Best High Protein Cat Food

Updated October 2020
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more 
Bottom Line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe
Blue Buffalo
Wilderness Chicken Recipe
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Best for Digestion
Bottom Line

A protein-rich cat food that promotes healthy eating and regular digestion.

Pros

Available in 2.5-, 6-, or 12-pound bags. Contains prebiotic fibers to help with digestion. Ideal for indoor and outdoor cats. Life-source bits add plenty of vitamins and antioxidants. Grain-free recipe includes natural ingredients like chicken, blueberries, cranberries, and kelp. 40% protein.

Cons

Kibbles are smaller than most, and may not appeal to all cats.

Best Bang for the Buck
Purina Cat Chow Naturals with Chicken and Salmon
Purina
Cat Chow Naturals with Chicken and Salmon
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Bargain Pick
Bottom Line

Affordable cat food is full of nutrients and fibers that help prevent hairballs.

Pros

Available in 3.15-, 6.3-, and 13-pound bags. Food sits at a quality price point. Contains natural ingredients like chicken, salmon, and spinach. Rich in fiber to control hairballs. No artificial dyes or preservatives. 38% protein.

Cons

Grains and corn account for much of the protein content.

Iams Proactive Health Chicken and Salmon
Iams
Proactive Health Chicken and Salmon
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Creates a Healthy Coat
Bottom Line

Real chicken and salmon provide a healthy coat and a burst of energy your cat will love.

Pros

Real chicken and salmon account for 80% of the food’s protein. Contains no artificial dyes or preservatives. Available in 3-, 6-, or 13-pound bags. Keeps fur thick and shiny. Food provides a noticeable energy boost. 38% protein.

Cons

Food has a rather strong odor.

Wild Frontier True To The Hunt with Chicken
Wild Frontier
True To The Hunt with Chicken
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Best for Metabolism
Bottom Line

Packed with nutrients, vitamins, and beet pulp to improve your cat's metabolism.

Pros

Available in 2-, 5-, and 11-pound bags. Grain-free food is packed with natural ingredients like chicken, peas, potatoes, and beet pulp that contribute to a healthy metabolism. Free of wheat, grains, corn and soy. 40% Protein.

Cons

Food sits at a higher price point than it's competitors.

Simply Nourish Source Chicken and Turkey Recipe
Simply Nourish
Source Chicken and Turkey Recipe
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Best for Kittens
Bottom Line

The best way to provide your kitten with all the nutrients required for strong and healthy development.

Pros

Available in 6-pound bags. Packed with natural, recognizable ingredients like chicken, turkey, fish, potatoes, and tomatoes. Fatty fish acids (DHA) contribute to kitten brain and eye development. Grain-free recipe is easy on digestive system.

Cons

Only available in one small-sized bag, not ideal in multi-cat homes.

How we decided

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

76 Models Considered
8 Hours Researched
3 Experts Interviewed
160 Consumers Consulted
Zero products received from manufacturers.

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

A high-protein diet will provide your cat with the energy, healthy hair, and strong muscles essential to lead a happy, healthy lifestyle. Low-carb, protein-rich foods are also easier for cats to digest. Difficult to process carbs in some cat food increase your cat’s risk of getting diabetes. Many cat food brands rely on plant-based proteins like grains, corn, and other vegetables. While these are still high in protein, the vegetables and grains are less beneficial and harder on the digestive system. Instead, try to find foods that list meat as one of the top ingredients.

Other Products We Considered
The BestReviews editorial team researches hundreds of products based on consumer reviews, brand quality, and value. We then choose a shorter list for in-depth research and testing before finalizing our top picks. These are the products we considered that ultimately didn't make our top 5.
Natural Balance
High Protein Dry Cat Food
Purina ONE
Grain Free High Protein Cat Food
Instinct
Ultimate Protein Cat Food
Taste of the Wild
High Protein Premium Dry Cat Food
Solid Gold
High Protein Grain Free Holistic Dry Cat Food
Iams
High Protein Adult Cat Food
CRAVE
High Protein Dry Cat Food
Purina Beyond
High Protein Adult Cat Food
Purina ONE
True Instinct Recipes Wet Cat Food
Blue Buffalo
High Protein Natural Mature Dry Cat Food
Blue Buffalo
Wilderness High Protein
Blue Buffalo
Natural Adult Indoor Dry Cat Food
Blue Buffalo
Natural Kitten Dry Cat Food Chicken
Diamond Naturals
High Protein Premium Formulas Dry Cat Food
Blue Buffalo
Control Dry Cat Food Chicken 11 lb
Blue Buffalo
Natural Adult Pate Wet Cat Food
9Lives
Dry Cat Food
Blue Buffalo
Weight Control Dry Cat Food
Purina Pro Plan
High Protein Adult Dry Cat Food
Purina Cat Chow
Chicken and Salmon Adult Dry Cat Food
Royal Canin
Digestive Care Dry Cat Food
Blue Buffalo
Natural Mature Pate Wet Cat Food
Purina Cat Chow
Real Chicken Adult Dry Cat Food
Blue Buffalo
Wilderness High Protein Grain Free
Taste of the Wild
Wet Canned Cat Food
Wilderness by Blue Buffalo
Natural Kitten Dry Cat Food Chicken 2 lb
Blue Buffalo
Cat Food Variety Pack Box
Purina Pro Plan
Kitten Dry Cat Food
Whole Life Pet Products
Cat Treats Value Pack
ZIWI
Peak Provenance Canned Wet Cat Food
See more
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Blue Buffalo

Wilderness Chicken Recipe

Blue Buffalo

Wilderness Chicken Recipe

A protein-rich cat food that promotes healthy eating and regular digestion.
$35
×

Iams

Proactive Health Chicken and Salmon

Iams

Proactive Health Chicken and Salmon

Real chicken and salmon provide a healthy coat and a burst of energy your cat will love.
$23
×

Purina

Cat Chow Naturals with Chicken and Salmon

Purina

Cat Chow Naturals with Chicken and Salmon

Affordable cat food is full of nutrients and fibers that help prevent hairballs.
$25
×

Wild Frontier

True To The Hunt with Chicken

Wild Frontier

True To The Hunt with Chicken

Packed with nutrients, vitamins, and beet pulp to improve your cat's metabolism.

$15

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Our Top Picks
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe
Best of the Best
Blue Buffalo
Wilderness Chicken Recipe
Shop Now
Purina Cat Chow Naturals with Chicken and Salmon
Best Bang for the Buck
Purina
Cat Chow Naturals with Chicken and Salmon
Shop Now
Iams Proactive Health Chicken and Salmon
Iams
Proactive Health Chicken and Salmon
Shop Now
Wild Frontier True To The Hunt with Chicken
Wild Frontier
True To The Hunt with Chicken
Shop Now
Simply Nourish Source Chicken and Turkey Recipe
Simply Nourish
Source Chicken and Turkey Recipe
Shop Now