Best Wet Cat Food

Finding the right wet food for your cat isn’t always easy, especially when you’re faced with dozens of labels all promising to be “premium” or “picky-eater approved.” Whether you’re shopping for a kitten, a senior cat, or just trying to please a feline with a sensitive stomach, it helps to know what actually makes a wet cat food worth your money.

We’ve rounded up the best wet cat foods for different needs, focusing only on brands that are backed by science and recommended by veterinarians: Hill’s Science Diet, Royal Canin, and Purina Pro Plan. These brands invest heavily in research and feeding trials, so you can feel confident you’re giving your cat a nutritionally sound meal.

Best wet cat food for nutritional values

• Hill’s Science Diet Adult Savory Entree Variety Pack – Offers a range of proteins and includes essential taurine, antioxidants, and vitamins for balanced nutrition.

• Royal Canin Adult Instinctive Thin Slices in Gravy – Designed to meet the specific nutrient profile cats naturally prefer, which can help with palatability and energy balance.

• Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Adult Wet Cat Food – High in protein with added prebiotic fiber to support digestive and immune health.

Best wet food for picky cats

If your cat turns their nose up at most meals, choosing something with taste and texture appeal is key.

• Royal Canin Adult Instinctive Loaf in Sauce – Formulated with picky eaters in mind, this soft texture and palatable flavor profile is a hit with many finicky cats.

• Purina Pro Plan Seafood Favorites Variety Pack – Variety can be the trick to winning over a picky palate. This pack offers several flavors in a smooth pate style.

• Hill’s Science Diet Adult Savory Chicken Entrée – Simple, chicken-forward flavor that many cats love without artificial preservatives or flavors.

Best wet cat food for indoor cats

Indoor cats often need fewer calories and more support for hairball control and weight maintenance.

• Purina Pro Plan Indoor Care Turkey & Rice Entree – Formulated to support lean muscle and includes natural fiber to help reduce hairballs.

• Hill’s Science Diet Indoor Adult Liver & Chicken Entrée – Made to match the lifestyle of indoor cats, with lower fat and fewer calories.

• Royal Canin Feline Care Nutrition Appetite Control Care – Promotes digestive health and helps manage stool odor, which can be an issue with litter box use indoors.

Best wet cat food for sensitive stomachs

If your cat is prone to vomiting, diarrhea, or just has a finicky digestive system, choosing the right food can make a big difference. It is a common misconception that frequent vomiting is normal for cats; that is not the case. Vomiting more than once a week to a few times a month with other behavioral abnormalities can be an indication of a medical issue that needs to be addressed. 

Some cats need to be fed more frequent, small meals to prevent going too long between feedings. If the vomiting is very occasional and your cat otherwise appears healthy, trying one of these diets may do the trick.

• Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Vegetable Entrée – Gentle on the gut and supports skin and coat health.

• Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Chicken Entrée – Salmon is a novel protein that may be easier for sensitive cats to digest.

• Royal Canin Digest Sensitive Thin Slices in Gravy – Highly digestible and designed to reduce stool odor while being easy on the stomach.

If your cat is still vomiting after a diet change; consider scheduling a visit with your veterinarian to determine if more needs to be done to address your cat’s persistent vomiting. 

Best wet food for kittens

Kittens need higher protein and calorie content to fuel their growth, along with DHA for brain and vision development.

• Hill’s Science Diet Kitten Liver & Chicken Entrée – Balanced nutrition for growing kittens with DHA from fish oil.

• Royal Canin Mother & Babycat Ultra-Soft Mousse – Made for kittens from weaning to 4 months, with an extra soft texture and immune support nutrients.

• Royal Canin Kitten Canned Cat Food – This food is formulated to adjust for the rising energy levels that kittens 4 months to 12 months old have. It supports their growing bones and muscles. 

• Purina Pro Plan Kitten Chicken & Liver Entrée – High protein and fortified with essential nutrients like DHA and taurine.

Best wet food for senior cats

Older cats may need softer textures and more support for joint health, digestion, and kidney function.

• Royal Canin Aging 12+ Thin Slices in Gravy – Specially formulated for cats over 12 years old, with nutrients that support joint and kidney health.

• Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Savory Chicken Entrée – Designed for mature cats, with antioxidants for immune support and an easy-to-chew texture.

• Purina Pro Plan Prime Plus Adult 7+ Salmon & Tuna Entrée – Includes a blend of nutrients that support healthy aging, including improved coat, lean muscle, and immunity.

Wet vs dry food

Do cats need wet food?? Not necessarily, but many cats benefit from it. Wet food helps increase water intake, which is important for urinary health, especially in cats prone to dehydration. It’s also easier to chew and can be more appealing to picky eaters. Here are some pros and cons of both wet food and dry food:

Wet food pros and cons

Dry food pros and cons

Sources:

• Royal Canin’s nutritional approach

• Science-led Nutrition

• Our Nutritional Philosophy

• Vomiting