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Best Dry Cat Food 2025
Written by Wag! Staff
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 01/31/2024, 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.
Nutrition is a crucial component of your cat’s health and wellbeing. So, if you’re welcoming a new fur-baby into your family, feeding them a high-quality diet is essential to a long and happy life.
But which is the best dry cat food for your pet? With dozens of brands and hundreds of recipes to choose from, choosing the right food is a daunting task.
To help make it easier, we’ve chosen the best dry cat food brands and lines below. Keep reading to compare these premium foods for your fur-baby.
Overview
Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Dry Cat Food
5
Vet recommended
If you’re searching for the best dry cat food, it’s hard to go past the Blue Buffalo Tastefuls range. There are 12 dry Tastefuls recipes to choose from, each of which features real meat and a host of natural ingredients to provide wholesome nutrition for your pet.
And with recipes for active cats, kittens, and mature felines, plus formulas for hairball control and sensitive stomachs, there’s something to suit every four-legged friend.
Even better, Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, pet nutrition expert and one of Wag!’s veterinary consultants, recommends Blue Buffalo to her clients. “Blue Buffalo provides wet and dry recipes tailored to various life stages, including high-protein and grain-free choices,” she says.
“Catering to special dietary needs, they offer limited ingredient varieties such as Blue Basics without common allergens such as chicken, beef, corn, wheat, soy, dairy and eggs. 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.”
If you’re trying to choose the best food for your cat, be sure to add the Blue Buffalo Tastefuls range to your shortlist of options.
Blue Buffalo Cat Food
Why Wag! loves it
- Real meat is the first ingredient.
- No artificial flavors or preservatives.
- Recipes and flavors to suit a wide range of taste buds and nutritional needs.
Considerations & concerns
- There are cheaper options available.
- Some pet parents report that their cat would prefer larger-sized kibble.
- Some formulas don’t always satisfy picky eaters.
“I switched my cats to this food and an auto feeder at the same time after I was told my boys needed to lose weight. I took them back to the vet a year later and they were so impressed! The auto feeder definitely helped the weight loss, but this food has helped them keep their energy up and the vet was blown away by how soft and silky their coats are now. My cats love it too!”
“Very pleased with the response of our cats to this healthy dry food. We've tried them with other healthy brands in the past, but they just wouldn't eat it. This time it's been different & they all like the Tastefuls by Blue Buffalo. Will definitely be buying this again.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Blue Buffalo Company Ltd.
Nulo Freestyle Dry Cat Food
5
Vet recommended
If you’re searching for a high-protein, low-carb diet to feed to your cat, you’ll love the Nulo Freestyle range. Featuring six dry recipes, this grain-free product line offers formulas where over 80% of the protein content comes from animal sources.
Nulo cat food also comes recommended by Dr. Georgia Jeremiah. “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.”
Other features include probiotics to support gastrointestinal health, omega fatty acids for skin and coat health, and vitamin A and taurine for excellent vision and a healthy heart. There’s a lot to like about Nulo Freestyle, so why not give it a try to see if it gets your cat purring?
Nulo Cat Food
Why Wag! loves it
- High-protein recipes.
- Features probiotics for gut health and a strong immune system.
- Multiple bag sizes available.
Considerations & concerns
- Not as many recipes as some other brands’ product lines.
- The fact that these recipes are grain-free won’t please all pet parents.
- Some pet parents report that their cat would prefer larger kibble.
What pet parents say about Nulo Freestyle Dry Cat Food
“This food is healthy and has a good protein base, which I believe is important at all ages. This was my first try, and all three of my adult cats like this food. I also appreciate that it made with small nuggets. My four new rescue kittens will be eating this food when they are past the canned stage.”
“For households with multiple cats, this kibble really suits a variety of cat needs. I've got 6 cats ranging from a few months to many years old. Their bowel movements are solid with no issues ever. Everything from consistency to color. Their prebiotic and probiotic formulation really works. This is pricey so it's not a staple for me, but it is on my rotation. I like to introduce my cats to a variety of food so that they don't become intolerant.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Nulo.
Merrick Purrfect Bistro Dry Cat Food
5
Vet recommended
The Merrick Purrfect Bistro range is designed to provide high-quality nutrition in a variety of delicious recipes.
There are 6 Grain-Free and 2 Healthy Grains dry food recipes to choose from, with diets for kittens, hairball control, weight control, and sensitive stomachs. Real meat, fish, or poultry is always the first ingredient, and each recipe has been crafted with healthy digestion in mind.
“Merrick offers high-protein diets with meat as the primary ingredient,” says Dr. Georgia Jeremiah. “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.”
Whatever your cat’s taste preferences or health requirements, you’ll find something in the Merrick Purrfect Bistro range to suit their needs.
Merrick Cat Food
Why Wag! loves it
- Offers both grain-free and grain-inclusive recipes.
- High in fiber to support healthy digestion.
- Made in the USA.
Considerations & concerns
- There are cheaper foods out there.
- Only 2 grain-inclusive recipes available.
- Some complaints about the amount of kibble dust in the bag.
What pet parents say about Merrick Purrfect Bistro Dry Cat Food
“Our 12-year-old kitty Sam started dealing with hairballs a few years ago and vomiting his dry food. We've tried MANY dry food options and nothing made a real difference...until now! He loves the food and it stays down. His hairball issue has also lessened.”
"This is the only dry food that checks all the boxes for my picky, sensitive senior cat. She gets terrible allergic reactions from most kibble, causing hot spots and scabs, and will only eat fish-based food. This has been our brand for years and never any issues.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from the Chewy website. Copyright Merrick Pet Care.
Open Farm Dry Cat Food
4.5
Vet recommended
Open Farm offers dry cat food recipes that are high in meat and low in carbs. Each formula is high in protein to support lean muscle, rich in omega fatty acids for skin and coat health, and includes non-GMO fruits and vegetables.
“Open Farm offers grain-free, high-quality protein diets using human-grade wet ingredients,” says Dr. Georgia Jeremiah. “Their sourcing emphasizes ethical practices and humanely raised meats, whilst their non-GMO, antibiotic and hormone-free recipes with freeze-dried raw and wet options provide a tasty and nutritious alternative to most commercial diets.”
There are 10 recipes in the Open Farm dry cat food range, including two specifically designed for kittens. You can also trace the ingredients in each bag of Open Farm food to find out where they came from, which is great news for pet parents who want to know more about exactly what they feed their pet.
Open Farm Cat Food
Why Wag! loves it
- Ethically sourced and sustainable ingredients.
- High in protein.
- You can trace the ingredients in your cat’s food.
Considerations & concerns
- Largest bag size is 8lb.
- Not cheap.
- Not as widely available as some other brands.
What pet parents say about Open Farm Dry Cat Food
“I have a 1-year-old cat who is an extremely picky eater and was someone I thought was not very food motivated. Since my dog loves Open Farm's kibble, I decided to try their cat formula and thank God I did! She is obsessed! I've never seen her gobble all her food up and wait at her plate at meal time for me. I'm so glad I tried this and it makes me so happy that my cat is finally eating consistently for the first time ever.”
“My two kitties took to this food immediately. I’m happy to find such a clean option for a dry food. It’s a bit more calorically dense than some of the other foods, but that’s what you get for real ingredients. Both of their tummies tolerated the transition with no problems.”
Read more reviews on Amazon.
Product image sourced from the Open Farm website. Copyright Open Farm.
American Journey Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
4.5
Vet recommended
American Journey is the pet food brand of online pet supplies store Chewy.com, and it’s a top choice if you’re trying to find the best dry cat food. Its grain-free range features 8 different recipes, including options for kittens, adult cats and all life stages.
American Journey is also one of the brands Dr. Georgia Jeremiah recommends to her clients. “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.”
American Journey was launched in 2017, so it hasn’t been around as long as some of the other brands in this guide. But with plenty of positive customer reviews behind it, the brand is well worth checking out if you’re searching for the “purrfect” diet for your furry family member.
American Journey Cat Food
Why Wag! loves it
- One of the more affordable options in this list.
- Good source of antioxidants and features nutrient-rich fruits and veggies.
- No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
Considerations & concerns
- Some pet parents complain about bags not being resealable.
- The fact that this is a grain-free line won’t suit all pet parents.
- Some buyers complain about price increases in recent years.
What pet parents say about American Journey Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
“I started this food with my cat who is now in cat heaven. I have two new cats (the only way to address grieving for a lost friend) and they both love it. One is a kitten (3 months) and one an adult. American Journey is good for all stages of life. The kibble is small enough for the kitten, too.”
“This is the only dry food that my cat will eat, and he’s been on it for at least 5 years now. I’ve tried switching to other brands a few times so that I don’t have to rely on buying his food online, but this is all he wants so it’s what he gets! I’ve used it with several fosters over the years, too, and we never have issues with vomiting or hairballs like we have with other brands.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from the Chewy website. Copyright Chewy, Inc.
Orijen Dry Cat Food
5
Vet recommended
If you’re searching for a high-quality, high-protein diet for your fur-baby, there’s a lot to like about Orijen. The brand’s dry cat food range features 12 recipes, including foods for kittens, seniors, and weight control.
“Orijen is known for its high protein content, incorporating meat, organs, and bones from multiple animal sources,” says Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, who recommends Orijen cat food to her clients. “Recipes are made with fresh ingredients and avoid 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 Original Cat, for example, features 90% poultry and fish ingredients. It also has a mix of pre- and probiotics to support healthy digestion, but it doesn’t have any corn, wheat, or soy. It’s also made in the USA, providing much-needed peace of mind for picky pet parents.
Orijen Cat Food
Why Wag! loves it
- Protein-rich formulas.
- Made in the USA.
- Taurine to support heart health and probiotics for digestive health.
Considerations & concerns
- Expensive.
- Some pet parents report that the Orijen Original Cat recipe is a little rich for cats with sensitive stomachs.
- Some pet parents complain about the food having a strong odor.
What pet parents say about Orijen Dry Cat Food
“I had been wanting to find a higher quality alternative for one of my picky, dry-food-insistent cats. I was afraid he would turn his nose away from it because he seemed adamant on sticking with his current food thus far, but to my surprise he scarfed this down quickly and refuses to eat anything else (I did as the instructions suggested and mixed his previous food with this one and he actually ate around the older food and consumed only the ORIJEN). Additionally, my wet-food-only cat even enjoys this food, and she will eat some out of his bowl. The price is incredibly worth [it] knowing I’m feeding my cats high-quality food that they enjoy immensely. I highly recommend this, even for folks with picky eaters. Thanks!”
“We adopted a cat from someone who could no longer care for her. They were feeding her very low-quality food. We tried the slow mix, but she picked out only the Orijen food. Within a week, she had gained half a pound. After a month her fur is silky she has filled out and looks amazing. Her previous owner also indicated she vomited a lot. So far, she has not at all for us.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Mars Petcare US, Inc.
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