your cat’s diet.
These are a form of grains and wheat. These ingredients provide not much value to your cat. It will add too much weight gain for your cat and very less value. If you want to provide kibble based food to your cat, let’s look into the national value,
Protein Source is Important
The specific protein source is important as protein should be the first ingredient in the list. There are many cat food brands offer high protein formulas. You have to make sure, they are fresh and where they are coming from.
Cats are a carnivorous animal. They need a good amount of protein in their diet. So, a good quality protein source should contain in the first five ingredients in their food.
Simple saying meat is not enough. You should look in the back of the product and check the source of the meat such as chicken, turkey, salmon, and lamb. If you notice any by-product meat. You should avoid that cat food. Because by-product meats are generally poorer quality meat compare to the regular meat sources.
They are not all bad. You will find there some respected brands are using by-product meat to bump up the protein content. A given name source gives you a clear idea about the food.
Fat Source is Important
As we mentioned before, a named source of fat or proteins gives you a clear idea. So, you know these are important ingredients. And, they are not coming from an artificial source.
A Good fats source includes omega-3 fatty acids, also known as EPA, DHA, and ALA.
If your cat is old. Then, you should look for cat food for an older cat. This way, the fat level stay as minimum as possible. Because, they are less active, may not able to digest it easily.
Taurine is another important ingredient
If your cat food containing taurine, then it is adding extra benefit to your cat. Taurine in your cat diet will help to avoid heart disease and eyesight degeneration.
You should avoid too much Carbohydrates
There are many dry cat food packed with filler ingredients like wheat, soy, rice. These grains will add too much calories to your cat. And, your cat will gain weight. Grains are not a natural ingredient of a cat’s diet.
Our aim should to for natural dry cat food. Choose the grain free dry cat food with natural ingredients.
This will main the carbohydrate levels in the food. You cat is getting healthy protein food and it is grain free.
How to Read a Cat Food Label
Reading the nutrition label is important, it gives you a clear idea about that cat food. Here, some questions you should ask before buying the cat food.
Why we are getting this food?
This food is for kittens, adult cats, senior cat or this is for cats with certain health problems. You have to make sure, you are getting the right food for your cat. For example, if your cat has sensitive stomach, there are certain dry food formals you should go for. We have already mentioned types of health condition product like sensitive stomach, urinary tract, dental health, and the vet recommended cat food above.
How much serving your cat needs?
You will find it on the label, how much is recommended serving size based on your cat’s age and needs. This will give you an idea of what bag size you should pick for your kitten. Also gives you a clear cut idea which cat food is best for your criteria and budget.
What are the most important ingredients?
First, few cat food ingredients should be animal meat, deboned meat, organs. These ingredients should be listed first. You should avoid that mentioned by-products. These are normally poorer quality.
What are the source of these ingredients?
You should pick brands that provide good sources of ingredients. What does that mean? The ingredients should be from a sustainable source.
Grain like soy, corn, wheat are good?
These ingredients provide too much calories and less nutrition. Your kitten may gain weight and have poor blood sugar control.
There is a section “Guaranteed Analysis”.
This chart gives you a clear idea of what percentage of different ingredients are included in your cat food. It could be protein, fat, fiber and other micro nutrients. It is important to mention most cat and kittens need a minimum 30% crude protein and a low amount of phosphorous. That is why most dry cat food mentioned above have a minimum 30% protein content.
What are the Good Ingredient We need to look for in Nutrition Label?
The good ingredient makes a cat food a premium cat food. If you are going to buy dry cat food. These are the premium ingredients you should look for.
So, next time you are at the pet store or shopping online. Look out for these ingredients is ideal for your cat’s health. These are the good sign tells you if your dry cat food is a premium dry cat food.
So, what to look in cat food:
- Real animal meat, these should be listed clearly in the nutrition label. These include chicken, turkey, beef, egg, venison, lamb, sardines, salmon, duck, and Organ meat (e.g., chicken liver).
- Vegetables and fruits ingredients, Carbohydrate contain in the cat food should be veggies and fruit like sweet potatoes, carrots, etc.
- Good Fats Content, They include omega-3 fatty acid.
- Herbs, this could include basil, dill, thyme, rosemary, etc.
- Natural Preservatives (Vitamin C or Vitamin E) or no preservatives.
- Made in the USA.
What Ingredient you to avoid:
- Corn and wheat gluten
- Grain meals and by-products
- BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)
- BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)
- Ethoxyquin
- Food Dyes (Blue 2, Red 40, Yellow 5 and 6, 4-MIE)
- Rendered fat
How to find a Good Dry Cat food?
A healthy cat food brand will give you peace of mind. You will know that you spend the money on the right product. This will benefit your cat’s health and well-being also will help you to stay away from bad cat food brands.
The important point is: You should look behind the package. And pay attention to the label. It is also important to see how your cat is responding to the food you are giving her.
Here, some important questions to ask yourself to judge a cat food is good.
- How is your cat reacting the whole day after eating the food?
- How is the digestion after eating the food?
- If you noticed any improvement in skin or coat?
- Has you noticed any health improvement after switching to this cat food?
- These question will help you to get the answer.
Is Dry Cat Food Better Than Wet or Canned Cat Food?
These question has always been there. And, there is no right or wrong answer to it. It has always been controversial, peoples have a strong opinion for both the foods.
Both premium wet and dry cat foods are nutritionally very similar. So, what we mean by premium? Premium means it is made by best cat food brands that have earned an excellent reputation throughout the years.
The main difference between dry and wet cat food is dry food does not provide the same amount of moisture content than wet food.
If your cat is only eating dry cat food. Purina suggests she should drink one cup of water per ten pounds of body weight every 24 hours. This is why many cat owners suggest combining both wet and dry cat.
Otherwise, you can make use of a drinking fountain for your cat to make sure she is staying hydrated.
In the end, it comes the preference, if your cat doesn’t like the food there is no point of giving it to them. Best premium wet and dry food are very similar. You can definitely combine the two to get the best out of it. We are suggestive to give your cat what excites her most and also filled with nutrition and protein.
If you have a cute puppy or dog in your house. You should check out DogFoodItems. They have written an detailed guide on “Dog Food Without Legumes“.
Dry Cat Food FAQ
Does dry cat food go bad?
Yes, dry cat food obviously goes bad and it can cause damage to your cat. That is why you should never be left open. So, what happens if you leave dry cat food open? It losses the moisture it has and it became harder to crunch for a younger and senior cat.
It absorbs smells from the air, so it wouldn’t taste good anymore after that. This way it loses the freshness and flavor. You should check the purchase date and keep it tightly sealed for longer freshness and flavor.
Your bag should have a date when it was milled. Generally, you shouldn’t use a bag 6 month past its milling date. It is time you can use it if the bag is placed in a freezer before use.
Some food has an expiration date on them. But, that date is only good if the bag remains unopened and stored in low heat and humidity. Once the seal of the bag is open. You should use it up within 3 weeks maximum.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of wet and dry cat food for cats?
This is always been a big debate. Peoples have different views. Over the debate. It is important what your cat loves to eat and what she really needs.
Some people may say, Wet cat food is the perfect diet for your cat. As its 80% water content which helps keep the kidney and bladder flushed and helps to maintain urine pH in the normal range.
Or some other peoples may say, Cat shouldn’t eat wet cat food unless they are sick. You can add water to the food. It because wet cat food has far too much fat in it to be healthy for cats.
Naturally, Cat eats prey. Prey is almost always very low in fat. If your cat eats too much fat, it can cause vomiting.
We should leave that in the debate, Wet cat food is not going to make any difference if your cat won’t eat it. A premium dry cat food can be as good as wet cat food. For more tips about premium food checkout thecatside.
A Good Water Source is important for your cat if she is on Dry Cat Food
As long as you provide fresh water source to your cat all the time. She is good to go with dry cat food.
An Automatic Cat Water Fountain would be a good option in this case. You cat will enjoy and it will encourage her to drink water from it.
Is Dry Cat Food Good For Dental Health?
So, what are the best cat food for dental problems? Cat’s dental health is important. Your vet might recommend you dry cat food for dental health.
Royal Canin Oral Care Adult Dry Cat Food is best for older cat’s dental health. Some cat may not like it or eat it. You can mix it with other cat food as they are getting oral care in their food.
What makes cat treats different than dry cat food?
Treats are mainly and lower nutritional value. Dry food that is AAFCO certified is a balance of the right amount of protein, fat, carbohydrate, and calories. Dry cat treat may look the same. It is just lower in nutritional value.
How much dry food should I feed my cat?
The amount of food you give to your pet is depending on age, healthy, status, activity level, etc. and other factors. You should adjust the amount if you are feeding kibble to your cat. Your veterinary may also be recommended how much is right for your cat. You should check the label on back the package, it clearly recommended how much you should serve your cat according to her body weight.
How Long Does Dry Cat Food Stay Fresh?
Cat kibble can stay fresh up to six months with preservatives and antioxidant. But, for that, you need to store the kibble in the original bag. And, make sure it is tightly sealed.
A good point to note down, if you are buying a bigger bag which is cost effective, you know should it will be in the high quality only for the next six weeks. It will start losing its nutritional value, scent, and flavor.
The result will be fewer nutrition and less value for your cat. What else you need to take care of? You need to store the cat food in the original bag, the original pack is important because it keeps the food away from oxygen and humidity. Keep it in the freezer and re-seat it as soon as possible. Make sure to fold the top very tightly. Once the seal is open, it is best to use it up within 3 weeks minimum.
What is a good dry cat food that doesn’t contain corn?
There are many corn free dry cat food out there. We have already mentioned some brand above. These are grain free dry cat food,
Here the list of corn free dry cat food,
- BLUE Wilderness High Protein Grain Free
- Nulo Grain Free Dry Cat & Kitten Food
- Wellness CORE Grain-Free Original Formula Dry Cat Food
- Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain Free Adult Dry Cat Food
- Fromm FourStar Cat Food Gamebird
Can you add water to Dry Cat Food?
Yes, absolutely you can add water into dry cat food. If your cat is throwing up after water dry kibble. You might try adding water into it. Dry kibble absorbs fluids in the stomach and expand, this cause tummy problem and sometimes cat get constipated. This includes vomiting from being tummy over full.
If you add water before feeding it to your cat. The kibble will expand before your cat eats it. So, it is not going to expand in their tummy. This work really great way.
For, an example you can try giving them two option to let them make the choice, one bowl mixed with water and another one without the water.
Spraying water on your cat food also good for kittens and elderly cat with dental issues. Especially, if your cat doesn’t drink much water. Make sure that you don’t let it sit out. Give her as much as she can eat in one sitting.
Is grain free cat food better than with grain?
In short answer, yes, grain free is better. But, sometimes grain free cat may not be always the best choice. Most cats may not need a grain free diet. It is important to know even grain free diet is a low carb diet. Some grain free cat food contains low carbohydrate or sometimes higher than the cat food containing grains.
What Is The Best Dry Cat Food For Indoor Cats?
We have mentioned some healthy, high protein indoor dry cat food above. Cats who stay inside the house are less active. Too much high calorie food is not suitable for them. It is best to feed them a food that is high protein and contains balanced calorie content. Indoor cats need a special diet to maintain a healthy weight and to avoid unhealthy weight gain.
It is also good to spend some time with your indoor cat or invest in a cat toy. Playtime will increase the physical activity level and make her lose some calorie. It will also help to eliminate stress from your indoor cat. Healthy cat food and activity level to your cat happy and for her healthy lifestyle.
Kristen is a cat parent. Love to keep my cats happy always and playful. Also, It became my passion to help another cat owner with caring tips for their cats and kittens. Stay tuned with my personal blog to know more caring tips, review of cat food and feeding guides. I’d love to know about your cat. If you something to share with about your cat. I will be happy to read.
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