The #1 Grain-Free Cat Food for a Healthier Pet

Your cat gets 99% of the nutrition she needs from meat, organ meat, and bones. Cats are soft, adorable, and cuddly, but they are also natural hunters and obligate carnivores. If you ever had a cat who went outside, you’ll know they love to stalk the mice, rabbits, birds, or lizards outside. Your cat’s instincts tell her to hunt because her natural diet is very high in protein.

The problem with many commercial cat food is that grain is cheaper than meat. Companies can mimic the smell, taste, and flavor of animal protein. However, over time a diet high in grains and other foods not included in your cat’s natural diet can take a toll on her health.

Eating foods high in grains or other carbohydrate fillers can cause issues with your cat’s digestion, fur, or skin. You may see allergies, lethargy, or skin issues. At the same time, many brands market themselves as grain-free but then replace the inexpensive grains with other cheap fillers like potatoes that aren’t good for your pet, either.

Since there are thousands of cat foods on the market of vastly different quality, we sorted through all of them for you to bring you some of the absolute best. Our list includes some truly remarkable, high-quality, grain-free cat foods.

Top Picks: The Best Grain-Free Cat Foods Today

#1. Best Overall: Earthborn Holistic Monterey Medley Grain-Free

In our review, the overall best grain-free cat food is the Earthborn Holistic Monterey Medley Grain-Free Natural Canned Cat Food. We chose it as the number one option because it is packed full of nutrients and has zero grains. 

The first three ingredients are fish broth, skipjack tuna, and mackerel for a tasty, fishy, protein-rich meal for your cats.  Fish is a natural source of omega-3 and omega-6. These fatty acids help to keep your cat’s skin and fur soft and healthy. Skipjack also has a stronger flavor and aroma than white tuna.

Earthborn Holistic is suitable for kitties with sensitive digestive systems as well and is free of anything artificial. The Monterey Medley includes taurine for a strong heart and good vision. It will also keep your pet hydrated with its broth-rich formula. This is perfect for any cat who loves fish. However, although it may seem obvious, this will not be a great option if your cat has a fish allergy or has a history of not enjoying fish as their main protein source.

Pros and Cons of the Earthborn Holistic Monterey Medley Grain-Free

Overall Best

Earthborn Holistic Monterey Medley Grain-Free

• Contains fish broth, skipjack tuna, and mackerel
• Omega-3 and omega-6 keep skin healthy
• good for sensitive digestive systems 
• Nothing artificial

Check Chewy Check Amazon

2. Best Dry Food Option: Open Farm Catch-of-The-Season Whitefish Grain-Free Dry Cat Food

Cats who enjoy dry food will love the Open Farm Catch-of-The-Season Whitefish Grain-Free Dry Cat Food. This high-quality food is not just good for your cats, it is also good for the world. The high-protein formula is made from 80% ethically sourced whitefish and herring. There is no poultry, just seasonal seafood.

In addition to plenty of protein, this grain-free dry food contains pumpkin for good digestion. It has coconut oil to fight allergies and support healthy fur and skin. Plus, it includes other highly nutritious fruits and veggies like dandelion greens. Open Farm is grain-free, non-GMO, and free of artificial flavors or preservatives. Sourced and made in the USA with 100% traceable ingredients, this fish formula delivers a balanced blend of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

It is important to note, however, that this formula is a bit high in carbohydrates and won’t be very hydrating since it is dry food. These are all important factors to take into account depending on your cat’s weight and whether they drink enough water or not on their own.

Pros and Cons of the Open Farm Catch-of-The-Season Whitefish Grain-Free Dry Cat Food

Best Dry Food Option

Open Farm Catch-of-The-Season Whitefish Grain-Free Dry Cat Food

• Made from 80% ethically sourced whitefish and herring
• High-protein formula
• No grain, GMO, artificial flavors, or preservatives
• Made in the USA

Check Amazon

3. Best Value: Tiki Cat King Kamehameha Grill Variety Pack

Cat owners looking for the best use of their dollar when it comes to purchasing cat food will love the Tiki Cat King Kamehameha Grill Variety Pack. 

If your cat is a picky eater you can entice them with the variety of these seafood-packed flavors. Choose between tuna, sardines, mackerel, and crab mixes. Each easy-open can is free of grains, wheat, corn, soy, GMO, carrageenan, or anything artificial. Broth-rich shredded tuna, crab, and, mackerel and deboned sardines also provide hydration and a variety of textures. Each formula contains taurine and other added vitamins and minerals.

The biggest downside associated with this cat food is that its shelf life of it is pretty short, especially once it has been opened. However, that’s usually to be expected with wet cat food.

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

Best Value

Tiki Cat King Kamehameha Grill Variety Pack

• No grains, wheat, corn, or soy
• Contains broth-rich shredded tuna, crab, mackerel and sardines
• Good for picky eaters
• Only quality ingredients

Check Chewy Check Amazon

4. Best Shredded Chicken Recipe: Weruva Paw Lickin’ Chicken in Gravy

Not all cats love fish, so for your poultry-loving pet, we recommend Weruva Paw Lickin’ Chicken in Gravy. In a moisture-rich and savory gravy, pure, shredded chicken makes this grain-free wet food a treat for even your most finicky cat.

In fact, the first ingredient in this cat food is shredded chicken. That means that you can rest assured that your cat is getting the right amounts of protein that they need. In addition to being grain and carrageenan-free, this cat food is made in a human food facility with no GMOs or antibiotics. They add omegas, vitamins, minerals, and taurine, so you know your cat is getting the nutritional support they need. Overall, this is a great option as it is high in protein, low in fat, and is particularly hydrating for your cat. However, as far as downsides go, it is definitely a pricey option.

Pros and Cons of the Weruva Paw Lickin’ Chicken in Gravy

Best Shredded Chicken Recipe

Weruva Paw Lickin' Chicken in Gravy

• Contains pure, shredded chicken
• Grain and carrageenan-free
• Added omegas, vitamins, minerals, and taurine
• Comes in a nutrient-rich broth

Check Chewy Check Amazon

5. Best Dry Food With Poultry: Earthborn Holistic Primitive Feline Grain-Free Natural Dry Cat & Kitten Food

Loaded with tons of protein, the Earthborn Holistic Primitive Feline Grain-Free Natural Dry Cat & Kitten Food is a great poultry option. 

Earthborn Holistic create wholesome, nutritious pet foods and this dry food stands with the best of them. Starting with turkey meal and chicken meal, this food is protein-rich and fortified with nutrient-rich fruits like blueberries, veggies like spinach, and antioxidants. With no grains or gluten, this dry food is suitable for some cats with sensitivities or food allergies. Made in the USA, Earthborn Holistic’s dry food is also fortified with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to nourish your pet’s skin and fur.

However, the formula does contain flaxseed. Although it is a source of omega-3 fatty acids, it is not considered a great source of fatty acids for cats.

Pros and Cons of the Earthborn Holistic Primitive Feline Grain-Free Natural Dry Cat & Kitten Food

Best Dry Food With Poultry

Earthborn Holistic Primitive Feline Grain-Free Natural Dry Cat & Kitten Food

• Wholesome and nutritious
• Contain turkey and chicken meal
• Protein-rich
• No grains or gluten

Check Chewy Check Amazon

6. Best Dry Food With Rabbit: Freely Rabbit Recipe Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Dry Cat Food

If you’re looking for a non-traditional protein source, try out the Freely Rabbit Recipe Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Dry Cat Food. Some cats don’t do well on the typical proteins you find in pet food like poultry, fish, and meat. Freely Rabbit dry food gives you a single-protein food made with rabbit and rabbit meal. 

Some foods will say they are made with rabbit or an uncommon protein but then hide chicken somewhere in the ingredients. Not Freely! You can feel safe feeding this food to your poultry-intolerant cat. The very simple, wholesome formula is fortified with omega fatty acids, taurine, antioxidants, and essential vitamins and minerals. There are also no extra fillers. The formula also includes salmon oil for omega-3 fatty acids that promote the health of your cat’s skin and fur. 

Sweet potatoes and peas are also added to the formula for added nutrients. However, some cat owners didn’t love the fact that the formula is made so starchy because of the additional peas and lentils in the formula.

Pros and Cons of the Freely Rabbit Recipe Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Dry Cat Food

Best Dry Food

Freely Rabbit Recipe Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Dry Cat Food

• Single-protein formula consists of rabbit and rabbit meal
• Gluten-free
• Filler-free
• Sweet potatoes and peas add texture
• Salmon oil benefits your cat's skin
• Includes essential vitamins and minerals

Check Chewy Check Amazon

7. Best Seafood in Gravy: Solid Gold Five Oceans Sardines & Tuna Recipe in Gravy

Solid Gold Five Oceans Sardines & Tuna Recipe in Gravy is a fantastic seafood option if your cat prefers wet food. If you haven’t discovered Solid Gold cat food yet, it is one of the longest-standing grain-free, nutrient-dense formulas on the market. The founder of the company saw the need for pet food with high-quality ingredients before many people understood how important it is.

With shredded tuna and sardines in a tasty broth, this formula gives your cat the vitamins, minerals, and taurine she needs for a balanced diet. Made without any fish meal, Solid Gold is free of gluten, grains, added sugars, fillers, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Many cat owners also love that you can feed this food to your cat at pretty much any age. Kittens and adult cats alike can enjoy this formula. 

The biggest downside we found with this formula is that cat owners felt that the formula was too watery. They felt that this impeded the overall texture for their cat.

Pros and Cons of the Solid Gold Five Oceans Sardines & Tuna Recipe in Gravy

Best Seafood in Gravy

Solid Gold Five Oceans Sardines & Tuna Recipe in Gravy

• Contains shredded tuna and sardines
• No gluten or grains
• Added vitamins, minerals, and taurine
• Suitable for all life-stages

Check Chewy Check Amazon

What to Look For in the Best Grain-Free Cat Food

When looking through all of the different cat food available, it can quickly start to feel like they’re all carbon copies of one another. After all, it can be quite overwhelming figuring out which food is actually good for out pet. It is especially important to know what to look for when we’re searching for grain-free cat food. Whether your cat has a grain allergy or you simply want to provide them with an especially clean diet, you’ll want to know which food suits them best. 

When choosing the best grain-free cat food, there are three factors you will want to consider. They are: 

• Protein source
• Quality of the protein source 
• Fillers 

Let’s look into each of these factors in more detail below:

Protein Source

Cats are obligate carnivores, which means their bodies have lost the ability to get many nutrients from plants. In the wild, they would eat some fruits and vegetables. However, this would mainly be from food that was already partially digested in their prey’s stomach. You want your grain-free cat food to list meat as at least the top ingredient and preferably the top two or more.

Quality of the Protein Source

Fish, chicken, or meat meals can be a healthy part of your cat’s diet. Cats are also well-suited to organ meat. However, whole protein and organs are better. It’s also important to know the source of the proteins in your cat’s food. Some poultry coming from outside the USA has caused a toxic reaction in pets.

Fillers

Even the highest-quality grain-free cat foods sometimes add fillers like potatoes and green peas. If your cat is not especially sensitive, these foods are acceptable and may even add some nutrition. However, fruits and vegetables are better additions than grains and starches. You also want to avoid pet foods made with added sugar as your cat would never get refined, concentrated sugar in the wild.

The 4 Different Types of Grain-Free Cat Food

More and more cat owners are realizing that is well worth it to spend a little extra on cat food each month. By doing this, they effectively reduce the health challenges their cats may experience in old age and throughout their lives. This is why more people are looking for high-quality cat food with good ingredients. As a result, the available choices on the market keep multiplying. The basic types of grain-free cat food include wet food, dry food, freeze-dried, or air-dried.

Here are some pros and cons of each type: 

• Wet food — Easy to serve and store. Helps keep your cat hydrated because of the high moisture content of the food. Especially good for older cats, cats with teeth issues, or if you need to mix medicine in their food. Sometimes is highly processed. 
• Dry food — Can buy in bulk and store for an extended period. Tends to be less expensive. Can help remove plaque. Can be left out so your cat can eat whenever she is hungry. Can be highly processed. Low moisture. 
• Freeze-dried — Excellent, dense nutrition. Simple and fast way to feed your cat a raw diet. Your cat’s natural diet is raw. If not manufactured with care, there are potential pathogens in raw food. Easy to overfeed since it is a highly concentrated food. Gets expensive.