Are you looking for the most nutritious diet for your cats? I’m here to help. Take a look at this list of the best grain-free cat food brands that are sure to keep your cat full and healthy with meals that are rich in everything that they need and without those extra carbohydrates that are bound to make them fat and cause digestive issues.
To make things easier for you, these grain-free cat food reviews are written based on all the things that really matter- nutritional value, dietary needs, health benefits, and even customer reviews so that you can find the best meals for your feline pets.
Do your cats love the texture and crunch of dry kibble? Here’s a list of the best grain-free dry cat food that is good for their tummy, teeth, and overall health:
The best dry grain-free cat foods
Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Dry Adult Cat Food
My first pick is the wilderness high protein dry adult cat food by Blue Buffalo. It’s made with the finest natural ingredients, including easily digestible and high-quality protein sources that will give your cats all the strength, muscle mass, and energy they need to take on each day.
This premium formulation is made with real chicken and no grains, fillers, and by-products in order to provide your cats with the perfect evolutionary nutrition that they need. It’s also loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals in the form of Blue Buffalo’s signature life source bits to help boost your cat’s health and immune system.
Plus, it even contains omega fatty acids, essential amino acids, and unique fiber blends to aid in promoting the strong vision and heart health, healthy skin and coat, and good digestion. It also fuels up your cats for their daily adventures and even prevents hairballs. In short, each bite of this cat meal is packed with all the nutrients you could ever ask for.
It’s a high-quality food product that’s manufactured under the strictest standards and is guaranteed to give your cats the kind of food that they love with the nutrition that they need.
PROS
- All-natural and grain-free recipe
- Suitable for cats of all ages
- Balanced Health and nutrition
- Contains complex carbohydrates
- Available in various flavors and sizes
CONS
- Requires mixing with wet food and food supplements
- Not suitable for cats with kidney and bladder issues
- May not be suitable for picky eaters
Taste of the Wild grain-free Dry Cat Food
In second place is this grain-free dry cat food made by Taste of the Wild, a leading pet food company that guarantees real meat as their food products’ first ingredient. True to its promise, this cat food is made with chicken meal that’s rich in protein, along with other nutritious and delicious meat sources such as venison, salmon, and ocean fish.
And to up the ante, this recipe also contains concentrated plant proteins from peas and potatoes to really give your cats all the muscle strength that they need without the excess fat and carbohydrates.
In fact, this cat meal is formulated to meet all the nutritional requirements of adult cats to support their health and maintenance. It even contains a healthy dose of probiotics to promote good digestive health.
If you also take into account the fact that this is made with no artificial flavors and preservatives, this is definitely a high-quality yet cheap grain-free cat food that your cats are sure to love.
PROS
- Easy to digest formulation
- Rich in natural fibers, low in calories
- Contains antioxidants and enriched nutrients
- Suitable for cats with GI issues
- Comes in 2 sizes
CONS
- More expensive than other options
- May cause sickness if not introduced properly
- May not be suitable for picky eaters
Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Cat Food
Taking the third spot is Wellness Complete’s healthy natural dry cat food. It is a tasty and flavorful grain-free cat food formulation made with a specialty blend of natural fibers that promotes healthy digestion and helps get rid of hairballs.
It’s a wholesome and delicious recipe that’s made with deboned chicken as the primary ingredient and is also rich in fibers and L-carnitine, all to support the lifestyle and nutritional needs of indoor adult cats.
What’s more is that it also contains omega fatty acids, as well as different vitamins and minerals to provide your cats with all the energy they need while strengthening their immune system. Of course, you won’t find any grains and fillers like corn, wheat, and soy that are difficult to digest and are filled with empty carbohydrates.
All in all, if you want a healthy and balanced diet for your indoor cats, this is by far one of your best options. With all these features, it’s certainly worth the price tag.
PROS
- All-natural and grain-free recipe
- Balanced Health and nutrition
- No meat and poultry fillers and by-products
- Rich in fiber and L-carnitine
- Comes in 3 sizes
CONS
- More expensive than other options
- Not the most appetizing recipe
- Kibble size may be hard to chew
Purina Beyond Simply White Meat Natural Dry Cat Food
Ranking fourth is Purina’s beyond simply white meat natural dry cat food that’s made with a hefty serving of real chicken and egg to provide your cats with all the high-quality protein that their muscles need.
In fact, this recipe contains both fresh chickens that are rich in flavor and moisture, as well as a chicken meal that’s more concentrated in protein and other nutrients to support your cats’ health. To make things even better, it also contains peas as a good source of plant protein that’s relatively easy to digest and tastes good, too, without all those extra carbs.
Moreover, it also makes use of beef, yeast, pea fibers, carrots, canola meal, and other nutrient-dense ingredients to make sure that your cats receive all the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that their agile and active bodies require.
This really is a good quality dry cat food that doesn’t only taste good and is packed with natural flavors, but also promotes good health and offers complete and balanced nutrition.
PROS
- Rich in high-quality protein
- Natural chicken meat flavor and scent
- High in vitamins and nutrients, low in sodium
- Suitable for cats with digestion problems
- Available in 3 sizes
CONS
- Poor product packaging and handling
- May not be suitable for picky eaters
- Contains traces of whole grains
The best wet grain-free cat foods
Cats can really benefit from the moisture content that wet cat food offers, especially in making sure that they stay hydrated. As such, here are the best grain-free wet cat food that you should try:
Instinct grain-free Recipe Natural Wet Canned Cat Food
One of the best canned cat meals I’ve come across so far when it comes to high protein grain-free cat food is Instinct’s grain-free recipe. It’s a wet canned cat food that’s primarily made with real chicken, along with other high quality protein sources such as turkey, chicken liver, chicken broth, and even a bit of egg products.
Plus, it’s also packed with vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients provided by lots of other ingredients, mainly fruits and vegetables such as peas, carrots, flaxseed, artichoke, pumpkin, parsley, cranberries, and montmorillonite clay.
It also contains amino acids and omega 3 fatty acids to provide a complete and balanced nutrition and promote a strong overall health and immune system. All in all, this is an excellent wet cat food that’s perfect for all cat breeds and comes in lots of flavorful and nutritious options, so your cats are sure to find one that they can’t get enough of.
ALSO READ: HIGH PROTEIN CAT FOODS
PROS
- Made with all natural ingredients
- Rich in protein and fibers
- Made with Omega fatty acids
- Available in various flavors and sizes
- Suitable for all cat breeds
CONS
- More expensive than other options
- May contain traces of wheat
- Poor product packaging and handling
Purina Pro Plan True Nature Natural grain-free Formulas
You might have noticed that I often review Purina products, and that’s because this brand is one of the best when it comes to superior quality yet relatively affordable cat meals and recipes that are guaranteed to offer complete and balanced nourishment for your cats.
Take this true nature natural grain-free formula, for example. It’s made with all-natural ingredients that simply taste like heaven and are packed with all the essential nutrients that your cats need, such as protein, fibers, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.
It even comes in various formulations to perfectly suit the dietary and nutritional needs and requirements of your cats so they can enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle just by munching on delicious and nutrient dense meals.
This specific formulation is 100% grain-free, contains no harmful additives such as artificial flavorings and preservatives, and is packed with nutrition since it doesn’t make use of any fillers and by-products.
ALSO READ: LOW PROTEIN CAT FOODS
PROS
- 100% grain and gluten-free
- No meat and poultry fillers and by-products
- Specially formulated for kittens
- Balanced Health and nutrition
- Comes in a case of 24 cans
CONS
- Not suitable for cats with kidney issues
- May not be suitable for picky eaters
- New formulation is not as good as before
Wellness CORE Natural grain-free Wet Canned Cat Food
You might also want to try Wellness Core’s natural grain-free wet canned cat food, which is specially formulated for kittens, although it’s made with the highest quality ingredients that also make it suitable for older cats.
It’s rich in protein since it’s made with chicken, turkey, and chicken liver, so it’s guaranteed to promote strong muscles and a good muscle mass. It’s also packed with other nutrients such as taurine, omega fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
So, if you want a tasty and nutritious cat meal that promotes healthy skin and coat, supports a strong immune system, maintains good overall health and well-being, and even eliminates dry skin issues, this is a definite must-try.
You also don’t have to worry about any wasteful and harmful ingredients since it doesn’t contain artificial ingredients, fillers, and by-products.
PROS
- Made with fresh and natural ingredients
- Balanced health and nutrition
- Rich in antioxidants, omegas, and taurine
- Smooth texture and delicious flavor
- Available in 2 sizes
CONS
- More expensive than other options
- Big containers with small food portions
- May not be suitable for picky eaters
Purina Beyond Natural Adult grain-free cat food
Last but not the least is yet another cat recipe made by Purina, the beyond natural adult grain-free cat food. It features natural vegetable fibers to promote a healthy digestion and prevent the formation of hairballs.
This superior formulation is made with high quality ingredients such as real chicken, sweet potato, and other vegetables. It offers high quality protein for promoting lean muscle mass and fueling energy, and other essential nutrients to support a complete and balanced nutrition that adult cats need to thrive.
Some of these health benefits include maintaining a healthy skin and coat, promoting strong vision and heart health, developing a strong immune system, and ensuring a good overall health. These are guaranteed by the high concentration of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, omega fatty acids, and taurine.
PROS
- Rich in protein and natural fibers
- No meat and poultry fillers and by-products
- Restricted amounts of phosphorus
- Suitable for cats with kidney disease
- Comes in a case of 12 cans
CONS
- More expensive than other options
- Poor product packaging and handling
- Not suitable for cats with sensitive stomachs
Best Grain-free Cat Food Buyer’s Guide
Not sure which grain-free meals to buy for your cats? Don’t worry- here’s a complete guide that tells you everything you need to know about grain-free cat recipes.
What is grain-free cat food?
First of all, what exactly do we mean by grain-free? Well, to put it simply, it’s a type of cat food that doesn’t contain any grains such as wheat, rice, corn rye, barley, and flaxseed, all of which contain a high amount of carbohydrates and may be difficult to digest for cats.
Now, this is not to say that cats don’t need the carbs that grains can offer. These are just replaced with healthier sources, such as peas, lentils, and other legumes, or sometimes starchy vegetables such as potatoes and sweet potatoes.
Is grain-free food bad for cats?
Generally speaking, a grain-free diet is good for cats, since it’s low in carbohydrates that cats don’t really need much of, nor eat in their natural diets and nutritional needs. A grain-free diet also typically means that the food is richer in protein, which is highly important for all animals.
Grain-free meals are also easier to digest and lessen the risk of food allergies. However, not all grain-free formulas are good for cats, especially when talking about those that are still high in carbs and fat. As such, a veterinary consultation is still the best way to figure out what the right diet is for your feline pets.
What is the best grain-free cat food?
When it comes to finding the best grain-free recipe for your cats, the answer really depends on your cats’ specific dietary and nutritional requirements. Each cat lives a different lifestyle, they come in different breeds, ages, and sizes, and some cats even have pre existing medical conditions. All of these things need to be taken into consideration before buying any cat food.
That said, my best recommendations are:
- Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Dry Adult Cat Food
- Taste of the Wild grain-free Dry Cat Food
- Instinct grain-free Recipe Natural Wet Canned Cat Food
All of these offer superior nourishment to keep your cats strong and healthy.
What are some effects of grain-free cat food?
As with any type of food, grain-free variants have their own share of pros and cons in terms of how they affect your cats’ health. For one thing, grain-free meals generally aid in digestion and are better for cats with food allergies.
However, there’s still always a risk of constipation if the formula is low in natural fiber. You also need to make sure that no other allergens are present in the ingredients of the meal. And, to prevent any weight issues from arising, make sure to only feed your cats the right portions for every meal.
If you want to help your cats lose weight by feeding them grain-free meals, you should opt for low carb and protein-rich formulations. Finally, always make sure that your cats stay hydrated.
What ingredients should cats avoid?
Aside from grains that may cause food allergies, there are many other foods and ingredients that are harmful to cats and can cause a variety of health issues, ranging from minor to potentially fatal. As such, they need to be avoided at all costs.
These include dairy products, onion and garlic, certain fruits such as raisins and grapes, and even chocolate, which is also bad for dogs.
What factors should you consider when buying grain-free cat food?
Here are the most important factors that you need to take into account before buying any kind of cat food for your feline pets:
Age and breed
As I’ve mentioned earlier, different cats have different dietary needs, largely depending on their life stage. For example, Kittens need more of the stuff that helps them grow and develop, while adult cats need something to keep them strong and active, and senior cats need recipes that promote long and healthy life.
Formulation and nutrient content
The most important thing when it comes to food is that it’s rich in the essential nutrients that promote good health, and that it contains little to no amounts of unnecessary and harmful ingredients. When it comes to cats, the most important ones are protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Cat food flavor and scent
Now, buying the healthiest options is useless if your cat simply won’t eat it, so it’s also important to find recipes that taste good and smell good for them. The thing is, this can be a challenge since the least healthy foods generally taste the best.
What are the common signs of food/grain allergy in cats?
If you’re not sure whether a grain-free diet is best for your cats, especially if you want to avoid causing food allergies, the best way is to consult with a veterinarian. Here are some of the most common symptoms of a food allergy:
- Itchiness
- Excessive grooming and hair loss
- Bald patches on the skin
Inflamed skin with hot spots - Sores and scabs
Conclusion
Finding the best cat meals is easy if you know what to look for. With this article, I hope you can make an informed decision on which cat meal is best for your feline babies.
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Last update on 2024-07-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API