Grain-free cat foods have become increasingly popular, especially for cats with grain sensitivities or allergies. These foods focus on providing high-quality protein and other nutrients without using grains like wheat, corn, or soy.
The main benefit of grain-free cat foods is their digestibility. Some cats have trouble digesting grains, leading to gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting or diarrhea. Grain-free foods can be easier to digest.
Also, removing grains from a cat’s diet can help alleviate food allergies or sensitivities, which often manifest as skin problems, itching, or digestive issues.
Grain-free cat foods typically have a higher percentage of protein, which aligns more closely with a cat's natural carnivorous diet. They also have fewer carbohydrates, which can help prevent obesity and support healthy weight management.
Below, is our list of the best grain-free cat foods as recommended by our advisory team, made up of pet nutritionists and veterinarians.
Our top picks
- Almo Nature HQS Classic Complete (Wet) Jump to review
- Wellness CORE Tiny Tasters (Wet) Jump to review
- Hound & Gatos (Wet) Jump to review
- Farmina N&D Prime (Dry) Jump to review
- Essence Pet Foods Original (Dry) Jump to review
- Reveal Broth Can (Wet) Jump to review
- Orijen (Dry) Jump to review
- Instinct (Freeze-Dried Raw) Jump to review
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Almo Nature HQS Classic Complete (Wet)
Almo Nature HQS Classic Complete cat food receives the Cat Food Advisor’s highest rating: 5 stars.
This range consists of 15 recipes that are exceptionally high in protein and designed to promote strong bones and toned muscles in cats.
Almo Nature was founded in 2000 in Genoa, Italy, by Pier Giovanni Capellino. Since June 28th, 2019, Almo Nature has been owned by Fondazione Capellino.
Almo Nature Classic Complete Tuna Recipe in Soft Aspic recipe was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis. It derives the bulk of its protein from tuna.
Dry matter label analysis reveals a wet recipe containing 63.4% protein, 9.8% fat and 18.8% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 15%.
Almo Nature Classic Complete wet food range lists high quality sourced (HQS) animal meat as the first ingredient. The meat was originally fit for human consumption and has been repurposed for cat food.
Read our review of the full Almo Nature HQS Classic Complete (Wet) range hereThings we like
- High quality animal protein
- Low in carbohydrates
- Rich in moisture
Main Ingredients Tuna, water sufficient for processing, sunflower oil, potassium chloride, calcium sulfate. Texture Wet Type Jelly Protein Percentage 63.4% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult Cat Sample buyer review...
"My cat lloves these wet foods from Almo Nature - this is one of her favorites!"
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Wellness CORE Tiny Tasters (Wet)
Wellness CORE Tiny Tasters wet cat food receives the Cat Food Advisor’s second highest rating: 4 stars.
This range consists of 12 recipes that are high in protein and contains essential fatty acids to help maintain your cat’s healthy coat.
Wellness Pet Company’s headquarters is just outside Boston, in Tewksbury, Massachusetts. It maintains the Farm Fresh Kitchen manufacturing facility in Minnesota and a manufacturing plant in Indiana.
Wellness CORE Tiny Tasters Pate Tuna recipe was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis. It derives the bulk of its protein from tuna.
Dry matter label analysis reveals a wet recipe containing 50% protein, 27.3% fat and 14.7% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 55%.
Wellness CORE Tiny Tasters are grain-free and come in a pate texture, ideal for cats with a sensitive stomach.
Read our review of the full Wellness CORE Tiny Tasters (Wet) range hereThings we like
- Low carbohydrate content
- High moisture content
- Free from artificial additives
Main Ingredients Tuna, chicken, fish broth, water sufficient for processing, sunflower oil. Texture Wet Type Pate Protein Percentage 50% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult Cats Sample buyer review...
"These are eaten everyday, no mess, no leftovers, even with missing teeth she enjoys them."
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Hound & Gatos (Wet)
Hound & Gatos wet cat food receives the Cat Food Advisor’s highest rating: 5 stars.
This range consists of 14 recipes that are high in protein and are formulated with a good level of animal protein to mimic an ancestral diet.
Hound & Gatos was founded by Will Post in 2010. In 2018 Gott Pet Products purchased the brand.. The cat food products are made from US-sourced ingredients, with the exception of lamb, which is imported from New Zealand.
Hound & Gatos Beef recipe was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis. It derives the bulk of its protein from beef.
Dry matter label analysis reveals a wet recipe containing 45.5% protein, 36.4% fat and 10.2% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 80%.
Hound & Gatos is a quality cat foodpacked with animal protein-powered nutrition and balanced with a blend of vitamins and minerals.
Read our review of the full Hound & Gatos (Wet) range hereThings we like
- 98% protein from animal sources
- High quality ingredients
- No recalls
Main Ingredients Beef, beef broth, agar-agar, tricalcium phosphate, potassium chloride. Texture Wet Type Meat Protein Percentage 45.5% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All Cats Sample buyer review...
"Single protein source, high calorie content, and a novel protein? Perfect! This food is except what my picky eater with a multitude of medical problems needed!"
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Farmina N&D Prime (Dry)
Farmina N&D Prime dry cat food receives the Cat Food Advisor’s second highest rating: 4.5 stars.
This range consists of five recipes which cater mainly for adult cats. However, a kitten recipe is also available. All the foods include high quality meat protein sources.
Farmina was founded in 1965 by Francesco Russo and specialized in animal nutrition. In 1999, the company’s focus shifted to the pet food industry – its aim was to develop foods based on scientific studies around pet well-being.
Farmina N&D Prime Chicken and Pomegranate Adult recipe was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis. It derives the bulk of its protein from chicken.
Dry matter label analysis reveals a wet recipe containing 47.8% protein, 21.7% fat and 22.4% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 45%.
Farmina N&D Prime dry food is scientifically formulated to provide a range of balanced recipes, with good quality animal protein, such as chicken and lamb, listed as the first ingredient.
Read our review of the full Farmina N&D Prime (Dry) range hereThings we like
- Contains protein from animal sources
- Relatively low carbohydrate content compared to other dry foods
- Added vitamins
Main Ingredients Boneless chicken, dehydrated chicken protein, sweet potato, chicken fat, dried eggs. Texture Dry Type Kibble Protein Percentage 47.8% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult Cats Sample buyer review...
"Murphy, my 8 year old cat has been on this food for the past 4 years. He loves it. I like that the neutered formula is lower calorie. Plus I like Farmina. It’s got a good rating and has never been recalled."
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Essence Pet Foods Original (Dry)
Essence Pet Foods Original dry cat food range receives the Cat Food Advisor’s second highest rating: 4.5 stars.
This product line consists of three recipes which all list good quality animal meat as the first two ingredients. Protein levels are high. However, be aware that some plant-based proteins are used.
Essence Pet Foods was created by Pets Global, a California-based company that specializes in “holistic wellness pet food”. The ingredients are sourced from the United States and imported from around the world.
Essence Original Air & Gamefowl dry recipe was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis. It derives the bulk of its protein from turkey.
Dry matter label analysis reveals a wet recipe containing 44.4% protein, 20% fat and 27.6% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 45%.
Essence Original dry food offers high protein levels sourced from quality animal protein and are made with added vitamins so this food offers a well balanced diet.
Read our review of the full Essence Pet Foods Original (Dry) range hereThings we like
- First two ingredients listed as animal meat
- High in protein
- Good fat and moisture content
Main Ingredients Turkey, chicken, duck, duck meal, turkey meal. Texture Dry Type Kibble Protein Percentage 44.4% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult Cats Sample buyer review...
"I've tried all three flavors of Essence with my 11-year-old cat, and he loves them all! Rotating the flavors each time gives him some variety to look forward to. He's in great health and his fur is in excellent condition. And I feel good knowing that he's eating a quality kibble that's made with real meat as the top ingredients, rather than something like corn or soy."
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Reveal Broth Can (Wet)
Reveal Broth Cans wet cat food receives the Cat Food Advisor’s highest rating: 5 stars.
This range consists of 18 recipes which are free from grains, fillers, and additives and every recipe includes a premium source of animal protein as the first ingredient.
Reveal was launched in the USA in 2017 with a range of 10 wet cat food recipes but since 2020 its headquarters have been in Manchester, UK.
Reveal in Broth Chicken Breast recipe was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis. It derives the bulk of its protein from chicken.
Dry matter label analysis reveals a wet recipe containing 83.3% protein, 2.8% fat and 5.9% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 3%.
Reveal Broth Cans wet food is made from only two natural ingredients. It contains good quality animal sources with high protein levels and there are no additives.
Read our review of the full Reveal Broth Can (Wet) range hereThings we like
- High quality animal protein
- Meat listed as the first ingredient
- High moisture and protein content
Main Ingredients Chicken breast, chicken broth. Texture Wet Type Broth Protein Percentage 83.3% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult Cats Sample buyer review...
"My cats love this food and it’s limited ingredients which they need due to allergies! "
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Orijen (Dry)
Orijen dry cat food receives the Cat Food Advisor’s highest rating: 5 stars.
This range consists of eight recipes that contain very high protein from quality meat, two thirds of those being fresh.
Orijen is produced by Champion Petfoods, a Canadian company. Reinhard Muhlenfeld, a German-born Canadian, started the business — Champion Feed Services Ltd — in a small factory in Barrhead, Alberta, in 1975.
Orijen Original Dry Cat Food recipe was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis. It derives the bulk of its protein from chicken and turkey.
Dry matter label analysis reveals a wet recipe containing 44.4% protein, 22.2% fat and 25.3% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 50%.
Orijen dry food contains prebiotics and probiotics for digestive health and does not contain any low-value protein sources. It is also free of artificial flavors, artificial colors, and preservatives.
Read our review of the full Orijen (Dry) range hereThings we like
- Very high in protein
- High quality meat sources provide the majority of protein
- No artificial ingredients
Main Ingredients Chicken, turkey, whole mackerel, turkey giblets (liver, heart, gizzard), flounder Texture Dry Type Kibble Protein Percentage 44.4% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All Cats Sample buyer review...
"We haven't tried other flavors of this brand, but our cat (now four years old) still loves it, especially when it is a new bag! He gets wet food also, but we always have a bit of this for his "grazing" food and he enjoys it. A lot more expensive than other brands, but it is well worth it. "
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Instinct (Freeze-Dried Raw)
Instinct freeze-dried raw cat food receives the Cat Food Advisor’s highest rating: 5 stars.
This range consists of eight recipes that are made with real meat and a selection of vegetables and fruits to provide key nutrients to your cat.
Instinct Pet Food was founded in 2002 and produces frozen and freeze-dried raw pet food from its facilities in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Instinct Raw Longevity 100% Freeze-Dried Raw Meals, Cage-Free Chicken Recipe was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis. It derives the bulk of its protein from chicken.
Dry matter label analysis reveals a wet recipe containing 46.8% protein, 34% fat and 11.1% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 73%.
Instinct freeze-dried raw food contains prebiotics and probiotics for digestive health and does not contain any low-value protein sources.
It is also free of artificial flavors, artificial colors, and preservatives.
Read our review of the full Instinct (Freeze-Dried Raw) range hereThings we like
- Contains good quality animal protein
- Many natural ingredients included
- Freeze-dried means no high temperature processing
Main Ingredients Chicken (including ground chicken bone), chicken liver, chicken heart, ground flaxseed, fish oil. Texture Wet Type Freeze-Dried Raw Protein Percentage 46.8% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult Cats Sample buyer review...
"Boy, was my cat surprised to see we could skip the kibble part and go for a meal of bits alone! She loves this food, and eats less as she’s staying full longer. Super happy cat. "
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Pet Nutritionist
Laura studied BSc (Hons) Animal Science with an accreditation in Nutrition at the University of Nottingham, before working for eight years in the pet food and nutrition industry.
