The Best All-Natural Cat Food

Cats are carnivores. You can see their hunter’s instinct in so many ways. Some stalk around the house. Some are obsessed with a toy. Others make excited noises when they see a bird outside their favorite window seat.

Cats in the wild would eat small rodents, lizards, rabbits, moles, and birds — basically anything they could catch. Because of their nature as hunters and carnivores, your cat’s ideal protein intake is twice as high as a dog’s and three times as high as the average human’s. 

All-natural cat food removes the fillers and additives that your cat isn’t designed to digest. While we may enjoy a varied diet with all sorts of different fruits, vegetables, baked goods, spices, and proteins, your cat thrives on simplicity.

Natural, less processed, and high-protein foods mimic their ideal diet and help them live happy and healthy lives. Fortunately, cat food manufacturers are catching on, and there are plenty of excellent all-natural cat food brands. If you’ve got a picky eater and your cat doesn’t like one brand, there are plenty more they might enjoy.

We’ve reviewed a selection of the very best all-natural options for your feline friend to help you make the purr-fect choice. We’ve also included a detailed buyer’s guide so that you know exactly what to look for.

A-Z Animals Top Picks for All-Natural Cat Food

#1 Best Overall: Ziwi Peak Lamb Recipe Canned Cat Food

The best overall natural cat food in our review is the Ziwi Peak Lamb Recipe Canned Cat Food.

The first ingredients in this food are ethically-sourced New Zealand lamb and green mussels. In fact, the food is comprised of 92% meat — including organs and bones — to give your cat the very best natural diet. This all-natural recipe is grain-free and totally free of cheap fillers like potato, soy, or corn, which can compromise your cat’s long-term health. The company also avoids using BPA or carrageenan in the canning process. The food is a natural, moisture-rich, chunky pate with superfoods like green tripe and organic kelp to make up the remainder of the recipe.

The only drawback to this food is that it is more expensive than some of the other options on the list.

Pros and Cons of the Ziwi Peak Lamb Recipe Canned Cat Food

Best Overall

Ziwi Peak Lamb Recipe Canned Cat Food

• Includes ethically-sourced New Zealand lamb and green-lipped mussels
• 92% meat!
• Includes superfoods like green tripe and organic kelp
• Mirrors your cat's natural diet by including different organ meats
• Grain-free and 100% free of fillers

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2. Best Seafood Option: Tiki Cat King Kamehameha Grill Variety Pack

If your cat is a seafood lover, then the Tiki Cat King Kamehameha Grill Variety Pack is hard to beat.

This variety pack offers tuna, crab, sardines, and mackerel in various shredded combinations. The sardines are the only flavor not shredded — they come looking similar to how you would buy them for human consumption.

Tiki Cat aims to feed cats the way they were born to eat. That’s why they keep their wet foods protein-focused with low carbs and little distraction from what cats crave the most — meat. With plenty of protein, these flavors are free of extra fillers. They are also free from grain, wheat, corn, soy, GMO ingredients, MSG, carrageenan, or anything artificial. In fact, they are pure seafood with just some sunflower seed oil and vitamin and mineral supplements. One of the most important things that they do contain is taurine which is essential for a healthy heart.

Unfortunately, some customers reported finding small bones in the food. Others also recommend breaking up the sardines before feeding as they are a little large for some cats.

Pros and Cons of the Tiki Cat King Kamehameha Grill Variety Pack

Best Seafood Option

Tiki Cat King Kamehameha Grill Variety Pack

• Perfect for cats that love seafood
• Shredded combinations include tuna, crab, sardines, and mackerel
• Sardines are not shredded
• Protein-packed recipes include seafood, sunflower seed oil, vitamins, and minerals
• No fillers, GMO ingredients, MSG, or carrageenan

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3. Best-Loved for Generations: Solid Gold Five Oceans Sardines & Tuna Canned Cat Food

Solid Gold Five Oceans Sardines and Tuna Canned Cat Food wins for being one of the first holistic cat foods on the scene and helping to bring awareness to the importance of a high-protein diet. 

After 40 years, Solid Gold continues to rate as one of the top natural cat foods. Even with the slew of new options on the market, they deliver a high-quality product that cats enjoy. This recipe starts with real sardines and tuna and is free of grains, gluten, added sugars, fillers, by-products, artificial coloring, flavoring, or preservatives. The ingredient list is simple with the proteins, a couple of items for texture, and vitamin and mineral supplements. It also includes taurine which supports a healthy heart.

Unfortunately, some customers have reported that the food was too watery.

Pros and Cons of the Solid Gold Five Oceans Sardines & Tuna Canned Cat Food

Best-Loved for Generations

Solid Gold Five Oceans Sardines & Tuna Canned Cat Food

• Solid Gold has made top-rated natural cat foods for 40 years
• Includes real sardines and tuna
• No grains, gluten, added sugars, fillers, or by-products
• This simple recipe includes proteins, a couple of ingredients for texture, vitamins, and minerals
• Appropriate for cats in all stages of life

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4. Best Freeze-Dried Bites: Feline Natural Beef & Hoki Feast Freeze-Dried Cat Food

Many cats love freeze-dried food which is why we suggest the Feline Natural Beef and Hoki Feast Freeze-Dried Cat Food.

Feline Natural is another brand out of New Zealand, boasting its high-quality meats and fresh wholefood ingredients. You can use the freeze-dried nuggets as a complete meal or topper for other food.

This food is a nutrient-rich natural food packed full of protein. It is made with 99% grass-fed beef and sustainably caught hoki (fish) for high protein nutrition and delicious flavor. It also includes liver, kidney, and New Zealand green mussels for complete and balanced nutrition.

This all-natural recipe is free from grain, gluten, GMO ingredients, corn, soy, dairy, rice, cereals, and potato. You can use this food wet or dry, but a word to the wise, freeze-dried food is very dense. Be sure and double-check the feeding instructions because it will look like less food in the bowl than kibble or a wet variety. If possible, add water to help keep your cat hydrated. Also, some customers reported that their cats did not like this food.

Pros and Cons of the Feline Natural Beef & Hoki Feast Freeze-Dried Cat Food

Best Freeze-Dried Bites

Feline Natural Beef & Hoki Feast Freeze-Dried Cat Food

• High protein and nutrient-rich
• Made from 99% grass-fed beef and sustainably caught hoki (fish)
• High protein and delicious flavor
• You can feed the free-dried nuggets as a complete meal or as a topper
• Follow package instructions for the best texture

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5. Best Chunks in Gravy: American Journey Minced Poultry in Gravy Variety Pack

Tasty chunks in gravy is one of the most popular styles of cat food. Therefore, we recommend the American Journey Minced Poultry in Gravy Variety Pack.

This food contains real chicken and turkey as a high-quality protein source. It is enhanced with vitamins and minerals to promote all-round good health. It also contains taurine to promote a healthy heart. Also, the addition of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids help to keep your kitty’s skin and coat healthy.

It is a grain-free recipe that is completely free from corn, wheat, and soy. It is also free from animal by-products and artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.

Unfortunately , some customers reported that their cats did not like this food. Also, others found that the gravy lacked consistency — being wetter in some cans than in others.

Pros and Cons of the American Journey Minced Poultry in Gravy Variety Pack

Best Chunks in Gravy

American Journey Minced Poultry in Gravy Variety Pack

• Includes poultry chunks in gravy
• Includes real protein
• Natural ingredients with antioxidants include cranberries and blueberries
• Includes natural sources of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat

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Choosing the Best: What to Look For

When choosing the best all-natural cat food, there are three factors you will want to consider. They are: does it deliver plenty of high-quality protein, is it free of cheap fillers, and does it have a minimal list of ingredients.

Protein

If you’re looking for all-natural cat food, you want something that is healthy for your cat. Cats are carnivores and thrive on high-protein diets. The most essential factor is the quality and quantity of protein in the food.

Fillers

Some pet food is less expensive because the manufacturers add cheap fillers like wheat, corn, and potato. These ingredients are fine for people but not healthy for cats.

Minimal Ingredients

Make sure that any ingredients that are not meat or essential vitamins and mineral supplements are beneficial additions. For example, some companies add cranberries, blueberries, or sea kelp. These additions add healthy elements to the recipe. You want to avoid fillers, chemicals, or added flavors.

Up Next

• The Best Cat Food (Kitten, Adult, Senior) — Find the perfect for your feline friend, whatever their age.
• The Absolute Best Wet Cat Food — Check out these top-rated suggestions for wet food for your cat.
• This is the Best Senior Cat Food — Find the perfect food to keep your aging feline happy and healthy.