1. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Adult Dry Cat Food
Key Features
Calories per serving: 443 Kcals per cup
Crude protein minimum: 40%
Crude fat minimum: 18%
Crude fiber maximum: 4%
Moisture maximum: 9%
Top three ingredients: deboned chicken, chicken meal, pea protein
Contains: magnesium, taurine, Omega 3, Omega 6, vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12, C, D3, E
No artificial flavors, preservatives, poultry by-product meals, corn, soy, or wheat
If you want a high-quality food for cats with real meat as the top ingredient, then the High Protein Grain Free Adult Dry Cat Food by Blue Buffalo might be just what you are looking for. This protein-rich recipe has deboned chicken as its number one ingredient and includes natural sources of fiber to improve the absorption of the nutrients included in the food. And thanks to the addition of menhaden fish meal, the recipe has an optimal balance of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, so it’s great for skin and coat health. There are also plenty of antioxidants thanks to wholesome veggies and fruits such as sweet potatoes, blueberries and cranberries, plus added vitamins and minerals for complete nutrition. Additionally, the food is free from corn, wheat, and soy, making it ideal for all cats, including kitties with sensitive digestive systems.
2. Hill’s Science Diet Indoor Dry Cat Food
Key Features
Calories per serving: 319 Kcals per cup
Crude protein minimum: 36.1%
Crude fat minimum: 16.1%
Crude fiber maximum: 9.3%
Top three ingredients: chicken, whole grain wheat, corn gluten meal
Contains: calcium, phosphorous, sodium, potassium, magnesium, taurine, carnitine, Omega 3, Omega 6, vitamins A, B12, C, D3, E
No by-products, artificial flavors, colors or preservatives
Hill’s Science Diet Indoor Cat Food is specifically designed to meet the digestive and nutritional needs of indoor cats. This means that it contains only high-quality, easy to digest ingredients, including real chicken as its star component to help maintain strong lean muscles. The dry food also contains the right balance of vitamins and minerals needed for the health and well-being of indoor kitties thanks to apples, cranberries, broccoli and other antioxidant-rich ingredients, and there is even extra fiber due to grains for gentle digestion. Importantly for sensitive felines, the recipe is free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, but contains fish oil which can help boost skin and coat health. Easily the best dry food for cats leading an indoor lifestyle!
3. Taste of the Wild Dry Cat Food
Key Features
Calories per serving: 390 Kcals per cup
Crude protein minimum: 42%
Crude fat minimum: 18%
Crude fiber maximum: 3%
Moisture maximum: 10%
Top three ingredients: chicken meal, peas, sweet potato
Contains: zinc, selenium, taurine, Omega 3, Omega 6, vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, D, E
No grains, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Taste of the Wild Rocky Mountain Recipe is created using high-quality protein sources including roasted venison and smoked salmon to entice the picky eaters and help build lean muscles. Aside from these tasty proteins, the formula also contains chicken and ocean fish meal, as well as various nutritious and healthy fruits and veggies such as sweet potatoes, blueberries, tomatoes and more. The added vitamins and minerals, and fatty acids provide proper immune system support and the coat and skin health that your cat needs. The recipe also contains proprietary probiotics to support your cat’s digestion and aid in nutrient absorption, and it’s free from fillers, corn, wheat, and other grains, as well as artificial additives.
4. Purina ONE Indoor Adult Dry Cat Food
Key Features
Calories per serving: 372 Kcals per cup
Crude protein minimum: 38%
Crude fat minimum: 9%
Crude fiber maximum:5.1%
Moisture maximum: 12%
Top three ingredients: turkey, chicken by-product meal, corn gluten meal
Contains: linoleic acid, calcium, phosphorous, zinc, selenium, taurine, Omega 6, vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12, D3, E, K
No artificial preservatives, colors or flavors
If you’re looking for dry cat food that is both healthy and affordable, we recommend Purina ONE Indoor Advantage as it’s nutritious, highly palatable and gentle on both your kitty’s tummy and your wallet. The recipe contains real turkey as its number one ingredient, plus added vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients to keep your cat in the peak of condition. The formula is designed to help maintain a healthy weight for an indoor cat and to reduce the formation of hairballs, so it contains fiber-rich grains among other ingredients. As a bonus, this kibble comes with an extra-crunch to help scrub away soft tartar, keeping your kitty’s teeth clean and strong.
5. IAMS Proactive Health Dry Cat Food
Key Features
Calories per serving: 332 Kcals per cup
Crude protein minimum: 30%
Crude fat minimum:11%
Crude fiber maximum: 8.3%
Moisture maximum: 10%
Top three ingredients: chicken, chicken by-product meal, corn grits
Contains: calcium, phosphorus, potassium, taurine, L-Carnitine, Omega 3, Omega 6, vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, D3, E
No artificial flavors or preservatives
IAMS Proactive Health Indoor Weight and Hairball Care is specifically formulated for the well-being of indoor cats. With chicken as the first ingredient, the formula is designed to help support your cat’s muscles and to provide them with the energy they need to play. Whole and refined grains are also part of the ingredient list which provide much-needed fiber for healthy digestion and hairball control. Importantly for overweight kitties, the food is lower in fat than other IAMS blends, plus L-Carnitine is added to the formula to help your indoor cat burn fat more easily.
6. Instinct Dry Cat Food
Key Features
Calories per serving: 488 Kcals per cup
Crude protein minimum: 43%
Crude fat minimum: 19.5%
Crude fiber maximum: 3%
Moisture maximum: 9%
Top three ingredients: chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal
Contains: calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, copper, Omega 3, Omega 6, vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, D3, folic acid
No grains, potato, corn, soy, wheat, animal by-products, artificial additives
Made from cage-free chicken, turkey and menhaden fish meal, Instinct Original Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken contains 81% real animal ingredients and nutritious oils; needless to say, it’s quite nutritious! The remaining 19% is made from other wholesome ingredients, including fruits and vegetables. This high protein food includes omega fatty acids for skin and coat health, as well as added probiotics to support healthy digestion. It’s made without animal by-product meals, corn, wheat, potatoes, and soy, and is free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. The minimally processed kibble is also uniquely covered in freeze-dried raw food to improve its taste and nutritional value, making it ideal for sensitive kitties. For a wider selection of choices, check out our freeze dried cat food guide.
7. Meow Mix Dry Cat Food Original
Key Features
Calories per serving: 308 Kcals per cup
Crude protein minimum: 31%
Crude fat minimum: 11%
Crude fiber maximum: 4%
Moisture maximum: 12%
Top three ingredients: ground yellow corn, corn gluten meal, chicken by-product meal
Contains: calcium, phosphorus, selenium, vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, D3, K, E
No artificial preservatives or flavors
If affordable and tasty kitten food is what you’re after, Meow Mix Original Choice Dry Cat Food is a great option. Combining taste that cat’s love with the nutritional balance that they need, this kibble is a solid choice for pet parents on a budget. The recipe includes easily digestible grains like corn and several protein sources such as chicken and turkey by-product meal, salmon meal and ocean fish meal, making it rich in both protein and fiber. There are added essential vitamins and minerals too, so the kitten food is 100% complete and balanced – suitable not only for growing felines but for adult maintenance as well.
8. Blue Buffalo Indoor Dry Cat Food
Key Features
Calories per serving: 402 Kcals per cup
Crude protein minimum: 32%
Crude fat minimum: 15%
Crude fiber maximum: 6%
Moisture maximum: 9%
Top three ingredients: deboned chicken, chicken meal, menhaden fish meal
Contains: magnesium, taurine, Omega 3, Omega 6, vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12, C, D3, E
No poultry by-products, wheat, corn, soy, artificial flavors or preservatives
Specifically crafted to meet the nutritional needs of indoor cats, the Blue Buffalo Indoor Health Natural Adult Dry Cat Food is both delicious and nutritious. The main protein sources – chicken and menhaden fish – help support strong and lean muscles, while the whole grains, fruits, and vegetables ensure your cat has the right balance of both macro and micronutrients that they need to thrive. The food also contains optimal amounts of omega fatty acids to promote healthy skin, a healthy shiny coat, and to aid in healthy weight management.
9. 9Lives Dry Cat Food
Key Features
Calories per serving: 305 Kcals per cup
Crude protein minimum: 30%
Crude fat minimum: 9%
Crude fiber maximum: 4%
Moisture maximum: 12%
Top three ingredients: whole ground corn, chicken by-product meal, corn gluten meal
Contains: calcium, phosphorus, iron, selenium, taurine, vitamins A, B12, D3, E, K
No artificial flavors
9Lives Dry Cat Food is a budget-friendly indoor kibble that is sure to satisfy even the fussiest of felines. Made of tasty and easy-to-digest ingredients, this crunchy food for cats is quite nutritious but gentle on the stomach, making it a fine choice for indoor cats with digestive issues. Some of the ingredients include chicken by-product meal, whole corn, meat and bone meal and salmon meal, plus added vitamins and minerals including B vitamins for healthy weight and metabolism.
10. Rachael Ray Nutrish
Key Features
Calories per serving: 386 Kcals per cup
Crude protein minimum: 34%
Crude fat minimum: 14%
Crude fiber maximum: 4%
Moisture maximum: 9%
Top three ingredients: chicken, chicken meal, corn gluten meal
Contains: methionine, calcium, taurine Omega 6, vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D3, E, K
No wheat, soy, poultry by-products, artificial flavors or preservatives
If you are looking for an all-natural food with real chicken as its top ingredient, then the Natural Dry Cat Food by Rachael Ray Nutrish might be just what you need. The formula contains no filler ingredients or artificial additives, so it’s a great choice for felines who struggle with food sensitivities. The star ingredient is U.S. farm-raised chicken which helps maintain lean muscles, and there are also whole grains such as brown rice and corn for extra fiber. To ensure that it meets all of your cat’s nutritional needs, the recipe also contains added nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, including taurine, biotin, zinc and essential fatty acids.
11. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Dry Cat Food
Key Features
Calories per serving: 410 Kcals per cup
Crude protein minimum: 30%
Crude fat minimum: 12%
Crude fiber maximum: 5%
Moisture maximum: 10%
Top three ingredients: green peas, chicken meal, chicken
Contains: taurine, Omega 3, Omega 6, vitamins A, B12, D3, E
Grain free, L.I.D formula
If you’re after a simple, limited ingredient cat food, check out Natural Balance L.I.D. Green Pea & Chicken Formula. This grain-free dry cat food is made with high-quality chicken as a top ingredient and offers complete, balanced nutrition for adult cats of sensitive health. The formula is specifically designed to maintain skin and coat health and to support healthy digestion, so it’s packed with essential fatty acids and fiber. It’s also free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives to further reduce the risk of your cat developing food sensitivities.
12. Royal Canin Feline Health Dry Cat Food
Key Features
Calories per serving: 228 Kcals per cup
Crude protein minimum: 34%
Crude fat minimum: 14%
Crude fiber maximum: 8.4%
Moisture maximum: 8%
Top three ingredients: chicken meal, corn, brewers rice
Contains: vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D3, E, taurine
No artificial preservatives, colors or flavors
If your cat is prone to some serious hairballs, Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Indoor Intense Hairball Dry Cat food might be their ideal food. The formula has been carefully developed to help manage hairballs and improve their transit through the digestive system, so it includes a specific blend of dietary fibers that also help maintain healthy digestion. Additionally, the food helps address issues with dull coat, flaky skin and poor immunity as it’s packed with healthy omega-3 fatty acids thanks to fish oil.
13. CRAVE Grain Free High Protein Dry Cat Food
Key Features
Calories per serving: 379 Kcals per cup
Crude protein minimum: 40%
Crude fat minimum: 16%
Crude fiber maximum: 6%
Moisture maximum: 10%
Top three ingredients: chicken, chicken meal, pea protein
Contains: taurine, Omega 6, vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, D3, E
No artificial additives, poultry by-products, grains, or soy
Made with simple but premium-quality ingredients, CRAVE Grain Free High Protein Dry Cat Food is inspired by the ancestral diets of cats. It includes highly nutritious carbohydrate and protein sources such as chicken, salmon, peas and flaxseed, containing everything your cat needs to develop lean muscles and maintain a healthy digestive and immune system. Excluding all grains as well as fillers and artificial additives, this delicious and nutritious kibble is suitable for all cats, even kitties struggling with digestive problems. Probably the best dry food for cats for pet parents on a tight budget!
Best Dry Cat Food Buying Guide & FAQ
What you feed your cat has a huge impact on their health, wellbeing, and the energy they have to play and explore their environment. Your cat's diet can also affect the health of their skin and coat and play a role in the formation of hairballs. Given all of this, it is very important to buy good quality food that meets your individual cat’s needs. In this part of the buying guide, we look at the key things you should look for when buying dry cat food, the ingredients you should avoid feeding your kitty, and how to read your cat food label. We also ask whether kibble is better than wet food and provide answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about dry cat food. Read on!
What to Look for When Buying Dry Cat Food
The best cat food brands understand the unique nutritional needs of cats. They recognize that our beloved feline companions evolved as hunters that consumed prey. This prey contained high amounts of protein, fat in moderate amounts, and only a minimal amount of carbohydrates. As such, cats are considered to be obligate carnivores, and their modern diets need to reflect these evolutionary needs. Given this, the best dry cat foods should contain:
- Protein
This should be the top ingredient in any cat food and should come from a named source. For the average adult cat, it is recommended that their dry food should contain around 30% to 40% protein, depending on their lifestyle and activity levels. Aside from the right amount of protein, look for the quality of protein as well; healthy dry cat foods should contain animal protein as the main ingredient. Take a look at our review of the best high protein cat food for more options.
- Fat
A source of fat should be listed within the first five ingredients. This should ideally be from an animal source but can also include vegetable oils. It is recommended that fats should make up around 9% of your cat’s dried food.
- Dietary fiber
Cats do not derive any energy from dietary fiber, however, fiber is still considered beneficial for the smooth transit of food through the digestive system. It also helps to reduce the risk of hairballs getting stuck in the GI tract, so it's a must in well-balanced formulas, especially when it comes to foods crafted for indoor cats or those that have digestive issues. Sources of fiber in dry cat food include whole grains, rice hulls, bran, and beet pulp. Find out more about high fiber cat food here.
- Carbohydrates
There is still great disagreement as to whether cats need any carbohydrates in their food, and if so, how much. Most foods contain carbohydrates, some for their fiber and antioxidants, others as fillers. Some of these – particularly wheat, corn, and soy - can cause sensitivities in some cats. Grain free food options are available as are recipes with whole grains which are less refined and less likely to cause issues. In any case, although low-carb recipes are best for most cats, healthy dry foods should contain a few antioxidant-rich vegetables and fruits. For more options, check out our detailed review of grain free cat food.
- Taurine
There are 22 amino acids that cats need for proper functioning, and out of those, 11 are essential amino acids. Taurine is one of the essential ones and should be included in any food that you are considering. This nutrient is crucial for heart health and good vision, so only buy wet or dry cat foods that list it in their ingredients list.
- Other ingredients
Vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and certain enzymes should also be present in the recipe. The easiest way to check if your cat's food contains everything they need to thrive? Look for the "complete and balanced" label.
Ingredients to Avoid Feeding Your Cat
Not all ingredients that are used in cat food are beneficial. Some act as fillers, while others are used as cheaper preservatives. The key things to avoid are:
- Rendered fats
- Propylene glycol
- Food dyes
- Unnamed meat by-products
- BHA
- BHT
- Ethoxyquin
There is also a range of human foods that you should avoid feeding your cat as they can make them extremely poorly. These include:
- Alcohol
- Chocolate
- Anything containing caffeine
- Grapes and raisins
- Xylitol
- Onions and garlic
Some experts also recommend avoiding cheese, milk, and other dairy product as well as raw foods such as eggs, fish, and meat because of the potential for food poisoning or digestive upset.
How to Read Your Cat Food Label
Food labels contain a lot of information but not all of it is very useful or even relevant for pet parents. This can make reading pet food labels quite confusing and even lead to you buying the wrong type of food for your cat. To make the matters a little easier for you, here are the key elements to look for on your cat food label:
- Product name
This should clearly tell you the type of cat food a product is and may indicate the key ingredient or flavor of the food (e.g. chicken & brown rice).
- Net weight
While how much food is in the packet might not bother your cat, it helps you to budget and ensures that you don't run out.
- Statement of intent or purpose
This should clearly state that the product is for cats and the age/stage of cat that it is intended for. It should also clearly state whether it is designed to meet any specific needs, such as weight management, hairball control, for older cats or indoor cats etc.
Check out some of our other cat food guides, such as cat food for weight loss, cat food for hairballs, senior cat food and cat food for indoor cats.
- Ingredients
All cat food must list its ingredients clearly in decreasing amounts by weight. So, the first ingredient on the list is the top ingredient – in most high-quality foods this is protein from a named meat or fish source. Protein should feature in at least the top two ingredients, but the more the better.
- Guaranteed analysis
This states the maximum/minimum amounts of specific nutrients contained within the food. At the very least this should detail the amounts of protein, fat, fiber, and moisture. It may also detail the amounts of certain fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.
- Feeding directions
This should tell you how much to feed your cat depending on their age, weight, and lifestyle.
When looking at the label on your dry cat food you should also consider the following:
The wording of the name: if the food states “chicken cat food” or “lamb cat food” for example, then it must contain at least 95% of that named ingredient (not including moisture content). If it names two ingredients, they must add up to 95%, but there must be more of the ingredient named first. However, if the word ‘with’ is introduced into the name, then the food only needs to contain 3% of the named ingredient.
Unnecessary wording: words such as premium and top-of-the-range may make the food sound better quality, but there is no standard definition of these terms when applied to cat food. Always check the ingredients and the guaranteed analysis to ensure your cat is getting what they need.
Is Dry Cat Food Better Than Wet?
There is no definitive answer to this question because much depends on the preference and eating habits of your cat. Dry cat foods tend to be cheaper and can be left in a bowl all day without the risk of it going bad. Wet cat foods are better for cats that like to eat in one sitting or that find crunchy kibble difficult to deal with (typically older cats). Cats fed on dry food only need to drink more water though, however, all cats should always have access to fresh clean water. Ultimately, the quality and composition of the food are more important than whether you feed wet or dry formulas. That being said, most cats thrive best when their diet consists of both dry and wet food.
Our Top Pick
While all dry cat foods featured in our top list are great options, our top pick is the Blue Buffalo's Grain Free Wilderness. This protein-rich and grain free recipe has deboned chicken as its number one ingredient and includes natural sources of fiber to improve the absorption of the nutrients included in the food. The formula also includes an optimal balance of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for skin and coat health and is free from all artificial additives. Vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants are included in the LifeSource Bits that are cooked at a lower temperature to preserve their potency, so the food provides absolutely everything your kitty needs to remain healthy and happy.
