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5 Best High Protein Cat Food Picks of 2023

Posted in: Cat Food - Last Updated: January 2, 2023 - Author: Dexter Jones
Posted in Cat Food 
Last Updated: August 30, 2021  
Author:  Dexter Jones

Pet parents want the best high protein cat foods for their fur babies. Cats are part of the family, and 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?

Cat eating high ptotein cat food from a white bowl

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. This is the only way we can choose the absolute best high protein cat food.

In this article, we will discuss healthy proteins and fats, how to read pet food labels, and which ingredients to avoid.

Then we'll take a close look at the six best high protein cat foods of 2020 so you have the proper tools to make the right choices for your cat.

Important Features to Consider

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.

Wet vs. dry food

One of the most important considerations a cat owner must make is this. Both wet and dry foods have different levels of tough 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.

one yellow bowl full of wet food and one yellow bowl full of dry cat food ibble

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 meals 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

two cats eating from a grey bowl filled with high protein dry cat food

Our Best High Protein Cat Food Picks

1. Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Wet Cat Food in Broth - Overall Best High Protein Cat Food Option

Overall, this is our best high protein cat food chow on the market, and the reviews back it up. This product is prepared with fewer starches and high-quality components. It comes in two types of formulas: adult and indoor. Chicken, tuna, salmon, and whitefish are among the eight delicious tastes available in the adult version. There are only two flavors in the indoor formula: salmon and turkey.

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diet Tuna & Pumpkin in Broth Grain-Free Wet Adult Cat Food 2.75-oz. Cup (Pack of 24)

Pros:

  • Great reviews
  • low starch content
  • High quality

Cons:

  • Expensive

2. Blue Buffalo High Protein Dry Cat Food - Best High Protein Cat Food Option

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 packed full of high-quality and natural ingredients that actually mimic the diet of cats living in the wild. This dry cat food is a regular on most best dry cat food guides.

Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein, Natural Adult Dry Cat Food, Chicken 12-lb

Pros:

  • High quality
  • Great reviews
  • natural ingredients

Cons:

  • Expensive

3. Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Wet Cat Food - Best Wet Food Option

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 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.

Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free, Natural Adult Pate Wet Cat Food, Chicken 5.5-oz cans (Pack of 24)

Pros:

  • Zero wheat content
  • natural ingredients
  • Real poultry

Cons:

  • Contains carrageenan
  • high carb content

4. Solid Gold Indigo Moon High-  Best Dry High Protein Cat Food Option

An excellent high protein cat chow. It's 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. 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.

Solid Gold Let's Stay in - Dry Cat Food for Indoor Cats - Hairball & Sensitive Stomach Support - Grain & Gluten Free - Probiotics, Vitamins, Omega 3 & Fiber - Superfood, Antioxidant & Gut Health

Pros:

  • high in chicken protein content
  • low in starch
  • rich in vitamins

Cons:

  • expensive
  • contains a few filler ingredients

5. Instinct Raw Best Indoor Health Dry Cat Food - Best Indoor High Protein Cat Food Option

This is a very popular indoor cat food. 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 Boost Indoor Health Grain Free Recipe with Real Rabbit Natural Dry Cat Food, 4.5 lb. Bag

Pros:

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Cons:

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Final Thoughts on High Protein Cat Food

We selected Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Wet Cat Food in Broth as our overall 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!

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About the author

Dexter Jones has been a solid member of the ‘Mad Cat Dad’ club since time began! Dexter has been a keen cat writer for many years and lives in Croatia. He lives with his two tabby cats, Milly & Marly, who also flew in from the UK to start their new Adriatic island life together.

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