5 Best Dry Cat Foods 2026
- Rachel
- 6 hours ago
- 19 min read
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.
Recommendations are based on extensive research into products, brands, customer feedback and my own reviews wherever possible.
5 Best Dry Cat Foods:
Most Recommended
The "best dry food" for cats is a little misleading because there's no such thing, and my opinion on this heavily debated subject hasn't changed. If you're new here, this post goes into a lot more depth: Cats and Carbohydrates: Is Dry Cat Food Bad for Cats?
Cats that eat wet food will get most of their water intake from their diet, just like a wild cat gets moisture from prey. A mouse is 70% water, while dry food is typically between 5-10%. Domestic cats evolved from desert cats which contributes to their low thirst drive, so it's easy to become dehydrated.
The average cat eating dry food only will need to drink approximately 200-300ml of water per day to stay hydrated - that's about a standard glass for humans! Dehydration can be a factor for numerous health conditions, particularly concerning the urinary tract and kidneys.
Dehydration isn't the only risk with dry food. There's a lot of conflicting information about the often excessive use of grains and vegetables, along with unspecified by-products and sub-par ingredients. Equally concerning are heavy processing methods and the destruction of vital nutrients.
These recommendations will focus on a combination of quality, natural ingredients; high animal protein and gentle processing. While I don't advise feeding cats dry food, if circumstances require it, I'd rather parents were choosing the best of what's on offer. Some reasons you might want to feed dry food include:
On a temporary basis while transitioning cats to wet or fresh food.
Budget, since dry food is generally cheaper and doesn't spoil. Although some experts advise that a cheap wet food is more species-appropriate than a premium dry food.
An extra stubborn kitty!
I can resonate with the latter, having a picky-eating kitty that shrinks away from the tiniest pinhead of wet food - and meat in general. If I'd known several years ago what I know now then I never would have offered dry food as an option. Parent to parent, your cat doesn't need "snacks" no matter how much it tries to convince you otherwise!
*Pet foods sold or manufactured in the UK may differ to other countries due to regulations and other factors. Always check ingredients and use your own discernment.
ZIWI Peak Mackerel & Lamb Recipe
About the Brand
*ZIWI Peak was acquired by Chinese equity firm, FountainVest Partners, in 2021 but continues to operate in New Zealand.
ZIWI Peak was founded in 2002 by Peter Mitchell, who had the goal of producing pet food that combines the nutrition of a raw diet with the convenience of ready-to-serve dry food for cats and dogs. Today, they export to over 25 countries around the world.
The company's range of wet and dry food delivers ethically-sourced meats, organs and seafood from pure New Zealand to provide complete, balanced nutrition tailored to a cat's carnivorous diet. It's suitable for all life stages and is free from unnecessary additives.
ZIWI Peak dry food comes in air-dried or steamed and dried formulas:
Air-dried is crafted from 96% raw meat, seafood and New Zealand green muscles, then gently air-dried using low temperature. It's designed to provide a raw diet in a convenient, nutrient-dense format.
This method protects vitamins and nutrients that are often destroyed in food that's cooked at high temperatures. It's described as having a firmer, jerky-like texture than traditional kibble and can be fed as a complete meal or a topper, depending on your cat's preferences.
Steam and dried is crafted from 85-90% raw meat, organs and seafood with added fruits and vegetables, and is processed with gentle steaming and air-drying. This delivers a light, palatable texture for fussy eaters.
The inclusion of fruit and vegetables is claimed to provide "a more holistic and inclusive diet". Personally, I find this unnecessary; however, it's a more affordable option than air-dried and there's a wider flavour variety.
Other flavours:
Venison (air-dried)
Chicken with Whole Mackerel (steam and dried)
Wild South Pacific Fish (steam and dried)
Beef with Southern Blue Whiting (steam and dried)
Food and Ingredients
In this complete air-dried recipe, wild, whole blue mackerel from the remote waters around New Zealand are perfectly paired with North Island grass-fed, free-range lamb. It's suitable for cats of all ages.
Other benefits:
Green muscles - high in omega-3 fatty acids for a shiny coat and healthy skin.
Tripe - a natural source of probiotics and fatty acids to support healthy digestion and sensitive stomachs.
Kelp - a source of trace vitamins that your pet's body can't produce naturally.
Free from grains, potatoes, glycerin and rendered meat or meat meals.
Ingredients:
58% Lamb and Lamb Organs (including Lamb, Tripe, Lung, Heart, Liver, Kidney, Spleen, Bone, Cartilage), 35% Whole Mackerel, 3% New Zealand Green Mussel, Lecithin, Chicory Inulin, Dried Apple Pomace, Minerals, Dried Organic Kelp.
More:
ADDITIVES (per kg): Vitamin D3 458 IU, Zinc (as Zinc Chelate of Protein Hydrolysates) 27 mg, Copper (as Copper (II) Chelate of Protein Hydrolysates) 2.9 mg, Iron (as Iron (II) Chelate of Glycine Hydrate) 22 mg, Manganese (as Manganese Chelate of Protein Hydrolysates) 3.3 mg.
TECHNOLOGICAL ADDITIVES (per kg): Antioxidants (tocopherol extracts from vegetable oils).
450 kcal/100g
Analytical Constituents | Dry Matter Basis |
Protein: 48% | Protein: 52.74% |
Fat: 27% | Fat: 29.67% |
Fibre: 1% | Fibre: 1.09% |
Ash: 9.5% | Ash: 10.43% |
Moisture: 9% | Carbohydrates: 6.04% |
*DMB = Percentages with moisture removed for a more accurate representation.
Evaluation, Pros and Cons
ZIWI Peak Mackerel and Lamb has a whopping 96% animal ingredients, including organs which you rarely see in mainstream "premium" brands - you know which ones I'm talking about! The bulk of the food is made up of lamb, lamb organs and seafood, with a total protein content of 52.74% DMB and minimal carbohydrates. The transparent ingredients list is refreshing to see.
There is a small handful of plant-based ingredients, which are selectively chosen for their health benefits. Chicory provides fibre for healthy digestion and kelp is a good source of vitamins. Even in the wild, cats would be getting a small amount of plant matter from the stomachs of their prey.
What's great about ZIWI Peak is that their gentle processing methods ensure that these important vitamins and nutrients are preserved - as much as is possible for anything less than a natural diet. It would be a shame to see so many quality ingredients go to waste!
This is a brand that cares about the sourcing of ingredients and states that their animals are "ethically raised" and "sustainably sourced". This refers to free-range, grass-fed beef and lamb; local poultry and wild-caught seafood. By purchasing ZIWI Peak, you're supporting ethical farming practices.
This dry food is high in calories because it's so nutrient-dense, so you might need to feed smaller portions than other foods. This is something to bear in mind if you have a cat that's prone to obesity. There's a helpful feeding calculator on the brand's website.
It's not surprising that food of such high quality and standards comes at a price, so it may not be suitable for all budgets. You can save a few pennies by purchasing one of the steamed and dried varieties of dry food, which typically contain less protein and more carbohydrates.
Customer Reviews
Many customers praise the quality and ingredients of ZIWI Peak. Some owners noticed that their cats are more active with shinier coats, and it's said to be easy on sensitive stomachs. Since this air-dried food has a different texture and smell to standard kibble, some cats might not eat it straight away. You can introduce it gradually, start by using it as a meal topper or purchase a small bag to trial it.
Unfortunately, ZIWI Peak isn't easily available in the UK, but you can buy it direct from the brand's website and a few select online stores. The price receives mixed feedback, with some considering it too expensive for what it is.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 / 5
Based on 1,000+ Amazon reviews.
✓ 96% raw meat, seafood and offal. | ✕ High in calories. |
✓ High protein and low carbohydrates. | ✕ Expensive. |
✓ Gently air-dried. | |
✓ Ethical brand. |
thrive PremiumPlus Chicken Complete Dry Cat Food
About the Brand
*Thrive was acquired by Petbuddy Group (PBG) in 2024, a consortium of eight super-premium pet food brands based in Stockholm, Sweden.
Thrive started out making food for humans, with over 30 years experience before turning to pet food in 2000. The UK-based brand prides itself on using "real food" with human-grade cuts of meat and no animal derivatives. Recipes are made with gentle processing methods to preserve the nutritional value of food.
Thrive makes pet food for both cats and dogs. Their cat food range includes wet and dry foods, treats and toppers. Treats are made with 100% chicken or fish and either freeze-dried or air-dried. The brand has built a devoted customer base of pet owners and you can find it in veterinary surgeries, supermarkets, pet stores and online in over 20 countries around the world.
Thrive states that they're fully committed to using ethically-sourced ingredients and work closely with suppliers to ensure that animals are raised humanely and their welfare is never compromised. Despite having facilities in Thailand and China, thrive is one of The Good Shopping Guide's top-rated ethical brands.
Dry food comes in self-seal bags and packaging is recyclable, wherever possible.
Other flavours:
Chicken with Turkey
Salmon and Herring
Food and Ingredients
Made with 90% chicken, thrive claims that their PremiumPlus Chicken has the highest meat content of any dry cat food in the world. It provides a balance of high-quality chicken, easily digestible sweet potato and potato; and the essential fatty acids, omega-3 and omega-6, for skin and coat health. It's a complete meal suitable for cats of all ages.
Other benefits:
Single protein - only contains chicken to make the food easy to tolerate.
Contains taurine - an essential amino acid that cats need from their food for a healthy heart, vision and immunity.
Salmon oil - healthy skin and coat.
Hypoallergenic.
Free from soya, rice, grains, gluten, wheat and dairy. Contains no GM ingredients or artificial flavourings, colourings or preservatives.
Ingredients:
Dried Chicken Meat (64.5%), Fresh Chicken (16.5%), Chicken Fat (6%), Sweet Potato, Potato, Chicken Gravy (3%), Vitamins and Minerals, Salmon Oil.
More:
VITAMINS (per 100g): Vitamin A (21,635 IU/kg), Vitamin D3 (1,730 IU/kg), Vitamin E (82 IU/kg).
MINERALS (per 100g): Calcium (1.6g), Phosphorus (1.3g), Potassium (0.71g), Sodium (0.38g), Ca/P ratio (1.23).
TRACE ELEMENTS: Sodium Selenite (0.64 mg/kg), Ferrous Sulphate Monohydrate (240 mg/kg), Cupric Sulphate Pentahydrate (19 mg/kg), Manganous Sulphate Monohydrate (90 mg/kg), Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate (267 mg/kg).
AMINO ACIDS: L-Carnitine (480 mg/kg), DL-Methionine (1865 mg/kg), Taurine (2385 mg/kg), Potassium Iodide (3.6 mg).
409 kcal/100g
Analytical Constituents | Dry Matter Basis |
Protein: 54% | Protein: 58.06% |
Fat: 18% | Fat: 19.35% |
Fibre: 1.5% | Fibre: 1.61% |
Ash: 10% | Ash: 10.75% |
Moisture: 7% | Carbohydrates: 10.21% |
Evaluation, Pros and Cons
Thrive boasts a high meat content with 90% chicken (of which 16.5% is fresh) and a total protein content of 58.06% DMB, which is way more acceptable than some other premium brands. Even more impressive to me is the small amount of carbohydrates at 10.21% - this is practically unheard of for the likes of Royal Canin and Purina.
The recipe uses low-sugar sweet potato, which is easier for cats to digest than potatoes - although some potatoes are included - but they're only used because the starch is necessary for binding proteins in order to make the kibble pieces. It doesn't have a high amount of fresh meat, but the other benefits make up for this.
Thrive leaves out everything that doesn't belong in a premium food, as we can see from the concise ingredients list. It comes in at a fair price and, though not what you'd call a budget cat food, it's the most cost-effective option on this list.
I transitioned Simba to thrive from Royal Canin, which he developed an unhealthy addiction to as a kitten. The first noticeable improvement was in the consistency of his poops, which were borderline constipated from the high cereal content of Royal Canin; and his energy levels increased for a lazy indoor cat. Prior to thrive, he refused almost every brand of dry food!
If, like me, you're facing the difficult challenge of getting a fussy cat off dry food without breaking the bank, thrive is a good temporary solution. The low-fat, low-carbohydrate formula is suitable for indoor cats, too.
Related post: 5 Indoor Cat Foods Rated: Are They Really Worth it?
Customer Reviews
Customers purchase thrive for its high meat content and low carbohydrates and say its excellent value for money. Interestingly, while many cats tolerate the food - which is often used to correct issues like IBS - some owners report vomiting and diarrhoea, but this can also happen if new food is introduced too quickly.
The smell of thrive has mixed reactions, with some cats not wanting to eat it. Having purchased this food myself, I can say that it's no more offensive than any other brand of kibble.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 / 5
Based on 1,000+ Amazon reviews.
✓ 90% chicken. | ✕ Smaller amount of fresh meat. |
✓ Chicken fat and salmon oil. | ✕ Contains potatoes. |
✓ High protein and low carbohydrates. | |
✓ Affordable. |
Lily's Kitchen Chicken with Veggies Dry Food
About the Brand
*Lily's Kitchen was acquired by Nestlé Purina PetCare in 2020, the UK's leading producer of "premium" wet and dry foods for dogs and cats.
Lily’s Kitchen was named after border terrier, Lily, who fell ill and suffered with sore skin over 10 years ago. Her owner, Henrietta, tried various remedies and struggled to find a pet food made with natural ingredients, so she started to cook her own from scratch.
Lily was back to full health within 2 weeks, so with the help of expert vets and pet nutritionists, Henrietta set out to create "proper" food and treats for cats and dogs. Meals are made with freshly prepared meat and offal - no meat meal - and naturally nutritious ingredients.
Lily's Kitchen is taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint and 100% of their packaging is recyclable. They donate 200,000 meals to pet charities every year. They also partner with Dog's Trust and London Inner Kitties charities.
Other flavours:
White Fish with Salmon (adult)
Chicken with White Fish (kitten)
White Fish with Turkey & Trout (senior)
Food and Ingredients
This delicious dry food recipe is made with 65% freshly prepared chicken and 5% chicken liver, along with natural ingredients and added vitamins and minerals to nourish cats from the inside out. It's a complete meal for adult cats over 6 months old. No meat meal or rendered meat.
Grain-free with no artificial ingredients or additives.
Other benefits:
Chicken liver - a rich source of essential vitamins, iron and copper.
Eggs - for extra protein.
Prebiotics - supports a healthy gut.
Ingredients:
70% Chicken: Fresh Chicken (65%), Chicken Liver (5%). Potatoes (21%), Egg, Chicken Gravy, Flaxseed, Cellulose, Minerals, Prebiotic (Fructooligosaccharides 0.7g/kg), Italian Cheese, Seaweed, Carrots (0.02%), Cranberries (0.02%), Bilberries (0.02%), Parsley (0.02%), Fenugreek Seeds (0.01%).
More:
VITAMINS (per kg): Vitamin A 16,000 IU, Vitamin D3 1,200 IU, Vitamin E 180 IU, Taurine 900mg, L-Carnitine 250mg.
TRACE ELEMENTS (per kg): Zinc (as Zinc Chelate of Amino Acids Hydrate) 100mg, Manganese (as Manganese Chelate of Amino Acids Hydrate) 10mg, Copper (as Copper (II) Chelate of Amino Acids Hydrate) 9mg, Selenium (as Organic Selenium S. cerevisiae CNCM 1-3060) 0.2\mg, Iodine (as Calcium Iodate Anhydrous) 0.5mg.
392 kcal/100g
Analytical Constituents | Dry Matter Basis |
Protein: 27% | Protein: 29.03% |
Fat: 17% | Fat: 18.27% |
Fibre: 3% | Fibre: 3.22% |
Ash: 7% | Ash: 7.52% |
Moisture: 7% | Carbohydrates: 41.93% |
Evaluation, Pros and Cons
Lily's Kitchen isn't a perfect cat food, but it makes the list due to the fresh meat content of 65% and 5% chicken liver, which is highly nutritious. What does "fresh" actually mean in terms of dry cat food?
Naturally, all kibble undergoes processing so it isn't technically fresh, but it is prepared using fresh meat rather than meat meal (dried and powdered). Large pet food brands argue that meat meal is a more concentrated - and therefore cheaper - source of protein, but when you consider the difference between an off-the-shelf packet mix and a homecooked meal, I know which one I'd rather eat!
Despite the food containing 70% chicken, surprisingly, the protein content is only 29.03% DMB. Furthermore, it has the highest amount of carbohydrates of all brands listed at just under 42%, which is likely down to the potatoes. The recipe also contains Italian cheese, which isn't ideal for the lactose-intolerant feline but does make it more palpable. Fruits and vegetables add extra nutrients and fibre.
You might want to compare this dry food to a very similar brand, Edgard & Cooper, who also use fresh meat in their recipes. Meals typically have slightly more protein and fewer carbohydrates than Lily's Kitchen, but at the cost of less meat and the inclusion of peas. However, Edgard & Cooper is a reputable brand and my fussy tester cats 100% approved.
Read a full review here: Edgard & Cooper Cat Food Review (Tried and Tested)
Customer Reviews
Customers find Lily's Kitchen to be a quality cat food with wholesome ingredients and a high meat content. They appreciate its health benefits, such as healthier coats, and cats generally enjoy the taste.
A few owners reported that their cats stopped eating this food after inconsistencies were observed in the smell, appearance and texture of kibble. This seems to be after the company was bought by Nestlé Purina PetCare, which doesn't surprise me at all. You can find a list of alternative brands at the end of this article.
Value for money receives mixed reviews, with some considering the food to be expensive and others saying it's worth paying extra for the fresh meat content. While Lily's Kitchen is pricier than standard dry food, it comes in at around the same cost as mainstream premium brands - with better ingredients.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 / 5
Based on 1,000+ Amazon reviews.
✓ 70% fresh chicken. | ✕ Contains potatoes. |
✓ Chicken liver. | ✕ High carbohydrates. |
✓ Egg. | ✕ Expensive. |
✓ Contains prebiotics. |
Cosma Air-Dried Dry Food Salmon & Chicken
About the Brand
Cosma is produced by the German pet food manufacturer, Matina GmbH, founded in 2005 with the aim of creating delicious, species-appropriate food for cats, dogs, birds, horses and small pets. Other well-known Matina cat food brands include Purizon, Concept for Life, Smilla and Wild Freedom. These are available exclusively through online retailers, zooplus and bibita.
Cosma only uses fresh meat, fish or seafood in their recipes, which have been carefully processed with either broth or plant-based gelling agents. They use the same criteria for their cat food that are used for the manufacture of human foods. There isn't much specific information about how or where ingredients are sourced.
Cosma dry food is complete, but they also sell a variety of wet food, soups and snacks as supplemental feeding only. Dry food formulas are either air-dried or extruded, which uses the same high-heat cooking methods that we're trying to avoid. Extruded foods contain a lower meat quantity, but these drops in overall quality makes them more cost-effective.
Other flavours:
Lamb and Chicken (air-dried)
Tuna and Chicken (air-dried)
Beef and Chicken (air-dried)
Duck and Chicken (air-dried)
Duck (extruded)
Salmon (extruded)
Chicken (extruded)
Beef (extruded)
Food and Ingredients
Cosma Salmon & Chicken contains 80% fresh meat and offal, with tasty salmon and succulent chicken as its two main protein sources. These are claimed to "provide all of the essential amino acids needed to support your cat's muscle development and maintenance", and the gentle air-drying process preserves extra nutrients so your cat is fully nourished. It's a complete food for adult cats of all ages and breeds.
Grain-free with no artificial preservatives, colours or flavours.
Other benefits:
Prebiotics - supports nutrient absorption.
Salmon oil - supports healthy skin and coat.
Suitable for cats with sensitive digestive systems or allergies.
Ingredients:
Chicken (50%, consisting of Chicken Meat, Chicken Hearts, Chicken Livers, Chicken Stomachs), Salmon (26%), Beef (4%), Potato Starch, Chicken Fat, Vegetable Glycerine, Minerals, Cellulose (dried), Broccoli (1%), Blueberries (1%), Salmon Oil (0.8%), Crude Lecithin, Dried Brewer's Yeast [source of mannan-oligosaccharides and β-glucans], Chicory Inulin.
More:
According to the manufacturer, this product contains no additives and is made using exclusively natural, high-quality raw ingredients.
381.8 kcal/100g
Analytical Constituents | Dry Matter Basis |
Protein: 38% | Protein: 41.30% |
Fat: 18% | Fat: 19.56% |
Fibre: 3% | Fibre: 3.26% |
Ash: 8% | Ash: 8.69% |
Moisture: Unknown | Carbohydrates: 27.17% |
*The moisture content of this food is unavailable so dry matter basis is estimated.
Evaluation, Pros and Cons
The bulk of this Cosma dry food is made up of 50% chicken, including meat, hearts, livers and stomachs; and 26% salmon. Other animal-based ingredients include beef, chicken fat and salmon oil. There are some fruits and vegetables, such as dried broccoli and cellulose for added fibre; and potato starch.
The overall protein content of 41.30% DMB isn't the highest we've seen, which is surprising - and just a little disappointing - considering that 80% of the food is meat, offal and fish. This suggests there may be a higher quantity of plant-based ingredients than what is immediately obvious on the label, especially considering the moderate amount of carbohydrates.
The recipe also contains 4% beef, which is something to bear in mind if your cat has an allergy to beef. It has the lowest calories per 100g in comparison to other brands listed, which may be beneficial for overweight cats.
Cosma air-dried food has a slightly crumblier texture than traditional kibble and the pieces are larger. I received a free sample bag with my regular cat food order and it smelled like gravy granules, which was a pleasant surprise. Drax wasn't interested at first, but once he got a taste for them, the bag didn't last long!
Cosma has limited availability, and the easiest place to buy it in the UK is zooplus. You can search your local zooplus or bibita sites to see availability across Europe. On the plus side, there's a wide range of flavour options to suit every cat.
Customer Reviews
Cosma's dry cat food range receives rave reviews from owners, with many cats loving it as a regular meal or treat - even picky eaters enjoy the taste. The smell and composition of food is also praised, and there are very few reports of tummy upsets or cats refusing it.
The only negative point appears to be the price, which is around the same as Lily's Kitchen. Cosma has the added benefits of higher protein, lower carbohydrates and gentler processing methods.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 / 5
Based on 30+ zooplus reviews.
✓ 80% fresh meat and offal. | ✕ Potato starch. |
✓ Chicken fat and salmon oil. | ✕ High carbohydrates. |
✓ Air-dried. | ✕ Expensive. |
✓ Range of flavour options. |
Purizon Adult Grain-Free Chicken with Fish
Purizon, also manufactured by Matina GmbH, is developed to suit the needs of the carnivorous cat, with a high proportion of animal ingredients at 70%. All recipes are grain-free and contain a careful selection of fruits and vegetables. This tasty combination is stated to ensure "excellent acceptance and digestibility".
Purizon dry food comes in several varieties including adult, sterilised adult, large adult, kitten and single meat (for allergies). It should be noted that all food comes with feeding directions for neutered and unneutered cats, regardless of whether it's tailored for sterilised or not.
Some recipes have recently been changed to include less meat and the inclusion of peas or pea protein, which suggests a drop in standards. Be sure to check the label or description to see if it's an old or new recipe before purchasing.
Other flavours:
Lamb with Fish (sterilised adult)
Turkey & Chicken (sterilised adult)
Chicken & Fish (sterilised adult)
Wild Boar with Chicken (adult)
Beef with Chicken (adult)
Lamb with Fish (adult)
Chicken & Fish (large adult)
Salmon with Cornflower Blossoms (single meat)
Chicken with Chamomile Blossoms (single meat)
Food and Ingredients
Purizon Chicken with Fish is a high-quality complete dry food for adult cats. It's protein-rich with 70% meat and fish, ideal for a cat's digestive system. It contains fruit and vegetables as a natural source of vitamins and fibre.
Other benefits:
Grain-free.
Omega-3 and omega-6 - essential fatty acids for supple skin and shiny fur.
Suitable for neutered cats with adapted feeding directions.
Ingredients:
30% Chicken, 28% Chicken Protein (dried), Sweet Potato, 7% Chicken Fat, 1% Egg (dried), 1% Boneless Herring, 2% Herring Protein (dried), 1% Herring Oil), 11% Hydrolysed Animal Protein, Pea Fibre, Carrots (dried), Alfalfa (dried), Inulin, Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), Yeast Cell Walls (source of mannan oligosaccharides), Pomegranate (dried), Apple (dried), Spinach (dried), 0.3% Psyllium, Blueberries (dried), Sodium Chloride, Brewers Yeast (dried), 0.2% Turmeric, 0.12% Glucosamine, 0.09% Chondroitin Sulphate, Margold Extract, Aloe Vera (dried), Green Tea (dried), Rosemary (dried).
More:
NUTRITIONAL ADDITIVES: Vitamin A 18,000 IU, vitamin D3 1,200 IU, vitamin E 600mg, vitamin C 300mg, niacin 150mg, calcium-D-pantothenate 50mg, folic acid 1.5mg, vitamin B2 (riboflavin) 20mg, vitamin B1 (thiamine mononitrate) 10mg, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride) 8.1mg, biotin 1.5mg, beta-carotene 1.5mg, vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) 0.1mg, choline chloride 2,500mg, zinc (zinc chelate of the hydroxy analogue of methionine) 163.8mg, manganese (manganese chelate of the hydroxy analogue of methionine) 64.6mg, iron (ferrous glycine chelate hydrate) 58.3mg, copper (copper chelate of the hydroxy analogue of methionine) 15.8mg, selenium (selenomethionine from Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-3399 (inactivated selenium yeast)) 0.88μg, DL-methionine 5.000mg, taurine 4,000mg, L-carnitine 300mg.
*406.01 kcal/100g (estimated)
Analytical Constituents | Dry Matter Basis |
Protein: 44% | Protein: 47.82 % |
Fat: 20% | Fat: 21.73% |
Fibre: 1.8% | Fibre: 1.95% |
Ash: 8.5% | Ash: 9.23% |
Moisture: Unknown. | Carbohydrates: 19.23% |
*The moisture content of this food is unavailable so dry matter basis is estimated.
Evaluation, Pros and Cons
It's not clearly specified on the label whether the meat used in this food is fresh, only that it contains 30% chicken and 28% dried chicken. Sweet potato is high up on the ingredients list at number three, but the carbohydrates aren't excessive; and protein counts for almost half of the total food.
Pea fibre is also included, though it's not a main ingredient so shouldn't be much of an issue. Other plant-based ingredients like carrots, spinach and a handful of fruits are added into the recipe.
I usually prefer a shorter ingredients list and there seems to be a lot of additives. However, with 70% of the food being animal-based; no meat meal and the use of sweet potato instead of potato, it's more deserving of a premium label than what we're used to seeing on the shelves.
It would be nice to see more information regarding meat sourcing and processing methods, since it's hard to find out exactly where ingredients are coming from. Both Purizon and Cosma fall under the Matina GmbH umbrella.
Pruizon varies in price depending on the formula: for example, their adult sterilised cat food is more expensive than the standard adult versions. You can buy packs in bulk at a lower cost on zooplus but availability is often limited.
Customer Reviews
Purizon is a favourite amongst UK and European cat owners for the high meat content and absence of fillers, as seen in lot of premium offerings. There's a good choice of flavours and cats love the taste. The food is said to contribute to optimum health and weight.
Long-term users of Purizon claim that cats have stopped eating food after the recipe changes and it's caused some digestive issues. This could indicate a dip in quality or simply cats adjusting to different nutrients than what they're used to eating.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 / 5
Based on 40+ Amazon reviews.
✓ 70% chicken and fish. | ✕ Sweet potato. |
✓ Herring oil and chicken fat. | ✕ Pea fibre. |
✓ High protein. | ✕ Additives. |
✓ Range of flavour options. |
Summary
I hope you've found something on this list that your kitty approves of, or at the very least, it gives you some idea of what to look for in a premium dry food. While these options are grain-free, I don't necessarily advocate a grain-free diet, since vegetables contain as much - if not more - carbohydrates than rice and other cereals. However, there are less known health issues associated with potatoes and vegetables.
Grains and cereals have been linked to hyperthyroidism, impaired protein absorption, cystitis and struvite stones in cats. The heating of seed oils at high temperatures can cause them to become toxic, which is a risk with the heavy processing methods used to create kibble. If you opt for a grain-inclusive diet, stick to small amounts of unrefined grains like brown rice or whole grain oats.
Again, this is a controversial topic with a lot of conflicting evidence that can be hard to navigate. You should make your own judgments on feeding cats dry food based on the research available.
Below are some similar brands to those mentioned:
ORIJEN - Made from 90% animal ingredients, including raw or fresh meat and offal. Food has a long list of plant-based ingredients. Similar to ZIWI Peak or Cosma.
Meowing Heads - At least 70% meat or seafood, including fresh meat. Contains grains.
Scrumbles - 75% meat or seafood, including fresh meat. Contains grains.
Wild Freedom - High meat content, including fresh meat. Contains potatoes and peas.
Crave - A combination of fresh and dried meat or seafood. Contains peas or lentils. Cost-effective.
Do you feed your cat any of these dry foods or think you've found a better option? Share your feedback or recommendations for other cat parents.
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