Best Dry Cat Food – Top 5 Picks for Optimal Feline Health

A cat’s gotta eat, right? And the first thing a new cat owner tends to purchase for their kitty is dry food. It comes in a bag, is portable, convenient, lasts a while, and is easy to set out for your cat to ensure they have a staple form of nutrients, sustenance, and nourishment.

But where to start to find the dry food option that’s best for your cat? Any trip to the cat food aisle in your local pet store will immediately overwhelm you with many options and brands all claiming to be the dry cat food your kitty baby needs. That’s why we made this list of the best dry cat food options on the market today. We did the research so you don’t have to. It’s safe to say you can begin a successful cat parent journey with any of the cat food brands on this list.

Top 5

1. Made by Nacho– Best Dry Cat Food: Overall
2. Purina ONE – Best Dry Cat Food: Gut Health & Immune System
3. Iams –Best Dry Cat Food: Indoor and Outdoor
4. Blue Buffalo– Best Dry Cat Food: High Protein
5. Rachael Ray Nutrish–Best Dry Cat Food: Novel Protein

Brand Reviews

1. Made by Nacho – Best Dry Cat Food: Overall

Pros

• Real cage-free chicken as first ingredient
• Includes freeze-dried raw chicken liver pieces
• Infused with signature bone broth flavor
• Supports muscles, immune system, gut health, and skin and coat

Product Review and Features

The Chicken, Duck, & Quail Kibble from Made by Nacho is at the top of our list as the best dry cat food, overall. Although Nacho is the name of celebrity chef Bobby Flay’s cat (who is featured on the bag), Made by Nacho earns this top spot on the strength of its ingredients, its whisker-lickin’ good taste, and the health benefits of its formula which meets the high standards set by AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials).

Cage-free chicken as the first ingredient in a list of dry cat food ingredients is a solid start, but Made by Nacho doesn’t stop there. It also includes chicken meal, which is important. The term “chicken meal” refers to the same main dry cat ingredient (in this case, chicken), but ground into smaller particles. Chicken meal is a good, healthy ingredient for a dry cat option because it works well with the dry food kibble format.

Next, this dry kibble option adds chicken liver pieces that were freeze-dried from raw. This means this ingredient retains a solid amount of nutrients, which is important due to a cat’s biology being geared toward a raw meat diet in the wild.

To add flair to the taste, this dry food is infused with a signature bone broth, as influenced by Nacho’s owner Bobby Flay we’d guess with a wink and a nod. This adds a unique and tasty draw for cats, who are notoriously picky eaters.

Pre- and probiotics are also included for kitty’s gut health, grains support a healthy digestion and add complex carbohydrates for energy, veggies and fruits provide fiber and antioxidants, and healthy skin is a positive side effect of the signature bone broth.

Sizes, Discounts, and Promotions

Get 15 percent off your first order from Made by Nacho by signing up for the email list that pops up on the website. This gets you not only the initial discount but also a valuable variety of offers and exclusives you won’t want to miss.

The Bottom Line

As you may have guessed, Nacho the cat shares some of his owner Bobby Flay’s flair for taste and health, so this top pick on our list of the best dry cat food products on the market is a solid option for any cat.

2. Purina ONE – Best Dry Cat Food: Gut Health & Immune System

Pros

• Complete nutritional balance
• Four antioxidant sources
• Veterinarian-recommended brand

Cons

• Kibble may be too large for smaller or senior cats

Product Review and Features

Purina ONE Tender Selects Blend is a top dry cat food, pouncing onto the second spot on our list of the best dry cat options. Purina ONE’s ingredients list is led by chicken protein for a healthy heart and muscle growth.

Your cat’s digestive system benefits from Purina’s inclusion of prebiotics and fiber, which help maintain healthy gut systems and also benefit the immune system.

Speaking of immune systems, a full four antioxidant sources along with calcium and omega-6 fatty acids all combine for your cat’s immune health, strong teeth and bones, and healthy skin and coat.

All in all, Purina ONE Tender Selects provides overall balanced nutrition for adult cats with the addition of added minerals, nutrients, and vitamins, with no preservatives or artificial flavors.

Sizes, Discounts, and Promotions

New customers on Chewy can take advantage of promo code WELCOME for $20 USD off of any order above $49. Bag sizes include 3.5 lbs, 7 lbs, 16 lbs, and 22 lbs. The 3.5 lb bag also comes in a bundle of two bags as an option as well.

The Bottom Line

Our review team is keen on Purina ONE as one of the most widely available and well-established cat food brands. It provides a complete and balanced dry food option for adult cats that you can rely on.

3. Iams – Best Dry Cat Food: Indoor and Outdoor

Pros

• Excellent for indoor or outdoor cats
• Supports whole, lean body health for adult cats
• Made in the USA

Cons

• No frills, straightforward formulation is nothing too special, but has everything your indoor or outdoor cat needs as a baseline

Product Review and Features

Iams ProActive Health has a Healthy Adult Original formulation in both chicken and salmon flavors. This is a solid, overall healthy dry cat food option for adult cats. While Iams ProActive Health doesn’t necessarily stand out in any fanciful way from some other options on this list of the best dry cat food options, our review team loved that it is a stalwart, reliable, and widely accessible cat food brand that provides solid overall nutrition.

ProActive Health is a dry kibble with a good crunch that cats adore and also helps reduce plaque buildup on their sharp little kitty teeth. With chicken as the first ingredient, the protein is rooted in the right place for solid muscle development and energy.

Prebiotics pair with natural fiber to ensure healthy digestion, and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids give kitty the shiny coat and great skin you want them to have their whole lives.

Sizes, Discounts, and Promotions

Sizes include 3.5 lb, 7 lb, 16 lb, and 22 lb bags, with two-bag bundles available for each size.

Nab a 6 percent flat discount on the Chewy.com website as of the time of writing, just for getting it there, and also take advantage of a 30 percent discount on dental treats with the purchase of this product with promo code DENTALTREATS.

Auto-ship orders save five percent every time and can be started or stopped/canceled at any time.

The Bottom Line

A solid entry for either indoor or outdoor cats, Iams ProActive Health comes in chicken and salmon flavors for adult cats and spans a variety of needs as a versatile and widely available option. Check feeding instructions and ensure your outdoor cat is getting enough, as feeding levels may increase for a more active outdoor cat than a relatively sedentary indoor kitty.

4. Blue Buffalo – Best Dry Cat Food: High Protein

Pros

• High protein content
• Promotes healthy skin and coat
• Supports kitty’s immune system with antioxidants

Cons

• Contains barley grass which is not a problem for most cats and is rich in nutrients, but is considered to be a grain

Product Review and Features

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food is a great choice for cats who need a high-protein diet. This dry food contains real chicken as the first ingredient and is supplemented with omega fatty acids to keep your cat healthy.

The ingredients of this food are similar to those found in many other high-quality dry cat food products, but the leading benefit is that the first ingredient is real chicken. The first ingredient listed in a cat food product is supposed to be that of the highest content percentage, so this is a good thing.

Ingredients are also supplemented with a high amount of omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, which are needed to keep your cat healthy and maintain proper brain function and immune system health. It also contains no poultry by-products, artificial flavors or preservatives.

It is important to note that Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe includes a high level of animal protein, which may make this the perfect choice to feed your cat. The protein content is 45% and it contains no wheat, corn, soy or artificial preservatives.

Sizes, Discounts, and Promotions

A promotion running on the Chewy.com website currently offers a flat ten percent off the price of this Blue Buffalo dry cat food. You can also join the auto-ship program for 35 percent off your first auto-ship order of recurring deliveries of this food with an ongoing five percent discount. There are no commitments or contracts for the auto-ship program and you can cancel at any time with no penalties.

Free shipping is available on orders above $49 USD.

Dry cat food bag sizes include 5 lbs, 6 lbs, 9.5 lbs, 11 lbs, and 12 lbs. All bag sizes are also available for bundle options of two bags each.

The Bottom Line

Blue Buffalo’s entry on our list of the best dry cat food brands is a solid, healthy, cat food option for any kitty. Our review team loves that this formulation is modeled after the natural diets of the big cats in the wild.

Each of the various flavors of this dry cat food also includes Blue Buffalo’s “Lifesource Bits” kibble, which is packed with vitamins and minerals to further bolster the nutritional value of this dry cat food.

5. Rachael Ray Nutrish – Best Dry Cat Food: Novel Protein

Pros

• Novel protein turkey as first ingredient
• Made in the USA
• Includes chickpeas for added protein and healthy fats

Cons

• Tends to be on the higher price range end

Product Review and Features

Rachael Ray Nutrish Inner Health Turkey with Chickpeas & Salmon dry cat food is a popular food choice for cats. It has turkey as the first ingredient and the chickpeas and salmon bring added protein and healthy fats to the mix. This dry food offers a variety of health benefits for cats, and is made in the USA.

This dry cat food has many nutritional advantages for cats, such as improved digestion and coat health. It also has a range of recommended age guidelines for use, making it dependable for cats of all ages and an ideal option for households with multiple cats.

Our review team loved the addition of prebiotics and probiotics to help kitty maintain optimal gut health and aid in digestive health. Turkey is also less common for cat foods, making this main protein more likely to be a novel protein approach and hopefully less likely for it to be an allergen for your cat.

As an option on the slightly higher price point end of the scale, the price may be a consideration. As in all generalized foods, this option may not be suitable for cats who have sensitivities to certain ingredients or require a specialized diet, so be sure to check the label and consult your veterinarian if your cat has any allergies.

Sizes, Discounts, and Promotions

Rachael Ray Nutrish Inner Health Turkey With Chickpeas and Salmon Recipe Dry Cat Food can be purchased in a variety of sizes: 3-pound, 6-pound, or 14-pound bags.

Pet parents can also sign up for an auto-ship service which makes keeping kitty stocked up on dry cat food and well-fed simple. Customers receive 5% on future auto-ship orders. But don’t get hissterical! Autoship requires no commitment or contract and can be canceled at any time.

A purrrk of auto-ship that will have customers saying “Meow we’re talking!” is receiving 35% percent off your first auto-ship order. Meow that sounds like a purrfect deal for one of the best dry cat food products!

The Bottom Line

Rachael Ray’s Nutrish line of pet food is quickly earning a spot on most pet stores and big box shelves, making it an accessible digestive health option as a dry cat food staple for your kitty buddy. And with turkey as the main protein, you’re less likely to run into food allergy issues.

How We Made Our Picks for Best Dry Cat Food

We made this list of the best dry cat food options on the market today by consulting a panel of cat food experts, cat owners, and researchers. Together, they evaluated a wide variety of dry cat brands to evaluate and compare them.

Based on extensive research and testing, what remains here are the best of the best and healthiest dry cat food options for you to choose from for your beloved cat friend.

What To Look for in High-Quality Dry Cat Food

Choosing the right dry cat foods for your pet can be a daunting task. It is important to choose high-quality dry cat food that will provide your pet with the nutrition they need while also being tasty and healthy.

There are many different types of dry cat foods available, so it is important to understand what to look for when selecting the best product for your feline friend. When selecting a dry cat food brand, you should consider factors such as ingredients, nutrient content, calorie content, and palatability.

Ingredients

Ingredients are the most important factor when selecting dry cat foods for your pet. While high-quality ingredients are not always easy to find, you should always strive to find a food with at least two of the following nutrients: protein, fiber, vitamin A, iron, zinc, and taurine. The healthiest dry cat food will help your cat get enough of these important nutrients in their diet while also ensuring that it is tasty.

Protein is an essential nutrient in every animal’s diet as it helps to build strong muscles and bones. The higher the protein percentage, the stronger your cat’s body will be. The protein percentage should be at least 20 percent and higher is always better.

Look for ingredients like meat, fish, or poultry as the first ingredient, as these are protein-rich ingredients. More specifically, beef, venison, lamb, chicken, turkey, salmon, or fish meal are also good sources of protein. Additionally, ingredients such as chicken meal, salmon meal or even corn gluten meal can be valuable since these can also be solid protein sources.

Fiber is important for a variety of reasons including its ability to help with digestion and to maintain healthy weight levels. Most dry food products have 3 grams of fiber but some can have as much as 8 grams per cup so make sure you pick a dry food that has at least this amount in order to get enough fiber in your cat’s diet.

Avoid foods with fillers like corn or wheat as they are not nutritionally beneficial to cats. Finally, remember to read labels carefully before you commit to buying any type of dry cat food so you can ensure you’re giving your cat the best nutritional pet food possible!

Fiber

There are a variety of different types of fiber including soluble and insoluble fiber. The most important type to look for is insoluble fiber, which is found in high-fiber foods like bran. Other ingredients that contain insoluble fiber include wheat bran and cellulose. This type of fiber helps to keep a healthy digestion and will help your cat to feel fuller for longer periods of time which can be helpful when trying to lose weight.

Nutrient content

Vitamin A is essential for the development of your cat’s eyes, skin, immune system, and reproductive organs as well as their vision, smell, and sense of taste. Beta-carotene is also present in this vitamin and is also thought to have a role in their vision, smell, and sense of taste, but more research needs to be done before this can be confirmed.

Of course protein, preferably fish or animal protein, minerals, omega fatty acids and more are essential. AAFCO (the Association of American Feed Control Officials) is an organization that sets standards for pet foods. The best dry cat food will meet AAFCO standards.

Calorie content

Another important factor to consider in dry cat food is calorie content which is given on the label. At its base, simply ensure that the label aligns with your cat’s age and type of lifestyle and that you are able to measure out the necessary amount with the tools you have at home.

Palatability

It is of course important to ensure that ingredients, nutrient content, and calorie content are present, but you cannot forget about the all-important palatability factor in dry cat food. If the food is unpalatable, what’s the point of feeding it?

Palatability is how a cat perceives the taste and texture of food, and can change how much that cat eats, but this is largely dependent on the individual cat.

In general, palatability is measured in terms of food acceptance and satiety. Food acceptance refers to how much food a cat will eat, whereas satiety refers to how long it will take for the cat to become hungry again after eating a certain amount of food.

One study showed that cats are highly sensitive to changes in taste and smell when they are given dry kibble diets as opposed to canned diets, with flavors that were less palatable causing intake to decrease whereas flavors that were more palatable caused the intake to increase.

Additionally, you should consider whether the potential cat food product is suitable for indoor cats or those with special dietary needs. By taking these factors into consideration, you can ensure that your pet receives the best possible nutrition from their dry food.

Benefits of Dry Cat Food

Dry cat food is one of the most popular types of cat food available on the market. It is a convenient and cost-effective pet food option for cat owners as it can be stored for long periods of time without needing to be refrigerated or frozen.

The best dry cat foods also offer many benefits that make it an ideal choice for indoor cats. From providing essential nutrients to helping control weight and dental health, dry cat food can be beneficial in many ways.

Easy to store

Dry cat food is one of the most convenient and cost-effective options for owners. It can be stored for long periods of time without needing to be refrigerated or frozen. For many pet owners, dry cat food also offers the benefits of being easy to take on the go with you as well as being a good option for training when it can be easily accessed.

Nutritional value

Dry cat food is typically a safe and healthy option for your feline friend. It is less likely to cause digestive problems like diarrhea or constipation, and it can help prevent the development of diabetes in your pet. Many dry foods are also fortified with vitamins, minerals, omega fatty acids, other animal protein compounds, and other nutrients that are beneficial for a pet’s health. With dry cat food, your pet will be able to easily eat a well-balanced diet that can help maintain their weight and keep their teeth healthy.

Dry cat food usually provides a higher nutritional value than wet food, which makes it an ideal choice for your feline friend’s pet food diet. It is also an important tool in helping control weight and dental health. With dry cat food, it is easier to keep your feline friend on a balanced diet that provides an optimal amount of nutrients. However, some dry food can be harder and less appetizing (and more expensive) to handle than wet food.

Most dry cat food is fortified with vitamins A and D. These vitamins help to promote good vision and keep teeth healthy by strengthening teeth enamel.

Some dry foods may even be more nutritious than the wet equivalent because they can contain all the essential nutrients that your feline needs in one single meal. Since dry cat food is typically less likely to cause digestive problems, it is often recommended as a diet choice for your feline friend’s health.

Other benefits of dry food for cats

• Easier to store dry food and still have it be accessible for use
• Dry food is often more cost-effective
• Dry food can be easily taken on the go
• Dry cat food is an excellent option for training cats
• Dry food can be used in transitioning cats to other types of cat food
• Dry food can help prevent obesity in cats
• Dry cat food is more palatable than wet food for some cats

How Much Dry Food Should a Cat Eat?

A healthy diet is essential for cats to stay fit and healthy. Dry cat food is a great choice for cats, but how much dry food should a cat eat?

The amount of dry food that a cat should eat depends on several factors, including the type of dry cat food chosen, the age and activity level of the cat, any specific health needs, and whether or not they are indoor cats. The best dry cat food will provide all of the necessary vitamins and minerals that cats need to thrive.

It is important to note that some types of dry food are designed specifically for indoor cats and may be lower in calories than other types of dry food. Therefore, it is important to select a high-quality brand with appropriate calorie content for your pet’s specific needs.

The amount of dry cat food you should give your cat depends on its age, size, and activity level. Generally speaking, indoor cats need around 1/3 cup of dry food per day while outdoor cats may need up to double that amount. Kittens should eat 1/4 – 1/2 cup per day.

Additionally, feeding your cat smaller meals throughout the day can help ensure that they get enough nutrition without overeating. However, it’s always best to consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your pet’s diet.

Tips on Transitioning Your Cat to a New Food

If you are considering transitioning your cat to a new food, there are some important tips to keep in mind.

• Nutritional Value – The best dry cat food should provide all the essential nutrients your cat needs while also being palatable and easy to digest. When selecting a dry food, look for one that is specifically formulated for cats and includes high-quality proteins, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients.
• Artificial Additives – Additionally, make sure the food has no artificial flavors or preservatives.
• Timing – When transitioning your cat to a new food, it is important to do so gradually over 7-10 days by slowly increasing the amount of new food while decreasing the amount of old food each day. This will help prevent digestive upset or other issues associated with sudden changes in diet.

These tips will help you transition your cat to a new food simply and successfully.

Wet Cat Food vs. Dry Cat Food: Which To Use and Why?

Deciding between wet cat food and dry cat food is almost always a difficult decision for pet owners. While both have their own advantages and disadvantages, it is important to consider the nutritional needs of your pet when making this decision.

Wet cat food provides more moisture content than dry food, while dry cat food offers more convenience and is usually less expensive. Furthermore, both types of foods offer different benefits in terms of taste, texture, and nutrition. In this section, we discuss the pros and cons of each type of food so that you can make an informed decision about which type to use for your feline companion.

Advantages of wet cat food

Wet cat food is generally more appealing to pets because it has a sweet taste that can be enjoyed by picky kitties. Additionally, wet food is less likely to cause dental problems because it has water as its primary ingredient.

Wet food provides better moisture content and keeps your pet healthy through hydration. Cats obtain most of their water through their food, so this key benefit cannot be understated.

Disadvantages of wet cat food

Wet cat food is generally more expensive than dry food. Also, cats are able to chew through wet food more easily than when they eat dry food. Wet food alone may not provide all of the nutritional value needed by your cat, especially since the wide variety of cat foods on the market makes it confusing and complicated to ensure you have what your cat needs.

For instance, consider the difference between “normal” canned cat food and the slew of new broths, soups, gravies, and other “cat complements” that are easily misconstrued as wet food. It gets complicated fast, and your cat’s health lies in the balance.

Advantages of dry cat food

Dry cat food is typically less expensive than wet food because dry cat food requires no refrigeration. Dry cat food also has a long shelf life and may have smaller amounts of water added in order to prolong its shelf life.

Dry cat food can also provide your pet with nutrition that is lacking when compared to wet foods like meat or gravy-based sauces.

Disadvantages of dry cat food

Dry cat food may contain chemicals and preservatives. Many dry cat foods also contain lower levels of moisture and water-soluble vitamins. Dry cat foods can also lack the necessary fat to provide cats with the proper amount of nutrition needed to maintain a healthy weight.

Both wet cat food and dry cat food

In the end, most find that feeding a combination of both wet food and dry food is best for cats. This approach balances the pros and cons of both approaches and gives your cat the best chance at a healthy, balanced, nutritious diet for a long life full of purrs!

Conclusion

The wide variety available in the dry cat market of food brands makes things complicated. Hopefully, the research provided by our review panel and the simplicity of this list of the best dry cat food options makes your choice an easy one. Here’s hoping you find the purrfect dry cat food for your feline friend so you can live happy, healthy lives together!

Summary of the Best Dry Cat Food Options

1. Made by Nacho – Best Dry Cat Food: Overall
2. Purina ONE – Best Dry Cat Food: Gut Health & Immune System
3. Iams– Best Dry Cat Food: Indoor and Outdoor
4. Blue Buffalo – Best Dry Cat Food: High Protein
5. Rachael Ray Nutrish– Best Dry Cat Food: Novel Protein