When searching for the best dry cat food, you'll come across plenty of high-quality recipes from trusted brands. Before choosing one, though, it helps to remember your cat's wild roots. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they depend on animal-based proteins for essential amino acids, like taurine. A nutritionally complete and balanced dry food is a convenient, budget-friendly way to meet these needs.
For this guide, we evaluated dozens of recipes to find dry cat foods that meet several veterinarian-recommended nutrition standards. One of our top recommendations is Farmina N&D Prime Lamb and Blueberry Recipe, a dry food for adult cats that includes omega-3 fatty acids to help reduce inflammation and support skin, coat, and brain health. If you're shopping on a tight budget, consider Nutro Wholesome Essentials Adult Salmon and Brown Rice, which includes highly nutritious salmon meal and a variety of beneficial fibers.
How we recommend dry cat food
To make our recommendations, we asked several veterinarians, including board-certified veterinary nutritionists, for insights into the nutritional needs of cats and what's important to consider when choosing a dry food. In addition to our veterinary experts' guidance, we verified that the recipes we recommend meet the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards for complete and balanced cat food. The brands we've highlighted also follow the Global Nutrition Guidelines from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA). Read more about how Business Insider Reviews tests and researches pet products.
Highlights for the best dry cat food
Best overall: Farmina N&D Prime Lamb and Blueberry, 11 lb. bag - $80 at Chewy
Best budget: Nutro Wholesome Essentials Adult Salmon and Brown Rice, 14 lb. bag - $45 at Chewy
Best for indoor cats: Royal Canin Indoor Adult, 15 lb. bag - $68 at Chewy
Best for sensitive stomachs: Purina One +Plus Sensitive Skin and Stomach, 16 lb. bag - $35 at Chewy
Best for senior cats: Hill's Science Diet Adult 11+ Chicken, 15.5 lb. bag - $35 at Chewy
Best for hairball control: Royal Canin Hairball Care, 14 lb. bag - $80 at Chewy
Best for kittens: Hill's Science Diet Kitten Chicken, 15.5 lb. bag - $64 at Chewy
Best overall
The term "obligate carnivore" is often mistaken to mean that cats can only eat meat, but that's not the case, says Dr. Jamie Richardson, chief medical officer at Small Door Veterinary. While cats do require animal-based proteins, they can also benefit from nutrients found in fruits, vegetables, and even grains. Below, we recommend three grain-inclusive recipes that combine quality animal proteins with nutrient-rich extras.
These recipes feature proteins like chicken, turkey, lamb, and fish, combined with antioxidant-rich fruits. Recipes with fish-based proteins offer a healthy serving of omega-3 fatty acids, while poultry-based recipes tend to be more affordable than fish or red meat. Farmina N&D Prime Lamb and Blueberry Recipe is also lower in calories, making it a good option for cats that demand larger portions.
These three brands stand out for their commitment to quality and research. Acana's parent company, Mars, and Merrick's parent company, Purina, are long-trusted names in pet nutrition, with decades of scientific research behind their recipes. Farmina, a family-owned company founded in Italy in 1965, operates on a smaller scale, but it partners with institutions worldwide to develop its recipes for pets.
This crunchy cat food contains 36% protein in a lower-calorie, nutritious formula that supports digestive health.
The protein sources in this adult cat kibble include salmon, salmon meal, catfish meal, and whole herring, all of which contain omega-3 fatty acids. It also contains oat groats, salmon oil, cranberries, and probiotics. The food consists of 33% protein, 16% fat, 4% fiber, and 433 kcal per cup.
Animal protein sources in this dry food for adult cats include chicken, poultry byproduct meal, and dried egg product. The recipe also contains fiber from rice and dried chicory root. This food has undergone feeding trials to confirm its nutritional adequacy and consists of 36% protein, 16% fat, 2% fiber, and 494 kcal/cup.
Best budget
The price of a pet food doesn't necessarily reflect its nutritional value or quality, says Dr. Korinn Saker, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist and retired associate professor of clinical nutrition at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Our budget-friendly picks start at around $1.80 per pound, while premium brands average closer to $5 per pound.
If you're scanning ingredient lists, don't be put off by terms like meat meal or byproducts. Often, meat meals and byproducts are used in budget foods. These ingredients are concentrated forms of animal protein made from meat, organs, and bone. They're more nutrient-dense than deboned meats and help keep costs down without compromising nutrition.
Liver, which is commonly included in meat meals and byproducts, is one of the tastiest parts of an animal to cats, says Dr. Nancy Welborn, a veterinarian and associate professor of community practice at LSU School of Veterinary Medicine. Beyond enticing your cat to lick their bowl clean, organ meats are rich in essential vitamins and minerals that promote a healthy immune system, skin, and coat.
Our recommendations for the best affordable cat food include other nutrients to round out a balanced diet. Oatmeal serves as a source of energy, while fiber from dried beet pulp and chicory root supports digestion. Fiber can also help your cat feel fuller for longer, which can help curb begging or snacking between meals.
Nutro Wholesome Essentials Adult Salmon and Brown Rice keeps your adult cat on the prowl with 33% protein from salmon, a good source of omega fatty acids.
The main protein sources in this food for adult cats are salmon, chicken meal, chicken fat, and fish meal. It includes omega-3 fatty acids from fish meal, fiber from brown rice, oatmeal, powdered cellulose, and dried chicory root, and antioxidants from cranberries and blueberries. The nutrition breakdown is 32% protein, 15% fat, 6% fiber, and 415 kcal/cup.
Protein from chicken, chicken meal, and salmon are included in this adult cat recipe. The food contains brewers rice, pumpkin, and dried plain beet pulp for fiber and cranberries as a source of antioxidants. Its nutritional profile is 34% protein, 12% fat, 8% fiber, and 375 kcal/cup.
Best for indoor cats
Even with trees, perches, and exercise wheels, indoor cats are typically less active and may have slower metabolisms than their outdoor counterparts. This makes indoor cats prone to weight gain. In fact, research indicates up to 63% of cats may be overweight or obese. One way to help keep your cat satisfied without overfeeding them is by choosing recipes with more fiber and fewer fats and carbohydrates, says Dr. Mark Freeman, a veterinarian and clinical associate professor of community practice at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine.
While fiber doesn't provide a lot of calories, Freeman says it takes more energy to digest than fat or protein. A high-fiber diet can help your cat burn more calories during digestion, feel fuller longer, and often enjoy larger portions without eating too many calories. Many commercial cat foods contain 1% to 4% fiber, but the high-fiber recipes below provide up to 7% from sources such as beet pulp, inulin, and psyllium husk. Fiber also supports healthy digestion and may reduce hairballs by moving fur through the digestive tract. Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil complement this by improving skin and coat health, which can reduce shedding and, in turn, hairballs.
If you're concerned your cat may be overweight, the Body Condition Score (BCS) is a hands-on assessment of their ribs, belly, and hips that vets use. Your veterinarian can walk you through scoring and determine your cat's daily calorie needs, or you can use the Pet Nutrition Alliance Cat Calorie Calculator as a starting point. Our recommendations for the best cat food for indoor cats are low-calorie to make portioning easier, and they contain L-carnitine, an amino acid that helps the body burn fat for energy and may support weight loss.
The fiber in this indoor cat food does double-duty, supporting weight management while also helping hairballs move right along.
This weight management dry food for adult cats includes protein from chicken, chicken byproduct meal, chicken meal, and dried egg product. Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil support brain and skin health and fiber from dried plain beet pulp and powdered cellulose help with digestion. L-carnitine helps burn fat for energy. It contains 35% protein, 13% fat, 8.5% fiber, and 319 kcal/cup.
Chicken and chicken meal make up the main protein sources in this dry food for adult cats. The recipe also provides beneficial fiber from powdered cellulose and dried beet pulp, cognitive and skin support from fish oil, and L-carnitine to promote fat burning. It contains 36.1% protein, 14.8% fat, 8.5% fiber, and 327 kcal/cup.
Best for sensitive stomachs
If your cat has diarrhea, vomiting, or gas, the best sensitive stomach cat food can help relieve their symptoms and support gut recovery. These special formulas typically contain limited or highly digestible ingredients, omega fatty acids, and digestive supplements such as prebiotics and probiotics.
Keeping a healthy balance of gut bacteria, where the good bacteria outnumber the bad, is important for digestion and overall health. When that balance is disrupted, prebiotic fibers such as chicory root and beet pulp can help. Found in all three of our picks, they nourish good bacteria, helping to restore balance naturally. All three of our picks also feature poultry as the main protein source, which Richardson says is leaner and, therefore, more easily digested than red meats. They also contain omega-3 fatty acids from salmon and fish oil, which can reduce inflammation of the gut.
Digestive issues aren't always food-related, though the right food can help a gut recover from stressors, such as parasites, says Dr. Grant Little, a veterinarian and veterinary expert for JustAnswer. The foods we highlight are formulated to support digestion but are not intended to treat food allergies, which involve the immune system and may cause additional symptoms such as itchy skin or ear infections, Saker says. If your vet suspects an allergy, they may recommend a prescription diet.
This sensitive stomach formula features easy-to-digest proteins and prebiotics to support your cat’s natural digestive balance, and it has been tested in real cats through feeding trials to confirm its nutritional benefits.
This dry food for adult cats with sensitive stomachs contains protein sources from salmon, chicken, and chicken meal. It includes dried beet pulp, a fiber that boosts digestive health. The food has undergone feeding trials to confirm nutritional adequacy and contains 35% protein, 21.9% fat, 1.1% fiber, and 507 kcal/cup.
This kibble for adult cats with sensitive stomachs contains deboned turkey and turkey meal. It also includes potatoes and dried chicory root for fiber and fish oil, which can help reduce gastrointestinal inflammation. It contains 30% protein, 14% fat, 6% fiber, and 403 kcal/cup.
Best for senior cats
As cats start to show signs of aging around 7 years old and enter their senior years at about 12, their activity level and metabolism begin to slow down. That's when you might want to consider switching to one of our top picks for the best senior cat foods, which are lower in calories and fat. This diet change can be beneficial for your cat's health since high-fat diets can lead to weight gain and obesity-related issues in less active senior cats, Saker says.
When selecting one of the best dry cat foods for a senior, it's important to know that the AAFCO doesn't publish specific nutritional guidelines for senior cat foods, says Dr. Jennifer Larsen, a veterinarian and clinical nutrition professor in the department of veterinary medicine at UC Davis. Senior cat foods should have an AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement for maintenance and will meet the minimum nutrient, vitamin, and mineral requirements for both adult and senior cats. However, the amounts of fat, protein, fiber, and calories in foods for older cats vary by brand. That's why it's wise to check the calorie content of each formula and consult your vet for advice on your cat's daily calorie needs.
Dr. Debra Zoran, a board-certified small animal internist and professor of small animal clinical sciences at the Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, says she likes to rotate Nutro into her cats' food lineup. Its senior food has fewer calories than most adult foods while still providing plenty of protein. The recipes we recommend also contain antioxidants, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and beta-carotene. These ingredients may help reduce inflammation, boost your cat's cognitive function, and strengthen their immune system.
High in beneficial fiber and enriched with healthy extras to support joint and cognitive health, this feeding-trial tested senior cat food helps keep your cat satisfied and healthy without excess calories.
This kibble for seniors contains chicken, chicken byproduct meal, and dried egg product as animal protein sources. It also contains fiber from dried plain beet pulp and whole grain corn, and fish oil for skin and brain health. Its nutrition profile is 34% protein, 17% fat, 3% fiber, and 399 kcal/cup.
Chicken and chicken meal make up the main protein sources in this senior cat food. The recipe also provides cognitive support from fish oil, beneficial fiber from dried plain beet pulp, and antioxidants from vitamin E. It contains 36% protein, 17% fat, 5% fiber, and 445 kcal/cup.
Best for hairball control
Hairballs form when cats groom themselves or each other, which are natural and healthy behaviors. Small amounts of hair can pass through their digestive system and be eliminated as waste. However, if cats ingest too much hair, the excess may end up as a hairball on your carpet — or, worse, become stuck in their digestive tract, potentially causing an obstruction.
While our selection of the best indoor cat foods can support hairball management because they are higher in fiber than many standard adult recipes, foods specifically formulated for hairball reduction contain even more insoluble fiber. "The goal is to use fiber to help push the hair along the gastrointestinal tract so it's passed as waste instead of forming a ball in the stomach," Larsen says. Key ingredients found in our picks below that promote this movement include psyllium seed husk and cellulose.
Richardson says the omega-3 fatty acids in the following foods are also beneficial. They can support healthier skin and coat, which may reduce shedding, grooming, and, ultimately, hairball formation. Keep in mind, however, that while the best cat food for hairballs and hairball remedies can help reduce hairballs, they shouldn't replace regular brushing.
This dry food can help reduce hairballs thanks to extra fiber and fish oil, while also supporting the health and appearance of your cat’s skin and coat.
This kibble for adult cats helps prevent and eliminate hairballs with added fiber from ground whole grain corn, dried plain beet pulp, and powdered cellulose. Its main protein sources are chicken, chicken byproduct meal, and turkey, and fish oil is a source of omega-3 fatty acids. It contains 30% protein, 11% fat, 8.3% fiber, and 302 kcal/cup.
This hairball control adult cat food contains animal proteins from chicken and chicken meal. Powdered cellulose and dried beet pulp are added for fiber, and fish oil is a source of omega-3 fatty acids. Its nutritional breakdown is 29.5% protein, 15.5% fat, 6.5% fiber, and 323 kcal/cup.
Best for kittens
If your cat is less than a year old, feed them one of the best kitten foods or a food labeled "for all life stages." All life stages foods are formulated to meet the minimum nutritional requirements for growth, including protein, calcium, phosphorus, and fat. Saker says these foods exceed the minimum requirements for an adult cat's nutritional needs.
However, foods specially formulated for growing kittens may be a better choice. Not only is the smaller kibble better suited to tiny mouths, but kitten food has higher minimum percentages of essential nutrients. It also contains docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid that supports brain development in kittens. Fish, fish oil, and fish meal are excellent sources of DHA.
You can help your kitten become more open to different foods by rotating brands, flavors, and textures. Zoran says this approach encourages food flexibility throughout their life. However, this doesn't mean your kitten should eat a completely new food every day. Instead, rotate foods every couple of weeks. You can gradually transition to a new food by adding a little more of it each day. If your kitten doesn't seem to like the new food or shows signs of stomach upset, you can slow the transition or return to feeding the previous food.
This feeding-trial-tested dry kitten food provides complete nutrition for your growing kitten, along with healthy extras to support your little one’s digestion, skin, and coat health, all in kitten-sized bites.
Protein from chicken, chicken byproduct meal, and dried egg product are included in this kitten recipe. The food contains fish oil as a source of DHA and dried plain beet pulp for beneficial fiber. Its nutritional profile is 33% protein, 21% fat, 3% fiber, and 484 kcal/cup.
Start your kitten off right with this budget-friendly recipe that contains a blend of chicken and chicken byproduct meal for cost-effective protein and DHA from fish oil to support healthy brain and eye development.
Our top picks compared
| Product name | Best for | Average price/pound | Top protein sources | Calories/cup | Protein | Fat | Fiber |
| Farmina N&D Prime Lamb and Blueberry Recipe | Adult cats | $7.30 | Lamb, dehydrated lamb, dried whole eggs, herring | 388 kcal | 36% | 20% | 1.9% |
| Acana Bountiful Catch With Salmon and Whole Herring | Adult cats | $4.30 | Salmon, salmon meal, catfish meal, whole herring | 433 kcal | 33% | 16% | 4% |
| Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Chicken and Rice Formula | Adult cats | $3.35 | Chicken, poultry byproduct meal, dried egg product | 494 kcal | 36% | 16% | 2% |
| Nutro Wholesome Essentials Adult Salmon and Brown Rice Recipe | Adult cats | $3.20 | Salmon, chicken meal | 413 kcal | 33% | 17% | 4% |
| Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Adult Indoor Cat Salmon and Brown Rice Recipe | Adult cats | $3.15 | Salmon, chicken meal, chicken fat, fish meal | 415 kcal | 32% | 15% | 6% |
| Rachael Ray Nutrish Indoor Complete Chicken, Lentils, and Salmon Recipe | Adult cats | $1.80 | Chicken, chicken meal, salmon | 375 kcal | 34% | 12% | 8% |
| Royal Canin Indoor Adult | Indoor adult cats | $4.55 | Chicken meal | 325 kcal | 27% | 11% | 5.7% |
| Iams Proactive Health Healthy Weight Chicken Recipe | Indoor adult cats | $1.75 | Chicken, chicken byproduct meal, chicken meal, dried egg product | 319 kcal | 35% | 13% | 8.5% |
| Hill's Science Diet Indoor Adult 1-6 Chicken Recipe | Indoor adult cats | $4.13 | Chicken, chicken meal | 327 kcal | 36.1% | 14.8% | 8.5% |
| Purina One +Plus Sensitive Skin and Stomach | Adult cats with stomach sensitivity | $2.16 | Turkey, chicken byproduct meal, dried egg product | 429 kcal | 34% | 14% | 4% |
| Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach and Skin Adult Salmon and Yellow Peas Recipe | Adult cats with stomach sensitivity | $5.25 | Salmon, chicken, chicken meal | 507 kcal | 35% | 21.9% | 1.1% |
| Blue Buffalo Basics Skin and Stomach Care Indoor Adult Cat Turkey and Potato | Adult cats with stomach sensitivity | $4.40 | Deboned turkey, turkey meal | 403 kcal | 30% | 14% | 6% |
| Hill's Science Diet Adult Indoor 11+ Chicken Recipe | Senior cats | $5 | Chicken, chicken meal | 396 kcal | 34.3% | 20.4% | 8.6% |
| Iams Proactive Health Healthy Senior Chicken Recipe | Senior cats | $2.15 | Chicken, chicken byproduct meal, dried egg product | 399 kcal | 34% | 17% | 3% |
| Nutro Wholesome Essentials Senior Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe | Senior cats | $3.20 | Chicken, chicken meal | 445 kcal | 36% | 17% | 5% |
| Royal Canin Hairball Care | Hairball control for adult cats | $5.70 | Chicken byproduct meal | 342 kcal | 32% | 13% | 8.5% |
| Iams Proactive Health Indoor Weight and Hairball Care with Chicken and Turkey | Hairball control for adult cats | $2.15 | Chicken, chicken byproduct meal, turkey | 302 kcal | 30% | 11% | 8.3% |
| Hill's Science Diet Adult Hairball Control Chicken Recipe | Hairball control for adult cats | $5.60 | Chicken, chicken meal | 323 kcal | 29.5% | 15.5% | 6.5% |
| Hill's Science Diet Kitten Chicken Recipe | Kittens | $4.15 | Chicken, chicken meal, egg product | 555 kcal | 38% | 22.9% | 1.8% |
| Iams Proactive Health Healthy Kitten Chicken Recipe | Kittens | $2.15 | Chicken, chicken byproduct meal, dried egg product | 484 kcal | 33% | 21% | 3% |
| Purina Kitten Chow Naturals | Kittens | $1.60 | Chicken, chicken byproduct meal | 406 kcal | 40% | 15% | 2.5% |
What to look for in a dry cat food
Whether you're feeding a kitten, adult, or senior cat, the following factors can help you choose the healthiest dry cat food to meet their needs.
AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement: The most basic indicator of nutritionally complete and balanced cat food is an AAFCO statement on the label. The AAFCO is a nonprofit organization that determines the nutritional standards for pet food. Foods labeled with an AAFCO statement for growth or all life stages are guaranteed to be complete and balanced for kittens, while foods with an AAFCO statement for maintenance or all life stages are guaranteed to be complete and balanced for adult cats.
Feeding trials and expert formulations: Feeding trials provide added confidence in a food's nutritional value. A food that has undergone AAFCO feeding trials will have a statement on its label that reads: "Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that [specific recipe] provides complete and balanced nutrition for [a specified life stage]." This means the food has been fed to a group of cats over a period of time to validate its long-term nutritional value.
Many foods are "formulated to meet" AAFCO nutritional standards and have not undergone feeding trials. Look for brands with a dedicated pet nutrition expert who formulates the food, which aligns with the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) Global Nutrition Guidelines. We also favored brands engaged in small animal nutrition research and those that collaborate with universities.
Guaranteed analysis and nutrient profiles: The guaranteed analysis provides the percentages of protein, fat, and other important nutrients in a food. The best cat foods may be formulated to meet the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for growth and reproduction (kittens, pregnant, and nursing cats) or maintenance (adult cats). This ensures the food contains enough animal protein and other nutrients for a cat's specific life stage. Regardless of a cat's age, a healthy food will also contain other essential nutrients, including amino acids like taurine, fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins.
The AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles say that foods formulated for kittens must contain at least 30% protein and 9% fat. Food for adult cats, labeled "maintenance," must have a minimum of 26% protein and 9% fat on a dry matter basis, which is calculated after moisture is removed. The biggest difference between dry and wet cat food lies in moisture content. The best wet cat food typically contains 75% to 78% moisture, while dry food contains only 10% to 12%.
If you want to compare nutrients in dry and wet foods, you'll first need to convert the percentages of protein, fat, 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: Ingredients are listed in order of weight on pet food labels. Since cats are obligate carnivores, proteins in the form of whole or deboned meat, byproducts, or meat meal should come first on the list. Cats rely on meat for essential amino acids, which support heart health, good vision, and a strong immune system. Beyond protein, ingredients like fiber from beet pulp or psyllium husk can aid digestion and help manage hairballs, while cold-water fish such as salmon provide omega-3 fatty acids that reduce inflammation and support skin and joint health. Antioxidant-rich fruits like blueberries and cranberries can benefit brain health and immune function.
Manufacturing standards: Check a brand's quality control measures and the types of production facilities they use. For instance, brands that own their manufacturing plants generally have more oversight of their ingredients and products. However, a simple claim of quality control isn't enough. Pet food companies should also provide information about their quality control practices on their website or upon request.
Calorie content: The calorie content of pet food is listed in kilocalories (kcal). Your cat's calorie needs depend on their age and activity level. Kittens grow rapidly in their first year and require plenty of energy. For this reason, they should eat multiple meals per day without calorie restrictions. As they approach 9 to 12 months of age, talk with your vet about their ideal body condition, weight, and caloric needs. The amount of food you should feed your adult cat depends on their weight, energy level, breed, and overall health.
Meet the experts behind this guide
Janelle Leeson, pet nutrition reporter: Janelle has been covering cat health and nutrition for Business Insider Reviews since 2023. She combines deep research and guidance from veterinarians to provide cat guardians with science-backed product recommendations. For this guide, she interviewed veterinarians about cat nutrition and the qualities to look for in healthy dry food for cats across different life stages and nutritional needs. She then compared the nutrient profiles and ingredient lists of dozens of foods, and applied rigorous, vet-informed criteria to every recommendation.
Our expert sources: Dr. Debra Zoran is a board-certified small animal internist and professor of small animal clinical sciences at the Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Zoran shared insights on cat nutrition and what makes a quality food. She also shared her personal feeding preferences, which may not represent specific endorsements shared by Texas A&M University.
Dr. Jennifer Larsen is a veterinarian and a clinical nutrition professor in the department of veterinary medicine at UC Davis. Larsen helped us better understand senior cat nutrition and the role of high-fiber diets in feline nutrition and well-being.
Dr. Korinn Saker is a board-certified veterinary nutritionist and retired associate professor of clinical nutrition at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. We consulted Saker about feline food intolerance and sensitivities and the metabolic needs of indoor cats.
Dr. Jamie Richardson is chief medical officer at Small Door Veterinary. Richardson has worked with animals around the world, from South Africa to Hong Kong. At Small Door Veterinary, her primary interests, besides general practice, include preventive care, dentistry, and internal medicine.
Dr. Mark Freeman is a veterinarian and clinical associate professor of community practice at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. He provided insights into managing weight in indoor cats.
Dr. Nancy Welborn is a veterinarian and associate professor in community practice at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine. Welborn practiced private veterinary medicine for livestock and companion animals before transitioning to emergency small animal critical veterinary and then returning to LSU to develop and teach community practice.
Dr. Grant Little is a veterinarian at Arlington Pet Hospital in Arlington, Nebraska. He is also a veterinary expert for JustAnswer, having answered thousands of health, behavior, and nutrition questions from pet parents over the past three years.
Dry cat food FAQs
What is the healthiest dry cat food?
To ensure you're choosing a high-quality, nutritious dry cat food, Zoran recommends starting with the label. Look for an AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement confirming the formula meets your cat's essential nutrient requirements. Next, consider the brand's track record, including its recall history, whether it employs a board-certified veterinary nutritionist or PhD-level animal nutritionist, and whether it participates in research studies or conducts its own research. Zoran says you can typically trust the information on a food's label if it is produced by a reputable company.
What are the benefits of dry cat food?
Dry cat food is a popular choice because it's affordable, shelf-stable, and convenient to store and feed. "There is a small amount of evidence that some, very few, and specific dry cat foods may have some oral health and dental benefits," says Dr. Bruce Kornreich, a board-certified veterinary cardiologist and director of the Cornell Feline Health Center at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. "But the most important thing that cat owners can do to maintain their cat's oral health is to brush their cat's teeth," he says.
What is the best dry food to give a cat?
There isn't a single best dry food for every cat or kitten. Your veterinarian is the best person to recommend a food that meets your cat's nutrient and calorie needs based on their age, body condition, and overall health.
Is it OK to feed cats dry food only?
While cats can thrive on dry food alone if it's complete and balanced, Zoran recommends offering both dry and wet food from different brands from an early age. This encourages food flexibility and reduces the risk of picky eating, which is particularly helpful if your cat's preferred food is unavailable, recipes change, or they need to switch to a prescription diet.
Do vets recommend dry or wet food for cats?
Both dry and wet foods can provide cats and kittens with complete and balanced nutrition, as long as the label has an AAFCO statement saying it's appropriate for your cat's specific life stage. The best option for your cat generally depends on factors such as your budget, your cat's overall health, and their food preferences. To prevent finicky tastes and food inflexibility, Zoran recommends rotating textures, proteins, and brands from a young age. You can read more in our comparison of wet and dry cat food.
Should I leave dry food out for my cat all day?
Zoran doesn't recommend free-feeding cats. "It is exceptionally hard to regulate a cat's weight and proper amount of food by free-choice feeding," she says. Instead, portion their food into two to three small meals a day. If you're unsure how much to feed, your veterinarian can provide more specific guidance for your cat.
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