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It’s no secret I’m obsessed with giving my cat the best food I can afford. But like you, I’m also always open to saving money when I can. Once I started looking for quality food at an affordable price, I was surprised to discover what I could score cheaply.
For us, the best cheap cat food is Purina Fancy Feast Wet Cat Food.
- Can't beat value in taste and quality.
- Real protein is the first ingredient.
- No grains
- Easily digestible ingredients
- Made in USA
However, my research has shown that the best pick for my cat may not be the best pick for yours.
In order to help everyone find affordable healthy cat food, I’ve compiled a list of my tip picks in a variety of categories. I also whipped up a complete buying guide to empower you with everything you need to know to make an educated choice about how to feed your cat.
And remember, my list is not the absolute lowest priced food per ounce or per gram. I lean toward value and long-term health of my cat.
These are the other products we review in this article (not all shown):
Kirkland Signature Super Premium Dry Food
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- Contains prebiotics and probiotics
- Omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids
- Made in USA
Iams ProActive Health Dry Food
- High protein
- Natural beet fiber
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- Made in USA
Purina ONE +Plus Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Food
- Real turkey is the first ingredient
- High protein
- Contains prebiotic fiber
- Made in the USA
Royal Canin Feline Health Kitten Canned Food
- Great fat/protein/carb ratio
- Perfect texture for baby teeth
- Easy to digest
- Made in USA
Wellness Complete Health Canned Food
- Real chicken is the first ingredient.
- Super palatable
- No grains or fillers
- Made in USA
Iams ProActive Health Hairball Care Dry Food
- Real chicken is the first ingredient.
- High protein and fiber
- Made in USA
- Overall Best Cheap Wet Cat Food
- Overall Best Cheap Dry Cat Food
- Runner Up Affordable Dry Cat Food
- Best Cheap Cat Food for Indoor Cats
- Best Cheap Cat Food for Outdoor Cats
- Best Cheap Cat Food for Sensitive Stomach
- Best Cheap Cat Food for Kittens
- Best Cheap Cat Food for Older Cats
- Best Cheap Canned Cat Food in Bulk
- Best Cheap Cat Food for Cats With Hairballs
- What to Look for in Cheap Cat Food
- Should You Buy Affordable Dry or Wet Cat Food?
- How to Read a Cat Food Label
- What to Avoid in Cheap Cat Food
- Frequently Asked Questions
Overall Best Cheap Wet Cat Food
- Can't beat value in taste and quality.
- Real protein is the first ingredient.
- No grains
- Easily digestible ingredients
- Made in USA
(Cod, Sole & Shrimp Feast)
- First 5 ingredients: Cod, fish, meat by-products, liver, fish broth
- Guaranteed analysis: 12% Crude Protein, 2% Crude Fat, 1.5% Crude Fiber, 78% Moisture
- Caloric content: 82 kcal/can
- Life stage: Adult
(Savory Salmon Feast)
- First 5 ingredients: Salmon, meat by-products, liver, fish broth, fish
- Guaranteed analysis: 11% Crude Protein, 4% Crude Fat, 1.5% Crude Fiber, 78% Moisture
- Caloric content: 88 kcal/can
- Life stage: All
(Ocean Whitefish & Tuna Feast)
- First 5 ingredients: Ocean whitefish, fish, meat by-products, liver, fish broth
- Guaranteed analysis: 12% Crude Protein, 2% Crude Fat, 1.5% Crude Fiber, 78% Moisture
- Caloric content: 88 kcal/can
- Life stage: All
This food is proof that grain-free cat food doesn’t have to cost a fortune. This wet (pate) recipe offers cats tempting, flavorful protein (fish) without any fillers or additives.
In my experience, cats go wild for the fragrant, flavorful pate that’s so easy for little mouths to manage. My cat’s favorite is the Ocean Whitefish flavor.
I love that this food lets you feed your cat cod, sole, and shrimp for the same price you’d pay for cat foods that are full of wheat and soy. The high moisture content is also great for helping everything to be digested easily.
While this food is appropriate for all adult cats, I can see it as a great hack for cheap senior cat food without paying a premium based on the lower calories mixed with the higher moisture.
There’s a few points to address with this food. I personally like this food for my Chelle because of its lower fat and caloric content.
However, I recognize that the calories might be a little bit low for some of you with more active cats with higher calorie needs. While the protein is very decent, this is far from being a high-protein blend.
Let’s jump into the pros and cons.
What We Like:
- Can’t beat the price for the quality
- Real fish is the first ingredient
- No grains
- Easily digestible ingredients
- Smooth texture for all mouths
- Made in USA
What We Don’t Like:
- Contains by-products
Overall Best Cheap Dry Cat Food
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- Contains prebiotics and probiotics
- Omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids
- Made in USA
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, whole grain brown rice, ground white rice, chicken fat
- Guaranteed analysis: 30% Crude Protein, 20% Crude Fat, 3% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Caloric content: 443 kcals/cup
- Life stage: Adult
This dry (pellet) food offers loads of high-quality protein (poultry). It’s a great way to feed an active cat and buy in bulk without going broke.
I could go on about the great antioxidants and omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids in this food. However, the part that makes the price of this food shockingly low is that it’s actually a prebiotic and probiotic high fiber cat food that’s actually cheap!
It contains both dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product and dried Bifidobacterium animalis fermentation product to boost feline gut health. Next, dried chicory root acts as a prebiotic fiber to feed healthy gut bacteria.
Definitely put this cheap bulk dry cat food on your radar if your cat seems to have problematic or sluggish digestion. Her gut health might simply need a probiotic boost from a food like this one!
Kirkland got the kibble size just right with this one because each bite is easy for cats to pick up and crunch. During my many food trials, I hated the stress of watching my Chelle try to balance huge pellets in her mouth.
My only concern is that rice factors heavily into this formulation. While most dry foods get their density from some type of grain, brown rice and white rice making up two out of the first five ingredients is something to make note of.
The good news is that that’s the only grain in this food.
What We Like:
- High protein
- Decent fiber
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- Prebiotic and probiotic
- Kibble is the right size
- Lots of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids
- Made in USA
What We Don’t Like:
- Contains rice as a top ingredient
Runner Up Affordable Dry Cat Food
- Real fish as the first ingredient
- Salmon is great for digestion
- Great for muscles, eyes, and coat
- Sweet spot for calories and fat
- Prebiotic fiber
- Great reviews for hairball control
- Tons of moisture for dry food
- Made in USA
- First 5 ingredients: Salmon, rice flour, corn gluten meal, chicken by-product meal, beef fat naturally preserved with mixed-tocopherols
- Guaranteed analysis: 34% Crude Protein, 15% Crude Fat, 2% Crude Fiber, 12% Moisture
- Caloric content: 364 kcal/cup
- Life stage: Adult
Is your cat allergic to chicken or struggle with beef cat food? This dry (pellet) food offers easily digestible protein (fish) with natural prebiotic fiber from dried carrots and peas for easier digestion.
I saw several reviewers mention that they were able to fix hairball problems with this food even though it’s not technically a hairball control cat food. Another trend I’ve noticed is that cat owners find that their cats can eat this formula for years without ever growing tired of it.
That ultra-rare 12% moisture content also gets me excited about a dry food. With the moisture being so high, I’m confident that my cat would be able to digest this food very easily. This actually might be the secret behind why this food seems to clear up hairballs.
The salmon here is great for building healthy muscles, eyes, and coats! The way Purina processes the salmon with this kibble also makes each bite very tender and easy to chew.
However, a few things kept this soft dry cat food from being my top pick. Corn gluten meal, wheal flour, and soybean aren’t my first choices when feeding my cat.
The fact that Purina uses some grains to bulk up the recipe while still keeping calories and fat very much under control does make me worry less about those ingredients.
What We Like:
- Real fish as the first ingredient
- Salmon is great for digestion
- Great for muscles, eyes, and coat
- Sweet spot for calories and fat
- Prebiotic fiber
- Great reviews for hairball control
- Tons of moisture for dry food
- Made in USA
What We Don’t Like:
- A little heavy on grains
Best Cheap Cat Food for Indoor Cats
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- Clean ingredients with a good amount of protein
- Nutrient-dense organ meats
- No grains or carbohydrates
- High moisture content
- All protein is from real meat
- Low in calories
(Chicken & Quail Egg)
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken broth, quail egg, chicken liver, chicken gizzard
- Guaranteed analysis: 12% Crude Protein, 2.4% Crude Fat, 7% Crude Fiber, 82% Moisture
- Caloric content: 66 kcal/2.8-oz can
- Life stage: All life stages
(Chicken & Duck)
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, chicken gizzard, chicken heart
- Guaranteed analysis: 13% Crude Protein, 2% Crude Fat, 0.7% Crude Fiber, 82% Moisture
- Caloric content: 66 kcal/2.8-oz can
- Life stage: All life stages
(Chicken & Lamb)
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, chicken gizzard, chicken heart
- Guaranteed analysis: 13% Crude Protein, 2.3% Crude Fat, 0.6% Crude Fiber, 82% Moisture
- Caloric content: 59 kcal/2.8-oz can
- Life stage: All life stages
(Chicken & Beef)
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, chicken gizzard, chicken heart
- Guaranteed analysis: 13.4% Crude Protein, 2% Crude Fat, 0.7% Crude Fiber, 81% Moisture
- Caloric content: 59 kcal/2.8-oz can
- Life stage: All life stages
(Chicken)
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, chicken gizzard, chicken heart
- Guaranteed analysis: 12% Crude Protein, 2.2% Crude Fat, 0.7% Crude Fiber, 83% Moisture
- Caloric content: 66 kcal/2.8-oz can
- Life stage: All life stages
I really like this high-moisture, low-calorie wet food (flake) for weight control. I was shocked to find a grain-free, carbohydrate-free food with such high quality protein (poultry and red meat) at this price point.
This is worth considering if you’re looking for the cheapest cat food for weight control or grain allergies. It honestly almost seems prescription-level quality to me.
You’re going to see huge chunks of real organ meat and shredded chicken when you peel back the lid on each can. While chunky, this wet food is soaked in broth to go down easily. In fact, this has some of the highest moisture content possible.
By using real meat without filler, this low carb cat food gives your cat access to easily digestible iron, folic acid, and vitamins. While the protein level is decent, Tiki manages to keep the fat content very low for such a rich recipe.
The calories are also extremely low for the nutrient density.
I’m seeing lots of people who have tried this food praising it for helping their cats with sensitive stomachs to stay fed and nourished.
What We Like:
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- Clean ingredients with a good amount of protein
- Nutrient-dense organ meats
- No grains or carbohydrates
- High moisture content
- All protein is from real meat
- Low in calories
What We Don’t Like:
- Could be too chunky for some cats
- Can get messy in the food dish
Best Cheap Cat Food for Outdoor Cats
- High protein
- Natural beet fiber
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- Made in USA
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken by-product meal, ground whole grain corn, corn grits, corn gluten meal
- Guaranteed analysis: 32% Crude Protein, 15% Crude Fat, 3% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Caloric content: 399 kcal/cup
- Life stage: Adult
This dry (pellet) food starts with real animal protein (poultry) to provide muscle-building energy to cats who run wild for at least part of the day.
After diving into to assess this food for outdoor cats, I was shocked to see the number of devoted reviewers who have used this food for years with great results. It turns out this IAMS food is something of a go-to “gourmet” cheap cat food for cat owners who don’t have the budget for “better” brands.
The ratio of fat and protein falls into a sweet spot for me in terms of balancing energy needs with managing weight. The moisture content is also nice and high for a dry food. I also like seeing the omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids in there.
I also noticed that they snuck some dried beet pulp in for added prebiotic fiber. That’s actually a move that many higher-end cat foods use.
This obviously isn’t a grain-free cat food. It contains ground whole grain corn, corn grits, and corn gluten meal to bulk things up. While this food has its share of grain filler, it’s still free of any artificial additives.
What We Like:
- High protein
- Good moisture content
- Natural beet fiber
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- Rave reviews from many long-term users
- Made in USA
What We Don’t Like:
- Bit too reliant on grains
Best Cheap Cat Food for Sensitive Stomach
- Real turkey is the first ingredient
- High protein
- Contains prebiotic fiber
- Made in the USA
- First 5 ingredients: Turkey, chicken by-product meal, rice flour, corn gluten meal, soybean meal
- Guaranteed analysis: 34% Crude Protein, 14% Crude Fat, 4% Crude Fiber, 12% Moisture
- Caloric content: 449 kcal/cup
- Life stage: Adult
This dry food (kibble) caters to sensitive stomachs with easily digestible protein (poultry) and gentle rice flour. It’s great to see a tummy-friendly formula that still offers the protein cats need for muscles and energy.
The protein-to-fat ratio is also really great for keeping cats lean. Like my other picks, this one has plenty of antioxidants and omega fatty acids.
Fiber and moisture are also quite high for a low-cost cat food in kibble form! Both are important for promoting long-term digestive health and immediate comfort. It’s also nice to see 100% natural fiber in the form of dried carrots and peas in the ingredients.
While this food keeps fat content in check, the caloric level is a little high per serving. With calories per serving being almost four times more than other cat foods on this list, I suggest you take your cat’s activity level into consideration when making your choice.
While I understand the point of the rice flour in this blend, I could do without the corn gluten meal, soybean, and oat meal that accompany it.
With that said, I’ve seen tons of reviewers comment that they switched from expensive prescription cat food for sensitive stomachs with great results!
What We Like:
- Real turkey is the first ingredient
- Good amount of protein
- Relatively low in fat
- Made in the USA
What We Don’t Like:
- Contains soy, corn, and oats
Best Cheap Cat Food for Kittens
- Great fat/protein/carb ratio
- Perfect texture for baby teeth
- Easy to digest
- Made in USA
- First 5 ingredients: Water sufficient for processing, chicken, pork liver, chicken liver, brewers rice flour
- Guaranteed analysis: 10.5% Crude Protein, 2.5% Crude Fat, 1.4% Crude Fiber, 80% Moisture
- Caloric content: 76 kcal ME/can
- Life stage: Kitten
This wet kitten food provides the gentle formulation and nutritional balance kittens need. The tender, soft bites are ideal for transitioning your kitten to solid food.
The ratio of protein, fat, and carbohydrates in this recipe is perfect.
While it’s easy to assume that water as the first ingredient indicates filler, the truth is that the high moisture content of this food is actually preferred for building a healthy, strong digestive system.
A meat-first recipe can easily overwhelm a little one’s developing digestive tract. My only wish is that it had more natural prebiotic fibers from vegetables to help build up healthy gut bacteria early.
The brewers rice in this formula makes sense because it’s a gentle, easily digestible way to help kittens feel full. However, I wish they had skipped wheat gluten.
On a positive note, the organ meats and fish oils are full of healthy omega fatty acids that build up the muscles, eyes, heart, and coat.
I also noticed that several cat owners shared that this helped their kittens to start making regular, healthy bowel movements.
What We Like:
- Great fat/protein/carb ratio
- Perfect texture for baby teeth
- Easy to digest
- Made in USA
What We Don’t Like:
- Wish they skipped the wheat gluten
- Real meat isn’t the first ingredient
Best Cheap Cat Food for Older Cats
- No grains
- Perfect portions
- High moisture content is great for seniors
(Chicken)
- First 5 ingredients: Water, chicken, poultry by-products, animal plasma, tapioca starch
- Guaranteed analysis: 7% Crude Protein, 2.5% Crude Fat, 1.5% Crude Fiber, 84% Moisture
- Caloric content: 31 kcal ME/tray
- Life stage: All life stages
(Salmon)
- First 5 ingredients: Water, salmon, chicken, poultry by-products, animal plasma
- Guaranteed analysis: 7% Crude Protein, 2.5% Crude Fat, 1.5% Crude Fiber, 84% Moisture
- Caloric content: 29 kcal/tray
- Life stage: All life stages
(Tuna)
- First 5 ingredients: Water, chicken, poultry by-products, animal plasma, tuna
- Guaranteed analysis: 7% Crude Protein, 2.5% Crude Fat, 1.5% Crude Fiber, 84% Moisture
- Caloric content: 31 kcal/tray
- Life stage: All life stages
This wet cat food (fish and poultry) has a soft texture (cuts in gravy) that’s perfect for seniors in need of cat food for teeth issues. I admit that I didn’t even know that Sheba was still around!
However, I’ve seen several people sharing online that this food is so wildly popular that it flies off the shelves at their local stores.
Little did I know that this is a top cheap cat food without grains!
This is the best cat food on a budget if your older cat doesn’t tolerate grains, corn, wheat, or soy. While this isn’t marketed as a senior cat food, a quick peek at the analysis shows that it offers the protein, fat, and calories that are right in line with most senior diets.
Overall, this is a very clean formula that promotes easy digestion. Cats struggling to digest foods with filler may appreciate the switch.
While I appreciate the variety pack, your cat might not love both chicken and tuna if she tends to have strong preferences.
Overall, it’s a great way to start paring down fat and calories without worrying that you’re depriving your cat of nutrients. The morsels are also very enticing for older cats with reduced taste or smell.
What We Like:
- No grains
- Perfect portions
- High moisture content is great for seniors
What We Don’t Like:
- Protein might be too low for some cats
- Water is the first ingredient
Best Cheap Canned Cat Food in Bulk
- Real chicken is the first ingredient.
- Super palatable
- No grains or fillers
- Made in USA
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken liver, whitefish, chicken broth, herring
- Guaranteed analysis: 11% Crude Protein, 5% Crude Fat, 1% Crude Fiber, 78% Moisture
- Caloric content: 82 kcal/can
- Life stage: Adult
This wet (pate/smooth loaf) food offers a tantalizing flavor (poultry) with zero grains.
While this is marketed as a protein-dense cheap cat food, I’ll say that its protein level is only middling for a wet food. However, the proportion of protein to fat and calories is ideal for most cats. Moisture and fiber content are also middling.
I love that cats are getting the protein of both chicken and herring. White fish is full of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids that support muscle growth, brain health, coat health, and energy levels. Seeing carrots and cranberries in the ingredients is also nice because they both provide prebiotic fiber and antioxidants.
The most important thing here is that you’re getting affordable healthy cat food that’s totally free of corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, and preservatives.
In fact, Wellness Complete Health Grain-Free Wet Canned Cat Food doubles as my second pick for the best inexpensive cat food for sensitive stomachs for this exact reason. You might find that buying in bulk saves you money after doing the math.
I like that the delectable texture is meaty enough to give your cat something to dig into without posing an issue for older cats with sensitive teeth.
If you’re concerned that this isn’t enough protein or fat for your cat, I have seen many reviews share that they use this as a flavorful, nutrient-dense topper for dry food.
I actually think this is the best affordable cat food if you want to switch from overpriced toppers because it’s not much different!
What We Like:
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- Delicious
- No grains
- No filler
- Made in USA
What We Don’t Like:
- Protein and fat might be too low for some cats
Best Cheap Cat Food for Cats With Hairballs
- Real chicken is the first ingredient.
- High protein and fiber
- Made in USA
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken by-product meal, ground whole grain corn, corn grits, corn gluten meal
- Guaranteed analysis: 32% Crude Protein, 14% Crude Fat, 8.5% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Caloric content: 399 kcal/cup
- Life stage: Adult
What makes this the best inexpensive cat food for stopping hairballs?
IAMS has concocted a special fiber blend using beet pulp and other prebiotics to help nourish healthy gut bacteria for better digestive health. This food has very high fiber for being a dry kibble! It also has good moisture levels for dry food.
You may be surprised how quickly your cat’s digestion starts to smooth out once fiber and water weigh more heavily in her diet! I saw many reviewers share that it was like a switch had been turned on once they started with this food.
Of course, the real chicken (poultry) in this dry (kibble) recipe is also gentle and nourishing for tummies.
While I’m naming this the best budget cat food for hairballs, I’ll walk that back just a little by saying that it’s the best pick for an otherwise healthy cat who just happens to suffer from hairballs.
This is a pick for an active cat due to its higher calories. The higher protein and calorie content of this food may not be ideal for an older cat with health issues.
What We Like:
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- High protein
- High fiber
- Good moisture content
- Made in USA
What We Don’t Like:
- Contains grains
- Has a fair amount of corn
What to Look for in Cheap Cat Food
I’ve put together everything you need to get the cheapest cat food without sacrificing quality!
Anything you feed your cat needs to be part of a species-specific diet. What do I mean by that? Cats are obligate carnivores. That means that they need a diet that matches the whole-prey diet that their ancestors ate in the wild.
“The bottom line is that because cats are obligate carnivores, their gastrointestinal tracts and metabolism have adapted to eating meat,” according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
Quality Protein
Cats need high amounts of real, pure animal-derived protein. You can pick from beef, pork, chicken, turkey, duck and fish. However, I recommend choosing a food with real meat as the first ingredient whenever possible. My review list above is proof that you can do this on a budget!
The “Right” Fat
Next, keep fat in moderation. Match the fat content to your cat’s activity level. In general, an older cat requires less fat than a regular adult cat.
The Right Carbohydrates and Fiber
Carbs are also problematic for cats. In the wild, a cat would only get carbs on a secondary basis by eating an animal “whole.” That means getting berries and grains the things they’ve killed have recently eaten.
While cats need moderate amounts of plant matter and carbs, it’s not natural for a cat to eat a pile of grains. Grains that are healthy for us actually slow down a cat.
It’s also important to make sure that carbohydrates in cat food are easily digestible. I like vegetables and berries for this. Additionally, carbohydrate sources that also provide fiber are beneficial for a cat’s digestive health.
I purposely chose several options featuring prebiotic fiber from natural plant sources in my list above for this reason.
Essential Vitamins and Minerals
Next, you want to make sure that budget cat food still has all of the essential vitamins, minerals, taurine, and omega fatty acids that high-end cat foods offer.
This is easy to check off your list by simply sticking with a cat food that names animal protein as its first ingredient because these are all things that are found in meat and organs.
While I didn’t talk about taurine much in my reviews above, it’s actually abundant in all 10 picks I made for the best budget cat food. Taurine is an essential amino acid that is critical for normal vision, digestion, and heart muscle function.
As I shared multiple times in my reviews above, omega fatty acids are important for muscle building, coat health, vision, and much more!
Moisture
Moisture is important in cat food for a number of reasons. First, it lubricates cat food to help cats avoid painful and dangerous hairballs. It also helps with overall digestion.
If your cat doesn’t like to drink water, offering cat food with a high moisture content can help to prevent dehydration.
Taste
While this category is subjective, choosing a cat food that your cat finds irresistible is going to help you avoid the high price of wasted food.
If your cat is a picky eater, skip straight to the pates and loaf-style meals that tantalize a cat with juicy, aromatic meat flavors. Use your cat’s eating history to determine what will be accepted versus what will be rejected.
I’ve found that chicken tends to be the universally liked choice among cats. However, the flavor of seafood has been known to awaken the appetite of more than one picky cat.
Price
The best affordable cat food isn’t always the cheapest. The goal is to find the best value instead of the lowest absolute price. In many cases, the cheapest of the cheap is packed with filler that doesn’t actually nourish or satisfy your cat.
You’re getting false savings because your cat is just going to be hungry sooner. What’s more, you’re saving just a little bit today to potentially pay thousands of dollars in vet bills if poor-quality food harms your cat’s health.
My tip for comparing prices? Only consider doing apples-to-apples price comparisons among foods that all list a real animal-based meat/protein as the first or second ingredient. The “savings” you get from filler foods is just an illusion.
The Cat Food Brand Itself
Does brand matter when choosing the best affordable cat food? I actually think that it does.
The reason why is that large, established brands simply have the money for research and development, hiring veterinarians as consultants, and conducting recalls when problems are detected.
Keep in mind that a big brand doesn’t mean a high-end or fancy brand.
Should You Buy Affordable Dry or Wet Cat Food?
After seeing all of my research and reviews on cat food, people always want to know my definitive take on dry food versus wet food for cats. I lean toward wet foods, and here’s why:
Higher Moisture Content
Wet cat food has roughly 70% to 80% moisture compared to dry food’s 10% to 12% moisture.
This water content is great for preventing diabetes, kidney disease, kidney stones, kidney crystals, and urinary tract infections. Moisture is also important for preventing hairballs and other digestive issues in cats.
Enticing Textures
Canned wet food is also “yummier” to cats. While most cats are more than eager to scarf down dry food, wet may be the way if you have a picky or underweight cat.
It’s also hard to monitor exactly how much your cat is eating with dry food unless you’re measuring and monitoring every cup.
Higher Protein
Wet food tends to have higher protein. This mostly has to do with the use of fresh or frozen meat with minimal processing. In the same vein, wet food tends to have fewer carbohydrates than dry food because it doesn’t require the filler agents needed to bind dry food together into a kibble form.
Wet Food is More Expensive
I get that wet food can be considerably more expensive.
It can also be hard to store because any uneaten canned cat food goes bad in a day even when you refrigerate it. You also have to monitor the dish because wet food can become contaminated if it’s left out for a few hours.
The bottom line? Your cat will be fine with either wet or dry. Many parents feed only dry and their cats are perfectly healthy as long as you follow my tips for prioritizing quality.
How to Read a Cat Food Label
Make sure you’re reading the nutritional label as closely as the price label when shopping for the best inexpensive cat food. I’m going to zip through the big points for you!
Wet vs. Dry Protein Levels
“On average, wet cat food also contains a higher percentage of protein and fat—and a lower percentage of carbohydrates—than dry food,” according to the animal doctors at Bond Vet.
However, you just need to meet the baseline of 26% minimum crude protein mandated by the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) in order for a food to be considered nutritionally complete and balanced for an adult cat.
If your cat is in a period of growth or reproduction, that bumps up to 30%.
As PetMD shares, some math is required to compare wet and dry crude protein levels. Here’s a quick hack:
- 1. Locate the percent moisture in the guaranteed analysis
- 2. Subtract it from 100
- 3. Divide the crude protein percentage by the percent dry matter
- 4. Multiply that number by 100
“AAFCO” and “Made in the USA”
Something you’ll notice about every pick on my list is that they are all made in the USA. I consider this essential simply for quality control. You should also be buying only AAFCO-approved cat food that has been vetted for safety and nutritional content.
First 5 Ingredients
Next, I just want to point out that the first five ingredients tell you almost everything you need to know about cat food. The list should be right on the label. Make sure a real meat source is either the first or second ingredient.
Guaranteed Analysis
It’s also important to check out the guaranteed analysis to see the proportions of protein, fat, fiber, moisture, and essential amino acids.
“Complete and Balanced”
Pay attention that the cat food label mentions “Complete and Balanced” if you want to save money, this important phrase indicates that the product is meant to be a cat’s “sole” diet and is nutritionally balanced.
A cat food product that looks cheap may simply be a topper or treat that won’t provide the full nutrition your cat needs.
Buying in Bulk
I’ll wrap up this category by suggesting that you buy in bulk if you have the space to store cat food. Just keep in mind that cat food does have a “best by” date.
You also need to be careful about freshness whenever opening a large bag of cat food. The oils used to coat most dry foods can actually cause your cat food to go rancid. Mold, staleness, and pests are also concerns when bags of cat food aren’t properly sealed.
What to Avoid in Cheap Cat Food
When choosing the best budget cat food for my cat, I personally draw the line at foods that contain carbohydrate fillers and by-products that include:
- Corn gluten meal
- Wheat gluten
- Brewers rice
A little bit is okay. However, you’re really just paying money to fill your cat up on grains that don’t benefit her digestive system, immune system, heart, or waistline at a certain point. The artificial colors, flavors, and preservative that I avoid include:
- Carrageenan
- BHA
- BHT
- Ethoxyquin
- Propyl gallate
There’s no need for a brand to “dress up” cat food made with real meat because cats already love the flavor and smell. The additives are often indicators that a food lacks genuine nutrition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the healthiest cat food for indoor cats?
My personal pick based on my research is Tiki Cat After Dark Grain-Free, Low-Carbohydrate Wet Food With Real Shredded Meat for Cats & Kittens.
I like this grain-free, low-carbohydrate option because it uses real chicken as the first ingredient as part of a nourishing, hydrating formula that can help my cat to manage her weight.
Can I feed my cat cheap cat food?
Yes! While you don’t have to spend a fortune on cat food, it’s still important to look for affordable cat food that uses only real meat, poultry, or fish as the first or second ingredient. Make sure you’re getting a good value instead of simply going for the lowest price possible.
Is expensive cat food really better?
The truth is that expensive cat food can be better than budget cat food if it uses a real animal-based protein as the first ingredient without any grains or fillers. However, my list of the best affordable cat foods above proves that there are plenty of budget-friendly options that do this same thing!
I’m Gary Hu, a proud cat dad to a 15 lb Maine Coon. Have taken care of outdoor and indoor cats for over 10 years, and learned tons on behavior, habits, health, and products. I help new Maine Coon (or any other cat) parents with common questions and issues based on real, practical experience.
