11 Best dry cat foods to keep your cat fed and happy

I love my cat. If you’re reading this, presumably you love your cat, too. (I doubt many dog owners have accidentally stumbled onto a list of dry cat food recommendations.) We both want to make sure our cats are happy, healthy and well-fed and we know that means more than just grabbing the first bag of Friskies we see in the pet aisle. Picking the best dry cat food for your fuzzy friend isn’t easy, so we’ve done the work for you!

What to consider when buying the best dry cat food

Ingredients

This should be a no-brainer. “Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they need meat to survive,” says Christine Pendlebury, director of product development and innovation at Champion Petfoods. “They need to be fed a diet of animal protein and fat so they get the nutrition they require to thrive. When looking for quality cat food, make sure the protein content is greater than 30%, that meat is the first ingredient and that there are no plant protein isolates, like wheat gluten or soy protein.”

Nutrition

Making sure there’s enough meat in your cat’s dry food is only the beginning. “A nutritious pet food is considered ‘complete and balanced’ when it includes all necessary elements to keep our pets healthy, including essential vitamins, minerals, fats (and fatty acids), proteins (including amino acids) and a good combination of functioning fibers to help support metabolism and overall health,” explains Dr. Whitney Miller, chief veterinarian at Petco. Look for dry cat food labeled “Complete,” rather than “Complimentary” — the latter doesn’t have enough total nutrition to keep your cat healthy.

Your cat’s age

Just like humans, the dietary needs of cats change over time. “Your pet’s life stage can determine what kind of food is best for them; kittens have different nutritional needs than an adult or senior cat,” says Miller. Kittens require food with a lot of proteins, fats and calories to encourage growth during those early years, while senior cats — typically less active than rambunctious kittens — need fewer calories (but more nutrients) to keep their health up. The best dry cat foods will likely specify what age range the food is intended for, but it’s always good to check with an expert. Speaking of…

Your veterinarian’s advice

Ultimately, your veterinarian knows your cat’s health needs better than you do, so it’s always good to discuss any new cat food changes with them first and foremost. “Given the individuality of each cat, consulting with your veterinarian is invaluable for determining the optimal dietary balance and portion sizes,” says Dr. Kelly Cairns, small animal internal medicine specialist and vice president of medical excellence and education for Thrive Pet Healthcare. “Your veterinarian will tailor their recommendations to ensure that your feline companion receives the most suitable diet to support their overall health and vitality.”

Hydration

One problem with dry cat food is that it doesn’t provide the hydration of wet cat food; if cats don’t drink enough water, it can lead to urinary tract infections, bladder crystals or stones. “Some cat owners opt for a combination of wet and dry food to cater to varying preferences and nutritional needs,” says Cairns. “For instance, cats requiring increased hydration — but enjoying the texture of dry food — may benefit from this balanced approach.”

Our top picks for the best dry cat foods

Best dry cat food for indoor cats: Acana Indoor Entrée With Free Run Chicken and Turkey

Made with 65% animal ingredients, this high-protein cat food has everything your indoor cat could need. The proteins and fats have been adjusted to help maintain a healthy weight, plus this food includes probiotics to help with digestion and fiber to help battle hairballs. Many customers say even their most finicky felines enjoy the taste.

Specifications:

• Meat protein sources: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, herring meal, chicken fat, deboned turkey, herring and deboned rabbit.
• Calorie count: 414 calories per eight fluid-ounce cup.
• Age range: Adult.
• Size: 10 pounds.
• Price on publish: $41.99

What we like:

• It’s packed with protein.
• All those extra benefits!
• The chickens and turkeys are free-run.

What we don’t like:

• It’s expensive, but you’re getting what you pay for.
• Some customers report the food has a strong odor.

The AP Buyline takeaway:

Arcana’s Indoor Entrée has everything your indoor cat could need (and then some).

Get it here: Acana Indoor Entrée With Free Run Chicken and Turkey

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Best dry cat food for outdoor cats: Blue Buffalo Blue Wilderness Natural Adult High Protein Chicken Dry Cat Food

The Blue Buffalo brand marketing claims that this cat food was inspired by the diet of the lynx. Deboned chicken is this dry cat food’s first (and biggest) ingredient, but there are also omega fatty acids to keep your cat’s coat healthy and taurine to promote heart and eye health. Plus, there’s Blue Buffalo’s exclusive LifeSource Bits, which the brand claims can boost your cat’s immune system.

Specifications:

• Meat protein sources: Deboned chicken, chicken meal and fish meal.
• Calorie count: 443 calories per eight fluid-ounce cup.
• Age range: Adult.
• Size: 12 pounds.
• Price on publish: $45.45.

What we like:

• Deboned chicken is the main ingredient.
• The protein helps keep cats strong.
• Those LifeSource Bits.

What we don’t like:

• It may be a bit rich for cats with sensitive stomachs.

The AP Buyline takeaway:

If keeping your outdoor cat healthy is your priority, this dry cat food is for you.

Get it here: Blue Buffalo Blue Wilderness Natural Adult High Protein Chicken Dry Cat Food

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Best dry cat food for sensitive stomachs: Purina ONE +Plus Sensitive Skin and Stomach Dry Cat Food

It’s just a fact of a cat-owning life: Cats throw up. Sometimes it’s because of hairballs, but it can also be because their food doesn’t agree with them. Purina designed this dry cat food to be easily digestible by adding prebiotic fiber. It also includes calcium for healthy bones and teeth.

Specifications:

• Meat protein sources: Turkey and chicken by-product meal.
• Calorie count: 429 calories per eight fluid-ounce cup.
• Age range: Adult.
• Size: 16 pounds.
• Price on publish: $32.73.

What we like:

• Digestible and also nutritious.
• Antioxidants boost immune system.
• We like it when our cats don’t vomit.

What we don’t like:

• Not all cats’ stomachs are sensitive for the same reason; this may not address the needs of all cats.

The AP Buyline takeaway:

Anything specifically designed to make our cats sick less often is great, and this dry food is exactly that.

Get it here: Purina ONE +Plus Sensitive Skin and Stomach Dry Cat Food

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Best dry cat food for kittens: Royal Canin Kitten Feline Health Nutrition

Kittens grow up fast so it’s important to make sure they have the right diet. Royal Canin’s kitten kibble is specifically formulated to give kittens the proteins, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants they need to build healthy bones and muscles. (This food is designed for the second stage of “kittenhood”: 4 to 12 months.)

Specifications:

• Meat protein sources: Chicken and egg product.
• Calorie count: 367 calories per eight fluid-ounce cup.
• Age range: Kittens 4 to 12 months old.
• Size: Seven pounds.
• Price on publish: $41.99.

What we like:

• Antioxidants strengthen the immune system.
• The food is easy for kittens to chew.
• Many customers report it makes their kitten’s fur soft and shiny.

What we don’t like:

The AP Buyline takeaway:

Kittens have very different nutritional needs than adult cats, and Royal Canin’s kitten food meets those needs.

Get it here: Royal Canin Kitten Feline Health Nutrition

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Best dry cat food for senior cats: Nutro Wholesome Essentials Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Senior Dry Cat Food

Cats are considered in the “senior” life stage when they reach 10 years, although some cats show signs of aging before that. It’s a good thing Nutro’s dry food is formulated for cats ages 7 and up! This dry cat food has plenty of nutrients and protein to keep your curmudgeonly cat healthy. The food is also free of GMOs and artificial preservatives.

Specifications:

• Meat protein sources: Chicken, chicken meal and chicken fat.
• Calorie count: 386 calories per eight fluid-ounce cup.
• Age range: Senior cats.
• Size: 13 pounds.
• Price on publish: $44.98.

What we like:

• Taurine helps heart health.
• GMO-free ingredients.
• There’s no corn, soy or wheat.

What we don’t like:

• Dry food may be too hard on the teeth for some senior cats.

The AP Buyline takeaway:

Keeping your cat healthy is the goal of any loving pet parent, and this dry cat food has everything a senior cat needs.

Get it here: Nutro Wholesome Essentials Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Senior Dry Cat Food

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Best dry cat food for weight loss: Hill’s Science Diet Perfect Weight Dry Cat Food

When your cat won’t stop yowling for food, it can be easy to give them a little extra (especially if it means you can go back to sleep). Unfortunately, being over a healthy weight isn’t good for cats. Hill’s Perfect Weight dry cat food can help slim your cat down safely and healthily, all without losing nutrition.

Specifications:

• Meat protein sources: Chicken, chicken meal, chicken fat and chicken liver.
• Calorie count: 315 calories per eight fluid-ounce cup.
• Age range: Adult cats.
• Size: Seven pounds.
• Price on publish: $38.49.

What we like:

• Low-calorie but high-protein to keep muscle mass.
• L-carnitine and coconut oil support metabolism.
• Advertises weight loss in 10 weeks.

What we don’t like:

• Some customers report their cats had an allergic reaction to it.

The AP Buyline takeaway:

Getting your cat’s weight down can be difficult, but Hill’s can make it easier.

Get it here: Hill’s Science Diet Perfect Weight Dry Cat Food

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Best grain-free dry cat food: WholeHearted Grain Free Salmon Formula Dry Cat Food

Grains can be hard for some cats to digest, so going with a grain-free dry food might be what your cat needs. There’s no corn, soy, wheat (or any grain) to be found in this WholeHearted product. But, there is plenty of protein because salmon is its main ingredient. Plus, there are vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants to maintain your cat’s health, too.

Specifications:

• Meat protein sources: Salmon and salmon meal.
• Calorie count: Not listed.
• Age range: All life stages.
• Size: 12 pounds.
• Price on publish: $32.99.

What we like:

• Totally grain-free.
• Cats love salmon!
• Probiotics aid in digestive health.

What we don’t like:

• Customers complain it’s often out of stock.

The AP Buyline takeaway:

Cats can be picky eaters, especially when their food is hard to digest; WholeHearted’s Grain Free option is perfect for cats with sensitive stomachs.

Get it here: WholeHearted Grain Free Salmon Formula Dry Cat Food

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Best affordable dry cat food: Rachael Ray Nutrish Indoor Complete Chicken with Lentils and Salmon Recipe

Rachael Ray has been making delicious food for humans for decades; one could speculate that making delicious food for pets wasn’t a hard transition for her. This dry cat food has chicken as its main ingredient and includes a superfood blend to give your cat plenty of pep.

Specifications:

• Meat protein sources: Chicken, chicken meal and salmon.
• Calorie count: 371 calories per eight fluid-ounce cup.
• Age range: All life stages.
• Size: 14 pounds.
• Price on publish: $26.49.

What we like:

• The price is right (as they say).
• A lot of nutrition for the price.
• Also good for weight control.

What we don’t like:

• Specifically for indoor cats.

The AP Buyline takeaway:

At about $2 per pound, Rachael Ray has made feeding your cat a healthy diet affordable.

Get it here: Rachael Ray Nutrish Indoor Complete Chicken with Lentils and Salmon Recipe

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Best dry cat food for urinary health: Royal Canin Urinary SO Moderate Calorie Dry Cat Food

Many cats are prone to urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney stones and other bladder problems. This problem can get worse if they’re not getting enough hydration. I can personally attest to the success of this Royal Canin food, as it helped my cat with its ongoing urinary issues. This dry cat food can help prevent mineral build-up, which can cause stones and crystals (and may lead to your cat peeing outside the cat litter box).

Specifications:

• Meat protein sources: Chicken by-product meal, chicken fat and egg product
• Calorie count: 275 calories per eight fluid-ounce cup.
• Age range: Adult.
• Size: 7.7 pounds.
• Price on publish: $62.99.

What we like:

• Promotes urinary health.
• Prevents stones and crystals from forming in the bladder.
• Low-calorie, so it’s good for weight management.

What we don’t like:

• Requires veterinary authorization to purchase.

The AP Buyline takeaway:

Royal Canin’s Urinary SO food did wonders for my cat’s urinary health; it may do wonders for your cat, too.

Get it here: Royal Canin Urinary SO Moderate Calorie Dry Cat Food

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Best dry cat food for hairballs: Iams ProActive Health Adult Indoor Weight Control & Hairball Care Chicken & Turkey

Cats throw up. Sometimes a hairball — that mass of hair that forms in the esophagus when cats groom themselves — is the culprit. This Iams dry food may help your cat with that, since it has a special fiber blend (including beet pulp) which is formulated to reduce hairball production. It also has L-carnitine to help your cat maintain a healthy metabolism.

Specifications:

• Meat protein sources: Chicken, chicken by-product meal and turkey.
• Calorie count: 342 calories per eight fluid-ounce cup.
• Age range: Adult.
• Size: 16 pounds.
• Price on publish: $33.99.

What we like:

• The hairball-reducing fiber blend.
• Calcium and potassium help heart health.
• When our cats don’t vomit (hey, it’s still true.)

What we don’t like:

• Some customers complain the kibble pieces are too big.

The AP Buyline takeaway:

No one likes hairballs, including cats — do both you and your cat a favor by trying this Iams food.

Get it here: Iams ProActive Health Adult Indoor Weight Control & Hairball Care Chicken & Turkey

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Best dry cat food for picky eaters: Fancy Feast Gourmet Filet Mignon Flavor with Real Seafood & Shrimp Dry Cat Food

Cats are notoriously picky eaters, which means that no matter which dry food you select, there’s always a chance your pet will turn its nose up. But, even a cat can’t say no to filet mignon! This steak-flavored dry food has rave reviews by customers, and it contains all the good stuff needed for a complete cat diet.

Specifications:

• Meat protein sources: Fish, shrimp, beef fat and poultry by-product.
• Calorie count: 476 calories per eight fluid-ounce cup.
• Age range: All life stages.
• Size: 12 pounds.
• Price on publish: $32.58

What we like:

• Its unique flavor.
• It’s still healthy.
• It’s both fancy and a feast!

What we don’t like:

• Rice is the main ingredient.
• No one’s buying me any filet mignon.

The AP Buyline takeaway:

Did you see the part about filet mignon?

Get it here: Fancy Feast Gourmet Filet Mignon Flavor with Real Seafood & Shrimp Dry Cat Food

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How we selected the best dry cat food

These dry cat foods were selected considering many factors, including recommendations from veterinarians and other experts. I also researched online reviews of these products to ensure the customer experience matched my expectations, and took my own experiences as a cat owner into account.

How to transition your cat to new food

If you’re making the switch from wet cat food to dry food — or vice versa — or making any other changes to your cat’s food, you need to do it carefully, according to our experts. “Start by mixing 25% of the new food with 75% of the old food,” says Pendlebury. “Do this for a few days and watch for stomach upset.” It may also be a good idea to check the cat litter to make sure that the cat’s stool is normal (which can mean checking quickly if you have an automatic litter box).

If all goes well, Miller recommends giving your cat a 50/50 mix of old food and new food for three days, then 75% new food and 25% old food for three more days. Keep a close eye on your cat during the transition! “If you notice your pet refusing to eat the new food — or if they start vomiting, have diarrhea or are constipated — you should slow down the rate you’re switching the food,” says Miller. “If problems continue, consult your veterinarian.”

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What are the benefits of feeding my cat dry food?

You might be surprised to learn that dry cat food offers benefits for your cat. Dry food is often cheaper than wet food, for starters. “Dry food is great for portion control, and because of its stability in the open air, it can be left out all day for cats that struggle to eat,” says Miller. The longevity of dry food, especially when used in automatic cat feeders and cat toys, should be a major selling point to anyone who’s ever been woken up by incessant meowing in the middle of the night (including myself).

Why do vets recommend dry food for cats?

One of the primary benefits of dry cat food is that it promotes dental health. “Dental health is extremely important because it marks the beginning of the digestive tract, and a healthy mouth helps support a healthy gut,” explains Pendlebury. “Dry kibble helps clean teeth as cats chew, and studies have shown that cats who consume dry food have healthier teeth with significantly less tartar build-up and gingivitis.”

Is dry food good for older cats?

“Dry cat food is a fantastic option for older cats, especially as they become less active,” says Pendlebury. Wet food tends to have higher fat content, which can cause weight gain in older, less active cats. So keep a watch on those ingredients! “As cats age, they tend to lose muscle,” Pendlebury adds. “It’s important to find a high animal protein kibble to help maintain muscle for a healthy and active lifestyle into the senior years.”