When it comes down to deciding which is the best cat food to go on your kitty's plate, it may be tough to know really what dry cat food to feed them to keep them active. We know that keeping your cat healthy and happy is a priority for all pet parents. You'll want to make sure you're feeding them something that is packed full of the essential vitamins and nutrients they need, as well as tasting great. Perhaps, some cat food deals may tempt you?
Kitties will often have their own preferences on what to eat, too. Hovering by the food bowl in the morning or evening can generally tell you that they're enjoying their cat food, as well as having healthy toilet time and running around with energy.
Best dry cat food at a glance:
Dry cat food is a great option to keep your cat nutritionally balanced because of its efficiency and high meat content, while also combatting tooth decay. Whether you're looking for solutions to teeth problems or you're after cat food for sensitive stomach, we have the best dry cat food options for you - from kitten to senior.
Best dry cat food
Best overall dry cat food
Pets at HomeWe've all seen the chicken and meat dry cat food, but this Iams For Vitality Adult 1+ Catfood Ocean Fish 3kg is a great option for any fishy eaters. There are no fillers, artificial colours or GMOs as well as being wheat-free and contains almost 90 per cent animal protein. Supporting healthy skin, coat, teeth, heart and muscles, this Iams food is packed full of good stuff that your kitty won't be able to get enough of.
Customer review: "Need more! My cat absolutely loves this. as soon as I put it out she is munching away and eats it up so fast. I would definitely recommend. Her fur is a lot more shiny and soft and her digestion is so much better. Top marks, top marks."
Pros
- High protein, high quality
- Full of antioxidants and additive-free
- Omega 3, 6 for healthy skin and coat
Cons
- Fishy flavour smells quite strongly
| Size: | 2kg |
| Flavour: | Ocean fish |
- Omega 3 & 6 to support healthy skin and shiny coat
- 88 per cent animal protein (out of total protein)
- Formulated to reduce urinary pH
- Antioxidant blend with vitamin E to support the immune system
- Wheat free
Best dry cat food for indoor and outdoor cats
Pets At Homewww.petsathome.com
Royal Canin has a vast selection of dry cat food that caters to all sorts of different cats - indoor, outdoor, sensitive stomach, picky eaters - and we've selected the Royal Canin Regular Fit 32 Cat that's intended for adult cats who go outside but spend most of their time indoors. This Royal Canin dry cat food is one of the best for our most common domestic pets.
Customer review: "I’ve got two very different cats and they are both happy and healthy on this food. It's great that you can buy the large bags here as well, stays fresh and makes it easier."
Pros
- A complete food
- Reduces hairball formation
Cons
- One reviewer felt the sealing on the packaging could be more airtight
| Size: | 4kg |
| Flavour: | Poultry |
- Optimal nutritional profile
- 32 per cent protein
- Special mix of fibres to support digestive function
- Reduces hairball formation
- Exclusive antioxidant complex (vitamins E and C, lutein and taurine)
ON SALE
Best high meat content dry cat food
Amazon
Slightly higher in the price ranges, you're getting your money's worth with Scrumbles Chicken Dry Cat Food with almost 75 per cent total meat content. As well as being gluten-free, natural, hypoallergenic and British, Scrumbles is known for its sustainable movements – and the packaging is totally recyclable. Tasty food for your cat.
Customer review: "We have been feeding our cats Scrumbles for nearly two years now and I couldn’t recommend them enough. The food is loved by both our cats and it leaves their coats looking excellent and also helps keep them a healthy weight. The sizes of bags you can purchase are perfect, I usually buy two of the 2.5kg at a time they last ages and are very cost-efficient."
Pros
- High-quality ingredients
- Hypoallergenic
- Helps with digestion
Cons
- Some reviewers felt the kibble size was too small for their cat
| Size: | 2.5kg (750g available) |
| Flavour: | Chicken (Salmon available) |
- 75 per cent chicken
- Gluten-free
- Recyclable packaging
- Subscribe and Save on Amazon
- Benefits stomach, skin and coat, immune system
Best dry cat food with prebiotics
www.tippaws.com
Next, we have Tippaws, who are determined to bring your cat the highest quality food and litter. The Tippaws Adult Dry Cat Food is delicious, made from 70% animal protein with added prebiotics, vitamins and minerals. Cats absolutely love it because of the high meat content. Even the pickiest of pussycats will be purring at the Tippaws' dry food range. It contains Yucca, Taurine and Cranberry, and it's even packed with plant proteins for that extra boost.
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
- 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
| Size: | 0.3, 1.5, 5kg |
| Flavour: | Turkey and Chicken |
- Added taurine, cranberry and yucca extract
- Prebiotics to support a healthy microbiome
- High meat content combined with irresistible flavour
- Full of meat and plant proteins for a healthy gut
Best well-known dry cat food
WhiskasWhiskas is a top-rated popular dry cat food and their classic Whiskas 1+ Adult Complete Dry Cat Food is complete and balanced, developed by experts. It's made using high-quality ingredients and it lists Vitamin A as part of its nutritional information, which is essential for strong and clear vision. You can find this easily in supermarkets and it has a great price point at only £6.50 for a 1.9kg bag.
Customer review: "Whilst I have struggled in the past to find wet food that my fussy cat will eat, I have never had this problem with this dry food. My cat Polly has always loved this brand since she was a kitten and she is now two years old and continues to enjoy them."
Pros
- Great value
- Vitamin A for strong and clear vision
- Helps with skin and coat
Cons
- Cereal is the main ingredient
| Size: | 7kg |
| Flavour: | Chicken |
- Nutritionally complete and balanced
- Supports a strong immune system
- Helps support urinary tract
- Vitamin A for strong vision
- Omega 6 and Zinc for healthy skin and coat
Best natural dry cat food
Lily's Kitchenwww.lilyskitchen.co.uk
Lily's Kitchen exploded onto the cat food scene a few years ago and appeared when owner Henrietta's dog became ill, refusing to eat normal food. Voila, Lily's Kitchen was born filled with fresh ingredients and natural sources. With over half of fresh chicken content, this is a healthy option for any dry cat food. You can grab this Lily's Kitchen Chicken Casserole Dry Food in 800g bags all the way up to 4kg.
Customer review: "Fantastic. Both my cats love it and one is super picky with a dodgy tummy at times, this food never upsets her tummy and suits both their digestions. Also, their coats are super shiny and healthy which is due to the food they eat. I have two very healthy cats because they've had Lily's for years. I highly recommend Lily's Kitchen and I'm so thankful for them because I want only the best for my beautiful girls."
Pros
- All-natural and high protein
- High-quality ingredients
- Complete and balanced
Cons
- Some cats may want more variety
| Size: | 800g (2kg and 4kg available) |
| Flavour: | Chicken Casserole |
- Contains 65 per cent freshly prepared chicken and five per cent chicken liver
- Triangle-shaped kibble and seaweed to help reduce plaque
- Contains parsley, for heavenly breath
- Contains Vitamin A, Vitamin D3 and Vitamin E
- Grain-free
Best dry cat food for heavier cats
AmazonIf your cat is a little on the chunkier side – we've all been there – then this Meowing Heads Fat Cat Slim Chicken and Fish Adult Cat Food is a great option for cats who love their food but need less fat content. As part of the Barking Heads brand, this cat food has clean and natural ingredients with no fillers. Delicious.
Customer review: "My two cats love this. They were recommended this for a healthy higher meat percentage diet. They dive straight in as soon as they're put in the bowl. The only shame is, they don't sell at my local store so I have to get it ordered in."
Pros
- A lighter food for cats who need to slim
- Natural ingredients
- Grain-free and low in calories
Cons
- Not suitable for all cats
| Size: | 1.5kg |
| Flavour: | Chicken and fish |
- 70 per cent chicken and fish
- Formulated for indoor cats
- Approved by vets
- Odour control
- Grain-free
Best dry cat food for kittens
If you're looking for the best dry kitten food, we recommend this Purina ONE Kitten Dry Cat Food, with dual defence through its unique Bifensis formula. With full nutrition tailored to growth and muscle development, this promotes a healthy immune system and is perfect for youngsters up to one-year-old. Their coat will also stay in glowing health, thanks to Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.
Customer review: "I had never used this before and bought it as this was the food Rupert was given from his previous home. Safe to say it's been a successful one. Rupert was fussy with his wet food but absolutely loves this. Smells nice too which makes a difference."
Pros
- Highly digestible
- Helps kittens to build and maintain strong muscles
Cons
- Could have a higher meat percentage
| Size: | 2.8kg |
| Flavour: | Chicken and wholegrain |
- Contains functional bacteria scientifically proven to help support your cat’s natural defences
- Oral care for gums and teeth
- High level of proteins and balanced minerals to develop of muscle mass and skeleton
- Contains DHA which helps support kitten's brain and vision development
- Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids help to keep skin and coat in glowing health
Take A Break Pets' Verdict
Iams For Vitality Adult 1+ Catfood Ocean Fish gets our paw of approval. It's a mid-price product and yet packs all the essential ingredients and scientific rigour as its more expensive competitors. This is a 'complete' food, with vitamins and minerals that Iams claim support the seven signs of vitality. That is healthy brain development, growth, eyes, skin and coat, digestion, teeth, and a strong immune system.
FAQs
Should I feed dry cat food to my cat?
Should I feed dry cat food to my cat?
Many of the rumours that dry cat food isn't as beneficial to your cat are, well, just rumours. There are many benefits to feeding your cat dry cat food.
• More cost-efficient: Usually dry cat food comes in huge bags at a lower cost than wet pouches. You’re basically buying in bulk which makes it a better value.
• Less chance of bacterial growth: As it's dry, you can keep it out all day without any chance of bacterial growth - great for kitties who like to graze throughout the day or if you have an automatic pet feeder. Whereas wet cat food has a higher chance of bacteria because of its moisture.
• Complete nutrition: Dry food still has all of the nutrition and you can feed cats on a completely dry diet.
• Good for teeth: The biscuits help to keep plaque off of your kitty's teeth, combatting dental disease and keeping them healthy.
What's the difference between wet and dry cat food?
There are lifestyle benefits to both. Firstly, it depends on what you want for your furry friend and of course, whether they'll actually eat it. For example, kitties can get fussier as they could older, so you'll want to consider senior cat food whereas cats with tummy troubles may need more specialist food. Wet cat food is good because it has high water content, keeping your kitty hydrated while also containing lots of meaty proteins. But it can be expensive.
Dry cat food, on the other hand, can be very cost-effective and still contain all of the nutrients your cat needs. Cats can leave their dry food in their bowls without it soiling and can come back and self-regulate their feeding throughout the day. Dry food also has less of a chance of bacteria forming if you leave the bowl out for long periods of time.
With this in mind, it's great to use both wet and dry food for a consistently healthy diet. Remember that if you're planning to change your cat's diet, you should do so slowly, adding it little by little each day until you completely transition onto the new food.
Caitlin Casey is a Commercial Content Writer for Bauer writing across brands like What's The Best, Yours, Mother & Baby, Heat and Closer. Her passions include researching women’s lifestyle, popular culture and all things trending.