Letting The Cat Out of The Bag– 9 Best Wet Cat Foods

If you’ve ever wondered what the best wet cat food is, this is the article for you.

which one is better? dry or wet cat food?

Whether you’re a first-time cat owner or a seasoned veteran, one of your most important decisions would be deciding whether to feed your cat dry or wet food. cats are obligate carnivores. their diet should contain real meat or be supplemented with vitamins and minerals from real meat.

Vets and cat owners prefer wet cat food because the best brands of wet cat food are often made from real meat.

The best subscription-based service for human-grade cat food is for the little ones. in the review below you will find out why.

at a glance, blue buffalo tatefuls natural pate wet cat food is the best canned wet cat food on the market this year.

It comes in a can, is full of flavor and has a silky smooth texture.

• it is made of real meat and fish.
• Chicken or fish is the main ingredient.
• Comes in a pack of one dozen with three recipes (chicken, turkey, and fish).
• No artificial flavors or preservatives.

guaranteed analysis

• crude protein 10% (min)
• crude fat 6% (min)
• crude fiber 2% (max.)
• humidity 78% (max)
• taurine 0.10% (min.)

Best Wet Cat Food: At a Glance

1. Fresh Human Grade: Smalls Ground Poultry Recipe (Best Subscription Based Fresh Human Grade Cat Food)
2. blue buffalo tatefuls natural pate wet cat food (best wet cat food for all life stages)
3. purina elegant party sauce lovers poultry & Meat Banquet Collection Wet Cat Food Variety Packs (Best Inexpensive Wet Cat Food For Adult Cats)
4. sheba perfect portions gravy cut wet cat food trays variety packs (best wet food for cats with allergies)
5. Wellness Minced Chicken Dinner Cat Food 3 Ounce Can (Best Wet Food for Adult Cats with Grain Allergies)
6. hill’s science diet wet cat food, adult, urinary & Hairball Control Salted Chicken Recipe (Best Indoor Wet Cat Food & Best Wet Cat Food for Urinary Health)
7. tiki cat grill grain-free low-carb wet food with whole shellfish in broth for adult cats & kittens (best high protein wet cat food for growing cats)
8. rachael ray nutrish wet cat food, 2.8 oz cups, grain free (best for adult cats)
9. reveal – grain free | canned wet cat food | 70g Cans – Premium Nutrition, 100% Natural, No Additives & Limited Ingredients (Best Organic Wet Cat Food)

the benefits of wet cat food

feeding wet cat food has many benefits. Most wet cat foods are high in protein similar to a cat’s natural diet. the smell of wet cat food is also more appealing to cats than dry cat food. the best wet cat food for fussy eaters often has a “real meat” or “real fish” odor.

Cats are traditionally designed to be hunters, so a high protein intake is necessary to keep your cat in good health. not just for fast-growing kittens, but adult cats will need a minimal amount of animal protein in their diet. the guaranteed mid-range protein in the best brands of wet cat food is 9-16%.

Taurine is an essential amino acid for cats. it is widely distributed in meat tissue and is necessary to maintain a cat’s health. most brands of wet cat food guarantee an average taurine level of 0.05%.

In cats, taurine is essential for vision and a healthy immune system. it is also vital in the function of the cardiac muscle (cardiac muscle). cats that do not receive sufficient levels of taurine can develop diseases such as feline central retinal degeneration (fcrd) and dilated cardiomyopathy (dcm).

Cats suffering from feline central retinal degeneration soon lose their vision and go blind. dilated cardiomyopathy is a condition in which the heart muscles become thinner and the heart loses its function. as a result, circulation is affected and much more blood remains in the heart than usual. this can lead to organ failure and eventually death.

Most of the best brands of wet cat food, which are made with real fish or meat, contain no by-products or fillers; This is an advantage over dry cat food, which can be packed with fillers like chicken by-products, wheat, soy, and corn.

We know many cats are fussy drinkers and may stay away from the water bowl for long periods. With an average moisture guarantee of 70-80%, most wet cat foods will help keep your cat hydrated. the smooth texture also improves its palatability.

The softness and meat-like texture of wet cat food reduces the difficulty of getting small kittens to eat the right portions. Furthermore, the best wet cat foods for kittens are very tasty and are high in protein and fat, which is essential for healthy growth.

Cats of all ages will choose to eat wet food over dry. this is most important for young kittens and older cats who are picky eaters. brings additional enrichment to their daily lives.

There are many more varieties of wet cat food recipes and flavors than you would find in dry food. most good brands of wet cat food have four to six different recipes in one package. cat owners prefer this to dry cat food, which usually comes as a single recipe in a packet.

the disadvantages of wet cat food

As much as we all agree that wet cat food is a better option than dry, there are some downsides to feeding wet cat food that we can’t deny.

The soft texture does not offer resistance to the teeth and does not help in dental cleaning. as a result, cats fed only wet food often develop periodontal disease (gum disease) and bad breath. over time, they may even lose teeth or require veterinary dental care.

Even the best indoor wet cat food can have a very strong odor which, coupled with the fact that the cat soils the food, can make the whole house smell like salmon or tuna. it is very easy for cats fed wet food to soil the house.

Unlike dry cat food that you can leave out during the day so the cat can eat little by little, you will need to be on a feeding schedule when feeding wet food to your cat.

A cat is more likely to try to eat the full day’s ration in one sitting if it doesn’t. as a result, owners who feed cats wet food will have to divide the daily ration into several small portions. this can take a long time.

what is the best way to store wet cat food?

You should be aware that some of the best canned wet cat foods come with multiple servings in a single can. this can create problems for storage as well as maintaining freshness and flavor. Even the best-tasting wet cat food can lose flavor if not stored properly.

First of all, we should note that canned wet cat food tends to have a longer shelf life than dry cat food. however, as soon as you open the can or bag, this changes completely.

An opened can or packet of wet cat food should be refrigerated. some of the more expensive brands of wet cat food have lids for the cans included in the packaging. however, the best affordable wet cat foods may not have such luxuries.

The best way to store wet cat food after opening it would be in a closed container in the refrigerator. if there are multiple servings in the can or pouch, a lid should be placed on the can or the pouch should be placed in a container and closed. this should be kept refrigerated until needed for feeding.

Most top-rated wet cat foods will maintain their freshness and flavor if stored as directed above. some may come with a guide for how long wet food can be fed after opening.

what are the best brands of wet cat food?

Here are the top eight wet cat foods we tested and reviewed for this year. Let the experts at i love vet give you a breakdown of why these are the best and which products to get for your cat.

Fresh Human Grade: Smalls Ground Poultry Recipe

best subscription cat food service

It’s made with all-natural ingredients, with real chicken, other poultry, or beef as the main ingredient, and best of all, we deliver it right to your door. smalls is a premium cat food subscription service and has been in business for over 5 years.

in the sign-up process, you tell them about your cat, they discover the recipes, and they also send you a starter trial pack.

advantages

• has a variety of recipes
• 100% natural; no artificial flavors or preservatives
• no chicken by-products
• no wheat, corn or soy

with

• if your cat needs a change in diet, you should remember to unsubscribe.

guaranteed analysis

• crude protein (min) 15%
• crude fat (min.) 6%
• crude fiber (max.) 0.5%
• humidity (max) 72%
• taurine (min.) 0.08%

ingredients by % in the ground poultry recipe

• with chicken thigh skin: 42.55%
• chicken breast: 36.91%
• chicken livers: 4.70%
• green beans: 3.77%
• peas: 3.77%
• water: 2.78%
• small supplement mix: 2.24%
• chicken hearts: 1.89%
• kale: 0.94%
• canola oil: 0.47%

blue buffalo tatefuls wet cat food with natural pate

the best wet cat food for all life stages

is made with all-natural ingredients, with real chicken, turkey, or fish as the main ingredient and comes in a 12-can pack (four cans per recipe)

advantages

• has a variety of three recipes
• 100% natural; no artificial flavors or preservatives
• no chicken by-products
• no wheat, corn or soy
• Packed with essential vitamins and minerals
  • vitamins b1,b2,b3,b5,b6,b7,b9 & b12
  • vitamin a
  • vitamin e
  • vitamin d3
  • ferrous sulfate, copper sulfate
  • taurine
  • serving size is adjustable and can be refrigerated after opening

  with

  • 5 oz can makes eating difficult

  guaranteed analysis

  • crude protein (min) 10%
  • crude fat (min.) 6%
  • humidity (max) 78%
  • crude fiber (max.) 2%
  • taurine (min.) 0.10%

  purina luxury party sauce lovers poultry & Meat Banquet Collection Wet Cat Food Variety Packs

  the best affordable wet food for adult cats

  This is amazon’s choice in purina fancy fest canned cat food.

  This comes in 24 x 3 oz cans packed with chicken, turkey and beef flavored meat bites in a flavorful poultry broth. this gives you great value for your money.

  advantages

  • comes with a seal of high-quality ingredients
  • 100% complete and balanced nutrition
  • Packed with essential vitamins and minerals
    • vitamins b1,b2,b3,b5,b6,b7,b9 & b12
    • vitamin k
    • vitamin d3
    • ferrous sulfate, copper sulfate
    • taurine
    • tender meaty texture
    • serving size can be adjusted; can be sealed and refrigerated after opening

    cons

    • has meat by-products in the ingredients
    • contains soy flour and wheat gluten in the content
    • has corn starch in the product
    • has artificial flavors

    guaranteed analysis

    • crude protein (min) 9%
    • crude fat (min.) 2%
    • humidity (max) 82%
    • crude fiber (max.) 1.5%
    • taurine (min.) 0.05%

    sheba perfect portioned cuts in gravy wet cat food tray in variety packs

    the best wet food for cats with allergies

    It is one of the best grain-free wet cat foods for cats of all life stages. Comes in two packs of 18 2.6 oz Twin Pack Trays (72 servings total). has three recipes: chicken, salmon, and fish, and comes in individual packets.

    advantages

    • made with premium ingredients (chicken, tuna, salmon)
    • high-quality protein that cats love.
    • grain-free (no corn, soy, or wheat)
    • does not include meat by-products in the ingredients.
    • supports skin and coat health with vitamin e and omega-3 & -6s
    • has essential vitamins and minerals
      • vitamin d3
      • ferrous sulfate, copper sulfate
      • taurine
      • natural flavor

      with

      • feeding portions cannot be adjusted

      guaranteed analysis

      • crude protein (min) 7%
      • crude fat (min.) 2.5%
      • humidity (max) 84%
      • crude fiber (max.) 1.5%
      • taurine (min.) 0.06%

      Wellness, Minced Chicken Dinner Cat Food, 3 Ounce Can

      best wet food for adult cats with grain allergies

      is a chicken flavored adult formulated maintenance wet cat food made from real chicken. It’s also one of the best grain-free wet cat foods and comes in 12x 3oz cans.

      advantages

      • no meat by-products
      • packed with essential vitamins and minerals
        • vitamins b12
        • vitamin e
        • vitamin d3
        • ferrous sulfate, copper sulfate
        • taurine
        • tender meaty texture
        • Adjustable serving sizes and can be refrigerated after opening.
        • no artificial flavor (natural flavor)
        • comes with an aafco declaration

        with

        • only one flavor (chicken)

        guaranteed analysis

        • crude protein (min) 8%
        • crude fat (min.) 5%
        • humidity (max) 82%
        • crude fiber (max.) 1%
        • taurine (min.) 0.05%

        hill’s science diet wet cat food, adult, urinary & hairball control, salty chicken recipe

        the best wet cat food for indoor cats and the best wet cat food for urinary health

        This is amazon’s choice in hill’s science diet canned cat food.

        This is the #1 veterinarian-recommended adult wet cat food for supporting the entire urinary system. comes in a pack of 24 x 5.5 oz cans.

        advantages

        • made with high quality ingredients
        • high-quality protein helps older cats maintain muscle mass
        • supports skin and coat health with vitamin e
        • has essential vitamins and minerals
          • vitamins b12
          • vitamin d3
          • ferrous sulfate, copper sulfate
          • taurine
          • adjustable portion sizes; 5.5 oz cans can be sealed and refrigerated after opening
          • natural flavor
          • comes with an aafco declaration

          cons

          • only comes in one flavor (chicken)
          • contains meat by-products in the product content
          • soy flour is listed in the ingredients
          • corn starch is present

          guaranteed analysis

          • crude protein (min) 7%
          • crude fat (min.) 3.5%
          • humidity (max) 78%
          • crude fiber (max.) 4%

          tiki cat grill grain-free, low-carb wet food with whole shellfish in broth for adult cats & kittens

          the best protein-rich wet cat food for growing cats

          this is amazon’s choice in tiki pets canned cat food.

          There are six recipes, making it one of the most varied wet cat foods per pack. Plus, the protein-rich, high-moisture formula closely replicates cats’ natural prey.

          advantages

          • made with high quality ingredients
          • made with real fish and meat (real protein)
          • supports skin and coat health with vitamin e
          • rich in vitamins and minerals
            • vitamins b1, b2, b3, b6, b12
            • vitamin d3
            • vitamin a
            • taurine
            • non-transgenic
            • many recipes:
              • tuna and crab surimi
              • ahi tuna and crab in broth
              • mackerel and sardines in squid consommé
              • sardine chops in lobster broth
              • ahi tuna
              • sardine chops in sardine consommé

              with

              • pack only comes with twelve 2.8oz cans

              guaranteed analysis

              • crude protein (min) 16%
              • crude fat (min.) 2%
              • humidity (max) 79%
              • crude fiber (max.) 0.5%
              • taurine (min.) 0.04%

              rachael ray nutrish wet cat food, 2.8 oz cups, grain free

              ideal for adult cats

              It is intended for adult cats, but can be given to both kittens and pregnant cats. comes with a 24-pack of 2.8-oz canisters of shredded chicken in gravy.

              advantages

              • real chicken is the main ingredient
              • no meat by-products or fillers
              • no wheat, corn or soy
              • natural wet cat food
              • supports skin and coat health with vitamin e
              • added vitamins and minerals
                • vitamins b12
                • vitamin d3
                • vitamin a
                • vitamin c
                • taurine

                with

                • a single recipe

                guaranteed analysis

                • crude protein (min) 9%
                • crude fat (min.) 5%
                • humidity (max) 79%
                • crude fiber (max.) 3.5%
                • taurine (min.) 0.05%

                reveal – grain free | canned wet cat food | 70g Cans – Premium Nutrition, 100% Natural, No Additives & Limited Ingredients

                the best environmentally friendly wet cat food

                is a limited-ingredient, grain-free food that has six different recipes. each recipe is made with ingredients that are ethically & sustainably sourced taking into account environmental and social impacts. Comes in a pack of 24, 70g cans, each containing a single recipe.

                advantages

                • made with 100% natural ingredients
                • The six available recipes include:
                  • Fish from the Ocean
                  • tuna with sea bream
                  • chicken breast
                  • chicken with cheese
                  • tuna with seaweed
                  • tuna with crab

                  cons

                  • taurine is not listed in guaranteed analysis
                  • not the best for weight gain; crude protein (8%) and crude fat (0.1%) is less than the specified mean intake

                  guaranteed analysis

                  • crude protein (min) 8%
                  • crude fat (min.) 0.1%
                  • humidity (max) 95%
                  • crude fiber (max.) 2%

                  what to consider before buying wet cat food

                  life stage of your cat

                  Cats at different stages of life will have different nutritional needs. For example, fast-growing young kittens will need to consume more protein and fat in their diet than an adult cat. older cats will need less protein but at the same time will require a high-quality protein diet.

                  When buying wet or dry cat food, you should always consider what stage of development your cat is in. Getting the right food for your cat’s life stage is critical to maintaining good health.

                  nutritional needs

                  Cats, being obligate carnivores, will need enough taurine in their diet. therefore, owners should always look for the minimum percentage of taurine in cat food before purchasing.

                  Growing kittens, pregnant and lactating queens, and elderly and infirm cats will need balanced nutrition with adequate minerals and vitamins. this is just as important as the protein and fat content.

                  allergies

                  Cat owners with allergies to soy or wheat gluten should consider buying grain-free or all-natural cat food. Fortunately, most grain-free and gluten-free cat foods are also hypoallergenic.

                  Your vet can recommend a specific brand of wet cat food that is best for your cat with allergies.

                  essential vitamins and minerals

                  Taurine is the most important essential vitamin for cats. most cat food brands will list the guaranteed minimum percentage of taurine on the label. For example, you would like to buy foods with 0.05% taurine or more.

                  A nutritionally balanced diet will need to have vitamin e for skin health, b vitamins for cell function, and vitamin d3 for strong bones. therefore, you should always buy cat food with the necessary essential vitamins and minerals.

                  fat content

                  Some owners may think dietary fat is a bad thing. but, you should know that fat is essential to maintain the good health of your cat.

                  Young, very active cats will need the caloric boost of a high-fat diet to give them the energy they need for their active lives.

                  Your cat also needs fat to make hormones and maintain healthy skin and coat. therefore, when shopping for food, you should get a low-fat (1%) diet for your inactive elderly indoor cat and a high-fat (3-5%) diet for your young, active outdoor cats.

                  protein content

                  When shopping for cat food, you’ll want to know the protein content.

                  Over the years, I’ve had clients ask me if they can feed their cats soy protein or vegan protein. I had to remind them that cats are obligate carnivores and need real meat protein in their diet.

                  The first thing you should check is the guaranteed minimum percentage of crude protein. for example, a good quality wet cat food will have a minimum crude protein guarantee of around 8% or higher.

                  Just as important as the percentage of crude protein is the type of protein. real meat or fish is considered high-quality protein. some cat foods will offset their protein percentages by using animal by-products and soy protein.

                  you should buy cat food with real meat or fish protein.

                  ingredients

                  The first ingredient is the most abundant content in the food, so when buying a brand of food for their cat, owners should start by reading the label. The first ingredient in the best brands of wet cat food is usually real meat.

                  When buying cat food, it’s a good idea to check that meat by-products, wheat or corn, are not listed in the first five ingredients.

                  why should you trust me to love vet?

                  If you’re questioning the authority of the i love vet platform, you should know that the writers and support team are made up of people from all vet schools, plus mostne. most articles are written by veterinary professionals with years of experience in the field.

                  If this wealth of experience isn’t enough, the team at i love vet has an extensive database of resources and articles to provide you with the latest and most accurate information.

                  love the vet’s final verdict

                  The jury is out! After a closer look at this year’s eight best wet cat foods, we can agree that Blue Buffalo Tasteful Natural Pate Wet Cat Food is the best wet cat food available on the market.

                  has complete nutrition for cats of all life stages and comes in a 12-can variety pack with three recipes (chicken, turkey and chicken, ocean fish, and tuna).

                  Naturally canned wet food is enhanced with essential vitamins and minerals, but has no artificial flavors or preservatives. It has no corn, soy, wheat or meat by-products.

                  The flavorful moist pâtés have chicken, turkey, or white fish as the first ingredient, filling them with flavor and moisture.

                  guaranteed analysis is at or above recommended levels (minimum 10% crude protein, minimum 6% crude fat, maximum 78% moisture, and minimum 0.10% taurine). all these benefits and you can still buy it at an affordable price.