Best Raw Cat Food 2024

Q: Are there any risks to feeding my cat a raw diet?

Yes. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) , Center for Disease Control (CDC) , and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) all warn that raw diets can be dangerous for pets due to the potential presence of harmful bacteria. As a result, it’s vital that you’re aware of all the risks involved before feeding a raw diet to your cat. Check out our guide to raw diets for cats for a full rundown of this controversial topic.

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Best Raw Cat Food 2024

Written by Wag! Staff

Veterinary reviewed by:

Published: 01/23/2024, edited: 01/31/2024

The Wag! team conducts independent research and consults pet experts to curate our recommendations. This content is supported by our affiliate pet partners and we may receive a commission on the links provided.

If you believe a raw food diet offers the best nutrition for your cat, you don’t necessarily have to prepare it yourself at home. There are now multiple commercial raw diets available that are designed to provide complete and balanced nutrition for your fur-baby. These freeze-dried or frozen raw recipes offer high-quality protein sources, fiber for healthy digestion, and the key vitamins and minerals your kitty needs for complete health.

But what is the best raw cat food? With an ever-expanding range of options on the market, choosing can be difficult. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to the best raw cat foods for your feline friend. Keep reading for 5 “pawsome” recipes your pet will love to try.

Overview

Nulo Freestyle Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken and Salmon Recipe
Open Farm Surf & Turf Freeze Dried Raw Cat Food
Instinct Raw Longevity Frozen Bites Cage-Free Chicken Recipe
Stella and Chewy’s Absolutely Rabbit Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Morsels
FAQ

Nulo Freestyle Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken and Salmon Recipe

Vet recommended

If you’re searching for the best raw cat food, there’s a lot to like about this Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken and Salmon Recipe from Nulo. Featuring chicken, salmon, chicken necks, chicken liver, and chicken hearts as its first 5 ingredients, this recipe is rich in protein and can be fed as a complete meal or used as a topper.

Even better, Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, pet nutrition expert and one of Wag!’s veterinary consultants, recommends Nulo cat food to her clients. “Nulo is known for its high-quality, animal-based protein recipes and offers low-carb, grain-free options that are free from artificial additives and fillers,” she says. “Rich in essential amino acids, it supports lean muscle development and is specially formulated to meet the unique nutritional needs of cats.”

And that’s why this recipe is our top pick as the best raw cat food.

Nulo Cat Food

Editor's Choice

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Why Wag! likes it

High in protein.
Features probiotics to support gut health.
Designed for all life stages.

Considerations & concerns

Some buyers complain that this food is expensive.
Some complaints that this food has a strong odor.
Some buyers complain about dust/crumbs in bag.

What pet parents say about Nulo Freestyle Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken and Salmon Recipe

“I love these smaller sized pieces of freeze-dried food for my cat. It makes it so easy for her to eat as well as takes in hydration really well. I just wish it was a little cheaper.”

“Healthy alternative to dry kibble. Great for my 2 senior kitties who have had a number of teeth pulled. It doesn’t matter if part of the bag is crushed since it is easier for them to eat it that way anyway. We use it as a supplement to their dry kibble as I am trying to switch them over to wet food, which they are currently against. Also, I will sprinkle it crushed on my other diabetic kitty’s wet food when he refuses to eat it which helps entice him.”

Why Wag! loves it

100% traceable ingredients.
Open Farm is committed to ensuring animal welfare.
High in protein.

Considerations & concerns

Expensive.
The use of multiple protein sources may not suit all cats.
Some pet parents may not like the fishy smell of this food.

What pet parents say about Open Farm Surf & Turf Freeze Dried Raw Cat Food

“We like Open Farm for the human-grade ingredients, but the most important thing is our cats love the flavor and texture. This is on our subscription list and we highly recommend.”

“Very high-end cat food for the discerning cat lover looking for an alternative to traditional kibble and canned food. They’ve sourced extremely high-quality ingredients and it shows in how excited my cats are to eat whenever we [feed] this.”

Why Wag! loves it

Features probiotics and fiber to support good gut health.
High in moisture to help your cat stay hydrated.
Uses non-GMO fruits and vegetables.

Considerations & concerns

Some mixed customer reviews.
Frozen food isn’t the most convenient option.
Not popular with some picky eaters.

What pet parents say about Instinct Raw Longevity Frozen Bites Cage-Free Chicken Recipe

“Before buying this I read the reviews (as one does) and I worried my half a dozen cats would not like it. Bought it anyway, put some in a bowl and they wanted nothing to do with it. I started mixing some pieces in with their other wet food, they get a buffet of Blue Buffalo and Friskies for dinner. They were slightly reluctant at first and ate around it but after a meal or two of this, they started gobbling it all up! I haven't tried feeding this food alone, I continue to mix it in with their pate and I have slowly been increasing the ratio of raw to pate. That's working great so I'll keep doing that. This must be some good stuff because my young senior cats (youngest is 12) are now going INSANE running around the house! So that's why I regret this purchase, my formerly peaceful home is now abuzz with the sound of energetic, playful old cats flying through the house with madness in their eyes and delicious healthy food in their tummies. RIP peace and quiet.”

“I have three cats and I've always fed them kibble only, with some wet food here and there as a treat. I started doing some research fairly recently and decided I wanted to switch them to raw/wet food only. This is the first brand I've tried of the raw and I'm highly impressed. Very user-friendly and thaws so quickly! I just set them in a bowl for 10-15 minutes and voilà! My pickiest eater took a few days to acclimate, but he gobbles them up no problem now. I do mix it with wet food to make it stretch and give a mix of taste and texture. I love to spoil my lil bubs :) Highly recommend!”

Why Wag! loves it

Novel protein source.
Includes added probiotics to support healthy digestion.
Suitable for all life stages.

Considerations & concerns

There are cheaper options available.
Some buyers complain that the food is difficult to rehydrate.
Not a hit with some picky eaters.

What pet parents say about Stella and Chewy’s Absolutely Rabbit Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Morsels

“I ordered Stella and Chewy’s Absolutely Rabbit to get a high-quality food for a chronically ill cat. I had my veterinarian verify the ingredients and she found it be a very good nutritional choice for my cat. It comes in dehydrated form. I rehydrate it for a few minutes before feeding. My cat really likes it. I did introduce it slowly by mixing it in with his current canned food. I especially find it convenient as I can prepare only what my cat will eat and there is no waste. My cat feels better and has more energy and I feel this food has improved his quality of life. I have offered it to my other cats and most of them also like it.”

“My cats go crazy over this rabbit recipe from Stella and Chewy’s. I’ve tried other brands, but I keep coming back to this. And now I won’t change again.”