The Best Wet Cat Foods for Your Pet’s Needs

When shopping for the best wet cat food for your cat, it’s important to consider not only factors like the ingredients in the food, but also whether that food is a good fit for your cat’s needs. With options available for different life stages, like kittens and senior cats, as well as grain-free foods and recipes designed specifically for cats with sensitive stomachs, you’ll have plenty of foods to choose from. Here are my top picks for the best wet cat foods, based on veterinary advice.

Our top picks for the best wet cat foods

Wet cat food benefits

According to Bond Vet, wet food offers many benefits. It has a higher moisture content than dry food, which can help to keep your cat hydrated. Wet food may appeal more to picky eaters, too, so it may be a good choice for many cats. Cats with certain conditions like kidney disease and chronic constipation may also benefit from the moisture content of wet food. If you have questions about whether wet food is right for your kitty, be sure to speak with your veterinarian.

Is wet or dry food better for cats?

Bond Vet notes that there are pros and cons to both wet and dry food for cats. Feeding either wet or dry food, or feeding a combination of both can be a healthy and appropriate choice for your cat. When deciding which type of food is best, your cat’s age may affect your decision. Young kittens may need wet food to stay comfortable while they’re teething, and some senior cats can find wet food more appealing, which can help them to maintain a healthy weight.

How we selected the best wet cat food

In choosing the best wet cat foods, we carefully looked at the ingredients. We focused on foods with whole, quality ingredients, including protein sources, fruits, and vegetables. We chose foods with high protein content and low carbohydrates, and we also made sure to avoid foods with poor-quality ingredients like artificial fillers, preservatives or colors.

We chose brands with strong reputations for quality, and we also looked for foods that are available in multiple recipes and textures, so you can add variety into your cat’s diet or simply try out different flavors to find out what your cat likes the most.

What to look for when choosing the best wet cat foods

There are many factors to consider when choosing the best wet cat foods. I asked veterinarians what you should look for when comparing foods and deciding on the one that’s right for your cat.

Complete and balanced diet

According to the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, feeding your cat a meat-only diet can cause deficiencies in vitamins, fatty acids and minerals. Feeding a complete and balanced canned food can help you ensure your cat is getting a diet that’s high in protein and low in carbohydrates, which can help meet your cat’s nutritional needs and even prevent obesity.

Some foods are currently being marketed as food toppers or complements, and these are meant to be fed in addition to a complete and balanced diet. When choosing a wet food that will be your cat’s primary diet, look for the “complete and balanced diet” distinction.

Named meat sources and amounts

Dr. Bethany Hsia, an active mobile veterinarian and co-founder of CodaPet, explains that it’s important to look for animal-based protein sources listed as the first few ingredients, which indicates that the food contains a high percentage of those proteins. “Look for specific named meat sources like chicken, turkey, beef, or fish,” she says. “Avoid generic terms like meat by-products or animal digest, as these can be lower-quality protein sources.”

Carbohydrate content

Dr. Alex Crow, a veterinary surgeon and owner of PetHealthGuru, explains that cats have a limited need for carbohydrates in their diet. “Opt for cat food with low carbohydrate content, ideally less than 10%,” he advises.

Whole ingredients

Dr. Hsia encourages cat owners to check for whole food ingredients, like fruits and vegetables. “These can provide essential vitamins and minerals to support overall health,” she explains.

Limited ingredients

“Generally, a shorter ingredient list is indicative of higher-quality cat food,” says Dr. Crow. “Stay away from products with lengthy ingredient lists or ingredients that are difficult to pronounce.”

Taurine

Taurine is an amino acid that’s essential to your cat’s health, according to Lake Michigan Animal Hospital. Taurine supports metabolic processes and impacts the storage of nutrients. A taurine deficiency can lead to health issues like developmental problems, digestion issues and diarrhea, hair loss, diabetes, tooth decay, and even blindness. Look for food that includes taurine to help prevent a deficiency and support your cat’s overall health.

Brand reputation

It’s also important to consider a brand’s reputation when choosing a food. According to Banfield Pet Hospital, a cat food product must meet certain standards to carry the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) logos. The presence of these logos on cat food certifies that the food is safe for your cat, is free of harmful substances, was produced in sanitary conditions, and is accurately labeled.

Texture

Dr. Crow explains that you may need to try out different foods to determine which wet food texture your cat most enjoys. “Cats can be picky about textures, so it might be necessary to experiment to find the one that your cat prefers,” he says. Wet cat food textures include smooth pate, chunky pieces and meat shreds, plus there are a variety of gravies and broths.

Life stage

In addition to choosing a quality cat food, you’ll need to make sure that the food is appropriate for your cat’s life stage. As cats develop, their nutritional needs change. “Kittens have different nutritional needs compared to adult cats,” explains Dr. Hsia. “[If you have a kitten,] it is important to select a food that is specifically formulated for kittens.” A wet food for kittens needs to have adequate levels of essential nutrients, including high-quality protein to support the kitten’s growth and development.

In contrast, senior cats experience a slower metabolism and digestion. “Wet foods formulated for senior cats often contain lower levels of phosphorus to support kidney health, have added joint support ingredients such as glucosamine and chondroitin, and have softer textures that can be easier for senior cats to eat,” says Dr. Hsia.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What ingredients should I avoid in wet cat food?

Dr. Hsai explains that it’s important to avoid generic meat sources like meat by-products or animal digest, since they can be lower quality than specific meat sources like chicken or turkey. “Avoid foods that contain excessive amounts of fillers like corn, wheat, or soy. In addition, avoid artificial additives such as colors, flavors, and preservatives,” she says.

How can I introduce a new food to my cat?

Transitioning your cat to a new food can cause some stomach upset, so it’s important to gradually make that change. CityVet recommends transitioning your cat to a new food over the course of a week. For some pets, however, a transition of two to three weeks may be needed. On days one and two, mix 25% of the new food with 75% of your cat’s old food. On days three and four, mix 50% of the new food with 50% of the old food. By days five and six, you can mix 75% of the new food with 25% of the old food. On day seven, you can fully transition your cat to eating 100% new food.

Can I mix dry and wet cat foods?

Yes, you can absolutely mix both types of foods. Bond Vet recommends that if you mix the foods, you should make sure to proportionally reduce the amount of each that you feed. For example, if you want to feed wet and dry cat foods in a 50:50 mixture, then you should only feed half as much wet and half as much dry food that is recommended for your cat’s size, age and activity level.