The Best Natural Balance Wet Cat Food

Wet cat food is a great option for cats that don’t like crunchy textures, aging cats that need some extra nutrients, and those with dental problems. Wet food can also be quite rich and finding a great brand that won’t upset your cat’s stomach is key. Natural Balance uses limited ingredients in its wet cat foods to create flavorful tastes that include ingredients that your pet cat would eat in nature.

There are a few flavor options and textures that stand out among Natural Balance’s line of wet cat foods. Some are specially formulated to meet your cat’s needs while others offer cat-approved flavors that have them meowing as soon as the can is opened.

We’ve rounded up the top-recommended Natural Balance wet cat food. Whether you are making the switch from dry cat food or just want to give Natural Balance a try, here are the products that are favorites among owners and their cats.

A-Z-Animals’ Top Picks for the Best Natural Balance Wet Cat Food

#1 Overall Best Natural Balance Wet Cat Food: Delectable Delights Purrrfecct Paella

In our review, the best Natural Balance wet cat food is the Natural Balance Delectable Delights Purrrfect Paella. This food is rich and tasty, with flavor options to suit every kitty palate. It has tuna broth as the first ingredient, something that many kitties love. Natural Balance adds whitefish, sardines, chicken, kale, and scallops to create a taste profile that fish-loving cats will drool over. They do have some additional nutrients to round out the food.

This option is made without corn, soy, or wheat. It does, however, have eggs and may not be the best option for cats with known sensitivities. Natural Balance recommends this food for adult cats. Wet cat food tends to be more expensive than dry cat food and Natural Balance is no exception. You can purchase this high-quality food through a subscribe and save option to get new shipments delivered right to your door and save money in the process.

Catatouille is another cat favorite with a similar texture. “By far the best looking and quality food I’ve tried for our two cats,” said one reviewer. “It looks and smells delicious and I’ve tasted a bit of the gravy. Very much like the broth in a homemade chicken soup. Catatouille is their favorite now, so Friday and Sundays are Catatouille nights. They lose their minds.”

As with any product, there were also some negative reviews. Some verified buyers said that they couldn’t stand the strong “fishy” smell and a few reported that their cats didn’t like this food.

Pros and Cons of Delectable Delights Purrrfecct Paella

Overall Best

Natural Balance Purrrfecct Paella

• Rich and tasty
• A wide variety of flavors is available
• The first ingredient is tuna broth
• Includes whitefish, sardines, chicken, kale, and scallops
• Free from corn, soy, and wheat
• Recommended for adult cats

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2. Best Wet Food in Gravy: Platefuls Indoor Chicken & Chicken Liver

This option is even pricier than their mainstream wet cat foods, but the Natural Balance Platefuls are so popular with cats and their owners that many are more than happy to pay the premium prices. All of these foods are served in gravy and have flavors such as chicken (the most popular), mackerel and sardine, and turkey and duck.

Each food has a single source of animal protein (though we recognize mackerels and sardines, and turkeys and ducks as being separate species) so these are great if your cat is sensitive. With a limited ingredient list, it’s easy to pinpoint what might be upsetting your cat’s stomach and avoid those ingredients. There are also peas included in the formula to provide the fiber needed as part of your cat’s healthy diet.

“This is a luxury item. But our cat is older, and she’s lost a lot of teeth because of bad care from the past, so she deserves the best we can get her. And this is it,” wrote one owner. “We try others, but she really won’t eat anything else. She’ll go on strike for a couple of days, or until I break, waiting for this.” After feeding her cat Natural Balance Platefuls, “her fur has become so shiny and sleek, she doesn’t have dandruff or flakes anymore, and she had so much energy.”

Some pet parents said that their cats didn’t like this food.

Pros and Cons of Platefuls Indoor Chicken & Chicken Liver

Best Wet Food in Gravy

Natural Balance Platefulls Indoor Formula

• Available in chicken, mackerel and sardine, and turkey and duck
• Each variety has a single source of animal protein, so they're great for cat's food sensitivities
• Include peas for fiber
• This option is pricier than others, but it gets rave reviews from cats and their owners

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3. Best for Kittens: Original Ultra for Kittens in Chicken Flavor

Original Ultra for Kittens in Chicken Flavor is the “purr-fect” answer to kitten’s unique nutritional requirements. They need more nutrient-dense food and more calories to fuel their growing bodies. Kittens also have smaller teeth, making some wet foods hard to chew. Original Ultra for Kittens in Chicken Flavor addresses all these issues and more. There are instructions directly on the can for feeding and portions for kittens, adult cats, pregnant female cats, and lactating female cats.

The first three ingredients are chicken, chicken broth, and chicken liver. These provide valuable nutrition and protein as well as a tasty flavor profile for your kitten. When it comes time to switch them to adult food, they can get the same tasty option in a formula made for adult cats. There is even a chicken food that is made for kittens all the way through adults from Natural Balance if you don’t want to worry about switching at all or you have multiple cats eating from the same dish.

One reviewer switched her 3-month-old kittens to Natural Balance after having digestive issues using different wet cat food. “I went with this one because it had oat bran and brown rice high up after the meat ingredients and that seemed like it would be calming to their digestive system,” she said. “They love it! They snarf it down like dogs! No more vomiting since switching to the Natural Balance.”

Some reviewers claimed that the “recipe had changed” and that their cats no longer liked it or that it made their cats seriously ill. We recommend that you read the critical reviews thoroughly for this — and any — food before you purchase it for your cat.

Pros and Cons of Original Ultra for Kittens in Chicken Flavor

Best for Kittens

Natural Balance Ultra Premium Ocean Fish

• Formulated to meet kittens' nutritional needs
• The texture is perfect for tiny teeth
• The first three ingredients are chicken, chicken broth, and chicken liver
• The same flavors are available in Natural Balance's adult cat formulas
• Also suitable for lactating cats

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4. Best Pâté: Ultra Premium Chicken and Liver Pâté

Chicken and liver is one of the most popular flavors among cats, so it’s no surprise that it made another appearance on our list, this time in the form of Ultra Premium Chicken and Liver Pâté. Some cats prefer pâté because it’s easier to eat and chew. Some just like the texture. Either way, this is a great option for those kitties to provide something different for your cat.

This formula uses the same ingredients list with chicken, chicken broth, and chicken liver as the top three ingredients. The texture is the main difference. It may be easier for cats with sensitive stomachs to digest. “My cats are picky eaters — and they love this!” said one reviewer. “One cat has severe intestinal issues and the soft pâté has caused her no problem.”

Some reviewers claimed that the “recipe had changed” and that their cats no longer liked it.

Pros and Cons of Ultra Premium Chicken and Liver Pâté

Best Pâté

Natural Balance Ultra Premium Chicken & Liver Pate Formula

• Many cats prefer pâté because it's easier to chew
• The top three ingredients are chicken, chicken broth, and chicken liver
• Perfect for cats with dental or digestive issues
• Also great for picky eaters

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Choosing the Best: What to Look For

When considering all the different kinds of wet cat food from Natural Balance, think about the texture of food that your cat likes, their developmental stage, and their preferred flavors.

Texture

The biggest difference between many of the Natural Balance cat foods is texture. All are made with high-quality ingredients and come in a variety of flavors. You can decide between a soft pâté , chunks in gravy, or flakes. There are also foods with mixed ingredients and different textures. We recommend trying a few to see what your cat likes. Some cats are quite picky about texture while others are satisfied as long as the food tastes good.

Developmental Stage

Many of Natural Balance’s cat foods can be used for all cats from kittens to senior cats. They can even be fed as part of a pregnant cat’s diet. You should follow the portion recommendations on the side of the can as well as any special instructions provided by your vet if your cat is either overweight or underweight. If you want to provide extra nutrition during key stages of development, such as while your cat is a growing kitten, Natural Balance does have some specialty formulas specifically for these stages.

Flavor

The best flavor of Natural Balance wet cat food is the one that your cat prefers. While each cat has its own preferences, many like the chicken and liver option. There are also flavors geared toward seafood lovers and other kinds of poultry, such as turkey and duck. We recommend trying out a few different flavors and textures to learn more about your cat’s preferences.

The Different Types of Natural Balance Wet Cat Food: Pros and Cons Compared

There are two main options when it comes to Natural Balance wet cat food: pâté-style and wet food in gravy. Each has pros and cons. The best option for your cat often depends on their texture preference.

Pâté-Style Wet Cat Food

Wet Cat Food in Gravy

Verified Review: User Experience

Natural Balance is a bit more expensive than some other brands you can find at the supermarket but many cat owners feed it as a treat. “I share one of these containers between my three cats for a little treat every morning,” said one reviewer. “I’ve totally created a monster (or three) because they now expect and demand it at the crack of dawn every day! The moment they see I’m awake, they sprint to the kitchen and wait for this. It has also efficiently masked liquid antibiotics that I had to give one of the cats.”

Many cat owners and their pets also love the Platefuls for their natural texture and flavor. “She devoured it,” said one reviewer after switching from another mainstream cat food brand. “The packets are so convenient to open and dispose of and more importantly, the food actually smells like food and not like the wretched garbage other brands provide. It’s a bit more expensive but since my feline is actually consuming it with enjoyment, there’s no waste and she will actually be a healthier, happier animal now.”

“My cats love these Natural Balance Platefuls Wet Cat Food pouches,” wrote another reviewer. “They turn their noses up at pate, and will accept the stringy food types, but they really prefer the meat morsels in these pouches. They enjoy all of the flavors (with the Pumpkin the least and Tuna & Beef the favorite). As a pet mom, I like the water content and the ingredient list. Price-wise it is kind of middle of the road, but it is quality and is definitely worth the price.”