Chicken is the most popular protein in cat food as it is widely available and more cost-effective than other protein sources such as fish or beef.
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they require animal protein to live. Chicken is a lean, high-protein source packed with essential amino acids like taurine, which cats need for heart and eye health.
Many cats find chicken highly palatable. It has a mild flavor and aroma and is generally easy to digest, making it a common choice for kittens and cats with sensitive stomachs.
Chicken can also be combined with other ingredients to create different flavors and textures.
Because of these factors, chicken remains the go-to protein source for most cat food brands. If you're looking for the best chicken cat food for your pet, see the list, below. All the recipes have been rated 4 or 5 stars and come highly recommended by our team of experts.
Our top picks
- Smalls (Fresh) Jump to review
- Open Farm (Wet) Jump to review
- The Honest Kitchen Dehydrated (Dry) Jump to review
- Blue Buffalo Wilderness (Dry) Jump to review
- pawTree Dry Cat Food Jump to review
- IAMS Perfect Portions (Wet) Jump to review
- Rachael Ray Nutrish (Wet) Jump to review
- Weruva Classic Cat (Wet) Jump to review
- American Journey Landmark (Wet) Jump to review
- BIXBI (Freeze-Dried) Jump to review
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Smalls (Fresh)
Smalls Fresh Ground Bird recipe received the Cat Food Advisor’s highest rating: 5 stars.
It is one of nine recipes in this product range made by Smalls, a pet food company founded in 2017 by friends Matt Michaelson and Calvin Bohn.
Dry matter label analysis reveals a fresh recipe containing 55.4% protein, 30.4% fat and 6.3% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 55%.
This food is great for boosting energy and easy digestion in cats. It delivers high protein levels from natural sources and has healthy fats to build strong bones and toned muscles. This formula is made without preservatives or artificial flavors and colors and is an excellent choice we highly recommend.
Read our review of the full Smalls (Fresh) range hereThings we like
- High protein
- Preservative free
- Ideal for picky eaters
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken liver, green beans, peas, water Texture Wet Type Fresh Protein Percentage 55.4% AAFCO Standards All life stages Best For All cats including kittens 35% off your first order
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Sample buyer review...
"Our cats love the food. The packaging is renewable which is great. Being able to save money by ordering more at once and freezing them is fantastic."
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Open Farm (Wet)
Open Farm Harvest Chicken Pâté recipe received the Cat Food Advisor’s rating of 4 stars.
It is one of six recipes in this product range made by Open Farm, which was founded in 2014 by Jacqueline Prehogan.
Dry matter label analysis reveals a wet recipe containing 38.6% protein, 34.1% fat and 19.3% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 88%.
This food lists as its first ingredient G.A.P. certified chicken which is humanely raised without antibiotics. It also includes chicken liver and non-GMO pumpkin. Finally, there is no carrageenan, corn or soy in this formula, providing a very well balanced meal for adult cats.
Read our review of the full Open Farm (Wet) range hereThings we like
- Good quality animal meat listed as first ingredient
- Animal organs are included
- Contains fish and fish oil
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, tapioca, pumpkin Texture Wet Type Pate Protein Percentage 38.6% 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...
"I love the purity of the ingredients, the transparency of the sources, and the texture and smell of the product. I highly recommend it."
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The Honest Kitchen Dehydrated (Dry)
The Honest Kitchen Grain Free Chicken dehydrated cat food received the Cat Food Advisor’s highest rating: 5 stars.
It is one of three recipes in this product range made by The Honest Kitchen, founded in 2002 by Lucy Postins in San Diego and is still based there today.
Dry matter label analysis reveals a dehydrated dry recipe containing 44.2% protein, 29.5% fat and 18.3% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 67%.
This food is made with guidance from a vet nutritionist and is 100% human grade and grain-free. The chicken used is free range and this formula includes added probiotics and bone broth to support digestion.
Read our review of the full The Honest Kitchen Dehydrated (Dry) range hereThings we like
- Human-grade
- High in protein
- No artificial preservatives, feed grade by-products, fillers, GMO
Main Ingredients Dehydrated chicken, dehydrated sweet potatoes, dehydrated potatoes, flaxseed, dehydrated eggs Texture Dry Type Dehydrated Protein Percentage 44.2% AAFCO Standards All life stages Best For Cats and kittens EXCLUSIVE: New customer offer
30% off orders $30+ with code CFA30
Sample buyer review...
"The first time I put Honest Kitchen down she ate it with abandon - as if it was the first food she'd ever tasted!! She's never looked back. She's now vibrantly youthful, mobile and healthy, her coat is sleek and shiny, she incessantly purrs, grooms, nestles with me, and all the other awesome things beloved cats do!"
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Blue Buffalo Wilderness (Dry)
Blue Wilderness Adult Cat – Indoor Recipe – Chicken recipe received the Cat Food Advisor’s highest rating: 5 stars.
It is one of 11 recipes in this product range made by Blue Buffalo which has two facilities, one in Missouri and a manufacturing plant in Indiana.
Dry matter label analysis reveals a dry recipe containing 41.8% protein, 17.6% fat and 32.7% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 42%.
This formula is made from high-quality natural ingredients and has no artificial flavors or preservatives. It is formulated to support your cat’s lifestyle and is enhanced with vitamins and minerals.
Read our review of the full Blue Buffalo Wilderness (Dry) range hereThings we like
- Real meat as the main ingredient
- No artificial additives or animal by-products
- Good source of omega-3 fatty acids
Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken meal, pea protein, peas, tapioca starch Texture Dry Type Kibble Protein Percentage 41.8% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult cats Sample buyer review...
"My cats love this cat food and that is important! It is great nutritional quality food and worth the money."
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pawTree Dry Cat Food
pawTree Freeze-Dried Raw Food Real Chicken recipe received the Cat Food Advisor’s highest rating: 5 stars.
It is one of three recipes in this product range made by pawTree which is an online company founded by Roger Morgan in 2012. The foods are made in the USA and distributed by PawTree
Dry matter label analysis reveals a dry recipe containing 44.7% protein, 34% fat and 13.3% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 76%.
This food has been developed by veterinarians and PhDs in animal science and pet nutrition. It is freeze-dried at low temperatures to preserve the nutrients of each ingredient. This antioxidant-rich recipe is GMO-free and offers a single-source animal protein containing a combination of chicken, chicken liver and chicken hearts to provide a high protein meal.
Read our review of the full pawTree Dry Cat Food range hereThings we like
- High in protein
- Multiple sources of animal protein
- Low in carbohydrate
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken liver, chicken hearts, garbanzo beans, chicken gizzards Texture Dry Type Freeze-dried Protein Percentage 44.7% AAFCO Standards All life stages Best For Cats and kittens Save money on pawTree cat food
Sample buyer review...
"This food appears to be high quality. The cats LOVE it! Even my picky eater loves the taste. I'm using this as a boredom buster by putting some in a treat dispenser when I leave the house, and as a food/bowl topper."
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IAMS Perfect Portions (Wet)
IAMs Healthy Adult Chicken Pate recipe received the Cat Food Advisor’s second highest rating: 4 stars.
It is one of 13 recipes in this product range made by Spectrum Brands, which was established by self-taught animal nutritionist Paul F Iams in 1946.
Dry matter label analysis reveals a wet recipe containing 40.9% protein, 22.7% fat and 28.4% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 56%.
This food offers complete nutrition for adult cats and supports whole-body health with essential nutrients. It is enriched with antioxidants to boost the immune system and formulated without grains, artificial flavors, or preservatives.
Read our review of the full IAMS Perfect Portions (Wet) range hereThings we like
- Chicken is the number 1 ingredient
- Contains antioxidant vitamin E
- Grain-free
Main Ingredients Chicken, water, poultry liver, chicken broth, dried egg product Texture Wet Type Pate Protein Percentage 40.9% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult cats Sample buyer review...
"These are great. I first found them by accident and my cat loved them. I bought a case of them and he is ready in the morning and evening. The portions of one package are perfect and they are separate so the evening meal isn't dried out or otherwise compromised. "
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Rachael Ray Nutrish (Wet)
Rachael Ray Nutrish Chicken Purrcata recipe received the Cat Food Advisor’s second highest rating: 4 stars.
It is one of nine recipes in this product range made by Food Network favorite Rachael Ray. In 2008 Rachael joined forces with Ainsworth Pet Nutrition to develop a range of dog food containing simple, natural ingredients. The cat food element of the business began in 2014.
Dry matter label analysis reveals a wet recipe containing 42.9% protein, 23.8% fat and 25.3% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 56%.
This chicken formula has added vitamins, minerals and taurine to help support your cat’s overall wellbeing. It is made without grain, gluten, corn, wheat or soy so is a good diet to choose if you are concerned about obesity or nutrient absorption.
Read our review of the full Rachael Ray Nutrish (Wet) range hereThings we like
- Meat listed as first ingredient
- High in protein
- Free from meat by-products, fillers, artificial flavors, colors or preservatives
Main Ingredients Chicken, water, vegetable oil, powdered cellulose, tricalcium phosphate Texture Wet Type Shreds Protein Percentage 42.9% AAFCO Standards Unspecified Best For Adult and senior cats Sample buyer review...
"This is my cat's favorite. I ordered it because I knew she liked the Cravin' Chicken and she likes this one even better. She gets so excited when she sees it."
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Weruva Classic Cat (Wet)
Weruva Press Your Dinner! – Chicken Breast Dinner with Deboned Chicken recipe received the Cat Food Advisor’s highest rating: 5 stars.
It is one of 15 recipes in this product range made by Weruva Inc. whose company’s headquarters are in Natick, Massachusetts, but the food is manufactured in Thailand. It was founded in 2006 by David and Stacie Forman and is still family-owned today.
Dry matter label analysis reveals a wet recipe containing 52.9% protein, 23.5% fat and 15.5% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 44%.
This food is made with simple, wholesome ingredients. It is free from carrageenan, grain, gluten, MSG, artificial colors and flavors and high in moisture content which supports a healthy urinary tract and helps your cat get the moisture needed to thrive.
Read our review of the full Weruva Classic Cat (Wet) range hereThings we like
- High in protein
- Human-grade recipes
- Moisture-rich food promotes healthy hydration
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken broth, natural flavor, sunflower oil, xanthan gum Texture Wet Type Meat in puree Protein Percentage 52.9% AAFCO Standards Unspecified Best For Adult and senior cats Sample buyer review...
"This food is a big hit with all three cats. It's a very soft, creamy texture and I appreciate the lower phosphorus, calorie, and carbohydrate levels."
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American Journey Landmark (Wet)
American Journey Landmark Chicken & Vegetables Recipe in Broth received the Cat Food Advisor’s second highest rating: 4.5 stars.
It is one of four recipes in this product range made by American Journey Pet Food. First launched in 2017, these pet foods are sold almost exclusively through Chewy’s website.
Dry matter label analysis reveals a wet recipe containing 66.7% protein, 11.1% fat and 14.2% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 17%.
This food is prey-based, feline-appropriate providing high protein levels. It includes added vitamins, minerals, taurine and other nutrients all supporting heart, vision and overall health.
Read our review of the full American Journey Landmark (Wet) range hereThings we like
- Animal meat listed as first ingredient
- High in protein
- Low in carbohydrate
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken broth, sweet potatoes, kale, sunflower oil Texture Wet Type Shreds in broth Protein Percentage 66.7% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult and senior cats Sample buyer review...
"This chicken is a meaty meal that doesn't disappoint our kitty. She loves shredded chicken and loves the broth even more. We only give here a portion so it's nice to have the small can size not having the open can longer than 24 hours. "
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BIXBI (Freeze-Dried)
BIXBI Rawbble Freeze Dried Cat Food – Chicken recipe received the Cat Food Advisor’s highest rating: 5 stars.
It is one of four recipes in this product range made by BIXBI Pet, founded in 2008 by James Crouch, who is the current CEO. Its headquarters are based in Colorado.
Dry matter label analysis reveals a dry recipe containing 48.4% protein, 30.5% fat and 13.1% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 63%.
This food is made with USDA human-grade inspected, free-range chicken and contains good quality meat, organs and bone. It is grain and gluten free and has no added hormones, or antibiotics.
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 Chicken with ground bone, chicken heart, chicken liver, pumpkin, fenugreek seed Texture Dry Type Freeze-dried Protein Percentage 48.4% AAFCO Standards All life stages Best For All cats including kittens Sample buyer review...
"This product is a good way to feed your cats a high moisture food without dealing with open cans of food in the refrigerator. You simply add water to it, and it creates a moist food. In some instances my cats like to eat a little bit of it dry."
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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.
