1. Blue Buffalo Natural Adult Dry Cat Food
Key Features
Kilocalories: 410 kcal/cup
Minimum protein: 38%
Minimum fat: 16%
Maximum fiber: 6%
Maximum moisture: 9%
Essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants
No corn, wheat, soy or artificial preservatives or additives
First five ingredients: deboned chicken, chicken meal, pea protein, peas, tapioca starch
Grain-free and packed with whole chicken as the first ingredient, Blue Wilderness have come up with a high-quality cat food with high protein to satisfy your feline carnivore. Formulated for adult cats, this Blue Buffalo Wilderness is limited ingredient, with sweet potato and peas added for a carb-nutritional hit. With 38% minimum protein content, it contains only whole chicken, so no chicken meal or by-products. Add in omega 3 fatty acids for skin/coat health, you also get a balanced mix of vitamins and minerals. And as there’s no corn, wheat, soy or artificial colors, this high quality protein cat food from Blue Buffalo Wilderness is the best high protein cat food in our cat food review.
2. Taste of the Wild Premium Dry Cat Food
Key Features
Kilocalories: 390 kcal/cup
Minimum protein: 42%
Minimum fat: 18%
Maximum fiber: 3%
Maximum moisture: 10%
Formulated to support all the life stages of your cat
Essential vitamins and minerals, including taurine and antioxidants
First five ingredients: chicken meal, peas, potato, chicken fat, roasted venison
With 42% protein, this digestible dry cat food is appropriate for all ages, from kitten to adult and has a rich taste your kit will love. Using roasted venison and smoked salmon, combined with chicken and boosted by selected fruits and vegetables, the dry food recipe sounds mouth-watering. And it’s nicely balanced, providing your cat with all the nutrients they need to go about their active day. Grain-free, Taste of the Wild is a good choice for cats with sensitivities as it also contains probiotics to support digestion and a healthy immune system. Add in antioxidants as well as the all-important taurine and this high protein dry cat food will support your kit to live his best life.
3. Solid Gold Holistic Dry Cat Food
Key Features
Kilocalories: 475 kcal/cup
Minimum protein: 42%
Minimum fat: 20%
Maximum fiber: 3%
Maximum moisture: 10%
Cage-free reared chicken and whole egg as main protein source
Pro and prebiotics, omega fatty acids plus balanced vitamins and minerals
First five ingredients: chicken meal, potatoes, canola oil, peas, chicken
With whole, cage-free chicken and amino-rich egg, Solid Gold have created a natural, grain free dry cat food that’s bursting with quality protein. With a high 42% of crude protein and a low carb recipe, there’s plenty of meaty taste in this dry kibble that is also fiber rich for a smooth digestion. You also get prebiotics and probiotics as well as a superfood blend of omegas to balance and support your cat’s digestive and immune system health. This is a good choice for allergy-prone cats or picky eaters although the high protein content means you should introduce it slowly if changing over from their usual cat food.
4. Purina ONE Natural Formula Dry and Wet Cat Food
Key Features
Kilocalories: 356 kcal/cup
Minimum protein: 35%
Minimum fat: 14%
Maximum fiber: 2%
Maximum moisture: 12%
Grain-free with added taurine for vision, muscle and heart health
balanced formula of omega 3, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants
First five ingredients: ocean whitefish, chicken meal, pea starch, cassava root flour, soy protein isolate
Our Best Value pick comes from Purina, and you get the affordable quality you would expect from one of the world’s leading pet food brands. Working to feed the ‘true instinct’ of your domestic carnivore, this grain-free recipe contains a decent 35% minimum protein, sourced from ocean whitefish. The result is a delicious dry kibble that’s a good size for all cats and satisfying to eat. The formula is limited ingredient, but the fiber and additional energy comes from carbs such as peas and potatoes. The nutrient balance is well managed too, with added vitamins and minerals as well as antioxidants and taurine for energy, muscle strength, heart, digestive and immune system health.
5. CRAVE Grain Free High Protein Dry Cat Food
Key Features
Kilocalories: 402 kcal/cup
Minimum protein: 40%
Minimum fat: 18%
Maximum fiber: 4%
Maximum moisture: 10%
Whole chicken as the number one protein source
Limited carbs, with no grains, soy or corn
First five ingredients: chicken, chicken meal, pea protein, split peas, chicken fat
At 40% minimum content, Crave Grain Free has one of the highest levels of protein content in our high protein cat food review. Served as adult or kitten food, the meaty kibble is a good size and easy to eat, thanks to the delicious grain free chicken as the number one protein source. Plus, there’s no chicken by-products, corn, wheat or soy to irritate your kit. Add in limited carbs, such as fibrous peas plus fatty acid-rich chicken fat and this dry cat food provides excellent nutrition to support your cat’s health, from their muscles and energy to their immune system and the glossy condition of their coat.
6. Iams Proactive Health High Protein Adult Cat Food
Key Features
Kilocalories: k467 cal/cup
Minimum protein: 38%
Minimum fat: 18%
Maximum fiber: 3%
Maximum moisture: 10%
Beet pulp and fiber blend with prebiotics for digestive health
Vitamins and minerals, including taurine and calcium
First five ingredients: chicken, chicken by-product meal, corn grits, ground wholegrain corn
With 0% fillers and whole chicken and salmon at the heart of this protein-rich recipe, IAMS has come up with a tasty and affordable way to feed your kit the carnivore way. It has a minimum protein content of 38% and uses natural animal protein to give your cat all the essential amino acids he needs. IAMS have also formulated a fiber blend, which includes prebiotics, as well as beet pulp for sustained gut health. Add in calcium, taurine as well as other essential vitamins and minerals and your cat’s energy, immune system and functions will be supported and maintained. The kibble biscuits are on the large size however, so perhaps not suited to very small or young cats.
7. Hill’s Science Diet Canned Wet Cat Food
Key Features
Kilocalories: 162 kcal/can
Minimum protein: 7.8%
Minimum fat: 2.5%
Maximum fiber: 1.5%
Maximum moisture: 82%
Real tuna as number one protein source
Complete and balanced wet food, including calcium and taurine
First five ingredients: tuna, chicken, pork liver, wheat flour, dextrose
This high protein wet cat food from Hill’s Science is lovely and chunky, giving your cat a satisfying experience come mealtime. And the rich, moist texture is boosted by the meaty gravy and real tuna taste to keep them coming back for more. With high moisture levels, this is a highly digestible high protein canned cat food so ideal for older cats or cats with sensitive tums and the low carb formula works well with most adult cats. Read through the nutritional list of this chicken recipe and the essentials are also all there – calcium, taurine, fatty acids, plus other vitamins and minerals to support your kit’s balanced diet throughout his adult life stages.
8. Instinct Ultimate Protein Natural Cat Food
Key Features
Kilocalories: 491 kcal/cup
Minimum protein: 47%
Minimum fat: 17%
Maximum fiber: 3%
Maximum moisture: 10%
Freeze-dried raw chicken topper that has been minimally processed
Low carb with taurine, calcium, fatty acids plus essential vitamins and minerals
First five ingredients: chicken, tapioca, chicken fat, ground flaxseed, dried tomato pomace
Using whole ingredients, including carefully selected raw meat, Instinct have combined a grain free recipe with the benefits of a raw diet. With Instinct Ultimate Protein, you get kibble topped with freeze-dried raw meat for a natural balance in your feline’s diet. Using real chicken, the result is the highest protein cat food in our review, coming in at 47%, making a digestible and minimally processed dry food. The kibble is also boosted with selected carbs, such as flaxseed as well as animal fat. Then there’s taurine, calcium and other essential vitamins and minerals. While the raw food diet is not for all cats, this is a premium product that offers optimum nutrition for the protein-loving feline.
9. 9Lives Dry Cat Food
Key Features
Kilocalories: 300 kcal/cup
Minimum protein: 33%
Minimum fat: 9%
Maximum fiber: 4%
Maximum moisture: 12%
Delicious chicken and tuna flavour
Fortified with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals
First five ingredients: whole ground corn, chicken by-product meal, soybean meal, corn gluten meal, animal fat
While it doesn’t have the highest percentage of protein, 9Lives has produced a good value dry cat food that offers a well-balanced, nutritious diet. It does use chicken meal and by-products so not the pure source protein of some of the others in our review, but the delicious chicken and tuna taste should tempt your cat. And, with 33% protein, it’s still above the minimum recommendation so a good choice for more senior cats who don’t need the protein hit of younger kits. The recipe is also fortified with vitamins and minerals, including essential antioxidants to support their immune system.
10. Rachael Ray Nutrish PEAK Nutrient Dense Dry Cat Food
Key Features
Kilocalories: 470 kcal/cup
Minimum protein: 40%
Minimum fat: 18%
Maximum fiber: 4%
Maximum moisture: 9%
Harnesses the ocean goodness of salmon, mackerel and cod
Grain free with minimal carbs for easy digestibility
First five ingredients: salmon, menhanden fish meal, chicken meal, dried peas, pea protein
Bringing together the taste and nutritional goodness of the ocean in a high protein recipe, Peak from Rachael Ray Nutrish should hit the spot with your fish-loving feline. With at least 40% protein, Peak uses real salmon as the number one ingredient, boosted by Atlantic cod and mackerel. Combined, this high protein formula works to keep your cat satisfied and their energy sustained, while the nutrients support their all-round vitality and health. Grain-free and with no gluten and fillers, Peak Nutrient Dense is also easy to digest and will be gentle on even the sensitive feline’s tum. Add in peas, sweet potato, eggs and chicken fat and you will soon find your kit’s bowl licked clean!
Best High Protein Cat Food Buying Guide & FAQ
Benefits of Feeding Your Cat High Protein Food
There are numerous benefits to feeding your pet a high protein diet as it closely resembles their natural diet in the wild. One of the main reasons why cats are such carnivores is that they don’t have the right salivary enzymes to break down the starch found in a carbohydrate-based diet. This means that higher carbs in your cat’s diet can lead to digestive and other health issues.
Your cat also needs a natural balance of amino acids, which are found in animal protein. Amino acids are essential for a host of feline body functions, including growth, repair, digestion and energy. A high protein cat food diet can also stave off certain medical conditions, including diabetes and will help to main your cat’s healthy body weight. Head over to our review of cat food for weight loss for more alternatives.
Potential Downsides of High Protein Diet For Cats
While a high protein diet can be the best option for your healthy cat, there are some potential negatives to feeding them too much protein. A high protein diet can actually be harmful to some cats, especially more senior felines. Older cats can actually be at risk of developing kidney disease if fed too much protein. Kidneys are responsible for filtering out excess protein and if the kidney function of your senior cat is below par, a high protein diet can cause issues for their health. For a wider selection of choices, check out our senior cat food guide.
Cats at any age with certain health conditions, including kidney disease, diabetes or obesity, will also need to have the amount of protein in their diet monitored. If you're in any doubt whether you should feed your cats a high protein cat food, speak to your veterinarian. Take a look at our review of cat food for kidney disease for more options.
Things to Look For in High Protein Cat Food
Life stage appropriate: The protein content need to be appropriate to your cat’s life stage, whether that’s kitten, adult or senior as well as any health conditions they may have. The key is to get the right balance to ensure they get the most appropriate nutrition for their individual health and wellbeing.
Dry or wet: Depending on your cat’s preference as well as health, you'll need to choose between dry or wet food. Canned cat food has high levels of moisture which makes it a good choice if your cat has kidney or urinary tract issues or find dry food difficult to digest. Meanwhile dry cat foods are easier to free feed your kit and are generally cheaper. Find out more about cat food for urinary health here.
Protein content: The protein level is essential for your cat to get the benefits, so always check the nutritional analysis on the packaging. Your cat also needs the protein to be as digestible as possible, so look for whole animal protein such as chicken as the first ingredient, rather than rendered meat, which is listed as a by-product.
Quality ingredients: As with all pet food, look for the highest quality, natural ingredients. So that means avoiding artificial colors, flavors or preservatives as well as fillers.
Essential nutrients: Your cat’s diet needs to provide the essential nutrients they need for optimum health. As well as a natural balance of vitamins and minerals, look for amino acids such as taurine, which your cat needs for their vision, digestion, heart and immune system. Check out our guide on vitamins for cats for more info.
Grain-free: As cats are carnivores, they have no real need grains, as they can get all the energy and nutrition they need from meat, plus smaller amounts of fruit and veg. Many cats also respond well to grain-free or limited ingredient diets.For more options, check out our detailed review of grain free cat food.
High Protein Dry Cat Food Vs High Protein Wet Food
While it's down to personal preference, there are some differences between dry or wet high protein cat food. Dry cat foods tend to be higher in carbohydrates than wet, which may be an issue for grain-sensitive or allergic cats. Meanwhile, wet cat food has much higher levels of moisture which can help if your kit needs a boost to his daily water intake. It's down to what you think is best for your cat.
Our Top Pick
Tasty, digestible and with 38% minimum protein, Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Adult Dry Cat Food scoops our top pick. The grain-free dry food formula contains whole chicken and with limited carbs and a delicious meaty taste, is easy to eat. With omega fatty acids for skin and coat, you also get all the essential vitamins and minerals for their immune system and all round good health. And with no artificial nasties, this is a tasty and natural top choice.
