The 7 Best High Protein Cat Food
This page contains affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post through our independently chosen links, which earn us a commission.
Cats are obligate carnivores which is why it is pertinent that you provide it with a cat food that is made mostly from novel protein like Chicken, duck and lamb. This also means that its body is better adapted to deriving nutrition from animal than from plant sources
Not only do you need to provide enough protein for your cat’s nutritional needs, but you need to provide it with a well balanced healthy diet as well.
Compare Best High Protein Cat Food
|
Best Affordable
3. Tiki Cat Hana Grill Ahi Tuna with Crab in Tuna Consomme Grain-Free Canned Cat Food |
Best For Picky Cats
5. Merrick Purrfect Bistro Grain-Free Chicken Pate Canned Cat Food |
Best Grain Free
6. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Grain-Free Canned Cat Food |
Best Dry
7. Instinct Original Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Dry Cat Food |
|||
|
Protein
37% Min |
Protein
40% Min |
Protein
18.4% Min |
Protein
40% Min |
Protein
10% Min |
Protein
10% Min |
Protein
43% Min |
|
Fat
18% Min |
Fat
17% Min |
Fat
2.3% Min |
Fat
20% Min |
Fat
5% Min |
Fat
0% Min |
Fat
19.5% Min |
|
Fiber
3% Max |
Fiber
4% Max |
Fiber
0% Max |
Fiber
3 Max |
Fiber
1% Max |
Fiber
1.5% Max |
Fiber
3% Max |
|
Moisture
10% Max |
Moisture
10% Max |
Moisture
77% Max |
Moisture
10% Max |
Moisture
78% Max |
Moisture
78% Max |
Moisture
9% Max |
|
Caloric Content
3840 kcal me/kg, 470 kcal me/cup |
Caloric Content
|
Caloric Content
160 kcal/6 oz can |
Caloric Content
|
Caloric Content
185 kcal/5.5 oz can |
Caloric Content
132 kcal/3 oz can |
Caloric Content
488 kcal/cup |
|
Food Type
Fresh |
Food Type
|
Food Type
|
Food Type
|
Food Type
|
Food Type
|
Food Type
|
Start your kitten off right with a high-quality, protein rich nutritious diet to keep it healthy for many years to come.
Keep on reading to learn more about your cat’s basic nutritional needs and to receive our honest advice for picking the best cat food to provide for those needs.
Basic Dietary Requirements Of Cats
Protein provides the building blocks for strong and lean muscles mass , so it should make up at around 25% or more of your cat’s diet. Good sources of protein for cats are meat, poultry, and fish because they are complete proteins – this means they contain all of the essential amino acids your cat needs in its diet.
Here are some things to look for in a good cat food:
- Quality Protein. As a carnivore, your kitten has high needs for protein and it is best when it comes from animal sources like meat, poultry, and fish.
- Healthy Fats. Fat provides your kitten with energy to fuel its growth and development as well as omega fatty acids for brain development and healthy skin and coat.
- Beneficial Supplements. Vitamin and mineral supplements ensure that your kitten gets the right blend of nutrients for healthy growth and development.
- Digestibility. In addition to making sure that your kitten’s food is full of nutritious ingredients, you need to ensure that it is digestible, so its body can absorb all of those nutrients.
Best Rated High Protein Cat Food Reviewed
Now that you have a better understanding of your cat’s nutritional needs, you’re ready to start shopping.
Overall Best
1.
Open Farm Homestead Turkey & Chicken Dry Food
Product Info
- Protein: 37% Min
- Fat: 18% Min
- Fiber: 3% Max
- Moisture: 10% Max
- Caloric Content: 3840 kcal me/kg, 470 kcal me/cup
- Food Type: Fresh
Pros
- Made from human-grade meat
- High protein content
- Highly digestible
- Low carbohydrate content
Cons
- Price is above market average
Besides being high in protein—Open Farm Homestead Turkey & Chicken Dry Food is about 37% protein—Open Farm is all about high-quality protein. This is a meat-based food made primarily from turkey, chicken, ocean whitefish meal, herring meal. That meat is human-grade and prepared under human food processing standards.
Considering that the protein comes from high-value cuts of meat and is gently cooked, this is a highly digestible and bioavailable product.
You’ll notice that unlike some other high-protein foods, this isn’t a meat-only product. In addition to chunks and shreds of turkey, chicken, ocean whitefish meal, herring meal, the food contains fruits and vegetables, including lentils, pumpkin, non-gmo cranberries, apples.
These ingredients aren’t ideal, but they’re present in small quantities, don’t contain a lot of protein, and bring the carbohydrate content to about 10% on a dry matter basis.
Open Farm’s human-grade cat food is available only through the company’s subscription service. You’ll sign up by entering your cat’s information and selecting your delivery schedule.
After you’ve selected your delivery schedule, Open Farm will give you a price and prompt you to sign up for regular deliveries of fresh—not frozen—cat food
Considering that the protein comes from high-value cuts of meat and is gently cooked, this is a highly digestible and bioavailable product.
You’ll notice that unlike some other high-protein foods, this isn’t a meat-only product. In addition to chunks and shreds of turkey, chicken, ocean whitefish meal, herring meal, the food contains fruits and vegetables, including lentils, pumpkin, non-gmo cranberries, apples.
These ingredients aren’t ideal, but they’re present in small quantities, don’t contain a lot of protein, and bring the carbohydrate content to about 10% on a dry matter basis.
Open Farm’s human-grade cat food is available only through the company’s subscription service. You’ll sign up by entering your cat’s information and selecting your delivery schedule.
After you’ve selected your delivery schedule, Open Farm will give you a price and prompt you to sign up for regular deliveries of fresh—not frozen—cat food
Runner Up
2.
Smalls Chicken Kibble
Product Info
- Protein: 40% Min
- Fat: 17% Min
- Fiber: 4% Max
- Moisture: 10% Max
Pros
- High in moisture for digestion and hydration
- Free from grains and fillers
- Low carbohydrate content (estimated under 2%)
Cons
- Doesn’t come proportioned in daily meals
- Some cats may be sensitive to chicken ingredients
Fresh food for cats offers premium-quality nutrition and higher moisture levels than the typical dry food diet. Smalls fresh food is made with human-grade ingredients, formulated to deliver optimal protein levels with limited carbohydrate content to maximize your cat’s nutrition.
Choose from a variety of wet food formulas including minced foods and pates, made with real animal proteins like chicken, turkey, and beef. Smalls also offers a selection of freeze-dried food and treats, all of which can be delivered right to your door in convenient monthly shipments.
If you’re looking for a nutritious, highly digestible cat food made with ingredients you can feel good about, Smalls is a brand worth considering.
Choose from a variety of wet food formulas including minced foods and pates, made with real animal proteins like chicken, turkey, and beef. Smalls also offers a selection of freeze-dried food and treats, all of which can be delivered right to your door in convenient monthly shipments.
If you’re looking for a nutritious, highly digestible cat food made with ingredients you can feel good about, Smalls is a brand worth considering.
Best Affordable
3.
Tiki Cat Hana Grill Ahi Tuna with Crab in Tuna Consomme Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 18.4% Min
- Fat: 2.3% Min
- Fiber: 0% Max
- Moisture: 77% Max
- Caloric Content: 160 kcal/6 oz can
Pros
- High in protein and extremely low in carbohydrates
- Complete and balanced for all life stages
- Affordable
Cons
- Not palatable for some cats
We really like Tiki Cat foods. Their canned foods are high in protein and extremely low in carbohydrates. They are complete and balanced for all life stages. And they are hand-packed.
For example, Hana Grill Ahi Tuna with Crab In Tuna Consommé has 16 percent protein, three percent fat, and two percent carbohydrates.
The first three ingredients are tuna, tuna broth, and crab. This food has 75 kcal per 2.8 ounce can. It’s typical of Tiki Cat foods.
They have lots of other fish-based canned foods as well as a line of similar chicken-based foods.
They also have some good variety packs. Their After Dark line includes organ meats. We think Tiki Cat’s higher protein and low carb canned foods would be a good choice for diabetic cats.
For example, Hana Grill Ahi Tuna with Crab In Tuna Consommé has 16 percent protein, three percent fat, and two percent carbohydrates.
The first three ingredients are tuna, tuna broth, and crab. This food has 75 kcal per 2.8 ounce can. It’s typical of Tiki Cat foods.
They have lots of other fish-based canned foods as well as a line of similar chicken-based foods.
They also have some good variety packs. Their After Dark line includes organ meats. We think Tiki Cat’s higher protein and low carb canned foods would be a good choice for diabetic cats.
Premium Choice
4.
ORIJEN Dry Cat Food for Cats & Kittens
Product Info
- Protein: 40% Min
- Fat: 20% Min
- Fiber: 3 Max
- Moisture: 10% Max
Pros
- 80% meat from cage-free chicken and turkey, wild-caught fish and fresh eggs
- No grains, tapioca, potato, gluten and plant proteins
- Has Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids
- Low in carbohydrates
Cons
- Expensive
This dry cat food comes from a pet food company that makes products mimicking the natural diets of wild cats and dogs. They use the freshest ingredients in their recipes so you can be assured of the quality of the food your pet cat is eating.
This is included in the list because it is high in protein with the formula made with 80% meat from cage-free chicken and turkey, wild-caught fish and fresh eggs. It is also full of natural flavors that your kitties will surely love.
It has high meats level equating to 42% protein which is a good diet for your cat.
This is included in the list because it is high in protein with the formula made with 80% meat from cage-free chicken and turkey, wild-caught fish and fresh eggs. It is also full of natural flavors that your kitties will surely love.
It has high meats level equating to 42% protein which is a good diet for your cat.
Best For Picky Cats
5.
Merrick Purrfect Bistro Grain-Free Chicken Pate Canned Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 10% Min
- Fat: 5% Min
- Fiber: 1% Max
- Moisture: 78% Max
- Caloric Content: 185 kcal/5.5 oz can
Pros
- Excellent flavor
- No soy, grains, corn, gluten, wheat, by-products, artificial preservatives
- High in moisture
Cons
- High in phosphorous and sodium
- Quality control issues
This wet cat food is perfect for your lovely kitties as its protein is derived from chicken, chicken muscle, and chicken organ meat. Not only that, but it is also made from premium ingredients.
It doesn’t have soy, grains, corn, wheat, gluten, artificial preservatives or by-products so you can be assured that your cat gets only the best.
It proves to be an excellent choice if you wish to buy the best cat food for your feline as it also has an abundant amount of essential nutrients such as taurine, choline, and riboflavin.
It doesn’t have soy, grains, corn, wheat, gluten, artificial preservatives or by-products so you can be assured that your cat gets only the best.
It proves to be an excellent choice if you wish to buy the best cat food for your feline as it also has an abundant amount of essential nutrients such as taurine, choline, and riboflavin.
Best Grain Free
6.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 10% Min
- Fat: 0% Min
- Fiber: 1.5% Max
- Moisture: 78% Max
- Caloric Content: 132 kcal/3 oz can
Pros
- No artificial ingredients, wheat, corn, soy, grains, gluten, by-product, preservatives, colors
- Low in carbs
- With vitamins and minerals
- 95% of its protein is from real meat
- High in protein
Cons
- May have a rancid smell
This grain-free wet cat food is in this list because it is rich in protein wherein 95% of it comes from real meat. It is a delectable pate that is healthy and nutritious for all life stages and breeds.
It is also 100% grain and gluten-free. Aside from that, it doesn’t contain any corn, soy, wheat or poultry by-products. It comes in four delicious flavors and each can be mixed and matched.
It is also 100% grain and gluten-free. Aside from that, it doesn’t contain any corn, soy, wheat or poultry by-products. It comes in four delicious flavors and each can be mixed and matched.
Best Dry
7.
Instinct Original Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Dry Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 43% Min
- Fat: 19.5% Min
- Fiber: 3% Max
- Moisture: 9% Max
- Caloric Content: 488 kcal/cup
Pros
- Cage-free poultry as its first ingredient
- The only kibble with the pure and real nutrition of raw cat food
- 81% real animal ingredients and nutritious oils
- Free from grains, corn, potato, soy, wheat, by-product meals, preservatives, and artificial colors
Cons
- Potential allergens are lamb, seafood and eggs
This dry cat food is one of the best in this category because it is high in animal protein and is free from grains. It has quality ingredients such as chicken, duck, turkey meal, salmon meal, menhaden fish meal, chicken meal and lamb meal. With such contents, your cat will unleash its full potential to thrive in the world.
It has cage-free poultry as its first ingredient which is considered a quality protein source. This makes your cat’s muscles strong and leans perfectly for its daily activities.
It prides itself on being the only kibble that has pure and real nutrition of raw on every piece.
It has cage-free poultry as its first ingredient which is considered a quality protein source. This makes your cat’s muscles strong and leans perfectly for its daily activities.
It prides itself on being the only kibble that has pure and real nutrition of raw on every piece.
Final Thoughts
In the end, choosing the best cat food for your pets, the one thing that you really need to make sure is that your cat will eat it. You also should check the protein content as well as where the protein is sourced in the product.
You will also need to carefully assess the brand as well as customer reviews to ensure that you are getting the most out of your money.
And last but not the least, it is best if you consult with your veterinarian for the best high protein cat food for your cat’s specific dietary needs.
