The 15 Best Wet Cat Food (Vet Approved Review)

Cat owners should think about proper nutrition for their cats. Since food from the table is not suitable for these animals, you need to choose healthy and complete cat food. Fortunately, there are many healthy and specialized options available that will favorably affect your cat’s health, haircoat, and digestion.

“Cats should not be given dog food as these animals have different nutritional needs. If you have more than one cat, you’ll also want to space their food bowls away from each other so that they won’t be competing for food. Also, your cats may have very different diets, and spacing their food bowls away from each other will make it easier to feed different foods to different cats.”

DVM Chyrle Bonk

Today, many cat owners prefer ready-made commercial diets. These foods provide complete nutrition and save cat owners time since they are fully prepared and ready to serve. Store-bought cat food comes in two primary forms: dry and wet. Both dry and wet food is full-fledged food for the pet. It contains all the necessary nutrients that can ensure the health of the cat for many years.

The key difference between these types of feed is the percentage of liquid – wet food is up to 80%, while in dry food it has only about 10%. This type is recommended for pets who need to increase their water consumption or for those with dental issues. This diet will protect them from dehydration and prevent problems with the gastrointestinal tract. Many owners prefer to combine food: they may give dry food one day and wet the next or mix them in the same meal.

However, it is not easy to choose the most suitable food. In this regard, before proceeding to a direct review of cat food varieties, we decided to give some recommendations related to the choice of these products.

Varieties of Wet Food for Cats

Wet cat food can be divided into different categories by quality.

• Economy – the most common and affordable type. Experts do not recommend using them for pet feeding. In the manufacture of such feeds, low-quality raw materials are used (while huge amounts of money are spent on advertising);
• Premium feed – manufactured with more natural raw materials, the developers make the composition quite balanced (however, the information on the package is not always clear and correct);
• Super-premium – high quality, natural raw materials are used in the production, the necessary vitamins and minerals are added, the content of carbohydrate, protein, and fat are well balanced (often manufacturers produce various lines designed for specific types of cats. For example, for sterilized cats and neutered cats, especially for long-haired animals, and there are also therapeutic feeds);
• Holistic food usually of the highest quality. It is perfectly balanced and made of high-quality whole foods. There are often therapeutic lines (their quality is often so high that a person can safely eat them).

The price is not always an indicator of quality. Sometimes, even the most expensive food will contain lower quality ingredients. The division into categories implies precisely the quality of the product produced by a certain technology using a certain quality of raw materials.

According to their intended purpose, wet food is divided into products intended for ongoing nutrition (containing all the necessary substances, useful additives) and treats (an insufficiently balanced diet). Treats don’t provide complete nutrition, but they can be used to pamper your pet, help survive stress, or persuade you to take medicine.

There are also therapeutic foods meant to be fed for specific health conditions, such as weight loss, kidney or liver disease, or diabetes. They are designed in such a way as to provide the body with everything necessary in particular circumstances.

Wet food can also come with different consistencies and textures. It can be stew, pate, pieces in the sauce, and other forms.

Wet rations should be stored in the refrigerator after opening the original packaging, tightly closed with a clean lid or food wrap. After opening, they retain their taste appeal for about 48 hours, so it is advisable not to store them for longer. Since room temperature food is more acceptable for animals, try to heat it up before feeding it to the cat. Remember to regularly wash your pet’s bowl and rinse it thoroughly with clean water, as food leftovers can attract bacteria and midges.^[1]

Pros and Cons of the Best Rated Wet Cat Food

Since wet food visually resembles human food, some believe it is more useful for the pet than dry food. In fact, this is not the case. Wet food is made in the same way as dry. It has a higher percentage of water and also contains preservatives for better preservation.

The main advantage is that it contains more liquid (75-80% vs. 10-15% in dry). Cats do not drink much, and if you feed them exclusively dry food, the body may not takin in enough moisture, leading to dehydration and other health problems.

There are several other advantages:

1. A wide range of flavors, the ability to choose the varieties that will most please your pet;
2. Similarity with natural food in texture (in high-quality feeds, you can visually distinguish the meat fibers, the taste of which is stated on the package);
3. The ability to control the caloric content of the diet (on packages of good food, as a rule, it is indicated how much is required per day for the pet, depending on its weight);
4. Special packaging is designed to keep the product fit and fresh for a long time.
5. Suitable for all ages. Wet food is well suited as the first bait for kittens and elderly pets who may have problems with the jaw.

Wet ready-made feeds also have disadvantages. First of all, it is the price. High-quality super premium and holistic class feeds are more expensive than dry products or natural food.

Dry food also performs another function: it helps to keep teeth clean to prevent dental disease. Wet food does not perform this function.

Despite the long shelf life of closed packaging, they can not be kept open for a long time, they deteriorate about as quickly as natural food.^[3]

Quick Look at our TOP-3 Picks

Before buying, it is recommended to consider the manufacturer’s brand, composition, breed, and pet age. Such differences as lifestyle, and specific needs (for example, during pregnancy, with certain diseases) are also significant. This article has selected some of the most suitable canned foods for a cat.

Best Wet Cat Food Reviews

1. Purina Pro Plan Classic Adult True Nature Natural Turkey & Chicken

Purina Pro Plan Classic Adult True Nature meets the natural needs of your cat. This grain-free formula contains real turkey and chicken. There are no unnecessary ingredients in the feed, such as corn, soy, wheat, or added artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

High-quality protein provides the energy needed for your pet’s happy life. Each serving provides your pet with essential vitamins and minerals, including taurine. This diet provides your furry pet with everything they need for an active life.

Key features:

• Contains omega-6 fatty acids.
• Natural Recipe.
• Proudly manufactured in USA.

2. Natural Balance Delectable Delights – Catatouille Wet Cat Food

Full-fledged wet food provides the pet with all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients needed for a long and healthy life. And it is made as close as possible to the natural diet of cats in the wild.

This formula contains ingredients that provide a complete and balanced diet for all breeds of adult cats. The food contains shredded chicken and chicken broth as the first ingredients.

The high content of easily digestible proteins and natural fiber helps maintain the pet’s well-being under any load. Does not contain cereals, corn, wheat, or soy. This diet is also suitable for pets with food sensitivity.

Key features:

• For All Breeds of Adult Cats.
• Made with high-quality liver.
• Complete & Balanced Nutrition.

3. Fancy Feast Chicken Feast Pate Senior 7+ Canned Cat Food

This product is explicitly created for elderly cats. Thanks to the texture of the pate, an elderly pet can easily chew the food. Canned cat food Fancy Feast Chicken Feast Senior 7+ Pate is intended for cats from seven years and older.

It contains a lot of protein, which is necessary for older cats to stay mobile and active. Each piece contains the antioxidants needed to support your pet’s immune system.

Also, in the composition of the feed is the essential amino acid taurine. The diet is enriched with vitamin E, which helps boost the immune system and to keep her cat’s coat shiny and beautiful!

Key features:

• Smooth chicken pate.
• Supports muscle strength.
• Supports immune function.

4. Natures Variety Instinct Kitten

Natures Variety Instinct Kitten is an organic and complete food explicitly developed for kittens. A balanced mix of poultry, fish, and meat supplies the cat’s body with protein and a mixture of cereals as a fiber source.

The formula of the feed is adapted to meet the unique needs of kittens. The delicious texture of the pate will allow the kitten to easily eat the food. This diet also contains natural sources of DHA to support healthy brain and eye development in young cats.

The product promotes the development of the animal’s instincts, while maintaining, at the same time, a natural connection with the environment. True Instinct will help your pet to enjoy a full life.

Key features:

• Supports brain and eye development.
• Made without grain, potato, corn, wheat, soy.
• Supports the energy needed for growth and play.

5. Wellness Complete Health Turkey & Salmon

Wellness Complete Health Turkey & Salmon is an organic and grain-free cat food. Wellness CORE grain-free canned food is designed to delight your pet with its original taste and delicate texture. High-quality turkey and salmon protein as the main ingredients help maintain the pet’s strong muscles and energy.

The feed contains flaxseed to maintain a healthy skin and coat. Besides this, the formula contains antioxidants, taurine, vitamins, and minerals to support immunity and overall health.

Canned Wellness food is an excellent source of high-quality protein and essential fatty acids, prepared from various types of meat that do not contain growth hormones and steroids.

Key features:

• Helps promote proper urinary tract function.
• For eye and heart health.
• Fortified with vitamins and minerals.

6. Hill’s Prescription Diet w/d Multi-Benefit Digestive/Weight/Glucose/Urinary Management

Hill’s Prescription Diet veterinary canned food for cats with chicken meat is designed for animals with gastrointestinal disorders. The high quality of the ingredients provides excellent taste and encourages a strong appetite. Antioxidants help maintain overall health.

This food can also be used in the fight against obesity. Since extra weight can affect a pet’s quality of life, veterinarians recommend this product to manage the weight.

The w/d Feline prescription diet is a complete and balanced food that provides your pet with all the necessary nutrients. Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures confirm that this diet provides a complete and balanced diet for adult cats.^[2]

Key features:

• Support the weight management.
• Diet w/d Feline is a complete and balanced.
• Helps metabolize fat and maintain lean muscle.

7. Purina Beyond Grain Free Pate Wild Salmon Recipe Adult Wet Cat Food

Wet food Purina Beyond Grain Free is a complete food for adult cats, created using natural ingredients. Real salmon is the # 1 ingredient in this feed.

Salmon is a high-quality protein source containing Omega-3 fatty acids, which help keep the skin healthy and the coat shiny. The also has carrot accents that add a healthy variety.

No corn, wheat or soy are used in the production.  There are no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives in the feed. Your pet receives only the best ingredients, as well as additional vitamins, minerals and nutrients that support the health of the pet.

Key features:

• Real salmon is the #1 ingredient.
• Grain free to meet your ingredient standards.
• Wholesome vegetable accents round out this recipe.

8. Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets High Protein

Natural Balance L. I. D Limited Ingredient Diets will provide your four-legged friend with the complete and balanced nutrition that the pet deserves.

This formula is designed for adult pets on a diet with a limited amount of ingredients. It is made from real whitefish as the only source of animal protein.

Also, the food contains natural carrots and all the necessary vitamins and minerals in a spicy broth. In addition, cereals, potatoes, carrageenan, artificial flavors and colors were not used in the production of this feed.

Key features:

• High-protein.
• Contains real whitefish as the first ingredient.
• Helps support healthy skin and a lustrous coat.

9. Royal Canin Veterinary Care Nutrition Feline Weight Control

Royal Canin was founded by veterinarians and has more than 40 years of experience in the field of healthy pet food. Royal Canin Veterinary Care Nutrition Feline Weight Control is designed to meet the needs of a cat suffering from excess weight.

This therapeutic food has a low energy value. The composition contains enough fiber, which will help keep your pet satiated on smaller portions. The food contains several different fiber types, which help the animal feel full while consuming fewer calories.

Key features:

• Contains L-carnitine to help with fat metabolism.
• Complete and balanced nutrition.
• Texture cats prefer.

10. Hound & Gatos Cat Food

Hound & Gatos 98% Chicken & Liver is a grain-free formula that will provide your pet with all the necessary vitamins and trace elements.  This unique simple pet food is made from homemade chicken and chicken liver.

All ingredients are natural; the meat does not contain steroids. The composition is enriched with vitamins and minerals, without the addition of carbohydrates or artificial preservatives. The diet has all the necessary nutrients that your carnivorous pet needs for a long and happy life.

Key features:

• Uses a paleolithic dietary model.
• Great for cats with food sensitivities.
• Honors your cat’s carnivorous needs.

11. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Feline Urinary

Canned food Royal Canin Urinary is a health-improving veterinary diet that can rid the animal’s body of struvite accumulations and relapses of inflammation of the urinary system caused by the presence of stones.

With an optimized magnesium-free composition, Royal Canin food effectively dissolves struvite crystals, helps to reduce inflammation, and normalize kidney function without additional drug therapy. Such indicators are achieved due to the rapid dilution of the composition of urine with wet food, and its transformation into an unfavorable environment for the development of diseases.

It is contraindicated during pregnancy and feeding of offspring, during growth, with metabolic acidosis and chronic renal failure, hypertension and heart failure, while taking medications used to acidify urine.

Key features:

• Formulated for adult cats with urinary health issues.
• Dilutes excess minerals that can cause crystals and stones.
• Helps with peeing outside the litterbox and cats straining to go.

12. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets DM

The Purina Veterinary Diets DM is prescribed for the therapy of diabetes in adult cats. This low carbohydrate diet helps reduce fluctuations in blood glucose levels. Approved by clinical trials, it helps reduce the need for insulin in cats with diabetes.

Contains high levels of vitamin E, which is essential for reducing the oxidative stress associated with diabetes.  The food also includes a high level of protein with amino acids that stimulate the secretion of insulin.

The formula is adapted in such a way that it allows your family friend to lose weight while following specific instructions regarding feeding. Cats love this food due to the use of high-quality ingredients and high taste appeal.

Key features:

• Formulated with high protein levels.
• Support the nutritional needs of diabetic cats.
• Excellent palatability and a high level of antioxidants.

13. Blue Buffalo Freedom Indoor

Blue Buffalo Freedom Indoor food will make your pet happy and healthy. This recipe is made with only the best natural grain and gluten-free ingredients.

Ingredient #1 is high protein chicken. The product also includes a natural mixture of fruits and vegetables and is supplemented with vitamins and minerals. This formula is designed to meet the needs of adult cats.

This delicious pate contains only healthy ingredients that do not contain grains, gluten, by-products, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors or preservatives.

Key features:

• Does not contain any grain, gluten, or by-product meals.
• Features a smooth texture that’s irresistibly tasty.
• Made without artificial flavors or preservatives.

14. Ziwi Peak Lamb Recipe Canned Cat Food

Many cats have little need for fluids. They are meant to get extra moisture from the food they eat. Ziwi Peak recipes do not contain grains, potatoes, corn, wheat, soy, sugar, or other harmful products. Instead, the feed includes chickpeas as a natural binder for high-meat ingredients.

Lamb meat, combined with liver, rumen, heart, and kidneys, is a pure, high-quality protein and fat source. This diet provides your pet with all the essential fatty acids, such as Omega-3 and Omega-6.

Key features:

• Offers a natural source of chondroitin and glucosamine.
• Never includes rice, corn, soy, potatoes.
• Includes 92% fresh meat.

15. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Urinary & Hairball Control

Wet veterinary cat food Hill’s Science Diet Adult Urinary & Hairball Control is created specifically to prevent the formation hairballs. This product provides nutrition that helps to avoid the formation of hair clumps in adult cats.

Promotes the free passage of hairballs through the gastrointestinal tract, preventing the appearance of possible digestive problems. The composition contains essential nutrients to reduce shedding, as well.

The formula also contains optimized magnesium levels to support the adult cat’s urinary system. Real chicken gives your cat a quality protein to support the muscles. Also, the food contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to nourish the skin and coat. Provides the necessary level of energy, as well as replenishes the body with nutrients, vitamins and minerals.

Key features:

• Perfect balance of taste and nutrition.
• A complete and balanced diet.
• Recommended for adult cats 1-6 years of age.

Final Thought

Our first choice was Purina Pro Plan Classic Adult True Nature Natural Turkey & Chicken Entree Grain-Free Canned Cat Food. The Pro Plan feed contains only high-quality ingredients. Developed by Purina veterinarians and nutritionists, the Pro Plan feed includes a combination of nutrients that help maintain your pet’s immune systems. The result of scientific research is a complete food that supports the natural protection of the pet.

The grain-free formula of real turkey and chicken contains specially selected, high-quality ingredients, the necessary balance of vitamins, minerals, and trace elements that the animal needs. It contains omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin and a beautiful shiny coat. When eating this food, the cat minimizes the manifestation of the skin’s allergic reactions, increasing its elasticity. It guarantees your pet excellent health and longevity, and most importantly-a great mood!

READ MORE: Wet or Dry Cat Food?

Buying Guide: What to Look for in Canned Cat Food

Choosing this type of food should be based on several criteria. Product ratings are based on the same parameters.

First of all, you should pay attention to the category/class of feed, the proportion of quality, and price. It is necessary to pay attention to the product’s structure, which is indicated on the package. If this is a high-quality feed, then as a rule, the composition is easy to understand.  The manufacturer indicates what kind of meat or offal the feed is made from. Companies that produce high-quality feed also inform the consumer about the ratio of the main nutrients: proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, and also indicate the vitamin and mineral composition. The industrial feed contains preservatives, flavor enhancers, and other additives. You should choose a food with a lower content of preservatives.

You need to choose products for your pet based on the pet’s age, weight, and individual characteristics. Manufacturers of high-quality feed offer a variety of product lines designed for pets with certain characteristics. For example, there are feeds specifically for long-haired cats, which contain vitamins and other substances that are useful for the coat’s growth and beauty. For neutered cats food products with a low content of magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium have been developed since an excess of these elements can provoke urolithiasis development. Such products also have a balanced composition, reduced calorie content, since animals that have undergone the procedure of castration or sterilization are prone to obesity.^[4]

Ingredients to look for

The following ingredients should be used in high-quality wet food:

1. At least 35% of any meat suitable for the cats. This ingredient should be first on the ingredients list. It should not be an abstract punk “meat” or “poultry”, but be specific: beef, lamb, chicken, turkey, rabbit. Chicken is not recommended for cats who are prone to allergies. They are better off buying canned food based on fish, turkey, or lamb;
2. An effective combination of antioxidants to promote immune system health;
3. Natural DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), which supports the development of the brain and vision. As the main structural element of the brain, DHA is crucial for vision and the central nervous system’s development.
4. Fatty acids-for maintaining healthy nervous and immune system function, as well as for healthy skin and shiny coat;
5. Easily digested carbohydrates for energy;
6. No more than 10% of offal. Under this term can be hidden anything: skin, low-value parts of the carcass, and even the garbage from the slaughterhouse;
7. No more than 25% of vegetable ingredients. Especially undesirable is the presence of corn, starch;
8. Taurine at the rate of 0.2 g/100 g of feed, a very important substance that is not synthesized by the cat’s body,
9. Vitamins: E and C (safe as preservatives), group B;
10. Trace elements: calcium and phosphorus, and some others.

Ingredients to avoid:

• Cellulose;
• Meat flour (this component can be produced from any waste, including from the corpses of sick animals);
• Sugar;
• Caramel;
• Some additives are preservatives. Dangerous to animal health: E320, E321, E324;
• Dye E127, provoking cancer;
• Propylene glycol (propylene glycol), or E1520, is known as a sweetener.

If the package says “100% meat”, then most likely it is an unscrupulous manufacturer. Because there are no technologies that allow you to make such a product only from meat.

READ MORE: Cat Nutrition Guide

Nutrition Needs For Your Cat Depends on Age

After birth, the kittens should immediately crawl up to the mother and start sucking milk. So they get colostrum-a component of mother’s milk, which is rich in antibodies and strengthens the immune system.

After a while, the kittens show their first interest in the solid food, and then you can start introducing solid food into their diet. Due to the immature digestive system, kittens need to receive easily digestible food.

To maintain good health, your cat’s diet should include the right balance of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins. High-quality and complete food will provide all this. In the absence of special recommendations from the veterinarian and provided that a balanced diet is followed, your pet will not need any other dietary supplements.

Kittens aged 2-12 months are playful, curious, and mobile. The food for them should be concentrated, rich in minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients for the proper development and growth of bones, teeth, and muscles. Therefore, food for kittens should contain more protein and fats than food for adult cats. Besides, the food for kittens’ volume and texture are different from the food for adult cats. Kittens need food with nucleotides that promote tissues development, optimal growth of the animal and improve its immunity.

The kitten’s body cannot absorb some nutrients, so it is important to consider the nutritional needs at a particular stage of its development. This food provides your pet with the nutrients and energy it needs during this vital stage of development.

As the kitten reaches physical maturity and approaches an adult animal’s weight, it should be gradually transferred to the diet for adult cats, and the portion sizes should be adapted accordingly. The balance of nutrients in the feed depends on the age of the cat and factors that affect the metabolism, such as lifestyle (whether the animal is on the street) and castration (whether the animal has been neutered).

An adult cat aged 1-10 years (the most active phase of life) needs food that will fill it with energy and promote good health and a strong immune system. Also, adult cats need a large amount of protein to maintain muscle mass. The composition of the food for such cats includes vitamins, fatty acids, and antioxidants.

Aging cats become less active, their muscle mass decreases and their metabolism slows down. Older cats have a reduced sense of smell and taste and have difficulty chewing. Therefore, it is very important to choose the right food, taking into account the maintenance of normal weight and joints and dental health. Older cats should receive food that is lower in fat and calories, but rich in protein, calcium, and antioxidants. This will help maintain the immune system and the normal condition of the pet’s bones. It is advisable to add wet food to the diet of old cats.^[5]

How Much Wet Food to Feed a Cat?

First, you need to prepare a special place for feeding and feed the cat at the same time every day. The feeding area should be quiet, away from the tray, and easy to clean. You can also use a special mat, on which you can put a ceramic or metal bowl.

If you have more than one cat living in your home, make sure their bowls are placed sufficiently far from each other. You will most likely need to separate feeding areas to avoid conflicts between pets.

The amount depends on the breed, lifestyle and health status of your cat. The most important thing when feeding cats is to give them enough food to maintain their health and normal weight.

If you think that your pet is overweight or even obese, you need to contact a veterinarian who will develop a diet for it and advise on how to change the cat’s lifestyle to return it to a healthy weight.

The daily rate and the number of feedings are indicated on each package of feed. Always monitor the condition of the cat. Depending on the reactions, the amount of feed can be adjusted both in a smaller and in a larger direction.

The daily allowance should be divided into portions. Try to give the cat as much wet food as it can handle at one time. Unfortunately, wet food left out in the bowl quickly deteriorates.

FAQ

Article Sources:

1. Bermingham, Emma. “Energy Requirements of Adult Cats | British Journal of Nutrition | Cambridge Core.” Cambridge Core, 26 Jan. 2010, cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/energy-requirements-of-adult-cats/225A91E97C8B94CAB4A5BF0646EFA2A2.
2. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) > Labeling & Labeling Requirements. petfood.aafco.org/Labeling-Labeling-Requirements.
3. “Is Grain Free Cat Food Right for Your Cat?” Hill’s Pet Nutrition, 5 Nov. 2020, hillspet.com/cat-care/nutrition-feeding/what-is-grain-free-cat-food.
4. Hayes, K.C.; Carey, R.E.; Schmidt, S.Y. (1975). “Retinal Degeneration Associated with Taurine Deficiency in the Cat” Science, science.sciencemag.org/content/188/4191/949.
5. “Hypercarnivory and the brain: protein requirements of cats reconsidered”. Journal of Comparative Physiology, link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00360-010-0528-0.