10 Best Poultry-Free Cat Foods in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks
By Luxifa Le
Updated on
Cats are obligate carnivores which means they need to consume animal proteins to get all the necessary nutrition. Chicken is a cost-efficient and delicious way to get your cat all the nutrients required to be healthy.
However, not all cats can have poultry. Some are allergic—poultry is one of the most common cat allergies, believe it or not—and others don’t like chicken. For these cats, poultry-free food formulas can be a literal lifesaver. Pet parents with picky or allergic cats will find themselves pouring over reviews trying to find the best food options for their cats.
Finding food without poultry or poultry by-products can be difficult. Even if a food isn’t marketed as being chicken flavored, there might still be poultry products in the formula. For cats with allergies, this could be harmful or even fatal. Always make sure to check the ingredients label to look for sneaky poultry products!
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 Glance at Our Favorites (Updated 2024)
Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall | Smalls Human-Grade Fresh Cat Food |
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Budget Buy | Natural Balance L.I.D. |
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Go! Solutions Carnivore |
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Taste of the Wild PREY |
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Instinct Limited Ingredient |
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The 10 Best Poultry-Free Cat Foods
1. Smalls Human Grade Fresh Cow Cat Food – Best Overall
Food Type: | Smooth & Ground options |
Weight Options: | 11.5 oz |
Other Dietary Specifications: | Grain-free |
Other Ingredient Options: | Chicken, Turkey |
Smalls is the best overall poultry-free cat food. The Smalls cat food brand emerged in 2017 and has developed a reputation as one of the best human quality cat food options in the market. All of their cat food is inspected by animal nutritionists and is USDA-certified. Their human-grade cat food is fresh and comes in a variety of textures, including minced and pate.
Smalls foods uses high protein meats that are sourced sustainably to maximize nutrient deficiency. The brand offers a food Subscription Service, which means that you don’t have to leave the kitchen to feed your cat healthy and wholesome food options. If you are new to the cat food brand, you can try their trial offer to determine which options your cat likes best. You can easily cancel your subscription or make changes such as switching the recipes, changing quantities, or skipping shipments. Many reviewers mention the awesome customer service provided by the brand, with mentions of easy order accommodations and seamless delivery being at the forefront.
One downside to Smalls is that since it is a human-grade pet food subscription service, it’s a bit pricey compared to other foods.
That said, we choose Smalls as our number one choice for the best poultry-free cat food on the market today.
- High-protein
- Human-grade food
- USDA-certified
- Trial offer
- A little pricier than other kibbles
2. Natural Balance L.I.D. Green Pea & Salmon Recipe – Budget Buy
Food Type: | Dry, Wet |
Weight Options: | 4 & 10 lbs bag; 5.5 oz cans |
Other Dietary Specifications: | Grain-free |
Other Flavor Options: | Duck, Venison, Turkey |
- High protein
- Grain-free
- Competitive pricing
- Food usually has a higher content of meat meal rather than meat
- Not pea-free
3. Go! Solutions Carnivore Lamb + Wild Boar
Food Type: | Dry |
Weight Options: | 3, 8, & 16 lbs |
Other Dietary Specifications: | Grain-free |
Other Flavor Options: | Salmon & Cod, Duck |
- Extremely high protein content
- The first two ingredients are meats
- A doctor oversees the nutrition manager
- High cost of entry
4. Taste of the Wild PREY Angus Beef Formula
Food Type: | Dry |
Weight Options: | 6 & 15 lbs |
Other Dietary Specifications: | Grain-free |
Other Flavor Options: | Quail & Duck, Trout & Salmon, Venison & Salmon |
- Limited recall history
- Grain and pea free
- 15% of their Chewy reviews are 1-star reviews
5. Instinct Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Rabbit Recipe
Food Type: | Dry, Wet |
Weight Options: | 4 & 10 lb bags; 5.5 oz cans |
Other Dietary Specifications: | Grain-free |
Other Flavor Options: | Salmon, Turkey |
- Competitive price point
- Clear ingredient label
- Made with farm-raised rabbit
- Not pea-free
6. Orijen Six Fish Blend
Food Type: | Dry |
Weight Options: | 4 & 12 lbs |
Other Dietary Specifications: | Grain-free |
Other Flavor Options: | Regional Red (Boar, Beef, Lamb), Tundra (Goat, Boar, Meat, Seafood & Fish) |
- 85-90% animal proteins
- Primarily made of high-quality meats
- High cost-of-entry
7. American Journey Salmon
Food Type: | Dry, Wet |
Weight Options: | 5 & 12 lbs; 3, 5.5, &12.5 oz |
Other Dietary Specifications: | Grain-free |
Other Flavor Options: | Duck, Turkey |
- Made in the USA
- 40% protein content
- Higher concentration of meat by-products than desirable
8. Blue Buffalo Limited Ingredient Diet Fish & Potato
Food Type: | Dry, Wet |
Weight Options: | 5 & 11 lbs; 3 & 5.5 oz |
Other Dietary Specifications: | Grain-free |
Other Flavor Options: | Duck, Turkey |
- Trusted brand
- Grain-free
- Higher concentration of low-quality ingredients
9. Acana Wild Atlantic
Food Type: | Dry |
Weight Options: | 4 & 10 lbs |
Other Dietary Specifications: | Grain-free |
Other Flavor Options: | Bountiful Catch (Salmon, Catfish & Other Seafoods) |
- 75% meat products
- 36% protein content
- Chicken-free labeling
- Relatively expensive
- 27% of pet parents gave this a 1-star review
10. Canidae Limited Ingredient Grain Free Pure Sea Recipe
Food Type: | Dry |
Weight Options: | 5 & 10 lbs |
Other Dietary Specifications: | Grain-free |
Other Flavor Options: | None |
- High protein
- Grain-free
- High concentration of low-quality ingredients
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Poultry-Free Cat Foods
How to Choose a Poultry-Free Cat Food
Regardless of what your reasoning is, choosing a new cat food can be a daunting prospect. We love our pets and want the best for them, which means becoming more informed about the foods we feed them.
Consider a Limited-Ingredient Formula
Limited-ingredient formulas are made especially for cats with food sensitivities. Whether your cat is allergic or detests chicken, a limited-ingredient food will be made specifically with no chicken and chicken by-products. Their focus on cats with allergies means they’ll take special precautions against cross-contamination as well.
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.
- NO MESS - The 360° tray on this cat food and water bowl set has a raised design to catch and...
- WHISKER FRIENDLY - Shallow and wide metal containers with flat bottoms ensure your kitty can enjoy...
Double Check All the Ingredients
Just because the food isn’t advertised as being made of chicken doesn’t mean there aren’t any chicken or chicken by-products in the food. If the food isn’t made with allergen sensitivity in mind, there may also be a risk of cross-contamination. If you aren’t sure what an ingredient is made of or the component is vaguely labeled, this could be a bad sign for a cat with poultry sensitivity.
Check with Your Vet
If you aren’t sure where to start, ask your veterinarian. They’ll have a good idea of what products are on the market and which ones best satisfy your cat’s needs. Your vet will also be able to help you formulate a specific meal plan to help your cat get all of the necessary nutrients they need to live a long and healthy life.
Best Alternative Sources of Animal Proteins
Beef
Beef is an excellent source of protein for cats. It has a wealth of natural antioxidants and minerals like zinc and iron that your cat needs in its diet. Beef is also an excellent source of taurine, which cats need to support healthy eyes, digestion, and immune systems.
Fish
Fish are a fantastic low-fat alternative to chicken. Fish formulas are packed to the gills with calcium and omega fatty acids, promoting healthy bones and making your cat’s coat silky smooth.
Rabbit
Rabbit meat is a low-calorie and low-fat white meat alternative for your cat’s primary protein source. Rabbit also contains less sodium than other meats and is an excellent source of phosphorous and calcium.
Lamb
Lamb is another popular alternative protein source for cats. It’s red meat like beef because it contains more myoglobin than white meats. Just like beef, it’s jam-packed with essential antioxidants, minerals, and taurine.
Turkey
While turkey may not be an option for cats who are intolerant or allergic to poultry, it can be a cost-efficient alternative for pet parents of picky eaters who don’t like chicken. Turkey is nutritionally similar to chicken but has fewer calories.
Can My Cat Have Hydrolyzed Chicken Protein?
Hydrolyzed chicken protein is a broken-down form of the amino acids that are present in chicken. Veterinarians recommend it for cats sensitive to poultry because the hydrolyzed protein doesn’t trigger poultry allergies as chicken meat does.
What About Eggs?
An intolerance to poultry doesn’t necessarily mean that your cat is intolerant to eggs. Eggs are a fantastic source of protein and nutrients that cats need to thrive. However, if your cat is impatient with poultry, your veterinarian may recommend that you avoid egg products in your cat’s food as a precaution.
Conclusion
Choosing a new food for our furry friends can be a monumental task. Since they rely on us, we can’t help but want to select the best and never disappoint them. Unfortunately, when your cat can’t eat one of the most common pet food ingredients, there’s a lot of research to be done. Pet parents looking for a chicken-free diet will want to consider our best overall choice, Smalls Human Grade Cat Food If you’re on a tighter budget, Natural Balance L.I.D is our best budget item. Last but certainly not least, Go! Carnivore got two thumbs up as the third option for poultry-free cat food. Hopefully, you’ve found some new information and will be well on your way to a happy, chicken-free life with your cat.