While a big bag of kibble might seem more convenient, canned cat food offers several advantages over dry food. Wet foods typically contain fewer carbohydrates, reducing the risk of obesity in cats. Moreover, canned wet food provides a much higher moisture content, an essential feature since many cats fail to drink sufficient water daily.
To identify the best cat food, we surveyed 299 cat owners about their preferences and the rationale for their choices. This survey provided a wealth of data for our recommendations, including details on the cats’ weights and ages, as well as the specific reasons for choosing their cat food. Further details on our survey method are available under the “How We Found The Best Canned Cat Foods” section below our recommendations.
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Entree Cat Food emerged as our top recommendation for most cats. Veterinarians and scientists create it, offering a range of protein-rich flavors that attract cats. All the products we recommend comply with the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards for a “complete and balanced” meal. This compliance ensures they follow the stringent guidelines of this premier non-profit organization, which oversees state, federal, and international feed regulations to ensure the safety of pet food.
Best Overall Canned Food
1-Hill’s Science Diet Adult Canned Cat Food
What We Like
- Free from artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- Contains taurine to support vision and heart health
- Offers formulations for various life stages and specific health needs
What We Don’t Like
- Availability of some flavors can be inconsistent
Hill’s Science Diet offers wet cat food for most dietary needs. It has many recipes for different diets. It’s our top choice for wet and dry foods. In a survey of 299 cat owners, it got high marks. Many chose it based on their vet’s advice. Owners liked its options for hairball control, weight management, and ingredient sensitivities.
Each serving begins with water as the primary ingredient, ensuring your cat stays hydrated alongside their intake of calories and nutrients. The second ingredient is real animal protein, such as chicken, tuna, or pork, varying by recipe and flavor. Available options include Savory Chicken, Liver & Chicken, Ocean Fish, Savory Salmon, Savory Turkey, Tender Chicken, Tender Tuna, and Turkey & Liver.
Formulated by veterinarians and scientists, Hill’s Science Diet Adult Entree Cat Food recipes provide balanced nutrition in every meal, including essential vitamins C and E, antioxidants, fiber, protein, and calcium. The food is offered in five-ounce cans equipped with a pull-tab lid for convenience and is produced in the United States. It’s possible to mix the wet and dry food varieties, and some wet food selections are available in variety packs, offering an interesting mix of flavors for your cat’s meals.
Life Stages: Adult, Senior | Can Sizes: 2.9, 5.5 ounces
2-Purina ONE Healthy Kitten Wet Food
What We Like
- Free from fillers
- Made with real salmon and chicken
- Provides ample moisture for hydration
What We Don’t Like
- Limited to a single flavor option
Purina ONE Healthy Kitten Wet Food is specifically crafted to meet the nutritional needs of growing kittens, offering the essential vitamins, protein, and moisture they require to develop into healthy adults. Each three-ounce can of the Chicken & Salmon recipe features real chicken as the primary ingredient, followed by chicken liver, pork lung, chicken broth, and salmon. It avoids using artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, and grains, which are known to potentially irritate kittens.
This kitten-specific food is produced in Purina’s U.S.-based facilities. Subsequently, it undergoes multiple rounds of strict quality control. This process ensures the food’s formula is both accurate and nutritionally balanced.The main drawback is that Purina One Healthy Kitten Wet Food comes in only one flavor, which may limit variety for your kitten.
Life Stage: Kitten | Can Size: 3 ounces
3-Hill’s Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Wet Cat Food
What We Like
- Contains lean protein to keep your cat feeling full
- A formula rich in moisture
- Includes real chicken and vegetables
What We Don’t Like
- Available in only one size
For cats, even a slight weight gain of a pound or two can significantly impact cardiovascular and overall physical health. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Cat Food is designed to aid your cat in achieving their ideal weight by providing a balance of nutrition, fiber, and lean protein in a formula that’s rich in liquids. This combination helps your cat stay satiated between meals.
Developed in the United States, Hill’s Science Diet has demonstrated through clinical trials that over 70% of adult cats can lose weight within 10 weeks when fed Perfect Weight Cat Food. They also back all of their products with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. The canned cat food aimed at weight loss and maintenance is not only appealing to feline tastes but also made with real chicken and vegetables, aligning with what cats naturally crave.
Life Stage: Adult | Can Sizes: 2.9, 5.5 ounces
4-Tiki Pets Tiki Cat Wet Food
What We Like
- High in protein from animal sources
- Uses non-GMO ingredients
- Grain and potato-free across all eight flavors
What We Don’t Like
- Some flavors are less widely available
Tiki Pets’ Tiki Cat Luau canned cat food is formulated without fillers, grains, or guar gum, ensuring your cat gets a diet rich in beneficial proteins. This is ideal for maintaining a healthy weight.
If your cat needs to gain some weight, increasing their meal portion size is a straightforward solution. Tiki Cat Luau offers two can sizes, 2.8 ounces and 6 ounces, allowing for larger servings that include healthy fats, similar to those in salmon, essential for weight gain.
The Luau series includes eight recipes featuring chicken and a selection of fish that cats love, including tuna, salmon, mackerel, seabass, and tilapia. The food’s aroma and the large chunks of real protein in each can are designed to tempt even the pickiest eaters. Importantly, all Tiki Cat Luau recipes are crafted with non-GMO ingredients, aligning with a natural and health-focused diet.
Life Stage: Adult | Can Sizes: 2.8 and 6 ounces
5-Purina Pro Plan Prime Plus Wet Food
What We Like
- Includes prebiotic fiber to aid digestion
- High protein content
- Designed to prevent accidental weight gain
What We Don’t Like
- Limited to only three-ounce can sizes
Purina Pro Plan Prime Plus Wet Cat Food caters specifically to the dietary requirements of cats over seven years old. According to Dr. Barrack, senior cats must consume a diet rich in proteins, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and water to support their overall health throughout their lifespan.
This range features six grain-free flavors, all produced in the United States. Craftsmen formulate each recipe to guarantee at least ten percent protein, supporting older cats’ lean muscle mass maintenance. They also enrich the formula with antioxidants such as beta carotene and vitamin E to strengthen the immune system and include prebiotic fiber for easier digestion.. With advancing age, cats may become less active or experience weight gain; thus, controlling meal portions becomes essential. The exclusive availability of Pro Plan Prime Plus in three-ounce cans helps manage this, reducing the likelihood of leftover food. It’s always wise to discuss any significant dietary adjustments with your veterinarian.
Life Stage: Senior | Can Size: 3 ounces
Conclusion
In selecting the right canned cat food, it’s essential to balance nutritional content, life stage considerations, and individual health needs. Importantly, high-quality options such as Hill’s Science Diet, Tiki Pets Tiki Cat, and Purina Pro Plan Prime Plus offer specialized formulas designed to cater to a variety of requirements, ranging from weight management to senior care. Moreover, these brands prioritize lean proteins, hydration, and essential nutrients, all aimed at supporting overall health and well-being. Although preferences for can sizes and flavor variety may vary among pet owners, ultimately, the focus is on providing meals that not only satisfy nutritional guidelines but also aid in digestion and prevent unintended weight gain, thereby ensuring a happy, healthy life for your feline companion.
