Grain-inclusive cat food can be a healthy choice for many cats, providing essential nutrients and energy from whole grains. Grains can be a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and are often included in balanced cat food formulations.
Grains such as rice, barley, and oats provide essential nutrients, including fiber, vitamins, and minerals, contributing to a balanced diet. Fiber from whole grains can promote healthy digestion and prevent issues such as constipation. It can also help your cat feel fuller longer, which can aid in weight management.
They are also a good source of carbohydrates, providing a readily available source of energy for active cats. And most grain-inclusive formulas are often more affordable than grain-free options while still providing complete and balanced nutrition.
Below is our list of the best grain inclusive cat foods as recommended by the Cat Food Advisor team, made up of pet nutritionists and veterinarians.
Our top picks
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Wellness CORE Digestive Health (Dry)
Wellness CORE Digestive Health dry cat food receives the Cat Food Advisor’s second highest rating: 4 stars.
This range consists of two recipes that are highly digestible, probiotic-coated rice kibble with high quality meat sources as its first ingredient which means it is high in protein.
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 Digestive Health with Wholesome Grains Adult Chicken & Rice 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 42.2% protein,18.9% fat and 30.9% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 45%.
Wellness CORE Digestive Health dry cat food is designed to promote optimal digestive function and support the overall well-being of your cat. It features a unique blend of prebiotics and probiotics, which help maintain a healthy balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut.
Read our review of the full Wellness CORE Digestive Health (Dry) range hereThings we like
- Doesn’t contain fillers or by-products
- High quality meat sources as first ingredient
- No artificial additives
Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken meal (source of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate), rice, barley, oats. Texture Dry Type Kibble Protein Percentage 42.2% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult Cats Sample buyer review...
"Very happy to have found this brand and food. Our cats are older and we needed better food for them. The kibbles are smaller and they both really like it. So far, so good in terms of better digestion."
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Natural Balance Original Ultra (Wet)
Natural Balance Original Ultra wet cat food receives the Cat Food Advisor’s second highest rating: 4.5 stars.
This range consists of eight recipes which provide complete and balanced nutrition for cats and kittens. Like most Natural Balance products, they are free from artificial colors and flavors.
Natural Balance Pet Foods was formed in 1989, and was picked up by Petco and sold in 625 stores across the United States. In May 2013, Natural Balance merged with Del Monte Foods; it was then sold again in 2015 to J.M Smucker Company.
Natural Balance Original Ultra Wet Chicken & Liver Pate 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 40.9% protein,27.3% fat and 23.8% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 67%.
Natural Balance Original Ultra wet cat food is a good source of high-quality protein and formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by AAFCO cat food nutrient profiles for all adult and kitten maintenance.
Read our review of the full Natural Balance Original Ultra (Wet) range hereThings we like
- Contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
- Added taurine
- Grain-free
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, brown rice, natural flavor. Texture Wet Type Pate Protein Percentage 40.9% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All Cats Sample buyer review...
"My kittens DEVOUR this food and their mamma loves it. Never any scraps left. Has a nice amount of broth in the can with the pate which is a HUGE plus."
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Blue Buffalo Tastefuls (Dry)
Blue Buffalo Tastefuls dry cat food receives the Cat Food Advisor’s second highest rating: 4 stars.
This range consists of 11 recipes including real meat. It does not contain any artificial flavors or preservatives and is formulated to support a cat’s lifestyle.
Blue Buffalo’s headquarters is in Wilton, Connecticut. It has two facilities, one in Missouri and a manufacturing plant in Indiana. The company started from humble origins but is now owned by General Mills.
Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Adult Active Cat Chicken & Brown Rice 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 37.4% protein,19.8% fat and 34.9% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 53%.
Blue Buffalo Tastefuls dry cat food is a good source of high-quality protein and essential fatty acids, made with natural, wholesome ingredients free from grains, carrageenan, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
Read our review of the full Blue Buffalo Tastefuls (Dry) range hereThings we like
- No meat or poultry by-products
- Free from artificial ingredients
- Cats seem to like eating this food
Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, barley, oatmeal. Texture Dry Type Kibble Protein Percentage 37.4% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult Cats Sample buyer review...
"My cat loves the flavor. She has eaten it happily from the first day I fed it to her. I like that it's good for her and doesn't have a lot of byproducts in it. "
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Diamond Naturals (Dry)
Diamond Naturals dry cat food receives the Cat Food Advisor’s second highest rating: 4 stars.
This range consists of three recipes made with superfood ingredients — a source of antioxidants and other essential nutrients — as well as probiotics for digestive and immune support.
Diamond Pet Foods was founded by brothers-in-law Gary Schell and Richard Kampeter in Missouri in April 1970, under the name Meta Feed and Grain.
Diamond Naturals Kitten Chicken & Rice Formula 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 37.8% protein,24.4% fat and 29.8% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 65%.
Diamond Naturals dry cat food is a good source of high-quality protein and each recipe in the range is tailored to meet the nutritional needs of cats at different stages of life such as Adult.
Read our review of the full Diamond Naturals (Dry) range hereThings we like
- Includes antioxidants & probiotics
- Made with fiber-rich flaxseed
- Contains dried kelp as a natural source of essential nutrients
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken meal, grain sorghum, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), dried yeast. Texture Dry Type Kibble Protein Percentage 37.8% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All Cats Sample buyer review...
"Both of my cats love this food. I tried to switch them to another brand and they wouldn’t eat the other brand. Now that they are adult cats, I’m switching them to the adult formula. Hopefully they love it just as much."
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Applaws Broth (Wet)
Applaws Broth wet cat food receives the Cat Food Advisor’s highest rating: 5 stars.
This range consists of 12 recipes all with limited ingredients. They offer high protein levels derived from animals and/or fish.
Applaws is owned by premium pet food company MPM, which specializes in the production of high quality, human-grade pet foods made from natural, clean-label ingredients.
Applaws Chicken Breast in Broth 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 100% protein,0.7% fat and 0% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 1%.
Applaws Broth wet cat food are simple and wholesome recipes which contain no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors. They can be fed as a complement to your cat’s dry food.
Read our review of the full Applaws Broth (Wet) range hereThings we like
- Limited ingredients
- Very high in protein
- Animal and fish protein first ingredient
Main Ingredients Chicken breast, chicken broth, rice. Texture Wet Type Broth Protein Percentage 100% AAFCO Standards Unspecified Best For Adult Cats Sample buyer review...
"My cat is incredibly picky, and she is too skinny. I hate it when she won’t eat. Fortunately she loves this food. "
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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.
