For many cats, wet food elicits a notable reaction from feline diners. Its succulent textures and aromatic allure tempt even the most finicky whiskered friend, while the moisture-rich bounty keeps them hydrated and purring with content. Beyond mere sustenance, it’s a way for some owners to spoil their beloved pets with nutritious meals that their cats gobble up with glee. Our list of the best wet cat food brands is great for cat parents to find a new feline favorite.
So, if you’re considering making the switch to wet food for your furry friend, don’t just listen to the purrs – weigh the advantages! From canned meals to flavor-packed pouches, these moist marvels might just be the key to unlocking a healthier, happier cat. We combed through 10 expert reviews to come away with this list of the top seven best wet cat food brands to feed your kitty. Let us know your favorite brands in the comments below!
The List: Best Wet Cat Food Brands, Ranked
1. Wellness
Spoil Your Cat with Variety and Real Protein
According to The Spruce Pets, Wellness Complete Health Wet Cat Recipes come in a whisker-twitching nine flavors! Each recipe is a winner, packed with whole ingredients and featuring at least two real protein sources, like salmon, whitefish, herring, lobster, chicken, turkey, and beef. So whether your feline craves poultry or prefers seafood, there’s a delicious option to tempt their adventurous taste buds.
Wholesome Ingredients, Lower Carbs Keep Cats Happy and Healthy
Cats.com tells us that while Wellness Complete Health contains some added starch from tapioca and potatoes, the carbohydrate content is thankfully low – under 10% measured as dry matter. This means it’s easier on your cat’s digestion and can help with weight management. Plus, you can feel good knowing there are no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives in these wholesome recipes.
Dense and Filling Pate Keeps Kitties Satisfied
Tired of your cat devouring their food in seconds and leaving you wondering if they’re still hungry? The Cat Food Guy recommends the brand’s Wellness Core formula that is grain-free and aimed to help with digestion! This dense pate-style food is super satisfying, keeping even energetic felines feeling full and happy. And here’s the best part: The top six ingredients are all meat-based, ensuring your cat gets the protein they crave for strong muscles and a healthy lifestyle.
2. ZIWI Peak Canned Wet Cat Food
Natural Ingredients, Superior Hydration
iHeart Cats goes wild for ZIWI Peak Canned Wet Cat Food, raving about its all-natural formulation. This grain-free recipe boasts high protein content and relies on limited ingredients, including superfoods, for a well-rounded nutritional profile. The air-drying process eliminates pathogenic bacteria, ensuring a safe and shelf-stable option for your feline friend. Plus, ZIWI Peak uses only high-quality New Zealand meats to fuel your cat’s adventures.
Ethically Sourced, Nutrient-Rich
The Cat Food Guy gives ZIWI Peak a paws-up for their ethical practices and commitment to quality ingredients. The brand understands that premium ingredients directly impact your cat’s health. Their free-range, grass-fed meat, sustainably caught seafood – all 100% sourced from New Zealand – reflects this philosophy. The Cat Food Guy also points out that Ziwi Peak’s canned food includes natural vitamins from kelp and New Zealand Green Mussel, boosting Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids. Additionally, they commend the lower fat content compared to many other brands.
A Legacy of Quality, Hydration at its Finest
Cats.com states that since its founding in 2004, the company has been a leader in crafting some of the best natural cat foods available. While renowned for their dehydrated jerky-style pet food, Cats.com loves that their canned option offers superior hydration, perfect for cats who might not consume enough water on their own.
3. Instinct Original Grain-Free Pâté
Packed with Protein
The Dog People dives into the protein punch of Instinct’s Original Grain-Free Pâté, highlighting that over 90 percent of the recipe is poultry protein from chicken, turkey, and chicken liver. Don’t worry about raw meat though, as The Dog People clarifies that this canned food is cooked and packed in a flavorful broth. This protein focus caters to your active feline’s needs, supporting their energy levels and overall health.
Beyond the Protein
While Business Insider Reviews is impressed by the high protein content, they delve deeper into the ingredient list. They mention the inclusion of wholesome fruits and vegetables like carrots, cranberries, pumpkin, and blueberries, providing essential vitamins and fiber for a well-rounded diet.
Weight Management Formula
Time Stamped points out that the high fat content and protein in this wet food from real meats like chicken and turkey can be beneficial for cats who need help gaining weight. With 131 calories per can, this pate offers a calorie-dense option to keep your kitty feeling full and energized. Plus, there are six flavors to keep mealtimes exciting for your finicky feline friend.
4. Purina Pro Plan
Hits High Nutrition Marks
According to The Strategist, Purina Pro Plan delivers complete and balanced nutrition for adult cats with no specific dietary requirements. This food boasts high protein content, moderate fat levels, and plenty of fiber, addressing key nutritional needs for adult felines. Purina’s commitment to quality, with a team of full-time veterinary nutritionists and significant investment in research and development, shines through in their high production standards.
Delectable Gravy for the Gravy Lover
Calling all gravy enthusiasts! Vet Street recommends the Purina Pro Plan variety pack, featuring chicken and turkey favorites in a gravy your cat will adore. The gravy isn’t just for flavor; it is also an excellent source of moisture, which is crucial for feline health.
Grain-Free Options for Senior Cats
If you have an older kitty that may need for help in the digestion department, The Spruce Pets recommends Purina Pro Plan Prime Plus, mentioning its grain-free formulation available in six different flavors, all proudly made in the USA. Each recipe prioritizes your senior cat’s well-being. Each can has a minimum of 10 percent protein to aid in maintaining lean muscle mass, beta carotene and vitamin E antioxidants to support a healthy immune system, and prebiotic fiber for easier digestion.
5. Purina Fancy Feast
A Purr-fectly Popular Choice
If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing cat food option, look no further than Fancy Feast wet cat food, according to NBC Select. This Purina brand boasts over 100,000 reviews on Amazon with a stellar average rating of 4.7 stars. The secret to their success? A wide variety of flavors and textures to satisfy even the pickiest feline.
Affordability Meets Feline Fancy
The Dog People says many cats can’t resist the allure of Fancy Feast. Despite its budget-friendly price tag, Fancy Feast offers options that are surprisingly high in protein and low in carbohydrates.
Beyond the “Cat McDonald’s” Label
Tou may have heard people call Fancy Feast is the feline equivalent of McDonald’s fast food The Strategist debunks that myth! They argue that many Fancy Feast recipes are actually quite nutritious, formulated with their high protein content and low carbohydrate levels. They just also happen to be super tasty, too!
Benefits of Wet Cat Food:
- Better Hydration: Dry food provides sustenance, but wet food boasts a moisture content of up to 80 percent, mimicking natural prey and keeping your feline friend properly hydrated. This can be especially beneficial for cats with health concerns or those who simply aren’t big water drinkers.
- Enticing Aroma: Cats are driven by scent, and the aroma of freshly opened wet food is an irresistible siren song. The variety of flavors, textures, and gravies tantalizes even the most jaded palate, making mealtimes a culinary adventure for even the fussiest felines.
- Improved Digestion: Wet food is generally easier to digest than dry food, putting less strain on your cat’s digestive system. This can be helpful for cats with sensitive stomachs or digestive issues, leading to happier tummies and less unpleasant litter box surprises.
- Weight Management: While it may seem counterintuitive, wet food’s high moisture content can actually help with weight management. Cats often feel fuller eating smaller portions of wet food, reducing the risk of overeating and keeping them at a healthy weight.
- Dental Health: Wet food can help maintain healthy teeth! The moisture and texture can gently massage gums and clean teeth as your cat eats, while the lack of abrasive kibble helps prevent tartar buildup.
Sources:
- iHeart Cats
- The Cat Food Guy
- Cats.com
- The Dog People
- Business Insider Reviews
- Time Stamped
- The Strategist
- Vet Street
- The Spruce Pets
- NBC Select
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.
Hello
Do cats like Hills ? No. Not much . I have had approximately 30 rescues and fosters over 25 years and absolutely 💯 ZERO would eat Hills.
I have never had 1 eat Purina Pro Plan either.
Tiki Cat is a quite good, however.
My 19 year old boy LOVES Orijen especially Duck and Chicken. It is higher fat content but for him, its been excellent. The biggest problem is actually finding it. ( Petco has it but I have to drive an hour to pick it up..they don’t deliver .and that’s perfectly fine:)
He will occasionally eat Fancy Feast but he’s not used to the additives and most cats I’ve had the pleasure of having in my life, can be picky about consistency.
You may want to consider looking in to why so many cats get hyphyperthyroidism. It’s great that cat research is much more prevalent so they’re getting tested for controllable and preventable diseases.
My cats all preferred seafood or beef or game to chicken, also, unless it was freshly roasted.
Chicken is cheap but it’s not cats first choice especially in even high quality dry food.
Thank you
I have a long haired mix cat but she’s a real picky eater i have tried so my different band of food but only to give away to a nother person with a cat so far all she will eat it perina cat chow and only chicken flavor it that or she will not eat at all and I also tryed mat wet food she only likes friskies sheds and only chicken don’t know why she will only eat that but at least she’s eating and been pretty healthy she going in three years I can’t afford to keep trying different kinds and brand of food only for not to eat and then give away so as long as she is eating and no health issues in the three years I had her since she was a kitten that what I feed her untill I can find a nother brand she will like but now I stay what she’s eates it’s better than starving because she refuses to eat any thing else to
There’s a line called B.F.F. by Weruva and actually anything from Weruva seems to be a winner with many cats. I work at a cat shelter and they love it! My own cats do too! I have been told that their food is super healthy for their kidneys and it’s great for cats that don’t tend to drink a lot of water because it provides a lot of fluids and it contains many minerals and vitamins. They have a lot of flavors to pick from so you can satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. It is available at Petco, newly to Pet Supplies Plus and online, of course. It’s definitely worth a try!
Bff and tiki is the same brand just watch out they almost killed my cat and killed many other cats as well
How did Tiki “almost kill” your cat and kill “many other cats as well?” Where is your evidence of this? I’ve been feeding my cats Tiki wet (variety of flavors). They love it and are thriving.
I agree Weruva is healthy and my three cats will actually eat it. Tiki Cat is good too. Fancy feast is soooo bad it’s like rubber chunks – and my cats sometimes would eat it but then vomit :((
Wish I could find the Pro Plan Nature Chicken and Turkey not available anywhere for almost a year.
My 4 cats don’t like any of these .
My 2 cats eat a homemade diet with either chicken or pork with the know better supplement powder and costs me about 70.00 a month. The Meat is always available so unless I can’t get the supplement powder no problems. Not sure about some of the suggestions here but I do know science diet is pure garbage. Before I knew better years ago used to feed it to my cats too of them ended up with health problems.
I agree with you about Science Diet. My first two cats shedded terribly and died due to pulmonary embolisms. Will never use that brand again. I rotate Purina Pro Plan an American Journey.
My Logan ( European Maincoon ) is growing pretty good on seafood (Frisky brand ).
STELLA & CHEWYS FREEZE DRIED RAW in my opinion is the absolute best and beats every one on your list.
Any suggestions for a cat who has a sensitive urinary tract and previous blockage?
Yes, take the vet to at least two different vets and as them. Prescription diet may be the answer.
9 lives wet, friskies wet, meow mix wet,…purina dry
My 2 cats are happy and healthy, fixed and vaccinated, so whats the big deal? Just manufacturers trying to get you to spend more money!!
Cat Person?
Reveal?
Purina is one of the worst foods for cats. Loads of grain, carbs and lack of meat. Think wisely people. Cats are predators, they eat MEAT therefore chose food high in meat like Mac’s, Catz Finefood, Bozita etc not the cheap stuff you get in every shop.
My girl ginger is 23 years old now and I have always fed her Purina Friskies wet turkey and giblets food. She’s as healthy as old girl can be.
I call Bull on most of these foods. Hills, Purina and Royal Canin are all bad foods for your pets. It is unfortunate that Vets recommend them, but they do not know better. I was advised that Vet students get no more than 2 hours of nutrition training in school and it is given by a Rep from Hills. It is up to YOU to determine what you feed your pets. Read the ingredients, as they should start with a high protein meat…not by-products or fillers. Animals tend to get kidney disease and cancer from the wrong products in your pet food. If in doubt, talk with an animal nutritionist. Stop listening to your Vet for nutrition informatio.
I have tried your suggestions, but when they refuse to eat it & the neighbors cats refuse it;it’s not worth it to buy. My girls & cats before them all prefer the Purina brand, which I grew up feeding our dogs and cats. Believe me. I am concerned about my girls health, but when the canned food dries out.beause they’ refuse it. Iam more concerned about them eating & being healthy.
The best cat food is one your cat(s) will actually eat.
Years ago, our cats discovered Cozy Kitten…by far the most foul, fishiest, canned food in the universe. They loved it.
And of course, when you buy high end canned food, they look at it and you like you are insane….
If ur asking what’s the BEST CAT FOOD TO FEED UR CAT- Homemade, diy, make at home, make urself- CAT food- Handsdown!
I see Purina on this list. I quit that brand recently due to the concern that so many people had fed it to their cars and they become ill and some have died. Until the FDA says it is safe I will not buy anything that says “Purina”. When I heard this I immediately returned about a dozen cans of Pro Plan.
I also see in this article recommendations for the 3oz cans. I don’t have a clue who buys this as I need the 5.5oz or larger as a 3oz will not feed my 3 cats.
I get my cats a variety of canned foods but I also free feed them kibble.
I buy healthy foods that are grain free and no byproducts.
I have 1 cat that is hard to please as she will not eat some of the food I feed my other 2. She is a very small eater and never finished what is put down for her. But the other 2 will finish it for her.
Some people are now making their own cat food which I assume is a better choice for a healthy cat. That is nice for those who have the time but I do not even cook for myself let alone my cats. They like their canned and dry food that I buy for them.