The best dry cat food in 2021 by quality of composition

Pets need love, attention from humans, proper care and nutrition. It should not only be tasty, but also balanced, consist of high-quality ingredients that are healthy for the body. The best dry cat food in terms of composition undergoes special testing and has an appropriate certificate confirming the good quality and safety of the product.

We have prepared a rating that includes only the best dry food for sterilized cats, neutered cats, and elderly animals. The TOP includes holistic, super-premium and premium food. Each of them comes with a detailed description, a list of positive and negative aspects, so that you can choose the best option for your pet. According to veterinarians, good dry food for cats can improve their well-being, mood and guarantee many years of life thanks to their balanced composition. The selection includes food for Scottish, Bengal and other domestic cats.

Advice from veterinarians on choosing dry food for cats and their recommended composition

The main ingredient is animal meat, fish or poultry. The ideal choice would be a composition in which at least half of the diet comes from meat and its derivatives. The more meat, the better the food is for cats. Veterinarians advise buying good dry cat food from trusted manufacturers who indicate on the packaging the source of animal protein and the method of obtaining it.

The peculiarities of the production process do not allow us to completely prevent heat treatment of meat, but it can be prepared in different ways. The meat that is positioned by the manufacturer as “fresh” is of the greatest value. Accordingly, it was not defrosted or preserved. The production technology does not make it possible to use more than 35% of dry and fresh meat components, but this indicator indicates that this is one of the best dry food for cats.

More often, “dehydrated” or “dehydrated” meat is used. It is dried and is a valuable source of animal protein. Its high concentration in food is the basis for a high-quality diet for your pet. Another significant source of animal protein is flour obtained from various types of meat.

Dry food must contain sources of fiber. They can be dried fruits, vegetables or brown algae. Good manufacturers add natural probiotics and prebiotics, which improves digestion and ensures normal bowel function. Sources of carbohydrates include potatoes, rice and legumes.

Rating of holistic food for cats

Rating of holistic food for cats
Holistic food is a product consisting only of fish or meat (it does not contain grains). Thus, manufacturers reduce the cost of production, and as a result, the food turns out to be budget-friendly. Rating of optimal feeds in this class:

1. Golden Eagle is an American product created by experienced veterinarians. There are dietary meals and feeds for different age categories.
2. Innova Evo is a diet used from an early age. There is a line for kittens at 1.5 months. Contains milk, probiotics and fish oil.
3. GO! – popular food in Russia from a Canadian manufacturer. The composition contains minerals and vitamins, and only natural preservatives are used. The disadvantages include the high price compared to analogues.
4. Wellness Core - food from 5 types of meat, as well as potatoes and tomatoes. Tomatoes are a source of essential antioxidants.
5. Acana is a Canadian manufacturer of high quality cat and dog food. The main component is fresh meat. The manufacturer tried to create food that is as close to natural nutrition as possible. According to a study by Roskachestvo, the food could successfully receive the Russian quality mark (if it were produced in Russia). There is a minus - a large amount of fat.

Veterinarians claim that holistic foods are not fully balanced due to the lack of grains. But at the same time, the food belongs to professional types of food, since it was developed by veterinary specialists taking into account the balance of price and quality.

Be sure to read:

Holistic food for cats: what it is, review and tips for choosing

Rating of the 3 best dry food for cats of the holistic class

SAVARRA with turkey and rice

The food is based on turkey meat, which is considered the most dietary and tender. It is well absorbed by the cat's body and contains a large amount of nutrients. Turkey is rich in vitamins A and E, and also surpasses beef and veal in sodium concentration. Due to this, the blood is saturated with plasma and metabolic processes are established, which plays an important role for sterilized and overweight animals.

The best dry holistic food for cats contains L-carnitine, which has a beneficial effect on metabolism and helps improve fat metabolism. This solves the problem of excess weight.

Peculiarities:

• animal age: adults (1-6 years)
• special needs: for spayed/neutered people, prevention of excess weight, hypoallergenic
• holistic: yes
• side dish: with rice

GO! Skin+Coat with chicken

Your pet will be grateful to you if you buy GO food for him! Skin+Coat. The main ingredient is high-quality meat from free-range chickens. It saturates the cat's body with amino acids that strengthen muscles, and Omega fatty acids help maintain healthy skin and shiny coat. The recipe excludes the presence of by-products, soy, wheat and corn.

• GO! Skin+Coat consists of probiotics and prebiotics to maintain optimal intestinal microflora and improve digestion;
• Amino acid-rich fruits and vegetables strengthen the immune system;
• Flaxseed has a high concentration of Omega-3 fatty acids, a lot of fiber and protein;
• Whole grains provide vital energy.

Peculiarities:

• animal age: kittens (up to 1 year), elderly (7+), adults (1-6 years)
• special needs: for healthy skin and shiny coat
• holistic: yes
• premium: yes

GO! Carnivore grain-free with chicken, turkey, duck

The rating of the best holistic dry food is updated by GO! Carnivore is a grain-free, protein-packed recipe. It is designed to provide a balanced diet to keep your cat healthy and fit. It is made with fresh chicken, turkey, trout, duck, salmon, vegetables and fruits.

As a result, the immune system is strengthened and the body is saturated with antioxidants. Taurine improves vision and heart function, probiotics support healthy intestinal microflora. The manufacturer does not use growth hormones, gluten, grains or other harmful ingredients.

Peculiarities:

• animal age: adults (1-6 years)
• breed size: all breeds
• special needs: grain-free

Rating of super-premium food for cats

Super-premium nutrition class is a normal diet for animals of any age category. Super premium meals include:

• Proteins - meat or meat ingredients. There is a small amount of protein extracted from peas and potatoes.
• Carbohydrates are often rice or oats. Some super premium foods contain potatoes. Plus the ingredients are less allergenic than corn and wheat, which are used in other types of feed.
• Fats - most often in the form of fish or chicken.

Super premium food uses natural preservatives. If the packaging does not list the preservatives that were used to create the product, it is a fake and does not apply to super-premium.

Rating of super-premium food for cats

Most super-premium foods contain healthy additives and are balanced. Veterinarians recommend using this diet on an ongoing basis. The rating of super-premium food, according to veterinarians, is as follows:

1. ALMO NATURE is a company from Italy that produces dry food and canned food. 99% of the food components are whole pieces of fish and meat. The advantages include a large assortment, the absence of unnatural preservatives and GMOs.
2. "Fest Choy" - food from a Canadian manufacturer. It produces exclusively dry food, but for all types of pets. There are separate varieties even for picky and capricious eaters. Veterinarians note the nutritional value of the product, as well as the addition of pre- and probiotics to the composition. If animals are fed this food, the smell of excrement will become less pungent.
3. NOW NATURAL Holistik is a Canadian super-premium grain-free nutrition developed by professional veterinarians. Fresh boneless meat, as well as vegetables and fruits are the main components of this diet. There are no hormonal components or by-products. Animal fats are also excluded from the products used by this company. The main advantage is the vitamin balance.
4. NERO GOLD is a Dutch manufacturer of dry and canned food. A diverse range of products that even includes flavors like turkey and venison. It also contains all the necessary vitamins and microelements. The food does not provoke allergies, therefore it is used for feeding cats sensitive to allergens. But purchasing food in stores is problematic; more often it is ordered via the Internet.
5. Arden Grange - food from an English manufacturer for a full life for your pet. Offers both dry and liquid food. The main advantage is that there are no addictive components at all. The composition fully meets the cat's daily needs for useful and nutritious substances.

Be sure to read:

Taurine for cats: what is it, what is it for, how much is needed, where is it contained, benefits and harms

These are high-end food varieties that are recommended by veterinarians.

The best super premium dry cat food

Hill's Science Plan with Chicken

Hill's Science Plan, aimed at harmonious development, including sterilized cats, is among the top best dry cat foods. The diet is based on a complex of antioxidants to maintain good immunity. The specific weight control formula strengthens muscles and leads to fat burning. The presence of minerals contributes to the health of the urinary tract. Only easily digestible ingredients are used that are both tasty and of high quality.

Peculiarities:

• animal age: adults (1-6 years)
• special needs: for spayed/neutered people, prevention of urolithiasis, prevention of excess weight

Brit Care Sunny with salmon

The best super premium dry cat food is offered by the Brit company, which includes hypoallergenic food in its assortment. It is characterized by a high meat content (composed of 20% salmon meal, 15% salmon protein, 14% dehydrated chicken).

In combination with a balanced mineral composition, the food improves the pet’s health and heals the skin and coat. This is facilitated by marigolds, Omega-3, zinc and biotin. Taurine and Arginine contribute to the normal functioning of vital organs and systems.

Peculiarities:

• animal age: adults (1-6 years)
• special needs: for healthy skin and shiny coat
• premium: yes

Important information on packaging

How often when buying food for your family do you read what is written on the packaging?

Judging by myself, I can say with confidence that we don’t do this very often. So, before you shell out a round sum for a bag of food, learn to read and understand what is written on the packaging.

The following should make you ready to buy cat food:

• the inscriptions “balanced, complete, optimal balance, nutritional”, the abbreviation of AAFCO (American Association of Food Quality Control);
• in the first place there should be not just a generalization of protein, but a specifically indicated type of meat contained in the food and its percentage - at least 25%;
• also sources of protein should be liver or fish, it is very good if there are at least 2 sources of protein in the food;
• preservatives such as vitamin E and C;
• high quality of feed is an indicator of its digestibility. The smaller the amount of feed indicated in the feeding recommendations per day, the better and higher quality the product;
• Don't forget to pay attention to expiration dates.

Immediately leave the bag of cat food on the shelf if:

• the word “bone meal” should alert you, believe me, this is not what your pet should eat;
• high feeding rate, i.e. the animal, according to the instructions on the packaging, must eat a lot of food per day;
• a bad product uses dangerous chemical preservatives, so the inscriptions BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin, propyl gallate should alert you;
• dyes, flavors, high content of fillers (corn, wheat) more than 50% in dry food are unacceptable.

In addition, it is useful to know what you should not feed your cat.

Good premium dry cat food

Brit Premium with chicken

The list of the 10 best dry cat foods includes Brit Premium, which is recommended by many veterinarians. It is suitable for kittens and adult animals. The composition is based on chicken in salmon sauce, healthy herbs, all the necessary vitamins and minerals that promote the growth and development of kittens. The herbs provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cleansing qualities.

A special production technology allows you to make a delicious sauce from salmon or chicken liver. Due to this, the food is very tasty and aromatic. It will not leave even the most picky cats indifferent.

Peculiarities:

• animal age: adults (1-6 years)
• premium: yes

ProBalance with chicken

The best premium dry cat food is produced by ProBalance. We offer completely natural food suitable for sterilized and neutered male cats. Its regular use minimizes the likelihood of developing urolithiasis.

After sterilization, metabolism slows down, which is especially important in the case of older animals. At the same time, they move less - on average by 20-25%, and their appetite, on the contrary, increases, which causes obesity.

Dry food supplies the body with energy (375 kcal per 100 grams), and at the same time helps maintain weight within normal limits. This is thanks to fat-burning L-carnitine. The thoughtful composition increases thirst, causing the pet to drink more. Accordingly, the volume of urine increases and the likelihood of stone formation decreases. In addition to the meat component, the food contains useful ingredients.

Peculiarities:

• animal age: adults (1-6 years)
• special needs: for spayed/neutered
• premium: yes

Purina ONE with beef, wheat

Good premium dry food for cats contains optimal levels of protein and fat, which are necessary to maintain lean body mass and normal metabolism. The balance of mineral components supports the health of the cat's urinary system and prevents excess weight gain. With regular use, the formation of tartar is reduced by up to 40% and an ideal physical shape is maintained.

Peculiarities:

• Animal age: adults (1-6 years)
• Special needs: for spayed/neutered people / prevention of urolithiasis / prevention of excess weight

Economy class feed rating

Rating of economy class food
Economy class is the most popular among the population, since almost everyone can afford such food and is sold in many stores. But veterinarians do not advise getting carried away with feeding cats such food, since it is not healthy. The nutrition is not completely balanced, and some components of such feeds are only partially absorbed. List of economy-class cat foods based on the opinions of independent experts:

1. Darling is a predominantly cereal food. Meat in the diet - 4%. The composition also contains preservatives and dyes. May cause allergic reactions and digestive problems.
2. Diamond - does not contain dyes or preservatives. The only preservative is vitamin E. The percentage of meat content is 6%. This is normal for this budget category of diets.
3. Dr. Alders - German food contains meat and vegetable components with a minimum of processing. But there is little meat in it, the food is mainly plant-based, and therefore inferior.
4. Dr. Clauders is another German food, but completely without meat. It is replaced with liver and some other offal. The benefits include ample amounts of chicken fat.
5. Lara is a classic food of this class with a low percentage of meat and a high content of grain and vegetable components. There is a range for all age groups and for cats after sterilization.

Economy class food cannot fully provide a cat’s body with vitamins and minerals, and therefore such food should not be used as the sole and main source of food. It's more of an inexpensive supplement.

The best dry food for sterilized cats

Royal Canin 37

According to reviews from veterinarians, Royal Canin 37 is recognized as the best dry food for sterilized and neutered cats. After sterilization, you should change your pet's diet, taking into account changes in energy needs. To combat excess weight, you will need a balanced composition with a reduced fat content and strict adherence to recommended portions. The optimal amount of minerals supports the health of the urinary system, and the high concentration of protein maintains muscle mass.

The food is sold not only in dry form, but also as pieces in sauce, jelly or pate form. When feeding a mixed diet, follow feeding standards to combine wet and dry food in optimal proportions.

Peculiarities:

• animal age: adults (1-6 years)
• special needs: for spayed/neutered people, prevention of excess weight
• premium: yes

Perfect Fit with chicken

The rating of the best dry food for sterilized cats is replenished by Perfect Fit with chicken. This diet takes into account all the needs of the cat’s body after sterilization. Iron in combination with B vitamins increase the pet’s activity, and prebiotics stimulate the digestive system. An adapted nutrient profile keeps weight within normal limits.

Minerals reduce the likelihood of stone formation and support a healthy urinary system. A special recipe with a reduced amount of fat reduces calorie intake during feeding, which prevents the appearance of problems with excess weight.

Peculiarities:

• animal age: adults (1-6 years)
• special needs: for spayed/neutered animals, prevention of urolithiasis, for healthy skin and shiny coat, prevention of excess weight

Brit Care Missy with chicken

Good quality dry food has a high concentration of meat and an optimal mineral composition. The additives used include sea buckthorn, vitamin C, 20% dehydrated chicken, 14% chicken fillet and the same amount of turkey.

A minimal amount of magnesium maintains normal urine hP balance, and sea buckthorn extract strengthens the kidneys and urinary tract. A low concentration of fat and an abundance of fiber reduces the likelihood of excess weight problems. The composition is hypoallergenic.

Peculiarities:

• animal age: adults (1-6 years)
• special needs: for spayed/neutered
• premium: yes

What is the best cat food?

Each owner chooses the appropriate food for their pet independently. But you should definitely consult a veterinarian. If the cat is prone to allergies, then the food should be hypoallergenic (anti-allergenic). If you have certain diseases, then you need to buy products from medicinal lines.

Be sure to read:

What kind of porridge can be given to cats and at what age?

What is the best cat food?

Most manufacturers have separate foods for sterilized cats, neutered cats, and pets with oral diseases.

Among the budget options you can also choose food for your pet. Therefore, the best food is the one that is suitable for a particular pet and that is recommended by a veterinarian.

Best dry food for older cats

Royal Canin 7+ 3.5 kg

The food is recommended for older sterilized cats over 7 years old. It is designed taking into account their physiological characteristics and nutritional needs. The composition is rich in green tea polyphenols, Omega-3 acids, and vitamin C. The nutrients support the health of cats when the first signs of aging appear.

A moderate amount of fat helps prevent excess weight, provided the recommended portions are followed. The presence of phosphorus improves the functioning of the kidneys and urinary system.

Peculiarities:

• animal age: elderly (7+)
• special needs: for spayed/neutered people, prevention of urolithiasis, prevention of excess weight
• premium: yes

Pro Plan Sterilized 7+ with Turkey

The best dry food for senior cats supports their well-being by providing essential nutrients, including vitamins A, C and E, beta keratin, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, and natural prebiotics.

The composition is rich in proteins, has a reduced fat concentration and optimal calorie content. During development, RSS and APR techniques were used to help maintain optimal urine pH levels. This serves as an effective prevention of urolithiasis.

Peculiarities:

• animal age: elderly (7+)
• special needs: for spayed/neutered people, prevention of urolithiasis, prevention of excess weight

Which cat food is better: dry or wet?

It is incorrect to compare dry and wet food, since the former can be used for systematic feeding, while the latter cannot. Granular products have a more suitable consistency and versatile composition. Hard fibers stimulate digestion, help remove food debris from the mucous membranes and cause natural cleansing of the anal glands. Wet food cannot provide this effect due to the nature of its texture.

Despite its frankly weak composition, Royal Canin’s specialized wet food can be used for quick adaptation during rehabilitation: it is easily digestible and causes less damage to the gastrointestinal tract

When animals eat pates and spiders for a long time, digestive disorders occur and the anal glands can become clogged. In rare cases, their inflammation and infection can lead to death. However, wet food should not be written off, since it is indispensable in the presence of diseases in animals and during rehabilitation. For example, my cat has sensitive digestion. After dry food, she occasionally experiences blood in her stool due to a violation of the integrity of the blood vessels. For myself, I found this solution: I feed her pates and granules of the same brand separately. Only with this regimen will her digestion be normalized.

Best choice for adult and older fussy cats

Royal Canin Savor Exigent

The best dry food for picky cats includes two types of kibble, varying in shape, taste and texture. It is ideal for satisfying the natural needs of picky cats that require variety in food and a change in taste sensations.

Optimal caloric intake maintains your pet's ideal weight and meets his individual preferences. When choosing food, cats rely on taste variety, aroma or amount of protein. Depending on this, there are three recipes that will suit even the most fastidious animals.

Peculiarities:

• animal age: elderly (7+), adults (1-6 years)
• premium: yes

Varieties

To choose the right food for your cat, you must take into account the pet’s age, its lifestyle, the need for vitamins and active supplements, as well as the presence of diseases and the price category. Based on the above data and the opinion of veterinarians and pet owners, it is easy to decide on the type of dry mixture. According to age characteristics, dry food is divided into 3 groups:

1. For small kittens. Contains many vitamins and protein.
2. For adult cats. Includes all the necessary substances and corresponds to the activity of pets.
3. For the elderly. The composition is developed taking into account the characteristics of age.

In addition, the animal menu is divided depending on needs:

1. Hypoallergenic.
2. For the beauty and health of the coat.
3. For sensitive gastrointestinal tract.
4. To prevent tartar.

How to determine good dry food by composition and appearance

The following important criteria will help you choose correctly:

1. Appearance. If you have never bought animal food before, you should first purchase it in bulk in small quantities. This way you can better examine it and rationally evaluate its appearance.
2. High-quality prepared food for cats should not have a bright color. The structure should be uniform, the pieces neat and whole. It is not recommended to buy overly delicate food that turns into porridge at the slightest touch. This indicates severe exposure to moisture.
3. Compound. Particular attention should be paid to the ingredients. It is important that the diet is balanced. The content of vitamins, microelements, proteins and antioxidants is necessary.
4. Also, the cat food should contain vegetables, fruits, herbal extracts, offal, meat, fish, etc. Their presence is determined by the class to which the mixture belongs.

When choosing cat food, don't pay attention to the colorful packaging. First of all, you need to study the content, take into account the products included in the composition. The better the mixture, the higher the cost.

Summary of the review of the best dry cat food

From our rating of the best food for adult cats and kittens, according to veterinarians and owners, you learned which one is worth choosing in 2021. When choosing food, you need to take into account not only your pet’s taste preferences, but also take into account his age, physiological characteristics and health status, which determine the desired composition.

Best dry food 2021 for large breed dogs

The best AA batteries of 2020-2021

Choosing the best smart scales in 2021

Rating of the best laptops to buy in 2021 with a price of up to 30,000 rubles

The best H4 halogen bulbs with white color for cars

Rating of the best robot vacuum cleaners based on user reviews

The best refrigerators 2021 under 30,000 rubles

The best racing games for Android - 2021 rating

Nokia smartphone rating: TOP 7 phones of 2020-2021

The best washing machines 2021 up to 40,000 rubles

The best themes for Android phones - 2021 ranking

How to choose cat food

Studying reviews when choosing the best feed manufacturer, experts identified several characteristics that were most often mentioned by customers. They are the ones who act as leaders when purchasing a product. This is the class and type of food, the age of the cat, composition, and the special needs of the animal.

Feed class

Classes of cat food differ in the percentage of meat or fish components.

The product classification is as follows:

• Economy The basis is by-products, cereals, soybeans. Low-calorie food. The percentage of meat components is up to 4%.
• Premium It has a close to optimal ratio of macro- and microelements. Minimum vegetable protein.
• Super premium. Balanced product. Contains only ingredients of natural origin - meat fillet, vegetables, eggs, rice.
• Holistic. Completely natural composition, including substances necessary for full growth and development. The share of meat components accounts for more than 50%.

Type of feed

Depending on the consistency of the feed, they are divided into three groups. This:

• Canned. It has a long shelf life and a large selection of flavors. Contains less carbohydrates and almost 70% water. Recommended for convalescent and aging pets.
• Dry. Allows you to feed your cat on a flexible schedule. Prevents the formation of dental plaque. Sold in bags and boxes of various sizes. Provided the packaging is sealed, it can be stored for several months. Contains a large amount of sugar and only 10% water.
• Semi-dry. Available in the form of multi-colored pieces of soft consistency. The smell is less pronounced compared to canned ones. Contains more sugars than all other foods.

Animal age

When choosing food, it is necessary to take into account the age of the pet. The recommendations are as follows:

• For kittens, it is necessary to choose food whose formula takes into account the needs of a growing organism.
• Inactive cats that are prone to gaining excess weight are given foods with a light composition.
• Pregnant and lactating women need to buy food that takes into account the characteristics of their current condition.
• Aging cats need senior food.

Compound

Before purchasing, study the composition of the product. The components are listed in descending order. The food may include meat - natural or dehydrated - by-products, and also have a mixed composition.

In holistic and premium foods, only natural meat or fish is allowed. A prerequisite is to indicate the percentage of the product on the packaging.

The first to be listed in the food composition is the base product – meat or fish. Natural meat can be replaced with dehydrated meat, i.e. devoid of liquid. Added to feed in ground form. The quality is not inferior to natural.

The composition may contain by-products. The specific type of the latter must be indicated. You should refuse to purchase if the composition does not contain specific ingredients.

Economy class food has the poorest composition. It does not contain pure meat, so the animal will need to be supplemented.

Special Needs

When choosing food, you need to take into account not only the period of your pet’s life, but also the individual characteristics of the body. Depending on this, food can be of the following varieties:

• lightweight;
• everyday;
• medicinal;
• for pregnant / lactating women;
• for sterilized ones.