Choosing to feed your cat a raw food diet is best for them. It’s not just best; it’s, I would say, mandatory if you want to have a long and healthy life with your feline friend. While some people might hear “raw” and get turned off by the idea, they are pretty simple to make.
With so many brands of the best raw cat food out there, it can be hard to choose the best one. Well, you’ve come to the right place. We have gone through countless raw cat food brands and have chosen 10 of the best for your furry friend.
So without further ado, here they are – my top ten best raw cat foods!
Nature’s Variety Instinct:
It’s best for adult cats and comes in raw chicken, raw turkey, and raw lamb form. It’s perfect for transitioning your pet to the diet as well! While a bit pricey, this raw cat food brand has everything your pet needs and naturally occurring vitamins and minerals to make it a great option. The only potential downside is the high protein content level – 28% – leading to health issues if the cat is not active.
It’s also best, especially if they’re at risk of urinary tract problems. Having cranberries included is excellent because they are known to help with urinary tract health. It’s also an incredible raw cat food for adults or kittens and comes in either turkey or chicken flavor.
Pros
- For pets that are new to raw food;
- Good protein amount;
- Great for cats with sensitive stomachs;
Cons
- Higher in fat than most options.
- Grain-free and gluten-free
- One source of animal protein
Wellness:
This raw cat food is best for kittens and pregnant cats. They must get it when in those stages of their life – or any time in fact, but especially then.
One of the reasons this is so high up on our list of best raw cat food brands is that it contains real meat and comes in a variety of flavors from chicken, beef, salmon, and more. So if you have a picky pet, this is probably the best raw cat food for them!
Pros
- Lots of organic ingredients like fruits and veggies; – Great value price-wise; – Good protein amount;
Cons
- Menadione Sodium Bisulfate Complex is controversial.
- GRAIN-FREE WET CAT FOOD: Canned cat food is free from grains, protein-dense, rich in meaty flavor, and nutrient packed to support your cat's daily needs, with real protein as the first ingredient.
- CHICKEN AND TURKEY VARIETY PACK: This healthy, natural food for adult cats is an excellent source of protein and essential fatty acids for balanced nutrition. Includes (8) cans of chicken pate, (8) cans of turkey pate, and (8) cans of turkey/salmon pate.
Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet:
This raw cat food is best for sensitive stomachs; This is an excellent option if you have a pet who has trouble with everyday foods – or wants to switch up the flavor. It contains only three ingredients which makes it simple to digest and boosts their immune system as well.
It comes in beef, duck, chicken flavors, so there’s a good chance your pet will love it.
Instinct Limited Ingredient – Duck:
Very few brands of raw cat food come in duck, so this is a good one to look into if that’s what your pet likes the most.
Instinct Limited Ingredient – Chicken:
If your pet is more of a chicken person, you can’t go wrong with this option!
Instinct Original – Bone-In Minced:
This one comes in the minced form and is very accessible and easy to use, making this a great option.
Pros
- High protein content makes it easier to keep your cat at a healthy weight;
- Made with real meat, so there are no fillers in the mix;
Cons
- Some cats don’t like this flavor.
- GRAIN FREE CAT FOOD FOR CATS WITH SENSITIVITIES: Instinct Limited Ingredient cat food is made with 1 protein & 1 vegetable. No grain, dairy, eggs, chicken, beef, fish, sweet potato, potato, chickpeas, corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors or preservatives.
- NATURAL CAT FOOD WITH FARM RAISED RABBIT: Crafted for cats with food allergy, our Limited Ingredient Diet is made with simple ingredients like farm raised rabbit, a healthy, easily digestible protein that provides all the essential amino acids.
Orijen:
If you’re looking to feed your cat nothing but the best, Orijen is the brand for you. It’s great because it comes in small bites, making it perfect for cats of all ages – even old ones that might not handle large pieces of food.
This comes in two flavors – chicken and turkey. If you’re having a hard time finding the raw cat food for your pet or want to skip straight to the best one out there, this is it!
Pros
- Contains various protein sources like chicken, turkey, mackerel, and more which helps with keeping your cat interested in eating it;
- Good source of fat;
Cons
- Higher in fat than most options.
- One (1) 4 lb bag of ORIJEN Original Cat Food with Fresh and Raw** Ingredients
- ORIJEN dry cat food helps supports digestion, shiny coat, healthy skin and heart health for cats of all life stages
NomNomNow:
It is best for kittens and adults. It also comes in two flavors – chicken and turkey, which makes it’s great for switching between meals throughout the week or month if you want to mix it up like that.
It’s full of natural ingredients like organic fruits, vegetables, and real meat. The best part about it is that it’s flash-frozen and vacuum-sealed, which means that all the nutrients in this food will stay intact, and your pet won’t be able to see or smell what they’re eating, but they’ll still love it!
Pros
- Lots of great natural ingredients like fruits, veggies, and real meat;
- Doesn’t contain any grains, gluten, or fillers;
Cons
- Higher in fat than most options.
- Single Ingredient Jerky, gently dehydrated chicken breast
- All natural - no artificial preservatives, flavors or colors - no extra sodium, additives or fillers
Wellness CORE:
Wellness CORE raw cat food is best for weight loss and better skin/hair conditions. If you have an overweight pet, this is the best cat food for them because they are lower in calories than most others – about 360 per cup of dry mix or 420g.
Additionally, it’s made with real meat and vegetables for a low carbohydrate count, making it better to help your pet lose weight. And because this is another brand that comes in the minced form, it can be easily digested even by older pets or those who have trouble eating big chunks of food.
Pros
- No ingredients that are potential allergens;
- Good source of fat and protein for losing weight or keeping your cat at a healthy weight;
- Great for older cats;
Cons
- Higher in fat than most options.
- SAVORY FOOD KITTENS LOVE: Because cats naturally crave meat, each bite is packed with 55 percent high quality animal protein for an amazing flavor cats love; nutrient dense recipe helps support optimal health and development with added DHA from salmon oil
- ELEVATED NUTRITION FOR A LIFETIME OF WELLBEING: Wellness CORE pairs the best of science and natural; working with our staff of vets, nutritionists and scientists, we create each diet to deliver everything your cat needs to thrive, for a lifetime
Carnivora Cat Food:
It is the most recommended raw cat food for dental health. This is an excellent option if you have a pet that has trouble with its gums or teeth because it’s all about cleaning those areas and preventing bad breath.
It also contains no grains, gluten, fillers, etc., which means your pet will be getting the most out of this product as possible!
Pros
- Contains lots of vitamins and minerals to help teeth and gum health;
- Helps with bad breathe too;
Cons
- Doesn’t contain as much protein as other options.
Evanger’s:
Evanger’s raw cat food is best for senior cats. If you have a pet who can’t get around the same way they used to, this is an excellent option because it comes in pate form that’s super easy to munch on, and it contains few ingredients that are very simple to digest.
It also has lots of vitamins and minerals in the mix, which is excellent for older cats who might be having trouble with their vision or sense of smell.
Pros
- Made with real meat and vegetables, this gives your pet lots of nutrients;
Cons
- The minced form might not be easy to eat for older or sick cats.
- Crafted with zero grains for cats with food sensitivities
- Formulated to help indoor cats maintain a healthy weight
Merrick Cat Food:
This raw cat food is best for pets with allergies. It’s also one of the best cat foods for young kittens because there are no potential allergens ingredients, meaning your pet won’t have any problems eating this food.
It’s also pretty easy to get your hands on, so it’s a good option if you have trouble finding raw cat food at your local pet store or are looking for something readily available.
Pros
- Doesn’t contain any potential allergens;
Cons
- Higher in fat than most options.
- Merrick Purrfect Bistro Real Chicken And Sweet Potato Dry Cat Food. Premium Grain Free And Natural With Added Vitamins, Minerals, And Nutrients Healthy Chicken Cat Food For Adult Cats
- Real deboned chicken is the first ingredient in this wholesome dry cat food. Purrfect Bistro high quality protein kibble helps your cat maintain lean muscle mass
Conclusion:
In short, the three best raw food for cats are Orijen, Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet, and Merrick. Of course, Nature’s Variety also makes a good option but not as good as these 3.
These products have high protein content, which is very important for cats because it helps keep them feeling full and won’t overeat. They also don’t contain fillers which can lead to weight gain if your cat devours of it, and they’re all made with real meat, so there are no ingredients that could potentially cause allergic reactions in pets.
On the other hand, Wellness CORE is a good option but not as high quality because it doesn’t contain as much protein, and it’s higher in fat than other options. Evanger’s is also not a good option because the minced form might be too difficult for older or sick cats to eat, making them lose weight or get malnourished very quickly.
Overall, the best cat food option is Orijen, followed by Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet and Merrick. Nature’s Variety is a good option, but it doesn’t contain as much protein, and it’s higher in fat than other options.
Wellness CORE is also a good option but not as high quality because it doesn’t contain as much protein, and it’s higher in fat than other options. Evanger’s is also not a good option because the mince form might be too difficult for older or sick cats to eat.
