The Best Wet Food For Cats

Wet food for cats may be pricier, but the health benefits far outweigh the costs. This feeding method can provide your cat with better hydration, reduce their risk of UTIs, help them keep a healthy weight, and entice them to eat when their appetite is low. The foods are also tasty, making your sweet pet feel special at every meal. Read on to discover some of the most flavorful and nutrient-dense cat wet foods on the market today.

What to Look For

When researching the best wet cat foods, we narrowed down our options with the following questions: Does it provide complete nutrition for all age groups? Does it come in a variety of fun flavors? Is it reasonably priced? We were most impressed by Purina’s Fancy Feast for its full range of vitamins and minerals as well as its fun gravy texture. We also appreciated the Wellness version for its real food-based, grain-free ingredient list. Which version will work best for you and your cat? Simply scroll through the following products to find out.

Purina Fancy Feast Wet Cat Food

Soft and savory

This mixture provides excellent nutrition and a taste and texture your cat will love.
Best Overall

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This cat food is called “Gravy Lovers” for good reason. It’s filled with flavorful juices that cats can enjoy in all life stages. It’s easy for pets to eat even if they don’t have many teeth. And the turkey, chicken, and beef entrees ensure your cat will get a variety of nutrients and flavors. Each version offers 100% complete nutrition for pet parents’ peace of mind.

Pros:

  • If your pet is lacking appetite, the aromas of this wet food can get them interested in eating again.
  • The cans are recyclable to reduce your carbon footprint.

Cons:

  • The extra gravy may require extra dishwashing for some, but most cats lick their plates clean due to the yummy flavors.

Friskies Wet Cat Food

Variety, please

This affordable option offers a range of savory flavors.
Runner Up

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This pack of cat wet food is all about variety. It includes both turkey and chicken for flavors, as well as various textures like shreds, filets, and meaty bits with and without gravy. Each can offers 100% balanced nutrition for cats of all ages. Plenty of protein and a full array of vitamins and minerals are a part of the ingredient lists as well.

Pros:

  • These cans are more affordable than most cat wet food.
  • The cans have pull-back tops, so there’s no need for a can opener at mealtime.

Cons:

  • Some cats refuse to eat other foods once they taste this delicious product.

Wellness Grain-Free Wet Cat Food

Only the best

This protein-packed product is made up of real, nutrient-dense ingredients instead of artificial fillers.
Best Grain Free

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If you’re concerned about grains being in your cat’s diet, this wet food from Wellness Natural Pet Food is an excellent choice. It’s completely free of grains, offering protein and fatty acids from real meat instead. Other essential ingredients cover your cat’s need for vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and prebiotics. The moisture-filled recipe even helps to hydrate your pet, reducing the potential for them to develop painful and costly UTIs.

Pros:

  • Chicken, chicken liver, and turkey are the first three items on this food’s ingredient list.
  • Instructions are included for mixing in with dry food in case your cat prefers a combination diet.

Cons:

  • These are in paté form, which is more solid than gravy-based food and may be difficult for some older cats to eat. 

Sheba Perfect Portions Wet Cat Food

Mess free

This convenient option is appropriately-portioned and ready to eat.
Best Serving Size

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If you purchase wet cat food often and your pet doesn’t finish a whole can at a time, it can be frustrating to waste such an expensive product. This version from Sheba illuminates that problem by packaging their means in “perfect portion” sizes. The food can be dumped into a dish or served directly from the container. And real protein, vitamins, and minerals make up a complete nutrition palette for cats of any age.

Pros:

  • This wet cat food is gravy based, so it’s usually easy for even the oldest cats to eat.
  • It can help to hydrate cats and potentially even prevent UTIs.

Cons:

  • The container might splash you when you open it. Hold it facing away from you to prevent this from happening.

9Lives Favorites Canned Wet Cat Food

More for your money

This pick will help you stretch your budget while still feeding your pet the best of the best.
Most Affordable

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If you’ve bought wet cat food before, you know how expensive it can be. This cat food from 9Lives is more affordable than most, making this form of diet more accessible for pet parents. Both the poultry and beef flavors are appealing, and they can be rotated, so your cat doesn’t get sick of one or the other. The real meat in tasty gravy makes for an excellent combination of nutrition and flavor as well.

Pros:

  • This wet cat food can be served in the morning and left for your pet to come back to throughout the day.
  • The cans pull open instead of requiring a can opener.

Cons:

  • The ingredients aren’t natural as some wet cat foods, but it’s still a value-filled, nutrient-dense choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much cat wet food makes one serving?

This depends on the brand and the weight of your cat. Each product will have serving sizes listed on the package. Most cats, however, consume 2-4 cans of wet cat food between breakfast and dinner each day.

What are the benefits of mixing wet and dry cat food?

Mixing wet and dry food can help you serve wet food without committing to the full expense. It can also entice your cat to eat their dry food. Of course, this method also comes with the nutritional benefits that wet food offers, including better hydration and a decreased risk of UTIs.

About the Author

Jessica has two kids, but she's a parent to numerous pets, including cats, dogs, and even reptiles. Needless to say, she's an animal lover. She admits to spoiling her furry friends, and now wants to share her decades of experience in pet care with the rest of the world to help others find the best products for their four-legged families.

Why Trust Us

Since 2008, CatTime has provided millions of cat owners with all the information they need to keep their pets happy and healthy. Our experts know exactly what it takes to raise our furry friends and our goal is to help all owners, new or experienced, care for their cats with all the right food, toys, equipment, and accessories.