Cat Food Prices 2024: What to Expect to Spend Every Month

The cat food industry has undergone a significant transformation over the last few decades. In contrast to cats who traditionally relied on table scraps and occasional meat or fish, cats now enjoy access to a variety of commercially available foods. These foods come in a plethora of options including dry, semi-moist, and canned forms to meet the dietary preferences of domestic cats. Most commercial cat foods are also well-balanced and meticulously crafted to provide adequate nutrition to cats at all stages of their life. It, therefore, eliminates the need for any additional supplements, vitamins, and minerals.

However, most reputable brands of cat foods come at a considerable cost. Brands with scientifically researched formulations especially, can be fairly pricey. In this article, we will take a look at cat food prices in 2024. We will also provide a cost comparison to help you gauge your average monthly cat food expenditure. But, before delving into costs, let’s discuss essential considerations for choosing the right cat food.

Cat Nutrition: Key Considerations for Choosing the Right Cat Food

A healthy, contended cat, apart from having to be fed regularly requires a variety of tastes and textures. The cat’s natural diet should also include adequate nutrients for it to be able to maintain a healthy, active life. The nutritional requirements may vary at different stages of the cat’s life. This is why choosing commercial cat foods that are tailored to the specific needs of your kitten, adult cat, or senior cat is important. But in general, a cat’s diet should include a good balance of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water.

A growing kitten typically needs at least 50 percent of protein in its diet. This is primarily because it is building up its muscle mass. For a young adult cat, these levels are around 25-30 percent. Pregnant and nursing cats and kittens, on the other hand, require a minimum protein of 7.5g/100kcal according to the AAFCO nutrient profiles. As cats age, however, their need for protein is reduced as they become less active and their organs start to deteriorate. It is, therefore, essential to adjust their diet accordingly to prevent strain on organs like the liver and kidneys.

Fats serving as a major energy source for cats should constitute a minimum of nine percent of the dry matter in their diet. An imbalance in fat intake can lead to issues such as fatty deposits and obesity. Reading the nutritional information on cat food labels will help you ensure that you are feeding your cat a well-rounded meal. It is also crucial to follow the feeding guidelines provided by the manufacturer.

Cat Food Prices 2024: Exploring Monthly Costs for Popular Cat Food Brands

Below we compare the monthly costs of some popular cat food brands in 2024. A mix of budget-friendly, mid-tier, and premium options for kittens, adults, and senior cats as well as those on prescription diets have been used for this cost comparison.

For Kittens:

1. Wellness-Core Kitten Dry Cat Food

Wellness CORE is a popular choice for cat owners looking to provide their kittens with high-quality nutrition. While the price may be slightly higher compared to some mainstream brands, many cat owners consider it a worthwhile investment in their kitten’s health and development. A five-pound bag of the Grain-Free Kitten Formula is priced at $16.96 on Chewy.

For cat owners looking to provide variety or combine dry food with wet options, additional costs may arise. A case of 12 3oz cans of Wellness CORE canned kitten food costs $23.50. Additionally, a case of 12 Wellness CORE Tiny Tasters pouches ( 1.75oz pouches) costs around $15.48. Assuming a kitten requires approximately 2.5 cans of the pate canned wet food per day, the monthly cost for wet kitten food would be around $151.12. If you choose the more affordable option of Wellness CORE Tiny Tasters pouches, the additional cost would be $39.99 per month.

2. Fancy Feast Kitten Food

The Fancy Feast Kitten Food by Purina is one of the best budget options for wet kitten food. 24 cans of the Fancy Feast Kitten Food Tender Feast Variety Pack costs around $20.99 on Chewy. This may add up to around $29.69 per month. The Fancy Feast Dry Cat Food is fairly pricier in comparison and costs $21.69 for a seven-pound bag on Chewy.

For Adult Cats

1. Purina One

Purina One is a well-known cat food brand produced by Nestle Global. The brand offers dry kibble as well as wet cat food that provides nutrition tailored to specific life stages and dietary needs of cats. A seven-pound bag of Purina ONE+ Indoor Advantage Dry Cat Food costs around $17.57 on Chewy and Amazon. You will also find specialized formulas designed to address issues such as weight management, hairballs, and sensitive skin often within the same or even a lower price range.

In comparison, wet cat food, typically sold in cans, tends to be relatively more expensive than its dry counterpart. A case of 12 Purina ONE True Instinct Canned Cat Food (3-oz cans) is priced at around $14.99. Assuming that an adult cat may require two to three cans of wet food daily, your monthly expenses for wet food could range anywhere between $77.45 to $116.25

2. Blue Buffalo Wilderness

A premium cat food line, the Blue Buffalo Wilderness is known for offering cat food formulations that are free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. The brand offers a variety of flavors and textures, including dry kibble and canned options, catering to different preferences.  A six-pound bag of the Blue Buffalo Wilderness Dry Cat Food (Chicken Recipe) is priced at $28.78 on Chewy. The prices of canned wet foods from the same brand range anywhere between $35-$50 for a case of 24 cans. If you choose to have your cat on the Blue Buffalo Wilderness Mature Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Canned Cat Food, for example, you can expect to spend between $ 53.94 and $107.88 per month on wet cat food.

3. Meow Mix

Meow Mix is a cat food brand that is known for its affordability. The brand is popular among cat owners looking for a cost-effective, yet quality cat food option. A 6.3lb bag of Meow Mix Original Choice Dry Cat Food is priced at $9.19 on Chewy. A pack of 24 Meow Mix Poultry Selections Wet Cat Food, on the other hand, costs around $14.23 on Amazon. If your cat consumes about three to five ounces of wet cat food on average per day, you can expect to spend between $24.31 and $30.24 on the brand’s wet cat food per month.

4. IAMS Cat Food

Iams is another cat food brand that is often perceived as more affordable. The brand’s Proactive Healthline has a range of formulas that are designed to support specific aspects of a cat’s well-being. A seven-pound bag of the Iams ProActive Healthy Original Chicken Dry Cat Food costs $18.98 on Chewy. Alternatively, Iams perfect portions of wet cat food (12 Pack-24 Servings) is priced at $15.99 on Chewy. Your monthly expense for wet cat food from Iams may, therefore add up to about $41.31 on average.

For Senior Cats, Nursing Mothers, and Cats on a Prescription Diet

1. Purina Pro Plan

The Purina Pro Plan is a premium cat food brand offered by the Nestle Purina PetCare company. The brand provides formulas that cater to kittens, adult cats as well as senior cats and includes a variety of options in both wet and dry cat foods. Pro Plan is an especially popular choice for aging cats and cats that are on Veterinary/Prescription diets. Among Purina’s family of Pet food brands, however, the Pro Plan is often the most expensive. A seven-pound bag of Purina Pro Plan Dry Cat Food (Savor Adult Chicken & Rice) is priced at $27.08 on Chewy. In contrast, the Pro Plan Veterinary Diet dry cat food options are priced anywhere between $30 and $100, depending on the specialized formula that you choose. If you opt for the Purina Pro-Plan Chicken and Vegetable Wet Cat Food, your monthly estimate will work out to be around $45.88.

2. Hill’s Science Diet

Hill’s Science Diet is another reputable cat food brand that offers a variety of cat food options designed specifically for seniors and cats with prescription dietary needs. The brand’s cat foods are, however, priced significantly higher than most budget and mid-tier cat food brands. A seven-pound bag of the Hill’s Science Diet Senior 11+ Dry Cat food costs $32.99 on Amazon. The Hill’s Science Diet-Adult 7+ Senior Vitality Canned Cat food is priced at $52.32 for a 24-count case on Chewy. This works out to a monthly estimate of around $67.58 a month for wet cat food alone.

3. Royal Canin

Nursing cats have increased nutritional requirements to support both their own health and the development of their kittens. Royal Canin, a prominent and well-established pet food brand offers specific formulas to support the nutritional needs of nursing cats and kittens. The brand’s Feline Health Nutrition Mother and Babycat Dry Cat Food is priced at $41.99 for a six-pound bag on Chewy. Royal Canin also has a wet food product designed for this life stage called the ‘Feline Health Nutrition Mother and Babycat Ultra Soft Mousse in Sauce Wet Cat Food’. This product is priced at $27.49 for a pack of 12 on Chewy. This results in a monthly estimate of $71.01 for wet cat food.

Cat Food Prices 2024: Monthly Cost Estimates

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