15 Best Low Carb Foods For Cats

Reviews

Best Value Fancy Feast Savory Salmon Feast Cat Food
 

• Protein: 11%
• Fat: 4%
• Carbs: 0.6%
• Salmon, liver, and animal byproducts are the main ingredients.

The Fancy Feast Salmon canned food is our pick for the best low-carb cat food for the money. Most canned cat food is low in carbs, so you don’t have to spend a bunch to limit your cat’s carb consumption to a minimal.

Fancy Feast is widely available in most grocery and retail establishments, making it both a convenient and cost-effective option.

Many fish-based canned meals are lower in carbohydrates, which is why we chose this salmon diet from among the many Fancy Feast options.

However, not all cats appreciate or can tolerate fish diets, so if you choose this food, keep an eye on your cat for any stomach problems.

Cat owners who like to feed all-natural or higher quality diets may be put off by the fact that this one contains meat by-products.

Pros

• Widely accessible
• Cost-effective
• Other variations are available.

Cons

• Some cats are allergic to fish-based diets.

 

Cat Food Instinct Ultimate Protein Grain-Free Pate Real Venison
 

• Protein: 11%
• Fat: 7%
• Carbs: 1%
• Venison, pork liver, and pork broth are the main ingredients.

If you value high-quality, all-natural ingredients and have a larger budget, choose the Instinct Ultimate Protein Grain-free Venison diet.

This meal is not only low carb, but it also has a novel protein source—venison—making it an excellent alternative for cats that have food allergies or inflammatory bowel illness (IBD).

Because it is constructed of entire meat sources with no grains or filler elements, Instinct is one of the more expensive cat feeds on the market.

Aside from the cost, owners have discovered that some cats dislike the taste of this food. The cans also contain a lot of liquid, which typically results in a mess when they’re opened.

Pros

• Ingredients of superior quality (no grains or fillers)
• It also helps cats with food allergies or IBD.

Cons

• Expensive
• Messy

 

Purina Pro Plan Grain-Free Classic Chicken Kitten Food – Kittens’ Favorite
 

• Protein: 12%
• Fat: 6%
• Carbs: 5%
• Top ingredients: chicken, liver, and enough water for processing.

Purina Pro Plan Grain-free Chicken is a flavorful, well-tolerated canned food for most cats that is suitable for kittens or adult cats who require a high protein, low-carb diet.

Because it’s kitten food, it only comes in 3-ounce cans, which can be difficult and pricey if you’re feeding a full-size cat. The majority of owners who have tried it have given it positive feedback and suggest it.

Pro Plan is typically only available in pet stores or online, making it more difficult to locate than lower-level Purina meals.

This meal contains no artificial colors or flavors, but it does contain by-products, which are considered healthy and nutritious for cats but are avoided by some owners.

Pros

• Most cats enjoy the flavor.
• There are no artificial colors or tastes.

Cons

• Only tiny cans are available.

 

Hawaiian Grill Ahi Tuna Grain-Free Low Carb Cat Food Tiki Cat
 

• Protein: 16%
• Fat: 2%
• Carbs: 1%
• Tuna, tuna broth, and sunflower seed oil are the main ingredients.

This luxury cat food brand‘s main protein source is real, wild-caught Ahi tuna. Tiki Cat is one of the highest protein, lowest fat diets we tested, making it an excellent choice for cats seeking to lose weight by limiting carbs.

Mercury contamination can be an issue with tuna-based goods, so one company takes an effort to purchase fish with the lowest mercury concentration possible.

Cats who dislike fish diets will dislike this one since it has a particularly strong smell and flavor. This dish is also extremely costly and contains a lot of liquid rather than genuine tuna chunks.

Pros

• Excellent for overweight cats
• High-quality components are used.

Cons

• Some cats hate strong odors and tastes.

 

Canned Avoderm Grain-Free Salmon Consomme Cat Food
 

• Protein: 13%
• Fat: 2%
• Carbs: 0%
• Salmon, salmon broth, tricalcium phosphate are the main ingredients.

Another fantastic low-carb cat food is the Avoderm Grain-free Salmon Consomme, which is created with wild-caught salmon and packed in a tasty broth, providing your cat with increased hydration while they eat.

Unlike the other diets on our list, this one includes avocados and avocado oil as a source of fatty acids. Avoderm is not as popular or well-known as other cat food brands, and it is more expensive.

Cat owners like the food’s and ingredients’ human-grade quality. Cats who dislike flaky textured foods, even if they normally prefer salmon foods, are unlikely to enjoy this one.

Pros

• Human-grade components of the highest quality
• Avocado is a unique source of fatty acids.

Cons

• Expensive
• Some felines loathe the texture.

 

Grain-free Merrick Purrfect Bistro Chicken Pate Cat Food
 

• Protein: 10%
• Fat: 5%
• Carbs: 0.6%
• Deboned chicken, chicken broth, and chicken liver are the main ingredients.

This low-carb meal is high in antioxidants, fatty acids, and other vital nutrients since it contains real chicken and luscious gravy. Merrick Purrfect Bistro also includes components to aid kitty’s digestion of their low-carb food.

With its pate texture and added moisture, this food is great for finicky eaters. Merrick is a more expensive option than some of the others on the list, most likely because they use higher grade, USDA-certified chicken.

Long-time buyers of this food complain that a recent formula modification has changed the color of the food, which their cats no longer prefer.

Pros

• Made with premium chicken
• Antioxidants and digestive aides are present.
• Extra moisture is a good source.

Cons

• Expensive
• Some cats reject recent flavor modifications.

 

Cat Food Purina ProPlan DM Veterinary Diet
 

• Protein: 12%
• Fat: 5%
• Carbs: 0.4%
• Meat by-products, water, and chicken are the main ingredients.

Purina’s prescription veterinary diet. Purina DM is designed specifically for diabetic cats who require a low-carb, high-protein diet. Because diabetic cats frequently have urinary issues, this diet can help reduce your cat’s risk of getting bladder stones.

This medication is only available with a prescription and is rather costly. The majority of owners say their cats appreciate this meal. Cats who dislike the texture of a pate diet may reject the Purina DM.

Pros

• Specifically designed to be low carb.
• Low in fat
• Reduces the likelihood of bladder stones

Cons

• Only with a prescription is this medication available.

 

Grain-Free Purina One Turkey Pate Canned Cat Food
 

• Protein: 11%
• Fat: 5%
• Carbs: 3%
• Turkey, liver, and turkey broth are the main ingredients.

Purina’s Purina One Grain-free Turkey Pate is another great, low-carb product. It’s a moderately priced diet that’s usually very easy to buy in most places.

Most cats tolerate this poultry-based chow, which is made with actual turkey. While fussy cats may initially reject this food, owners say that they like the simple, healthful ingredients that make up this diet.

This food has a higher fat content and a lower protein content than some of the others on this list. Owners who want to lose weight for their cats may need to look for a lower fat choice.

Pros

• Cost-effective
• Ingredients are simple and healthful.

Cons

• Increased fat content
• Some cats first dislike the flavor.

 

Canned Wellness Core Grain-Free Chicken And Chicken Liver Cat Food
 

• Protein: 11%
• Fat: 4%
• Carbs: 2.8%
• Chicken, chicken liver, and chicken broth are the main ingredients.

Wellness Core is made with excellent ingredients and is free of artificial colors, preservatives, and carrageenan. Flaxseed, cranberries, and dried kelp are among the other natural ingredients in the cuisine.

These contribute to Wellness Core being both low carb and high in antioxidants and beneficial fatty acids. All of that quality comes at a cost, as this is not a low-cost canned diet.

Wellness Core is typically only accessible from pet stores or internet merchants, making this food more difficult to find.

Furthermore, given the price, this could be an expensive flop if your cat prefers a different low-carb diet.

Pros

• Made with premium ingredients
• There are no artificial colors, flavors, or carrageenan in this product.

Cons

• Expensive
• Picky cats may not enjoy it.

 

Dry Cat Food Purina ProPlan Veterinary Diet DM
 

• Protein: 58%
• Fat: 17%
• Carbs: 13%
• Poultry by-product meal, soy protein isolate, and corn gluten meal are the main ingredients.

When it comes to feeding low-carb diets, canned foods are always preferable than dry food. Dry food cannot be produced without a significant amount of carbs.

Some cats, however, will not consume canned food no matter how much their owners wish they would. Purina DM dry food is a fantastic alternative for those cats, especially diabetic ones.

This food has a high protein content for a dry diet and one of the lowest carbohydrate counts available.

This food, like the wet version, is designed by researchers to assist diabetic cats control their insulin levels. It is also costly and requires a prescription.

Despite this, consumers highly recommend this diet, indicating that it is worth the extra money for peace of mind.

Pros

• One of the low carbohydrate dry diets
• Perfect for diabetic kitties
• Most cats enjoy the flavor.

Cons

• Expensive
• A prescription is necessary.
• It still has more carbs than canned food.

Buyer's Guide: Selecting the Best Low Carb Cat Food

Now that we’ve loaded your brain with useful knowledge on the finest low-carb cat meals, here are some more considerations to make before making your final pick.

Is your cat suffering from a medical condition?

If your cat needs to eat low carb due to diabetes or another medical condition, you’ll want to compare and contrast the diets available. You should also get guidance from your veterinarian before making a decision.

Another issue is that diabetic cats, in particular, require a highly constant diet, regardless of what they end up consuming.

If you already know your cat enjoys a certain flavor of food, attempt to find a low-carb diet in that flavor. The last thing you need is to go through several diets in search of one that your cat would eat.

What Is the Age of Your Cat?

In general, cats should eat food that is appropriate for their life stage. We just examined one kitten food for this article, but there are many additional options available.

When deciding which low-carb diet is best for your cat, try to choose one that is appropriate for their age.

Do you prefer wet or dry food for your cat?

As previously stated, canned food is almost always lower in carbohydrates than even the best dry food.

If your cat dislikes canned food, your search for a low-carb diet will undoubtedly be hampered. Learn how to calculate and compare the carbohydrate content of dry foods to discover the best option.

Grain-free dry meals are often the lowest in carbohydrates. However, keep in mind that grain-free does not always imply low carb.

Some grain-free diets include potatoes or peas, which can increase the carbohydrate content of the meal. Before you buy, carefully read the labels.

Conclusion

Purina Pro Plan Grain-Free Classic Chicken Kitten Food, the overall best low-carb cat food, is produced with real meats as the first components and is easier for most cats to chew, making it the ideal choice for all life stages.

Fancy Feast Salmon, our best value option, provides superb taste and low carbohydrates at a reasonable price.

Consider BestForPets‘ (bestforpets.org) assessments of the best low carb foods for cats, but keep in mind that selecting a cat food is about more than dietary fads and flashy advertising.

The most costly cuisine isn’t always the best or healthiest. Do your research and consult with your veterinarian to make the best decision.