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10 Best Cat Foods in Canada – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Kathryn Copeland

By Kathryn Copeland

siamese cat eating food from bowl at home

If it’s time to switch to new cat food or if you are looking for the best food for your new cat, you know how daunting shopping can be when there’s so much to choose from! It’s important to feed your cat the best food to keep them in optimal health, and some cats can be fairly finicky.

We’ve done the leg work for you by creating these reviews of 10 of the best cat foods in Canada. This list has dry and canned cat food, so we hope that it will help you find the perfect food for you and your cat.

hepper-cat-paw-dividerA Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
IAMS Proactive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Cat Food IAMS Proactive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Cat Food
  • Quite affordable
  • Includes L-carnitine for weight loss and healthy metabolism
  • Beet pulp and fibre to help with hairballs
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Friskies Chef’s Blend Cat Food Friskies Chef’s Blend Cat Food
  • Inexpensive
  • Includes fatty acids for healthy coat and skin
  • Includes taurine and vitamin A for eye health
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Sheba Perfect Portions Multipack Cat Food Sheba Perfect Portions Multipack Cat Food
  • Convenient trays mean no leftovers
  • Comes in chicken and turkey flavours made with real meat
  • Doesn’t contain gluten, soy, or wheat
  • Best For Kittens
    Iams Perfect Portions Kitten Food Iams Perfect Portions Kitten Food
  • 24 trays of chicken-flavoured pâté for kittens
  • Contains DHA for brain development
  • Whole chicken is the main ingredient
  • CRAVE Adult Cat Food CRAVE Adult Cat Food
  • Available in two sizes and three flavours
  • Whole chicken and salmon are the main ingredients
  • Contains 40% protein
  • The 10 Best Cat Foods in Canada

    1. IAMS Proactive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Cat Food – Best Overall

    Iams ProActive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Care Dry Cat Food

    Type: Dry
    Flavour: Chicken and turkey
    Size: 59 kg

    The overall best cat food in Canada is IAMS Proactive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Cat Food. It’s inexpensive and works well for cats with hairball and/or weight problems. One of the important ingredients is L-carnitine, which can help burn fat and maintain a healthy metabolism. It also contains omega acids, for a beautiful coat, and beet pulp, which helps reduce those nasty hairballs.

    The main drawback of this food is that it won’t necessarily help all cats with hairballs (you might need something in addition to this food to help with that, so speak to your vet).

    Pros
    • Quite affordable
    • Includes L-carnitine for weight loss and healthy metabolism
    • Beet pulp and fibre to help with hairballs
    • Omega acids contribute to healthy coat and skin

    Cons
    • Won’t help all cats with hairballs


    2. Friskies Chef’s Blend Cat Food – Best Value

    Friskies Chef’s Blend Cat Food (1)

    Type: Dry
    Flavour: Chef’s blend
    Size: 3 kg

    The best cat food in Canada for the money is Friskies Chef’s Blend Cat Food. It’s a great price and is high in protein, with essential fatty acids for healthy skin and coat. It includes taurine and vitamin A for your cat’s eye health, and the combination of flavours should make many cats happy. The chef’s blend contains the flavours of tuna, turkey, chicken, beef, cheese, eggs, and salmon.

    The primary issue with this food is that it contains animal by-products rather than whole-meat ingredients. It also has gluten, artificial preservatives, and dyes.

    Pros
    • Inexpensive
    • Includes fatty acids for healthy coat and skin
    • Includes taurine and vitamin A for eye health
    • Chef’s blend flavour should please most cats

    Cons
    • Doesn’t contain whole meat
    • Contains artificial preservatives and dyes


    3. Sheba Perfect Portions Multipack Cat Food – Premium Choice

    Sheba Perfect Portions Grain-Free Multipack Roasted Chicken, Gourmet Salmon & Tender Turkey Cuts in Gravy Cat Food Trays

    Type: Wet (cuts in gravy)
    Flavour: Chicken and turkey
    Size: 24-pack tray

    Sheba’s Perfect Portions Multipack Cat Food comes in two different flavours: roasted chicken and turkey morsels in gravy. There are 12 servings of each flavour in small snap-and-peel packs in meal-sized portions, so there are no leftovers to worry about. It’s made with whole meats and doesn’t include wheat, soy, or gluten, and it has all the right amounts of vitamins and minerals for a healthy cat.

    The negatives of this cat food are that it is quite expensive, and some people find the trays to be challenging to open.

    Pros
    • Convenient trays mean no leftovers
    • Comes in chicken and turkey flavours made with real meat
    • Doesn’t contain gluten, soy, or wheat
    • Includes added minerals and vitamins such as taurine and vitamin E

    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Packs might be challenging to open


    4. Iams Perfect Portions Kitten Food – Best for Kittens

    Iams Perfect Portions Kitten Food (1)

    Type: Wet pâté
    Flavor: Chicken
    Size: 24 trays

    IAMS Perfect Portions Kitten Food gives you perfect portions of wet pâté food in chicken flavour just for kittens under the age of 1. It includes DHA for healthy brain development, vitamin E for immune system support, and omega fatty acids for skin and coat health. The first and main ingredient is whole chicken, and it doesn’t contain artificial preservatives or dyes.

    However, while the price does fluctuate, it tends to be somewhat expensive, and some kittens might be finicky enough to reject this food.

    Pros
    • 24 trays of chicken-flavoured pâté for kittens
    • Contains DHA for brain development
    • Whole chicken is the main ingredient
    • Doesn’t contain artificial dyes or preservatives

    Cons
    • Can be expensive
    • Some kittens might not like it


    5. CRAVE Adult Cat Food

    CRAVE Grain Free High Protein Dry Cat Food

    Type: Dry
    Flavor: Chicken, chicken and salmon, salmon and ocean fish
    Size: 5 kg or 1.8 kg

    CRAVE’s Adult Cat Food is available in three different flavours and two sizes. The chicken flavours have whole chicken, and salmon is the main ingredient in the seafood variety. CRAVE is high in protein at 40%, which is critical to support a cat’s health — it will strengthen their muscles, help the immune system, and aid digestion. It doesn’t contain by-products, soy, wheat, or any artificial colours, flavors, or preservatives.

    The problems are that this food is fairly expensive, and for some cats, it might cause stomach upset. The other problem is that the food bag tends to be flimsy, so you might need to get a container to store the food in.

    Pros
    • Available in two sizes and three flavours
    • Whole chicken and salmon are the main ingredients
    • Contains 40% protein
    • No by-products, soy, wheat, or artificial ingredients

    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Some cats might get an upset stomach
    • Flimsy bag


    6. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Indoor Cat Food

    Hill’s Science Diet Adult Indoor Cat Food

    Type: Dry
    Flavor: Chicken
    Size: 7 kg

    Hill’s Science Diet Adult Indoor Cat Food is great for indoor cats because it targets their specific energy requirements. It includes natural fibres for aiding healthy digestion, which also helps in the poop department. Additionally, fibre and protein help keep your kitty fuller for longer in between meals. The added minerals, vitamins, and fish oil support healthy skin and coat, brain health, and strong teeth and bones.

    However, while Hill’s has wholesome ingredients in its food, whole-grain wheat is the second ingredient in this one. It’s also quite expensive and some cats might experience tummy upset.

    Pros
    • Fuels the energy needs of indoor cats
    • Natural fibres aid digestion
    • Proteins and fibres keep your cat full
    • Vitamins and minerals aid bone, teeth, brain, and eye health

    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Wheat is the second ingredient
    • Might create stomach upset


    7. Beyond Grain Free Variety Pack Cat Food

    Beyond Grain Free Variety Pack Cat Food

    Type: Wet pâté
    Flavor: Trout and catfish, chicken and sweet potato, salmon
    Size: 12 x 85-gram cans

    Beyond’s Grain-Free Variety Pack Cat Food contains 12 small cans in three different flavours: trout and catfish, chicken and sweet potato, and wild-caught catfish. It contains whole ingredients without any by-products, soy, wheat, artificial colours, preservatives, or flavours. It has added vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to keep your cat happy and healthy.

    The cons of this food are that some cats don’t seem to like it, and it might also cause upset tummies.

    Pros
    • 12 cans in three different flavours
    • Only whole ingredients used
    • Doesn’t contain by-products, wheat, soy, or artificial ingredients

    Cons
    • Some cats might not like it
    • Might cause upset tummies


    8. Purina ONE Indoor Advantage Premium

    Purina ONE Indoor Advantage Premium (1)

    Type: Dry
    Flavor: Turkey
    Size: 25 kg

    Purina ONE’s Indoor Advantage Premium has 37% protein and has turkey as its first and main ingredient. It’s a food aimed at indoor cats that uses natural fibre to help reduce hairballs and promote a healthy weight. The design of the kibble can keep your cat’s teeth healthy, and it includes omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat.

    The flaws with this food are that it is a little pricey, and it has been known to upset some cats’ stomachs.

    Pros
    • 37% protein, with turkey as the main ingredient
    • Designed for indoor cats to reduce hairballs and maintain a healthy weight
    • Kibble designed for healthy teeth
    • Omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat

    Cons
    • Pricey
    • Might cause stomach upset


    9. Purina Friskies Greatest Hits Cat Food

    Purina Friskies Greatest Hits Cat Food

    Type: Wet pâté
    Flavor: Salmon, turkey and giblets, chef’s dinner, seafood supreme
    Size: 32 x 156-gram cans

    Purina’s Friskies Greatest Hits Cat Food contains 32 cans with four flavours: chef’s dinner, seafood supreme, salmon, and turkey and giblets. It makes for a complete and balanced nutritional meal for most cats. The variety of flavours can help you narrow down which one your cat prefers. It includes taurine for vision health and is typically priced well.

    Unfortunately, it does contain artificial flavours and colours. When ordering through Amazon, some cat owners might find that the cans are dented or damaged upon arrival.

    Pros
    • 32 cans in four flavours
    • Balanced and nutritional meal
    • Well priced
    • Includes taurine for vision health

    Cons
    • Includes artificial colours and flavours
    • Cans might arrive dented and damaged


    10. IAMS Proactive Health Healthy Adult Cat Food

    Iams ProActive Health Healthy Adult Dry Cat Food

    Type: Dry
    Flavor: Salmon
    Size: 18 kg

    IAMS Proactive Health Healthy Adult Cat Food uses whole salmon as its main ingredient, providing a rich protein source for strong muscles and energy. It’s quite high in fibre and contains beet pulp and prebiotics to aid digestion, as well as omega-6 fatty acids for a healthy coat and skin. The texture of the kibble is also good for your kitty’s teeth.

    The problems here are that some cats seem to experience stomach upset after eating this food, and the second ingredient is chicken by-product. If your cat has food sensitivities to chicken, you’ll need to avoid this one. Also, picky cats might not enjoy this food.

    Pros
    • First ingredient is salmon
    • Prebiotics, beet pulp, and fibre for digestion
    • Omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat
    • Kibble good for cat’s teeth

    Cons
    • Might cause stomach upset
    • Second ingredient is chicken by-product
    • Picky cats might not like it

    hepper-cat-paw-dividerBuyer’s Guide: Picking the Best Cat Foods in Canada

    The points in this buyer’s guide might help you settle on the right food for your cat.

    kitten eating wet cat food
    Image Credit: MaraZe, Shutterstock

    Price

    The prices of everything on Amazon tend to fluctuate because many products are sold through third-party vendors. Sometimes you need to wait for the price to come down to get your hands on the cat food that you’re most interested in. It might be best to visit your local pet store.

    Nutrition

    It’s essential to understand that all cats are obligate carnivores, so the majority of their diet must be a kind of animal protein. While wheat, corn, and soy aren’t necessary for your cat overall, cat food manufacturers do tend to have a good balance of the right vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in their foods for cats.

    persian cat eating dry food
    Image Credit: Patrick Foto, Shutterstock

    Ingredients

    When you take a look at the ingredient list on a food bag, one or all of the first three ingredients should be whole meat. For the most part, meat by-products are perfectly healthy for your cat, so don’t automatically reject a food for having them. What you should avoid are artificial colours, as they aren’t necessary for pet food.

    New Food

    If you’re switching foods for your cat, you’ll need to do so gradually, particularly if they have a food sensitivity. If they have stomach issues, speak to your vet about what kind of food will be best for your cat before you switch. Otherwise, start by adding just a small amount of the new food to the old, and then slowly increase the amount over time.

    hepper-cat-paw-dividerFinal Thoughts

    Our overall favorite cat food in Canada is the IAMS Proactive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Cat Food. It’s well-priced and can work well for cats with hairball and/or weight problems. Friskies Chef’s Blend Cat Food is high in protein, with essential fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, all for a great price. Finally, Sheba’s Perfect Portions Multipack Cat Food is pricey, but it comes in two different flavors in small snap-and-peel packs that are meal-sized portions, so you don’t have to worry about leftovers.

    We hope that all these reviews have helped you find the right food for you and your kitty. A happy cat with a full stomach will thank you for a delicious meal!

    See also:


    Featured Image Credit: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock

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