Created: 03/22/2020
Updated: 02/26/2021 13:54:59Share:
Author of the article: Kiryakova Anna Vladimirovna
*Review of the best according to the editors of expertology.ru. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective in nature, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.
Wet ready-made food for cats is considered more physiological and balanced compared to dry food; it contains a sufficient amount of moisture for comfortable digestion, because, as you know, most cats do not drink water well. In addition, pieces in sauce or pate are produced in measured portions; they do not need to be measured before serving, however, the shelf life of an opened pouch or jar is limited to several hours. Another aspect that needs to be taken into account when compiling a diet is the absence of hard components in wet food, which means there is no prevention of tartar in the animal.
Feeds differ in composition, depending on which they are divided into several groups: super-economy, budget segment, premium and super-premium (holistic). Breeders give preference to products with the most natural composition, but not everyone can afford them to provide for their pet on a regular basis. We present a rating of the 16 best wet food for cats in three segments from budget to holistic.
What wet food to buy for a cat
The first thing you need to pay attention to when choosing wet food for your pet is its composition. The packaging must list all the ingredients included in the formula. In economy class feed, the protein content is reduced, and in addition to meat, by-products are added to the composition. The higher the protein content and the better its quality, the better the food is considered.
Chicken is not recommended for cats prone to allergies. It is better for them to buy canned fish, turkey or lamb.
Rice is the most common carbohydrate. It is nutritious and has a good effect on the digestive process. But corn, soy, flavorings and flavor enhancers are undesirable. They are difficult to digest and often cause food intolerances. The amount of preservatives is determined by the shelf life of the product. The shorter it is, the fewer stabilizing components it contains.
After castration and sterilization, diets with reduced calorie content are recommended to reduce the likelihood of your pet gaining excess weight. Also in these feeds the amount of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus is reduced, the excess of which leads to urolithiasis.
Owners of long-haired cats are recommended diets rich in fatty acids and aimed at improving the condition of the skin and coat.
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Feed texture shapes
The first thing that sets wet cat foods apart is texture.
The technology for making canned cat food and dry food has more in common than it might seem.
In both cases, the ingredients are first mixed and crushed, then placed in a special machine, where heat treatment occurs and pieces of certain sizes are formed, after which the pressure and temperature are reduced to obtain canned food, and liquid and related components are added to the contents.
Dry food, on the other hand, is heated until the liquid completely evaporates.
Depending on the texture, all canned cat food is divided into 4 main groups:
- Stew , or whole pieces of meat, fish or seafood - the main ingredients are quite large in shape (in expensive foods, seafood such as mussels or small shrimp may even be present entirely); the binding component can be sauce, broth or a gelling base. Often, in addition to the main protein ingredient, such foods contain a carbohydrate component (grain mixture) and fiber in the form of coarsely chopped pieces of vegetables (carrots, green beans, etc.).
- Chopped meat is a more thorough grinding, in fact it is minced meat with various vitamin supplements, vegetables and grains, it can also be in sauce, jelly or broth.
- Pate - a mixture of components is not just crushed, but thoroughly ground into a homogeneous paste.
- Mousse (soufflé) is essentially the same pate, but with a silkier and more delicate texture, which is achieved due to the fact that the ingredients are also whipped after grinding.
Did you know? Milk can be given to cats up to 6 months old. In adult animals, the enzyme lactase ceases to be produced, and milk can cause stomach upset.
It is impossible to single out the best form of food, since everything depends only on the preferences of the pet and the individual characteristics of its digestive system. For example, mousses and pates are most suitable for kittens, but this is not at all necessary.
When babies begin to feed on their own, they are already quite capable of handling a whole piece of canned meat and do it with great pleasure.
Find out how many times a day and what to feed cats, how to choose the right dry food, the rating of the best holistic treatments for cats, the importance and criteria for choosing vitamins.
In addition, for the little ones there are special forms of food with finer cuts. But if the animal is weakened after illness or due to old age, and chewing food causes him serious inconvenience, pate and soufflé may well be a good way out of the situation.
The best holistic wet cat foods
Holistic-grade foods contain only natural ingredients, which is why they are considered the most beneficial for pets. Such canned food is suitable for a daily diet or for solving a particular cat’s health problem.
Grandorf – extensive meat menu
5
★★★★★
editorial assessment
97%
buyers recommend this product
See review▶
Grandorf is a Belgian wet food for adult and holistic cats. Canned food consists only of meat (75%) and its own juice (25%). For their production, high-quality fillets are selected, which are then processed using low-temperature technology to preserve all useful properties.
The manufacturer offers 12 options for meat and fish menus. The food is sold in 70 g cans. It is recommended to give one can per day to cats weighing about 4 kg with an average level of activity.
Pros:
- variety of tastes;
- high quality composition;
- no pungent odor;
- cats eat with pleasure.
Minuses:
- not available everywhere;
- price (about 90 rubles per jar).
Grandorf food has recently appeared on the Russian market. Experienced breeders immediately appreciated the quality of the product and switched their pets to it. But such a diet will cost you a pretty penny.
Hill's Science Plan Feline Adult 7+ Youthful Vitality – for aging cats
5
★★★★★
editorial assessment
95%
buyers recommend this product
Hill's Science Plan Feline Adult 7+ Youthful Vitality is a wet food for daily feeding of older cats and cats over 7 years old. There are 2 flavors to choose from - chicken or salmon. The food is available in convenient 85 g packets.
The formula is based on carefully selected poultry or fish fillets, and a variety of grains provide nutritional value. Vegetables are a source of fiber and improve the digestion process. Oils and fats prevent hair loss. Vitamins C and E slow down the aging process of your pet and increase the body's immune defense.
Pros:
- sold in most stores;
- natural composition;
- 2 flavors to choose from;
- beneficial effect on the entire body of the animal.
Minuses:
- large pieces;
- expensive (70 rubles per pack).
Some owners find the pieces of food to be large, in which case they can be mashed with a fork.
Solid Natura Selection – domestic canned food of the holistic class
5
★★★★★
editorial assessment
93%
buyers recommend this product
See review▶
Solid Natura Selection is a wet food for kittens and adult cats, produced by the Yelets meat processing plant and consisting of 97% meat. The manufacturer offers monoprotein diets based on veal, rabbit, quail, chicken, and turkey. Preservatives, GMOs, soy, dyes, flavors and other harmful additives are excluded from the composition. Canned food is sold in tins of 100 or 340 g.
Pros:
- natural meat composition;
- mild odor;
- several tastes;
- has no age restrictions.
Minuses:
- not all cats like the taste;
- high price (180 rubles for 340 g).
Due to the absence of taste and smell enhancers, not all cats willingly eat Solid Natura Selection canned food. However, this is the food that is considered as safe as possible for the animal.
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The best super-premium wet cat foods
Experienced breeders prefer super-premium food because they are confident in the quality of their composition and know that a balanced diet is the basis for the health of any animal.
Animonda Carny Senior – for older cats
5
★★★★★
editorial assessment
99%
buyers recommend this product
Animonda Carny Senior is a specialized diet designed for older cats and cats over 7 years old. More than half of the food consists of meat ingredients: 50% of the composition is beef, 15% is turkey heart. To protect weakened bones and joints of pets, the manufacturer added calcium carbonate to the formula.
The meat undergoes special processing to give the fibers a softer texture. This way they do not injure the animal’s weakened gums and teeth. The pate has a soft, uniform texture; all cats like its taste and aroma. Canned food is available in compact bags and tin cans of 200 or 400 g - you can choose the most convenient option.
Pros:
- All cats like the taste and smell;
- does not cause allergies;
- different packaging options;
- taking care of the health of gums and teeth;
- prevents bone tissue destruction.
Minuses:
- not available in all stores.
Cat owners say Animonda Carny Senior is the best value for money. Despite the good composition and the fact that canned goods belong to the super-premium class, their cost is about 100 rubles per 200 g.
Eukanuba Adult Cat – for shiny coat
4.9
★★★★★
editorial assessment
85%
buyers recommend this product
See review▶
Eukanuba Adult Cat – canned food for adult cats. They are based on meat, offal and grains. The manufacturer states that only carefully selected poultry or livestock raw materials are used for feed. The manufacturer offers food with chicken, beef, rabbit and salmon flavors.
Antioxidants in the formula serve to support immunity, prebiotics and fiber for healthy intestinal microflora, and fish oil is responsible for the health of the pet’s skin and coat. Due to the increased content of Omega 3 and 6, canned food is especially recommended for feeding representatives of long-haired breeds.
Pros:
- several flavors to choose from;
- improves intestinal microflora;
- composition without harmful components;
- adds shine to wool.
Minuses:
- Strong smell.
Cat owners note that they would like to see more meat in super-premium canned food. And Eukanuba Adult Cat claims only 8.5 g of protein per 100 g of food.
Royal Canin Digest Sensitive – to improve digestion
4.8
★★★★★
editorial assessment
78%
buyers recommend this product
See review▶
Royal Canin Digest Sensitive is a medicinal food that veterinarians prescribe for pets with digestive problems. The ingredients are indicated rather vaguely: meat and offal are included without decoding or indicating the percentage. It also contains minerals, nutritional and technological additives to improve digestion and completely improve the body of your tailed friend.
Cat owners note that when feeding Digest Sensitive, the animal’s digestion process improves, appetite improves, and trips to the toilet cease to be painful. Canned food is produced in 85 g bags. They are equipped with notches and are easy to open. The food comes in the form of small pieces in a sauce - these are easy to eat even for older cats with weak teeth.
Pros:
- convenient packaging;
- small pieces;
- cats like the taste;
- improves the digestive process.
Minuses:
- Strong smell;
- unclear composition;
- expensive (average price - 60 rubles per 85 g).
Royal Canin Digest Sensitive is a veterinary food, but it cannot replace visits to the doctor or complex treatment of the animal.
Opti meal – protein diet with prebiotics for adult cats
4.8
★★★★★
editorial assessment
75%
buyers recommend this product
Opti meal is a canned food for cats and cats over 1 year old. 80% of the composition is meat and offal. The side dish is vegetables (carrots and beans), which are a source of fiber to improve digestion.
Cranberry is used as a natural antioxidant, while salmon and borage oils supply the animal's body with fatty acids. Vitamin E is added as a natural preservative. Thyme prevents the development of parasites. Prebiotics Actigen and MacroGard promote proper digestion.
The manufacturer offers a choice of wet food based on chicken, lamb, rabbit, veal or salmon. It is produced in 85 g bags with notches for quick opening.
Pros:
- high protein content;
- added vitamins and minerals;
- unnoticeable odor;
- wide choice of flavors;
- contains prebiotics to improve the digestive process.
Minuses:
- difficult to find in stores;
- sugar included.
Veterinarians often prescribe a course of feeding Opti meal canned food to prevent dysbiosis and improve digestion in pets.
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How to feed
As a rule, the healthiest food option for your pet's basic diet is natural food, which includes a balanced diet suitable for the cat. When you don’t have time to cook, you can feed your cat or cat dry and wet food. If the choice nevertheless fell on wet food, then the main condition in this case is its quality.
According to veterinarians, it is necessary to purchase super-premium and holistic cat food. Is it possible to feed a male cat the usual Whiskas or Kitikat wet food? No, feeding your pets with cheap food is prohibited, as it causes the development of many diseases in the cat’s body.
Many people are concerned about the question of whether it is possible to mix dry and wet food. It is not recommended to do this, since the cat’s digestive system, getting used to a certain type of food, secretes certain enzymes. So, when mixing feeds of different structures, problems with digestion may arise.
However, mixed meals are acceptable, but in rare cases and at different meals. In this case, it is better to combine food from the same manufacturer.
The best premium wet food
Premium wet food can form the basis of an animal's diet. They have a balanced composition and are enriched with mineral additives. However, feeding cats only canned food is not recommended. They need to be used with a special diet or combined with dry food.
Brit Premium Chicken Chunks for kitten – canned food for kittens
5
★★★★★
editorial assessment
98%
buyers recommend this product
Brit Premium Chicken Chunks for kitten with pieces of chicken - premium wet food for kittens. It is based on chicken meat and offal (the protein component takes up 80% of the formula). This is one of the best indicators in the premium segment. For the harmonious growth of kittens, a mineral complex has been added to the composition. Canned food is sold in 100 g bags; they have notches for easy opening.
Artificial colors, flavors, flavor enhancers, preservatives, sugar and soy are excluded from the food. The formula is absolutely safe for very young children. Most pets like the taste and aroma; they quickly eat the offered portion.
Pros:
- convenient packaging;
- has no age restrictions;
- mineral complex in the composition;
- Available at most pet stores.
- formula without harmful additives.
Minuses:
- price (about 50 rubles per pouch);
- chicken can cause allergies.
When introducing canned Brit Chicken Chunks for Kitten into the diet, you need to monitor the baby’s body’s reaction to the new food. If allergy symptoms appear, you should stop feeding.
Our brand is domestic canned food for adult pets
4.9
★★★★★
editorial assessment
90%
buyers recommend this product
Canned food "Our Brand" is intended for everyday feeding of adult cats. The stores offer flavors with chicken, beef, rabbit, liver, and lamb. A soft package weighing 100 g is enough for one feeding of a medium-sized cat. The notch ensures convenient opening of the package.
The first component listed in chicken feed is the protein component, represented by meat and animal products (at least 15% of which is the main type of meat). The nature of the remaining proteins is unknown. Natural fiber is declared among the plant components. Also added to the formula are minerals, whey protein as a prebiotic to improve digestion, sunflower oil and vitamins.
Pros:
- low price (about 25 rubles per 100 g);
- convenient packaging;
- several flavors to choose from;
- prebiotic and vitamins included.
Minuses:
- not all cats like the taste;
- vague wording of ingredients.
classifies its own food as a premium segment. However, veterinarians and experienced breeders say that their composition and price are more consistent with the economy class.
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastrointestinal – for cats with sensitive digestion
4.9
★★★★★
editorial assessment
87%
buyers recommend this product
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastrointestinal is a veterinary diet recommended for cats over 1 year of age with digestive problems. The manufacturer claims that canned food helps the gastrointestinal tract, is suitable for feeding during periods of acute intestinal inflammation and prevents the development of urolithiasis.
The most easily digestible foods were chosen as proteins: turkey, chicken, liver, kidneys. Pea fiber helps cleanse the intestines of toxins, and fish oil is a source of fatty acids. Yeast and a balanced vitamin-mineral complex have a beneficial effect on the appearance of the pet.
The food is sold in 200 g cans or 85 g pouches. The canned food is made in the form of a pate with an airy consistency and is liked by most cats. On the package there is a table marking the feeding rate. Recommended course is 1-2 weeks.
Pros:
- cats eat with pleasure;
- high digestibility of ingredients;
- 2 types of packaging to choose from;
- cleanses the gastrointestinal tract;
- prevents the development of urolithiasis;
- has a beneficial effect on the digestion process.
Minuses:
- high price (75 rubles for 85 g);
- there are contraindications.
Cat owners note that Purina Diets EN Gastrointestinal wet food really helps combat various problems in the pet’s gastrointestinal tract. Improvement in well-being and normalization of stool is noted within a few days after the start of feeding.
Dr. Clauder's Anti Struvit diet - diet for urolithiasis
4.8
★★★★★
editorial assessment
77%
buyers recommend this product
Dr. Clauder's Anti Struvit diet is a therapeutic diet for daily feeding of cats. It can be part of a complex treatment of a disease or used as a preventive measure for diseases of the pet’s genitourinary system. Canned food is sold in tins of 200 or 400 g.
The composition of canned food is balanced and transparent. In first place are the meat components - chicken and beef. Rice is used for nutritional purposes. Healthy supplements include cranberry (a natural antioxidant and source of vitamins), as well as salmon oil for a shiny coat and healthy skin.
The amount of calcium in the formulation is precisely adjusted to control urine pH and reduce the likelihood of urolith formation. Sodium chloride increases the cat's need for water, thereby preventing the formation of struvite stones in the urinary tract.
Pros:
- quality composition;
- cats eat with pleasure;
- reduces the formation of struvites and uroliths;
- has a beneficial effect on the immune system and the condition of the coat.
Minuses:
- cost (from 150 rubles per 200 g);
- Not available in all stores.
Due to the absence of preservatives in Dr. Clauder's Anti Struvit diet food shelf life after opening the can is only 2 days.
Poll: best canned cat food?
Which canned food will you choose?
GO!
17.14 % ( 6 )
Almo Nature
5.71 % ( 2 )
Applaws
8.57 % ( 3 )
Bozita super premium
17.14 % ( 6 )
Berkley
11.43 % ( 4 )
Monge Cat Natural
0.00 % ( 0 )
Ontario
14.29 % ( 5 )
Pro Plan
14.29 % ( 5 )
Brit Premium
5.71 % ( 2 )
Organix
5.71 % ( 2 )
The best economy-class wet food
Economy class canned food for cats is sold in every store, is widely advertised, and their names are known even to those who do not have tailed pets. Pet owners are attracted to them primarily by their low price. However, the composition of such feeds leaves much to be desired. Veterinarians strictly do not recommend basing your pet’s daily diet on economy-class food.
Whiskas “Beef liver pate” is the most popular wet food
5
★★★★★
editorial assessment
92%
buyers recommend this product
Whiskas “Beef liver pate” – diet for adult cats. The composition includes meat and offal. The manufacturer does not provide a more detailed description or breakdown of the composition.
However, it is known that minerals, vitamins and taurine have been added to the formula. Canned food is produced in compact bags containing a single serving of food for the cat. The packaging has recesses for quick opening of the package without scissors.
Whiskas food is widely advertised and is sold not only in pet stores, but also in supermarkets. A forgetful owner can buy these canned goods at any time of the day.
Pros:
- sold in every store;
- cats like the taste;
- convenient packaging with notches;
- low cost (15-20 rubles per package);
- vitamins and minerals included.
Minuses:
- vague wording of ingredients.
The manufacturer itself does not recommend using Whiskas canned food as the main food. Wet food should be in addition to dry food.
Perfect Fit Sterile – for spayed and sterilized cats
4.9
★★★★★
editorial assessment
80%
buyers recommend this product
Perfect Fit Sterile is an inexpensive wet food for neutered and neutered cats. The recipe was developed by the company's technologists to maintain the animal's normal weight, as well as to maintain the optimal pH level in the urine. The products are available in pet stores and supermarkets. Disposable 85 g bags are convenient - they are easy to open and can be taken with you on a trip.
The formula is based on chicken and offal. Proteins occupy 34% of the composition, this is a very good result for the economy segment. Rice was chosen as a source of carbohydrates to promote proper digestion. Vitamins C, E and taurine are added to the composition to improve immunity. A precisely selected complex of minerals reduces the risk of kidney stones. Zinc and sunflower oil have a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin and coat.
Pros:
- presented in almost every store;
- tight packaging;
- improves the condition of coat and skin;
- prevents the appearance of kidney stones.
Minuses:
- may cause allergies;
- Strong smell.
Perfect Fit Sterile is the best canned food for maintaining the health of cats and female cats after the castration or sterilization procedure. Buyers note that pets eat it with pleasure, but the price for economy class is high (about 30 rubles per pack).