Best Dry Cat Food

Review & Comparison, Last Update February 17, 2024
Are you in the market for the right food for your feline companion? Given the number of types and brands available, the choice might ...Read more
PROS

The reduced kibble size makes the food easy to chew and swallow. The beet pulp will be adding wholesome fiber and providing natural prebiotics, so the cat's digestion system will remain excellent. 

CONS

The price is pretty steep. 

OUR VERDICT

Rachael Ray Nutrish Super Premium Dry Cat Food is among the best dry cat food products and what we would recommend to most customers that are able to afford something that's more expensive but also more conducive towards feline health and well-being.

detailed parameters
Package Contents

1 x 14-lb bag (3-lb and 6-lb packs also available)

Type

Dry

Recommended For

Adult (above 12 months)

Key Ingredients

Chicken, Corn Gluten Meal, Brown Rice, Brewer's Rice, Dried Peas, Poultry Fat, Whole Flaxseed, Fish Meal, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Natural Flavor, Caramel (Color), Salt, Potassium Chloride, Dicalcium Phosphate, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Dried Carrots, Vitamins and Supplements

PROS

The real chicken inside the kibbles feeds the cat’s wild side, providing them the means necessary for building and maintaining lean muscle mass. The sweet potatoes and peas deliver the fuel to make sure the cats are able to lead an active lifestyle. 

CONS

The food ought to be mixed with more water than usual. 

OUR VERDICT

Blue Buffalo Wilderness, with its LifeSource Bits, blends vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making sure that the blend is precise enough to aid the immune system, meet different life stage requirements, and maintain the oxidative balance. 

detailed parameters
Package Contents

1 x 12-lb bag (2.5-lb and 6-lb packs also available)

Type

Dry

Recommended For

Adult (above 12 months)

Key Ingredients

Chicken, Pea Protein, Tapioca Starch, Peas, Menhaden Fish Meal, Chicken Fat, Dried Egg Product, Pea Fiber, Flaxseed, Calcium Chloride, Potassium Sulfate, DL-Methionine, Choline Chloride, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Potatoes, Dried Chicory Root, Vitamins and Supplements

PROS

The natural fibers will be able to minimize hairballs' development. The kibbles reduce plaque buildups and whiten the cats' teeth, so you'll be paying fewer visits to the vet. 

CONS

The kibbles can lead to obesity if you don't ration the portions. 

OUR VERDICT

The 22-pound Purina ONE Indoor Advantage pack will last you weeks, making this bag an excellent choice for people housing multiple cats. The formula meets adult cats' all nutritional needs and supports felines' lifelong potential. 

detailed parameters
Package Contents

1 x 22-lb bag (3.5-lb, 7-lb, and 16-lb packs also available)

Type

Dry

Recommended For

Adult (above 12 months)

Key Ingredients

Turkey, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Rice, Soybean Meal, Whole Grain Corn, Soy Protein Isolate, Powdered Cellulose, Dried Yeast, Soybean Hulls, Beef Fat, Canola Meal, Liver Flavor, Soy Protein Concentrate, Phosphoric Acid, Calcium Carbonate, Vitamins and Supplements

PROS

Packing leafy greens, whole grains, and especially salmon, the kibbles are not something that most cats could pass. The omega 6 fatty acids will make sure the coat is radiant and the skin is taken care of. 

CONS

The packaging is difficult to close tight once you've opened it. 

OUR VERDICT

Purina Cat Chow accommodates all cats, from little kittens to confident adults to seasoned, experienced cats. Even felines with sensitive stomachs should have no digestion issues thanks to the organic formula. 

detailed parameters
Package Contents

1 x 13-lb bag (1-lb pack also available)

Type

Dry

Recommended For

Kittens, Adults, Seniors

Key Ingredients

Chicken, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken By-Product Meal, Rice, Soybean Meal, Ground Yellow Corn, Ground Whole Wheat, Beef Tallow, Natural Liver Flavor, Salmon, Phosphoric Acid, Calcium Carbonate, Natural Flavor, Vitamins and Supplements

PROS

The taurine these kibbles are stuffed with will be reducing the chances that cats fall victim to heart issues and maintaining 20/20 eyesight. The cold-formed pellets will last even with the packaging not sealed tight. 

CONS

The smell and color will vary. 

OUR VERDICT

Blue Buffalo Indoor Health is formulated with more unorthodox ingredients than most dry cat food products, including not only standard additives but also foods like dried egg products, potato starch, chicken fat, and more.

detailed parameters
Package Contents

1 x 15-lb bag (3-lb and 7-lb packs also available)

Type

Dry

Recommended For

Adult (above 12 months)

Key Ingredients

Chicken, Menhaden Fish Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, Oatmeal, Peas, Pea Protein, Dried Egg Product, Chicken Fat, Potato Starch, Flaxseed, Choline Chloride, DL-Methionine, Calcium Sulfate, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Chloride, Pea Fiber, Potatoes, Taurine, Dried Chicory Root, Vitamins and Supplements

Every Ingredient Has Its Purpose

Rachael Ray Nutrish Super Premium Dry Cat Food is not cheap, that premium part there refers to the quality as much as it does to the price. As far as we're concerned though, the price tag is more than reasonable considering how good these kibbles are.

Every ingredient here has its purpose, mixing high-quality proteins like chicken, salmon, and whitefish with wholesome vegetables and essential vitamins, minerals, and taurine. Aside from that, the formula includes brown rice, which is an awesome carbohydrate source that's rich with essential B vitamins and wholesome fiber. The beet pulp adds wholesome fiber too but the ingredient also provides natural prebiotics, making sure that the cat is able to maintain healthy digestion. The chicken we've mentioned above is packed with omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids, elements that aid towards healthy skin and coat.

What the formula is not packing is wheat, soy ingredients, artificial flavors, and artificial preservatives, making these kibbles the healthiest choice between most dry cat food options.

To sum this up, Rachael Ray Nutrish Super Premium Dry Cat Food is not only delicious but also very beneficial towards maintaining healthy organs, lean muscle, shiny coat, and flawless skin.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $28.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B00I2KPO4C

Feeding the Wild Side

The people behind Blue Buffalo Wilderness believe that the product's biggest selling point is the real chicken that's inside the kibbles and we can see where they're coming from. Feeding the feline’s wild side, the high-protein kibbles allow even the laziest cats to build and maintain lean muscle mass.

Sure, as important as it is, meat alone is not enough. That's where the formula's abundant healthy carbohydrates come into play, including peas and sweet potatoes that will be providing the fuel necessary to lead an active lifestyle without feeding them grains. Also, these ingredients are packed with omega 3 & 6 fatty acids, supporting skin and coat health.

One would argue though that the so-called LifeSource Bits is what makes the product so attractive in the first place, with its precise antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals blend that's been supposedly selected by holistic veterinarians and animal nutritionists. According to these claims, the blend will be supporting the immune system health, fulfilling life stage requirements, and making sure that the oxidative balance remains healthy.

You'll have to mix these kibbles with more water than you'd be usually using but, besides that, Blue Buffalo Wilderness is an easy product to recommend to conscious feline enthusiasts.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B002UT92EY

Meeting the Nutritional Needs

What's great about Purina ONE Indoor Advantage is that the product won't cost you much but still make sure the cat's nutritional needs are met so that your feline companion is able to reach optimal health, conditions both inside and out. Since cats are carnivores, carnivores, they're usually craving meat and protein, which is where the 42 grams (~1.5 ounces) of real turkey that every cup contains come in, meeting these craves and aiding muscles mass development. Besides protein, the formula is packing all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that cats need, from phosphoric acid and calcium carbonate to omega 6 fatty acids, making the coat radiant and the skin glowing.

What's more, the natural fibers this product is rich with will be minimizing hairballs and, according to the people behind the product, reducing excess weight gain. Having said that, from where we're standing, ration the portions carefully since even the most active cats can easily become fat consuming too many Purina One kibbles at a time.

On the upside, these kibbles are also pretty good at reducing plaque buildup and whitening feline teeth, so we will not be criticizing them too much. In fact, Purina ONE Indoor Advantage deserves very little criticism and ample praise considering the product's value relative to the price.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $27.49
Stock In stock
ASIN B005LMVGXC

Excited to Eat

The biggest difference between Purina Cat Chow and most dry cat foods is that this product accommodates most cats, from kittens to adults to seasoned cats. Not unlike the products we've reviewed above, this one is packing legit chicken, so the kibbles contain enough protein to promote muscle mass development and maintain lean muscles. There's nothing especially delicious about dry chicken though, which is why the formula also includes salmon, leafy greens, and whole grains to get the cat's mouth watering and excited to eat.

Each and every bag is packing 25 essential minerals and vitamins, providing the nutrition indoor cats need to roam free without you having to worry about their wellness. Plus, since the formula is free from artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, even cats with sensitive stomachs will be able to digest the kibbles with ease. The omega 6 fatty acids are present here too, so the feline's coat will look great and the skin will remain excellent.

The product's downsides that we could not overlook are pretty much limited to the packaging that's difficult to close tight once you've opened it. Other than that, Purina Cat Chow is something that your cat can chow down every single day, with appetite and confidence to boot.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $21.29
Stock In stock
ASIN B005FVLAKI

More Layers to the Formula

Blue Buffalo Indoor Health has the richest formula we've seen yet. The kibbles are stuffed with genuine chicken first, which's great but not something we haven't seen before. The brown rice, peas, different grains, calcium sulfate and calcium chloride are not exclusive to the product's formula too. What's exclusive or, at the very least, far less prevalent is the dried egg product, flaxseeds, dried chicory roots, chicken fat, and potato starch, making the kibbles taste rich and more layered. To put it differently, you won't have to convince your feline friend to chow down on these kibbles.

You might face some issues when purchasing in bulk since the kibbles will vary smell- and color-wise depending on the pack but the taste should remain the same. What also remains the same is the company's LifeSource Bits that are blending vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants with unmatched precision to make sure toe immune system is supported, the varying life stage requirements are met, and the oxidative balance is addressed.

Bottom line, Blue Buffalo Indoor Health is what you feed those cats that are not satisfied with bland dry cat food products and want something much more interesting and likely more delicious.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $36.98
Stock In stock
ASIN B000XKCCV2

What Is Dry Cat Food?

The well-known statement “We are what we eat” is true for cats as well. And a well-balanced nutritious diet is not only a key to your feline friend’s well-being and long healthy life but also it can prevent some medical conditions (including issues with the urinary tract) and eventually cut down your veterinary expenses. Though cats are natural carnivores and largely depend on animal-derived protein, their menu should not be entirely meat or fish. So, if you still feed your kitty with chicken and some raw fish, it’s time to start treating your feline’s diet more diligently and turn your eyes to specialized cat foods.

Commercially prepared cat foods are ready-to-eat and usually come prepacked. The best thing about ready-made cat meals is that they are nutritionally complete. Basically formulated around meat and fish sources, they also contain essential vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and enzyme your pet should consume to feel well and look healthy. Broadly, cat foods fall into three major types, including dry kibbles, semi-moist food, and canned food. We're focusing on the dry type here though. Dry food is very convenient and can be safely left for “free feeding”. Yet, it often contains flavor enhancers and lacks water, so a bowl of clean water next to your kitty’s feeder is a must.

Other products that will definitely contribute to an enjoyable and comfy life of your home cats include cat houses, cat trees, and automatic pet feeders.

Other reviews