Every pet owner feeds his cat with different types of food. Some like to give their cats meat, others only give them dry food. The latter is probably better for cats, but the problem is that there are too many choices. Choosing dry cat food is tricky no matter the price. There are even pricy foods that aren’t of great quality, and your cat’s nutrient requirements change over time, so you should be careful with your choices.
According to many vets, protein is a very important nutrient in a cat’s diet. Cats can’t produce vitamin A, vitamins from the B group, Vitamin D3, taurine, arginine, and other amino acids, so these need to be included in their diet too. Most of these can be found in wet food, but what about dry cat food?
That’s why it’s important to pay attention to the food you buy, and luckily for you, we have the top options listed below.
Top Dry Cat Foods
Top Choice for Kittens – Orijen Cat & Kitten Dry Food
If you have kittens, you should be very careful with the choice of dry cat food. Orijen’s product is pretty spot on. It is formulated with fresh ingredients such as wild-caught fish and free-range chicken, providing your kitten with all the important nutrients that will help it grow. Orijen’s dry cat kibble has been recommended by experts, so it’s a great choice for your growing kitten.
Top Dry Cat Food for Weight Loss – Blue Buffalo
If your cat needs to lose some weight, you should be careful with the choice of food. The best dry cat food in this case is Blue Buffalo, which has been specifically formulated to help your cat lose weight. It is based on deboned meat and full of omega-3 fatty acids and other important nutrients. A bag will cost you $36 on Amazon, but it’s one of the rare weight loss dry cat foods you can find on the market.
Best Adult Dry Cat Food – Royal Canin Indoor Cat Dry Kibble
Royal Canin is an established dry cat food producer so it rarely misses the mark. Its indoor dry cat food is the best produce for adult cats. It’s a premium offering with a blend of fiber and other important nutrients for better and easier digestion. The food consists of chicken meal, veggie fiber, animal fat, carbs, minerals, and vitamins in the right proportions. This food will keep your cat healthy and energized, just like it should be. It’s a bit pricier at $48 on PETCO, but it’s worth it.
Best Organic Dry Cat Food – Castor & Pollux Organic Grain Free
If you must go organic with your dry cat kibble, it’s best to choose the Castor & Pollux product. This bag of food costs $44 on Amazon and is made with organic ingredients including coconut oil, cranberries, and flaxseed. It doesn’t contain harmful substances such as antibiotics, preservatives, or growth hormones, making it a perfect choice for a healthy cat.
Best Raw Dry Cat Food – Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused
If you only feed your cat with raw ingredients, Merrick Backcountry’s Raw Infused dry cat kibble is the real deal. It’s an all-natural type of food that’s full of animal protein and whole pieces of fish and meat. It’s also rich in omega-3 fatty acids and has a smell and texture your cat will certainly love. The omega-3 fatty acids will make your cat’s fur shine, something that rarely any other dry cat food can do.
Recommended by Vets – Hill’s Science Diet Indoor Dry Cat Food
The vet-recommended Hill’s Science dry kibble for your cat has the right combination of nutrients. It is specially made for indoor cats and contains high-quality meat, fish oil, whole grains, veggie fiber, animal fat, and amino acids as well. This food is great for satisfying your cat’s cravings and keeping them full. It is recommended by vets, so it can’t be bad.
Top Probiotic Choice – Purina Pro Plan
Purina is another major dry cat food brand that always delivers. The Pro Plan Complete Essentials line is high in protein that your cat needs and has been specially developed with your feline’s digestive health in mind. It contains a blend of live probiotics and prebiotics that will keep your cat’s digestive health in check. It also lists animal fat, eggs, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids on the list of ingredients. A bag of this probiotic dry cat food costs $37 on Amazon, is it’s not the priciest option out there.
Best Overall Dry Cat Food – CRAVE Grain-Free
CRAVE’ grain-free dry cat kibble has won over the hearts of cat owners and vets too. It’s great for indoor cats and uses a combination of vitamins, minerals, and high-quality ingredients to keep your cat healthy and without cravings. Some of the ingredients in it are pea protein, potato protein, flaxseed, and a bunch of vitamins and minerals. This dry cat food was inspired by your feline’s ancestral diet and promises healthy muscles and long-lasting energy. It’s not even the priciest food on this list, currently going for $32 a bag at Amazon.
What to Look for In Dry Cat Food
There are several important factors you should look for when choosing a premium dry cat kibble product. It’s not just about the flavor and texture – the ingredients are important as well.
A good product needs to have a right combination of essential nutrients. These include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and high-quality meat products. Your cat doesn’t need carbs, so the dry cat food you’re buying shouldn’t contain them. It’s ok if it has them, but not necessary.
Of course, the flavor is important, but that’s more about your cat than yourself. Finding dry cat food with a good flavor is a bit of a challenge, especially if you’re transitioning from wet kibble. However, there are many products you can find that taste great to your kitty. Try a few different products and see the one your cat likes the most.
Finally, you should also keep your cat’s life stage in mind when choosing food. Kittens need a different diet than adult cats, so pick your options carefully.
