Do you actually want to feed your cat rainy meals? It’s a query many puppy homeowners ask themselves, particularly because the cans and packets have a tendency to be pricier than a bag of dry kibble. However the entire vets I spoke to unanimously agree: rainy cat meals is an crucial a part of a wholesome, balanced vitamin, and because it has a comfortable, moisture texture, it is helping pussycats keep hydrated, which is vital for digestion, kidney serve as, circulate and extra.That will help you in finding the most productive rainy cat meals in your puppy, I spoke to veterinarians about what components to imagine whilst buying groceries and rounded up a handful of nutritious choices. Vets additionally give an explanation for why you must steer clear of uncooked cat meals, and proportion pointers for converting your kitty’s vitamin.SKIP AHEAD The most efficient rainy cat meals of 2025 | Why accept as true with NBC Make a selection?Need extra from NBC Make a selection? Join our e-newsletter, The Variety, and store smarter.How I picked the most productive rainy cat foodWhile purchasing for rainy cat meals, professionals counsel taking into account the next components. AAFCO dietary adequacy remark: The Affiliation of American Feed Regulate Officers (AAFCO) regulates dog food, so make certain the rainy cat meals you purchase has an AAFCO dietary adequacy remark on its packaging. It’s generally published in small textual content close to the diet label and signifies that the meals is “whole and balanced” for a selected species (on this case, cats) and existence degree: expansion (for kittens), gestation/lactation (for nursing and/or pregnant cats) and upkeep (for grownup cats). This remark tells you that the meals meets the AAFCO’s requirements and is made with crucial vitamins like protein, carbohydrates, fat, nutrients and minerals in the precise ratios, says Dr. Nicole Savageau, a veterinarian at Highland’s Puppy Scientific Heart.Moisture content material: Therefore its identify, rainy cat meals has a top water or moisture content material — it’s generally someplace between 70 to 85%, in comparison to dry meals, which has a moisture content material of between 7 to twelve%, says Dr. Hannah Hart, a veterinarian at Chewy. (Ed’s word: The inclusion of goods bought by way of Chewy on this article was once made independently of Hart.) As a part of AAFCO labeling necessities, rainy cat meals will have to listing its most moisture proportion at the label — Savageau recommends purchasing one with a minimum of 75% moisture to assist your puppy keep hydrated.Components: Cats are carnivores, so they want a vitamin that’s top in animal protein. Thus, one of the crucial first elements indexed on a rainy meals’s diet label must be protein, like hen, red meat or fish, says Hart. High quality rainy meals additionally has omega-3 fatty acids like fish oil, which helps pores and skin and coat well being, in addition to antioxidants like nutrients A and E, and taurine, an amino acid that helps center, eye and liver well being. Savageau recommends opting for rainy meals that’s unfastened from fillers and synthetic components, like colours and flavors. Needless to say the nutrient percentages indexed on a rainy meals’s label accounts for moisture — if wanted, your vet will let you calculate nutrient percentages on a dry subject foundation, that means the odds with out accounting for moisture.Energy: The energy in a can of rainy cat meals will depend on the elements it’s made with, however normally, a 2.9-ounce can of rainy cat meals has round 70 energy and a 5.5-ounce can has about 150 energy, says Hart. Communicate for your vet about what number of energy your cat must consume an afternoon to deal with a wholesome weight, which dictates how a lot rainy meals you must feed them. And take into account, the next calorie meals doesn’t essentially imply it’s bad, simply that your cat would possibly want much less of it consistent with day to fulfill their calorie necessities, she says.Texture and taste: Rainy cat meals is available in more than a few textures, like minced, paté, chunks and shreds. You’ll additionally purchase meat-based flavors, like red meat, hen and turkey, or fish-based flavors, like salmon, tuna and shrimp. No texture or taste is significantly higher than any other from a well being point of view, says Hart, so feed your cat no matter they like. That mentioned, attempt to disclose your cat to as many textures and flavors as imaginable after they’re younger so they have got certain studies with them in case they have got to consume one thing explicit later in existence.Specialised formulation: In case your cat must consume specialised meals because of positive well being considerations, your vet will let you in finding an possibility that meets their wishes. For instance, cats with delicate stomachs would possibly want rainy meals with added probiotics, and cats with hairball or weight considerations would possibly want to practice a vitamin that’s upper in fiber, says Hart.The most efficient rainy cat meals of 2025All the rainy cat meals underneath meet or exceed AAFCO requirements and are nutritionally balanced to improve your cat’s well being. I made certain every one has a minimum of 75% moisture and lists protein as one of the crucial first elements at the diet label. The rainy cat meals in this listing are all extremely rated at shops like Amazon, Chewy and Petco, and lots of come beneficial by way of veterinarians or cat homeowners at NBC Make a selection.Best possible general: Purina Professional Plan Gravy Entire Necessities Rainy Cat Meals Selection Pack
What we likeMultiple flavors available25 crucial nutrients One thing to noteNothing to notice at this timeSavageau recommends Purina rainy cat meals for the reason that logo has a really perfect recognition and works with board-certified veterinary nutritionists and scientists to formulate its merchandise. Its Entire Necessities rainy meals has a comfortable paté texture with gravy in it. It’s fortified with 25 crucial nutrients and minerals, like linoleic acid and nutrition A for pores and skin and coat well being, antioxidants for immune well being and taurine for imaginative and prescient well being, in step with the emblem. It’s additionally unfastened from synthetic colours and preservatives.Moisture content material: 80% | Energy: 72 to 73 cals. consistent with can | Texture: paté | Flavors: hen and rice, turkey and rice, hen and greens | Sizes: 3 ounces. cansBest for weight control: Hill’s Science Vitamin Grownup Highest Weight Canned Cat Meals
What we likeSupports lean muscle growthReal veggies in formulaHigh protein formulaSomething to noteBest for cats 1 to six years oldMy vet beneficial feeding my cats meals from this Hill Science Vitamin line to assist them deal with their weight. It’s top in protein, so it helps your cat in rising lean muscle, and you’ll see actual greens and rice within the formulation. The meals is made with nutrients and minerals like nutrition E, B12 and D3, in addition to taurine. It’s highest for cats ages 1 to six years outdated, in step with the emblem.Moisture content material: 84% | Energy: 62 to 72 cals. consistent with can | Texture: flooring | Flavors: vegetable and hen, liver and hen, salmon and greens, turkey and greens | Sizes: 2.9 ounces. cansBest for choosy eaters: Fancy Banquet Grilled Seafood Banquet Selection Pack
What we likeCooked in savory gravyTender and meatyEnticing taste and scentSomething to noteNothing to notice at this timeRegardless of what different rainy meals I’ve attempted to feed them, there’s not anything my cats, either one of whom are choosy eaters, love greater than Fancy Banquet. This actual recipe is their favourite — they prefer the meaty, delicate, shredded texture and the fishy flavors. It’s wealthy in protein, nutrients and minerals, and is available in a savory gravy. Fancy Banquet’s rainy meals may be unfastened from synthetic colours and preservatives.Moisture content material: 80% | Energy: 71 to 72 cals. | Texture: shredded | Flavors: seafood ceremonial dinner, tuna ceremonial dinner, salmon fest | Sizes: 3 ounces. cansBest for delicate stomachs: Royal Canin Pussycat Digestive Care Rainy Cat Meals
What we likeEasy-to-digest proteinStool scent reductionCooked in gravyRoyal Canin is any other cat meals logo Savageau recommends on account of its top quality. This vitamin- and mineral-rich formulation is particularly made for the ones with delicate stomachs. There’s extremely digestible proteins in its recipe that is helping cats take in vitamins higher, resulting in stool scent relief, in step with the emblem.Moisture content material: 82.5% | Energy: 67 cals. consistent with can | Texture: slices | Flavors: hen | Sizes: 3 ounces. cansBest for multi-cat properties: Iams Highest Parts Indoor Grownup Rainy Cat Meals
What we likeSingle-serve packagingPre-portioned mealsFiber and prebioticsIf you will have two cats, you most likely break up a can of rainy meals between them, eyeballing how a lot you’re scooping into their bowls to ensure every puppy will get kind of the similar serving. Iams Highest Parts rainy meals takes the guesswork out of mealtime. Each and every tray comes with two person servings of meals — you snap the tray in part, peel the movie off every part and serve. The Highest Parts trays also are nice for many who have one cat and feed them rainy meals two times an afternoon — you’ll use one serving within the morning and one within the night.Iams’ grain-free rainy meals has a pate texture. It’s made with fiber and prebiotics to improve digestion, omega fatty acids to improve pores and skin and coat well being, and antioxidants to improve cats’ immune gadget. The meals is unfastened from fillers and synthetic preservatives.Moisture content material: 78% | Energy: 38 to 48 cals. consistent with part tray | Texture: pate | Flavors: hen, salmon, tuna, turkey | Sizes: 1.32 ounces. packsBest selection pack: Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Flaked Rainy Cat Meals
What we likeMany flavors availableReal rice and candy potatoesCooked in gravySomething to noteNothing to notice at this timeIf your cat will get bored of consuming the similar taste after some time, it’s highest to shop for a wide range pack with other choices so you’ll trade between them. Blue Buffalo’s Tastefuls selection pack comes with meat- and fish-based flavors like hen, tuna and fish and shrimp, all of that are cooked in gravy and feature actual brown rice and candy potatoes of their formulation. The rainy meals is unfastened from spinoff foods, corn, wheat and soy, in addition to synthetic flavors and preservatives.Moisture content material: 78% | Energy: 77 to 87 cals. consistent with can | Texture: flakes | Flavors: hen, tuna, fish & shrimp | Sizes: 3 ounces. cansBest price range purchase: 9Lives Pate Favorites Rainy Cat Meals Selection Pack
What we likeLower priced optionMany flavors availableLarger can sizeWet cat meals normally prices greater than dry kibble, so in case you’re on the lookout for a decrease priced possibility, take a look at 9Lives, which NBC Make a selection search engine marketing editor Nikki Brown recommends. She frequently feeds it to her two cats, who’re about 9 and three years outdated. The rainy meals is made with taurine and different vitamins to improve your puppy’s center, imaginative and prescient, pores and skin and coat. It’s upper in energy in comparison to one of the most different choices in this listing, so communicate for your vet about the precise serving dimension in your cat’s wishes. Moisture content material: 78% | Energy: 165 to 175 cals. consistent with can | Texture: pate | Flavors: hen & tuna, hen, tremendous supper | Sizes: 5.5 ounces. cansBest for kittens: Merrick Purrfect Bistro Kitten Dinner Pate
What we likeSoft, flooring textureSupports growthProtein-richSomething to noteOne taste availableGrain-freeKittens can get started consuming rainy meals after they’re round 4 to 5 weeks outdated, so by the point you welcome them house, it’ll most likely be an crucial a part of their vitamin, says Hart. It’s highest to proceed feeding them the kitten meals they’re used to, however if you wish to regularly transfer through the years, Merrick makes a really perfect possibility. I gave it to my cats for his or her first yr of existence, and as it’s so comfortable, it was once simple for them to consume after they have been actually younger and infrequently had any tooth. The finely flooring kitten meals is wealthy in protein and vitamins like taurine, omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids to assist in expansion. It’s unfastened from grain, corn, wheat and soy, in addition to synthetic colours, flavors and preservatives.Moisture content material: 78% | Energy: 102 cals. consistent with can | Texture: pate | Flavors: hen | Sizes: 3 or 5.5 ounces. cansBest for seniors: Purina One Indoor Benefit Senior 7+ Rainy Cat Meals
What we likeProtein- & fiber-richEnergizing nutrientsFiller-freeSomething to noteOne taste availableGrain-freeWet meals for senior cats generally has upper ranges of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil to combat irritation, and it can be made with elements like glucosamine and chondroitin for joint well being, says Hart. This Purina rainy meals is formulated to fulfill the wishes of cats ages 7 and older. It’s top in fiber and protein to improve robust muscle groups and the immune gadget, and it has a wealthy nutrition and mineral mix to offer pets further power. The meals is grain-free and made with out fillers.Moisture content material: 78% | Energy: 87 cals. consistent with can | Texture: pate | Flavors: hen & whitefish | Sizes: 3 ounces. cansFrequently Requested QuestionsWhat are the benefits of rainy cat meals?The principle good thing about rainy cat meals is its top water content material, which is helping your puppy keep hydrated, particularly in the event that they’re no longer giant on ingesting water from a bowl or fountain, says Savageau. It’s additionally frequently extra interesting to choosy eaters than dry kibble on account of its potent style and odor, and you’ll combine liquid, powdered or beaten dietary supplements and drugs into it if wanted. Moreover, since rainy meals has a comfortable texture, it’s more straightforward for cats to bite than dry meals, which some cats desire, particularly the ones which are older or have dental problems, she says.What’s the adaptation between rainy and dry cat meals?There are a couple of key variations between rainy and dry cat meals:Water content material: Rainy meals is normally made with 70 to 85% moisture, whilst dry meals generally has 7 to twelve% moisture, says Hart. This makes rainy meals extra hydrating.Dental advantages: Crunchy, dry kibble is abrasive, so when cats bite it, it is helping ruin down plaque and tartar at the floor in their tooth, says Hart. Rainy meals is comfortable, so it doesn’t be offering dental advantages.Carbohydrates: Rainy meals has a tendency to be decrease in carbohydrates than dry meals, which will also be useful for cats who want to drop extra pounds or are diabetic, says Hart.Energy: Rainy meals is usually decrease in energy than dry kibble, making it a just right possibility for cats who’re obese or overweight, says Savageau. It may make cats really feel complete and glad for longer, which would possibly cut back the possibility of overeating.Perishability: After opening rainy cat meals, you wish to have to refrigerate leftovers and use it inside of 3 days, says Hart. Dry meals, however, can final for months with out spoiling in case you retailer it correctly in an hermetic container and stay it in a dry, room-temperature house.Worth: Rainy cat meals has a tendency to price greater than dry meals consistent with equivalent quantity, says Hart.Must cats consume rainy meals, dry meals or each?Preferably, cats must consume rainy and dry meals to get some great benefits of each, professionals say. On the other hand, some cats don’t like one or the opposite, which is okay, as long as you’re making certain they’re getting no matter their meals of selection doesn’t be offering somewhere else. So in case your cat most effective eats dry meals, carefully track how a lot water they’re ingesting, and if they just consume rainy meals, pay further consideration to their dental well being. How a lot rainy meals must cats consume?How a lot rainy meals cats must consume consistent with day will depend on their calorie wishes, whether or not in addition they get dry meals and the way they like to have their foods — some cats desire better, scheduled foods two to 3 instances an afternoon, whilst others are grazers and consume just a little bit right here and there. Your vet will let you determine what the precise serving of rainy meals is in your cat, and allow you to alter it through the years as they age or their consuming conduct exchange.How lengthy does rainy cat meals final after you open it?You probably have any rainy cat meals left in a can or packet after you open it, quilt it or seal it tightly and put it within the fridge. Use it inside of 3 days, says Hart. After serving your cat rainy meals, you must most effective depart it out for roughly 4 hours — after that, it will begin to develop micro organism and wreck, professionals say.Is uncooked meals just right for cats?No, uncooked meals isn’t just right for cats and the entire professionals I spoke to don’t counsel feeding it for your puppy. Uncooked meals are unprocessed and comprised of raw meat, fish and interior organ merchandise. They’re no longer subjected to the similar sterilization and pasteurization processes as cooked diets, so there’s a possibility of bacterial contamination from organisms like salmonella and E. coli, says Hart. Now not most effective can those micro organism make your cat in poor health, however in addition they put the individuals who care for them vulnerable to contracting an sickness.Are grain-free diets just right for cats?Grain-free puppy meals are made with out grains like wheat, corn and rice. They’ve been scrutinized lately because the U.S. Meals and Drug Management continues to analyze a possible hyperlink between feeding pets grain-free diets and them creating center illness because of a taurine deficiency, says Hart. This well being possibility is basically a priority for canines, then again, and because maximum rainy cat meals are fortified with taurine, there’s a low probability that pussycats will expand a deficiency in the event that they consume grain-free rainy meals, she says. However grains be offering many dietary advantages you don’t need your cat to fail to see, so in case you’re taking into account feeding them grain-free meals, be sure you seek the advice of your vet first.How do you exchange your cat’s rainy meals?The easiest way to switch your cat’s rainy meals is to take action regularly over a couple of week to steer clear of possible abdomen dissatisfied, which is the very last thing you wish to have — if cats have a adverse enjoy with a meals, they’re more likely to steer clear of it sooner or later, says Hart. Get started by way of feeding your cat foods with 25% of the brand new meals and 75% of the outdated meals. Wait a couple of days, see how your cat responds and if the whole thing is going neatly, you’ll building up the share of the brand new meals to 50%, then 75% a couple of days later after which 100% a couple of days after that. In case your cat is particularly delicate, you could have to transition them to the brand new meals in 10% increments slightly than 25% increments, says Hart. And in case your cat turns into unwell at any level, forestall feeding them the brand new vitamin, name your vet and return to what they’re used to.How do you get a choosy cat to consume?There’s a couple of tactics you’ll lure your choosy cat to consume their meals, however prior to attempting anything else, it’s vital to ensure they’re differently wholesome. Some sicknesses can lower cats’ urge for food and cause them to extra choosy than same old, so communicate for your vet to rule that out. When you do, take a look at the underneath methods, which Hart recommends.Trade the meals’s texture or taste: Those fundamental options could also be inflicting your cat’s pickiness, so get started by way of converting one in all them and notice if it makes a distinction. Don’t exchange the feel and taste on the similar time — get started with one or the opposite so that you’re no longer adjusting too many variables without delay.Regulate feeding time: Some cats’ appetites vacillate right through the day, so take a look at giving them small foods each few hours to assist them consume extra right through every sitting. Heat meals up: Put your cat’s rainy meals within the microwave for 10 to fifteen seconds, which boosts its aroma and would possibly make it extra attractive. Upload meals toppers: Differently to strengthen palatability is so as to add toppers for your cat’s meals, like the ones from Tiki Cat, Made by way of Nacho and Purina Fancy Banquet. You’ll additionally use low-sodium unseasoned hen broth, the juice from canned tuna and puréed treats like Inaba Churu.Meet our expertsAt NBC Make a selection, we paintings with professionals who’ve specialised wisdom and authority in accordance with related coaching and/or enjoy. We additionally make sure that all skilled recommendation and suggestions are made independently and with out undisclosed monetary conflicts of passion.Dr. Nicole Savageau is a veterinarian at Highland’s Puppy Scientific Heart.Dr. Hannah Hart is a veterinarian at Chewy. (Ed’s word: The inclusion of goods bought by way of Chewy on this article was once made independently of Hart.)Why accept as true with NBC Make a selection?I’m a reporter at NBC Make a selection who has coated puppy care since 2020, together with subjects like cat meals, cat treats, kitten meals, cat toys, kitten provides and cat go back and forth carriers. To jot down this text, I interviewed two veterinarians about how to buy rainy cat meals and rounded up the most productive choices to buy. I even have two cats and feature volunteered at animal shelters for years.Make amends for NBC Make a selection’s in-depth protection of tech and equipment, wellness and extra, and practice us on Fb, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stick up-to-the-minute.
