Best Dehydrated Cat Food

Updated August 2023

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Bottom line

Pros

Cons

This high-end cat food is more than 90% protein in either flavor.

Pros

It comes in chicken and pollock flavors. It doesn’t use any genetically modified fruits or vegetables, nor does it contain any soy, grains, or preservatives. The pellets are soft so even elderly cats can enjoy them.

Cons

It’s expensive. Some cats had issues with vomiting after eating.

Best Bang for the Buck

This bulk case of food can keep your cat happy and healthy for less.

Pros

Making a bowl is as simple as adding some hot water, stirring, and waiting a few minutes to rehydrate. The case comes with 6 pouches, which all told can make up to 8 pounds of food.

Cons

It only comes with 1 flavor that your cat may not enjoy.

Primal Pet Foods

Freeze Dried Cat Food

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Chicken & Salmon

Bottom Line

Moderately priced, well-rounded formula provides a balanced diet from clean ingredients like squash, berries, and pumpkin seeds.

Pros

Made with chicken and salmon that's free from antibiotics, hormones, and steroids. Meat is complemented by organic produce and minerals. Balanced amino acid, fatty acid, and enzyme levels. High protein content. Mix with water to serve.

Cons

Comes in large nuggets which can be challenging to rehydrate, and some cats find hard to eat.

Feline Natural

Grain-Free Freeze Dried Cat Food

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Chicken & Lamb

Bottom Line

This high-protein, low-carb blend of chicken, lamb, and mussels is recommended for all cats from kittens to senior felines.

Pros

Has a 99% meat content, thanks to barn-raised chicken, free-range lamb, and green-lipped mussels from New Zealand. No gluten, wheat, soy, or rice. Low carbohydrate count.

Cons

Pricey. May be too chewy for some cats who are missing teeth or have other oral problems.

Rawz

Dehydrated Cat Food

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Best for Everyday Use

Bottom Line

This superior kibble uses whole dehydrated chicken and turkey, no chicken or turkey meal.

Pros

The first 7 ingredients are parts of chicken and turkey such as each of their livers, and the formula contains no grains. It provides a balanced meal for cats of all ages.

Cons

It’s a little pricey. Despite the brand name, it’s not raw food.

HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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Models
Considered

116

Consumers
Consulted

Hours
Researched

There are numerous reasons to switch your cat over to dehydrated cat food, including a high-protein diet, and a meal that was prepared in a way that innately leaves the meat’s vitamins and minerals intact while whisking away moisture, but perhaps the biggest factor is the desire for a natural source of nutrition for your kitty. For instance, while kibble-style dry cat food may include healthy ingredients, they have been kneaded, baked, and formed into a uniform shape, while most dehydrated cat food literally looks like dry chunks of all-real fish, lamb, beef, or other healthy protein sources.

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