10 best wet cat foods: The wet cat foods veterinarians recommend

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by Jenna Clark

Updated April 18, 2024

Whether you’re a cat parent or someone who cares for cats, ensuring they are fed well is obviously essential to their well-being. But with so many wet cat food options on the market, most of which come in cans, which is right for your little floof?

“Canned diets tend to be more palatable and offer a greater variety of tastes and textures,” says Dr. Danielle Opetz, doctor of companion animal nutrition for Fromm Family Foods. “Additionally, canned diets have a much higher water content and can help with hydration and satiation.”

To find the best wet cat food, I consulted with Opetz and other veterinarians to learn more about their recommendations regarding cat food ingredients, appropriate calorie counts and how to account for your cat’s life stage when choosing their food.

Types of wet cat food

Most wet cat foods are meat-based. One important way they differ is the specific meat base, whether it’s chicken, salmon, lamb or another kind of meat base. Texture or consistency may also vary: There are pâtés, soft loaves and shredded varieties. All wet cat foods contain higher concentrations of water than dry food and thus are a more hydrating option.

What to consider when buying wet cat food

Ingredients

It’s important to pay attention to the ingredients when buying wet cat food; they should be high-quality and healthy ingredients. One of the main ingredients to look for is taurine. According to Opetz, taurine is an especially important amino acid for cats and should not be overlooked.

In addition to taurine, Dr. Sara Ochoa, veterinarian and co-founder of How To Pets, recommends prioritizing wet cat foods made with high-quality protein sources. “Opt for wet cat foods that list quality protein sources, such as chicken, turkey, fish or beef, as the first few ingredients,” advises Ochoa. Since cats don’t require as many carbohydrates as proteins, Ochoa recommends minimizing carbohydrates by purchasing wet cat food without corn, wheat or soy (or with minimal amounts of these fillers).

Also, keep an eye out for substantial amounts of fiber, plus essential vitamins and minerals to maintain your cat’s overall health. Finally, look for U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Association of American Feed Controls (AAFCO)-certified brands.

When it comes to wet cat food ingredients to avoid, Dr. Dwight Alleyne, DVM and veterinarian expert on JustAnswer, recommends doing your best to stay away from food containing meat by-products, artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. Ochoa also advises avoiding those with added sugars and sweeteners (such as molasses or corn syrup).

Life stage

When shopping for the best wet cat food, it is important to consider your cat’s life stage, since kittens and older cats typically have different nutritional needs. “For example, kittens have different phosphorus and calcium requirements for bone growth, and that’s why it is so important that a kitten be on a diet specifically labeled for kittens,” explains Dr. Anna Kaufman, a veterinarian at BondVet.

When a kitten approaches the age of one, Kaufman recommends switching to an AAFCO diet. Then, when a cat gets older and into their senior age, she recommends consulting with a veterinarian to customize their diet. Wet cat food labels often indicate which life stage the food is designed for, so you can use this as a guide when shopping for your cat unless your veterinarian instructs you to act otherwise.

Calorie count

To accurately determine how many calories your cat needs, it’s best to ask your veterinarian. After you know how many calories your cat requires, you can look for the best wet cat food that fulfills their caloric requirements.

That said, you want to ensure you don’t overfeed your pet because this can lead to obesity, says Opetz. “Foods that are formulated to be nutritionally balanced and complete will include feeding recommendations based on weight,” she explains. “From there, pet owners may inquire with the manufacturer if additional feedings are recommended based on age, activity level and need.” You can also double-check the recommended portion size with your veterinarian.

Guaranteed analysis

According to Opetz, “guaranteed analysis” is information that manufacturers are required to disclose to consumers about the protein, fiber, fat and moisture content of wet cat food. (It’s important to note that guaranteed analysis informs consumers about the minimum and maximum amounts of these ingredients, rather than exact amounts.)

Our top picks for the best wet cat foods

Best wet cat food for indoor cats: Royal Canin Adult Feline Health Nutrition Morsels in Gravy Cat Food for Indoor Cats

Best for indoor cats

Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Indoor Adult Morsels in Gravy Canned Cat Food, 3-oz, case of 24

If you’re looking for wet cat food for indoor cats of varying life stages, Royal Canin’s Adult Feline Health Nutrition Morsels in Gravy is a great choice, since it provides cats with the nourishment they need without an excess of calories. This food is also made for cats that are spayed and neutered.

Specifications:

Best for: Indoor cats.
Can size: 3 ounces.
Life stage: All/adult.
Main ingredients: Water sufficient for processing, chicken by-products, pork by-products, chicken liver, pork liver, salmon, wheat flour, powdered cellulose, pork plasma, pork digest, vegetable oil.
Guaranteed analysis: Crude protein (min.) 8.1%, crude fat (min.) 2.2%, crude fiber (max.) 1.6%, moisture (max.) 83.0%.
Calorie count: 65 kilocalorie/3 ounce can.
Price on publish: $52.56 for 24 cans.

What we like:

Low calorie.
Meets AAFCO standards.
Can be consumed by spayed and neutered cats.

What we don’t like:

Contains some meat by-products.

The AP Buyline takeaway:

Since this wet cat food only contains 65 kilocalories per three-ounce can, it’s a great option for cats who primarily stay indoors.

Get it here: Royal Canin Adult Feline Health Nutrition Morsels in Gravy Cat Food for Indoor Cats

Best wet cat food for senior cats: Hill's Science Diet Senior Wet Cat Food Savory Chicken Entree

Best for senior cats

Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Savory Chicken Entree Canned Cat Food

Shopping for wet cat food for a senior cat? Look no further than Hill's Science Diet Senior Wet Cat Food Savory Chicken Entree. Designed for cats seven years of age and older, this high-quality, meat-based wet cat food is designed to sustain kidney health. It also contains taurine, vitamin C, vitamin E and antioxidants to keep older cats nourished and heart-healthy.