Changing your cat’s diet doesn’t have to be a chore, since we’ve hunted high and low for the best cat food brands for your fussy, furry friend. If you're in need of new cat food or, if your budget has become an issue, finding bargain cat food may be on your radar. Before you buy, it’s worth finding out which cat food brand can serve your kitty best, no matter the life stage and health issues. At Take a Break Pets, we’ve narrowed our list down to the top 10.
But why is finding the right cat food so important? Besides hunting small rodents and being a general nuisance around the house, cats love to chow down. However, felines are known to be picky, which makes sourcing food for fussy cats that little bit more challenging. In the UK, there is quite a variety of cat food available to us, dry or wet cat food: full of meat and vegetables, with extras for your kitty’s overall health. Not only should it taste great, but cat food should be complete and nutritious.
Best cat food brands at a glance:
• Best overall cat food brand: Royal Canin
• Best for dry cat food: Tippaws
• Best for wet food: Lily's Kitchen
• Budget cat food: Harringtons
Choosing the right type of food for your cat is vital for their wellbeing, as well as health. Luckily, there are plenty of brands that’ll provide your cat with food for sensitive stomachs and more. Every cat has their favourite food – but their pickiness may mean you’ll face a few rejections before you settle. Plus, many of us tend to spoil our pets and keep them full of treats. Our advice: gradually introduce new foods into their cat bowl to prevent your finicky cat from turning up its nose.
Whether you’re looking for dry cat food or wet, we’ve pulled together the ultimate guide to cat food brands. Your house cat’s diet may require a little trial and error. And, soon enough, you’ll find food that is safe for your pussycat – for example, hypoallergenic cat food to stop scratching. With affordable and vet-recommend brands making the cut, we are confident a brand on this round-up will become a favourite and get your cat purring.
Best cat food brands 2024
Royal Canin
In the top spot, we have Royal Canin. Why has Royal Canin clawed its way to the top, you wonder? Well, their cat food has been created to deliver nutrition that is "tailored to the health needs of your cat or kitten, whatever their size, breed, or lifestyle." This may be a good brand to consider when picking out kitten food. Backed up by veterinary nutrition, Royal Canin's recipes are developed to support cats through health issues and various needs.
If you have a picky cat, we recommend this fussy cat food from Royal Canin:
Best overall cat food brand
www.petsathome.com
From Royal Canin, we've chosen this adult food, which appeals to the masses - and even the pickiest of pussycats. The Royal Canin Aroma Exigent Dry Adult Cat Food has been designed for cats with fussy appetites who might refuse to eat the food you give them. So, this Aroma Exigent recipe contains a fish-based aromatic profile and is specifically formulated by science to stimulate the natural preference of fussy cats. How does that sound?
Customer review: "My cat is such a fussy eater, so I have problems trying to find a food that he will eat and I have even more of a problem trying to get him to eat it more than a couple of times! I spend so much time looking for different foods to try that when I saw this food, formulated to appeal to fussy cats, I decided to try it. I didn't really have much faith that it would last any longer than the others, but I was absolutely amazed and delighted that he loves it; in fact, he can't seem to get enough of it, so it's a winner for me."
Pros
- Designed for fussy cats in mind
- Fish-based profile to stimulate a cat
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor cats
Cons
- No variation in flavour for this recipe
- Fish is listed under maize in ingredients
Tippaws
Next on our list is Tippaws. For a healthy and nutritious dry food diet, we love this brand. Known for its tasty food and eco-friendly litter, this new brand is paw-fect. A small, independently-owned company, Tippaws provides excellent products with a mission "to make all cats purr." Not only do they provide healthy and complete dry food, but the company has a caring ethos that extends to stray animals and shelters, which may need extra support.
Piper's cats Casper and Myrtle were lucky enough to try this fantastic grub:
Best for dry cat food
Tested
www.tippaws.com
As for Tippaws Adult Dry Cat Food, we're hand-picked their Turkey and Chicken recipe. However, they have other high-protein mixes containing tuna, salmon and white fish - which are sure to scintillate your picky tomcat's tastebuds. As well as protein, Tippaws have added prebiotics, vitamins and minerals to aid digestion and overall health.
Our review: "We are so pleased with Tippaws. My two adult cats adore their new dry Turkey and Chicken mix. They're even more excited around dinnertime (than usual, anyway). Purrfect."
Pros
- Subscribe and save 10 per cent
- The high meat content is ideal for fussy cats
- Packed with vitamins and minerals
Cons
- Some cats are allergic to chicken – seek a different flavour
- Only available as dry food
AVA
Available exclusively at Pets at Home, AVA believes that "the love you feel for your cat can only be matched by the care they take in producing their food." So, in this fashion, their aim is to use their passions and expertise to deliver exceptional food for your pets that is nutritious. Across their wet and dry food, AVA's cat food contains controlled, hand-picked amounts of animal protein for optimum digestive health and to make sure stomachs stay happy.
If your cat prefers wet food, this chicken recipe may suit them best:
Best for sensitive stomachs
www.petsathome.com
A premium source of easily digestible proteins, the AVA Wet Adult Cat Food Chicken in Gravy makes a great meal for your cat. With no fillers or nasties, this protein-rich and nutritious recipe has been formulated by animal experts. From your cat's skin and coat to their stool, AVA's range boasts a hypoallergic, complete and balanced cat food option.
Customer review: "My cat has had numerous issues with hairballs and urine infections and turns her nose up at anything but the most expensive brand. To my surprise, she really loves this food and saves me money. So far, she has not been sick with hairballs. Will continue to buy as really pleased."
Pros
- With added probiotics for digestive health
- Hypoallergenic and excludes grains
- Controlled protein source for sensitive stomach
Cons
- Only one flavour of food
Lily’s Kitchen
Starting in a humble kitchen, Lily's Kitchen is now considered a leading pet food brand in the UK. This B-Corp works with nutritionists to make delicious, quality recipes using wholesome ingredients. Passionate about pet health and happiness, Lily's Kitchen see the importance of a balanced, nutritious diet. They sum it up well: "We’re on a mission to change the way pets eat," steering away from overly processed canned food with fillers to food full of goodness.
High in protein and delicious, this easy-to-eat pate is a favourite of ours:
Best for wet food
www.lilyskitchen.co.uk
Lily's Kitchen Adult Organic Chicken Pate provides an ultra-smooth paste for kitties who may struggle with their teeth and makes the food extra lickable. Even better, this is grain-free with all-natural ingredients and no added sugar, so you're getting high-quality meat, too. The organic ingredients include freshly prepared chicken, pork, beef and fish, together with carrots for a winner-winner, chicken dinner. We're very impressed with the high protein content.
Customer review: "We bought this after our ten-year-old Napoleon lost six teeth. Chunky food is out of the question now, and early kidney disease makes food choices limited and tricky, as he also needs grain-free. We gave this pate a go… and the result: He absolutely loves it."
Pros
- Very smooth and tasty
- Wide variety of flavours
- High in organic protein
Cons
- Your fussy cat may prefer dry food
Harringtons
Feeling the pinch right now? We recommend the budget-friendly Harringtons, which is available at Pets at Home, Amazon and Tesco. Proudly Yorkshire-born and bred, Harringtons has "a strong affinity for all that’s natural", which includes what we feed our furry friends. They hold firm beliefs that natural food should be accessible for every pet, so keeping costs down is sacrosanct. Not only that, but Harringtons use sustainable practices and give back.
If you need an affordable meal for your cat, try their delicious salmon recipe:
Best budget-friendly cat food
www.petsathome.com
Packed with nutrients to spoil your cat, this Harringtons Complete Dry Cat Food Salmon is an affordable option. Using quality ingredients, locally sourced wherever possible, and free from artificial colour and flavours, we can't ask for much more. This complete adult dry food tackles everything from healthy teeth and bones to glossy, purr-fect fur.
Customer review: "This is the only dry cat food I can find in fully recyclable packaging. Oh, and my cat, Stretchy, loves it!"
Pros
- Arrives in fully-recyclable packaging
- Enriched with protein and nutrients
- Suitable from eight weeks onward
Cons
- Protein content seems to be in a mid-to-high range
Sheba
Many of my cat-parent friends have recommended Sheba. Only the best for your little fur baby, of course. Though marketed as a luxury brand, the prices aren't eye-watering and the recipes come complete with a moderate protein content. Plus, their recipes are me with no artificial colours and preservatives, providing complete nutrition. Sheba is available to buy on Amazon, Pets at Home and a few supermarkets. Tasty and flaky, Sheba is a firm cat favourite.
Irresistible and ever-so-tasty, Sheba's flaky pouches are second-to-none:
Best cat food brand for popularity
The purrfect choice for a nuzzle of affection, the Sheba Fine Flakes Poultry Collection in Jelly is irresistible for your pussycat. Exquisite, with high-quality ingredients to promote nutrition, Sheba's delightful flakey meals come in pouches, portioned and ready for your cat. We love the Fine Flakes, which are complete and balanced cat food, easy to open and developed in collaboration with scientists and vets. Trusted and tasty. What's not to love?
Pros
- Sources of animal protein in the top ingredients
- Very little carbohydrate content
- No artificial colours, flavours and preservatives
Cons
- The protein content is fairly moderate
- Animal derivatives are not specified
James Wellbeloved
Next, we recommend James Wellbeloved, who wants our pets to eat well: "For all the joy, generosity and love they bring, without ever saying a word, you give them James Wellbeloved." They dedicate their time crafting recipes that pets will love - whilst minimising food reactions and ensuring that it's all balanced and complete. Bursting with essentials for your cat (or dog) to thrive, their food is highly-digestible, high in protein and free from any nasties.
Why not spoil your picky pussycat with their fish recipe?
Best cat food brand for reliability
Hypoallergenic, this James Wellbeloved Hypoallergenic Adult Cat Food (Fish) is ideal for pets with sensitivities. Containing selected natural ingredients, this fish-flavoured food is complete, balanced and arrives with nothing artificial. With prebiotics for healthy digestion, this recipe is packed with ingredients to support your cat, bringing back their glossy coat and more. A mid-range wonder, this James Wellbeloved makes healthy, nutritious pet food.
Customer review: "These have quite a strong fishy smell. It doesn't bother me and I'm used to it now anyway, but visitors occasionally comment on it when I open the bag to feed my cat. My cat's been eating these biscuits for most of his life and he absolutely loves them. Thankfully we have one of those microchip cat flaps because if we leave the door open, other cats will walk in and start eating them. Once, a (normally very docile) neighbourhood cat had snuck in and started munching. My husband stopped her and she hissed at him. The next time he opened the door, she was still there and tried to squeeze past him to get to those tasty, tasty biscuits. They're decent value for money as well, one of these big bags will keep my cat fed for a few months."
Pros
- Great value dry cat food with nutrients
- Support adult cats' immune system
- Hypoallergenic cat food for pets with sensitivities
Cons
- A strong fishy smell - perfect for your cat, not ideal for you
Iams
As for Iams, who isn't aware of this brand? If you haven't seen their adorable ads, Iams is an expert in turning quality ingredients into delicious pet food. Aiming for nutrition, Iams aims to help your furry friend to live a healthy life. "Quality is of utmost importance," says the brand- with nothing artificial and certainly no fillers. With every cat bowl, prepare for excellence. Your cat is a carnivore and needs protein to thrive, and Iams have this in mind.
Much of Iams range focuses on vitality and weight management, also:
Best for weight management
Your cat will be looking sleek with the IAMS for Vitality Dry Cat Food with Chicken, which is supplemented with vitamins and minerals and is underpinned by over 70 years of research, development and innovation. The main ingredient is chicken, a natural source of taurine, which is essential for maintaining healthy eyesight and immune system in cats. This composition is high in protein and is a special formulation that reduces urinary pH and has prebiotics and beet pulp for healthy digestion. In addition, omega 3 and 6 support healthy skin and a shiny coat.
Customer review: "My cats are now 12 so I do worry about their health and ensuring that what they eat contains plenty of goodness to help them stay healthy and energetic. They really enjoyed this food and it seemed to do them good too. Their coats are shiny, and they are happy and healthy."
Pros
- A tailored blend of minerals for optimum health
- Wheat-free, no artificial colours, flavours or GMOs
- Excellent value for money
Cons
- Made with low-value plant ingredients
Hill's Pet Nutrition
If you're in need of a little extra support for your poorly pussycat, Hill's Pet Nutrition has developed recipes, primed for supporting ailments that affect our feline friends. They're committed to sustainability and pet welfare. Available to buy on Amazon, Pets at Home and ZooPLus, Hill's pet food is reliable, high in nutrition and informed by scientists. The founder often said: "Pet nutrition is vital to pets living long, healthy lives" - and we couldn't agree more.
You can grab a bag of food, formulated for cats prone to hairballs:
Best cat food brand for supporting health issues
www.petsathome.com
All cats produce hairballs - but indoor cats spend more time grooming themselves, so are even more likely to produce them. Hill's Science Plan Dry Indoor Adult Cat Food - Chicken is formulated to avoid hairballs in adult cats living indoors. The Advanced Fibre Technology reduces hairballs, has low-fat content and is full of high-quality protein that supports lean muscles. As a rule of thumb, cats should produce no more than one hairball per week. If your cat is vomiting hairballs frequently, retching without any production, or not eating, schedule an appointment with your vet.
Customer review: "The Hill’s brand speaks for itself, but the Hairball Chicken flavour biscuits, they all loved. They have enjoyed eating wet food as well as on their own. What I liked is: they didn't need that much. I, also, liked the size of the biscuits - as with cats' teeth, they can be hard to eat - but I have to say, my cats loved eating the biscuits. So, I would definitely buy it again - great product."
Pros
- Helps reduce hairballs of indoor cats
- High in protein, low in calories for health
- Subscribe and Save with Pets at Home
Cons
- The meat content isn't specified
- Only chicken flavour
Scrumbles
Last but certainly not least, we have Scrumbles. Another B-Corp, Scrumbles is versatile, stocking food for kittens right through to old, cranky cats, catering to a sensitive tummy with grain-free, high-protein and hypoallergenic food. Scrumbles aim "to have a net positive impact on the planet", which we can get behind. Scrumbles stand out for an ingredient used in their food for a healthy gut: Slippery Elm - not to mention the unbelievably-high protein content.
Why not take a few of their recipes for a spin with this multipack:
Best cat food brand for all life stages
Scrumbles are great to buy if you're looking for high quality and no messing around. This Scrumbles Natural Wet Cat Food Multipack comes naturally grain-free with natural ingredients and is made here in the UK, so it is purr-fect for owners looking for a higher-quality product. It's packed with 70 per cent fresh British protein alongside essential vitamins and minerals. Suitable for all life stages, this pack includes two of each rich meat flavour, great for cats that like variation in their diet. We're very impressed.
Customer review: "Good stuff. Well, as far as I know, it is. I have one elderly cat who isn't fussy, but his various ailments make him hard to buy for. One minute, he has a favourite food, the next, he's gone off it. So I bought this to tempt him. My other female cat (aged 6) is notoriously fussy and yet, she will eat this for at least a few days.
"Therefore, this pack size suits me, as do the portions of the pots. If they are having an off day, I split a pot between them, if not, they can have one each. It's a good, easy-to-use food, I would describe it as workmanlike, as it seems to get them through their off days! It is good value for money and I will buy it again."
Pros
- Specified, high protein content
- Eco-friendly packaging and ethos
- Grain-free and hypoallergenic
Cons
- Variation, but not the biggest multipack
- Fussy cats may not like all flavours
Verdict: Which brand is our favourite?
We commend all cat food brands for ensuring our cat's bellies are full of healthy, nutritious grub. Those with high protein are helping our cats live long, healthy lives with shiny and glossy fur, not to mention a calm tummy. So, our top choice is Royal Canin, for its versatile range, which is tailored to your cat's specific needs.
How to choose the best cat food brand
When taking your pick of the best brands of cat food, it’s no surprise that you may feel a little daunted. After all, we see more cat food pounce into the supermarkets and online each year. So, we’ve spoken to Tippaws, who have some advice when choosing the best cat food.
What do I need to look for in cat food brands?
Understand your cat’s nutritional needs
What does this look like? Well, cats “require a diet that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates”. After all, a high-protein diet helps keep them full of energy, sprightly as ever as they jump around, knocking heirlooms from their spot and zooming around the carpet when you’re ready for bed. Aside from protein, nutrients like taurine and Vitamin A are both “essential for maintaining good health,” according to Tippaws.
Learn how to read cat food labels
This is a crucial element of choosing the best cat food for your fussy pussycat. Luckily for you, we include ingredients in our product suggestions – and Tippaws says that is a good place to start. Noteworthy brands will list “a named protein source as the first ingredient… [which] indicates that the food contains a high percentage of protein,” explains Tippaws. Ideally, you want the protein sources listed first, followed by other high-quality ingredients like vegetables.
Know that meat and fish content matter
Even the fussiest of cats won’t be able to resist food that is high in meat or fish. So, make sure to choose a brand that will appeal to your cat’s tastebuds. Tippaws says that cats’ natural hunting instinct relates to preferring protein-heavy food: “Cats are natural hunters… and in the wild, cats would et their prey when it is still warm… [so] this is why the best tasting cat food always has a high animal protein content.” Gorey, but interesting…
Remember, taste is everything!
Though meat and fish are tasty, they’re not the only things that a cat will enjoy. Some ingredients are going to appeal to cats, and some are not. Tippaws suggests: if your cat is prone to inspecting your plate, incorporate its favourite human food into its diet by choosing cat food with it as a listed ingredient. Tippaws adds: “Cats also enjoy the taste of fat,” so make sure to include various chicken fats or fish oil to their diet, providing flavour and nutrients.
Are expensive brands worth the money?
If your cat is experiencing health issues and requires a special diet, often you’ll have to source a pricier, vet-approved recipe packed with the right nutrients to support your poorly pussycat. However, with many of us looking into the ingredients of our own food, this has caused a pet food revolution.
As cats are obligate carnivores, they should be getting a high meat content into their diet, which is why a vegan diet simply isn’t ideal. To ensure your cat is receiving a decent amount of fresh, nutritious and complete protein, complete brands come up trumps. Generally, dry is cheaper than wet and will provide extras – such as better dental health. Whereas, wet recipes may be the best cat food for seniors.
So, what’s our advice? If your cat is generally healthy, look for dry food with high meat content at a price that works for you. For example, Lily’s Kitchen contains 65 per cent meat, which is high, but maybe a little pricier than what you want. On the other hand, brands such as James Wellbeloved are mid-range and complete. Unfortunately, some brands may bulk their food out with unhealthy fillers, which can cause digestion issues. You don’t want to be dealing with that litter tray…
Maybe it’s worth paying a little bit more for food. After all, it could prevent any long-term health issues down the line – and keep your vet bills down in the long run, which we all like to see.
Piper Huxley is a Homes, Garden and Wellness Product Writer for Take a Break, specialising in pet health. When she’s not barking about dog supplements, she’s online devouring cat content.