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Does it seem like your cat’s food isn’t agreeing with her? I think I can help! After helping my cat manage her sensitive tummy by reducing grains, I learned so much about the best grain free cat foods. For my cat, the best grain free cat food is ZIWI Peak Canned Wet Cat Food.
However, my research has shown me that a food that’s fabulous for one cat might not work for another. That’s why I’ve made a roundup list of the best choices in several different and popular categories.
A complete buying guide at the end provides everything your cat needs to get started with a diet redo, with no grains (or less grains).
These are the products we review in this article: (not all shown)
Dr. Elsey's cleanprotein Dry Food
- Grain free
- Very high protein
- Very low carb
- No filler or artificial binders
Solid Gold Winged Tiger Dry Food
- Grain & gluten free
- Quail as first ingredient
- Natural fibers & super foods
- Omega fatty acids
Weruva Paw Lickin' Chicken in Gravy
- No grain, gluten, carrageenan, artificial anything
- Only chicken in broth with essential vitamins/minerals
- Moisture rich
- Low fat
Purina Beyond Grain-Free Dry Food
- Grain & gluten free
- No by-product meals, artificial colors or flavors
- Live probiotics
- Price
Purina Pro Plan Senior Adult 7+ Variety Pack Wet Food
- Grain free
- Natural prebiotic fiber and omega fatty acids
- Real meat in each flavor
- Variety pack
Blue Buffalo Freedom Indoor Dry Food
- Grain & gluten free
- Chicken as first ingredient
- Mix of probiotics
- No chicken (or poultry) by-product meals, anything artificial
- Overall Best Wet Grain Free Cat Food
- Overall Best Dry Grain Free Cat Food
- Best Grain Free Cat Food for Sensitive Stomach
- Best Grain Free Cat Food for Weight Loss
- Best Grain Free Cat Food on a Budget
- Best Grain Free Cat Food for Senior Cats
- Best Grain Free Cat Food for Urinary Health
- Best Grain Free Cat Food for Diabetic Cats
- Best Grain Free Cat Food for Allergies
- Best Grain Free Cat Food for Indoor Cats
- What Is Grain Free Cat Food?
- Why Would a Cat Need Grain Free Cat Food?
- Is Grain Free Cat Food Right for Your Cat?
- How to Choose Grain Free Cat Food
- Grain Free Cat Food Pros and Cons
- Frequently Asked Questions
Overall Best Wet Grain Free Cat Food
- Free of grains, fillers, carbs, by-products
- Made of 92% premium animal protein & organs
- Premium, organic ingredients
- Tripe and mussels
- First 5 ingredients: Lamb, water sufficient for processing, lamb lung, lamb kidney, lamb liver
- Guaranteed analysis: 9.5% Crude Protein, 6% Crude Fat, 2% Crude Fiber, 78% Moisture
- Caloric content: 113 kcal/per can
- Life stage: All
This high-protein lamb (red meat) recipe gets its flavor and richness from 100% ethically and sustainably sourced meats and seafoods that are free of added hormones or antibiotics.
When looking at this pick for my grain-free wet cat food review, I was impressed to discover that every flavor variety includes 7% tripe and 3% New Zealand green mussels.
The addition of seafood to this lamb recipe adds chondroitin and glucosamine that contribute to feline joint health. You know how important that is if you’ve ever watched your cat jump and bounce around your home.
I’m an advocate of this recipe because ZIWI Peak offers a chunky “loaf style” wet food that is appealing for cats. In fact, the combination of lamb with seafood seems to hit all the right notes for making my cat want to push her nose right into the loaf to get started.
I also discovered that this recipe has a specialized whole-prey ratio that essentially mimics what a cat would eat in the wild as a natural obligate carnivore. I can also say from experience that lamb seems to be easier to digest for my cat than other red meats.
Of course, the most important reason why I’m a fan of this cat food is that it fills my cat up without any extra carbs. It’s one of the only truly filler-free cat foods out there because it skips grains, potatoes, and rice.
What We Like:
- Free of grains, fillers, carbs, by-products
- Made of 92% premium animal protein & organs
- Premium, organic ingredients
- Tripe and mussels
What We Don’t Like:
- The price
Overall Best Dry Grain Free Cat Food
- Grain free
- Very high protein
- Very low carb
- No filler or artificial binders
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, dried egg product, pork protein isolate, gelatin, chicken fat
- Guaranteed analysis: 59% Crude Protein, 18% Crude Fat, 4% Crude Fiber, 12% Moisture
- Caloric content: 544 kcal/per can
- Life stage: All
Dr. Elsey’s is a brand that got on my radar after several friends who had been struggling with food sensitivities and weight issues with their cats recommended it to me.
This chicken (poultry) recipe is a great fit for an active cat because it provides high calories and generous fat content. I admit that reading the ingredient list made me feel like I was looking at the label of some kind of protein powder bodybuilders might use.
With 90% animal-based protein, you never have to worry about the digestive issues that sometimes pop up when protein is derived from legumes. Based on reviews I’ve seen from other cat owners, this is a very well-tolerated food.
While you won’t find any fillers in the forms of grains or legumes in this food, I do like that the makers still added some flaxseed to get in some natural fiber that can help with both digestion and weight management. This formula is 100% grain-free and gluten-free.
With the fat and protein content being on the higher side, I might consult with your veterinarian before starting this food just to make sure it’s a good fit with your cat’s biological profile and lifestyle.
What We Like:
- Grain free
- Very high protein
- Very low carb
- No filler or artificial binders
What We Don’t Like:
- Limited flavors
Best Grain Free Cat Food for Sensitive Stomach
- Grain & gluten free
- Quail as first ingredient
- Natural fibers & super foods
- Omega fatty acids
- First 5 ingredients: Quail, turkey meal, peas, potatoes, tapioca
- Guaranteed analysis: 30% Crude Protein, 13% Crude Fat, 3% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Caloric content: 385 kcal/per can
- Life stage: Adult
The high-quality quail (poultry) protein source in this cat food is ultra-gentle on the tummy compared to red meat.
While I’m not always a fan of things like potatoes and peas in cat food, these are gentle, nutrient-rich ingredients that provide the antioxidants and higher fiber a cat with a tender digestive system needs.
The rich omega fatty acids and probiotic ingredients in this blend are also crucial for strong digestive health.
Something that impresses me about this cat food for sensitive stomachs is that it boasts 90 million living probiotics per pound. As I’ve learned more and more about the role that having a healthy gut plays in both human and feline health, I’ve started to focus on foods that offer probiotic benefits.
In fact, the built-in probiotics make what is a slightly more expensive cat food compared to some start to look like a bargain if you were thinking of purchasing a separate cat probiotic supplement.
What We Like:
- Grain & gluten free
- Quail as first ingredient
- Natural fibers & super foods
- Omega fatty acids
What We Don’t Like:
- Just 1 flavor
Best Grain Free Cat Food for Weight Loss
- No grain, gluten, carrageenan, artificial anything
- Only chicken in broth with essential vitamins/minerals
- Moisture rich
- Low fat
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken broth, potato starch, sunflower seed oil, calcium lactate
- Guaranteed analysis: 10% Crude Protein, 1.4% Crude Fat, 0.5% Crude Fiber, 85% Moisture
- Caloric content: 192 kcal/per can
- Life stage: Adult
I’ll admit that I’ve never put my own cat on a food quite as restrictive as this chicken (poultry) formula. Her weight struggles didn’t require more than a slight tweak to her existing diet.
However, I love the way this wet food (gravy) balances the need for nutrients with the need to put calories on pause.
The theory behind this type of food is that your cat is going to be just fine with the reduction in fat, calories, and protein if she’s currently struggling with weight due to anything from an underlying health issue to physical inactivity.
Opening up a can of Weruva is quite an experience because this food doesn’t look like any other cat foods I’ve seen before. It actually features shredded boneless, skinless chicken.
Packed in a savory gravy, this food is totally free of corn, soy, wheat, and other grains and fillers.
It’s also low in ash, magnesium, and phosphorus to help prevent some of the kidney and liver issues that are sometimes prominent in cats struggling with their weight.
The final thing I like about this cat food is that its ultra-high 85% moisture level can help with weight loss by promoting hydration and regularity.
What We Like:
- No grain, gluten, carrageenan, artificial anything
- Only chicken in broth with essential vitamins/minerals
- Moisture rich
- Low fat
What We Don’t Like:
- Shredded texture not for every cat
Best Grain Free Cat Food on a Budget
- Grain & gluten free
- No by-product meals, artificial colors or flavors
- Live probiotics
- Price
- First 5 ingredients: Hake, chicken meal, cassava root flour, dried egg product, pea starch
- Guaranteed analysis: 35% Crude Protein, 14% Crude Fat, 4% Crude Fiber, 12% Moisture
- Caloric content: 393 kcal/per can
- Life stage: Adult
If you’ve been following my reviews for a while, you know that I always like to put a cheap cat food option in the mix because I believe that giving your cat the best shouldn’t be an “elite” thing.
With this dry (kibble) food, I truly don’t feel like I’m telling anyone on a budget to compromise.
Purina Beyond grain uses hake (white fish) as its primary ingredient to deliver an enticing, slightly sweet flavor that drives cats wild. This product also pushes itself into a premium category by providing 600 million CFU/lb of Bacillus coagulans.
This probiotic can do wonders for digestive health! This can be so important if you’re in the process of weaning your cat off of grains as a part of a “digestive rehab” following symptoms caused by grains and fillers.
I really like that Purina bumped up the fiber content with this formula to account for the higher protein level. The fat content is also right on target for an active cat.
What We Like:
- Grain & gluten free
- No by-product meals, artificial colors or flavors
- Live probiotics
- Price
What We Don’t Like:
- A bit heavy on plant ingredients
Best Grain Free Cat Food for Senior Cats
- Grain free
- Natural prebiotic fiber and omega fatty acids
- Real meat in each flavor
- Variety pack
(Turkey and Giblets)
- First 5 ingredients: Turkey, water, liver, meat by-products, poultry giblets
- Guaranteed analysis: 10% Crude Protein, 7% Crude Fat, 1.5% Crude Fiber, 78% Moisture
- Caloric content: 108 kcal/per can
- Life stage: Senior
(Chicken and Beef)
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, water, liver, meat by-products, beef, soybean oil
- Guaranteed analysis: 9% Crude Protein, 7% Crude Fat, 1.5% Crude Fiber, 78% Moisture
- Caloric content: 105 kcal/per can
- Life stage: Senior
(Chicken)
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, water, liver, meat by-products, soybean oil
- Guaranteed analysis: 9% Crude Protein, 7% Crude Fat, 1.5% Crude Fiber, 78% Moisture
- Caloric content: 105 kcal/per can
- Life stage: Senior
This savory food (wet) offering is a great pick for seniors from a mainstream brand. The formulation (poultry and red meat) offers reduced protein and fat with a very generous moisture content.
This can be ideal for an older cat that happens to be in the process of slowing down her activity levels.
I like the idea of transitioning to a wetter, tastier food for a senior cat instead of simply cutting portions because your cat still needs the satiation and moisture of “full” meals for proper digestion and regularity.
The lower calorie content on this food means that your cat can still enjoy a full can for about half the calories of an ordinary can of cat food.
Remember that your cat still needs adequate vitamins and minerals even though her caloric needs have changed. That’s why I love seeing that this formula contains 25 essential vitamins and minerals.
I also think that this decadent formula is perfect for older cats with bad teeth who has grown bored with things to love eating again!
My final point with this senior cat food is that it’s really only meant for cats above age 7. If you’re simply looking for a low-calorie food for a younger cat, you can check out my previous reviews of cat foods specifically for weight management.
What We Like:
- Grain free
- Natural prebiotic fiber and omega fatty acids
- Real meat in each flavor
- Variety pack
What We Don’t Like:
Best Grain Free Cat Food for Urinary Health
- Grain-free, high moisture
- High protein, low carb
- Real chicken you can see
- No filler, gums, artificial anything
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken broth, sunflower seed oil, calcium lactate, dicalcium phosphate
- Guaranteed analysis: 16% Crude Protein, 2.6% Crude Fat, 0% Crude Fiber, 80% Moisture
- Caloric content: 63 kcal/per can
- Life stage: Adult and kitten
This tasty canned food (wet/consommé) provides the high moisture content cats struggling with urinary health need. I like that this formula leans fully on chicken for protein instead of mixing in peas, potatoes, legumes, or other go-to ingredients for bulking food up.
Let me say that switching to a high-moisture cat food is no substitute for actually talking to your vet to discover why your cat is struggling with urinary issues.
However, that extra moisture can provide your cat some much-needed comfort and relief if she suffers from chronic issues.
I really like the protein-to-fat ratio in this formula because you’re going very low with fat content without skimping on protein. The low caloric content is also impressive.
If your cat has some digestive issues to accompany her urinary issues, the lack of crude fiber in this one could be problematic.
What We Like:
- Grain-free, high moisture
- High protein, low carb
- Real chicken you can see
- No filler, gums, artificial anything
What We Don’t Like:
Best Grain Free Cat Food for Diabetic Cats
- Completely no grain, gluten, or starches
- Extremely high protein
- Omega 3 fatty acids
- Wide array of added vitamins, minerals, other supplements
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, organic chicken, meat protein isolate, chicken fat, gelatin
- Guaranteed analysis: 63% Crude Protein, 16% Crude Fat, 3% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Caloric content: N/A
- Life stage: Adult
This formula (poultry) offers a tasty, starch-free dry (kibble) option for cats suffering from diabetes.
Seeing apple fiber, fish oil, coconut oil, and chia seeds is exciting. All these offer nutrients and antioxidants that can help to bolster the immune system of a cat struggling with health issues.
I can also spot three or four different probiotic strains in this formula that are great for supporting everything from digestion to immune health.
The organic chicken, high protein content of this food can really save the day if you’re needing to limit your cat’s fat and caloric intake due to diabetes.
If you’ve been discouraged by the price of prescription cat foods or high-end cat foods for diabetic cats in the past, I think the price point on this food is going to be exciting!
(For more organic options, see the best organic cat foods!)
What We Like:
- Completely no grain, gluten, or starches
- Extremely high protein
- Omega 3 fatty acids
- Wide array of added vitamins, minerals, other supplements
What We Don’t Like:
Best Grain Free Cat Food for Allergies
- No grain, soy, gluten, artificial colors
- Just 1 protein and 1 vegetable
- Uncommon animal proteins
- High fiber
- First 5 ingredients: Green peas, venison, pea protein, venison meal, brewers dried yeast
- Guaranteed analysis: 27% Crude Protein, 10% Crude Fat, 4.5% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Caloric content: 370 kcal/per can
- Life stage: Adult
This formula (plant-based and red meat) uses peas as a grain-free source of fiber instead of resorting to soy or grains. In addition to being very gentle on the stomach, peas offer fiber that can boost your cat’s digestive health.
While the ingredient list is very clean, the “fillers” of flaxseed and salmon oil are very welcomed by me because they provide the omega 3 fatty acids needed for coat, brain, digestive, and eye health.
Overall, this food does a great job of providing gentle ingredients that are known to fight inflammation. I also want to point out that the use of a single animal-based protein can be very helpful if you’re currently doing an elimination diet with your cat to rule out any potential allergy sources.
I would say that this formula is about as close to prescription hypoallergenic cat food that you’re going to get without the price and complication of actually getting food from your vet.
What We Like:
- No grain, soy, gluten, artificial colors
- Just 1 protein and 1 vegetable
- Uncommon animal proteins
- High fiber
What We Don’t Like:
Best Grain Free Cat Food for Indoor Cats
- Grain & gluten free
- Chicken as first ingredient
- Mix of probiotics
- No chicken (or poultry) by-product meals, anything artificial
- First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, tapioca starch, peas, pea protein
- Guaranteed analysis: 32% Crude Protein, 14% Crude Fat, 7% Crude Fiber, 9% Moisture
- Caloric content: 391 kcal/per can
- Life stage: Adult
You might be wondering why I’m giving indoor cats their own category. My experience with owning various indoor and outdoor cats has shown me that the two can have very different dietary needs.
Cat foods for outdoor cats need to be high in calories, with their many adventures. Meanwhile, an indoor cat tends to be more sedentary.
This delicious formula (poultry) provides high protein content derived from real chicken.
One thing I like is that Blue Buffalo uses peas for plant-based protein as a way to simultaneously boost the fiber content of this food. As I mentioned above, indoor cats sometimes need a little help with weight management.
Natural fiber is so important for healthy digestion and weight management in cats. I really love seeing it in cat foods in place of grains.
The generous protein content and middling fat content in this dry food (kibble) are great for providing cats with energy and vitality.
While this isn’t advertised as a probiotic cat food, I see about five different probiotic strains hiding in the ingredient list. The value that these probiotic strains provide for your cat’s health truly makes this cat food a “steal” when all is said and done.
What We Like:
- Grain & gluten free
- Chicken as first ingredient
- Mix of probiotics
- No chicken (or poultry) by-product meals, anything artificial
What We Don’t Like:
What Is Grain Free Cat Food?
Despite the human foods we all give our cats sometimes, we can’t think of a cat’s diet the way we think of our diet. I know that we often use “grain free” and “carbohydrate free” interchangeably when talking about our own diets. But in fact…
Not Necessarily Carb-Free
A grain-free diet for cats isn’t necessarily a low-carb diet.
In grain-free cat food formulas, grains are often replaced with other carbohydrates. In the wild, cats naturally hunt for meat as their main food source.
However, their diets also consist of natural roughage found in nature. That’s why all-meat diets aren’t the best for cats.
Why Would a Cat Need Grain Free Cat Food?
If you’re looking for the best grain free cat foods, you’ve probably watched your cat suffer from some pretty troubling symptoms. Like humans, cats can be sensitive to grains.
According to VCA Animal Hospitals, these are the common signs of food allergies in cats:
- Skin inflammation.
- Chronic itching of the face, ears, belly, groin, armpits, legs, or paws.
- Overgrooming caused by itching that can result in wounds, abrasions, and fur loss.
- Diarrhea.
- Constipation.
- Vomiting.
- Strong taste preferences.
- “Scooting” caused by itching of the rectum.
You may also find that the best grain free wet cat food or best dry grain free cat food is also the best gluten free cat food by default if you’re looking for a new cat food because you believe that your cat has a gluten allergy.
Is Grain Free Cat Food Right for Your Cat?
If your cat has any of the symptoms I listed above, it’s probably time to experiment with some grain-free food. However, this is never going to be as simple as whittling your cat’s diet down to meat alone.
Obligate Carnivores
I’ve skirted around the term “obligate carnivores” earlier in this point. While you may already be familiar with this term if you’ve read my other food reviews, I’ll remind you that this means that cats need their primary sources of nutrition to come from other animals.
Carbs are Natural and Complete Nutritionally
But even cats in the wild will eat a certain degree of carbohydrates by default because they have whole-prey diets. This means that everything from a prey animal’s bones to its stomach contents will be consumed by a cat.
When a cat consumes the whole prey, it is almost guaranteed to get some grains and berries in the mix.
Those grains and berries are important sources of macronutrients. If we just give our cats foods that contain meat, we rob them of the well-rounded nutrition their ancestors needed to thrive.
Grain Allergies Are Rare
What might surprise you is that grain allergies are actually quite rare in cats. In fact, a cat is much more likely to be allergic to specific types of protein than she is to be allergic to grains.
“The foods typically associated with food allergies in cats include beef, fish, chicken, and dairy,” according to VCA Hospitals.
For this reason, I recommend talking with your vet about an elimination diet if you’re trying to track down what’s irritating your cat.
How to Choose Grain Free Cat Food
Let me provide you with some insights into how I determined the best grain free cat foods. This information is crucial if you suspect that grains are impacting your cat’s health or weight.
High in Animal Protein
First, make sure that the food is high in animal-based protein. Losing the added protein that comes from some grains could put your cat at a deficit.
While pea protein can be a good secondary source of protein, only a formula that lists a real animal-derived protein as its first ingredient is an appropriate option.
Lower in Carbs
Next, keep the carbs low. This part can be tricky because most cat foods don’t list carb content. You can use this nifty calculator trick from PetMD if you want to calculate the carbs in any cat food.
The basic equation looks like this: 100 – (Protein + Fat + Fiber + Moisture + Ash) = Carbohydrate Content.
Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids
It’s also important to choose a food that’s rich in omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids because these are the building blocks for the skin, eyes, heart, and digestive system.
Luckily, a high-quality food that uses an animal-based protein as the primary ingredient is going to be full of essential fatty acids.
Free of filler and artificial ingredients
I think it goes without saying to skip foods with filler or artificial ingredients.
I definitely think there’s some room for plant-based fillers that aren’t soy, wheat, and corn if they are providing fiber and protein that are going to help with everything from fiber intake to satiation.
AAFCO Approved
Finally, verify that a cat food is nutritionally complete by only selecting food that meets Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards.
In addition to making sure that a food can actually sustain your cat, AAFCO verification ensures that your cat’s food is safe.
Grain Free Cat Food Pros and Cons
I know that changing your cat’s diet is a big decision. It’s not always as easy as just switching foods. Let’s go through the realistic pros and cons facing everyday cat owners.
Pros:
- Could reduce allergic reactions.
- Might relieve your cat’s sensitive stomach.
- Cats love the meaty flavor of filler-free foods.
Cons:
- Tend to have higher carbs and fat.
- Definitely pricier than standard cat foods.
- Higher protein could trigger health issues in at-risk cats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to feed cats grain free food?
While some cats can benefit from going grain free if they have a verified allergy or sensitivity to grains, this isn’t the default cat food for all cats. You can feed your cat a “normal” diet as long as they appear to tolerate it without concern.
Do vets recommend grain or grain-free?
Most vets agree that grain-free isn’t the best option for every cat. The higher protein content of grain-free cat foods can actually pose problems for some cats. As one vet clinic points out, senior pets and those with certain health problems may need diets that are lower in protein or higher in fiber.
What is the best no grain dry cat food?
My research has led me to choose Dr. Elsey’s Cleanprotein Grain Free High Protein, Low Carb Dry Cat Food as the best dry grain free cat food. Offering 59% crude protein, this cat food uses real chicken as its first ingredient. My review above also covers several grain free cat food brands.
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.
