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Best Wet Cat Food 2025
Written by a Labrador Retriever lover Tim Falk
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 02/23/2024, edited: 01/21/2025
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.
A high-quality diet is essential for your cat’s overall health and well-being. But choosing food for your cat can be an overwhelming task — with so many products to choose from, where do you even start?
If you’re shopping for wet food for your cat, it’s important to look for a food that is high in protein and moisture, easily digestible, and that provides all the antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals they need to stay happy and healthy. To help make your choice easier, we’ve put together this guide to the best wet food for cats. Keep reading for a detailed look at some top-quality diets your fur-baby will love.
Overview
Merrick Purrfect Bistro
5
Best vet recommended overall
Merrick’s Purrfect Bistro product line is the best wet food for cats for a long list of reasons.
This range boasts 12 grain-free wet foods, each of which features real meat, fish or poultry as the first ingredient. The recipes are designed to be easily digestible, high in omega fatty acids for skin and coat health, and a choice of textures (meat chunks in gravy or smooth pates)
Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, pet nutrition expert and one of Wag!’s veterinary consultants, recommends Merrick cat food to her clients. “Merrick offers high-protein diets with meat as the primary ingredient. Recipes are free from corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives and rich in omega fatty acids and include probiotics for overall feline well-being.”
Check out the Purrfect Bistro range if you’re searching for a high-quality wet food for your cat.
Merrick Cat Food
Why Wag! loves it
- Made in the USA.
- Lots of flavors to choose from.
- Added vitamins and minerals to support your pet’s health.
Considerations & concerns
- Some pet parents might like a larger can size.
- There are cheaper options available.
- Some complaints in 2023 about a change to the formula for the Chicken Recipe Pate.
What pet parents say about Merrick Purrfect Bistro
“My cat was definitely a fan of this food. The can is the perfect size and she loved it! Doesn’t have a bad smell and as long as my cat is happy, I’m happy.”
“I have two cats, one of whom is very picky and doesn't like treats. I liked the look of the food, the fact that it looked like real food instead of just some paste in a jar. When I set this down in front of both of them, they gobbled it down and started fighting over the remainders, so this is definitely cat approved. And it didn't upset their tummies afterwards, so that's a huge bonus.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Merrick Pet Care.
Weruva Classic Cat
5
Vet recommended
The Weruva Classic Cat range is sure to have your fur-baby licking their lips. This hydration-focused range features 5 chicken and 7 fish flavors that might be enough to make your own stomach rumble too. Each recipe is designed to be high in protein but low in fat and doesn’t feature any grains or gluten.
Weruva is also a brand that Dr. Georgia Jeremiah recommends to her clients. “Weruva cat food offers a variety of recipes and flavors suitable for different life stages and palates, always ensuring high-protein, real-meat ingredients without grains, gluten, or non-nutritive thickeners such as carrageenan,” she says.
“They are committed to quality and their formulations exclude antibiotics, hormones, and artificial additives, while also providing a low-phosphorus, high-protein prescription diet option with high moisture content to cater to specific medical needs.”
And with names like Funky Chunky Chicken Soup with Pumpkin, and Marbella Paella with Mackerel, Shrimp, & Mussels in Gravy, there are plenty of good reasons why you should check out the Weruva Classic Cat range.
Weruva Cat Food
Why Wag! loves it
- Available in 10 oz tins.
- High in protein.
- 12 flavors to choose from.
Considerations & concerns
- Not popular with some picky eaters.
- Not made in the USA.
- Some buyers report that their cat didn’t like the shredded chicken in some recipes.
What pet parents say about Weruva Classic Cat
“I have three cats — a 19-year-old, 16-year-old, and almost 7-year-old. The 16-year-old has hyperthyroid[ism]. I have been struggling to find food that she will keep down. After much research, I decided that Weruva Paw Lickin' Chicken and another Weruva wet food would be the way to go. Simply put, the three love the food. My vet even said that she had her senior on Weruva. I'm sticking with this food and the other from now on.”
“We have 8 cats and they all love this food. I use the 10oz. cans and give each cat a serving [in] the morning and another can at night. High-quality protein that they love and none is wasted.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Weruva.
Blue Buffalo Tastefuls
4.5
Vet recommended
The Blue Buffalo Tastefuls range offers a wide selection of delicious and nutritious wet recipes your cat will love. Each recipe starts with real meat and offers a blend of natural ingredients to provide wholesome nutrition for your fur-baby. There are also multiple textures to choose from — cuts in gravy, flaked entrees, morsels in savory sauce, and smooth pates.
Dr. Georgia Jeremiah notes, “Blue Buffalo provides wet and dry recipes tailored to various life stages, including high-protein and grain-free choices. With real meat, omega fatty acids and plenty of antioxidants, Blue Buffalo recipes are a good option for felines with delicate digestive tracts. Be mindful of the higher carbohydrate and low moisture content with some formulas if your cat has specific medical conditions.”
Check out the Blue Buffalo Tastefuls range to find the recipe with the right flavor and texture to get your cat purring.
Blue Buffalo Cat Food
Why Wag! loves it
- Huge range of flavors and textures to choose from.
- Rich in omega fatty acids for skin and coat health.
- Affordable choice.
Considerations & concerns
- Not always a hit with picky eaters.
- Some pet parents complain about quality control issues.
- Some buyers complain about the strong odor of some recipes.
What pet parents say about Blue Buffalo Tastefuls
“My girl Max absolutely loves this food. I have to give it to her in spoonfuls because she eats it so fast she gets sick. It's a little hard to find a quality pate cat food, so we will be sticking with this one!!”
“Our Tucker Boy is one of the most finicky eaters around. I have purchased the moist foods before but he wasn't that crazy about them. I decided to try this variety pack and lo and behold — he loves them! All of them! What a relief. He totally loves the Blue dry food, but I wanted him to have some moisture to keep his kidneys healthy. Thank you, Blue!”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Blue Buffalo Company Ltd.
American Journey Grain-Free Cat Food
4.5
Vet recommended
If you’re searching for an affordable wet cat food that provides high-quality nutrition, it’s hard to go past American Journey. Its grain-free range of wet cat food provides all the nutrients and goodness your cat needs to stay in tip-top shape, but comes with a price tag that won’t break the bank.
Even better, Dr. Georgia Jeremiah recommends American Journey. “American Journey cat food features high-quality, real meat as the primary ingredient, ensuring balanced nutrition with essential vitamins and minerals,” she says. “It offers grain-free options, free from artificial additives or preservatives, in various flavors to suit individual preferences. Additionally, it includes added probiotics for digestive health and is known for its affordability.”
Finally, there’s a wide range of different textures and protein sources to choose from throughout the American Journey range, so you’ll be able to find something to suit your kitty’s taste buds.
American Journey Cat Food
Why Wag! loves it
- Affordable option.
- No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
- Real meat or fish as the first ingredient.
Considerations & concerns
- The fact that it’s grain-free won’t please some pet parents.
- Only available at Chewy, so you can’t shop around for a better deal.
- Some buyers complain about the rising cost of American Journey products.
What pet parents say about American Journey Grain-Free Cat Food
“My two Burmese cats have enjoyed both the minced and pate formulations of the chicken and fish mixes. Excellent quality.”
“I have been buying this brand every 6 weeks for 2 years now and I love them. I have 2 elderly picky cats and they both love this food. I just recently tried this flavor and I have no complaints. This is one of the only cat foods I feel good about feeding my babies and it is also one of the only ones that doesn't smell bad. It doesn't smell good by any means, but it smells like meat and not that gross cat food smell. Very, very happy and so are my babies.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Chewy, Inc.
Taste of the Wild
4.5
Vet recommended
Searching for a grain-free wet food for your cat? The Rocky Mountain Feline Recipe and Canyon River Feline Recipe could be the “pawfect” fit. Featuring real salmon or trout as the first ingredient, these recipes provide the protein your pet needs for lean muscle. They’re also designed to satisfy your cat’s craving for the flavors their ancestors ate in the wild, so even the pickiest of eaters will be licking their bowl clean.
Best of all, Taste of the Wild cat food comes recommended by Dr. Georgia Jeremiah. “Taste of the Wild cat food features grain-free options with novel proteins such as venison, and added probiotics for your cat's gut health. While it is affordable, their formulas are high in pea and potato plant-proteins, and the presence of guar gum in the ingredients may contribute to digestive issues in sensitive cats.”
And with matching Rocky Mountain and Canyon River dry recipes also included in the Taste of the Wild range, you can mix and match wet and dry foods to treat your pet to a bit of variety.
Taste of the Wild Cat Food
Why Wag! loves it
- Real fish is the first ingredient.
- Recipes include unique protein sources like venison and trout.
- Matching dry foods also available.
Considerations & concerns
- Only 2 wet recipes in this particular range.
- The fact that it’s grain-free won’t please all pet parents.
- Some buyers complain that the chunks of food are too big.
What pet parents say about Taste of the Wild
“It’s hard to go wrong with this food. Every ingredient is derived from high-quality sources, the food is nutritionally balanced and promotes good health for your cat. As an extra bonus, our pickiest cat who refuses to eat 80% of all wet food gobbled this up, so it also passed the taste test!”
“As our cat gets older, she gets more and more picky. We tried many cans of wet food [and] then our local pet store suggested this brand. Our cat devours this food. She likes both flavors, so we switch daily.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright SCHELL & KAMPETER, INC.
Orijen
5
Vet recommended
Orijen is a premium pet food brand famous for its commitment to including a high percentage of animal ingredients in all its recipes. The 6 wet cat foods in its range all feature fresh or raw animal ingredients as the first 5 ingredients, and they’re designed to provide high-quality nourishment for your fur-baby.
“Orijen is known for its high protein content, incorporating meat, organs, and bones from multiple animal sources,” says Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, who recommends this brand to her clients. “Recipes are made with fresh ingredients and avoids fillers, artificial additives, and grains. Additionally, they include a probiotic blend for digestive health. One potential drawback is that these diets are expensive; however, overall this is a high-quality, convenient diet option.”
Orijen Cat Food
Why Wag! loves it
- High-quality protein sources.
- High moisture content to help your cat stay hydrated.
- The first 5 ingredients are always fresh or raw animal ingredients.
Considerations & concerns
- Expensive.
- Not as many flavor options as some other brands.
- Some pet parents might appreciate a larger can size.
What pet parents say about Orijen
“Our Siamese cat (Mr. Sunny) is one picky eater. He loves his kibble food but we’ve been trying to get him more acquainted with wet foods as well. We’ve tried just about every brand out there but he certainly prefers Orijen’s tuna/salmon cans. We knew we found the right wet food as when we were opening the can, he kept sniffing and licking his face. Considering that it’s made of 95% animal ingredients and no grains, we’re glad to have not only a wet food that he prefers but also a good-quality product!”
“I’m so happy I found a high-quality cat food my girl will eat. She’s 11 years old and has rejected all the best, most highly rated brands that I’ve tried to date. I bought a few different individual cans and this is the one she was willing to eat — no, she cleaned out her bowl entirely! I bought my first case and she still loves this Orijen. I’m so glad I can give her quality ingredients and she loves it.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Mars Petcare US, Inc.
Nulo Freestyle
4.5
Vet recommended
The Nulo Freestyle range boasts an extensive selection of shredded and minced recipes alongside pates, mousses, toppers, and more. These high-protein recipes are designed with easy digestibility in mind, and they also help to keep your cat hydrated.
Dr. Georgia Jeremiah says, “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. Rich in essential amino acids, it supports lean muscle development and is specially formulated to meet the unique nutritional needs of cats.”
Like Orijen above, Nulo is at the higher end of the price spectrum. But if you want high-quality nutrition and taste for your kitty, it’s well worth checking out.
Nulo Cat Food
Why Wag! loves it
- Wide range of flavors available.
- Protein-rich recipes.
- Good source of omega fatty acids for skin and coat health.
Considerations & concerns
- Some recipes only available in 3 oz cans.
- There are cheaper options available.
- Not all Nulo products are made in the USA.
What pet parents say about Nulo Freestyle
“You know, Nulo Freestyle Turkey & Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Canned Cat & Kitten Food is a total game-changer for my furball. Seriously, it's like she's having a fine dining experience every time I crack open a can. The mix of turkey and chicken is a hit, and I love that it's grain-free. It's like they've cracked the code to a cat's heart and stomach. The texture is spot-on [with] just enough moisture to keep her interested without turning it into a soupy mess. Sure, it's a tad pricier, but I've noticed a positive glow-up in her coat and overall health. When your cat starts strutting like she's on a catwalk, you know you're onto something good. So, if you're all about treating your fur baby like royalty, Nulo Freestyle is the way to go. Totally worth the splurge for a happy, healthy kitty!”
“My two kittens really like this wet food. I studied the ingredient list carefully before purchasing. It is a high quality food. Not the cheapest but not the most expensive either. It comes in 12oz cans which are a little cheaper per ounce than small cans that most of the better wet food comes in (3oz and 5.5oz) and more convenient for me as well. I think feeding my little guys a healthier diet will result in better health for them in the long run and help to avoid costly vet bills, which will help my wallet too.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Nulo.
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