10 Best High-Protein Cat Foods in the UK — 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Cats are obligate carnivores and rely heavily on protein for energy. Although also a popular household pet, they differ from dogs greatly in regard to their diet and nutritional requirements. Cats in the wild eat other smaller animals, birds, insects, and reptiles for protein. Protein is essential for their health because it provides their bodies with much-needed amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.

When getting your cat their food, it’s important to look for recipes that contain meat protein or meat meal with animal proteins, such as beef, chicken, fish, and lamb. Selecting the best food for your cat can be a challenging task, so we’ve put together a list of reviews of the best high-protein cat foods in the UK to help you find the one your cat will benefit from most.

 A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2024

The 10 Best High-Protein Cat Foods in the UK

1. Gourmet Perle Mini Fillets in Jelly – Best Overall

Wet food provides your cat with moisture, palatability, and fewer carbohydrates. Our pick for best overall high-protein cat food is Gourmet Perle Mini Fillets in Jelly, which is a high-protein recipe with a selection of flavors, such as trout, turkey, duck, and game. With so many different options, your cat won’t get bored with their food. Each pouch is tasty, made with high-quality ingredients, and free from preservatives and colorants.

There are 96 pouches of 85g mini fillets in this box, which is good value for money. This wet food can be eaten on its own or mixed in with dry kibble. Unfortunately, since the brand’s recent formula change, some customers reported their cats will no longer eat this food.

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2. IAMS for Vitality Indoor Dry Cat Food – Best Value

For a crunchier option, IAMS for Vitality Indoor Dry Cat Food is a great choice and is our pick for the best high-protein cat food for the money. It has a crude protein content of 36.5% and has dried chicken and turkey as its Primary proteins, making up 89% of this recipe. This recipe is nutritionally complete and balanced, maintains your cat’s healthy body weight, and is suitable for adult cats.

This high-protein diet builds and maintains strong muscles, a strong heart, and a healthy immune system. It’s easy to digest and includes prebiotics for a healthy gut. The omegas are responsible for a healthy and glossy coat and skin. However, the bag is quite weak and rips easily, so you may want to store it in your own container.

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3. ROYAL CANIN Exigent Protein – Premium Choice

ROYAL CANIN Exigent Protein has a high protein content of 41% and has a good balance of fat, carbohydrates, and protein suitable for an obligate carnivore. Due to the high protein in this recipe, it’s an excellent option for active cats. This low carbohydrate diet is great for weight loss and weight management when fed according to the feeding guidelines.

If your cat struggles with urinary system problems, this recipe is a great option to consider because it has the right balance of minerals to lower the pH value of your cat’s urine. This dry cat food option is expensive but appeals to picky eaters and can be used as a meal topper to make it last longer.

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4. Meowing Heads Dry Cat Food for Kittens – Best for Kittens

It is crucial that kittens receive the nutrients they need to grow well without any complications or developmental abnormalities. A high-protein diet fuels their bodies with the energy it needs and provides them with the necessary building blocks. Meowing Heads Dry Cat Food for Kittens has a crude protein content of 36% and contains 70% chicken, fish, and eggs.

The ingredients used are of high quality and natural. This recipe has been approved by vets and can be enjoyed by kittens until they are 12 months old. It has essential taurine for a healthy immune system and organ health and even has added fiber to help control hairballs. The packaging design isn’t durable as the zip lock tends to detach, leaving the bag open to get stale.

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5. Purina ONE Adult Dry Cat Food

Purina ONE Adult Dry Cat Food has a decent protein content and complete and balanced nutrition that improves the energy levels in cats. It has added prebiotics, such as chicory, to improve digestion and replenish your cat’s good gut bacteria. The omegas found in chicken contribute to a healthy coat that is soft and shiny and skin that is hydrated.

This recipe has been created and approved by vets and claims to visibly improve your cat’s health within 3 weeks. It promotes the secretion of antibodies through its use of Bifensis® bacteria, which strengthens your cat’s immune system. This recipe uses real chicken and doesn’t have any meat by-products, so you can know exactly what is inside your cat’s food. Flavors are limited with this line, unfortunately, so there is little variety to choose from.

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6. Felix Adult Wet Cat Food Mixed Selection in Jelly

If your cat loves wet food, try out Felix Adult Wet Cat Food Mixed Selection in Jelly. It comes in a box with 120 pouches that contain 100 grams of a variety of proteins in jelly. The different flavors are beef, chicken, tuna, and salmon. With so many pouches, you won’t have to buy more in a rush, but you may want to start with a smaller box if your cat is new to wet food in case they refuse to eat it.

These tasty recipes have been formulated by vets and nutritionists and are suitable for adult cats. They are nutritionally complete and balanced and provide your cat with extra moisture to keep them hydrated. Unfortunately, product control isn’t great with this product as many customers have complained about the box arriving broken and the pouches damaged, causing the contents to go bad.

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7. Perfect Fit Adult 1+ Cat Food

A great option for active cats is Perfect Fit Adult 1+ because it has a high crude protein content of 41%, which will fuel your cat with the energy they need. However, if your cat isn’t active, too much of this high-protein food could lead to weight gain, so make sure you read the feeding instructions.

If your cat doesn’t love chicken, you can choose from a variety of flavors. These recipes have all the essential amino acids your cat needs, including taurine. It also has a balance of minerals to prevent urinary tract infections. The proteins used are of high quality, and the recipe includes rice for easy digestion.

However, the seal often doesn’t work, which causes the food to lose its freshness quickly. The kibble size is also small, which some cats struggle to keep in their mouth when chewing.

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8. James Wellbeloved Complete Hypoallergenic Adult Dry Cat Food

James Wellbeloved Complete Hypoallergenic Adult Dry Cat Food is a UK favorite for its excellent ingredients. It doesn’t have as high of a protein content as compared to some of the other options on our list but is still considered a high protein diet, with a crude protein content of 31%.

All the ingredients are natural and suitable for cats with intolerances. The single source of protein is turkey meal which contains vitamins, minerals, and omegas for a healthy coat and body. On this diet, cat owners have reported that their cat’s poop is less smelly, which is thanks to the included yucca. However, there have been complaints about the food smelling too strong, which put some owners and cats off it.

Chicory extract is used to maintain good gut health, and tomato pomace and cranberry are sources of antioxidants to help your cat’s immune system fight against infection. Grains are included for energy and digestibility. It is a bit pricey, but it’s good value for money.

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9. HILIFE it’s only natural Wet Cat Food Luxury Seafood Platter

HILIFE it’s only natural Wet Cat Food is 100% natural and hand prepared for a meal made with love. These recipes use 60% real fish and have a selection of tuna loin, tuna loin with shrimp, and ocean fish with salmon.

This wet food, like many others, adds extra moisture to your cat’s diet for good hydration. It’s lower in carbohydrates than kibble and is a high-protein diet. Each pouch contains 50 grams of wet food, and there are 20 pouches in this box. This cat food is quite expensive for the small portions you get but can be used as a topper with your cat’s kibble. The packaging isn’t recyclable, and it’s challenging to get all the food out of it.

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10. Wellness CORE Signature Selects Cat Food

Wellness CORE Signature Selects has an 85% moisture content and an 8% protein content, so you’re guaranteed that your cat is getting good hydration from their food. This recipe is hypoallergenic, has a low carbohydrate content, and is free from fillers, artificial additives, and unknown by-products. However, the sauce can be a bit rich for some cats with sensitive stomachs, which leads to vomiting or diarrhea.

This recipe is also grain free, which is excellent for cats with grain allergies. However, unless your cat has been diagnosed with a grain allergy by the vet, grain shouldn’t be avoided completely because your cat will miss out on all its benefits. The meaty bits are tender and tasty and contain the vitamins, minerals, and omegas your cat needs.

Buyer’s Guide — Choosing the Best High-Protein Cat Foods in the UK

A high protein diet isn’t as simple as finding a recipe with a high crude protein content, as there are other ingredients that can push up that figure without benefiting your cat nutritionally. There are also circumstances as to why some cats shouldn’t eat a high-protein diet. Keep reading as we discuss this further below.

Can My Cat Have Plant Proteins Instead of Animal Proteins?

Plant proteins are a great alternative in many diets, especially for pets who have allergies to animal proteins. They’d typically be placed on a limited ingredients diet, hydrolyzed protein diet, or a novel protein diet to receive the necessary nutrients they need from animal protein, but if none of these alternative diets work, they may need to be placed on a diet free from animal proteins. Instead, they’d be placed on a diet with plant proteins.

However, animal proteins provide your cat with almost everything they need nutritionally¹. What makes it a superior option is that they have all the types of amino acids that a cat’s body needs, such as taurine and arginine, whereas plant protein does not. Without these two nutrients, your cat can suffer from blindness, heart failure, neurologic problems, and other developmental abnormalities.

Animal protein should be the first ingredient on your cat’s food’s packaging to indicate that it’s the main ingredient and the largest amount in the recipe.

A cat’s body isn’t able to digest plant ingredients as well as animal proteins. Plant protein is a more affordable way to increase the protein content in your cat’s food, but it doesn’t have the nutrition to sustain your cat. There are taurine and arginine supplements that can be added to a plant protein diet. However, if your cat can eat animal proteins, don’t opt for a plant-based diet because they benefit more from absorbing the amino acids straight from animal tissue than they do through supplements.

What Type of Cat Food Has More Protein?

Wet cat food tends to have more protein than kibble, which is higher in carbohydrates. However, you don’t have to pick one over the other as both types are beneficial to your cat and can be served mixed together. Wet cat food has more moisture in it and contributes to hydrating your cat, while dry kibble breaks down the plaque build-up on their teeth and contributes to better dental hygiene.

Kibble is usually more affordable, but wet cat food tends to be more palatable and is usually tolerated more by picky eaters.

Benefits of a High Protein Diet

Your cat gets most of their energy from protein, so high-protein diets are especially necessary for active cats and developing kittens. It provides your cat with all the amino acids they need for normal development and healthy body function. It also provides your cat with the vitamins and minerals they need.

Animal protein is easily digested in cats, and the nutrients are better absorbed by their bodies than other types of protein. Fewer carbohydrates and more lean protein decrease your cat’s risk of obesity because they’ll feel full for longer.

Risk of a High Protein Diet

Too much protein can lead to weight gain. However, if you manage your cat’s diet and practice portion control, this shouldn’t be a problem.

That said, a high protein diet isn’t recommended for cats with kidney disease¹, and instead, you should decrease their protein intake. Too much protein with put stress on their kidneys, which could cause kidney failure. However, even cats with this condition need some protein in their diets. If your cat has kidney disease, chat with your vet about the best diet for them.

Conclusion

Cats thrive on a high protein diet because animal tissue contains all the essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and omegas they need to develop well and be healthy internally and externally. Our best overall high-protein cat food is Gourmet Perle Mini Fillets in Jelly for its high-quality ingredients and great selection.

IAMS for Vitality Indoor Dry Cat Food is great value for the money, and ROYAL CANIN Exigent Protein has a crude protein content of 41%, which is great for active cats. Meowing Heads Dry Cat Food for Kittens is designed to meet the needs of kittens, and Purina ONE Adult Dry Cat Food has added prebiotics for good gut health. We hope these reviews gave you a deeper knowledge of what to look out for when buying high-protein cat food.

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Featured Image Credit: Skrypnykov Dmytro, Shutterstock