The 7 Best Human-Grade Cat Foods
- May 27, 2023
- By Dr. Deborah Fletcher
Cats are obligate carnivores, which implies that meat protein should be their primary nutrient source to stay healthy. Even better if the protein source is of excellent grade.
Unfortunately, many cat feeds are prepared with feed-grade ingredients, which means they are of poor quality and frequently contain highly processed meat portions rather than actual raw meat.
But you don't have to give your cat low-quality stuff when there are better options available. This is where human-grade cat chow comes into play.
Human-grade cat food is created with the same components that you and I would consume, and it is both tasty and nutritious for your cat.
If you're thinking about switching, BestForPets (bestforpets.org) has compiled a list of the best human-grade cat foods, along with reviews, to help you decide.
Reviews
Wet Cat Food Applaws Fish Selection in Broth Variety Pack
Applaws Fish Selection in Broth Variety Pack Wet Cat Chow is our pick for the best human-grade cat food for the money.
Not only will your cat love three different flavors: tuna, tuna with shrimp, and tuna with seaweed. Aside from the main ingredient, tuna fillet, each dish contains a maximum of three other ingredients.
And the cost of each can be less than $2 each. This wet cat food contains a high protein and low fat content, as well as only 40 calories per can, ensuring that your cat’s muscles remain lean while maintaining his appropriate weight.
Furthermore, Applaws at Food has been certified by the Ethical Company Organization for responsibly obtaining their fish utilizing dolphin-friendly practices.
While Applaws wet cat food is prepared with high-quality, all-natural ingredients, it is not a comprehensive and balanced diet.
For a balanced diet, it should be served in addition to a complete wet or dry cat food, such as Applaws complete dry cat food.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Each flavor contains no more than three ingredients.
- The Ethical Company Organization has accredited us for sustainable sourcing.
Cons
- This is not a complete and balanced diet.
Wet Cat Food – Harvest Chicken Rustic Blend – Premium Choice
Our top recommendation is Open Farm Harvest Chicken Rustic Blend Wet Cat Food.
Not only is this cuisine created with 100% human-grade and natural ingredients, but the chicken in the dish is humanely reared, which means it was kept on a farm, cage-free to exhibit natural behaviors, and provided a nutritious vegetarian diet free of hormones and antibiotics.
This produces the highest grade meat for feeding to your cat as a protein source. The remaining components in this incredible dish include chicken bone broth and healthful foods like pumpkin, carrots, red lentils, garbanzo beans, spinach, kale, and cranberries, which give fiber, beta carotenes, antioxidants, and vitamins.
Turmeric, a natural anti-inflammatory rich in antioxidants, is also used in the recipe to help counteract the detrimental effects of free radicals at the cellular level.
This high-quality diet has everything your small carnivore requires to thrive. It is a species-appropriate diet that is high in all animal-derived protein, low in carbs, and wet, similar to what a cat would consume in the wild.
Because the tetra paks are resealable, you can safely store any leftovers in the fridge if you aren’t feeding an entire portion. Obviously, just like human food in the fridge, this should be consumed within three days of opening.
With a single source of protein and few ingredients, this product is ideal for cats who have food sensitivities or intolerances. If your cat is allergic to chicken, this brand also has recipes for turkey, salmon, tuna, and mackerel.
The only disadvantage of this fantastic product is that it is not widely available everywhere!
Pros
- Chicken raised with care
- High in antioxidants
- Carbohydrates are scarce.
Cons
- Stores do not carry it.
Human-Grade Dehydrated Grain-Free Chicken Cat Food from Honest Kitchen
Human-Grade Dehydrated Grain-Free Chicken from Honest Kitchen Cat Food contains no chemical preservatives, by-products, fillers, corn, wheat, or soy and is prepared with 100% human-grade and natural ingredients.
It’s an excellent alternative if your cat has a delicate stomach or food intolerance. The dehydrated formula is also supposed to be rehydrated and softened with water or broth.
It’s useful if you have an elderly cat that can’t chew dry food and want something that won’t deplete your supply as quickly as wet food.
This diet is high in protein, which cats require, but it is also higher in fat than is typical for cat food. However, if your cat is overweight, it may not be the greatest option.
Pros
- Excellent for senior cats.
- Artificial ingredient-free
- Excellent for cats with delicate stomachs.
Cons
- Pricey
- Fat content is high.
Grain-Free Caru Classic Wild Salmon and Turkey Stew Wet Cat Food
Caru Classic Wild Salmon and Turkey Stew Grain-Free Wet Cat Food is a semi-liquid cat food, meaning it’s extremely moist.
That being said, it may not be the best option for the ordinary adult cat, but it is ideal for elderly cats who may have difficulty eating other forms of food.
Because this dish is termed ‘Wild Salmon and Turkey Stew,’ we will add that it is also cooked like a stew; very slowly so that the nutritious value is preserved, which is a good thing.
We like that the main protein ingredients in this diet are salmon and turkey, which most cats enjoy. It also has carrots, sweet potatoes, and apples for added nutritious value, as well as no grains, gluten, or preservatives.
It does, however, contain tapioca starch, which is commonly used as a filler ingredient and has little nutritional benefit. Furthermore, it contains less protein than other wet cat feeds.
Pros
- Slow-cooked
- Excellent for senior cats.
- Grain, gluten, and preservative-free
Cons
- There is a filler element present.
- Protein content is lower than in other wet cat diets.
Dry Cat Food Open Farm Wild-Caught Salmon
Open Farm Wild-Caught Salmon Cat Food is another excellent dry cat food with human-grade ingredients. It has additional meat-based protein components that your cat will appreciate.
It contains plant-based components dubbed “superfoods,” like as pumpkin, cranberries, and apples, which are more easily digestible and give critical vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants, to support many areas of your cat’s body.
Overall, this is an excellent product; the only reason it is ranked last is that it is not 100% human quality.
The formula incorporates natural flavor; these are natural components derived from sustainably caught fish or non-GMO yeast cultures used to boost the palatability for cats but not consumed by humans.
This diet is free of grains, corn, wheat, and soy, which your cat may find difficult to digest. All components are sourced in a humane and sustainable manner, and pet owners may even track the origins of the ingredients using information supplied on the bag.
Aside from the price, the main disadvantage of this food is that, despite the small size of the kibbles, senior cats may have difficulty chewing them.
Pros
- High in proteins derived from meat
- Superfood elements are included.
- Ingredients can be tracked back to their origin.
Cons
- It may be difficult to eat for older cats.
Buyer's Guide: Selecting The Best Human-Grade Cat Foods
Now that you’ve seen our picks for the finest human-grade cat foods, there are a few factors to think about when determining which food is best for your cat.
Hopefully, these suggestions may make your selection easier when the time comes.
Ingredients
The components are one of the first things to consider while selecting cat food in general.
Because cats are obligate carnivores, at least 70% of their nourishment must come from meat. Meat should be the first ingredient in any cat food you buy, but it’s even better if it’s the first two or three.
You don’t have to be concerned about that with human-grade cat food, particularly the ones we’ve examined, because they all indicate meat as at least the first component.
However, the types of vegetables and plant elements contained in the food must be considered.
Vegetables can offer your cat with crucial nutrients that meat cannot. Certain veggies and plant elements, however, are difficult for cats to digest, such as grains and sugary fruits and vegetables.
Pumpkin, spinach, green beans, carrots, and peas are all excellent cat food ingredients that most cats should be able to stomach.
They can also enhance the flavor of meals. Even if a food contains these ingredients, meat should still be mentioned as the first ingredient.
Health/Age/Preferences of Your Cat
Another factor to consider when selecting on human-grade cat chow for your cat is their health, age, and personal preferences.
Some cats, for example, may have difficulty digesting particular meats or simply dislike the flavor of them. They could choose turkey over chicken, for example.
You should also examine whether your cat is overweight or underweight, as different cat meals have varying levels of protein and fat content.
Adult cats with a healthy body weight should eat food that has at least 26-40% protein, whether wet or dry, and some senior cats may require at least 50%.
The protein composition of dry cat meals is often fairly correct. However, the protein content of wet cat food might be misleading because it often shows low protein percentages on the box because moisture is taken into account.
The protein content of wet cat food is actually significantly more than what is mentioned on the container. This PetMD article discusses how to calculate how much protein is in wet cat food.
The same is true for fat in cat food, which must include at least 9% fat on a dry matter basis. However, the real quantity of fat that healthy cats require in their diet could range between 20-25%.
Cats that are overweight or underweight may require more or less protein or fat, but you should consult with your veterinarian before selecting cat food. Finally, consider your cat’s age when determining whether to feed wet or dry food.
Kittens and senior cats often find it difficult to chew regular dry cat food as easily as adult cats, therefore you may need to feed your kitten or senior cat wet food or dry cat food made for kittens or seniors, as these are simpler for your cat to consume or digest and have different nutrient values.
Budget
The last item to think about is your budget. What you should know about human-grade cat foods is that because they are created with higher-quality ingredients, they can be pricey.
Furthermore, if you choose a fresh food subscription and delivery service, the cost can be significantly higher. When selecting human-grade cat food, ensure that your budget can support paying for it over time.
Consider how many cats you have if you plan on feeding them all the same food. With more cats, you’ll go through food faster and have to buy it more frequently.
And keep in mind that just because one brand of cat food is more expensive does not necessarily imply that it is better for your cat.
You must still consider the components as well as your cat’s health and preferences. You might discover that a less expensive human-grade cat food is better for your scenario than a more expensive one.
Conclusion
Human-grade cat chow is an excellent way to ensure that your cat receives nutritional food prepared from high-quality components.
Open Farm Wild-Caught Salmon Cat Food, a subscription and delivery service, has the best human-grade cat food. The Applaws Fish Selection Variety Pack Wet Cat Chow is the greatest human-grade cat food for the money.
Whatever human-grade cat chow you choose, even if it isn’t on this list of the best human-grade cat foods, BestForPets (bestforpets.org) hopes you find these reviews and buyer’s guide to be helpful in making your decision.
Dr. Deborah Fletcher
Deborah R. Fletcher, DVM, is a skilled veterinarian with more than 15 years of experience dealing with companion and exotic animals. She has experience caring for a variety of animals, including household cats and dogs, reptiles, birds of prey, and even primates. Dr. Fletcher is a valuable part of the BestForPets team, where she contributes to their aim of providing pets and their owners with the finest possible treatment and services.
Veterinarian (DVM) Dr. Deborah Fletcher
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