Cat food has come a long way in recent decades. While cats used to be fed table scraps, now we can choose from options for different life stages, breeds, limited ingredients, specially-formulated foods for allergies, and more.
As owners take more of an interest in their cat’s nutrition, there’s an influx of commercial food brands offering healthy, holistic food options. But what does holistic really mean?
In nutrition, holistic refers to eating healthy food that’s as close to its natural state as possible. Think unrefined, unprocessed, organic, locally sourced, whole foods. Unfortunately, there’s currently nothing that regulates food as being “holistic” on the market. Each brand defines holistic differently, so you have to be a conscious shopper to find the best quality cat food.
Here are the ten best holistic cat food options, based on reviews from cat owners like you!
A Quick Comparison of Our Winners (2023)
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Smalls Fresh Cat Food Subscription
Limited, holistic, human-grade ingredients
No artificial colors or preservatives
Comes in 3 different flavors & 2 textures
Click to Save 40% Use code: PetKeen2023
Best Value
Purina Beyond Grain-Free Cat Food
Whitefish as the first ingredient
Environmentally friendly practices
Check Price
Tiki Cat Canned Cat Food
GMO, grain, corn, wheat, and soy-free
Real seafood as the first ingredients
Check Price
Instinct Original Grain-Free Cat Food
Real animal protein as the first ingredient
No grain, gluten, corn, wheat, or soy
Made in the US
Check Price
Earthborn Holistic Canned Cat Food
Real skipjack tuna and mackerel as first ingredients
Grain, gluten, and pea free
Check Price
The 10 Best Holistic Cat Foods
1. Smalls Fresh Cat Food Subscription – Best Overall
Click Here & Use Code Petkeen2023 to Save 40% on Smalls + Get Free Shipping & Treats!
Type: Human-Grade Fresh Wet & Freeze-Dried
Lifestage: All Life Stages
Specialties: All Natural, No Additives, Ultra High Protein
For the overall best holistic cat food, our choice is Smalls. The Smalls brand uses natural ingredients such as chicken breast, kale, peas, lean ground beef, green beans, and more in each of their recipes. Smalls offers a wholesome eating experience your cat will love. Plus, all their recipes are high in protein, an essential part of a cat’s diet, whether they are indoor or outdoor pets. Your cat’s nutritional needs will be met no matter which Smalls recipe you purchase.
With a balance of real meat and unprocessed veggies, Smalls cat food offers wet food and freeze-dried raw. All the wet food is of human-grade quality, meaning you could safely eat this food. Plus, Smalls offers add-ons such as kibble or bird broth designed to entice your kitty further to come and eat.
Smalls is a subscription service, so you’ll have to sign-up to order. Smalls is considered pricey to those who are on a budget, but it will be well worth it.
Pros
Made from real meat
High protein
Human-grade quality meals
Offers add-ons/treats
Cons
Can only order as part of a subscription
Only has six recipes to choose from
A bit pricier than other options
We think that Purina Beyond Simply Grain-Free Wild Caught Whitefish & Egg Recipe is the best holistic cat food for the money. Made with real ocean whitefish as the first ingredient, followed by eggs and sweet potato for protein, vitamins, and minerals. The food also has probiotics to promote digestive health.
Made from real meat
High protein
Human-grade quality meals
Offers add-ons/treats
- Made from real meat
- High protein
- Human-grade quality meals
- Offers add-ons/treats
Can only order as part of a subscription
Only has six recipes to choose from
A bit pricier than other options
- Can only order as part of a subscription
- Only has six recipes to choose from
- A bit pricier than other options
Type: Dry
Lifestage: Adult
Specialties: Grain-free, gluten-free
Check Price on Chewy
This recipe is completely free from grain and gluten, making it a great choice for natural nutrition and cats with sensitive stomachs. The food also has no corn, wheat, soy, poultry by-product, or artificial flavors and preservatives. Manufactured in the United States using renewable energy sources and minimal waste, this food is also good for the environment.
Pros
Whitefish as the first ingredient
Grain, gluten, corn, soy, and poultry by-product free
Manufactured with environmentally friendly practices
Cons
Some cats wouldn’t eat it
Tiki Cat Aloha Friends Grain-Free Wet Cat Food comes in as our third choice for its combination of flavors and high-quality nutrition. The top ingredients are dolphin-safe, wild-caught tuna, tilapia, and shrimp, followed by Hawaiian pumpkin. Your cat will get lots of protein from animal sources, fiber, and antioxidants from the pumpkin for excellent nutrition. The food is simmered in a broth, adding extra hydration to minimize urinary issues.
Whitefish as the first ingredient
Grain, gluten, corn, soy, and poultry by-product free
Manufactured with environmentally friendly practices
- Whitefish as the first ingredient
- Grain, gluten, corn, soy, and poultry by-product free
- Manufactured with environmentally friendly practices
Some cats wouldn’t eat it
- Some cats wouldn’t eat it
Type: Wet
Lifestage: Adult
Specialties: Grain-free, gluten-free, non-GMO, no corn, wheat, or soy
The food is packed with vitamins, minerals, and omega fatty acids, but free from gluten, grains, GMOs, wheat, corn, and soy. In addition, the mixture of different wild seafood will be appetizing for even the pickiest of eaters, although a few managed to still turn their nose up at it.
Pros
Real seafood as the first ingredients
GMO, grain, corn, wheat, and soy-free
Cons
Some cats don’t like the taste
The Instinct Original Grain-Free Pate Real Chicken Recipe Wet Canned Cat Food is a high-protein food option with raw, wholesome ingredients. The food contains everything your cat needs for balanced nutrition, including real meat and raw fruits and vegetables in an appetizing pate formula. The food also has natural sources of omega fatty acids for a healthy skin and coat.
Real seafood as the first ingredients
GMO, grain, corn, wheat, and soy-free
- Real seafood as the first ingredients
- GMO, grain, corn, wheat, and soy-free
Some cats don’t like the taste
- Some cats don’t like the taste
Type: Wet
Lifestage: Adult
Specialties: Grain-free, gluten-free, no corn, wheat, or soy
The first ingredient is cage-free chicken, followed by chicken, turkey, and chicken liver meat. You’ll find no grain, potato, corn, wheat, soy, meat by-products, or artificial colors and preservatives. The food is made in the United States with globally sourced ingredients.
The only downside is that some cat owners complained of the texture being off-putting to their cats. A few said it was more like a soup and less like a pate.
Pros
Real animal protein as the first ingredient
No grain, gluten, corn, wheat, or soy
Made in the US
Cons
Unappealing texture
Earthborn Holistic Monterey Medley Grain-Free Natural Canned Cat & Kitten Food is perfect for all life stages. The formula includes real skipjack tuna and mackerel as the top ingredients, perfect for a growing kitten. It also has a mix of fruits and vegetables to support your kitten’s health with essential vitamins, minerals, and omega fatty acids.
Real animal protein as the first ingredient
No grain, gluten, corn, wheat, or soy
Made in the US
- Real animal protein as the first ingredient
- No grain, gluten, corn, wheat, or soy
- Made in the US
Unappealing texture
- Unappealing texture
Type: Wet
Lifestage: Kitten, adult
Specialties: Grain-free, gluten-free, pea-free
This food is made with no grains, gluten, peas, or artificial ingredients, making it less likely to upset cats and kittens with food sensitivities and food allergies. Each can is complete and balanced nutrition, but it can be added to dry food as a topper.
Naysayers mentioned issues like smellier poop and a deterioration in the quality of this product over the years.
Pros
Real skipjack tuna and mackerel as first ingredients
Grain, gluten, and pea free
Cons
Reviewers say quality has diminished
Can cause smellier poops
ORIJEN Original Grain-Free Dry Cat Food is top-quality dry cat food that focuses on a biologically appropriate diet. Raw, free-range chicken and turkey are the first ingredients, followed by wild-caught fish and cage-free eggs. The food uses a “whole prey” model, which means the raw organs and bones are included, just like your cat would’ve eaten in the wild.
Real skipjack tuna and mackerel as first ingredients
Grain, gluten, and pea free
- Real skipjack tuna and mackerel as first ingredients
- Grain, gluten, and pea free
Reviewers say quality has diminished
Can cause smellier poops
- Reviewers say quality has diminished
- Can cause smellier poops
ORIJEN food needs to be refrigerated to preserve the freeze-dried, raw ingredients and ensure food safety. Each freeze-dried piece is coated for a full flavor that’ll whet a picky cat’s appetite. The food is made in the US with globally sourced ingredients.
Pros
Real meat and fish as first ingredients
No gluten, grain, corn, wheat, or soy
Freeze-dried, raw prey model
Cons
Must be refrigerated
Fancy Feast Gourmet Naturals Beef Recipe Pate Canned Cat Food features real, whole ingredients with the vitamins and minerals your cat needs for optimal nutrition. Real beef is the first ingredient for high-quality animal protein for all life stages.
Real meat and fish as first ingredients
No gluten, grain, corn, wheat, or soy
Freeze-dried, raw prey model
- Real meat and fish as first ingredients
- No gluten, grain, corn, wheat, or soy
- Freeze-dried, raw prey model
Must be refrigerated
- Must be refrigerated
Type: Wet
Lifestage: Adult
Specialties: Grain-free
The food is made without artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, and free from grains. Though the food is 100% complete and balanced nutrition, it’s not the most holistic choice on the market and has some vague ingredients. Still, this food is free from unhealthy fillers like artificial preservatives and corn or soy, so it is a healthy overall choice and “natural” food option for your cat.
Pros
Real beef as first ingredient
Inexpensive
Grain and preservative-free
Cons
Vague ingredients
Not entirely natural
Farmina Natural & Delicious Chicken Grain-Free Formula Dry Cat Food is made with 70% animal ingredients for high-quality protein and a good balance of fats and carbohydrates for vitamins and minerals. All ingredients are fresh and never frozen. Along with vitamins and minerals, the food contains natural sources of omega fatty acids to promote skin and coat health and berries for antioxidants.
Real beef as first ingredient
Inexpensive
Grain and preservative-free
- Real beef as first ingredient
- Inexpensive
- Grain and preservative-free
Vague ingredients
Not entirely natural
- Vague ingredients
- Not entirely natural
Type: Dry
Lifestage: Adult
Specialties: Grain-free, gluten-free, non-GMO
One of the highlights of this food is that it has a low-glycemic formula to avoid spiking blood sugar. If you have a diabetic cat, this can help manage blood sugar levels, but be sure to speak to your veterinarian about the appropriate diet for your cat’s needs. This food also contains no peas, lentils, chickpeas, plant oils, or GMOs. Some reviewers complained of consistency issues from bag to bag, however.
Pros
70% animal ingredients
Low glycemic
Gluten, grain, and GMO-free
Cons
Consistency issues
If your cat is sensitive to chicken and other poultry, the Weruva Mideast Feast with Grilled Tilapia in Gravy Grain-Free Canned Cat Food is a great choice. Made with tuna and tilapia as the top ingredients, this food offers high-quality animal protein for balanced nutrition. You’ll also get essential amino acids, omegas, vitamins, and minerals for complete health.
70% animal ingredients
Low glycemic
Gluten, grain, and GMO-free
- 70% animal ingredients
- Low glycemic
- Gluten, grain, and GMO-free
Consistency issues
- Consistency issues
The food is free of grains, carrageenan, hormones, GMOs, MSG, BPA, and antibiotics. All food is manufactured in a human-grade facility. Most picky eaters enjoy this broth-based recipe with fish ingredients, but not all cats. Some reviewers complained about the consistency from bag to bag, which could indicate poor quality control between batches.
Pros
Seafood as the first ingredient
Manufactured in a human-grade facility
Free from grains, hormones, GMOs, and antibiotics
Cons
Possible quality control issues
- Fussie Cat Premium Tuna With Prawns in Aspic Cat Food
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Type: Wet
Lifestage: Adult
Specialties: Grain-free, pea-free
Fussie Cat Premium Tuna with Prawns Formula in Aspic Grain-Free Canned Cat Food is a premium food option with tuna and prawn for high-quality protein. A mix of fruits and vegetables offers vitamins, minerals, and omega fatty acids that support complete health.
Seafood as the first ingredient
Manufactured in a human-grade facility
Free from grains, hormones, GMOs, and antibiotics
- Seafood as the first ingredient
- Manufactured in a human-grade facility
- Free from grains, hormones, GMOs, and antibiotics
Possible quality control issues
- Possible quality control issues
Check Latest Price
Type: Wet
Lifestage: Adult
Specialties: Grain-free, pea-free
This food contains no grains, peas, or potatoes, so it’s less likely to upset cats with food sensitivities or allergies. While some reviewers had great luck with this food, some had cats that wouldn’t touch it. It’s also not as holistic as the rest of this list.
A few feline parents mentioned that they found shards of fishbones in this food, which they didn’t like one bit.
Pros
Real tuna and prawns as first ingredients
No grain, peas, or potato
Cons
Not as holistic as others
Could have small bones
Real tuna and prawns as first ingredients
No grain, peas, or potato
- Real tuna and prawns as first ingredients
- No grain, peas, or potato
Not as holistic as others
Could have small bones
- Not as holistic as others
- Could have small bones
Buyers Guide: Selecting the Best Holistic Cat Food
What Is Holistic Cat Food?
Whether we’re referring to cat or human nutrition, holistic is a vague term that isn’t well regulated. Really, any company can claim its food is holistic if they choose, which can complicate things for you, the cat owner.
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!
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!
The best way to choose holistic cat food is by checking the ingredient list, rather than just picking up a bag that says “holistic” on it. Here’s what you should look for:
Natural ingredients: Holistic cat food should contain natural, species-appropriate foods like real meat and seafood, whole fruits and vegetables, and whole grains. Cats are obligate carnivores, so it’s important to satisfy their need for animal protein and amino acids.
Whole nutrition: Holistic foods are designed to support health using “whole nutrition,” meaning unprocessed or minimally processed, natural ingredients. This can mean real meat, whole prey, and unprocessed fruits and vegetables.
No fillers or artificial ingredients: As expected, holistic foods should be free from fillers, such as corn, soy, and peas, and artificial ingredients, such as dyes and preservatives. You should also look for food free from antibiotics, hormones, and meat by-products.
Natural ingredients: Holistic cat food should contain natural, species-appropriate foods like real meat and seafood, whole fruits and vegetables, and whole grains. Cats are obligate carnivores, so it’s important to satisfy their need for animal protein and amino acids.
Whole nutrition: Holistic foods are designed to support health using “whole nutrition,” meaning unprocessed or minimally processed, natural ingredients. This can mean real meat, whole prey, and unprocessed fruits and vegetables.
No fillers or artificial ingredients: As expected, holistic foods should be free from fillers, such as corn, soy, and peas, and artificial ingredients, such as dyes and preservatives. You should also look for food free from antibiotics, hormones, and meat by-products.
- Natural ingredients: Holistic cat food should contain natural, species-appropriate foods like real meat and seafood, whole fruits and vegetables, and whole grains. Cats are obligate carnivores, so it’s important to satisfy their need for animal protein and amino acids.
- Whole nutrition: Holistic foods are designed to support health using “whole nutrition,” meaning unprocessed or minimally processed, natural ingredients. This can mean real meat, whole prey, and unprocessed fruits and vegetables.
- No fillers or artificial ingredients: As expected, holistic foods should be free from fillers, such as corn, soy, and peas, and artificial ingredients, such as dyes and preservatives. You should also look for food free from antibiotics, hormones, and meat by-products.
Conclusion
You can find all types of cat food claiming to be holistic and natural, but there’s nothing to regulate that word on a label. It’s important to check ingredient lists on your own. We recommend Smalls Human-Grade Cat Food as our best overall holistic cat food, because of its all-natural and predominantly meat ingredients. If you want value, Purina Beyond Simply Grain-Free Wild-Caught Whitefish & Egg Recipe Dry Cat Food is the best holistic cat food for the money.
Featured Image Credit: AlexanderDubrovsky, Shutterstock
