Natural cat food focuses on using wholesome, minimally processed ingredients without artificial additives.
These diets aim to closely mimic what cats would naturally eat in the wild, providing high-quality nutrition that supports overall health.
Natural cat foods typically use high-quality, whole-food ingredients that are free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Minimally processed ingredients can be easier for cats to digest, leading to better nutrient absorption and overall digestive health.
Natural foods often avoid common ingredient allergens, such as artificial additives, and consequently help reduce the risk of food sensitivities and allergic reactions.
A diet rich in natural ingredients supports overall health, potentially leading to a longer, healthier life for your cat.
Below is our list of the best natural cat foods as recommended by the Cat Food Advisor team, made up of pet nutritionists and veterinarians.
Our top picks
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Applaws Broth Pots (Wet)
Applaws Broth Pots wet cat food receives the Cat Food Advisor’s highest rating: 5 stars.
This range consists of 13 recipes that are exceptionally high in protein and designed to promote strong bones and toned muscles in cats.
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 with Carrots & Greens in Broth 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 breast.
Dry matter label analysis reveals a wet recipe containing 83.3% protein, 0.8% fat and 7.8% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 1%.
Applaws cat food is made from natural ingredients and does not contain artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.
Read our review of the Applaws Broth Pots (Wet) range here.
Read our review of the full Applaws Broth Pots (Wet) range hereThings we like
- Made with natural ingredients
- No artificial colors, flavors or preservatives
- Limited ingredient recipe
Main Ingredients Chicken breast, chicken broth, rice, carrots, green beans. Texture Wet Type Broth Protein Percentage 83.3% AAFCO Standards Unspecified Best For Adult Cats Sample buyer review...
"A nice alternative to our cat's daily "canned" meals. They really like the natural texture of the chicken with the carrots and green beans."
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Halo Holistic (Wet)
Halo Holistic cat food receives the Cat Food Advisor’s highest rating: 5 stars.
This range consists of four recipes that are high in protein and designed to promote strong bones and toned muscles in cats.
Halo was set up by Andi Brown in 1980 and is now owned by Best Choice Company Inc, which sources meat and poultry from the United States, Canada, and New Zealand.
Halo Holistic Adult Cat Grain Free Chicken Stew 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 56.3% protein, 37.5% fat and 0% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 67%.
Halo Holistic cat food is made from fresh meats. The recipes do not contain corn, wheat, wheat gluten or rice, and no artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives have been added.
Read our review of the Halo Holistic (Wet) range here.
Read our review of the full Halo Holistic (Wet) range hereThings we like
- Fresh meats
- High animal protein
- Free from artificial colors, flavors and preservatives
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, carrots, turkey. Texture Wet Type Stew Protein Percentage 56.3% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult Cats Sample buyer review...
"I have read studies done on many different brands of cat food. Halo is one of the top recommended cat foods. My cat licks the bowl clean."
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Ziwi Peak (Wet)
Ziwi Peak cat food receives the Cat Food Advisor’s highest rating: 5 stars.
This wet cat food range consists of six recipes that are high in protein and designed to promote strong bones and toned muscles in cats.
Ziwi Peak was set up by Kimberly and Peter Mitchell in 2004. Most of the ingredients are sourced from sustainable New Zealand farms and ranches.
ZIWI Peak Wet Mackerel & Lamb For Cats 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 mackerel.
Dry matter label analysis reveals a wet recipe containing 47.7% protein, 18.2% fat and 26.1% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 38%.
Ziwi Peak cat food is made from animal meat, organs and bone and no grains, sugars, or hormones have been added.
Read our review of the Ziwi Peak (Wet) range here.
Read our review of the full Ziwi Peak (Wet) range hereThings we like
- High in protein
- Contains animal meat and organs
- No grains, or sugars
Main Ingredients Mackerel, water sufficient for processing, lamb, lamb lung, chickpeas Texture Wet Type Pate Protein Percentage 47.7% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All Cats Sample buyer review...
"There are quite a few reasons why I love this product. The moisture-rich formula ensures my cat stays hydrated. It's a complete meal in a can which makes feeding times fuss-free. I appreciate the fact that it includes two protein sources, mackerel and lamb - all ethically sourced. It's wonderful, high quality food that my cat thoroughly enjoys. Highly recommended!"
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The Honest Kitchen (Dry)
The Honest Kitchen dry cat food receives the Cat Food Advisor’s second highest rating: 4.5 stars.
This range consists of three recipes that are high in protein and made using only wholesome foods. The Honest Kitchen ensures its suppliers provide proof of food origins, screening, handling and cleaning.
The Honest Kitchen was founded in 2002 by Lucy Postins in San Diego and is still based there today. The Honest Kitchen is a premium brand of pet food that focuses on high-quality nutrition as the ultimate recipe for health and wellness.
The Honest Kitchen Grain-Free Chicken & Whitefish Clusters 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 38% protein, 17.4% fat and 36.6% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 46%.
The Honest Kitchen’s food is prepared using human-grade muscle meat and liver, low-glycemic carbs, beneficial fats and live probiotics.
Read our review of the The Honest Kitchen (Dry) range here.
Read our review of the full The Honest Kitchen (Dry) range hereThings we like
- Human grade ingredients
- No artificial preservatives, feed grade by-products, fillers, GMO ingredients, corn, wheat or soy
- Vet recommended
Main Ingredients Chicken, peas, lentils, eggs, white fish Texture Dry Type Kibble Protein Percentage 38% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All Cats EXCLUSIVE: New customer offer
30% off orders $30+ with code CFA30
Sample buyer review...
"It might cost more than supermarket food; however, there is no comparing ingredients."
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Solid Gold (Dry)
Solid Gold dry cat food receives the Cat Food Advisor’s second highest rating: 4 stars.
This range consists of nine recipes which are made from nutrient-dense superfoods including ocean fish meal, egg protein and pumpkin.
Solid Gold was set up by Sissy Harrington-McGill who founded Solid Gold in 1970 after noticing that Great Dane dogs living in Germany lived, on average, four years longer than those that lived in the United States.
Solid Gold Indigo Moon (High Protein) With Chicken & Eggs 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 meal.
Dry matter label analysis reveals a wet recipe containing 46.7% protein, 22.2% fat and 23.1% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 48%.
Solid Gold is known for using high-quality ingredients in its dry pet food formulas. The recipes offer various dry cat food options tailored to different life stages and dietary needs of cats.
Read our review of the Solid Gold (Dry) range here.
Read our review of the full Solid Gold (Dry) range hereThings we like
- Wide variety and high quality ingredients
- Added probiotics
- Recipes designed for specific dietary needs
Main Ingredients Ocean fish meal, chicken meal, peas, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), pollock Texture Dry Type Kibble Protein Percentage 46.7% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All Cats Sample buyer review...
"This Solid Gold Indigo Moon with Chicken & Egg Grain-Free High Protein Dry Cat Food is the best! It has helped our kitty to stay well and in good health. We believe it has extended her life because it doesn't upset her stomach or cause her distress."
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Stella & Chewy’s Dinner Morsels (Freeze-Dried Raw)
Stella & Chewy cat food receives the Cat Food Advisor’s second highest rating: 4.5 stars.
This range consists of nine recipes and they generally contain around 98% poultry, nutrient-rich organs and bones.
Stella & Chewywas founded by Marie Moody after adopting two dogs named Stella & Chewy, this led to Marie pursuing her passion for pet nutrition and starting her own business.
Stella & Chewy’s Chick, Chick Chicken Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Morsels Cat Food 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 with ground bone.
Dry matter label analysis reveals a wet recipe containing 47.4% protein, 26.3% fat and 18.3% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 56%.
Stella & Chewy recipes are tailored to meet the nutritional needs of cats at different stages of life and contain a variety of synthetic vitamins, minerals, and amino acids to make it nutritionally complete and balanced.
Read our review of the Stella & Chewy (Freeze-Dried Raw) range here.
Read our review of the full Stella & Chewy’s Dinner Morsels (Freeze-Dried Raw) range hereThings we like
- Rich in animal protein
- Free of animal by-products
- Made without artificial colors, flavors and preservatives
Main Ingredients Chicken with ground bone, chicken liver, chicken gizzard, pumpkin seeds, potassium chloride. Texture Freeze-Dried Raw Type Nuggets Protein Percentage 47.4% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All Cats Sample buyer review...
"I got this as a nutritional supplement for my cat who eats it well. My kitten became a demented gremlin that beat her siblings to keep it all to herself so it must taste good to them."
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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.
