When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
Cats might not know what a love language is, but they sure love it when we feed them tasty food. Given the many brands and recipes on the market, choosing one of the best wet cat foods can be overwhelming. Ultimately, the ideal canned recipe for your cat is nutritionally complete and balanced and appropriate for your kitty’s life stage and any health issues they may have.
We spoke with veterinarians and animal nutritionists to find out what to look for in wet food for kittens, adult cats, and seniors. While our experts didn’t recommend specific brands or formulas, our picks are based on their insights into the nutritional needs of cats of all ages. One of our top picks is Wellness Gravies Salmon Entree for adult cats, which contains a good balance of protein from salmon, turkey, and egg whites.
All of our recommendations meet the standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and the Global Nutrition Guidelines published by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA). For more advice on how to shop for high-quality wet cat food, scroll to the end of this article.
Read more about how Insider Reviews tests and researches pet products.
Highlights for the best wet cat foods
Best overall: Wellness Gravies Salmon – See at Chewy
Best budget: Natural Balance Chicken and Liver – See at Chewy
Best for indoor cats: Purina One Indoor + Hairball Ocean Whitefish and Rice – See at Chewy
Best for older cats: Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Savory Chicken – See at Chewy
Best for sensitive stomachs: Royal Canin Care Digestive Thin Slices in Gravy – See at Chewy
Best for kittens: Iams Perfect Portions Healthy Kitten Chicken – See at Chewy
Best for hairball control: Purina Pro Plan Hairball Salmon – See at Chewy
Best fresh: Just Cats Fish and Chicken – See at Amazon
Best overall
These recipes from Instinct, Merrick, and Wellness are some of the best wet cat foods.
Chewy/Business Insider
Wet food and the best dry cat foods are both quality options for your cat, says Dr. Bruce Kornreich, a board-certified veterinary cardiologist and director of the Cornell Feline Health Center at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. But there may be cases where wet food is recommended in addition to, or in place of, dry food. Kornreich says wet food benefits cats who need more water, particularly older cats with kidney disease. It packs 75% to 78% moisture, whereas dry foods contain 10% to 12%, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Cats must eat animal proteins to satisfy their essential amino acid requirements, which help maintain normal body functions, so meat should be the first ingredient in cat food. You’ll also want to see an AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement on the food label. This indicates that the food meets the AAFCO’s recommended balance of fats and proteins, essential vitamins, and minerals for a cat’s life stage.
Adult cat foods should have a minimum of 9% fat and 26% protein. To compare nutrient profiles of wet food to the AAFCO standards, you’ll need to convert wet food percentages of fat and protein to a “dry matter basis.” You can do this by following the directions from the Tufts University Cummings Veterinary Medical Center, calling the food manufacturer, or asking your veterinarian for help.
Although some of our picks for the best wet cat foods are pricier than other options, they’re packed with animal proteins such as deboned chicken, salmon, and turkey that cats love and require.
Wellness Gravies Salmon Entree
Meat and fish protein sources: Salmon broth, turkey, salmon, turkey liver, egg whites
Other standout ingredients: Peas, carrots, cranberries
Feeding trials: No
Nutrition breakdown: 51% protein, 22% fat, 14% fiber
Calorie count: 68 kcal/3-ounce can
Merrick Purrfect Bistro Chicken Recipe Pâté
Meat protein sources: Deboned chicken, chicken liver, chicken broth, dried egg product
Other standout ingredients: Menhaden fish oil
Feeding trials: No
Nutrition breakdown: 50.1% protein, 36.2% fat, 0.3% fiber
Calorie count: 101 kcal/3-ounce can
Instinct Original Grain-Free Pâté Real Salmon Recipe
Meat and fish protein sources: Salmon, pork liver, egg product
Other standout ingredients: Carrots, cranberries, pumpkin, tomato, blueberries, broccoli, cabbage, kale
Feeding trials: No
Nutrition breakdown: 48% protein, 18% fat, 9% fiber
Calorie count: 90 kcal/3-ounce can
Best budget
For affordable wet cat food, we recommend Purina, Natural Balance, and Blue Buffalo.
Purina; Natural Balance Pet Foods; Blue Buffalo Company; Robyn Phelps/Business Insider
Cost is a significant factor when choosing among the best cat food recipes. Luckily, plenty of budget-friendly options meet a cat’s nutritional requirements.
Budget-friendly cat foods often contain byproducts, a concentrated source of protein that’s biologically appropriate for felines. Byproducts are repurposed ingredients that keep the cost of cat food down, says Dr. Korinn Saker, a board-certified veterinarian and associate professor of clinical nutrition at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. They include parts of the animal other than skeletal meat that are still nutritious for cats, such as organs. While many cat foods are touted as free of grains, byproducts, or artificial preservatives, these diets have no proven benefit compared to other cat foods that meet AAFCO standards.
The budget foods we recommend are significantly higher in protein than the 26% AAFCO minimum recommendation and include selections with and without byproducts.
Natural Balance Chicken and Liver Pate Formula
Meat protein sources: Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, egg product
Other standout ingredients: Brown rice, carrots
Feeding trials: No
Nutrition breakdown: 40.9% protein, 27.3% fat, 6.8% fiber
Calorie count: 100 kcal/3-ounce can
Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials White Meat Chicken and Vegetables Entree
Meat protein sources: Chicken, liver, meat byproducts, turkey
Other standout ingredients: Wheat gluten, tomatoes, carrots, modified corn starch, soy protein concentrate
Feeding trials: No
Nutrition breakdown: 50% protein, 9% fat, 7.5% fiber
Calorie count: 73 kcal/3-ounce can
Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Tender Morsels Chicken Entree in Savory Sauce
Meat protein sources: Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, egg product
Other standout ingredients: Potato starch, brown rice, carrots, sweet potatoes
Feeding trials: No
Nutrition breakdown: 50% protein, 22.2% fat, 8.3% fiber
Calorie count: 80 kcal/3-ounce can
Best for indoor cats
These recipes from Royal Canin, Natural Balance, and Purina are formulated for indoor cats.
Chewy/Business Insider
Indoor cats might not face outdoor life’s dangers, like predators and food scarcity. But they do face a growing epidemic: feline obesity.
Pet caregivers play an invaluable role in regulating a cat’s access to food and ensuring their food is appropriate for their needs, says Dr. Deb Zoran, a board-certified small animal internist, nutritionist, and professor at Texas A&M University. Indoor cats can’t catch their own food and typically don’t exercise as much as an outdoor cat would. An indoor cat diet shouldn’t replace environmental enrichment and daily play, but incorporating food made for their unique needs is a step in the right direction.
Our recommendations for the best cat food for indoor cats are lower in calories and fat, which helps them maintain a healthy weight and physique. Added insoluble fibers like powdered cellulose and probiotics like beet pulp support digestion, and omega fatty acids derived from fish oil keep fur soft and shiny while reducing shedding and hairballs.
Natural Balance Original Ultra Platefulls Morsels in Gravy Turkey, Salmon, and Chicken Recipe
Meat protein sources: Turkey broth, turkey, salmon, chicken, chicken liver, dried egg whites
Other standout ingredients: Salmon oil, dried plain beet pulp
Feeding trials: No
Nutrition breakdown: 42.3% protein, 26.1% fat, 1.8% fiber
Calorie count: 80 kcal/3-ounce pouch
Royal Canin Indoor Adult Cats Morsels in Gravy
Meat protein sources: Chicken byproducts, pork byproducts, chicken liver, pork liver, salmon, pork plasma, pork digest
Other standout ingredients: Powdered cellulose, fish oil, L-carnitine
Feeding trials: No
Nutrition breakdown: 52.47% protein, 20.24% fat, 3.28% fiber
Calorie count: 65 kcal/3-ounce can
Purina One Indoor + Hairball Ocean Whitefish and Rice Recipe Pate
Meat protein sources: Ocean whitefish, chicken, liver, pork lungs
Other standout ingredients: Brown rice, powdered cellulose
Feeding trials: No
Nutrition breakdown:45.6% protein, 22.2% fat, 9.7% fiber
Calorie count: 77 kcal/3-ounce can
Best for older cats
Royal Canin, Wellness, and Hill’s make the best wet foods to support the unique needs of senior cats.
Chewy/Business Insider
As your cat begins to show age-related changes as early as 7 years old and reaches their senior years around 12 years old, simple changes can improve their quality of life. They’ll likely have two wellness visits yearly rather than one, which is an ideal time to discuss your cat’s changing activity level and caloric needs.
Most senior cats can eat kibble, says Dr. Jennifer Larsen, a board-certified veterinarian and professor of clinical nutrition at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. However, dry foods tend to be three to four times more calorie-dense when compared to canned foods. Wet food is also higher in moisture, which helps support kidney function and can help manage symptoms of chronic kidney disease.
The AAFCO doesn’t provide standards for senior cat food. Instead, the food is formulated to meet the AAFCO nutritional recommendations for adults and may vary in calories, fiber, and protein. To be sure a food is appropriate for your cat, review its nutrition and calorie content, then consult your veterinarian. Look for ingredients like glucosamine and fish oil, which are included in our picks and can help reduce pain, inflammation, and stiffness associated with age-related conditions such as arthritis. Additionally, our recommendations for the best senior cat foods contain fewer calories than our adult food selections.
Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Savory Chicken Entree
Meat protein sources: Chicken, turkey giblets, pork byproducts, pork liver
Other standout ingredients: Fish oil, rice, soybean meal
Feeding trials: No
Nutrition breakdown: 39% protein, 24% fat, 3% fiber
Calorie count: 90 kcal/2.9-ounce can
Wellness Complete Health 7+ Age Advantage Tuna and Salmon Entree
Meat and fish protein sources: Tuna, salmon broth, chicken liver, chicken, salmon
Other standout ingredients: Peas, beet pulp
Feeding trials: No
Nutrition breakdown: 50.8% protein, 22.8% fat, 4.1% fiber
Calorie count: 98 kcal/3-ounce can
Royal Canin Aging 12+ Loaf in Sauce
Meat protein sources: Pork byproducts, pork liver, chicken, chicken liver
Other standout ingredients: Fish oil, glucosamine, chondroitin
Feeding trials: Yes
Nutrition breakdown: 51% protein, 19% fat, 6% fiber
Calorie count: 71 kcal/3-ounce can
Best for sensitive stomachs
The best limited ingredient and sensitive stomach diets for cats include recipes from Merrick, Go! Solutions, and Royal Canin.
Merrick Pet Care; Go! Solutions; Royal Canin; Robyn Phelps/Business Insider
Limited ingredient diets can help cats with food intolerances and sensitive stomachs. They contain fewer ingredients, reducing the risk of digestive upset like diarrhea, vomiting, or gas. They are also typically made with whole food ingredients that are easier to digest than other options.
However, limited ingredient diets aren’t always necessary unless your cat has food sensitivities. According to Saker, food intolerances can mimic some of the symptoms of food allergies, but food intolerances are typically limited to the gastrointestinal tract rather than a full-body immune response. Before transitioning your cat to a limited ingredient diet for digestive issues, talk to your veterinarian to rule out other underlying problems.
Our picks for the best cat food for a sensitive stomach include sources of dietary fiber, like pumpkin and cellulose, which can help regulate your cat’s digestion.
Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Real Chicken Recipe
Meat protein sources: Chicken, chicken liver
Other standout ingredients: Organic alfalfa meal, yucca extract, pea protein
Feeding trials: No
Nutrition breakdown: 36.4% protein, 27.7% fat, 6.4% fiber
Calorie count: 148 kcal/5-ounce can
Go! Solutions Sensitivities Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Pollock Pâté
Meat and fish protein sources: Deboned Alaskan pollock, salmon broth, cod liver
Other standout ingredients: Pumpkin, cranberries
Feeding trials: No
Nutrition breakdown: 42% protein, 18% fat, 0.9% fiber
Calorie count: 166kcal/6.4-ounce carton
Royal Canin Care Digestive Thin Slices in Gravy
Meat and fish protein sources: Pork byproducts, chicken byproducts, chicken liver, pork liver, salmon, pork plasma, hydrolyzed chicken liver
Other standout ingredients: Powdered cellulose
Feeding trials: No
Nutrition breakdown: 44.4% protein, 17.4% fat, 5.5% fiber
Calorie count: 66 kcal/3-ounce can
Best for kittens
Our favorite kitten foods are made by Purina, Wellness, and Iams.
Chewy/Business Insider
Choosing the right food for your kitten can be challenging. The first step is to look for food appropriate for a growing kitten’s nutritional needs. It should be formulated according to the AAFCO standards for growth or all life stages to support a kitten’s rapid growth and high-energy needs. This ensures your carnivorous kitten gets at least 30% protein and 9% fat from their food.
Plus, food formulated for growth includes key nutrients like calcium to support bones and teeth and the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for brain growth and mental development. Our picks for the best kitten foods have all the essential nutritional qualities for growth. They also include healthy ingredients like antioxidants and prebiotics, which help support a kitten’s developing immune and digestive system.
Wellness Complete Health Kitten Pâté Chicken Entree
Meat protein sources: Chicken, chicken liver, chicken broth
Other standout ingredients: Carrots, cranberries, ground flaxseed, menhaden fish oil
Feeding trials: No
Nutrition breakdown: 46.7% protein, 37.2% fat, 1% fiber
Calorie count: 105 kcal/3-ounce can
Purina Pro Plan Kitten Salmon and Ocean Fish Entree
Meat and fish protein sources: Salmon, ocean fish, liver, chicken
Other standout ingredients: Rice
Feeding trials: No
Nutrition breakdown:54.5% protein, 31.7% protein, 0.5% fiber
Calorie count: 101 kcal/3-ounce can
Iams Perfect Portions Healthy Kitten Chicken Recipe
Meat protein sources: Chicken, poultry liver, chicken broth, dried egg product
Other standout ingredients: Fish oil
Feeding trials: No
Nutrition breakdown: 44% protein, 41% fat, 0.4% fiber
Calorie count: 90 kcal/2.6-ounce twin pack
Best for hairball control
Hill’s and Purina make the best wet cat foods to control hairballs.
Purina; Hill’s Pet Nutrition; Robyn Phelps/Business Insider
Although hairballs are common, if you find your cat gets them frequently, it’s important to tell your veterinarian. Hairballs can become a medical issue, balling up in the digestive tract and causing an obstruction. Sometimes your vet may recommend one of the best hairball remedies for cats or a special diet.
A high-fiber diet can help your cat safely pass hairballs, says Larsen. While the AAFCO doesn’t recommend a specific level of dietary fiber for cats, most complete and balanced cat foods include fiber sources in the form of digestible (starches), fermentable (oats), and insoluble (cellulose) fibers. Most hairball control diets also include insoluble fiber sources like rice hulls, pea fiber, and cellulose. While all types of fiber are beneficial for digestion, insoluble fiber adds bulk to stool, which helps to pull fur through the digestive tract.
Dry cat foods are typically higher in fiber, but the best cat foods for hairballs are formulated with extra insoluble fiber. They also include omega fatty acids to improve skin health and reduce shedding.
Hill’s Science Diet Urinary Hairball Control Savory Chicken Entree
Meat and fish protein sources: Chicken, turkey liver, pork byproducts, pork liver, turkey heart, fish meal
Other standout ingredients: Powdered cellulose, fish oil
Feeding trials: No
Nutrition breakdown: 36.3% protein, 21.1% fat, 9.2% fiber
Calorie count: 84 kcal/2.9-ounce can
Purina Pro Plan Hairball Salmon Entree
Meat and fish protein sources: Salmon, meat byproducts, chicken
Other standout ingredients: Powdered cellulose
Feeding trials: No
Calorie count: 84 kcal/3-ounce can
Purina One Indoor and Hairball Ocean Whitefish and Rice Recipe
Meat and fish protein sources: Ocean whitefish, fish broth, chicken, liver, pork lungs
Other standout ingredients: Powdered cellulose
Feeding trials: Yes
Nutrition breakdown: 45.6% Protein, 22.2% fat, 9.7% fiber
Calories: 77 kcal/3-ounce can
Best fresh
Just Cats is our top pick for the best complete and balanced fresh food.
Petco/Business Insider
Some cats want a bite of every meal we cook, but not all of us have the time or resources to cook our pets fresh meals consisting of whole meats and vegetables. Fresh cat food provides a solution with nutritionally complete and balanced meals made with high-quality human-grade ingredients. Some fresh foods are offered through subscriptions, while others are available for single purchases.
Just Cats is a fresh food option and our top pick for the best cat food delivery services. It’s made in one of nine privately owned kitchens across the US, where it’s prepared in collaboration with veterinary nutritionists. They don’t share processing plants or packaging lines with other companies. According to Kornreich, this means greater quality control over the ingredients and the prepared food.
Just Cats Fish and Chicken
Meat and fish protein sources: Alaskan Pacific wild-caught cod, whole Atlantic sardines, chicken thighs, chicken hearts, chicken liver
Other standout ingredients: Dried yucca root
Feeding trials: Yes
Nutrition breakdown: 52% protein, 19.5% fat, 2% fiber
Calorie count: 288 kcal/cup
Save 40% on your first purchase and 5% on recurring autoship orders.
What to look for in wet cat food
When shopping for the best wet cat foods for your kitten, adult, or senior cat, you’ll want to consider the following criteria:
AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement: A cat food with an AAFCO statement on the label is nutritionally complete for a cat’s life stage. The AAFCO is a nonprofit organization that defines the standard nutritional requirements for pet food and animal feed. Food with an AAFCO statement for growth or all life stages is guaranteed to be complete and balanced for kittens. Food with an AAFCO statement for maintenance or all life stages is guaranteed to be complete and balanced for adult cats.
Guaranteed analysis and nutrient profiles: The guaranteed analysis consists of the percentages of protein, fat, and other important nutrients. For kittens, a minimum of 9% fat and 30% protein is recommended, while adult cats should have a minimum of 9% fat and 26% protein. Cat foods should also contain other essential nutrients, including amino acids like taurine, fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins.
To compare the nutrients in wet food to those in dry food, convert the percentages of fat, protein, and fiber in wet food to a “dry matter basis.” To find the dry matter basis, you can use these directions from the Tufts University Cummings Veterinary Medical Center, call the food manufacturer, or ask your veterinarian for help.
Key ingredients: The ingredients on a pet food label appear in order of weight. Animal protein is essential for cats to maintain normal body functions because it contains essential amino acids. As a result, cats are obligate carnivores. Therefore, animal-based protein should be the first ingredient in cat food.
Expert formulations: Look for brands with a dedicated nutrition expert on staff, which aligns with the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) guidelines and our experts’ guidance. Even better are brands that are active in research on small animal nutrition or those that collaborate with universities and colleges.
Manufacturing standards: When choosing a brand of cat food, it’s important to consider the quality control measures and facilities used. Brands that own their manufacturing plants have greater control over the ingredients in their recipes and, therefore, the food your cat consumes. It’s also important that a brand is transparent about how they implement quality control measures. Merely stating that they conduct quality control may not be sufficient. Pet food companies should make this information available on their website or be willing to provide it upon request.
Calorie content: Cat food lists calorie content in kilocalories (kcal). The number of calories a cat needs varies based on age and activity level.
According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, kittens should be given multiple meals daily and allowed to eat as much as they want since they require more energy to support their rapid growth. As your kitten approaches 9 to 12 months of age, consult your veterinarian to determine their ideal body condition, weight, and caloric requirements.
The WSAVA offers a reference chart to estimate the number of calories an adult cat should eat based on their weight, but these are just general guidelines. The appropriate amount of food for your cat depends on their weight, energy level, breed, and overall health. Talk with your veterinarian to determine how many calories your cat should consume daily.
How we selected the best wet cat foods
To land on our recommendations for the best wet cat foods, we consulted three veterinary nutritionists and one board-certified veterinary cardiologist.
Dr. Bruce Kornreich is a board-certified veterinary cardiologist and director of the Cornell Feline Health Center at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. While Cornell University faculty cannot disparage or recommend specific brands, Kornreich helped us understand when wet cat food might be appropriate to serve in addition to, or in place of, dry food. He also guided our understanding of what makes a high-quality wet food and what to avoid.
Dr. Deb Zoran is a board-certified small animal internist, nutritionist, and professor at Texas A&M University. Zoran shared insights on cat nutrition and quality food.
Dr. Jennifer Larsen is a veterinarian, distinguished member of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition, and professor of clinical nutrition at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Larsen spoke with us about senior cat nutrition and the role of high-fiber diets in feline nutrition and well-being.
Dr. Korinn Saker is a veterinarian, distinguished member of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition, and a professor of clinical nutrition at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. We spoke with Saker about the metabolic needs of indoor cats, in addition to feline food intolerance and sensitivities.
We also consulted guidelines and recommendations from other organizations, including the AAFCO and the WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines.
Wet cat food FAQs
What is the healthiest wet food for a cat?
Because cats are obligate carnivores, the healthiest wet food for a cat includes animal-based protein as the first ingredient. Complete and balanced food also has an AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement on its label. However, there isn’t a perfect wet food choice that fits every cat or kitten. Instead, ask your veterinarian for food recommendations tailored to your pet. They may be able to suggest some options that meet your cat’s specific nutritional and caloric needs based on their age, body condition, and overall health.
What wet food is best for indoor cats?
Obesity is common among indoor cats, especially middle-aged and neutered male cats. Your cat’s ideal weight can be maintained through regular exercise, play, and enrichment, as well as low-calorie indoor cat food. Omega fatty acids are also included in some indoor cat formulas to promote healthy skin, which could mean less shedding and fewer hairballs. Indoor cats prone to frequent hairballs may benefit from a diet high in insoluble fiber, says Larsen. Most hairball control diets contain insoluble fiber sources like rice hulls, pea fiber, and cellulose.
Is it OK to give cats wet food every day?
Wet food with an AAFCO statement of nutritional adequacy is OK to feed your cat every day. However, to prevent food inflexibility, Zoran recommends rotating textures, proteins, and brands starting from a young age. Check out our guide on the best automatic cat feeders if you are interested in feeding your cat at specific times.
Do vets recommend wet food for cats?
Both canned and dry food choices can meet the nutritional needs of cats and kittens, as long as they’re labeled with the AAFCO statement for your cat’s specific life stage. The most appropriate food for your cat depends on their overall health, your budget, and your cat’s preferences. According to Kornreich, veterinarians may recommend a wet food diet for older cats with kidney disease or cats prone to dehydration. If you’re unsure how much your cat should eat or if they have special nutritional needs, talk to your veterinarian.
