These are my top choices of quality canned food for maintenance in cats (for adult cats). Any of them could form a sound basis for your cat's diet, or you could do as I suggest, and rotate brands and formulas.
The order is based mostly by my own cats' reaction to these foods, and as we know, cats will sometimes turn up their noses today at yesterday's favorite. The bottom line is that the best food is wasted, if your cat won't eat it, so don't be too focused on the numbers.
You may also post one or more reviews of canned cat foods, even those you tried, but your cat didn't like. Please only review one food at a time.
1. Natural Balance Canned Cat Foods
Photo Credit: Courtesy PriceGrabber
Guaranteed analysis: Crude Protein 9% min, Crude Fat 5% min, Crude Fiber 1% max, Moisture 78% max, Taurine 0.05% min, Ash 1.9% max, Magnesium 0.025% max.
Natural Balance maintains its own testing center for seven known toxins including melamine, for its Buy with Confidence program - a huge plus, in my opinion. Read ConsumerSearch.com's review of Natural Balance.
2. Nature's Logic Canned Cat Food
Nature's Logic claims to have no wheat, corn, rice, soy, potato or chemically synthesized vitamins, minerals, or trace nutrients. Ingredients listed for the chicken formula are: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Egg Product, Animal Plasma, Flaxseeds, Montmorillonite, Cottage Cheese, Brewers Yeast, Cod Liver Oil, Egg Shell, Apple, Suncured Alfalfa Meal, Tomato Powder, Parsley, Blueberry, Cranberry, Apricots, Spinach, Artichoke, Broccoli, Carrots, Pumpkin, Kelp, Chicory Root, Rosemary. Guaranteed analysis: Crude Protein (min.): 35.7% Crude Fat (min.): 25.0% Crude Fiber (max.): 10.7% Moisture (max.): 72.0%3. Weruva Paw Lickin' Chicken Canned Cat Food
Photo Credit: Courtesy of PriceGrabber
Top listed Ingredients: Chicken (boneless, skinless white breast meat), tapioca starch, sunflower seed oil, dicalciuum phosphate, xanthum gum, choline chloride, taurine, vitamin E supplement, zinc sulfate heptahydrate, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), nicotinic acid, ferrous sulfate monohydrate, calcium pantothenate, vitamin A supplement, potassium iodide, manganese sulfate monodydrate, vitamin D3, copper sulfate pentahydrate, riboflavin supplement (vitamin B2), pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), folic acid, vitamins
4. Drs. Foster and Smith Canned Cat Food
Photo Credit: Courtesy of PriceGrabber
A sample "6-pack" case which contains two cans each of three different formulas is also available.
5. Halo's Spots Stew for Cats - Original Flavor
Spots Stew contains no chemicals, fillers, or by-products. Named ingredients are Chicken, Zucchini, Yellow Squash, Celery, Chicken Liver, Carrots, Green Beans, Water, Green Peas, Turkey. One of the original "homemade" cat foods, and still a favorite of many cats.Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 4.5% (Min.), Crude Fat 1.5% (Min.), Crude Fiber 1.5% (Max.), Moisture 90% (Max.)
6. Wellness Chicken Canned Cat Food
Photo Credit: Courtesy of PriceGrabber
Wellness presents an enigma to cat owners who appreciate the quality of the food. Some cats love it and will dive right in, while others turn their noses up at it every time. It's on the high end of the price range, so I'd suggest buying a can or two, before investing in a whole case.
Top ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Liver, Turkey, Chicken Broth, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Natural Chicken Flavor, Guar Gum, Carrageenan, Flaxseed, Squash, Cranberries. Guaranteed analysis (converted): Protein 45.45%, fat 22.27%, fiber 4.55%
ConsumerSearch.com says: "Wellness Chicken Formula is one of a family of Wellness canned cat foods that have been very well received by critics and landing at the top, or near there, in most reviews that we've seen.
7. Newman's Own Chicken and Brown Rice
Photo Credit: Courtesy of PriceGrabber
First named ingredients: Organic Chicken, Sufficient Water for Processing, Ocean Whitefish, Brown Rice, Flaxseed, Oat Bran, Guar Gum, Dried Kelp. Although pricer than most other premium foods, Newman's Own is well worth rotating in your cat's diet. Several other formulas are available.
ConsumerSearch.com gave high marks to Newman's Own, but dings for grain content and price.
8. Evolve Natural Canned Chicken Formula
My cats' reaction to Evolve is also an enigma. The food smells absolutely wonderful, and is a nice, juicy paté. They loved it when I first introduced it to them, but recently have been spurning it - a shame, because its ingredients are excellent, and the price is very reasonable. Top named ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Turkey, Ocean Fish, Brown Rice, Carrots, Cranberries, Cottage Cheese, and Peas. Guaranteed analysis: Crude protein 45.5%, crude fat 27.27%, fiber 6.82% I alternate this formula with Evolve Seafood Formula for variety.9. Innova EVO Canned Cat Food
Innova EVO, made by Natura Pet Products, has to score high on any list of cat foods. The canned variety is no exception. Ingredients: Turkey, Chicken, Turkey Broth, Chicken Broth, Chicken Meal, Herring, Carrots, Whole Eggs, Salmon Meal, Natural Flavors, Guar Gum, Seaweed Extract, Apples, Tomato Flakes, Cottage Cheese, Herring Oil, Potassium Chloride, Apple Fiber, Inulin, Vitamin C, Sea Salt, Choline Chloride, Sunflower Oil, Beta Carotene, Vitamins/Minerals10. Merrick Cat Food
Merrick Cat Food is considered to be "gourmet" food, and can be obtained in several different flavor combinations. As an example, the Merrick Southern Delight flavor contains Chicken, Chicken Broth, Catfish, Crawfish, Brown Rice, Fresh Carrots, Fresh Zucchini, Fresh Granny Smith Apples, Olive Oil, and other wholesome ingredients. The link offers a variety of eight different flavors in 3.2 oz cans; good for a quick trial.11. Nature's Variety Homestyle From the Prairie Canned cat Food
Photo Credit: Courtesy of PriceGrabber
My four male cats gave mixed results for several varieties. However, my female, Jenny, who has refused all canned food previously, liked the Turkey and Liver Stew flavor. She cautiously sniffed it a couple of times, then hunkered down and ate a respectable sized portion of the 5 oz. can.
Partial List of Ingredients: Beef Broth, Beef, Beef Liver, Chicken, Sweet Potatoes, Egg Whites, Potato Starch, Spinach, Oat Fiber, Carrots, Flaxseed, Natural Flavor, Guar Gum, Barley, Calcium Carbonate, Sodium Phosphate, Sunflower Oil, Menhaden Fish Oil, Vitamins and minerals. Also includes Rosemary, Artichokes, Cranberries, Pumpkin, Tomato, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Kale.
