No products in the cart.
Best High Protein Cat Food (2024): 7 Top Wet And Dry Foods
Share:
Cats are obligate carnivores and need a lot of high energy food which is why high protein cat foods are often a good choice for your cat. They deserve quality nutrition but it's also easy to get overwhelmed with all of the different cat food options available.
So how do we know which are the best high protein cat foods? Well, we have a big advantage, because we can ask our 1 million+ social media followers for a start!
Pet food companies use marketing tricks and specific keywords to sell their products. Some cat foods boast of high protein, low fat, and high fiber.
Or, they claim that this food is best for this dietary need. It's important to understand how to read pet food labels because understanding the ingredient list is the only way we can choose the absolute best high protein cat food.
In this article, we'll discuss healthy proteins and fats, how to read pet food labels, and which ingredients to avoid.
But, first, let's take a look at a selection of the best high protein cat foods so you can make the right choices for your cat.
Best High Protein Cat Food
Best Overall
Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Wet Cat Food
Best High Protein Cat Food
Best Overall Choice
Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Wet Cat Food in Broth
Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Wet Cat Food in Broth is our number one overall high protein cat food choice for several reasons. Firstly, it is formulated with a limited number of ingredients, which helps limit potential allergens and food sensitivities in cats. Secondly, the main protein source, such as chicken or fish, is often the first ingredient, ensuring high grade protein content.
Additionally, this high protein wet cat food is prepared as a broth, providing lots of moisture and assisting hydration, which is crucial for a cat's overall health. It really is an all around top class high protein food for cats.
3 Top High Protein Cat Food Picks – Best, Value & Premium
These are not standard foods so may be harder to find and more expensive. Also, our picky furballs can be quite "selective" over the cat foods they take too.
As I mentioned, we have a vast audience on our social media channels (over 1 million followers!). So, to get some proper user insight help we reached out and got some feedback from our kitty community of what high protein foods their kitties particularly like.
Here are our top selections for customers in search of overall performance, budget-friendly and premium high protein cat foods:
Our Top 3 Choices
Best Overall
Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient
Best Value
Purina ONE Natural, High Protein, Grain Free Dry Cat Food
Premium Choice
Smalls Human-Grade Fresh Cat Food
So that’s a quick chart showing our three best high protein cat foods. Now let’s take a deeper look at why these particular foods came out on top.
To start with, let’s look at the top 3 in a little more detail.
1. Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Wet Cat Food in Broth - Best Overall
Overall, this is our best high protein cat food chow on the market, and the reviews back it up.
Several members of our kitty community reported that their cats have really taken to this particular food. Their fur also looks better, cats with some medical issues seem to benefit from it and many have seen a reduction in sickness and vomiting after feeding time.
And the reasons for this are clear. This product is prepared with fewer starches and only high-quality components. Plus, it comes in two types of formulas: adult and indoor.
Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Wet Cat Food in Broth is considered an excellent choice for high protein wet cat food due to several reasons. Firstly, it contains a limited number of ingredients, reducing the likelihood of allergens or food sensitivities in cats.
Secondly, the primary protein source, such as chicken, tuna, salmon, or whitefish, is listed as the main ingredient, ensuring a protein-rich diet. There are also only two flavors in the indoor formula: salmon and turkey
Furthermore, this high protein wet food is prepared in broth, providing extra moisture and promoting hydration, which is vital for a cat's overall well-being.
With its limited ingredients, high-quality protein content, and hydration benefits, Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Wet Cat Food in Broth offers a nutritious and protein-packed option for cats.
Pros
Cons
2. Purina ONE Natural, High Protein, Grain Free Dry Cat Food - Best Value
Purina ONE Natural, High Protein, Grain Free Dry Cat Food is widely regarded as an excellent high protein option for cats for several reasons and we rate it the best high protein dry cat food.
One of our team members feeds their cats this food and her cat seems to be more satisfied. She no longer leaves lots of her food uneaten and does not get so hungry between mealtimes.
As an outdoor cat, she is definitely more active and seems to be sleeping less. There are several reasons for this.
Firstly, it contains high grade high protein premium animal protein sources, such as real meat, poultry, or fish, which are vital for promoting lean muscle growth and overall kitty wellness.
Additionally, this cat food is grain free, avoiding common allergens like wheat, corn, and soy that may cause sensitivities in cats. By adopting a grain-free recipe, it aims to provide a diet that aligns with cats' natural carnivorous needs.
Furthermore, Purina ONE Natural, High Protein, Grain Free Dry Cat Food is thoughtfully balanced to meet cats' nutritional requirements, including essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support their immune system and overall health.
It's our preferred option towards the value end of the price spectrum even though it's still not a cheap cat food and our choice of high protein dry cat food.
Pros
Cons
3. Smalls Human-Grade Fresh Cat Food - Premium Choice
Smalls cat food is the best high protein option for cats if you are able to accept the undoubted higher cost, but it offers more than just nutritional benefits.
Firstly, it is crafted with only the best high protein animal protein sources, such as chicken, turkey, or fish, to provide cats with human grade nutrition with all the essential amino acids for optimal muscle development and overall feline health.
The focus on high-quality protein reflects the natural day to day dietary needs of cats.
The recipe is also very high in moisture which means your cat gets good hydration, but also makes the Smalls cat food highly digestible. Plus this make the nutrients in the food easy for your cat to absorb. As you'd expect from such high quality ingedients there are zero fillers or additives.
Additionally, but importantly, Smalls cat food goes beyond traditional offerings by providing a subscription delivery service.
This convenient service ensures that cat owners can easily receive fresh batches of Smalls cat food regularly, maintaining the quality and nutritional value of the ingredients. Do bear in mind that if you want to cancel you need to do it beofre your next batch ships.
By combining high-quality protein and the convenience of a subscription delivery service, Smalls cat food offers a complete and hassle-free solution for providing cats with a nutritious and protein-rich diet.
If money really is no object then Smalls fresh cat food is without a doubt the number one choice. The ingredients are top notch, human grade and your cat will benefit hugely from this cat food. If it wasn't for the fact that this is more expensive than your other options it would be our overall pick for most cats!
Pros
Cons
4. Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Wet Cat Food - Best High Protein Canned Cat Food
Blue Buffalo is a superior cat food brand and they make an excellent high protein formula in both wet and dry recipes.
This Blue Buffalo Wilderness high protein wet cat food is the right choice for cat owners if your cat doesn't get on with the wetter broth recipe of our overall pick (the Natural Balance L.I.D) or you don't have the budget for the Smalls fresh cat food.
In other words, this is our pick for best high protein wet cat food that is made in a traditional recipe and sold as a high protein canned cat food.
The smooth pate-type wet cat food, which improves cognitive function and muscle growth, is one of Blue Buffalo's signature items.
It's designed specifically for elderly cats and meets all of their requirements. It is completely grain-free and includes 36 percent dry matter protein in addition to 8 percent crude protein.
The smooth patty-style cuisine contains a lot of chicken and is ideal for seniors who have oral problems.
This product's main drawback is that it contains potatoes.
Pros
Cons
5. Blue Buffalo High Protein Dry Cat Food
Our next option is an alternative high protein dry cat food which is also made by Blue Buffalo. In fact it's the dry food version of their high protein wet cat food formula above.
Blue Buffalo Blue Wilderness High Protein Dry Cat food is certainly one of the most popular dry cat foods on the market, and it’s easy to see why.
It is formulated with a high percentage of real animal protein sources, such as chicken, fish, or turkey, which are listed as their primary ingredients.
Additionally, the recipe is designed to provide a balanced and complete diet, is completely free of grain, soy and preservatives and also has additiuonal Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for halthy skin and coat.
The high protein content helps support lean muscle mass, energy levels, and a healthy weight in cats. With its emphasis on quality animal protein and a well-rounded nutritional profile, Blue Buffalo High Protein Dry Cat Food is a beneficial choice for our furry companions.
This dry food formual contains Blue Buffalo's 'LifeSource Bits' which they claim are a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to support your cat's overall health.
Several of our readers have even told us that this is the best food that they've ever bought their cat. As accolades go, I think that's a biggie!
Pros
Cons
6. Solid Gold Indoor Cat High Protein Dry Cat Food
An excellent high protein cat chow. This recipe from Solid Gold is high in protein and designed to help your cat's general wellness.
Other starchy elements, such as potato and sweet potato, are absent from the grain-free mix. Instead, it's made up of superfoods that feed healthy bacteria, probiotics for digestive health, and omega fatty acids, which help the skin, coat, and immune system.
Solid Gold Indoor dry cat food is thoughtfully balanced with a variety of nutrient-rich superfoods, such as pumpkin, blueberries, and cranberries, providing additional health benefits.
With its emphasis on high-quality protein sources, grain-free composition, and inclusion of beneficial superfoods, Solid Gold Indoor Dry cat food stands out as a favorable choice for cats in need of a high protein diet.
As if that weren't enough, the food is rich in vitamins and minerals, ensuring a well-balanced diet for all cats, regardless of age and its high fiber content is proven to be helpful for cats with sensitive stomachs or hairball issues.
Another excellent high protein cat food dry option.
Pros
Cons
7. Instinct Raw Best Indoor Health Dry Cat Food
Last but by no means least is another dry cat food high protein recipe to consider.
This formula from Instinct is is a very popular indoor cat food, with a subtle difference. As well as the dry kibble in this formula there are also portions of freeze dried raw that are added to bring some whole-food ingredient uncooked protein to the recipe.
There are no preservatives, flavors, artificial colors, grains, potatoes, or soy in this cat food. It comes in a variety of flavors, including chicken, salmon, and rabbit.
The chicken formula has a crude protein level of 37 to 41%, making it ideal for muscle mass maintenance.
The other two rabbit and salmon formulae are similar, but they all have one thing in common: they don't contain any by-product meals or animal by-products.
Instinct Raw Best Indoor Health Dry Cat Food is grain-free, omitting common allergens like wheat, corn, and soy, making it suitable for cats with sensitivities.
With its concentration on high-quality animal protein, tailored indoor cat formula, and grain-free composition, Instinct Raw Best Indoor Health Dry Cat Food is an excellent choice for cats in search of a high protein diet.
Pros
Cons
High Protein Cat Food Buyer's Guide
Besides the generic differences between wet cat foods and dry cat foods, there are many other important features that a feline owner must consider in advance. So here's what's important when you are selecting a high protein cat food.
Why Do Cats Need High Protein Cat Food?
Cats have specific dietary needs as a result of their evolution from wild desert animals.
Unlike omnivorous dogs, cats are obligate carnivores, which means they have evolved to eat meat, almost exclusively. It’s true that they can and do eat other nutrients, but the main part of their food should come from animal protein.
This is because they need particular nutrients which are only easy for cats to get by eating food made from animals. A good example is the essential amino acid, taurine, which plays a vital role in eye, heart, and reproductive health.
While cats are able to produce taurine in limited quantities, they can’t generate enough to meet the overall needs of their body. Deficiencies of these types of nutrients can lead to severe issues like blindness and heart failure.
Another essential amino acid for your cat is arginine, without which there can be a dangerous buildup of ammonia in the blood, that can cause seizures and even death.
Beyond these specific amino acids, protein is the main source of energy for cats.
IMAGE BELOW - file name and alt text - high protein cat food wet
Read this next: Wet vs Dry Cat Food: What’s Best for Your Kitties?
Your cat’s metabolic system is designed to be good at breaking down proteins to maintain their blood glucose levels and fuel their bodies.
As with humans, when deprived of sufficient protein, cats will begin breaking down their own muscles to get the protein and energy they need. While both animal and plant sources can provide protein, cats primarily rely on animal protein because it is much easier to process and use as energy and because it also has those essential nutrients.
For example, sources of animal protein such as beef, chicken, and fish offer the vital amino acids cats need for optimal health. On the other hand, even though proteins in vegetables and plants are often incorporated into cat foods, these alone cannot meet a cat's total dietary requirements.
In essence, high-protein diets, rich in quality animal protein, are vital to maintain your cat's health, youthfulness, energy, and muscle mass throughout their life stages.
Wherever possible feeding your cat a high protein cat food formula is going to give them the nearest to the diet they have evolved to eat and is therefore best for their overall health and longevity.
Wet vs. dry food
One of the most important considerations a cat owner must make is whether to feed wet or dry cat food. Both wet and dry foods have different levels of crude protein. On a dry matter basis, a high protein wet cat food contains significantly more protein than a high protein dry cat food.
High protein wet cat food also has the added benefit of preventing UTIs and kidney stones in cats due to its high moisture content. High protein dry cat food is also good and less expensive pound per pound. It's also more convenient to free-feed your cats, especially if they pick at their food during the day.
Protein content
If you're looking for high-protein cat food, the amount of protein in it is crucial. Because of the changes in moisture content, it's difficult to compare crude protein between different foodstuffs, especially between dry and wet foods.
For example, a wet cat meal containing 10% crude protein may be far more protein-dense than a dry cat meal containing 40% crude protein.
Grain-free
Cats do not require grain feeding because they are carnivores who obtain enough carbs from meat. However, be wary of grain-free cat food recipes that use other carbohydrate ingredients in place of grains. Potatoes are commonly found in such products.
Ingredients quality
When it comes to the quality of ingredients, it's also crucial to separate the good from the bad. The absence of artificial ingredients such as preservatives, flavorings, and/or colorings is a positive indicator.
Cat meals with unnecessary filler elements should also be avoided.
FAQs
Is High Protein Cat Food Good for Cats?
Yes, high protein cat foods are beneficial to cats since they can help them eat a more natural diet. These high protein cat foods will undoubtedly help your cat stay fit and trim while also maintaining a healthy weight. Protein is crucial for both growing and maintaining muscle, so these foods will undoubtedly help your cat stay fit and trim while also keeping a healthy weight.
Is High Protein Cat Food Good for Senior Cats?
Yes, high protein cat foods are beneficial to senior cats because they may aid in the maintenance of muscle mass, which is crucial as cats age. Senior cat meals, in fact, have higher-than-average protein contents, which is why they're far more vital for senior cats than for younger adult cats.
What is the Easiest Protein That Cats Can Digest?
Cats are carnivores, which means they can eat any form of animal protein. On that note, it's worth mentioning that some foods rely on soy and corn to improve protein levels, and they aren't easily digestible by cats.
High Protein Cat Food: The Verdict
We selected Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Wet Cat Food in Broth as our overall high protein cat food top pick as this product is prepared with lower starch content and contains high-quality ingredients.
But, the deal maker for us was the great reviews this particular product has accumulated online.
So to end, look around, try a few out and you’ll soon find a high protein cat food that will suit your cat!
Of course, the real test will be allowing your cat to try the new food. They will soon let you know if it's for them!
Get 30% off and FREE shipping on cat supplies!
U.S.A only
To Find out why we recommend chewy.com, click here
Share: