10 Best Grain-Free Cat Foods of 2024 – Reviews & Buyers Guide

All cat owners want the best for their cats, including following research about the newest discoveries for cats’ optimal health and wellness. One of the growing trends of the last few years has been grain-free cat food.

It’s important to note that very few cats need a grain-free diet.¹ However, this doesn’t mean there isn’t value in these foods. Many of them have fewer ingredients and fillers than other options. This leaves more room to focus on the nutrients that your cat needs to be healthy.

We put together these reviews to help you select the best grain-free cat food for your needs.

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 Top Picks (2024)

The 10 Best Grain-Free Cat Foods

1. Smalls Fresh Bird Human-Grade Cat Food – Best Overall

Smalls cat food recipes are high-protein meals, and cats stay satisfied for longer while getting all the nutrition they need to maintain a healthy weight. Smalls is a subscription service delivered right to your door, and its Fresh Bird recipe is our pick for the overall best grain-free cat food.

Smalls food is made with human-grade ingredients, and its Fresh Bird chicken recipe looks similar to the chicken you’d buy at the grocery store for yourself. Unlike some of the commercial brands, Smalls does not contain preservatives or artificial colors. This recipe is designed to give your cat fresher breath and a better-smelling litterbox, and it has moderate fat and low carbohydrate content. Even picky felines cannot resist the incomparable flavor of Smalls Fresh Bird.

All in all, we think this is the best grain-free cat food you’ll find on the market.

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2. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Chicken & Turkey Pate – Budget Buy

Wellness Core Natural canned food is the best grain-free cat food for the money. Even though this food is less expensive than some other options on this list, it doesn’t skimp on quality. The formula is full of high-protein ingredients to keep your cat highly energized.

This food also contains high levels of moisture and cranberries. This helps promote urinary health and keep your cat well-hydrated. Wellness Naturals is free from preservatives and artificial colors. Your cat will love this high-quality pâté and so will your wallet.

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3. Instinct Grain-Free Chicken Canned Cat Food

This grain-free canned food option is pricier than some other choices, but for the extra money, you get a can of high-quality food that your cat will love. Instinct Grain-Free Chicken Canned Cat Food is free from artificial colors and preservatives.

The canned formula includes 95% protein-packed meats and 5% vegetables and other ingredients. You can rest assured that your cat is getting the nutrients that they need and none of the extra stuff that they don’t. The high moisture content will also help keep your active cat hydrated as they play.

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4. Instinct Original Kitten Grain-Free Dry Cat Food

You want to give your kitten the best possible start to life. Instinct Original Kitten Grain-free food will help you do just that. It’s loaded with healthy ingredients to help your kitten grow. This formula is specially tailored for kittens, with its high levels of protein, nutritious oils, and omega-3 fatty acids.

All of these beneficial ingredients help promote healthy growth and set your kitten up for an active, long life. It’s also an easily digestible food, so your kitten can enjoy it without discomfort.

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5. Natural Balance L.I.D. Green Pea & Duck Dry Cat Food

Our fifth pick is a grain-free dry cat food. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient is a highly nutritious formula that is a solid choice for cats with sensitive stomachs or allergies. It is free of artificial ingredients and colors. There are plenty of vitamins and minerals to keep your cat healthy, along with the muscle-supporting protein that they need.

This food is also high in omega-3 fatty acids to promote a shiny, silky coat and itch-free skin.

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6. Merrick Grain-Free Salmon Pate Canned Cat Food

Our next pick for the best overall grain-free cat food is Merrick Purrfect Bistro. These cans contain plenty of protein, vitamins, and minerals to keep your cat strong and healthy. This food is free from grains, preservatives, and artificial colors. It is also a good choice for cats that struggle to drink enough water. The high moisture content will help keep your cat hydrated.

The high levels of omega-3 fatty acids are great for your cat’s coat and skin. These will maintain their shiny, silky coat and avoid pesky dry-skin issues.

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7. ORIJEN Dry Animal Ingredients Fresh & Raw Cat Food

A great choice for dry kibble, ORIJIN Cat & Kitten Food uses all-natural ingredients in its pet food. This kibble is loaded with protein goodness to keep your cat healthy and strong. Around 90% of the content comes from animal ingredients, which will appeal to your cat’s natural carnivorous dietary needs. Cats love the mixture of poultry, fish, and eggs.

This product is also climate-pledge-friendly, so you can feel confident that your purchase comes from a company that cares about the planet.

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8. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Salmon Grain-Free Dry Cat Food

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Salmon Recipe is a good commercial grain-free option for your cat. It contains both salmon and chicken, which is something to be aware of if you have a kitty with a stomach that is sensitive to chicken products. However, this food will provide your cat with plenty of protein, vitamins, and minerals to keep them healthy.

It is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which promote healthy skin and a healthy coat.

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9. American Journey Turkey & Chicken Grain-Free Dry Cat Food

The American Journey Turkey & Chicken Grain-Free Dry Cat Food is a great choice for an active cat. It contains essential proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants to protect your cat’s good health and energetic nature. It also contains fruits and vegetables to give your cat a vitamin boost. This helps build a hearty immune system.

This food does contain mainly poultry, so it might not be the best choice for a cat that is picky and prefers salmon or other flavors for their kibble.

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10. Purina Beyond Simply Grain-Free Whitefish & Egg Dry Cat Food

The Purina Beyond Simply Grain-Free Wild-Caught Whitefish & Egg Recipe Dry Cat Food combines fish and chicken into a high-protein kibble. It is marketed as a whitefish and egg formula but lists chicken meal as the second ingredient. This isn’t a bad thing if your cat doesn’t have a problem digesting poultry.

However, it’s something to be aware of if you have a picky or sensitive eater. These crunchy bits are free from artificial colors and preservatives and use all-natural ingredients.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Grain-Free Cat Food

Now that you’ve read our reviews of the best grain-free cat foods, here are other important things to consider to make sure you are getting the best cat food for your needs.

What Makes a Good Grain-Free Cat Food?

Very few cats truly need a grain-free diet. It has become a popular trend, but it is not a necessity for most cats. The problem with many grain-free cat foods is that manufacturers will remove grain fillers, which is a good thing. However, they often replace them with other unnecessary or unhealthy ingredients.

If you decide to try grain-free food for your cat, you should first check with your veterinarian to see if it is a good choice. Then, make sure the food you select has chicken, turkey, salmon, or another type of meat as the primary ingredient. The food should be high in protein and contain as few ingredients as possible. You also want to make sure the food is free from artificial colors because these can be bad for your cat’s health.

What Kinds of Grain-Free Food Are Available?

There are many types of grain-free food out there. If you have a picky cat that will only eat wet or dry food, don’t worry, there are plenty of options for both. Freeze-dried foods tend to have the fewest ingredients but are more expensive. If your cat isn’t choosy, you can feed them a mixture of wet and dry food. Wet food helps sneak more moisture into your cat’s diet and can help if they have urinary tract issues.

While providing our feline companions with high-quality food is paramount, selecting the right food and water bowl is equally important. The modern yet practical design of our Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl combines cat-catered features, like whisker-friendly shallow dishes and slight elevation, with a contemporary style aimed at protecting your floors from messy eating and drinking. The NomNom is entirely dishwasher safe and was thoughtfully created with your cat’s health and well-being in mind. 

Conclusion

Our top overall pick, Smalls Human-Grade Fresh Bird recipe, gives your cat the nutrition that they need without the extra ingredients that they don’t. There’s also a grain-free food choice for every price range, with Wellness CORE Natural for the shopper on a budget.

Hopefully, now that you have read our reviews, you have a better understanding of the best choices for grain-free cat food out there and can pick the one that best suits your needs.

See also:

• 10 Cat Food Trends to Watch
• Merrick Cat Food Review

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Featured Image Credit: yykkaa, Shutterstock