Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they must eat meat proteins to get essential amino acids, such as taurine. The best dry cat food can provide the protein your cat needs, while also being more convenient and affordable than wet food. But with so many options available, choosing the right brand and the healthiest formula can be challenging.
This guide highlights nutritious dry foods for kittens, adult cats, and seniors. After reviewing hundreds of kibble recipes, we selected the top foods that meet veterinarian-recommended nutritional standards. One of the best overall dry foods for adult cats is Wellness Complete Health Salmon and Salmon Meal Recipe. It offers a healthy balance of protein and fat, along with omega fatty acids that help reduce inflammation and support skin, coat, and brain health.
To compile our picks, we consulted veterinarians and ensured that each food meets the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards for complete and balanced nutrition and aligns with the Global Nutrition Guidelines from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA).
Highlights for the best dry cat food
Best overall: Wellness Complete Health Salmon and Salmon Meal – See at Chewy
Best budget: Nutro Wholesome Essentials Adult Salmon and Brown Rice – See at Chewy
Best for indoor cats: Farmina N&D Prime Adult Chicken and Pomegranate – See at Chewy
Best for sensitive stomachs: Purina One +Plus Sensitive Skin and Stomach – See at Chewy
Best for senior cats: Hill’s Science Diet Adult 11+ Chicken – See at Chewy
Best for kittens: Wellness Complete Health Kitten Deboned Chicken and Chicken Meal – See at Chewy
Best for hairball control: Iams ProActive Health Indoor Weight and Hairball Care Chicken and Turkey – See at Chewy
Best overall
Purina; Chewy/Business Insider
The best cat foods meet the AAFCO’s minimum nutrient standards for growth (kittens), maintenance (adult cats), or both. These standards ensure that a food provides adequate animal protein and other nutrients for your cat’s specific life stage.Â
The AAFCO standards say that foods formulated for kittens or cats of all life stages must contain at least 30% protein and 9% fat. Food for adult cats — labeled “maintenance” or “for all life stages” — must have a minimum of 26% protein and 9% fat on a dry matter basis, which is calculated after moisture is removed. The biggest difference between dry and wet cat food lies in moisture content. The best and healthiest wet cat food formulas typically contain 75% to 78% moisture, while dry food contains only 10% to 12%. Â
The best dry cat food recipes we recommend below meet our standards for quality adult cat food. While they cost slightly more than our budget picks, they are packed with animal proteins from deboned chicken, salmon, and beef fat.Â
Wellness Complete Health Salmon and Salmon Meal Recipe
This dry cat food contains a variety of fish sources for protein, all of which contain omega-3 fatty acids to support brain and immune health. It’s also packed with fiber to support digestion and added antioxidants for disease prevention.
Purina Beyond White Meat Chicken and Egg Recipe
Chicken, chicken meal, egg product, and beef fat are the main protein sources in this adult dry food. The recipe also provides beneficial fiber from carrots. Its nutritional profile is 35% protein, 14% fat, 4% fiber, and 394 kcal/cup.
Merrick Purrfect Bistro Real Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe
Animal protein sources in this dry adult cat food include deboned chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, and dried egg. The recipe also contains fiber from brown rice, barley, oatmeal, and chicory root. It consists of 36% protein, 17% fat, 3.5% fiber, and 397 kcal/cup.
Best budget
Blue Buffalo; Chewy; Rachael Ray Nutrish/Business Insider
The cost of a pet food doesn’t necessarily reflect its nutritional value or quality, says Dr. Korinn Saker, a retired veterinary nutritionist who was associate professor of clinical nutrition at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
In other words, the best dry cat food doesn’t have to be expensive. Any pet food with a nutritional adequacy statement on its label will meet your cat’s minimum nutritional requirements. Saker says quality cat food has protein as its first ingredient, especially for growing kittens and active adults. When an animal protein tops the ingredient list, that protein source will meet most of a cat’s essential amino acid needs.
Our picks for the best budget-friendly cat foods have an animal-based protein as the first ingredient. They all contain supplemental vitamins and minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants to support a cat’s overall health.
Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Adult Indoor Cat Salmon and Brown Rice Recipe
The main protein sources in this food for adult cats are salmon, chicken meal, chicken fat, and fish meal. It includes omega-3 fatty acids from salmon and fish meal, fiber from brown rice, oatmeal, powdered cellulose, and dried chicory root, and antioxidants from cranberries and blueberries. The nutrition breakdown is 32% protein, 15% fat, 6% fiber, and 415 kcal/cup.
Rachael Ray Nutrish Indoor Complete Chicken, Lentils, and Salmon Recipe
Protein from chicken, chicken meal, and salmon are included in this adult cat recipe. The food contains brewers rice, pumpkin, and dried plain beet pulp for fiber and cranberries as a source of antioxidants. Its nutritional profile is 34% protein, 12% fat, 8% fiber, and 375 kcal/cup.
Best for indoor cats
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Indoor cats love to sleep. Even when they have cat trees, perches, and exercise wheels, they tend to be less active and may have a slower metabolism than their outdoor counterparts. This can make them more prone to gaining excess weight over time. In fact, research indicates up to 63% of pet cats may be overweight or obese.Â
During wellness exams, your veterinarian uses a 9-point scale known as the Body Condition Score (BCS) to assess your cat’s body fat based on evaluations of their ribs, belly, and hips. The scale ranges from emaciated (1) to obese (9), with a score of 5 representing an ideal weight, or body score. Knowing your cat’s BCS can help you and your veterinarian determine their ideal weight and the number of calories they need to reach or maintain it.
When choosing the healthiest dry cat food for your feline, be sure to consider the calorie amount per cup and serve your cat the appropriate amount for their individual needs. If you’re unsure, your vet can provide more guidance on daily feeding. Our low-calorie picks for the best indoor cat foods are packed with beneficial ingredients, such as soluble and insoluble fiber sources, which help keep your cat feeling fuller for longer.
Farmina N&D Prime Adult Chicken and Pomegranate Recipe
This dry food for indoor adult cats includes protein from chicken, chicken fat, dried whole eggs, and herring. Omega-3 fatty acids from herring oil support brain and skin health and fiber from sweet potatoes, inulin, and psyllium seed husk help with digestion. It has been feeding trial tested for nutritional adequacy and contains 44% protein, 20% fat, 1.8% fiber, and 412 kcal/cup.
Natural Balance Original Ultra Indoor Chicken and Salmon Meal Recipe
This kibble for adult indoor cats counts its main protein sources as chicken, chicken meal, chicken, chicken fat, and salmon meal. It contains menhaden fish oil for skin and coat health and fiber sources of dried plain beet pulp and potatoes for digestive support. Its nutritional profile is 33% protein, 15% fat, 6.5% fiber, and 380 kcal/cup.
Best for sensitive stomachs
Chewy; Hill’s; Purina/Business Insider
Sensitive stomach cat food formulas can be a great choice if your feline friend has signs of food intolerance, such as diarrhea, vomiting, or gas. The best sensitive stomach cat food options usually contain highly digestible proteins, omega fatty acids to reduce inflammation, and digestive aids like prebiotics and probiotics.
No matter your cat’s symptoms, it’s always best to talk to your veterinarian before changing their diet. It’s also important to understand that food intolerance is different from a food allergy. Cats with food allergies may show different signs, like itchy skin and ear infections, in addition to vomiting or diarrhea. Saker says the difference between a food allergy and intolerance lies in this immune system response.
If you think your cat may have an allergy, let your vet know. They’ll often recommend starting a prescription diet.
Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach and Skin Adult Salmon and Yellow Peas Recipe
This dry food for adult cats with sensitive stomachs contains protein sources from salmon, chicken, chicken fat, and chicken meal. It includes dried beet pulp, a fiber that boosts digestive health. The food has been feeding trial tested for nutritional adequacy and contains 35% protein, 21.9% fat, 1.1% fiber, and 507 kcal/cup.
Purina One +Plus Sensitive Skin and Stomach
This sensitive stomach food for adult cats counts its protein from turkey, chicken byproduct meal, beef fat, and dried egg product. It includes fiber from whole grain corn, oatmeal, dried chicory root, and carrots. The food’s nutritional adequacy has been substantiated through feeding trials. Its nutrition profile is 34% protein, 14% fat, 4% fiber, and 429 kcal/cup.
Best for senior cats
Hill’s; Chewy; Purina/Business Insider
As cats start to show signs of aging around 7 years old and enter their senior years at about 12, their activity levels and metabolism begin to slow down. That’s when you might want to consider switching to one of our top picks for the best senior cat foods, which are lower in calories and fat. This change can be beneficial for your cat’s health since high-fat diets can lead to weight gain and obesity-related issues in less active senior cats, Saker says.
When selecting one of the best dry cat food for a senior, it’s important to know that the AAFCO doesn’t have specific nutritional guidelines for senior cat foods, says Dr. Jennifer Larsen, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist and clinical nutrition professor at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Senior cat foods with an AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement will meet the minimum nutrient, vitamin, and mineral requirements for both adult and senior cats. However, the calorie, fat, protein, and fiber content in formulas for older cats varies by brand. That’s why it’s wise to check the calorie content of each formula and consult your vet for advice on your cat’s daily calorie needs.
Dr. Deb Zoran, a board-certified small animal internist and professor of small animal clinical sciences at the Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, says she likes to rotate Nutro into her cats’ food lineup. Their senior food has fewer calories than most adult foods while still providing plenty of protein. As part of our senior food picks, we’ve included recipes that contain antioxidants, omega-3 and onega-6 fatty acids, and beta-carotene. These ingredients may help reduce inflammation, boost your cat’s cognitive function, and strengthen their immune system.
Purina Pro Plan Prime Plus Chicken and Rice Formula
This feeding-trial-tested food contains chicken, poultry byproduct meal, beef fat, dried egg product, and fish meal as animal protein sources. It also contains fiber from rice, cassava root flour, dried chicory root, and fish oil for skin and brain health. Its nutrition profile is 38% protein, 17% fat, 2.5% fiber, and 604 kcal/cup.
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Indoor 11+ Chicken Recipe
Chicken is the main protein source in this dry food for senior cats. The recipe also contains beneficial fiber from whole grain wheat, powdered cellulose, and dried beet pulp, fish oil for cognitive and skin support, and l-carnitine to support fat burning. It contains 34.7% protein, 20.9% fat, 8.5% fiber, and 398 kcal/cup.
Nutro Wholesome Essentials Senior Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe
Chicken, chicken meal, and chicken fat make up the main protein sources in this senior cat food. The recipe also provides cognitive support from fish oil, beneficial fiber from dried beet pulp, and antioxidants from vitamin E. It contains 36% protein, 17% fat, 6% fiber, and 445 kcal/cup.
Best for kittens
Wellness; Hill’s; Iams/Business Insider
If your cat is less than a year old, feed them one of the best kitten foods or a food labeled “for all life stages.” All life stages foods are formulated to meet the minimum nutritional requirements for growth, including protein, calcium, phosphorus, and fat. Saker says these foods exceed the minimum requirements for an adult cat’s nutritional needs.
However, foods specially formulated for growing kittens may be a better choice. Not only is the smaller kibble better suited to tiny mouths, but kitten food has higher minimum percentages of essential nutrients. It also contains docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid that supports brain development in kittens. Fish, fish oil, and fish meal are excellent sources of DHA.
You can help your kitten become more open to different foods by rotating brands, flavors, and textures. Zoran says this approach encourages food flexibility throughout their life. However, this doesn’t mean your kitten should eat a completely new food every day. Instead, rotate foods every couple of weeks. You can gradually transition to a new food by adding a little more of the new food each day. If your kitten doesn’t seem to like the new food or shows signs of stomach upset, you can slow the transition or return to feeding the previous food.
Iams ProActive Health Healthy Kitten
Protein from chicken, chicken byproduct meal, chicken fat, and dried egg product are included in this kitten recipe. The food contains fish oil as a source of DHA and dried plain beet pulp for beneficial fiber. Its nutritional profile is 33% protein, 21% fat, 3% fiber, and 484 kcal/cup.
Hill’s Science Diet Kitten Chicken Recipe
Animal protein sources in this dry kitten food are chicken, chicken fat, and egg product. Sources of fiber include brown rice and dried plain beet pulp and fish oil is added for DHA. Its nutritional adequacy has also been substantiated through feeding trials. It contains 33% protein, 19% fat, 4% fiber, and 555 kcal/cup.
Best for hairball control
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Hairballs form when cats groom themselves or each other, which are natural and healthy behaviors. Small amounts of hair can pass through their system and be eliminated as waste. However, if cats ingest too much hair, the excess may end up as a hairball on your carpet — or, worse, become stuck in their digestive tract, potentially causing an obstruction.
While a change in diet and the best hairball remedies for cats can help, they shouldn’t replace regular brushing. High-fiber cat food, however, can assist in moving hair through the digestive system, Larsen says. “The goal is to use fiber to help push the hair along the gastrointestinal tract so it’s passed as waste instead of forming a ball in the stomach,” she explains. Key ingredients that promote this movement include rice hulls, pea fiber, and cellulose.
Additionally, Larsen says there’s another benefit to fiber-rich diets for cats. High-fiber formulas can help cats feel fuller for longer, which may reduce their overall calorie intake. So, if your vet recommends weight loss for your cat, a fiber-rich diet could be a good option. Our picks for the best hairball control cat food contain added fiber, and Royal Canin and Iams include extra omega fatty acids.Â
Royal Canin Hairball Care
This hairball control dry food for adult cats contains chicken byproduct meal and chicken fat as its main protein sources. Fish oil provides omega fatty acids to reduce shedding and added psyllium seed husk and dried plain beet pulp help move hair through the digestive tract. It contains 32% protein, 13% fat, 8.5% fiber, and 342 kcal/cup.
Iams ProActive Health Indoor Weight and Hairball Care with Chicken and Turkey
This dry adult cat food helps prevent and eliminate hairballs with its added fiber from ground whole grain corn, dried plain beet pulp, and powdered cellulose. Its main protein sources are chicken, chicken byproduct meal, and turkey, and fish oil is a source of omega fatty acids. It contains 30% protein, 13.5% fat, 8.3% fiber, and 302 kcal/cup.
What to look for in a dry cat food
To select the healthiest dry food for your kitten, adult, or senior cat, consider the following guidelines and tips.
AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement: The most basic measure of nutritionally complete cat food is an AAFCO statement on the label. 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, while 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 in a food. Food for kittens should have a minimum of 30% protein and 9% fat, and food for adult cats should have a minimum of 26% protein and 9% fat. Food for cats of any age 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.” You can use these directions from the Tufts University Cummings Veterinary Medical Center, call the food manufacturer, or ask your vet for help.
Key ingredients: Pet food labels list ingredients in order of weight. Because cats are obligate carnivores, proteins in the form of whole meat or meat meal should come first on the list.
Expert formulations: For this guide, we prioritized brands with a dedicated nutrition expert on staff, which aligns with the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) guidelines and our experts’ guidance. We also opted for brands active in research on small animal nutrition and brands that collaborate with universities and colleges. Â
Manufacturing standards: When selecting a cat food brand, consider a manufacturer’s quality control measures and the types of facilities they use. For instance, manufacturers that own their plants have more control over the ingredients in the recipe and the food your cat consumes. Just keep in mind that it’s not enough for a brand to say they conduct quality control. Pet food companies should also provide information about their quality control practices on their website or upon request.Â
Calorie content: The calorie content of cat food is listed in kilocalories (kcals). Your cat will have different calorie needs, depending on their age and activity level. Kittens grow quickly in their first year, and all that growth requires plenty of energy. Therefore, kittens should eat multiple meals per day without calorie restrictions. As your kitten approaches 9 to 12 months of age, talk to your vet about their ideal body condition, weight, and caloric needs.
Once cats reach their adult years, the amount of food they should eat depends on their weight, energy level, breed, and overall health. Your vet can offer more detailed and personalized guidance about how many calories your cat requires per day.
How we selected the best dry cat food
To make our recommendations for the best dry cat food, we consulted experts in animal nutrition.
Dr. Deb Zoran is a board-certified small animal internist, nutritionist, and professor of small animal clinical sciences at the School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. Zoran’s expertise helped us better understand cat nutrition and quality food. She also shared her personal feeding preferences, which may not represent specific endorsements shared by Texas A&M University.
Dr. Jennifer Larsen is a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, a distinguished member of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition, and a professor of clinical nutrition at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis. Larsen’s expertise helped us better understand senior cat nutrition and the role of high-fiber diets in feline nutrition and well-being.
Dr. Korinn Saker is a retired veterinary nutritionist who was a professor of clinical nutrition at the College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University. Saker helped improve our understanding of feline food intolerance and sensitivities, as well as an indoor cat’s metabolic needs.
We also consulted guidelines and recommendations from other organizations, including AAFCO and the WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines.
Dry cat food FAQs
What are the benefits of dry cat food?
Dry food is a popular choice for its affordability, convenience, and ease of storage. “There is a small amount of evidence that some, very few, and specific dry cat foods may have some oral health and dental benefits,” says Dr. Bruce Kornreich, a board-certified veterinary cardiologist and director of the Cornell Feline Health Center at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. “But the most important thing that cat owners can do to maintain their cat’s oral health is to brush their cat’s teeth,” he says.
What is the healthiest dry cat food brand?
To ensure you’re purchasing quality food for your cat, Zoran recommends first checking the label for the AAFCO statement. That way, you’ll know the recipe meets your cat’s nutritional needs. Then, you might consider other brand attributes, including whether their food has ever been recalled, if they employ board-certified nutritionists, and whether they participate in research studies. If a company is reputable, you can generally trust what they print on the label, according to Zoran.Â
What is the best dry food to give a cat?
There’s not a perfect dry 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 calorie needs, based on their age, body condition, and overall health. Â
Is it OK to feed cats dry food only?
Zoran recommends feeding cats a combination of dry and wet food from different brands starting at a young age. This encourages food flexibility in cats and can prevent them from becoming picky eaters — which may prove particularly helpful when their preferred food is unavailable, recipes change, or they require a prescription diet.
Do vets recommend dry or 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 ideal food for your cat generally depends on your budget, along with their overall health and food preferences. However, to prevent finicky tastes and food inflexibility, Zoran recommends rotating textures, proteins, and brands from a young age. You can learn more in our explainer about wet vs. dry cat food.
Should I leave dry food out for my cat all day?
Zoran doesn’t recommend free-feeding cats. “It is exceptionally hard to regulate a cat’s weight and proper amount of food by free-choice feeding,” she says. Instead, portion their food into two to three small meals a day. If you’re not sure how much to feed your cat, you can ask your vet for more specific guidance based on your cat’s age, ideal weight, and overall health.
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