15 Best Dry Cat Foods in 2020

One of the most protein-rich dry cat food recipes, this formula is worth trying for cats in love with natural ingredients. The #1 ingredient here is cage-free chicken, and, together with other wholesome components, it composes the well-balanced nutrition for our felines.

Instinct Original is among the best dry cat food brands designing their formulas with probiotics (for healthy digestion) and omega fatty acids (for strong bones, healthy skin, and bright coat).
No grains, potato, wheat, soy, corn, or any by-product meals are here to make sure cats only get natural food.

The manufacturer insists that even the pickiest eaters will love this formula, as it’s coated in freeze-dried raw for better taste. No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives are here, which makes this recipe safe for both adult cats and kittens to consume. All the ingredients for this formula are US-made, from real meat, and minimally processed.

Thanks to a real, U.S. farm-raised chicken as the #1 ingredient and no by-product meals and fillers inside, this formula has reserved its place in the list of must-try cat kibble brands. With 14% fats and 9% moisture, the food contains biotin, taurine, and all the necessary vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Despite so many useful nutritional elements in the formula, it’s not as calorie-rich as some other recipes. Given that, it’s OK to give to cats on a diet, dealing with weight problems.

This Super Premium Dry Cat Food contains no wheat, corn, and soy. Also, there are no artificial flavors and preservatives inside. With omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, as well as calcium, zinc, and phosphorus, this dry cat food will provide a cat with healthy bones, strong muscles, and energy for an active and happy life.

High-protein and calorie-rich, this dry cat food formula fits all life cycles and comes with chicken and pork ingredients for better taste and maximum nutrients. According to its guaranteed analysis, the food contains 18% fats and 12% moisture, making it the most solid cat food of this review.

Dr. Elsey’s Cleanprotein Formula promotes a healthy, active lifestyle for all cats. Added vitamins and minerals satisfy a feline’s appetite and help her maintain a healthy metabolism and ideal weight. Biotin and taurine are also in the formula for a cat’s healthy eye, heart, and muscles. Please pay attention that the recipe contains salmon oil and dried egg product: They can be sensitive ingredients for cats with allergies.

This dry cat food is 100% grain- and gluten-free. It contains omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat of our felines. As well as all AAFCO-approved cat food recipes, this one shares transition and feeding recommendations on the package for maximum benefits. The amount of food to give daily will depend on a cat’s age, size, and activity level.

As seen from the name, this formula will fit indoor cats best. We know that indoor cats are usually less active than their outdoor fellows, and so they need fewer calories in the diet to avoid weight problems. Purina Cat Chow promotes a healthy weight with its ingredients: Garden greens help control hairballs, and 25 essential vitamins and minerals in the formula work to provide a feline with a 100% complete and balanced diet.

Thanks to its “light” ingredients, Cat Chow Indoor is not that caloric as most of this review’s items. At the same time, it provides the necessary 30% of protein and can boast with 12% of moisture, so critical for cats to consume when eating dry food only. Sure enough, the formula contains taurine (one of the must-have elements for cats’ eye and heart health).

The antioxidants in the formula help a cat support immune health, and real chicken as one of the core ingredients gives the energy to stay active for indoor games with humans. Whole-grain corn, wheat, and corn gluten meal in the ingredients list may sound confusing for pet owners, but no worries: Purina Cat Chow Indoor meets the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO. It means the formula serves well to maintain an adult cat’s dietary needs.

The brand sets itself up as a super premium cat food, but please don’t let this fact confuse you: It’s not about price but quality. Kirkland Signature’s cat kibble is an excellent option for those looking for dry cat food on a budget, given that its ingredients and guaranteed analysis are hard to name so.

The formula features chicken and chicken meal as primary ingredients. Unlike most budget foods, this one contains probiotics and prebiotics for a cat’s digestive and immune systems health. There are no artificial colors or harmful preservatives in the recipe, though a mix of white and brown rice adds some extra carbohydrates to it.

Omega fatty acids, taurine, biotin, and other essential elements for a cat’s health are in this formula too. More than that, the manufacturer takes care of a cat kibble size here, optimizing it so both kittens and adult felines could consume the food with comfort. The crunchy texture of kibbles helps to support teeth and gums healthy.

Blue Buffalo has been among the best dry cat food brands for a long time already. Pet owners know and love it for real-meat ingredients, exclusive LifeSource Bits, and the finest natural components they use in recipes. Their Indoor & Weight Control formula has all chances to become the best cat kibble option for your feline.

First, it’s a source of high-quality protein for a cat to maintain strong muscles. It’s wheat- and soy-free, containing wholesome grains and garden greens only. No by-products, artificial colors or flavors, and harmful preservatives are in the recipe.

Second, this kibble cat food blends natural fiber sources for hairball control. It’s not too calorie-rich, combining the optimal amount of proteins and fats for a cat to maintain ideal body weight. The above-mentioned LifeSource Bits, the blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants selected by vets and animal nutritionists, helps support immune system health and oxidative balance.

Blue Buffalo Indoor & Weight Control contains gut-friendly probiotics, DHA, EPA, and omega-6 fatty acids for a cat’s happy life and overall well-being.

We know Hill’s as a vet-approved and -recommended pet food brand. Here goes their dry formula for kittens, and it’s worth mentioning in this review thanks to high quality and specific balance of the ingredients.

First of all, let’s pay attention to primary components. The given recipe includes real chicken, formulated for indoor kittens, but the brand also uses real lamb and salmon as a source of animal protein for cats. All the ingredients are natural, US-made, and provide young felines with all the essential vitamins and minerals for a healthy brain, muscles, and bone development.

Vitamins C and E support the immune system, DHA works for a healthy eye and heart, and fiber’s right balance helps support digestive health. All the ingredients are clinically proven so that we won’t find any artificial preservatives or harmful by-products here. Also, it stands to reason that kibble size is relatively small in this formula for kittens to consume it with comfort. The recipe is calorie-rich: Young felines require a more nutritious diet than adults for proper growth and development.

This one is a natural food for adult cats, with added vitamins, minerals, and taurine. With many flavors available from the brand, I’ve decided to review Turkey & Duck here to diversify our cats’ diet a bit.

First and foremost, it’s worth mentioning that Wellness CORE works with vets and scientists to develop the healthiest dry cat food for our felines. Each recipe contains real meat as a primary ingredient and source of protein. Probiotics, omega fatty acids, taurine, and other essential vitamins and minerals in the formula help a feline stay healthy and active.

As seen from the name of this product, Wellness CORE is grain-free, which means there’s no wheat, corn, or soy in their recipes. By-products, artificial flavors, harmful preservatives, and fillers are absent here too. Each cat kibble of this food consists of meat and real nutrients (flaxseed, cranberries, and probiotics). Thanks to high-quality ingredients inside, this dry cat food is OK to feed at all life stages (kittens, adult, and senior cats).

The formula is calorie-rich, thanks to its 18% fat and just 10% of moisture. So, please make sure to feed it according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and ensure your cat has free access to clean water.

This kibble cat food is a must-try for adult cats with sensitive stomachs. Natural elements and real chicken as the #1 ingredient in this formula also help cats maintain a healthy weight and digestion.

Nutro Wholesome Essentials features natural fibers and has no GMO ingredients inside. (The brand works with trusted farmers and suppliers to ensure their customers get the high-quality product.) Vitamins and minerals, including omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin and shiny fur, provide felines with complete nutrition.

It stands to reason that Nutro’s dry cat food doesn’t contain corn, soy protein, wheat, or any by-product meals and artificial preservatives. The necessary elements, such as biotin and taurine, promote a cat’s healthy eyes, heart, and muscles. Feeding guidelines are on the package, suggesting the amount of food that depends on a feline’s weight. Nutro also shares tips on transitioning a cat to their diet: If feeding for the first time, consider blending this recipe with your old cat food for a week.

Only Natural Pet is among the dry cat food brands promoting biologically appropriate, natural feeding for our felines. Their formulas are grain-free, protein-rich, and made with wholesome ingredients. Plus, all their products are AAFCO-approved and 100% guaranteed.

The given recipe comes in two flavors: Fish & Fowl Dinner and Poultry Dinner. Both contain natural ingredients only, including the PowerBoost Blend coating of probiotics and enzymes. Essential amino acids, such as omega-3 and omega-6, promote healthy bones, skin, and fur; taurine works for eye and heart health; the group of vitamins (A, B, D) and minerals provide cats with complete nutrition they need for a happy life.

Most cat kibble reviews describe this food as the one with low glycemic carbohydrates, no by-products, no artificial preservatives, and no ingredients from China. The manufacturer insists they test every batch for safety and quality, and promises to pay back if a cat doesn’t love their dry food formulas.

Specially designed for indoor cats, this formula from IAMS helps them control weight and hairballs formation. Given that indoor felines are less active than outdoor ones, this food is not as calorie-rich as other brand products to prevent obesity in cats. Thanks to L-Carnitine in the formula, it supports metabolism and helps to burn fat; prebiotics and beet pulp in the ingredients promote healthy digestion and support our cats’ heart health.

This dry cat food’s primary ingredient and protein source is chicken, promoting strong muscles and giving a cat the energy for play. Other components include turkey, dried egg product, chicken by-product meal, and whole-grain corn. Thanks to essential nutrients (including calcium and potassium) and 10% less fat than in IAMS’ original recipe, this one can serve as a part of the weight loss diet. Also, it helps reduce hairballs, which is critical for indoor cats to deal with.

As well as any other AAFCO-approved healthy dry cat food, this one shares feeding and transition guidelines on their every package. With only 10% moisture in the recipe, ensure your feline drinks enough clean water every day.

Depending on your cat’s taste and dietary needs, feel free to choose among Salmon & Ocean Fish, Chicken, or Salmon & Chicken Indoor formulas of CRAVE kibble cat food. All are animal protein-rich and grain-free to promote healthy and active lifestyles of our cats.

With Salmon & Ocean Fish recipe as an example, let’s reveal the benefits of CRAVE food. Besides real salmon as the #1 ingredient, the food contains chicken meal, fish meal (menhaden), and protein-rich vegetables (peas and potato). Thanks to the absence of by-products, wheat, and soy in the recipe, it provides a cat with all the necessary nutrients and helps to maintain a strong immune system, a lean body, and the energy to play.

Sure enough, essential amino acids, such as taurine and omega-6, are present in the formula to promote healthy eyes, heart, bones, and teeth. In case your feline is allergic to sea products, feel free to choose Chicken flavor for her: As well as other recipes from CRAVE, it’s protein-rich (40% of crude protein min) and nutrient-dense.

With this recipe, Purina worries about the health and diet of felines with sensitive skin and stomachs. Palatable, easily digestible, and crafted with natural ingredients, this kibble cat food allows our four-legged friends to get all the necessary nutrients through thick and thin.

Real turkey is a primary source of protein in the formula. Together with other high-quality ingredients like chicken, whole-grain corn, dried carrots, and peas, it delivers tons of vitamins and antioxidants to support a cat’s immune system. Taurine promotes healthy eye and heart, and omega fatty acids work to encourage healthy skin and shiny coat. Also, please pay attention to the crunchy texture of kibbles here: Removing plaque and tartar from teeth and gums, it promotes extra oral hygiene for cats and helps prevent gingivitis. 

Purina ONE offers 100% complete and balanced nutrition a cat needs. With 20+ vitamins and minerals in the formula, adult felines will stay healthy and active for a happy life. Feeding and transition guidelines from the manufacturer go with every package, as well as tips on how to store dry cat food right.

This one from IAMS is specially designed for our senior felines to help them support healthy muscles and stay active. For older felines to feel their best, the formula is protein-rich (real chicken is a primary source of protein here) and with 2x more antioxidants than the brand’s regular recipes for adult cats.

One of the healthiest dry cat foods on the market, this formula is veterinarian-recommended as it contains no fillers, providing senior felines with 100% complete & balanced nutrition. L-Carnitine helps cats maintain a healthy weight; vitamin E restores immune systems; and, nutrients like calcium and potassium support healthy joints and strong bones.

Experts recommend this food for cats over 11 years old and say it’s good enough to feed without adding vitamin and mineral supplements. Cat kibble’s crunchy texture of the formula helps with oral hygiene, reducing plaque and tartar build-up. Feeding guidelines will depend on a cat’s weight (see the instructions on packages). Also, please have clean water available for a cat at all times.

This natural cat food from Whole Earth Farms provides felines with 100% complete and balanced nutrition. Besides Chicken, flavors include Salmon, Turkey & Duck, Whitefish & Tuna, as well as separate formulas for kittens and adult indoor cats. Choose yours, depending on a feline’s life stage, dietary needs, and taste.

The manufacturer insists all the ingredients are US-made. Real meat is a primary source of animal protein here, and fresh fruits and vegetables help support healthy digestion and hairball control. All the recipes in this formula are grain-free and contain no by-products, artificial colors, or harmful preservatives. Together with taurine, omega, and other essential acids, the complex of vitamins and minerals guarantees the balance of necessary nutrients in a cat’s diet.

Whole Earth Farms dry cat food is not too calorie-rich if compared to other formulas of the same quality. Given that, it’s OK to use it in weight control diets. Feeding and transition instructions are available on packages, for both dry food alone and combination feeding.