The best wet cat food, with nutrition advice from veterinarians

Our cats might not know what a love language is, but they sure love it when we feed them tasty food. The best wet cat food comes in a range of different flavors and textures, so there's something to please every cat. Ultimately, the healthiest wet food for your cat is nutritionally complete and balanced for their life stage and any specific health issues.

To learn more about what to look for in nutritious wet food for kittens, adult cats, and seniors, we consulted veterinarians and board-certified veterinary nutritionists. Based on their guidance, we selected formulas from trusted brands. One standout is Instinct Original Real Salmon Recipe for adult cats. It provides a healthy balance of protein from Salmon, salmon broth, pork liver, and egg.

All of our recommendations meet the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards for complete and balanced nutrition. The brands we feature also adhere to the Global Nutrition Guidelines from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA). For more tips on how to choose high-quality wet cat food, jump to the "what to look for" section at the end of this article.

Read more about how Insider Reviews tests and researches pet products.

Highlights for the best wet cat food

Best overall: Instinct Original Real Salmon Recipe, 3 oz. cans (24 count) - $40 at Chewy

Best budget: Fancy Feast Turkey and Giblets Feast Classic Pate, 3 oz. cans (24 count) - $24 at Chewy

Best for indoor cats:Royal Canin Indoor Morsels in Gravy, 3 oz. cans (24 count) - $53 at Chewy

Best for older cats: Purina Pro Plan Adult 7+ Prime Plus Salmon and Tuna, 30 oz. cans (24 count) - $47 at Chewy

Best for sensitive stomachs: Royal Canin Digestive Care Thin Slices in Gravy, 3 oz. cans (24 count) - $58 at Chewy

Best for kittens: Purina Pro Plan Kitten Salmon and Ocean Fish, 3 oz. cans (24 count) - $47 at Chewy

Best for hairball control:Hill's Science Diet Urinary Hairball Control Adult Savory Chicken, 2.9 oz. cans (24 count) - $48 at Chewy

Best fresh:JustFoodforCats Fish and Chicken, 18 oz. pouches (24 count) - $336 at Chewy

Best overall

Both wet and dry food are quality options for feeding your cat, 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. However, there may be cases where wet food is recommended in addition to, or in place of, dry food. Kornreich says wet food benefits cats who need more water, particularly older cats with kidney disease. That's because it contains 75% to 78% moisture, compared to 10% to 12% in kibble, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

When choosing a wet food, make sure meat is listed as the first ingredient. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they require animal proteins to meet their essential amino acid requirements and maintain normal body functions. You should also check for an AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement on the label. This indicates that the food meets the AAFCO's recommended balance of fats, proteins, essential vitamins, and minerals for a cat's life stage.

Additionally, the AAFCO standards say that adult cat foods should contain a minimum of 26% protein and 9% fat. To compare a wet food's nutrient profile to these standards, you'll need to convert the food's percentages of fat and protein to a "dry matter basis." You can follow the directions from the Tufts University Cummings Veterinary Medical Center, contact the food manufacturer, or ask your veterinarian for help.

Some of our top wet food picks for the best cat food are more expensive than other options, but they are packed with animal proteins such as salmon, deboned chicken, and turkey that cats love and require.

Best budget

Cost is a significant factor when choosing what to feed your cat. The good news is that the best affordable cat food formulas are nutritionally complete and balanced to meet your cat's needs.

Budget-friendly cat foods often contain byproducts, which are concentrated sources of protein that are biologically appropriate for felines. Byproducts are repurposed ingredients that keep the cost of cat food down, says Dr. Korinn Saker, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist and retired associate professor of clinical nutrition at the College of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University. These byproducts include parts of the animal other than skeletal meat, like organs, and are highly nutritious for cats. While many cat foods are touted as free of grains, byproducts, or artificial preservatives, these diets have no proven benefit compared to other cat foods that meet AAFCO standards.

The budget foods we recommend are significantly higher in protein than the 26% AAFCO minimum recommendation and include both whole meat and byproducts.

Best for indoor cats

Indoor cats might not face the dangers of outdoor life, such as predators and food scarcity. But they do face a growing epidemic: feline obesity.

Pet caregivers play a crucial role in regulating a cat's access to food and ensuring their diet is appropriate for their needs, says Dr. Debra Zoran, a small animal internist, nutritionist, and professor at Texas A&M University. Since indoor cats can't hunt for their own food and typically don't get as much exercise as outdoor cats, their diet should meet their unique needs. A healthy wet food should never replace environmental enrichment or daily play, but offering food formulated for indoor cats is a step in the right direction.

Our recommendations for the best cat food for indoor catsare lower in calories and fat to help maintain a healthy weight and physique. Added insoluble fibers like powdered cellulose and probiotics such as beet pulp support digestion, while omega-3 fatty acids derived from fish oil keep fur soft and shiny and help reduce shedding and hairballs.

Best for seniors

As your cat begins to show age-related changes as early as 7 years oldand reaches their senior years around 12 years old, simple changes can improve their quality of life. They will likely have two wellness checkups a year instead of one, providing an ideal opportunity to talk with your vet about their changing activity level and caloric needs.

Most senior cats can eat dry food, saysDr. Jennifer Larsen, a veterinarian and clinical nutrition professor in the department of veterinary medicine at UC Davis. However, even the best dry cat food options are typically three to four times more calorie-dense than canned foods. Wet food is also higher in moisture, which helps support kidney function and can help manage symptoms of chronic kidney disease. You can learn even more about the differences between in our explainer on wet vs. dry cat food.

The AAFCO doesn't set standards for senior cat food. Instead, foods labeled for seniors are formulated to meet the AAFCO nutritional recommendations for adult cats and may vary in calories, fiber, and protein. To be sure a food is suitable for your cat, review its nutritional and calorie content and consult your veterinarian. Look for ingredients like glucosamine and fish oil, which are included in our picks. They can help reduce pain, inflammation, and stiffness associated with age-related conditions such as arthritis. Additionally, our recommendations for the best senior cat foods contain fewer calories than our adult food selections.

Best for sensitive stomachs

The best wet cat food formulas for sensitive stomachs can reduce the risk of digestive issues such as diarrhea, vomiting, or gas. These foods typically contain more easily digestible animal proteins, such as meat byproducts and meat meals, omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil to reduce inflammation, and fiber to prevent constipation.

Limited ingredient diets can also benefit cats with food intolerances and sensitive stomachs. They contain fewer ingredients, which helps reduce the risk of digestive upset. However, before transitioning your cat to a limited ingredient diet for digestive issues, it's important to talk to your veterinarian to rule out other underlying problems. Saker says food intolerances can mimic some food allergy symptoms, but unlike allergies, they usually affect only the gastrointestinal tract rather than triggering a full-body immune response.

Our picks for the best sensitive stomach cat foodinclude dietary fiber from ingredients like powdered cellulose and dried plain beet pulp, which can help regulate your cat's digestion.

Best for kittens

Choosing the right food for your kitten can be challenging. The first step is to look for food appropriate for a growing kitten's nutritional needs. It should be formulated according to the AAFCO standards for growth or all life stages to support a kitten's rapid growth and high-energy needs. This ensures your carnivorous kitten gets at least 30% protein and 9% fat from their food.

Additionally, food formulated for growth contains essential nutrients like calcium to support strong bones and teeth and the omega fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for brain growth and mental development.

Our recommendations for the best kitten foodshave all the key nutritional qualities to support growth. Our pick from Hill's also contains healthy ingredients, such as prebiotics, which help support a kitten's developing immune and digestive systems.

Best for hairball control

Although hairballs are common, it's important to tell your veterinarian if your cat gets them frequently. Hairballs can become a medical issue, balling up in the digestive tract and causing an obstruction. Sometimes your vet may recommend one of the best cat hairball remedies or a special diet.

A high-fiber diet can help your cat safely pass hairballs, Larsen says. While the AAFCO doesn't recommend a specific level of dietary fiber for cats, most complete and balanced cat foods include fiber sources in the form of digestible (starches), fermentable (oats), and insoluble (cellulose) fibers. Most hairball control diets also contain insoluble fiber sources like rice hulls and pea fiber. While all types of fiber are beneficial for digestion, insoluble fiber adds bulk to stool, which helps pull fur through the digestive tract.

Dry cat foods are typically higher in fiber, but the best cat food for hairball control recipes are formulated with extra insoluble fiber. They also include omega fatty acids to improve skin health and reduce shedding.

Best fresh

Some cats want a bite of every meal we cook, but not all of us have the time or resources to cook our pets fresh meals consisting of whole meats and vegetables. Fresh cat food provides a solution with nutritionally complete and balanced meals made with high-quality whole food ingredients. Some fresh foods are offered through subscriptions, while others are available for single purchases.

JustFoodForCats is the best fresh cat food we've tested. It's made in one of nine privately owned kitchens across the US, where it's prepared in collaboration with veterinary nutritionists. JustFood doesn't share processing plants or packaging lines with other companies. Kornreich says this means greater quality control over the ingredients and the prepared food.

Our top picks compared

What to look for in wet cat food

When choosing the best wet cat food for your kitten, adult, or senior cat, you'll want to consider the following criteria.

AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement: A cat food with an AAFCO statement on the label is nutritionally complete for a cat's life stage. The AAFCO is a nonprofit organization that sets the standard nutritional requirements for pet food and animal feed. Foods labeled with an AAFCO statement for growth or all life stages are guaranteed to be complete and balanced for kittens. Foods with an AAFCO statement for maintenance or all life stages are guaranteed to be complete and balanced for adult cats.

Guaranteed analysis and nutrient profiles: The guaranteed analysis lists the percentages of protein, fat, and other key nutrients. For kittens, a minimum of 9% fat and 30% protein is recommended, while adult cats should get a minimum of 9% fat and 26% protein. Additionally, cat foods should contain other essential nutrients, including amino acids like taurine, fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins.

To compare the nutrients in wet food to those in dry food, convert the percentages of fat, protein, and fiber in wet food to a "dry matter basis." To find the dry matter basis, you can use these directions from the Tufts University Cummings Veterinary Medical Center, call the food manufacturer, or ask your veterinarian for help.

Key ingredients: Ingredients on a pet food label are listed in order of weight. Animal protein is essential for cats to maintain normal body functions because it contains essential amino acids. As a result, cats are obligate carnivores, and animal-based protein should be the first ingredient in cat food.

Expert formulations: Choose brands with a dedicated nutrition expert on staff, which aligns with the WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines and the advice from the veterinarians we interviewed. Even better are brands that actively conduct research on small animal nutrition or collaborate with universities and colleges.

Manufacturing standards: When deciding on a cat food brand, it's important to consider the quality control measures and facilities used in production. Brands that own their manufacturing plants have greater control over the ingredients in their recipes and, therefore, the food your cat consumes. Transparency is also key — brands should be clear about how they implement quality control measures. Simply saying that they conduct quality control may not be sufficient. Pet food companies should provide this information on their website or be willing to provide it upon request.

Calorie content: Calorie content in cat food is provided in kilocalories (kcal). The number of calories a cat needs depends on factors like their age and activity level.

According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, kittens should be fed multiple meals daily and allowed to eat as much as they want, as they need more energy to support their rapid growth. When your kitten reaches 9 to 12 months of age, consult your veterinarian to determine their ideal body condition, weight, and caloric requirements.

The WSAVA provides a reference chart to estimate the number of calories an adult cat should consume based on their weight, but these are general guidelines. The ideal amount of food for your cat depends on their weight, energy level, breed, and overall health. Your veterinarian can help you determine your cat's daily caloric needs.

How we selected the best wet cat food

We consulted two board-certified veterinary nutritionists, a veterinarian and professor of animal nutrition, and one board-certified veterinary cardiologist to land on our recommendations for the best and healthiest wet cat food. We also consulted guidelines and recommendations from other organizations, including the AAFCO and WSAVA.

Our expert sources: Dr. Bruce Kornreich is a board-certified veterinary cardiologist and director of the Cornell Feline Health Center at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. While Cornell University faculty cannot recommend or recommend against specific brands, Kornreich helped us understand when wet cat food might be appropriate to serve in addition to, or in place of, dry food. He also guided our understanding of what makes a high-quality wet food and what to avoid.

Dr. Debra Zoran is a small animal internist, nutritionist, and professor of small animal clinical sciences at the School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. She also holds a doctorate in animal nutrition from Texas A&M University. Zoran shared insights on cat nutrition and quality food.

Dr. Jennifer Larsen is a veterinarian and professor of clinical nutrition at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Larsen spoke with us about senior cat nutrition and the role of high-fiber diets in feline nutrition and well-being.

Dr. Korinn Saker is a board-certified veterinarian and a retired professor of clinical nutrition at the College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University. We spoke with Saker about the metabolic needs of indoor cats and feline food intolerance and sensitivities.

Wet cat food FAQs

What is the healthiest wet food for cats?

Because cats are obligate carnivores, the best wet cat foods include an animal-based protein as the first ingredient. A nutritionally complete and balanced food also features an AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement on its label. However, there isn't a perfect formula appropriate for every cat or kitten. Your veterinarian can recommend a food tailored to your pet's specific nutritional and caloric requirements based on their age, body condition, and overall health.

What wet food is best for indoor cats?

Obesity is common among indoor cats, especially middle-aged and neutered male cats. Regular exercise, play, enrichment, and low-calorie indoor cat food can help your cat maintain its ideal weight. Omega fatty acids are also included in some indoor cat formulas to promote healthy skin, which could mean less shedding and fewer hairballs. Larsen says indoor cats prone to frequent hairballs may benefit from a diet high in insoluble fiber. Most hairball control diets contain insoluble fiber sources like rice hulls, pea fiber, and cellulose.

Is it OK to give cats wet food every day?

Wet food with an AAFCO statement of nutritional adequacy is OK to feed your cat every day. However, to prevent food inflexibility, Zoran recommends rotating textures, proteins, and brands starting from a young age. If you'd like to feed your cat at specific times, check out our guide to the best automatic cat feeders.

Do vets recommend wet food for cats?

Both canned and dry foods can meet the nutritional needs of cats and kittens, as long as they're labeled with the AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement for your cat's specific life stage. The most appropriate food for your cat depends on their overall health, your budget, and your cat's preferences. Kornreich says veterinarians may recommend a wet diet for older cats with kidney disease or those prone to dehydration. If you're unsure how much your cat should eat or if they have special nutritional needs, talk to your veterinarian.

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