Become a credit card member today!Best* Wet Cat Foods of 2023
Wet food is a popular part of many kitty diets, whether fed for their entire meals or paired with dry cat food. It provides variety that piques their interest. It has a high moisture content for hydration. And it’s deliciously juicy and irresistibly aromatic. But the best wet cat food isn’t always easy to find, especially for picky eaters. That’s why we put together this list of our top-rated wet cat foods.
What to Look For in the Best Wet Food for Cats
Beyond your kitty’s personal preferences, the best wet cat food uses quality ingredients, provides balanced nutrition and meets any special requirements.
Ingredients
The best wet cat food has high-quality proteins like whole meats among the first ingredients. Some pet parents also choose to avoid natural flavors and thickeners such as carrageenan, as well as carbohydrate fillers like corn meal and tapioca, which is used in grain-free diets.
Nutrition
You’ll also want to read the guaranteed analysis to ensure your wet cat food provides the right balance of protein, fat and fiber, as well as a good moisture content. Nutritional requirements vary by activity level, age and more, so consult your veterinarian on this one.
Special Conditions
Many types of wet cat food are formulated for a specific life stage, such as for kittens or seniors. Others are good for weight management, sensitive stomachs, allergies and even kidney problems. Talk to your veterinarian if you think your kitty might need a special wet food.
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Best Affordable Wet Cat Food
Best Wet Cat Food For Picky Eaters
Best Quality Wet Cat Food
Best Grain-Free Wet Cat Food
Best Wet Cat Food For Sensitive Stomachs
Best Natural Wet Cat Food
Best Wet Cat Food for Senior Cats
| Wet Cat Food | Flavors | Texture | Sizes Available | Specialty | Average Review* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WholeHearted Grain-Free By Land and Sea Flaked Wet Cat Food Variety Pack | Three-flavor variety pack | Flaked | 12 or 24 pack of 2.8-oz cans | Best Affordable Wet Cat Food | 4.4/5 |
| Tiki Cat After Dark Variety Pack Wet Cat Food | Six-flavor variety pack | Flaked | 12 pack of 2.8-oz cans | Best Wet Cat Food For Picky Eaters | 4.5/5 |
| Instinct Original Grain-Free Real Chicken Recipe | Single chicken flavor | Pate | Single 3-oz, 24 pack of 3-oz, single 5.5-oz, 12 pack of 5.5-oz | Best Quality Wet Cat Food | 4.5/5 |
| Wellness CORE Signature Selects Natural Grain-Free Tuna & Salmon Recipe | Single tuna and salmon flavor | Flaked | Single 2.8-oz, 12 pack of 2.8-oz, single 5.3-oz, 12 pack of 5.3-oz | Best Grain-Free Wet Cat Food | 4.5/5 |
| Royal Canin Digest Sensitive Thin Slices in Gravy | Single chicken flavor | Slices in gravy | Single 3-oz, 24 pack of 3-oz | Best Wet Cat Food For Sensitive Stomachs | 4.8/5 |
| Weruva Pate The Showcase Chowdown Variety Pack | Eight-flavor variety pack | Pate | 16 pack of 2.8-oz pouches | Best Natural Wet Cat Food | 4.4/5 |
| Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Savory Turkey Wet Cat Food | Single turkey flavor | Pate | Single 2.9-oz, 24 pack of 2.9-oz | Best Wet Cat Food for Senior Cats | 4.3/5 |
*Reviews as of 7/6/22
Best Affordable Wet Cat Food
WholeHearted Grain-Free By Land and Sea Flaked Wet Cat Food Variety Pack
WholeHearted is one of the best wet cat food brands for budget-friendly prices, and this variety pack gives you the chance to try multiple flavors—or just keep things interesting for your kitty. Real chicken or tuna is the first ingredient in every recipe, and it’s flaked into delectable gravy. With WholeHearted, you don’t have to sacrifice quality for affordability.
- 12 or 24 pack of 2.8-ounce cans
- Flavors: Chicken, chicken and tuna, tuna and salmon
- First ingredients depend on recipe but include chicken, chicken broth, water, tuna, tuna broth, salmon, tapioca starch and sunflower oil
- No corn, soy, wheat or artificial colors
- Omega-3 fatty acids to support skin and coat
“My cat instantly fell in love with these cans of food and looks forward to eating them every day! Good value and I like the variety!” - Personally
Pros
- Budget-friendly price
- Variety of tasty flavors
- Wholesome first ingredients
Cons
- Some reviewers did not like the texture
- Contains thickeners
Best Wet Cat Food For Picky Eaters
Tiki Cat After Dark Variety Pack Wet Cat Food
This five-flavor variety pack comes to the rescue for the pet parents of finicky eaters. Quality whole meats plus flavorful organs like heart and liver help make these recipes simply irresistible. They’re also high-protein, with no grains or carbohydrates. Your cat is a carnivore—Tiki Cat believes you should treat them like one.
- 12 pack of 2.8-ounce cans
- Flavors: Chicken, chicken and quail egg, chicken and duck, chicken and lamb, chicken and beef, chicken and pork
- First ingredients depend on recipe but include chicken, chicken broth, chicken gizzard, chicken heart and chicken liver
- High protein with no grains or carbohydrates
- Packed in a human-grade facility
“My incredibly picky cat loves this! It has a significant amount of broth, as well as meat that my cat likes. It’s a hit!” – Vedder’s Mom
Pros
- Variety of tasty flavors
- Wholesome first ingredients
- No thickeners or fillers
Cons
- More expensive than other wet cat food options on our list
- High water content
Best Quality Wet Cat Food
Instinct Original Grain-Free Real Chicken Recipe
Instinct is a well-known name in the raw-inspired pet food industry. They’re also one of the best wet cat food brands thanks to their quality ingredients. This recipe is 95 percent meat-derived, including cage-free chicken, plus responsibly sourced fruits and zero grain, fillers or thickeners like carrageenan. Cats love to eat it, and cat parents can feel good about serving it.
- One 3-ounce can, 24 pack of 3-ounce cans, one 5.5-ounce can, 12 pack of 5.5-ounce cans
- Flavor: Chicken
- First ingredients are chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, egg product, turkey, peas and carrots
- No grains, potato, corn, wheat, soy or meat by-products
- No artificial flavors, colors or preservatives
“This is one of the best wet cat food brands. The chicken is moist, not a sticky pate. This brand has a high protein content, not filled with vegetables or fillers.” - 3 cat lady
Pros
- Wholesome first ingredients
- No thickeners or fillers
- Satisfaction guarantee
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Single flavor
- More expensive than other wet cat food options on our list
Best Grain-Free Wet Cat Food
Wellness CORE Signature Selects Natural Grain-Free Tuna & Salmon Recipe
It’s no secret: Many cats go crazy for fish. That could be why this grain-free wet cat food with dual-fish flavor gets such high marks. With delicate flakes of both tuna and salmon in a tasty sauce, and no meat by-products, artificial flavors or preservatives, your cat may lick their plate clean and come back for more—and you can feel good giving it to them.
- One 2.8-ounce can, 12 pack of 2.8-ounce cans, one 5.3-ounce can, 12 pack of 5.3-ounce cans
- Flavor: Skipjack tuna and wild salmon
- First ingredients are tuna, tuna broth, water, mackerel, salmon, tapioca starch and sunflower oil
- No meat by-products, artificial colors or preservatives
- Hand-prepared and hand-packed
“We feed our cats grain-free food only and this is by far their favorite one of all. They lick their dishes clean every time.” - Tig Tag
Pros
- Wholesome first ingredients
- Double-fish recipe many cats love
- Satisfaction guarantee
Cons
- Single flavor
- Contains thickeners
Best Wet Cat Food For Sensitive Stomachs
Royal Canin Digest Sensitive Thin Slices in Gravy
Sensitive stomachs are a common issue for kitties—and they’re never pleasant for pet parents. The best wet cat food for sensitive stomachs contains highly digestible proteins that not only meet nutritional requirements but help them absorb nutrients and reduce stool odor. This recipe has it all, and can even help with weight management, too.
- One 3-ounce can, 24 pack of 3-ounce cans
- Flavor: Chicken
- First ingredients are water, chicken by-products, pork by-products, pork liver, salmon and chicken liver
- Highly digestible proteins help improve nutrient absorption
- Helps maintain a healthy weight
“My cat was having tummy issues. After some research I found this … No more tummy or litter box issues ... Great product.” - Simbashuman
Pros
- Easy-to-digest formula
- Highly rated
- Satisfaction guarantee
Cons
- Contains meat by-products
- Contains thickeners
Best Natural Wet Cat Food
Weruva Pate The Showcase Chowdown Variety Pack
Weruva believes in treating your cat like family—that’s why they use quality cuts of meat, and their recipes are handmade in a human-grade facility. Grass-fed lamb and beef? Check. Cage-free chicken? Check. Wild-caught fish? Yep. Responsibly sourced, hormone- and antibiotic-free proteins are the name of the game, all blended into easy-pour Slide ‘n Serve pouches.
- 16 pack of 2.8-ounce pouches
- Flavors: Chicken, chicken and salmon, chicken and liver, chicken and tuna, tuna, salmon, beef and salmon, lamb and mackerel
- First ingredients depend on recipe but include chicken, lamb, meat broths, salmon, mackerel, natural flavors, sunflower oil and xanthan gum
- No grain, gluten or carrageenan
- No preservatives or artificial flavors or colors
“This food is packed with nutrition and my cats just love it! This package has eight different varieties which is fun for the kitties … I will definitely purchase this again.” - BixbyBob
Pros
- Most flavor variety on our list
- Responsibly sourced proteins
- Made in a human-grade facility
- Satisfaction guarantee
Cons
- Contains thickeners
- More expensive than other wet cat food options on our list
Best Wet Cat Food for Senior Cats
Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Savory Turkey Wet Cat Food
Senior cats often need more nutrient-dense food, plus precisely balanced vitamins and minerals to support the organs and immune system. Yet they still need high-quality protein to build lean muscle and of course, a delicious flavor that entices them to eat. Hill’s Science Diet delivers on all fronts, making this one of the best wet cat food for senior cats.
- One 2.9-ounce can, 24 pack of 2.9-ounce cans
- Flavor: Turkey
- First ingredients are water, turkey, turkey giblets, pork liver, salmon, rice, pork by-products and corn starch
- Balanced nutrition to help support the heart and liver
- Antioxidants and vitamins C and E for immune support
: “Our older cat seems to have much more energy and a nicer coat after eating Hill's for a few weeks. We feel it has improved overall health.” - cmcob2
Pros
- Easily digestible recipe for seniors
- Made in the USA
- Satisfaction guarantee
Cons
- Contains meat by-products
- Contains thickeners
*Based on petco.com sales data.
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Learn More About Wet Cat Food
The healthiest cat food is formulated to meet AAFCO nutritional standards for either all life stages or for a particular life stage, such as kittens or seniors. It will contain a high-quality protein as the first ingredient and minimal fillers like corn, wheat gluten or tapioca. Beyond that, the best wet food for cats depends on their preferences—because if you kitty won’t eat it, it’s certainly not healthy.
As obligate carnivores, cats are drawn to high-protein foods with plenty of meat. Particularly aromatic ingredients, like organ meats, can help entice finicky kitties to eat, as can gravies and toppers that provide food with a nice aroma. You may also need to experiment—many cats simply have personal preferences, and the best wet cat food for picky eaters can depend on the flavors, textures and smells they like best.
