The Best Grain-Free Cat Foods of 2024

Pets have become increasingly more valued members of families around the world. Owners have begun to search for ways to ensure their pets will live longer, happier, and healthier lives. Nutrition is often where this journey begins.

You have probably heard that cats are obligate carnivores. Does this mean your favorite feline needs to go grain free?

Grain free cat foods are more popular than ever, which raises the question: Are grain free diets better for cats or just a trend? The answer may surprise you. Let’s discuss the top six most popular grain free cat foods and what you need to know to select the best food for your cat.

Our Top List

#	Preview	Product	Our Rating	Link	Price / Value
1		Taste of the Wild Grain-Free Premium Dry Cat Food	4.5/5	Check Today's Price	9.5/10
2		Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free Cat Food	4.5/5	Check Today's Price	9.5/10
3		Purina Pro Plan Natural Adult Canned Cat Food	4/5	Check Today's Price	9.5/10
4		Purina Beyond Grain Free Natural Adult Dry Cat Food	4.5/5	Check Today's Price	9.5/10
5		Wellness Core Natural Grain Free Dry Indoor Cat Food	4/5	Check Today's Price	9.5/10
6		Natural Balance Grain Free Dry Cat Food	4.5/5	Check Today's Price	9.5/10

Taste of the Wild Rocky Mountain Recipe features a combination of quality proteins, such as roasted venison and smoked salmon, to make your carnivorous cat savor each meal. This food also features antioxidants for immune health and omega fatty acids for skin and coat health.

Takeaways

Blue Buffalo Wilderness was created by pet parents who lost a pet to cancer. Their loss inspired them to craft better pet food to keep more pets healthy. Blue was formulated by holistic veterinarians and nutritionists to give cats the ultimate nutrition for their overall health.

Takeaways

Purina Pro Plan food is a budget friendly alternative to most grain-free options, allowing cat owners to keep their cat’s nutrition a priority. This food is wet and available in eleven flavors, in the traditional pate or loaf form, or the gravy and meat form, to suit your finicky feline’s preferences. Approximately twenty five essential vitamins and minerals are present to keep your cat healthy.

Takeaways

The Purina Beyond food is formulated by cat nutritionists to provide complete nutrition for cats. Purina carefully selected the ingredients that make this food, and they guarantee that the ingredients are traceable to their trusted sources.

Takeaways

Wellness Core Grain Free Chicken and Turkey cat food supports cats’ overall health by catering to their obligate carnivore needs, contributing towards maintaining a healthy weight, and towards their joint health.

Takeaways

The Natural Balance Grain Free recipe was carefully crafted for cats with food sensitivities, and it has inspired owners of cats without food sensitivities to be more mindful of the ingredients in their cat’s food. Limited ingredients do not sacrifice nutrition; Natural Balance provides your cat with complete nutrition while supporting healthy digestion, and healthy skin and coat.

Takeaways

Buying Guide

If you are considering feeding your cat grain free food, there are some things that you should know to make an informed decision. Some cats have special needs, however. Be sure to consult our overview of diabetic foods and hypoallergenic formulas if your cat has a condition.

Does My Cat Need Grain-Free Food?

Cats are obligate carnivores, which means that they must have meat in their diet. This means that cats simply cannot eat vegetarian diets; they were not designed to.

While cats may eat foods other than meat, they are not a necessary part of their diet, and most cats would not choose to eat them consistently on their own. Cats require specific nutrients, such as minerals, vitamins, and essential fatty acids, which are only found in meat. Their bodies cannot utilize these nutrients from plants the way that other creatures are able to; their bodies are designed to rely upon meat as their primary source of fuel.

Traditional cat foods often utilize grains as filler ingredients to minimize the cost associated with making the food. While this makes the food budget friendly, it is not obligate carnivore friendly. This is troubling because cats specifically need Taurine, which is not found in plants, but in animal muscle, heart, and liver.

When the labels of traditional cat foods are compared to grain-free options, the nutritional needs of cats appear to be better met by the grain-free foods available rather than traditional foods with grains.

While you may think you could just start setting aside some meat from each of your meals for your cat rather than buying cat food, much to your cat’s dismay, that is not the right solution. It is necessary to feed your cat a well balanced grain-free food, not simply meat. Cats require vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that may only be found in cat food.

If you want to feed your cat a homemade diet, it is crucial to consult with your veterinarian about how to ensure your cat receives the nutrients he needs, such as by taking a supplement.

What Are The Qualities Of Good Foods?

As you browse grain free foods, look for the following qualities:

• There should be real meat, not meat by-products, in the first five ingredients.
• The recipe should be nutritionally balanced.
• The food should be certified by the Association of American Feed Control Officials.
• The food should be made in America.
• The ingredients should be sourced responsibly, and ideally sourced in America.
• There should be good sources of fiber and added probiotics to support healthy digestion.

Benefits and Disadvantages Of A No-Grain Diet

There is no perfect, one size fits all, solution to cat nutrition. Consider the following benefits and disadvantages when reevaluating your cat’s menu:

The Carbs vs Calories Conundrum. While grain-free diets are lower in carbohydrates, they tend to be higher in fat and calories. Many cats have low activity levels, making these extra calories a potential issue. Combat weight gain by placing small amounts of food in dishes around the house so that your cat has to “hunt” for his meals.

Fighting Food Allergies. Some cats may have sensitivities to ingredients commonly found in traditional pet foods. Grain free diets often utilize less common sources of protein, which these food sensitive cats may be able to better tolerate. VCA hospitals states that most cats food sensitivities are linked to common protein sources, like poultry or beef, rather than grains.

Digestion. Many grain-free and organic diets are low in fiber, which may irritate a cat’s digestive tract. However, most of the manufacturers add probiotics to assist cats with digestion.

We’re still learning. Science has taught us that cats are obligate carnivores, but we are still learning what diet is best for our feline friends. Grain free diets may be connected to heart disease, and all grains have not been proven to be completely bad for cats.

Keeping Your Cat Healthy

Nutrients are just one piece of the puzzle of your cat’s overall health. In addition to a healthy diet, cats also need:

• Access to fresh water daily.
• Regular veterinary care.
• Consistent grooming.
• Mental enrichment with toys and play time with you and/or other cats.
• Emotional enrichment accomplished by being snuggled and petted.
• Physical activity to maintain a healthy weight.

Closing Considerations

While selecting a food for your cat may seem like something most cat owners could manage from home, always consult with a veterinarian. By consulting a veterinarian, you are ensuring that your cat is eating a veterinarian approved diet that is most healthy for her specific needs, maximizing her life span and her quality of life.