10 Best Dehydrated Cat Foods of 2024: Top Picks & Reviews
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There are many things to consider when choosing food for your cat, including your cat’s age, flavor preferences, and existing medical conditions. Using reviews, you can easily find the best starting point to choose a food for your cat. It may take time and trial and error to pick the perfect dehydrated food for your cat, so use this as a guide to help you along the way.
Disclaimer: The foods reviewed here were chosen because they have certain characteristics that might help with some of the causes or consequences of this medical condition. However, they are not a medical treatment or a substitute for medical treatment. Keep in mind that each medical case is different and what works for some pets may not work for others. Your veterinarian is the right person to advise you on the best diet for your pet’s individual case.
A Quick Comparison of Our 2024 Winners
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall
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Purpose Rabbit Raw Cat Food |
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Check Price |
Best Value
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Vital Essentials Pork Dried Cat Food |
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Check Price |
Best for Kittens
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Instinct Raw Chicken Kitten Food |
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Check Price |
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Nulo FreeStyle Chicken & Salmon Raw Cat Food |
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Check Price | |
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Stella & Chewy’s Duck Goose Cat Morsels |
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Check Price |
The 10 Best Dehydrated Cat Foods
1. Purpose Rabbit Raw Dehydrated Cat Food – Best Overall
| Primary protein: | Rabbit |
| Primary content: | 55% |
| Fat content: | 13% |
| Carbohydrate content: | 1% |
The Purpose Carnivore Rabbit Raw Cat Food is our top pick for dehydrated cat foods. This food consists of 99% rabbit and 1% supplements to make a complete diet. It contains 55% protein and only 1% carbs, making it a very high protein and nutrient-dense food.
Rabbit is a novel protein for most cats, and Purpose Carnivore is a limited-ingredient diet, which is ideal for cats with food sensitivities. It contains no filler and is made from US-raised rabbits. The pellets are harder than many other dehydrated formulas, and some people reported that their cats did not like it when rehydrated, so it may not be a good option for cats with difficulty chewing.
Overall, we think this is the best dehydrated cat food you can buy this year.
- 99% rabbit
- 55% protein
- Nutrient-dense and low in carbs
- Limited ingredients and novel protein source
- No filler or additives
- US-raised rabbit meat
- Premium price
- Harder than most dehydrated foods
2. VitaCat Freeze Dried Pork Patties Cat Food – Best Value
| Primary protein: | Pork |
| Primary content: | 45% |
| Fat content: | 40% |
| Carbohydrate content: | 7% |
The best cat food for the money is the Vital Essentials Pork Dinner Patties, which contains 45% protein, 40% fat, and 7% carbs. Pork, pork liver, and pork spleen make up the first three ingredients. It contains no filler, hormones, or flavorings and is made with limited ingredients. Pork is a novel protein for many cats, which also makes it a good option for elimination diets and cats with food sensitivities.
It can be served dry or rehydrated with cool water to avoid cooking. It’s made and packaged in a US-based kitchen and packing facility with high-quality standards.
- Affordable
- Animal proteins are the first three ingredients
- 45% protein
- No filler, hormones, or other additives
- Limited ingredients and novel protein source
- Made with high standards in a US-based kitchen
- Should not be cooked or rehydrated with hot water
3. Instinct Raw Meals Chicken Kitten Food – Best for Kittens
| Primary protein: | Chicken |
| Primary content: | 39% |
| Fat content: | 28% |
| Carbohydrate content: | 4% |
The best dehydrated food for kittens is the Instinct Raw Meals Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Kitten Food, which has 39% protein and 28% fat, making it nutritionally sound for kittens. It has chicken, beef liver, beef spleen, beef kidney, and cod as the first four ingredients. It contains DHA, glucosamine, and chondroitin to support the health and development of your kitten’s brain, eyes, and joints.
It contains no fillers, preservatives, or artificial colors. This food sells for a premium price, and a bag will only last approximately a week per kitten you’re feeding.
- Top pick for kittens
- 39% protein and 28% fat
- Animal proteins are the first five ingredients
- Contains DHA, glucosamine, and chondroitin
- No fillers, preservatives, or artificial colors
- Premium price
- Small bag size
4. Nulo FreeStyle Chicken & Salmon Dehydrated Raw Cat Food
| Primary protein: | Chicken |
| Primary content: | 46% |
| Fat content: | 23% |
| Carbohydrate content: | 2% |
It has probiotics to support digestive health and is available in two bag sizes. Although nutrient-dense, a bag of food will not go very far for normal-sized adult cats, and it sells for a premium price.
- 46% protein
- Animal proteins are the first five ingredients
- 98% of the ingredients are animal protein
- Multi-step quality control process to ensure safe food
- Two bag sizes
- Small bag sizes
- Premium price
5. Stella & Chewy’s Duck Goose Cat Morsels
| Primary protein: | Duck |
| Primary content: | 40% |
| Fat content: | 30% |
| Carbohydrate content: | 5% |
Another good dehydrated cat food is Stella & Chewy’s Duck Duck Goose Dinner Morsels. This food is available in three package sizes and features duck with ground bone, turkey with ground bone, turkey liver, goose, and turkey gizzard as the first five ingredients. It has 40% protein, 30% fat, and 5% carbs, making it a rich but nutrient-dense food.
It contains probiotics to support digestive health and immunity. The formula is made in Stella & Chewy’s US-based kitchen with high-quality ingredients. Since this is a raw food, it should be fed dry or rehydrated with cool water to prevent cooking. Undercooking can lead to food-borne illnesses, and cooking it can kill some of the beneficial bacteria in the food.
- Three package sizes
- Animal proteins are the first five ingredients
- 40% protein
- Nutrient-dense
- Contains probiotics to support digestive health
- Made with high standards in a US-based kitchen
- Should not be cooked or rehydrated with hot water
6. New Zealand Natural Meow Chicken & King Salmon Cat Food
| Primary protein: | Chicken |
| Primary content: | 43% |
| Fat content: | 41% |
| Carbohydrate content: | 1% |
The proteins are sustainably and ethically sourced, and the recipe is made in small batches, ensuring high quality. This is a premium-priced food, and some people report their picky cats not wanting to eat it.
- 43% protein
- Animal proteins are six of the first seven ingredients
- Over 90% of the ingredients are animal proteins
- Sustainable and ethical protein sources
- Small batch preparation
- Premium price
- May not be palatable enough for picky cats
7. Primal Chicken & Salmon Freeze-Dried Nuggets Cat Food
| Primary protein: | Chicken |
| Primary content: | 49% |
| Fat content: | 26% |
| Carbohydrate content: | 2% |
The Primal Chicken & Salmon Freeze-Dried Nuggets are 49% protein and 26% fat. They contain chicken with ground bone, chicken livers, and salmon as the first three ingredients. It’s a nutrient-dense recipe that contains natural vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and enzymes for a healthy cat.
It’s prepared and packaged in the US with high-quality standards, ensuring your cat’s food is safe and healthy. It should be rehydrated prior to feeding, so make sure you clean all bowls well after feeding and don’t leave uneaten food out. Primal Chicken is expensive, and it may be too pricey for some pet owners.
- 49% protein
- Animal proteins are the first three ingredients
- Nutrient-dense formula with natural enzymes and antioxidants
- Prepared and packaged in the US
- Good option for cats that prefer wet food
- Should be rehydrated before feeding
- Cannot be left out long once rehydrated since it is raw food
- Premium price
8. Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Mackerel & Lamb Dehydrated Cat Food
| Primary protein: | Mackerel |
| Primary content: | 43% |
| Fat content: | 25% |
| Carbohydrate content: | 2% |
The Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Mackerel & Lamb Recipe contains 43% protein and has animal protein sources as the first nine ingredients, including mackerel, lamb, lamb tripe, and New Zealand green mussels. The twin-stage air-drying process eliminates pathogens while retaining the nutritious properties of the raw food.
It has no added carbs or fillers and contains 10% superfoods, like organic kelp. The proteins are ethically and sustainably sourced, and the food is made in small batches. Ziwi Peak is a high-end brand, and some people report their cats not finding it palatable. Even without rehydrating, leaving this food out for free feeding isn’t recommended since it may grow mold if exposed to moisture.
- 43% protein
- The first nine ingredients are animal proteins and contain added superfoods
- The twin-stage air-drying process retains nutrients and eliminates pathogens
- Ethically and sustainably sourced proteins
- Made in small batches for quality control
- Premium price
- May not be palatable to picky cats
- Not recommended to be left out for free feeding
9. Zeal Canada Salmon & Turkey Air-Dried Cat Food
| Primary protein: | Salmon |
| Primary content: | 34% |
| Fat content: | 22% |
| Carbohydrate content: | 4% |
The Zeal Canada Salmon & Turkey Recipe Gently Air-Dried Cat Food contains 34% protein and has animal proteins as the first four ingredients. It’s a limited-ingredient food, and since it contains semi-novel proteins, it may be a good pick for cats with food sensitivities. It’s nutritionally enhanced to ensure it meets all daily dietary guidelines for cats.
The jerky texture is appealing to cats and may be an easier transition than drier dehydrated foods. Approximately 96% of this food consists of animal protein sources, but it does have a lower protein-to-fat ratio than many other dehydrated foods. It must be used within 8 weeks of opening to ensure freshness, although you will go through a bag of this per cat every 1–2 weeks if fed as directed as the primary diet.
- 34% protein
- The first four ingredients are animal proteins
- Limited-ingredient food with semi-novel proteins
- Nutritionally enhanced
- Jerky-like texture
- Lower protein-to-fat ratio than most dehydrated foods
- Must be used within 8 weeks of opening
- Small bag size
10. The Honest Kitchen Chicken Dehydrated Cat Food
| Primary protein: | Chicken |
| Primary content: | 40% |
| Fat content: | 26% |
| Carbohydrate content: | 4% |
The Honest Kitchen Grain-Free Chicken Recipe Dehydrated Cat Food is an excellent option if you need something more shelf-stable than most dehydrated or freeze-dried cat food. It requires reconstitution, but what you reconstitute it with and how much moisture you use can be adjusted based on your cat’s needs and preferences.
A 2-pound package makes approximately 6 pounds of food when prepared, making it one of the more affordable options. Dehydrated chicken and dehydrated eggs are the first two ingredients, and they contain 40% protein. It’s easy to prepare, but some reviewers say their cats wouldn’t eat it.
- 40% protein
- Shelf-stable longer than most dehydrated or freeze-dried foods
- A 2-pound box makes around 6 pounds of food
- Animal proteins are the first two ingredients
- Must be reconstituted
- It may not be palatable to picky cats
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Dehydrated Cat Food
Dehydration vs Freeze-Drying: What’s the Difference?
Unsure of the difference between dehydrated and freeze-dried cat foods? Both types have had the moisture removed from them, making the food safer and more shelf-stable than raw foods. There are minor differences between dehydration and freeze-drying, which result in different nutrient levels in your cat’s food. This video does a great job of explaining the difference between the two processes and precautions to be taken when feeding either type.
Regardless of the type of food your feline companion prefers, finding a bowl that is sure to keep the mess contained can be tough. Our Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl features a wide tray designed to ensure that all food stays exactly where it should—inside the bowl and off the floor. The whisker-friendly bowls fit securely into the PP plastic base and are low and wide to prevent whisker fatigue. Its contemporary style will fit seamlessly into any home and it is completely dishwasher safe.
Conclusion
The best overall dehydrated cat food is the Purpose Carnivore Rabbit Raw Cat Food, which is a high-protein, nutrient-dense option. The most budget-friendly brand is the Vital Essentials Pork Dinner Patties, which are ideal for a limited-ingredient, novel protein diet. For kittens, the Instinct Raw Meals Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Kitten Food is the best option because it’s made specifically for the needs of developing kittens.
Featured Image Credit: Roman Samsonov, Shutterstock
