You’re the boss of your cat’s diet. That’s a big responsibility, and there are a variety of reasons why you may be looking for grain-free cat food. Maybe your cat has allergies or sensitivities to ingredients like wheat or corn. Or maybe you’re just looking for a healthier option for your feline friend. Whatever the reason, we’ve got you covered with the 10 best grain-free cat foods in all of Australia!
A Glance at Our Winners in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Solid Gold
High in protein
Lower in calories and fat
Contains prebiotic fiber for healthy digestion
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Best Value
Crave
Affordable
Made with real chicken and salmon
Low calorie for healthy weight
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Premium Choice
ORIJEN®
20% vegetables and fruits for added fiber and nutrients
Grain-free, corn-free, wheat-free, soy-free
No artificial preservatives
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Best for Kittens
Vetalogica Naturals
38% protein from chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal
Certified biologically appropriate
18% fat for added energy and to help your kitten maintain a healthy coat
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Vet’s Choice
Tiki Cat Born Carnivore Chicken & Fish Luau
42% protein from chicken, fish, and chicken meal
19% fat for added energy and to help your cat maintain a healthy coat
Offers complete nutrition without too many unnecessary bells and whistles
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The 10 Best Grain-Free Cat Foods in Australia
- Solid Gold – Grain-Free Weight Control Adult Dry Cat Food – Best Overall Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Alaskan pollock, tapioca flour, flaxseed meal
Protein content: 31%
Fat content: 9%
Calories per Cup: 360
Solid Gold’s Fit as a Fiddle tops our list as best overall grain-free cat food. It is a nutritious, high-quality cat food. This formula is made with fresh caught Alaskan pollock, a protein-rich fish that provides your cat with essential amino acids and fatty acids. It also contains prebiotic fiber to support healthy digestion, which some owners claim reduces litter box odors. They made sure it was also full of vitamins and minerals for overall health and wellness. Best of all, it’s free of grain, gluten, corn, soy, and artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Reviews show that while most cats adjusted fine to this new, stronger-smelling food, some cats were not a fan of the fishy taste/smell.
High in protein
Lower in calories and fat
Contains prebiotic fiber for healthy digestion
May improve litter box odor
Vitamins and minerals for overall health
Grain-free, gluten-free, corn-free, soy-free
- High in protein
- Lower in calories and fat
- Contains prebiotic fiber for healthy digestion
- May improve litter box odor
- Vitamins and minerals for overall health
- Grain-free, gluten-free, corn-free, soy-free
Some cats may not be fond of the fishy flavor
Some cats require a lower protein food
Not ideal for kittens
- Some cats may not be fond of the fishy flavor
- Some cats require a lower protein food
- Not ideal for kittens
- Crave Grain Free with Protein from Chicken & Salmon Dry Indoor Adult Cat Food – Best Value Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Chicken, salmon, tapioca flour
Protein content: 40%
Fat content: 16%
Calories per Cup: 369
If you’re looking for a grain-free cat food that won’t break the bank, Crave’s Grain-Free with Protein from Chicken & Salmon is a great option. This formula is made with real chicken and salmon as the first two ingredients, providing your cat with high-quality protein and essential amino acids. It also contains several fruits and vegetables for added vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. While most cats enjoyed the taste of this food, a few were not fans of the small kibble size. But overall, we feel that it’s the best grain-free cat food for the money.
Affordable
Made with real chicken and salmon
Low calorie for healthy weight
Contains fruits and vegetables for added vitamins and minerals
Grain-free, gluten-free, soy-free, corn-free
- Affordable
- Made with real chicken and salmon
- Low calorie for healthy weight
- Contains fruits and vegetables for added vitamins and minerals
- Grain-free, gluten-free, soy-free, corn-free
Some cats may not like the small kibble size
- Some cats may not like the small kibble size
- ORIJEN® Dry Original Cat Food – Premium Choice Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Deboned chicken, deboned turkey, flounder, chicken liver
Protein content: 40%
Fat content: 20%
Calories per Cup: 515
Orijen’s Dry Original Cat Food is our premium choice for a grain-free diet. This formula is made with 80% protein from a variety of animal sources, including chicken, turkey, flounder, and chicken liver. It also contains 20% vegetables and fruits for added fiber and nutrients. This food is grain-free, as well as free of corn, wheat, soy, and artificial preservatives. Reviews show that this food is very popular with cats and their owners, as it is nutritionally complete and balanced. However, some reviewers noted that their cats had a hard time digesting this food, leading to vomiting and diarrhea. If your cat has a sensitive stomach, you may want to try a different food. It’s also high in calories, so it may not be best for overweight cats.
40% protein from animal sources
20% vegetables and fruits for added fiber and nutrients
Grain-free, corn-free, wheat-free, soy-free
No artificial preservatives
- 40% protein from animal sources
- 20% vegetables and fruits for added fiber and nutrients
- Grain-free, corn-free, wheat-free, soy-free
- No artificial preservatives
Some cats have trouble digesting this food
Expensive
High in calories
- Some cats have trouble digesting this food
- Expensive
- High in calories
- Vetalogica Naturals Grain Free Chicken Kitten Food – Best for Kittens Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal
Protein content: 35%
Fat content: 15%
Calories per Cup: 481
Vetalogica’s Naturals Grain Free Chicken Kitten Food is our top choice for a grain-free diet for kittens. This formula is made with 38% protein from chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal. It also contains 18% fat for added energy and to help your kitten maintain a healthy coat. In addition, this food has fruits and vegetables like peas and sweet potatoes for fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Unfortunately, some reviewers found that their cats threw up after eating this food, so if your cat is prone to vomiting, you may want to try a different brand. It also contains chickpea meal and eggs, which some cats may be allergic to.
38% protein from chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal
Certified biologically appropriate
18% fat for added energy and to help your kitten maintain a healthy coat
Fiber, vitamins, and minerals from fruits and vegetables
- 38% protein from chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal
- Certified biologically appropriate
- 18% fat for added energy and to help your kitten maintain a healthy coat
- Fiber, vitamins, and minerals from fruits and vegetables
Some cats vomit after eating this
Contains eggs, chickpea meal, potential allergens
- Some cats vomit after eating this
- Contains eggs, chickpea meal, potential allergens
- Tiki Cat Born Carnivore Chicken & Fish Luau– Vet’s Choice Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Chicken, fish, chicken meal
Protein content: 42%
Fat content: 19%
Calories per Cup: 480
Tiki Cat’s Born Carnivore Chicken & Fish Luau is another good option for a grain-free diet for cats. This food is made with 42% protein from chicken, fish, and chicken meal. It also contains 19% fat for added energy and to help your cat maintain a healthy coat. Cats who tend to throw up from other foods sometimes do well on a diet that contains primarily fish. It offers complete nutrition without too many unnecessary bells and whistles. Unfortunately, some reviewers found this food to have a strong fishy odor. It also contains chicken meal.
A Word About Chicken Meal
Chicken is the flesh of a chicken, while chicken meal is the dried, ground up remains of a chicken. Chicken meal contains more protein than plain chicken because it has been through a dehydration process that concentrates the protein. It also has less water, so it takes up less space in a cat food bag or can. This means that you get more chicken meal per pound than you do plain chicken. Some consider it a more environmentally friendly choice. Others consider it a lower quality protein than chicken flesh.
42% protein from chicken, fish, and chicken meal
19% fat for added energy and to help your cat maintain a healthy coat
Offers complete nutrition without too many unnecessary bells and whistles
- 42% protein from chicken, fish, and chicken meal
- 19% fat for added energy and to help your cat maintain a healthy coat
- Offers complete nutrition without too many unnecessary bells and whistles
Some reviewers found this food to have a strong fishy odor.
Made with chicken meal
- Some reviewers found this food to have a strong fishy odor.
- Made with chicken meal
- Taste of the Wild Rocky Mountain Feline Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Fish meal, chicken fat, peas
Protein content: 32%
Fat content: 18%
Calories per Cup: 484
Taste of the Wild’s Rocky Mountain is a grain-free dry food made with real roasted meats that will make your kitty feel like they’re out in the wild. The first ingredient is fish meal, a highly digestible source of protein and essential nutrients. It also contains chicken fat for added flavor and to help your cat maintain a healthy coat. In addition, this formula has fruits and vegetables like peas and sweet potatoes for fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Unfortunately, some reviewers found that their cats threw up after eating this food, so if your cat is prone to vomiting, you may want to try a different brand.
Made with real roasted meats
Highly digestible protein source
Fiber, vitamins, and minerals from fruits and vegetables
- Made with real roasted meats
- Highly digestible protein source
- Fiber, vitamins, and minerals from fruits and vegetables
Some cats vomit after eating this food
- Some cats vomit after eating this food
- Applaws Grain Free Chicken Dry Cat Food Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal
Protein content: 38%
Fat content: 18%
Calories per Cup: 479
Applaws’ Grain Free Chicken Dry Cat Food is our top pick for an Australian-made grain-free diet for cats. It’s made right here in our homeland. It also gets its ingredients from local farmers, so you can be sure that they’re of the highest quality. This food is made with 38% protein from chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal. It also contains 18% fat for added energy and to help your cat maintain a healthy coat. Additionally, it has complete nutrition, so you know your pet is getting all the vitamins and minerals they need. One reviewer did find, however, that their cat threw up after eating this food. It also contains chicken meal.
38% protein from chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal
18% fat for added energy and to help your cat maintain a healthy coat
Fiber, vitamins, and minerals from fruits and vegetables
Made in Australia
- 38% protein from chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal
- 18% fat for added energy and to help your cat maintain a healthy coat
- Fiber, vitamins, and minerals from fruits and vegetables
- Made in Australia
Some cats vomit after eating this
Contains chicken meal
- Some cats vomit after eating this
- Contains chicken meal
- Acana Regionals Grasslands Cat Food Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Chicken, turkey meal, lamb meal
Protein content: 36%
Fat content: 18%
Calories per Cup: 439
Acana Regionals Grasslands Cat Food is our top pick for the best grain-free diet for indoor cats. This formula contains high quality protein from a variety of sources, such as duck eggs and fish. The probiotics promote healthy digestion, which is a common concern for indoor cats. In addition, this formula has fruits and vegetables like peas and sweet potatoes for fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Unfortunately, some reviewers found that their cats needed extra time transitioning to this food to avoid stomach upset.
High quality protein from multiple sources
Dozens of healthy, natural ingredients
Probiotics for healthy digestion
Fiber, vitamins, and minerals from fruits and vegetables
Appropriate for cats of all ages
- High quality protein from multiple sources
- Dozens of healthy, natural ingredients
- Probiotics for healthy digestion
- Fiber, vitamins, and minerals from fruits and vegetables
- Appropriate for cats of all ages
Some cats need extra time to transition to this food
- Some cats need extra time to transition to this food
- Purina Pro Plan Adult Chicken Dry Cat Food Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal
Protein content: 38%
Fat content: 15%
Calories per Cup: 474
Purina Pro Plan Adult Chicken Dry Cat Food is a great choice for senior cats. This formula contains 38% protein from chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal. It also contains 15% fat to help your cat maintain a healthy weight. In addition, this food has fiber, vitamins, and minerals from fruits and vegetables like peas and sweet potatoes. Unfortunately, some reviewers questioned the quality of the ingredients, especially in terms of sustainability.
38% protein from chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal
15% fat to help your cat maintain a healthy weight
Fiber, vitamins, and minerals from fruits and vegetables
- 38% protein from chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal
- 15% fat to help your cat maintain a healthy weight
- Fiber, vitamins, and minerals from fruits and vegetables
Some reviewers questioned the quality of ingredients
- Some reviewers questioned the quality of ingredients
- Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain Free Real Salmon Recipe Natural Wet Canned Cat Food by Nature’s Variety Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Salmon, menhaden fish meal
Protein content: 38%
Fat content: 17%
Calories per Cup: 435
Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain Free Real Salmon Recipe Natural Wet Canned Cat Food by Nature’s Variety is our top pick for the best wet food. This formula contains high quality protein from salmon and menhaden fish meal. It also contains 17% fat to help your cat maintain a healthy weight. In addition, this food has fiber, vitamins, and minerals from fruits and vegetables like peas and sweet potatoes. Unfortunately, some reviewers found that their cats needed extra time transitioning to this food to avoid stomach upset. Wet food is also more prone to causing dental problems in cats, so you may wish to only feed this to your cat occasionally, or brush your cat’s teeth regularly.
High quality protein from salmon and menhaden fish meal
17% fat to help your cat maintain a healthy weight
Fiber, vitamins, and minerals from fruits and vegetables
- High quality protein from salmon and menhaden fish meal
- 17% fat to help your cat maintain a healthy weight
- Fiber, vitamins, and minerals from fruits and vegetables
Some cats need extra time to transition to this food
Wet food causes more dental problems in cats
- Some cats need extra time to transition to this food
- Wet food causes more dental problems in cats
Buyer’s Guide: How to Pick the Best Grain-Free Cat Foods in Australia
Is It Safe to Feed Cats a Grain-Free Diet?
Yes, it is safe to feed your cat a grain-free diet. In fact, there are many benefits to doing so! Grain-free diets are typically higher in protein and lower in carbs, which can be great for cats who are overweight or have diabetes. It can also be helpful for cats with allergies or sensitivities to ingredients like wheat or corn.
Cats are also obligate carnivores which means that most of their nutrients should come from meat. Cats in the wild do not eat grains as a primary food source unless there’s a lack of meat, so many argue a grain-free diet is more natural for them. They also can’t digest grains as easily as meat, so grain-free diets may help prevent digestion issues as well.
Keep in mind there are many healthy, high-quality cat foods that do contain grains. Those could also be a good choice for your cat. Each cat is different and only you, your vet, and your cat can decide which type of diet is best!
Tips for Choosing the Best Cat Food for Your Cat
When choosing the best food for your cat, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
First, consider your cat’s age and activity level. Kittens and active cats need more calories than adults or seniors. Second, think about whether you want dry food, wet food, or both. Dry food is usually cheaper and easier to store, but wet food is often more palatable for cats.
Third, choose a food that is appropriate for your cat’s life stage. For example, kittens need a different formula than adults and senior cats may need a different formula as well. Finally, make sure you read the ingredient list carefully. Some foods contain fillers or artificial ingredients that can be harmful to your cat.
What to Look for in A Grain-Free Cat Food
First, look for a food that is high in protein. Cats are obligate carnivores, so they need a diet that is rich in animal-based proteins. Any food for cats should contain at least 26% protein, and the higher quality protein sources, the better. Avoid food that contains meat by-products, and make sure that at least the first three ingredients are a protein source.
Second, choose a food that is low in carbohydrates. Cats don’t have a lot of ability to digest carbohydrates, so a grain-free diet that is also low in carbs is ideal. Third, make sure the food you choose has adequate levels of fat. Fat is an important source of energy for cats, and it can also help them maintain a healthy coat.
What Ingredients Count as Grains?
The ingredients that typically count as grains are wheat, corn, rice, and barley. However, there are a variety of grain-free cat food formulas on the market that do not contain any of these ingredients. Some people who shop for grain-free cat products also look for legume-free, especially soy-free, formulas. Soy and peas are technically not grains, they’re legumes, but they’re use is controversial, as they may be associated with heart disease in dogs. While there’s not enough research to say for sure, and even less research done on cats, this might be a false alarm, or it might be something to keep in mind if your kitty has heart disease.
How Much Should I Feed My Cat?
The amount of food you should feed your cat depends on a few factors, including age, activity level, and whether the cat is spayed or neutered. Kittens and active cats need more calories than adults or seniors. Spayed and neutered cats also require fewer calories than intact animals.
How Often Should I Feed My Cat?
The frequency of meals also depends on your cat’s age and activity level. Kittens should eat several small meals per day, while adults can be fed one or two larger meals. Senior cats may do well with smaller, more frequent meals as well.
What Are the Benefits of Grain-Free Cat Food?
There are a few potential benefits of grain-free cat food. First, grain-free diets are typically high in protein, which is ideal for cats. Second, they are often lower in carbohydrates than foods that contain grains. This can be helpful for cats who are overweight or diabetic. Finally, grain-free diets may be less likely to cause allergies or digestive problems.
What Are the Disadvantages of Grain-Free Cat Food?
There are a few potential disadvantages of grain-free cat food as well. First, grain-free diets can be more expensive than foods that contain grains. Second, they may be more difficult to find in stores. Finally, some grain-free formulas may not provide all of the nutrients your cat needs.
How Do I Know If My Cat Is Getting Enough Nutrition?
There are a few signs that your cat is getting enough nutrition. First, pay attention to your cat’s energy level and activity level. A well-nourished cat should be active and playful. Second, take a look at your cat’s fur. A healthy coat should be shiny and free of tangles. Finally, check your cat’s weight. A healthy cat should maintain a steady weight.
If you have any concerns that your cat is not getting enough nutrition, talk to your veterinarian.
Should I Feed My Cat an Organic Diet?
Organic food is grown without the use of pesticides or other chemicals. While there are some commercially-available organic cat foods, it is important to talk to your veterinarian before switching your cat to an organic diet. This is because organic diets may not provide all of the nutrients your cat needs.
What Are the Benefits of Feeding My Cat an Organic Diet?
There are a few potential benefits of feeding an organic diet to your cat. First, organic diets are typically free of pesticides and other chemicals. This can be helpful for cats with allergies or sensitivities. Second, they are often lower in calories than other diets, which can be helpful for cats who are overweight. Finally, organic diets may be less likely to cause digestive problems.
What Are the Disadvantages of Feeding My Cat an Organic Diet?
There are also a few potential disadvantages of feeding an organic diet to your cat. First, organic diets can be more expensive than other types of food. Second, they may be more difficult to find in stores. Finally, some organic diets may not provide all of the nutrients your cat needs. Before feeding your cat an organic diet, talk to your veterinarian to be sure it’s the right decision for your pet.
Final Thoughts
While there are some potential risks to consider, there are also many benefits of grain-free cat food. Our best over choice is Solid Gold – Fit as a Fiddle with Fresh Caught Alaskan Pollock. The best cat food for the money is CRAVE Grain-Free Chicken and Salmon dry food. ORIJEN® Dry Original Cat Food is a premium choice.
Each of these foods has its own unique benefits that make it a good choice for your cat. However, the best food for your cat will ultimately depend on her individual needs and preferences. Be sure to consult with your veterinarian if you’re unsure if grain-free food is right for your cat.
Featured Image Credit: Luisella Planeta LOVE PEACE, Pixabay
