Cats enjoy beef cat food for a few reasons. The taste and smell plays a big part, as beef has a strong, meaty aroma and flavor that appeals to a cat’s carnivorous instincts.
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they need animal-based proteins to thrive, and beef is a rich source of essential amino acids including taurine, which supports heart health, vision, and digestion in cats.
Many beef-based cat foods have a good balance of fats that provide energy and make the food more palatable. Some cats enjoy switching up flavors, and beef offers a different protein source compared to chicken or fish-based diets.
That said, not all beef-based cat foods are equal — quality matters! Look for recipes with real meat as the first ingredient and minimal fillers. If your cat enjoys beef and tolerates it well, it can be a great part of their diet.
To help inspire you, our team of experts — made up of researchers, pet nutritionists and veterinarians — have put together this list of the best beef cat foods available on the market today.
Our top picks
- Smalls (Fresh) Jump to review
- BIXBI (Freeze-Dried) Jump to review
- pawTree Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food Jump to review
- Open Farm Pate (Wet) Jump to review
- Weruva Truluxe Flavors (Wet) Jump to review
- Ziwi Peak (Air-Dried) Jump to review
- Purina ONE (Wet) Jump to review
- Health Extension (Freeze-Dried Raw) Jump to review
- Instinct (Freeze-Dried Raw) Jump to review
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Smalls (Fresh)
Smalls Fresh Smooth Cow recipe received the Cat Food Advisor’s highest rating: 5 stars.
It is one of nine foods in a product range made by Smalls, a company founded by friends Matt Michaelson and Calvin Bohn in 2017. The pair started to make the food from Michaelson’s kitchen in NYC’s East Village, it is now produced with a co-manufacturer in a human-grade commercial facility near Chicago.
Dry matter label analysis reveals this recipe contains 51.6% protein, 37.5% fat and 2.9% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 73%.
Smalls Fresh Smooth Cow uses high-quality human-grade ingredients and has been developed in partnership with veterinarians. It is cooked to lock in nutrients and then frozen to maximize freshness.
Read our review of the full Smalls (Fresh) range hereThings we like
- High protein
- Preservative free
- Ideal for picky eaters
Main Ingredients Beef, beef liver, green beans, water (sufficient for processing), spinach Texture Wet Type Fresh Protein Percentage 51.6% AAFCO Standards All life stages Best For All cats 35% off your first order
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Sample buyer review...
"I feel very good about feeding my cats Smalls. The quality of the food is amazing, they look healthier, and they absolutely love it. The customer service is great, making adjustments to my order is easy, and the shipments arrive when expected."
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BIXBI (Freeze-Dried)
BIXBI Rawbble freeze-dried cat food beef recipe received the Cat Food Advisor’s highest rating: 5 stars.
It is one of four foods in a product range made by BIXBI Pet, a company founded in 2008 by James Crouch. Its headquarters are based in Colorado. All its ingredients are made from whole foods from the USA.
Dry matter label analysis reveals this recipe contains 51.6% protein, 32.6% fat and 7.8xx% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 63%.
The first ingredients listed are from animal meat sources, originally for human consumption. BIXBI Rawbble freeze-dried cat food beef recipe provides a very high level of protein essential for the maintenance and health of all cats.
Read our review of the full BIXBI (Freeze-Dried) range hereThings we like
- Good quality animal protein - originally for human consumption
- High levels of protein
- Low in carbohydrate
Main Ingredients Beef, beef liver, beef kidney, beef bone, pumpkin Texture Dry Type Freeze-dried Protein Percentage 51.6% AAFCO Standards All life stages Best For All cats Sample buyer review...
"My seven cats all love this. The pieces hold together well, but are easy to pinch and crumble so you can sprinkle on food or give to a cat with dental issues. I sprinkle a couple on other food to bribe one cat that is sometimes picky, and use it as a reward and treat for my other cats, some of whom don’t have teeth. "
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pawTree Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food
pawTree Freeze-Dried Raw Food Real Beef received the Cat Food Advisor’s highest rating: 5 stars.
It is one of three recipes in a product range made by PawTree, an online company founded by Roger Morgan in 2012. It is based in Southlake, Texas, and the foods are all made in the U.S.
Dry matter label analysis reveals this recipe contains 39.4% protein, 36.2% fat and 16.5% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 92%.
It lists animal protein as the first ingredient and is packed with nutrients and the essential amino acids a cat needs to sustain life.
Read our review of the full pawTree Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food range hereThings we like
- High in protein
- Contains good quality animal protein
- Low in carbohydrate
Main Ingredients Beef, beef liver, beef hearts, garbanzo beans, dried sweet Texture Dry Type Freeze-dried Protein Percentage 39.4% AAFCO Standards All life stages Best For All cats Save money on pawTree cat food
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Sample buyer review...
"I do like that this food can be used for all life stages. I was surprised to learn it was also a complete meal for cats, although considering the ingredients I can see how this food would be an ideal diet. "
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Open Farm Pate (Wet)
Open Farm Grass-Fed Beef Rustic Blend receives the Cat Food Advisor’s second highest rating: 4 stars.
It is one of six recipes in a product range made by Open Farm Pet Foods, which was founded in 2014 by Jacqueline Prehogan. The cat food arm of the operation has its headquarters in Canada, and the products are developed and formulated there too.
Our dry matter label analysis reveals this recipe contains 44.4% protein, 33.3% fat and 14.2% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 75%.
Open Farm Grass-Fed Beef Rustic Blend is made from ethically and sustainably sourced meat. Fruits, vegetables, and coconut oil are also included and it contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
Read our review of the full Open Farm Pate (Wet) range hereThings we like
- 100% human-grade ingredients
- Meats from audited high welfare farms
- No artificial flavors, colors and preservatives
Main Ingredients Humanely raised beef, beef bone broth, pumpkin, carrots, spinach Texture Wet Type Pate Protein Percentage 44.4% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult and senior cats EXCLUSIVE: New customer offer
20% off first auto-ship order with code CFA20
Sample buyer review...
"My cat, who is two years old, refuses to eat any brand of wet food. So in a last ditch effort because I feed my dogs Open Farm I figured I would try open farm for the kitty and she devoured it! I’m so glad that I tried this! Open Farm it is for all the fur babies! "
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Weruva Truluxe Flavors (Wet)
Weruva Truluxe Steak Frites Dinner with Beef & Pumpkin in Gravy received the Cat Food Advisor’s highest rating: 5 stars.
It is one of ten recipes in a product range made by Weruva Inc. which was founded in 2006 by David and Stacie Forman and is still family-owned today. The company’s headquarters is in Natick, Massachusetts, but the food is manufactured in Thailand.
Our dry matter label analysis reveals this recipe contains 71.4% protein, 9.3% fat and 11.3% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 13%.
Weruva Truluxe Steak Frites Dinner with Beef & Pumpkin in Gravy offers cats an excellent source of high-quality protein. It is made from natural, wholesome ingredients, free from grains, carrageenan, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
Read our review of the full Weruva Truluxe Flavors (Wet) range hereThings we like
- High in protein
- Human-grade recipes
- Moisture-rich food promotes healthy hydration
Main Ingredients Beef broth, beef, pumpkin, sweet Potato, potato starch Texture Wet Type Shreds Protein Percentage 71.4% AAFCO Standards Unspecified Best For Adult cats Sample buyer review...
"Read that it's a great healthy option, especially for cats with kidney problems. My babies polished everything off their plates when I feed this to them!"
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Ziwi Peak (Air-Dried)
ZIWI Peak Air-Dried Beef For Cats recipe received the Cat Food Advisor’s highest rating: 5 stars.
It is one of five recipes in this product range made by ZIWI Peak which was started in 2004 by Kimberly and Peter Mitchell. Most of the ingredients are sourced from sustainable New Zealand farms and ranches.
Dry matter label analysis reveals this food contains 44.2% protein, 34.9% fat and 12.9% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 79%.
This food is produced using a twin stage production process to eliminate pathogenic bacteria, such as salmonella and listeria, while protecting the natural nutrition of the ingredients.
Protein content is very high and derived from animal meat and organs.
Read our review of the full Ziwi Peak (Air-Dried) range hereThings we like
- High in protein
- Contains animal meat and animal organs.
- Low in carbohydrate
Main Ingredients Beef, beef tripe, beef heart, beef lung, beef liver Texture Dry Type Air-dried Protein Percentage 44.2% AAFCO Standards All life stages Best For All cats Sample buyer review...
"The ingredients are faultless, making it a reasonable alternative to raw feeding especially if you are travelling or are unwilling to store or handle raw meat."
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Purina ONE (Wet)
Purina ONE Grain Free Beef Recipe received the Cat Food Advisor’s second highest rating: 4 stars.
It is one of 16 recipes in this product range made by Nestlé Purina PetCare, which is an American subsidiary of the Swiss corporation Nestlé.
Dry matter label analysis reveals this food contains 50% protein, 22.7% fat and 19.3% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 45%.
It provides excellent animal protein and is made from natural ingredients, with added vitamins, minerals and nutrients.
Read our review of the full Purina ONE (Wet) range hereThings we like
- Real high-quality ingredients
- Number one ingredient is beef
- Supports immune health
Main Ingredients Beef, fish, beef broth, liver, pork lungs Texture Wet Type Pate Protein Percentage 50% AAFCO Standards All life stages Best For Sample buyer review...
"You can never truly know what’s in your cat's food. You can just try your best to get what’s healthy for your cats. This has decent ingredients, no grains, and my cat loves it. For the price it’s good!"
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Health Extension (Freeze-Dried Raw)
Health Extension SuperBites Freeze-Dried Raw – Beef Recipe received the Cat Food Advisor’s second highest rating: 4 stars.
It is one of three recipes in a product range made by Vets Choice, the company behind Health Extension, which started making pet food in 1963 but was rebranded in 2015.
Dry matter label analysis reveals this recipe contains 35.3% protein, 21.4% fat and 35.3% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 61%.
The formula is made using good quality named meats as the first ingredient. The freeze-dried raw formula, in addition to the inclusion of fruit and vegetables, means this recipe provides a nutritious and complete diet for your cat.
Read our review of the full Health Extension freeze dried-raw range.
Read our review of the full Health Extension (Freeze-Dried Raw) range hereThings we like
- High quality animal meat sources
- Freeze-dried raw formula
- Limited ingredients
Main Ingredients Beef heart, lentils, beef liver, carrots, sweet potato Texture Wet Type Freeze-dried raw Protein Percentage 35.3% AAFCO Standards Unspecified Best For Adult cats Sample buyer review...
"I highly recommend this freeze-dried food. We've been adding it to the kibble, before which, she would eat her kibble but it seemed she was getting bored. Now, she obsesses over it! "
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Instinct (Freeze-Dried Raw)
Instinct Raw Longevity 100% Freeze-Dried Raw Meals, Grass-Fed Beef Recipe for Adults 7+ received the Cat Food Advisor’s highest rating: 5 stars.
It is one of eight recipes in this product range made by Instinct Pet Food, founded in 2002. The company produces frozen and freeze-dried raw pet food from its facilities in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Dry matter label analysis reveals this recipe containing 40.4% protein, 38.3% fat and 13.3% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 95%.
This formula is made with real meat and has a selection of vegetables and fruits to provide key nutrients to your cat. Freeze-dried raw foods retain natural flavors, valuable antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins and minerals providing a more nutritious and healthy food for your cat.
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 Beef, beef liver, beef kidney, beef spleen, beef heart Texture Dry Type Freeze-dried Protein Percentage 40.4% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult & senior cats Sample buyer review...
"My cat absolutely loves these freeze dried beef treats. She is extremely picky with her food so we crunch these up and sprinkle them on top and she gobbles her food up."
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Article reviewed by
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.
