Pet owners that want a high-protein diet for their cats often switch to raw cat food instead of the normal dry cat food. Heavily processed and cooked food loses some of its nutritional value. Although raw cat food is quite controversial, more and more cat owners are switching to a raw diet.
Raw cat food must contain top-notch fresh ingredients. Since it’s hard to find a good brand and a reliable product that your cat will like, I’ve made a list of recommended products.
Here’s a list of the 5 best raw cat food. There are only a couple of brands that make good raw cat food, so consider this as a list of the 5 best raw cat food brands as well.
If you don’t know much about raw cat food, check out the buying guide at the end. Learn more about raw cat food and whether you should switch to a raw diet.
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Best Raw Cat Food Comparison Table
| Product | Features | Check Out The Price |
|---|---|---|
  | - All-Natural - Minimally Processed - Dietary Health - Grain-Free | Stella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Morsels |
  | - Air Dried L.I. Diet - All Natural - Grain-Free - High Protein | ZIWI Peak Air-Dried Cat Food |
  | - Grain-Free - High-Protein Kibble - Prebiotics - Omega Fatty Acids | Instinct Raw Boost Dry Cat Food |
  | - Minimally Processed - Nutrient Dense - Healthy Skin & Coat - High Protein | Instinct Raw Meals Cat Food |
  | - Six Fish Recipe - High Protein - Freeze-Dried - GMO-Free | ORIJEN Dry Cat Food Raw Fresh Ingredients |
Best Overall
Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Morsels
Highlighted Features
- Real Raw Chicken Meat
- All-Natural
- Minimally Processed
- Dietary Health
- Grain-Free
Stella & Chewy’s offer the absolute best raw cat food. The freeze-dried dinner morsels are made with real raw fresh ingredients. Tasty, reliable, and high-quality cat food. Available in several flavors, chicken, duck, rabbit, salmon and chicken, turkey, and salmon cob mix.
Made with real raw meat. The meat is freeze-dried. The recipe contains chicken, chicken liver, chicken gizzard, and pumpkin seed. All-natural ingredients, nutrient-dense, and protein-rich diet. Contains no artificial ingredients, and no carbohydrates fillers. There is no wheat, corn, soy, antibiotics, or growth hormones.
A diet that will maintain and improve your cat’s health. The ingredients won’t upset the cat’s stomach, the pumpkin seeds are a good source of fibers. Taurine and probiotics are added to improve dietary health. Also, rich in omega fatty acids, and vitamin supplements that are needed to meet all the nutritional requirements for a healthy cat.
Supports healthy skin and a shiny coat. Healthy teeth and gums as well. The ingredients are minimally processed and cooked. Freeze-dried cat food, the nutritional value is preserved.
An exceptional product by Stella & Chewy’s. If you want the absolute best, this is the product to buy. There’s one disadvantage to it though, too expensive. I highly recommended it to every cat owner with the budget to afford it.
Pros
- 98% real raw meat, minimally processed and cooked.
- Grain-free contains only pumpkin seed.
- Supports overall good health.
Cons
- Very expensive.
Best Budget
ZIWI Peak Air-Dried Cat Food
Highlighted Features
- Air Dried L.I. Diet
- All Natural
- Grain-Free
- High Protein
- Nutrient Dense
Raw cat food doesn’t have to be that expensive to be true, ZIWI Peak Air-Dried Cat Food is proof of that. An air-dried raw diet that can be used as a topper and a complete meal. High-quality fresh cat food that you will definitely like. ZIWI is another reliable cat food brand that offers raw food.
This is a chicken recipe but there are many others you can choose from. Beef, lamb, mackerel & lamb, and venison recipes are available.
Made with real meat and all-natural ingredients, Superfoods boost as well. Chicken meat, organs, and bones. Gently air-dried, minimally processed, and cooked.
Limited ingredient diet, contains no artificial ingredients, fillers, antibiotics, and hormones. A low-carb diet with a healthy source of carbohydrates such as New Zealand green mussel, and organic kelp.
These are so-called superfoods that boost the cat’s dietary and overall health. Grain-free cat food, contains no wheat, corn, potatoes, or soy.
Ethically and reliably sourced ingredients. This diet helps maintain healthy skin and overall good health. The food contains omega fatty acids which give the coat a shiny look. Plenty of vitamin supplements as well, needed to meet all the nutritional requirements for a cat.
This is a budget raw cat food option. Definitely not the best raw cat food here but it’s a competitor to all the others. ZIWI Peak is known for making high-quality cat food. Their air-dried recipes are something to try for your cat. It comes recommended by all vets.
Pros
- Gently air-dried diet with real meat.
- Reliable and affordable.
- Grain-free contains no artificial ingredients and no fillers.
Cons
- Low in prebiotic fibers.
Best Runner-Up
Instinct Raw Boost Dry Cat Food
Highlighted Features
- Freeze-Dried
- Grain-Free
- High-Protein Kibble
- Probiotics
- Omega Fatty Acids
Instinct has the most cat raw food products out of all the brands on this list. Another brand that offers high-quality raw cat food. The Raw Boost kibbles are a close competitor to the best overall. Dry cat food kibbles with freeze-dried topping, not a complete raw diet, only freeze-dried toppers.
Made with real chicken and all-natural ingredients. The freeze-dried raw kibbles contain enough protein, the freeze-dried raw toppers just make up for what was lost during the processing. A diet that’s very rich in animal protein. Contains no artificial ingredients or filler.
There is no grain, corn, or soy. Healthy source of carbohydrates with fresh and healthy ingredients such as pumpkin seeds, tomato pomace, carrots, apples, and cranberries.
A diet rich with omega fatty acids to protect the cat’s skin and give it a shiny look. Plenty of probiotics as well, these maintain and improve the cat’s digestive system. The kibbles are minimally processed and never cooked but still easy on the cat’s stomach.
All ingredients are sourced ethically and responsibly. Cage-free chicken and duck, the fish recipes contain wild-caught fish. A complete and balanced diet that can be used on cats of all life stages.
If you didn’t like it, or you couldn’t afford the best overall, then this may be the best option for you. A raw cat food diet with ingredients that have never been cooked. Tasty, and healthy, something to try for your cat.
Pros
- Freeze-dried kibbles and freeze-dried toppers.
- Grain-free formula.
- Contains antioxidants, probiotics, and omega fatty acids.
Cons
- Offers only 3 recipes.
Best Raw Cat Food Complete Diet
Instinct Raw Meals Cat Food
Highlighted Features
- Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food
- Minimally Processed
- Nutrient Dense
- Healthy Skin & Coat
- High Protein
Another product by Instinct, now a complete raw cat food diet. Freeze-dried kibbles made with all-natural raw foods that are never cooked. This product is specifically made for the development of kittens but is suitable for all life stages. If you considering switching your cat to a simple complete raw diet, this is one of the best products.
Made with cage-free real chicken meat and nutrient-rich organs. Plenty of animal protein. The recipe consists of 91% meat and organs, 9% non-GMO vegetables. Healthy source of carbohydrates, no ingredients that cause allergies, obesity. No fillers, no corn, wheat, or soy.
Minimally processed cat food. All ingredients are raw. Freeze-dried into kibbles. This allows for a more nutrient-dense diet that has more animal-based protein. Rich in Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids to maintain healthy skin and a shiny coat.
Contains natural DHA which is great for the brain and eye development. Specifically good for kittens. Supports lean and strong muscles. Good for general good health.
As you can see, Instinct makes high-quality products. This product contains only raw cat food, freeze-dried kibbles. Be sure to check out other products by this brand, they offer a mix of kibbles and toppers.
Pros
- High animal protein, consists of 91% meat and organs.
- Grain-free and GMO-free.
- Supports overall good health.
Cons
- Lacks prebiotic fibers.
Best Raw Cat Food For Urinary Health
ORIJEN Dry Cat Food Raw Fresh Ingredients
Highlighted Features
- Six Fish Recipe
- Fresh & Raw Ingredients
- High Protein
- Freeze-Dried
- GMO-Free
Lastly, we have something special, Orijen Six Fish recipe. This raw cat food product is especially good for maintaining urinary health, a diet rich in animal protein, low in sodium. Freeze-dried and fresh ingredients, minimally processed. Not for solving urinary issues, only for maintaining urinary health.
A wholeprey diet consists of wild-caught Whole Mackerel, Whole Herring, Flounder, Acadian Redfish, Monkfish, Whole Hake. The first six ingredients are real meat. Fresh and freeze-dried ingredients, minimally processed. The recipe contains 91% protein ingredients. The rest is 9% vegetables and fruits which are GMO-Free
Contains no artificial ingredients, hormones, or fillers. A grain-free formula, there are no ingredients that carry common allergens. Easy on the stomach, no starch, wheat, corn, or soy.
A nutrient-dense diet that supports overall good health. High in animal protein and omega fatty acids. Improves skin health and gives the coat a shiny look. Low sodium, won’t affect the urinary system.
ORIJEN is a good brand to end this list on. A good product, suitable for all life stages, I recommend considering this if you want to switch to raw cat food. This is a good brand that mostly makes high-quality products.
Pros
- Nutrient-dense, high animal-based protein.
- Grain-free, GMO-free formula.
- Rich in omega fatty acids.
Cons
- Lacks prebiotic fibers.
Best Raw Cat Food – Buying Guide
Raw cat food may sound a bit scary to pet owners who are used to heavily processed cat food. While raw cat food has gained some popularity, some people still avoid raw food.
Since the opinions on raw cat food are divided, let’s clear some things up.
Cats can eat raw food. In fact, that’s what they are naturally used to. During the cooking process, some of the nutrients are lost. So, raw food is naturally more nutrient-dense. However, there are dangers to eating raw food.
Raw food can contain bacteria and can easily upset the cat’s stomach. This is only true for some types of raw food. Indeed, home-prepared raw meals are kind of bad.
Licensed and tested raw cat food products are okay on the other hand. These contain raw ingredients that are never cooked but minimally processed.
Fresh & Raw Ingredients
The first thing to make to look for in raw cat food is the ingredients. You need to be sure that the product uses fresh and raw ingredients that are never cooked. Although this is obvious, the cat food can be registered as raw but that doesn’t mean that all the ingredients are fresh and raw.
Make sure to read what the ingredients are and how they are processed.
Minimally Processed
Raw cat food doesn’t mean that the food is actually fresh and raw “raw”. Cats require the food to be somewhat processed so it wouldn’t get an upset stomach. But the food also isn’t cooked.
Cat food brands most often use two methods to process raw food, freeze-dried and air-dried. The food saves more of its nutritional value like this, unlike cooked food.
Both freeze-dried and air-dried kibbles are okay to eat. Cats find them delicious.
High Protein
It’s expected for raw cat food to be richer in animal-based protein than cooked cat food. You would think that all raw cat food products are rich in protein but that is not the case.
Real meat must be the first and main ingredient. This ensures that the diet is heavily based on animal-based protein. Some products use meat but add fillers and a lot of carbohydrates, this is not good.
Take an example of the products on this list. All of the products use high-quality real meat as the first and main ingredient.
Grain-Free
Another thing to look out for, grain-free products. As I mentioned, some cat food products use a lot of fillers, starch, and grain-based ingredients. These can be harmful to cats. They cause allergies, obesity, and upset the dog’s stomach.
It’s best to use grain-free cat food. These ingredients are a healthy source of carbohydrates and are a good source of prebiotic fibers.
Healthy Ingredients
The cat’s health largely depends on its diet. A diet may not be bad but it may be missing some ingredients crucial for maintaining good health. The ingredients you want are vitamin supplements, Omega fatty acids, and prebiotic fibers.
All of these support overall good health. The vitamins are good for overall good health, the fatty acids for healthy skin, and the fibers for a healthy digestive system.
Price
As you can see, raw cat food products get quite expensive. I guess most of you will be switching to raw food from heavily processed food.
Getting your cat used to the food will get a while. That means that you will have to have normal and raw food on hand. These are added expenses.
Also, your cat may deny eating raw food, so the money may be wasted. Get a product that you can afford. Don’t buy in stock until your cat moves completely to the raw diet. Also, consider getting just toppers instead of a complete diet.
Related Questions And Other FAQs
Is Raw Diet Good For Cats
Yes, a raw diet made by a cat food brand can be quite beneficial for cats. Raw cat food contains more nutrients and animal-based proteins.
Cats are also able to digest raw food without having an upset stomach. Cats with health issues may have problems with a raw diet, consult with your vet before giving it a raw diet.
Do Vets Recommend Raw Diet For Cats
Vets do not recommend preparing a raw diet for your cat at home. Even though cats can digest raw food, the food still needs to be minimally processed. Vets recommend using a raw diet made by a certified brand that makes cat food products.
