Buying the best dry cat food might seem to be little complicated for some of you. But after reading the below buyers’ guide, your this misunderstanding will surely get vanished.
There are many cheap dry cat foods which you can buy from the market, but that does not offer proper nutrition to your cats. They can result in numerous health problems like obesity or DIABETES in the cats as the time passes.
We are sure that you do not want this to happen with your dear pet. But how can you know that which is the best dry cat food?
In the below buyer’s guide, we are providing you the list of top ten best dry cat food that you can purchase from the market. We have reviewed all of them thoroughly after doing proper study and research. We also share with your some valuable information that will help you in picking the right dry food for your cat.
So, let’s begin the journey!
PRODUCT | MAIN INGREDIENTS | GLUTEN FREE | DIMENSIONS | ADDED PRESERVATIVES OR ARTIFICIAL COLORS |
Meow Mix Original Choice Dry Cat Food – The Editor’s Choice | Chicken, turkey, salmon, and ocean fish | No | 1 x 1 x 1 inches | Yes |
BLUE Adult Healthy Living Chicken & Brown Rice Dry Cat Food 3-lb | Brown rice, barley, oats, Whole carrots, sweet potatoes, parsley and cranberries | Yes | 21.5 x 12 x 4 inches | NA |
Purina ONE Indoor Advantage Adult Premium Cat Food | Turkey, Omega 6 | No | NA | Yes |
Purina Pro Plan Dry Cat Food | Real poultry, fish or meat, omega-6 fatty acids, chicken and rice | Yes | 22 x 15 x 4 inches | Yes |
Blue Buffalo Blue Wilderness Adult Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food | Sweet potatoes,Cranberries, blueberries and carrots | Yes | 18.5 x 12.5 x 3 inches | No |
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Optimal Care Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food | Real chicken, lamb or salmon protein | Yes | 9.4 x 5.5 x 7.4 inches | No |
Purina Cat Chow Gentle Dry Cat Food | Turkey by-product meal; Corn gluten meal | No | 3.5 x 13 x 20 inches | No |
Purina Cat Chow Naturals Original Dry Cat Food | Chicken by-product meal; Corn gluten meal; Soy flour | Yes | 13.5 x 3.2 x 20 inches | No |
Meow Mix Tender Centers Salmon & Turkey Flavors with Vitality Bursts, 3 lb (Pack of 6) | Salmon and chicken flavors | No | 20 x 15 x 3.5 inches | Yes |
Hill’s Science Diet Indoor Dry Cat Food | Proteins and natural ingredients, plus vitamins, minerals and amino acids | Yes | 24 x 16 x 4 inches | No |
Table of Contents
Detail List of Best Dry Cat Food
There are some different types of dry cat foods which you can find on the market. But how will you know that which is the best dry cat food?
Don’t worry! The following are the top ten best dry cat foods which we have selected after doing thorough research and study. It will surely help you in choosing the best product for your cat.
Please have a look.
1. Meow Mix Original Choice Dry Cat Food, 16 lb – The Editor’s Choice
The top name on our list is Meow Mix Original Choice Dry Cat Food which comes in the 16 lb size packing. It provides a balanced and complete nutrition to your cat.
There are lots of high-quality minerals and vitamins present in this product that gives active and healthy muscles to the cats.
Meow Mix is not a new name in the industry of the cat food. It is well a known brand that manufactures incredible cat foods. In this particular product, the flavor of turkey, chicken, ocean fish and salmon are use which your cat cannot resist at any cost. It is also available in different packages in the market at the reasonable price rate also.
Pros
- It filled with the necessary and useful vitamins and nutrients.
- It comprises of high-quality proteins that make the cat healthy and fit.
- The flavors used in manufacturing the product are tempting for cats like fish, chicken, salmon, etc.
- It is available in different types of packages. Thus, you can buy that package which matches your cat needs.
Cons
- It has glutens which are not good for cat’s health.
- All the ingredients in the product are not 100 percent natural.
2. BLUE Adult Healthy Living Chicken & Brown Rice Dry Cat Food 3-lb
The next name on our list is of BLUE Adult Healthy Living Chicken & Brown Rice Dry Cat Food which comes in the 15 lb. size bag.
It has protein, veggies, whole grains (barley, brown rice, and oats) as well as delicious deboned chicken. There is no use of poultry or chicken by-product meals in it. It loved by most of the cats.
The cat gets vital nutrients and important amino acids from the food which is required by them in their daily nutritious, balanced diet for staying healthy.
Pros
- It possesses delicious and yummy taste that is loved by the cats.
- It comprises of the good formula that benefit in the natural digestion.
- It is decent dry cat food that you can consider for buying.
- It does not have any by-product meals.
- With the regular consumption of the food, the fur of the cat gets silkier.
Cons
- Some cats might not like the taste, and they might need more time to like it.
- It has a powerful smell.
3. Purina ONE Indoor Advantage Adult Premium Cat Food
In this dry cat food, you can find the real chicken which adores by a maximum number of cats. It has an adequate amount of minerals, proteins, and vitamins which makes this food one of the most recommended products by the veterinary doctors.
It comprises of the omega six fatty acids as the ingredient that provides glowing skin as well as fur to your cat. The exterior of the food is very crunchy, and it’s inside portion is nice and soft to eat. It is a delicious and enjoyable dry food for the cats.
What we like the most about the product is that it does not contain any fillers and your cat will surely get the right quantity of nutritional benefit from the food.
Pros
- It contains real parts of the chicken.
- The soft and crunchy texture of food makes it loved by the cat.
- There is no use of fillers while manufacturing the product.
- It provides a complete balanced diet for your cat because of the essential minerals and vitamins that exist in the dry cat food.
- Some veterinary doctors recommend this food to the cats.
Cons
- It has the corn gluten which is not good for cat’s health.
- It is an expensive product to buy.
4. Purina Pro Plan Dry Cat Food
Purina Pro Plan Dry Cat Food is one of the most nourishing and innovative foods for cats. It helps the cats in living a healthy and active life.
When your cat consumes this food, the daily requirements of their nutrition get fulfilled. It does not matter that your cat is of which size or age, the food directly matches the nourishment needs of them.
Pros
- It has high-quality ingredients that benefit in the perfect growth of the cats.
- You can include in the feeding program of your cat.
- It is available at the reasonable price in comparison to the other products.
Cons
- Some cats might not like it because of the fillers.
5. Blue Buffalo Blue Wilderness Adult Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food
It is a reasonably priced dry cat food that you can buy on the market. It is a good option for the people who are looking to purchase the natural dry cat food for their cats.
The advantage of buying this food is that it has a perfect balance of minerals, vitamins as well as proteins.
There is no use of poultry by-product, soy, wheat, corn or chicken while making this food.
It also means that you do not have to worry about the digestive problems of any allergic issue regarding your cat with this product.
It comes in the different flavors. Thus you can buy the one which matches your cat’s taste.
Pros
- It has the perfect balance of the minerals and vitamins that benefit in maintaining the proper health of your cat.
- All the natural ingredients inside the product are quite excellent that makes it a good supplement for the growing cats.
- There is no use of preservatives or artificial flavors while making this food.
- It is an excellent alternative for the cats who love to eat raw food.
- It is also a healthy option for the cats whose age is between 6 to 8 weeks.
Cons
- Iis an expensive product in comparison to the other dry cat foods.
- It is not suitable for the cats who are suffering from the diabetes problem.
6. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Optimal Care Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food
People are looking to buy the dry cat food that is recommended by the vet also must purchase the Hill’s Science Diet Adult Optimal Care Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food.
Since it is endorsed by the doctors also, you can get assured of its quality.
It gives a nutritious and balanced diet to your cats which help them in staying healthy and fit.
You can find the food in different packaging according to the cat’s age, i.e., adult or kitten.
You can find the food in different packaging according to the cat’s age, i.e., adult or kitten.
It has antioxidants and does not contain any preservatives, flavor or color. If you are not satisfied with the product then, you may return it to the company.
Pros
- Due to the presence of the antioxidants and essential nutrients, this dry cat food offers a complete balanced diet for your cat.
- It is a highly recommended food for the cats by the veterinary doctors.
- After eating this food, your cat will have the proper litter that you can clean.
- It benefits in the better digestion.
- There is no use of preservatives, flavor or color in the food.
- It comes in different variations which let you buy it according to your cat age group.
Cons
- Since there is no use of flavor in it, your cat might not find it tasty.
- It is an expensive dry cat food to purchase.
7. Purina Cat Chow Gentle Dry Cat Food
There are lots of cats which suffer from the upset stomach and sensitive digestion. For such types of cats, the Purina Cat Chow Gentle Dry Cat Food is a perfect option.
It is an excellent choice for the indoor cats that are choosy while picking the food. It has a good amount of high-quality protein also that makes the fur of the cats look beautiful and nice.
The mixture of the dry cat food does not need any gravy while serving to the cat. It has no artificial colors at all.
It contains the blend of the natural fiber like turkey by-product, ground yellow corn, corn gluten meal, soybean, rice, wheat flour and animal fat which benefits in supporting the stomach of the cats.
Pros
- It has all the essential minerals and vitamins without any preservatives or artificial flavors.
- Has the high quantity of protein that requires in daily cat’s diet.
- It works as a 100% balanced and complete balanced diet for the adult cats.
- It is a reasonably priced product to buy.
Cons
- The cats who are fussy eater might not gobble this food.
- Has the corn gluten which is a filler ingredient.
8. Purina Cat Chow Naturals Original Dry Cat Food
It is one of the favorite dry cat foods on the online shopping websites. It comprises of the high-quality ingredients in a big size bag.
People having small-budget can easily afford this product for their cats. It does not contain any preservatives or artificial colors at all.
All the ingredients in the dry cat food are natural as well as healthy like turkey, real chicken, etc. The minerals and vitamins of the food fulfill the daily requirements of the cats.
It equipped with the right constituents and formula that helps in maintaining the healthy weight of your cat. It has a longer shelf life also that allows you to keep it for a longer time.
Pros
- It comes at the reasonable price on the market.
- It has all the vital minerals and vitamins which a cat needs in their daily diet.
- It is a healthy and natural dry cat food that you can buy.
- It has a longer shelf life.
Cons
- Some cats might not enjoy the taste of this food.
9. Meow Mix Tender Centers Salmon & Turkey Flavors with Vitality Bursts, 3 lb (Pack of 6)
Pros
- It acts as a complete balanced dry cat food which comprises of the essential minerals and vitamins.
- The soft interior and the crunchy exterior of the food make it a delightful treat.
- The white meat and the delicious salmon flavor of the food make it tempting for the cat.
- It is an affordably priced product.
Cons
- Has the gluten which is not good for the health of the cat.
10. Hill’s Science Diet Indoor Dry Cat Food
The last and final name on pour list is of Hill’s Science Diet Indoor Dry Cat Food. It is specially made to meet the nourishing requirements of the cats.
It comprises of the high-quality protein and natural ingredients like fiber that helps in the healthy and gentle digestion by the cat so that you can quickly clean the litter box of your cat.
This product has lots of advantages also like benefits in maintaining the weight of your cat due to the lean protein ingredient. Some pet nutritionists and vets recommend this dry food to the cats.
What we like more about the product is that it has a right balance of minerals, amino acids, and vitamins which are needed by the cats. It has no flavors or artificial preservatives present in the food.
Pros
- It comprises of the natural ingredients like fish, meat, and poultry that offer Vitamin E and Vitamin C to the cats.
- To provide the natural flavor to the food, natural ingredients like apples, cranberries, broccoli, and peas used.
- It is an outstanding dry cat food which is manufactured by the excellent brand.
Cons
- The food looks oily.
- The pieces of the dry food are big for few cats.
What Ingredients Should Present In The Best Dry Cat Food?
When you go to the market for buying the best dry food, you will see that there are lots of ingredients which printed on the packaging of the product. But how will know that which elements are essential in the best dry cat food?
To know the answer, read the following points:
1. Protein
Protein is one of the most important ingredients that should be present in the hairy cat’s diet. So, the dry food without the high-quality protein is a big NO. You must not feed any of the food which does not have protein in it.
2. Category of The Protein
Now, we have told you in the above point that protein in the dry food is essential for the cats but remember that every type of protein is not good for the cats. For example, protein from meat or chicken is good for the cat’s health, but protein from the corn and soy is not good for them.
3. Natural Flavor
Try to buy the dry food which has natural flavor in it. The foods with the artificial flavor or color are harmful to the cat’s health in the long run. They might cause some health-related issues later.
4. Natural Preservatives
It is one of the best things if your dry cat food has natural preservatives in it like Vitamin E and C. These preservatives are not harmful to your cat’s health.
5. Taurine
Taurine is essential for the overall health of the cats. If this ingredient is present in the dry food, then you do not have to worry about your cat’s health at all. The deficiency of this component can result in the heart disease as well as retinal degeneration.
What Ingredients To Avoid In Dry Cat Food?
Not every element is good for the cat’s health. There are some ingredients also which are bad for them. In the below section, we will tell you about some of the ingredients which you can avoid in the dry cat food.
Please have a look!
1. Meat By-Products
The MEAT BY-PRODUCTS like lungs, liver, and kidneys are considered to be low-form of protein for the cats. Thus, you should avoid such foods in your cat’s food.
2. Ethoxyquin, BHT, and BHA
The Ethoxyquin, BHT, and BHA are the chemical preservatives which used for preserving the dry cat food. These things are also known as cancer instigating agents. It is the reason that lots of cat food manufacturers are now using the natural preservatives like Vitamin E and vitamin C for preserving the dry foods instead of the chemical preservatives.
3. Low-Quality Grains
Grains aren’t necessarily healthy for your cat. Felines just don’t have that many carbohydrate needs. Ingredients like wheat or white rice can be high in carbs and filled with GLUTEN. That’s not what you want if your furry friend is to stay healthy into old age.
4. Troublesome to Digest Foods
There are some foods which the cat does not digest well, for example, rye. The foods like tapioca and potatoes possess high glycemic index, and it can cause a high level of blood sugar in the cats. Thus you should also avoid giving such foods to your pets.
5. Corn – Filler
Several dry foods for cats have around fifty percent of grain in them. Sometimes the content of the carbohydrate is too much high for them that the old age cats get affected harshly. A limited amount of carbohydrates is not harmful to the cats, but the large quantity of the carbs can be dangerous for the cats suffering from diabetes especially.
Tips On Feeding Your Cats And Kittens
The following are the few tips which you can keep in mind while feeding dry food to your cats or kittens:
Some of you might have the small kitten at your home. Remember that the kitten cannot easily chew the dry food with their soft teeth and thus it can cause digestive problems.
Before serving the dry food to them, you can wet the food in the water so that it can become softened. Do not dip them in too much water; just add a small quantity of water in the dry food so that the kitten can chew it quickly.
You must know that cat is a carnivores animal. Thus, giving them the dry food which has a high amount of meat content in comparison to the grain is a good idea. These foods not only help them in growing healthily but also make their bones stronger.
We will not suggest that giving table scraps (such as chocolates, onions or avocados) to the cats is a good thought. Such foods can be very toxic to them. But, if still, you want to give them the scraps, we will suggest serving the meat scarps without any sauce or spices.
Always follow the guidelines and instructions that the veterinary doctor of your cat recommends. Vets are the better persons who can tell you that how much amount of food you can serve to your cat so that a healthy weight of the pet gets assured.
Cats do not have the much capacity to drink water like the dogs. But still, whenever they drink water, it should be clean and fresh.
You should remember that changing the diet of your cat is not an easy thing to do. It can cause digestive problems to them. Whatever dry food you want to include in their diet must be done slowly. The body of the cats needs some time for the adjustments. As soon as their body gets adjusted, you can give such food regularly to them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Hi, I have a small kitten at my hone. Can you please suggest me that which type of dry food I should choose for my kitten?
Well! According to use, it is quite essential to offer your kitten the splendid quantity of protein in the everyday diet. The consumption of the protein helps in improving the cat’s eyesight and the skin’s quality also. There are some dry foods which have natural protein in them that benefits the kitten to a great extent.
2. In how many shapes does the dry cat food come in the market? How will I know which is the best size for my cat?
The cat dry foods come in different shapes like balls or pellets. Such food gets easily traced by the cats. However, if you pick the small size food for cats then, it might become little difficult for newborn-cats to search. So, an accurate volume of food is very significant.
3. My cat is suffering from diabetes. Can I serve my cat the dry cat food or not?
The foods such as tapioca and potatoes have a very high glycemic index which can cause the high level of blood sugar in the cats. Thus, you should also avoid giving these foods to your pets.
4. I have the cat under the age of 21 weeks. Is it possible to serve the cat with the dry food?
The cats below the age of 21 weeks are preferred to get served with the wet food because of the smooth consistency. Such foods get quickly chew by the small cats. However, if you still want to feed them the dry food, you wet them with some water so that it can become soft. As soon as your cat grows up, you can easily serve them with any dry food.
5. What is the benefit of the natural preservatives in the dry food for cats?
It is one of the best things if your dry cat food has natural preservatives in it like Vitamin E and C. These preservatives are not harmful to your cat’s health.
Conclusion
After reading the above buyer’s guide for the best dry cat food, now you might not find it difficult to pick the right food for your cat. It not only guides you in choosing the right product but also helps in removing lots of confusion in your mind regarding the dry food for cats.
It is quite important that you feed your cat with the high quality and the healthy dry cat food so that you can keep your dear pet away from lots of health issues like obesity, upset digestive system, etc. Product manufactured by the big brand does not mean that they are giving you the best quality food. You should always research about the product before buying it for your cat.
According to our research and study, the clear winner here is the Meow Mix Original Choice Dry Cat Food. It has all the vital minerals, proteins and vitamins which support the proper health of the cat. Besides this, it is available in different packaging at the reasonable price on the market.
So, what are you waiting for now? Go and get a best dry cat food quickly and make your pet enjoy the food happily.
We hope that you like the above article. If you have any query then, write to us in the below comment box. We will reply back to you soon.
For more useful info about your pet, keep exploring our website!
Thanks for reading!
Related Tips and Tricks from Eforpets Lists