The luxury pet care market can make you feel guilty if you can’t afford to splurge on your cat. We’re here to tell you that you’re a fantastic pet owner, no matter your cat food budget. Pet food trends have come and gone over the years, with offerings like “grain-free” and “holistic” formulas. But at the end of the day, cats’ nutritional needs haven’t changed. What has changed are human preferences. Your cat isn’t going to judge you for not feeding them organic food. What your cat needs is nutritionally sound food that tastes yummy. We’ve compiled a list of Canada’s best affordable cat foods in 2022. We hope these reviews help you find a budget-friendly food that your cat will love.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
IAMS Proactive Health Dry Cat Food with Chicken
No artificial preservatives or colors
Made in the U.S.
Available in multiple-size bags
Check Price
Best Value
Whiskas Seafood Selection With Real Salmon
No artificial flavors or colors
Good value for the money
Whiskas is a household name
Check Price
Premium Choice
Purina Beyond Salmon & Whole Brown Rice
Made in North American facilities
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Contains probiotics
Check Price
Best for Kittens
Whiskas Dry Kitten Food With Real Chicken
No artificial flavors or colors
Contains fish oil, a source of Omega-3
Affordable
Check Price
Vet’s Choice
Purina Cat Chow Dry Cat Food Naturals
Our vet’s choice for budget cat food
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Check Price
The 10 Best Budget Cat Foods in Canada
- IAMS Proactive Health Dry Cat Food with Chicken – Best Overall
Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Chicken, chicken by-product meal, ground whole grain corn, corn grits, corn gluten meal
Protein content: 32% minimum
Fat content: 15% minimum
Calories: 399 kcal/250 mL
We think Canada’s best overall budget cat food is IAMS Proactive Health with Chicken. The first two ingredients, chicken and chicken by-product meal, are tasty protein sources. Dried beet pulp provides the fiber your cat’s digestive needs. One ingredient we don’t like is the vague “natural flavor.” Thousands of positive online reviews prove that cats and owners alike love IAMS Proactive Health with Chicken. A handful of buyers felt this IAMS formula was too expensive. After our research, we maintain that this cat food is a good value for the ingredients and price. It is available in several different-sized bags. Once you know your cat likes this food, you can save money per kilogram by buying a larger package. Pros
No artificial preservatives or colors
Made in the U.S.
Available in multiple-size bags
Cons
Contains unspecified “natural flavor”
A few buyers felt this food is expensive
- Whiskas Seafood Selection With Real Salmon – Best Value
Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Chicken by-product meal, ground yellow corn, corn gluten meal, soybean meal, animal fat (preserved with BHA and citric acid)
Protein content: 30% minimum
Fat content: 14% minimum
Calories: 391 kcal/250 mL
Whiskas has been a mainstay in the budget cat food market since 1958. We think their Seafood Selections Dry Cat Food With Real Salmon is the best budget cat food for the money. Many pet food brands in this price range contain artificial flavors and colors to make up for inferior ingredients. Whiskas sets itself apart by not using any artificial flavors and colors in this or any of its other cat food recipes. While Whiskas has labeled this formula “Seafood Selections,” the primary source of protein is chicken. Salmon and shrimp meal are further down the ingredient list. Whiskas Seafood Selections Dry Cat Food contains synthetic preservatives, which you may choose to avoid for personal reasons. BHA and BHT are the last two ingredients listed, so the amount is minimal. We could not find information about where Whiskas produces their food or sources their ingredients from. Pros
No artificial flavors or colors
Good value for the money
Whiskas is a household name
Cons
Contains synthetic preservatives (BHA & BHT)
Primary protein source is chicken, not seafood
Unclear where ingredients are sourced
- Purina Beyond Salmon & Whole Brown Rice Cat Food – Premium Choice
Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Salmon, chicken meal, whole barley, rice, pea protein
Protein content: 33% minimum
Fat content: 15% minimum
Calories: 428 kcal/250 mL
Purina Beyond’s Simply line of cat food is a good comprise of cleaner ingredients and an affordable price. As our premium choice, this formula does cost more than most other brands on our list. We like the salmon & whole brown rice recipe for several reasons. Many budget cat foods labeled “salmon” contain another primary protein source, but salmon is the first ingredient. This grain-inclusive formula allows pet owners to avoid wheat, soy, or corn. The one ingredient we’d like to see more transparency over is “natural flavor.” Purina Beyond Simply Salmon & Whole Brown Rice sets itself apart from other budget brands by adding probiotics to this recipe. Pros
Made in North American facilities
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Contains probiotics
Salmon is the first ingredient
Cons
Relatively expensive
Contains unspecified “natural flavor”
- WHISKAS Dry Kitten Food With Real Chicken – Best for Kittens
Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Chicken by-product meal, corn gluten meal, ground yellow corn, animal fat (preserved with BHA and citric acid), soybean meal
Protein content: 38% minimum
Fat content: 15% minimum
Calories: 387 kcal/250 mL
Kittens have different nutritional needs than their adult counterparts. They need food specially formulated for kittens until their first birthday. Whiskas Dry Kitten Food With Real Chicken doesn’t contain artificial flavors or colors. This formula contains fish oil rich in omega-3, an ingredient you don’t find in many budget brands. The last two ingredients are artificial preservatives, BHA and BHT. We’d like more information about this food’s “natural flavor.” We could not find any information about where Whiskas Dry Kitten Food With Real Chicken is made or where the company sources its ingredients. Pros
No artificial flavors or colors
Contains fish oil, a source of Omega-3
Affordable
Cons
Contains artificial preservatives
Contains unspecific “natural flavor”
Unclear where ingredients are sourced
- Purina Cat Chow Dry Cat Food Naturals – Vet’s Choice
Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Chicken by-product meal, corn gluten meal, soy flour, ground whole wheat, brewers rice
Protein content: 34% minimum
Fat content: 13% minimum
Calories: 398 kcal/250 mL
Our vet’s choice for a budget cat food brand is Purina Cat Chow Dry Cat Food, Naturals Original. This recipe is free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. It is one of Purina’s more popular cat food formulas, with over 12,000 online reviews. Many pet owners have happily fed this food to multiple cats over the years. A handful of cat owners said their kitty gained weight after switching to this food. The caloric content of cat food varies from formula to formula. Talk with your vet if you’re unsure how much to feed your cat each day. Purina Cat Chow Naturals Original is one of the more expensive options on our list. Pros
Our vet’s choice for budget cat food
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Cons
Relatively expensive
- Zoe Indoor Formula, Turkey with Peas & Russet Potato Recipe
Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Turkey meal, deboned turkey, pearled barley, oatmeal, peas
Protein content: 28% minimum
Fat content: 16% minimum
Calories: 455 kcal/250 mL
Zoe is one of Canada’s favorite pet food brands. We think their Turkey with Peas & Russet Potato provides good value for a reasonable price. Consider this recipe if you want to avoid corn, wheat, and soy but want grain-inclusive food. Zoe claims the 4% fiber content can help control hairballs. We like that Zoe Turkey with Peas & Russet Potato is made in Canada and is free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. This recipe contains probiotics, an ingredient you rarely see in budget-priced cat food. Zoe is one of the more expensive foods on our list but a good choice if you want to support a Canadian business. Pros
Made in Canada
No artificial colors, flavours, or preservatives
Contains probiotics
Cons
Relatively Expensive
- Zoe Pâté Wet Food with Wild Caught Fish
Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Chicken, chicken broth, ocean whitefish, liver, rice
Protein content: 8% minimum
Fat content: 7% minimum
Calories: 87 kcal/85-gram can
Wet cat food is almost always more expensive per serving than dry food. But sometimes you want to treat your kitty. And wet food is a tasty way to boost your cat’s fluid intake. Cats with certain health conditions, including diabetes and kidney disease, can benefit from eating wet cat food. Many more affordable canned cat foods leave much to be desired with main ingredients like meat by-products and water. We like that Zoe Pâte Wet Food with Wild Caught Fish contains chicken broth. The “fish” name is a little deceptive, as this wet food’s primary protein source is chicken. Consider Zoe if you want a budget-friendly wet food made in Canada. Pros
Made in Canada
Canadian-sourced proteins
Cons
More expensive than dry kibble
Contains more chicken than fish
- Purina Cat Chow Complete Dry Cat Food
Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Chicken by-product meal, ground yellow corn, corn gluten meal, whole grain wheat, rice
Protein content: 32.0% minimum
Fat content: 12.0% minimum
Calories: 87 kcal/85-gram can
Purina Cat Chow Complete is a no-frills traditional food formulated for adult cats. We think it is an excellent choice if you have several cats to feed and don’t want to break the bank. This formula is made in the U.S. and has 2,000+ overwhelmingly positive reviews. The two primary ingredients, chicken by-product meal and ground yellow corn, keep the price low while providing solid nutrition. Purina Cat Chow Complete does contain artificial colors: Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 2. Chicken, fish meal, beef fat, and liver flavor make this an irresistibly tasty cat food. Pros
Affordable
Packed with several meat flavors
Made in the U.S.
Cons
Contains artificial colors
- Whiskas Dry Cat Food – Hairball Control With Real Chicken
Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Ground whole grain corn, chicken by-product meal, corn gluten meal, animal fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), soybean meal
Protein content: 30% minimum
Fat content: 13.50% minimum
Calories: 370 kcal/250 mL
Whiskas Hairball Control with Real Chicken lives up to its name. Satisfied cat owners report that 7% fiber content does indeed help manage pesky hairballs. We could not find any information about where Whiskas sources their ingredients for Hairball Control with Real Chicken. This formula contains artificial preservatives, BHA and BHT. Chicken is well-loved by most cats, and the addition of pork meat boosts this food’s flavor. Pros
Helps control hairballs
Affordable
Cons
Helps control hairballs
Affordable
- Fancy Feast Medleys Wet Cat Food Variety Pack
Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Varies
Protein content: Varies
Fat content: Varies
Calories: Varies
We end our list with the crown jewel of budget cat food brands, Fancy Feast. Your cat won’t care about the “Florentine” label, but they’ll love the shredded meat and gravy. The Wild Salmon recipe stands out, as its primary ingredients are fish broth and salmon. Many affordable “fish” recipes contain less expensive chicken as the primary protein source. This variety pack will save you money compared to buying individual cans. But the downside is that your cat may not like all of the flavors. The Fancy Feast’s Elegant Medleys Florentine Variety Pack contains artificial flavors and colors. Pros
Less expensive than buying individual cans
Salmon is the primary protein source in the Wild Salmon recipe
Cons
Contains artificial colors and flavors
Cats may not like all three flavors
Buyer’s Guide
Shopping for cat food while sticking to a budget can seem overwhelming. Below we address common issues surrounding cat food so that you can make the best choice for your pet. Does My Cat Need Grain-Free Food? Probably not. Most cats tolerate grains just fine. Corn, wheat, and rice aren’t fillers. These grains are cost-effective sources of nutrients your cat needs to stay healthy. There’s been an increase in grain-free pet foods over the last several years. This movement mimics the grain-free and gluten-free trends in human diets. While pet food marketing tactics continue to change and evolve, the nutrients cats need to stay healthy haven’t. Switching to grain-free food is a case of, “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.” There’s no need to feed your cat a grain-free formula unless your vet recommends it. How Do I Know If My Cat Has a Food Allergy? Image Credit: eremeevdv, Shutterstock The most common symptoms of a food allergy are skin issues like itchiness or scabs, fur loss, and an upset stomach. Contrary to current pet food industry trends, grains are usually not the culprit. Most cats with food allergies are allergic to a protein like chicken or fish. If you’re worried about your cat’s health, don’t automatically reach for a new food brand. You should contact your vet if you’re concerned about your cat’s health. They may have an underlying health condition that needs to be addressed. Are Preservatives in Cat Food Safe? The Pet Food Association of Canada (PFAC) states, “The same preservatives are used in food for people and pet food. They are safe and are used in very small quantities.” You’ll notice that we’ve listed artificial preservatives as a “con.” We did so because many people choose to avoid artificial preservatives as a personal choice. What Is ‘Chicken Meal’? Meat “meals” such as chicken, beef, salmon, and turkey are common cat food ingredients. The term “meal” is a little confusing and requires some explanation. Animal meat, skin, and bone undergo a process to make these ingredients ready for the pet food industry. The animal parts are ground up, then cooked at a high temperature. The result is a dry, shelf-stable powder. Meat meal is easy to transport, doesn’t require refrigeration, and won’t spoil the way raw meat would. Giving your pet the highest quality nutrition is a top priority, so why not give them a food and water dish to match? We think the Hepper Nom Nom Bowl is too good not to share.
Made from food-safe stainless steel, you can ensure that your pet is consuming the best nutrition out of the finest bowls on the market. Click here to get yours. At Pet Keen, 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!
Conclusion Our best overall choice was IAMS Proactive Health Dry Cat Food with Chicken. This IAMS recipe is made in the U.S. and is free of artificial colors and preservatives. We think the best value for the money is Whiskas Seafood Dry Cat Food With Real Salmon. Whiskas keeps this food affordable by using chicken as the primary protein source. Purina’s Beyond Simply Natural Dry Cat Food, Salmon & Whole Brown Rice is our premium choice. It is one of the more expensive options on our list. However, it’s still an economical choice if you value North American-produced pet food free of artificial ingredients. You’ll want to consider Whiskas Dry Kitten Food With Real Chicken for your new furry family member. It contains fish oil, an ingredient ordinarily found in more expensive cat food brands. And lastly, our vet’s choice goes to Purina Cat Chow Dry Cat Food, Naturals Original. This formula is an economical choice if you want to avoid artificial ingredients. We compiled these reviews to make shopping for a budget cat food brand easier. We hope you find your kitty’s new favorite food on this list!
Featured Image Credit: Patrick Foto, Shutterstock
The luxury pet care market can make you feel guilty if you can’t afford to splurge on your cat. We’re here to tell you that you’re a fantastic pet owner, no matter your cat food budget.
Pet food trends have come and gone over the years, with offerings like “grain-free” and “holistic” formulas. But at the end of the day, cats’ nutritional needs haven’t changed. What has changed are human preferences.
Your cat isn’t going to judge you for not feeding them organic food. What your cat needs is nutritionally sound food that tastes yummy. We’ve compiled a list of Canada’s best affordable cat foods in 2022. We hope these reviews help you find a budget-friendly food that your cat will love.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
IAMS Proactive Health Dry Cat Food with Chicken
No artificial preservatives or colors
Made in the U.S.
Available in multiple-size bags
Check Price
Best Value
Whiskas Seafood Selection With Real Salmon
No artificial flavors or colors
Good value for the money
Whiskas is a household name
Check Price
Premium Choice
Purina Beyond Salmon & Whole Brown Rice
Made in North American facilities
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Contains probiotics
Check Price
Best for Kittens
Whiskas Dry Kitten Food With Real Chicken
No artificial flavors or colors
Contains fish oil, a source of Omega-3
Affordable
Check Price
Vet’s Choice
Purina Cat Chow Dry Cat Food Naturals
Our vet’s choice for budget cat food
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Check Price
The 10 Best Budget Cat Foods in Canada
- IAMS Proactive Health Dry Cat Food with Chicken – Best Overall
Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Chicken, chicken by-product meal, ground whole grain corn, corn grits, corn gluten meal
Protein content: 32% minimum
Fat content: 15% minimum
Calories: 399 kcal/250 mL
We think Canada’s best overall budget cat food is IAMS Proactive Health with Chicken. The first two ingredients, chicken and chicken by-product meal, are tasty protein sources. Dried beet pulp provides the fiber your cat’s digestive needs. One ingredient we don’t like is the vague “natural flavor.” Thousands of positive online reviews prove that cats and owners alike love IAMS Proactive Health with Chicken. A handful of buyers felt this IAMS formula was too expensive. After our research, we maintain that this cat food is a good value for the ingredients and price. It is available in several different-sized bags. Once you know your cat likes this food, you can save money per kilogram by buying a larger package.
Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Chicken, chicken by-product meal, ground whole grain corn, corn grits, corn gluten meal
Protein content: 32% minimum
Fat content: 15% minimum
Calories: 399 kcal/250 mL
Pros
No artificial preservatives or colors
Made in the U.S.
Available in multiple-size bags
Cons
Contains unspecified “natural flavor”
A few buyers felt this food is expensive
- Whiskas Seafood Selection With Real Salmon – Best Value
Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Chicken by-product meal, ground yellow corn, corn gluten meal, soybean meal, animal fat (preserved with BHA and citric acid)
Protein content: 30% minimum
Fat content: 14% minimum
Calories: 391 kcal/250 mL
Whiskas has been a mainstay in the budget cat food market since 1958. We think their Seafood Selections Dry Cat Food With Real Salmon is the best budget cat food for the money. Many pet food brands in this price range contain artificial flavors and colors to make up for inferior ingredients. Whiskas sets itself apart by not using any artificial flavors and colors in this or any of its other cat food recipes. While Whiskas has labeled this formula “Seafood Selections,” the primary source of protein is chicken. Salmon and shrimp meal are further down the ingredient list.
No artificial preservatives or colors
Made in the U.S.
Available in multiple-size bags
- No artificial preservatives or colors
- Made in the U.S.
- Available in multiple-size bags
Contains unspecified “natural flavor”
A few buyers felt this food is expensive
- Contains unspecified “natural flavor”
- A few buyers felt this food is expensive
Main ingredients: Chicken by-product meal, ground yellow corn, corn gluten meal, soybean meal, animal fat (preserved with BHA and citric acid)
Protein content: 30% minimum
Fat content: 14% minimum
Calories: 391 kcal/250 mL
Whiskas Seafood Selections Dry Cat Food contains synthetic preservatives, which you may choose to avoid for personal reasons. BHA and BHT are the last two ingredients listed, so the amount is minimal. We could not find information about where Whiskas produces their food or sources their ingredients from.
Pros
No artificial flavors or colors
Good value for the money
Whiskas is a household name
Cons
Contains synthetic preservatives (BHA & BHT)
Primary protein source is chicken, not seafood
Unclear where ingredients are sourced
- Purina Beyond Salmon & Whole Brown Rice Cat Food – Premium Choice
Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Salmon, chicken meal, whole barley, rice, pea protein
Protein content: 33% minimum
Fat content: 15% minimum
Calories: 428 kcal/250 mL
Purina Beyond’s Simply line of cat food is a good comprise of cleaner ingredients and an affordable price. As our premium choice, this formula does cost more than most other brands on our list. We like the salmon & whole brown rice recipe for several reasons. Many budget cat foods labeled “salmon” contain another primary protein source, but salmon is the first ingredient. This grain-inclusive formula allows pet owners to avoid wheat, soy, or corn. The one ingredient we’d like to see more transparency over is “natural flavor.” Purina Beyond Simply Salmon & Whole Brown Rice sets itself apart from other budget brands by adding probiotics to this recipe.
No artificial flavors or colors
Good value for the money
Whiskas is a household name
- No artificial flavors or colors
- Good value for the money
- Whiskas is a household name
Contains synthetic preservatives (BHA & BHT)
Primary protein source is chicken, not seafood
Unclear where ingredients are sourced
- Contains synthetic preservatives (BHA & BHT)
- Primary protein source is chicken, not seafood
- Unclear where ingredients are sourced
Main ingredients: Salmon, chicken meal, whole barley, rice, pea protein
Protein content: 33% minimum
Fat content: 15% minimum
Calories: 428 kcal/250 mL
Pros
Made in North American facilities
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Contains probiotics
Salmon is the first ingredient
Cons
Relatively expensive
Contains unspecified “natural flavor”
- WHISKAS Dry Kitten Food With Real Chicken – Best for Kittens
Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Chicken by-product meal, corn gluten meal, ground yellow corn, animal fat (preserved with BHA and citric acid), soybean meal
Protein content: 38% minimum
Fat content: 15% minimum
Calories: 387 kcal/250 mL
Kittens have different nutritional needs than their adult counterparts. They need food specially formulated for kittens until their first birthday. Whiskas Dry Kitten Food With Real Chicken doesn’t contain artificial flavors or colors. This formula contains fish oil rich in omega-3, an ingredient you don’t find in many budget brands. The last two ingredients are artificial preservatives, BHA and BHT. We’d like more information about this food’s “natural flavor.” We could not find any information about where Whiskas Dry Kitten Food With Real Chicken is made or where the company sources its ingredients.
Made in North American facilities
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Contains probiotics
Salmon is the first ingredient
- Made in North American facilities
- No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- Contains probiotics
- Salmon is the first ingredient
Relatively expensive
Contains unspecified “natural flavor”
- Relatively expensive
- Contains unspecified “natural flavor”
Main ingredients: Chicken by-product meal, corn gluten meal, ground yellow corn, animal fat (preserved with BHA and citric acid), soybean meal
Protein content: 38% minimum
Fat content: 15% minimum
Calories: 387 kcal/250 mL
Pros
No artificial flavors or colors
Contains fish oil, a source of Omega-3
Affordable
Cons
Contains artificial preservatives
Contains unspecific “natural flavor”
Unclear where ingredients are sourced
- Purina Cat Chow Dry Cat Food Naturals – Vet’s Choice
Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Chicken by-product meal, corn gluten meal, soy flour, ground whole wheat, brewers rice
Protein content: 34% minimum
Fat content: 13% minimum
Calories: 398 kcal/250 mL
Our vet’s choice for a budget cat food brand is Purina Cat Chow Dry Cat Food, Naturals Original. This recipe is free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. It is one of Purina’s more popular cat food formulas, with over 12,000 online reviews. Many pet owners have happily fed this food to multiple cats over the years. A handful of cat owners said their kitty gained weight after switching to this food. The caloric content of cat food varies from formula to formula. Talk with your vet if you’re unsure how much to feed your cat each day. Purina Cat Chow Naturals Original is one of the more expensive options on our list.
No artificial flavors or colors
Contains fish oil, a source of Omega-3
Affordable
- No artificial flavors or colors
- Contains fish oil, a source of Omega-3
- Affordable
Contains artificial preservatives
Contains unspecific “natural flavor”
Unclear where ingredients are sourced
- Contains artificial preservatives
- Contains unspecific “natural flavor”
- Unclear where ingredients are sourced
Main ingredients: Chicken by-product meal, corn gluten meal, soy flour, ground whole wheat, brewers rice
Protein content: 34% minimum
Fat content: 13% minimum
Calories: 398 kcal/250 mL
Pros
Our vet’s choice for budget cat food
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Cons
Relatively expensive
- Zoe Indoor Formula, Turkey with Peas & Russet Potato Recipe
Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Turkey meal, deboned turkey, pearled barley, oatmeal, peas
Protein content: 28% minimum
Fat content: 16% minimum
Calories: 455 kcal/250 mL
Zoe is one of Canada’s favorite pet food brands. We think their Turkey with Peas & Russet Potato provides good value for a reasonable price. Consider this recipe if you want to avoid corn, wheat, and soy but want grain-inclusive food. Zoe claims the 4% fiber content can help control hairballs. We like that Zoe Turkey with Peas & Russet Potato is made in Canada and is free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. This recipe contains probiotics, an ingredient you rarely see in budget-priced cat food. Zoe is one of the more expensive foods on our list but a good choice if you want to support a Canadian business.
Our vet’s choice for budget cat food
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- Our vet’s choice for budget cat food
- No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Relatively expensive
- Relatively expensive
Main ingredients: Turkey meal, deboned turkey, pearled barley, oatmeal, peas
Protein content: 28% minimum
Fat content: 16% minimum
Calories: 455 kcal/250 mL
Pros
Made in Canada
No artificial colors, flavours, or preservatives
Contains probiotics
Cons
Relatively Expensive
- Zoe Pâté Wet Food with Wild Caught Fish
Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Chicken, chicken broth, ocean whitefish, liver, rice
Protein content: 8% minimum
Fat content: 7% minimum
Calories: 87 kcal/85-gram can
Wet cat food is almost always more expensive per serving than dry food. But sometimes you want to treat your kitty. And wet food is a tasty way to boost your cat’s fluid intake. Cats with certain health conditions, including diabetes and kidney disease, can benefit from eating wet cat food. Many more affordable canned cat foods leave much to be desired with main ingredients like meat by-products and water. We like that Zoe Pâte Wet Food with Wild Caught Fish contains chicken broth. The “fish” name is a little deceptive, as this wet food’s primary protein source is chicken. Consider Zoe if you want a budget-friendly wet food made in Canada.
Made in Canada
No artificial colors, flavours, or preservatives
Contains probiotics
- Made in Canada
- No artificial colors, flavours, or preservatives
- Contains probiotics
Relatively Expensive
- Relatively Expensive
Main ingredients: Chicken, chicken broth, ocean whitefish, liver, rice
Protein content: 8% minimum
Fat content: 7% minimum
Calories: 87 kcal/85-gram can
Pros
Made in Canada
Canadian-sourced proteins
Cons
More expensive than dry kibble
Contains more chicken than fish
- Purina Cat Chow Complete Dry Cat Food
Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Chicken by-product meal, ground yellow corn, corn gluten meal, whole grain wheat, rice
Protein content: 32.0% minimum
Fat content: 12.0% minimum
Calories: 87 kcal/85-gram can
Purina Cat Chow Complete is a no-frills traditional food formulated for adult cats. We think it is an excellent choice if you have several cats to feed and don’t want to break the bank. This formula is made in the U.S. and has 2,000+ overwhelmingly positive reviews. The two primary ingredients, chicken by-product meal and ground yellow corn, keep the price low while providing solid nutrition. Purina Cat Chow Complete does contain artificial colors: Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 2. Chicken, fish meal, beef fat, and liver flavor make this an irresistibly tasty cat food.
Made in Canada
Canadian-sourced proteins
- Made in Canada
- Canadian-sourced proteins
More expensive than dry kibble
Contains more chicken than fish
- More expensive than dry kibble
- Contains more chicken than fish
Main ingredients: Chicken by-product meal, ground yellow corn, corn gluten meal, whole grain wheat, rice
Protein content: 32.0% minimum
Fat content: 12.0% minimum
Calories: 87 kcal/85-gram can
Pros
Affordable
Packed with several meat flavors
Made in the U.S.
Cons
Contains artificial colors
- Whiskas Dry Cat Food – Hairball Control With Real Chicken
Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Ground whole grain corn, chicken by-product meal, corn gluten meal, animal fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), soybean meal
Protein content: 30% minimum
Fat content: 13.50% minimum
Calories: 370 kcal/250 mL
Whiskas Hairball Control with Real Chicken lives up to its name. Satisfied cat owners report that 7% fiber content does indeed help manage pesky hairballs. We could not find any information about where Whiskas sources their ingredients for Hairball Control with Real Chicken. This formula contains artificial preservatives, BHA and BHT. Chicken is well-loved by most cats, and the addition of pork meat boosts this food’s flavor.
Affordable
Packed with several meat flavors
Made in the U.S.
- Affordable
- Packed with several meat flavors
- Made in the U.S.
Contains artificial colors
- Contains artificial colors
Main ingredients: Ground whole grain corn, chicken by-product meal, corn gluten meal, animal fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), soybean meal
Protein content: 30% minimum
Fat content: 13.50% minimum
Calories: 370 kcal/250 mL
Pros
Helps control hairballs
Affordable
Cons
Helps control hairballs
Affordable
- Fancy Feast Medleys Wet Cat Food Variety Pack
Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Varies
Protein content: Varies
Fat content: Varies
Calories: Varies
We end our list with the crown jewel of budget cat food brands, Fancy Feast. Your cat won’t care about the “Florentine” label, but they’ll love the shredded meat and gravy. The Wild Salmon recipe stands out, as its primary ingredients are fish broth and salmon. Many affordable “fish” recipes contain less expensive chicken as the primary protein source. This variety pack will save you money compared to buying individual cans. But the downside is that your cat may not like all of the flavors. The Fancy Feast’s Elegant Medleys Florentine Variety Pack contains artificial flavors and colors.
Helps control hairballs
Affordable
- Helps control hairballs
- Affordable
Helps control hairballs
Affordable
Main ingredients: Varies
Protein content: Varies
Fat content: Varies
Calories: Varies
Pros
Less expensive than buying individual cans
Salmon is the primary protein source in the Wild Salmon recipe
Cons
Contains artificial colors and flavors
Cats may not like all three flavors
Less expensive than buying individual cans
Salmon is the primary protein source in the Wild Salmon recipe
- Less expensive than buying individual cans
- Salmon is the primary protein source in the Wild Salmon recipe
Contains artificial colors and flavors
Cats may not like all three flavors
- Contains artificial colors and flavors
- Cats may not like all three flavors
Buyer’s Guide
Shopping for cat food while sticking to a budget can seem overwhelming. Below we address common issues surrounding cat food so that you can make the best choice for your pet.
Does My Cat Need Grain-Free Food?
Probably not. Most cats tolerate grains just fine. Corn, wheat, and rice aren’t fillers. These grains are cost-effective sources of nutrients your cat needs to stay healthy.
There’s been an increase in grain-free pet foods over the last several years. This movement mimics the grain-free and gluten-free trends in human diets. While pet food marketing tactics continue to change and evolve, the nutrients cats need to stay healthy haven’t.
Switching to grain-free food is a case of, “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.” There’s no need to feed your cat a grain-free formula unless your vet recommends it.
How Do I Know If My Cat Has a Food Allergy?
The most common symptoms of a food allergy are skin issues like itchiness or scabs, fur loss, and an upset stomach. Contrary to current pet food industry trends, grains are usually not the culprit. Most cats with food allergies are allergic to a protein like chicken or fish.
If you’re worried about your cat’s health, don’t automatically reach for a new food brand. You should contact your vet if you’re concerned about your cat’s health. They may have an underlying health condition that needs to be addressed.
Are Preservatives in Cat Food Safe?
The Pet Food Association of Canada (PFAC) states, “The same preservatives are used in food for people and pet food. They are safe and are used in very small quantities.”
You’ll notice that we’ve listed artificial preservatives as a “con.” We did so because many people choose to avoid artificial preservatives as a personal choice.
What Is ‘Chicken Meal’?
Meat “meals” such as chicken, beef, salmon, and turkey are common cat food ingredients. The term “meal” is a little confusing and requires some explanation.
Animal meat, skin, and bone undergo a process to make these ingredients ready for the pet food industry. The animal parts are ground up, then cooked at a high temperature. The result is a dry, shelf-stable powder.
Meat meal is easy to transport, doesn’t require refrigeration, and won’t spoil the way raw meat would.
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Conclusion
Our best overall choice was IAMS Proactive Health Dry Cat Food with Chicken. This IAMS recipe is made in the U.S. and is free of artificial colors and preservatives.
We think the best value for the money is Whiskas Seafood Dry Cat Food With Real Salmon. Whiskas keeps this food affordable by using chicken as the primary protein source.
Purina’s Beyond Simply Natural Dry Cat Food, Salmon & Whole Brown Rice is our premium choice. It is one of the more expensive options on our list. However, it’s still an economical choice if you value North American-produced pet food free of artificial ingredients.
You’ll want to consider Whiskas Dry Kitten Food With Real Chicken for your new furry family member. It contains fish oil, an ingredient ordinarily found in more expensive cat food brands.
And lastly, our vet’s choice goes to Purina Cat Chow Dry Cat Food, Naturals Original. This formula is an economical choice if you want to avoid artificial ingredients.
We compiled these reviews to make shopping for a budget cat food brand easier. We hope you find your kitty’s new favorite food on this list!
Featured Image Credit: Patrick Foto, Shutterstock
