If you’ve decided to feed grain-free food to your cat, it could be for a few reasons. For starters, felines can have allergies to grains. Certain ones may be hard for a cat to digest. Many people also decide on grain-free food for their cats because they want to feed them the optimal nutritious diet.
With so many options out there, it can be hard to know what’s ideal for your pet. You want to keep them healthy and happy, and each brand promises to do that. But which is the right choice? We rounded up our top picks of grain-free cat foods on this review list, so you choose the best one for your feline companion.
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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2025
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Best Overall
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Smalls Human-Grade Fresh Cat Food Subscription |
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Budget Buy
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Purina Beyond Grain-Free Variety Canned Food |
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Orijen Original Grain-Free Dry Cat Food |
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Instinct Original Kitten Grain-Free Chicken |
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American Journey Duck Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat Food |
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The 8 Best Grain-Free Cat Foods
1. Smalls Human-Grade Fresh Cat Food Subscription — Best Overall
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| Crude Protein: | 15% |
| Crude Fat: | 6% |
| Crude Fiber: | 0.5% |
Smalls Human-Grade Fresh Cat Food Subscription is a meal delivery service that sends shipments of high-quality cat food right to your door. The company prides itself on using sustainably sourced and USDA-certified ingredients in the formulation of each recipe. It’s a great option for cat owners who want to give their kitties a fresh and grain-free diet but don’t have the time to make the food in their kitchen.
Smalls’ fresh food comes in three different protein options—bird, cow, and “other bird”—and three textures—ground, smooth, or pulled. This is a nice option for picky kitties who only like their food to be of a specific texture.
Aside from high-quality animal protein, every recipe is full of vitamins and minerals to help your kitty thrive. Vitamin E, for example, is in every one of Smalls’ fresh food recipes. It is essential for cats because it plays an important part in protecting their cells from oxidative stress. These fresh meals also contain a host of B vitamins like B1 to encourage normal carbohydrate metabolism.
Smalls is great regardless of your cat’s weight or activity level, as each of its recipes is high in protein and void of any empty calories or fillers that other pet food manufacturers stuff into their foods. This is why we feel that Smalls is the best overall grain-free cat food.
- Vitamin-enriched fresh food recipes
- High protein content
- Different texture options
- No fillers or artificial ingredients
- Only ships to the continental United States
- Can be pricey
2. Purina Beyond Grain-Free Pâté Canned Food — Budget Buy
| Protein: | 10% |
| Fat: | 5% |
| Fiber: | 1.5% |
The best grain-free cat food for the money is Purina Beyond Grain-Free Pâté Canned Food, and this variety pack comes in three different flavors: chicken and sweet potato, Alaskan cod and spinach, and wild salmon. If you want to give your cat a flavor assortment, this pack will offer that, along with grain-free nutrition. Chicken is an ingredient in all flavors, so avoid this food if your cat has poultry allergies. No by-products are used in this formula, though. Added vitamins and minerals and those from ingredients like spinach and carrots give your cat balanced nutrition without any grains. Fussy cats have been reported to enjoy this food and eat it with enthusiasm.
It seems to be on the drier side for a pâté, however. If your cat is a gravy-lover, they may not prefer this food.
- Three different flavors
- Nothing artificial included
- Dry for a pâté
- Not for cats with poultry allergies
3. Orijen Original Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
| Protein: | 40% |
| Fat: | 20% |
| Fiber: | 3% |
One great pick is Orijen Original Grain-Free Dry Cat Food. While it is an expensive option, it is also full of pure nutrition. The high protein content in this food is made up of chicken, turkey, mackerel, flounder, and eggs. The formula contains 90% WholePrey ingredients, including nutrient-rich bone and organs. The first five ingredients of this food are poultry and fish, and nothing artificial is added. The food is coated with freeze-dried liver for a kibble that has a raw food taste.
Some cats have been reluctant to eat it. Other people say that the kibble size is too large for certain cats.
- Protein-packed
- WholePrey ingredients
- Freeze-dried liver coating for flavor
- Expensive
- Large kibble size
4. Instinct Original Kitten Grain-Free Recipe With Real Chicken Dry Cat Food
| Protein: | 42.5% |
| Fat: | 22.5% |
| Fiber: | 3% |
The Instinct Original Kitten Grain-Free Recipe With Real Chicken Dry Cat Food has everything that growing kittens need for healthy nutrition. The first ingredients are natural protein sources, such as chicken, turkey, fish, and eggs. It’s also filled with apples, cranberries, and tomatoes for antioxidants and probiotics. Healthy digestion is important for kittens, and this brand considers their needs. Real animal ingredients make up 81% of this formula, and omega fatty acids promote coat health.
This food has been reported to have a bad smell that keeps pet parents from buying it even though it’s a healthy option. Some finicky cats also refused to eat it.
- Antioxidants
- Probiotics
- Real animal protein
- Bad smell
5. American Journey Duck Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
| Protein: | 30% |
| Fat: | 12% |
| Fiber: | 5% |
The first ingredient in American Journey Duck Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat Food is deboned duck, meaning there is a high percentage of this protein source. It also includes omega fatty acids for skin and coat health. Peas, carrots, and pumpkins offer vitamins and fiber, so cats with sensitive stomachs can benefit from this food’s ability to be easily digested. There are no artificial ingredients or colors to bulk up the food without offering any nutritional value. There are antioxidants to support a strong immune system, along with other healthy ingredients.
Unfortunately, despite the focus on duck, this food also contains chicken meal, so cats with chicken allergies can’t eat it.
- Duck as the first ingredient
- Includes antioxidants
- No artificial ingredients or colors
- Not suitable for cats with chicken allergies
6. Sheba Perfect Portions Seafood Pâté Variety Pack Grain-Free Adult Wet Cat Food Trays
| Protein: | 7% |
| Fat: | 2.5% |
| Fiber: | 1.5% |
This variety pack of Sheba Perfect Portions Seafood Pâté Variety Pack Grain-Free Adult Wet Cat Food Trays includes “signature seafood,” “delicate salmon,” and “tender whitefish and tuna” flavors. In addition to being grain-free, this food is no hassle, as the single-serving trays are easy to use, and you don’t have to mess with half-eaten cans in the fridge. If your cat doesn’t typically eat a whole can of cat food at a time and you wind up throwing most of it away later, this could be a solution.
The different flavors keep your cat from getting bored, and the trays are easy to stack and store. Each pack contains 80% moisture to add to your kitty’s hydration. This food is convenient and reasonably priced and contains no by-products or unnecessary fillers.
Some cats don’t like the seafood taste and will refuse to eat it.
- Convenient serving sizes
- Affordable
- Real fish ingredients
- Some cats don’t like the seafood taste
7. Taste of the Wild Rocky Mountain Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
| Protein: | 42% |
| Fat: | 18% |
| Fiber: | 3% |
This protein-rich Taste of the Wild Rocky Mountain Grain-Free Dry Cat Food includes roasted venison, chicken, and salmon. Sweet potatoes and peas give your cat the energy they need to stay active. This formula also contains probiotics, prebiotics, and antioxidants for overall health. Complex carbohydrates and fiber will help your cat stay full longer. Taste of the Wild foods contains chelated minerals that can attach to protein and be fully digested.
There are reports of the kibble being crushed into dust in the bag, thus making your purchase a waste of money. Some cats have vomited after eating this food and refuse to eat it again.
- Different protein sources
- Probiotics and prebiotics
- Some cats don’t like it
- Kibble can be crushed in the bag
8. Purina One True Instinct Natural Real Chicken Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
| Protein: | 35% |
| Fat: | 14% |
| Fiber: | 2% |
Purina One True Instinct Natural Real Chicken Grain-Free Dry Cat Food is a quality choice for those looking for grain-free nutrition for cats. The dry kibble is mixed with tender, meaty pieces. Chicken is the first ingredient. It’s also what adds to this food’s high protein content. Omega-6 fatty acids support coat health. No fillers are found in this formula, which is packed with vitamins and minerals. We like that it isn’t loaded with corn and grain and is still an affordable option. Some cats have been reported to stop itching due to food allergies when eating this recipe.
However, if your cat suffers from poultry allergies, this isn’t the food for them.
- Chicken as the first ingredient
- Soft, meaty pieces mixed with kibble
- Not suitable for cats with poultry allergies
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Grain-Free Cat Food
Selecting a cat food is important to support your pet’s health while also giving them something that they enjoy. It can be frustrating when a finicky cat refuses to eat the food that you chose for them. It might be trial and error to find something that your feline loves, but there are a few things to look for when checking out the selection of grain-free foods. If you need some more pointers or advice on which grain-free food to choose for your cat, calling a vet is a great option.
Protein
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they need protein from animal sources in their diet in order to survive. While cats can eat and digest fruits and vegetables, they can’t live on these things alone. Without the proper amount of protein, they can become critically ill. The protein content is listed on the package as a percentage. The higher the number, the better the protein content is for your cat. If the protein content is below 30%, it’s best to find a different food with a higher percentage.
Fat
The fat content is also listed on the food packaging, and while cats need fat, they shouldn’t have too much of it. If they’re eating high-fat food, they’re not eating enough protein. The fat content should always be much lower than the protein content.
Price
Price will always be a factor when choosing food for your cat. It’s perfectly acceptable to choose something that is cost-effective for you, especially since you’ll have to buy it repeatedly for many years. There are options available for every price range. Choosing a food with the highest-quality ingredients for a price that you can afford is possible. It just comes down to reading the labels. A grain-free food with a high protein content that is in your price range might take a bit of searching, but it’s out there.
What Exactly Is “Grain-Free?”
Grain-free means the food was made without the use of barley, corn, oats, rice, rye, or wheat. Grain by-products, such as gluten and flour, won’t be in the ingredients either. These diets became popular for pets when low-carb diets for humans became increasingly popular. People wanted their pets to consume grain-free foods too, believing that they were healthier. While cats may not eat grain in the wild, they can digest it and usually do so without a problem. Unless the cat has an allergy to a grain, they should be fine consuming it.
Even though grain isn’t a natural part of a feline’s diet, it is added to pet food as a cost-effective way to include more vitamins. Cat foods with grain are not considered bad in general. Of course, if a food makes them sick, they shouldn’t eat it. Kitties with allergies, sensitive stomachs, or chronic inflammation may do best on a grain-free diet too.
- NO MESS - The 360° tray on this cat food and water bowl set has a raised design to catch and...
- WHISKER FRIENDLY - Shallow and wide metal containers with flat bottoms ensure your kitty can enjoy...
- CHEW-SAFE MATERIALS - Kittens and cats love chewing on silicone and soft rubber - but it's a choking...
High-quality cat food is an important part of fostering a long and healthy life for your cat but the right cat food and water dish will promote good posture, offer whisker relief, and aid in good digestion. The Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl is our favorite bowl since it offers all of the above and is beautifully crafted to meet modern home stylings. The wide tray design catches any food and water spills and the entire setup is dishwasher safe. Learn more about the Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl here.
At PangoVet, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
Our Grain-Free Cat Foods Selection Process
The grain-free cat foods we reviewed in this article were chosen by PangoVet’s writers and editors, in collaboration with our experienced veterinary team, based on personal experience with the product, knowledge and expertise about the pet’s care needs, brand reputation, and reviews across multiple retail outlets from other customers that have purchased and used the product. The combination of these factors allows us to gather a wide range of information to help you choose only the best grain-free cat foods and ensure you have the most accurate information about these products to promote proper care, health, and well-being of your beloved pets.
Why Trust PangoVet?
PangoVet’s licensed and experienced veterinarians have a knowledge base that extends to all kinds of pets—furry, scaly, and feathered—and want only the best for pets of all shapes and sizes. We also have experienced writers and editors who are pet owners with a variety of different pets, and we love our pets as much as you do. We recognize pets as part of our family. We make sure to only choose products from reputable brands highly rated by customers as well as products that we have personal experience with, to ensure that every grain-free cat food featured in this review is high-quality and safe for your pets.
Conclusion
Our top pick for the best overall grain-free cat food is Smalls Fresh Cat Food. The company prides itself on using sustainable methods to deliver high-quality cat food right to your door. Our choice for the best value grain-free cat food is Purina Beyond Grain-Free Pâté Variety Pack Canned Food. We like the flavor variety and the fact that this pâté has nothing artificial in the ingredients.
We hope that these reviews have helped you choose the best grain-free food for your feline friend.
Featured Image Credit: Art_Volkusha, Shutterstock
