15 Best Grain-Free Cat Foods In Canada

Reviews

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free Cat Food – Overall Winner
 

• First, deboned chicken is used.
• Flavor: Chicken
• Adult life stage
• 443 kilocalories per cup

Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free Cat Food is our pick for the best grain-free cat food in Canada. This grain and gluten free dry food uses sweet potatoes to provide your cat’s carbohydrate demands.

Blue Buffalo Wilderness dishes are based on the idea of simulating your cat’s natural diet in the outdoors. The food is then supplemented to ensure that it is nutritionally full.

The precisely adjusted fat, protein, and calorie ratio will keep your cat healthy even as they become older. While it is labeled as adult cat food, senior cats can eat it.

The only demographic for which this diet is not suitable is cats with kidney problems. It contains a lot of protein, which can aggravate pre-existing kidney problems.

Pros

• The first ingredient is animal protein.
• Identical to a cat’s natural diet
• Adult and senior cats can eat it.
• Completely nutritious

Cons

• Not suitable for cats with kidney disease.

 

Best Value Purina Beyond Grain-Free Natural Cat Food
 

• First, there’s the hake.
• Ocean whitefish and egg flavor
• Adult life stage
• 392 calories per cup

Purina Beyond Grain-Free Natural cat food is the most affordable grain-free cat food in Canada.

It’s full of high-quality protein, with fish as the first component and egg added, to give your cat all the energy they need.

Purina Beyond is a nutritionally complete dry food that contains all important vitamins and nutrients, eliminating the need to supplement your cat’s diet.

It is crucial to know that if your cat is allergic to chicken, this meal does not include chicken. It has no poultry byproducts, although it does contain entire chicken in the ingredient list.

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Protein of high grade
• Food that is nutritionally complete

Cons

• This product contains chicken.

 

Premium Selection – Taste of the Wild Rocky Mountains
 

• First, there is chicken dinner.
• Roasted venison and smoked salmon flavor
• Life Stage: All stages of life
• 425 calories per cup

Taste of the Wild Rocky Mountain Recipe is our top grain-free cat food choice.

While this food is more expensive than many other products, it contains all-natural nutrients and proteins that are readily absorbed to reduce gastric distress.

Antioxidants and probiotics are used to boost immunological and digestive health. This cat food is also suitable for all life phases, so it can be fed to cats of all ages, from kittens to senior citizens.

This can be a significant benefit in terms of not having to change feeds as your cat develops. Taste of the Wild is a high-protein meal that should not be fed to cats that have kidney illness.

Pros

• 100% natural ingredients
• Antioxidants and probiotics are included.
• For all stages of life

Cons

• Not suitable for cats with kidney disease.

 

Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Kitten Food – The Best Kitten Food
 

• First, deboned chicken is used.
• Flavor: Chicken
• Kitten life stage
• 457 kilocalories per cup

Look no further than Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Kitten Chow for quality, grain-free kitten food for your tiny pet. This recipe is intended to promote healthy muscular development and growth.

It contains DHA, taurine, and ARA, which help with cognitive and ocular health. Blue Buffalo’s LifeSource Bits are packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals that will help your kitten’s overall health.

Pros

• Food for kittens
• Encourages normal growth and development
• Supplements for kittens in growth
• Total nutrition

Cons

• Only suitable for kittens up to the age of a year

 

Canned Purina Pro Plan True Nature Grain-Free Cat Food
 

• First, there’s the ocean whitefish.
• Ocean whitefish and salmon flavor
• Adult life stage
• 107 kilocalories per can

Purina ProPlan True Nature is a grain-free wet food option manufactured with all-natural ingredients that is also gluten-free.

For cats who are sensitive to chicken, the ocean-whitefish-and-salmon recipe is chicken-free but high in quality animal protein.

Purina’s food formulas are created in collaboration with over 400 veterinarians and animal nutritionists. This diet is suitable for overweight cats as well as those with diabetes.

It also delivers complete nutrition, so there’s no need to combine it with dry food if you don’t want to.

The most significant disadvantage is the cost, although it may be worthwhile if your cat has difficulty chewing or tolerating dry food.

Pros

• Total nutrition
• Free of chicken
• The first ingredient is meat.
• Cats who are overweight or diabetic are not at risk.

Cons

• More costly than kibble

 

Original Formula Wellness Core Grain-Free Cat Food
 

• Primary Ingredient: Chicken
• Turkey with chicken flavor
• Adult/Senior Life Stage
• 445 kilocalories per cup

Wellness Core advertises its cat food formulations as being similar to the diet of a wild cat. It also uses dried kelp in its dishes, which adds fiber.

This keeps overweight cats fuller for longer and helps them avoid overeating. Cranberries are used in this recipe to support urinary tract health.

This distinguishes Wellness Core from other grain-free cat meals and makes it one of the few solutions for cats with kidney problems.

This diet contains glucosamine and chondroitin, which assist elderly cats maintain joint mobility. It may also help cats with arthritis with stiffness.

The flavor is the most common criticism about Wellness Core cat food. Unfortunately, finicky cats do not appear to enjoy it. If your cat refuses to consume it, any health benefits from a regular diet of this food are null and void.

Pros

• Kelp dried for added fiber
• Beneficial for maintaining a healthy body weight
• Cranberries are beneficial to urinary tract health.
• Glucosamine and chondroitin are included for joint health.

Cons

• Picky cats dislike it.

 

Freedom Grain Free Natural Indoor Cat Food by Blue Buffalo
 

• First and foremost, whitefish
• Flavor: Fish
• Adult life stage
• 391 calories per cup

Blue Buffalo Freedom is formulated specifically for indoor cats to help them maintain a healthy body weight.

It contains fewer calories than other cat diets while yet being properly balanced to ensure that your pet receives all of the nourishment they require to stay healthy.

Blue’s LifeSource Bits are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to help your cat’s digestive, immunological, and skeletal systems stay healthy.

This food will also preserve their skin and coat in good condition. Blue Buffalo Freedom has a strong odor due to the principal ingredient, fish.

This is likely to appeal to your cat, but for many owners, it is a great turn-off. If your cat feeds and grazes all day, you may not want your home to smell like fish.

Pros

• Aids in the maintenance of a healthy body weight
• Balanced nutrition

Cons

• Strong fish odor
• Not suitable for energetic, outdoor cats.

 

Adult Cat Food Merrick Purrfect Bistro Grain-Free
 

• First and foremost, deboned salmon
• Salmon, chicken, and turkey flavors
• Adult life stage
• 412 kilocalories per cup

Merrick Purrfect Bistro is a grain-free cat food with a 74% to 26% protein/fat-to-carbohydrate ratio. This food contains the fewest carbs of any on this list.

In cats that require it, this can assist encourage weight loss or prevent weight gain from extra carbs. Another unique feature of Merrick Grain-Free food is that it aids in the prevention of hairballs.

This may be the snack for you if you’re weary of cleaning up gooey balls of hair. We do not recommend this food if your cat is prone to urinary tract crystals or bladder stones due to its high protein content.

Because fish is the initial ingredient, this chow smells “fishy,” which some owners dislike. Some finicky cats, like with any food, dislike its flavor.

Pros

• Carbohydrate content is low.
• Encourages a healthy body weight
• Aids in hairball prevention

Cons

• Not suitable for cats prone to urinary crystals.
• It has a fishy odor.
• Some cats dislike the taste.

 

Grain-Free Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Dry Cat Food
 

• First, there’s rabbit food.
• Flavor: Rabbit
• Adult life stage
• 457 kilocalories per cup

Cats who require grain-free food but also have food sensitivities may benefit from Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Recipe.

This food employs rabbit as its primary protein and has a limited ingredient list to prevent allergic reactions.

Instinct assures that its food is free of all artificial colors and preservatives, as well as poultry, meat, fish, dairy, eggs, grains, potato, corn, wheat, soy, sweet potato, and chickpeas.

The most significant disadvantage of this cuisine is its high price. It is an above-average price for grain-free cat chow in the form of a freeze-dried raw diet containing a new protein.

However, it is one of the few diets that match these requirements and is required to keep certain cats healthy.

Pros

• Protein discovery
• Ingredients are few.
• Ensured to be free of allergen-inducing components

Cons

• Above-average price

 

Signature Kirkland Nature’s Domain Cat Formula
 

• First and foremost, salmon meal
• Salmon dinner and potato flavor
• Adult life stage
• 333 calories per cup

Kirkland Signature is one of the most affordable grain-free cat food brands on the market.

This cuisine was previously only available to Costco members, but it is now available on Amazon, making it much more accessible.

This formula has a high concentration of fish proteins as well as a guaranteed quantity of probiotics to support intestinal health.

The carbohydrate content of Kirkland Signature foods is the most significant disadvantage. It does contain carbs from a variety of sources, but it remains grain-free.

This does not appear to create any noticeable digestive problems in healthy cats. According to online reviews, most cats enjoy this meal and it is even tolerated by cats who have GI issues with other cat foods.

Pros

• Economical choice
• Animal proteins of high quality
• Gut health with probiotics
• Cats enjoy the flavor.
• Cats with GI allergies to other feeds tolerate it.

Cons

• Carbohydrate content is high.

Choosing the Best Grain-Free Cat Food in Canada: A Buyer's Guide

You’re not alone if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the variety of grain-free cat food alternatives available.

Grain-free diets are required for some cats, however you should not change your cat’s diet without first consulting with your veterinarian.

Grain-free diets are not necessary for all cats, so be sure the switch is beneficial to your cat’s health first. If your veterinarian has advised you to avoid grains for your cat, here’s what to look for in grain-free cat food.

• Look for cat food that is nutritionally balanced. Whatever cuisine you choose should be “balanced and complete.” It should adhere to AAFCO nutritional recommendations for cats and be age-appropriate for your cat. Kittens, for example, require different nutrition than elderly cats, and their food should reflect this.
• Take into account your cat’s food preferences. Keep in mind if your cat prefers wet or dry food, for example. Perhaps your cat is finicky and dislikes chicken-flavored kibble. It makes no difference how healthy a food is if your cat refuses to eat it.
• Make the transition gently. When changing your cat’s diet, combine the new and old foods and gradually increase the amount of new food. This will allow your cat’s body and digestive system to adjust to the new substances without producing any undesirable side effects.

Is a Grain-Free Diet Necessary for Your Cat?

Grain allergies in cats are uncommon, although they do occur. Symptoms of grain allergies include:

• Red, itchy skin
• Bald patches or hair loss
• Skin that is scabby and scaly

If you feel your cat has an allergy, take them to the clinic for testing to discover if their diet is to blame.

It is also possible for cats to have a sensitivity or intolerance to grains, and some owners report that feeding their cat a grain-free diet reduces vomiting bouts.

The Benefits and Drawbacks of Grain-Free Cat Food

There are several benefits to giving your cat a grain-free diet, which include:

• Grain is commonly added as a “filler” in cat meals to enhance carbohydrate content and because wheat, rice, and corn are relatively affordable. In grain-free foods, these are frequently replaced with higher-quality components.
• In the wild, cats would not consume grains. Grain-free cat food is more similar to what a cat’s natural diet would look like.
• If your vet has diagnosed your cat with a grain allergy or sensitivity, a grain-free diet may be required to avoid an undesirable reaction.

Disadvantages of a grain-free diet include:

• When grain is removed from cat food, it must be substituted with another substance. As a result, grain-free food is frequently higher in fat and calories than grain-containing food. This is significant since it may result in your cat getting overweight.
• Grain-free foods are frequently more expensive than conventional foods.

Grain-Free Diet Myths and Misconceptions

There is nothing inherently wrong with providing your cat a grain-free diet.

Grain-free cat food was once reserved for cats with allergies and food intolerances, but it has grown in popularity in recent years.

This popularity has mirrored that of grain-free and low-carbohydrate diets for humans.

Do all cats require a grain-free diet? No, most of them do not, although cats are obligate carnivores. Meat is the most important part of their diet.

There’s nothing wrong with cat food as long as it covers their protein, vitamin, mineral, and calorie needs in a nutritionally complete recipe.

Do Grain-Free Diets Increase the Risk of Heart Disease?

While there has been a correlation established between grain-free dog food and canine heart disease, no evidence has been found to suggest that cats are at danger.

In 2018, the FDA initiated an examination into grain-free pet meals, which discovered that grain-free diets pose no health risk to cats.

Conclusion

When looking for grain-free cat food, it might be difficult to know which meals are the best.

These reviews and buyer’s guide of the best grain-free cat foods in Canada should hopefully have given you a decent notion of what to look for.

To summarize, BestForPets (bestforpets.org) believes that Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain-Free Cat Food is the best grain-free cat food in Canada.

This formula closely resembles what your cat would eat in the wild and provides complete nourishment.

Purina Beyond Grain Free Natural is the best value for money.

This dry food contains all of your cat’s nutritional requirements while being less expensive than many other grain-free recipes.

Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Kitten Food is recommended for kittens.

This recipe includes all of the nutrition that Blue Buffalo Wilderness is known for, as well as additional supplements to assist healthy growth and development.