Are you looking for soft, dry cat food reviews for your kitten or older cat? We’ve got them for you, below! Cats, especially kittens and older cats with missing (or no) teeth, are often better off eating soft, dry cat food. Kittens have a problem chewing and digesting hard, dry kibble and have softer teeth, so soft and dry cat food is best for them. Finding a brand your cat loves, young or older, shouldn’t be difficult. We have reviews of the 10 best brands to make your decision easier and help your precious kitty stay healthy and happy.
A Quick Comparison of Our Winners (2023)
Image Product Details
Best Overall
IAMS ProActive Health High Protein
Real chicken and salmon
High protein content
Features prebiotics
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Best Value
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food
Very tender
All-natural ingredients
Chicken is the 1st ingredient
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Premium Choice
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Indoor Cat Food
Very easy to chew
No artificial ingredients
Contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
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Best for Kittens
Purina Kitten Chow Nurture Kitten Dry Cat Food
No artificial ingredients
A large variety of minerals and vitamins
Contains DHA and antioxidants
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Vet’s Choice
Purina ONE Tender Selects Blend
Real chicken
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Easy to chew
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The 10 Best Soft Dry Cat Foods
IAMS ProActive Health High Protein Cat Food cat food is considered the best overall by many veterinarians and cat experts and is suitable for cats of all ages. One reason is that it uses real chicken and salmon as its first and fifth ingredients. Both protein sources are excellent, with salmon providing omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids as an extra benefit. This food also uses no dyes, soy, or artificial flavors, although some may not like that the third ingredient is corn grits. Iams ProActive Health High Protein Chicken & Salmon Recipe is suitable for adults, kittens, and senior cats.
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Pros
Real chicken and salmon 1st and 5th ingredients. (84% of protein)
High protein content with essential minerals and fatty acids
Features prebiotics to help maximize absorption
No fillers, soy, or artificial ingredients
Budget-friendly
Cons
Not an ideal single-food source for kittens
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food is an excellent option for older cats, especially those with no or little teeth. The reason is that it’s very soft, tender cat food that’s easy to chew. Many of the ingredients in Hill’s food are specifically for aging cats to help their heart, eyes, joints, and kidneys. There are no preservatives, and the recipe supports the cat’s digestive health and is easy to digest. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food is still one of the most affordable products on pet store shelves, and it is the best cat food for the money in our book.
Real chicken and salmon 1st and 5th ingredients. (84% of protein)
High protein content with essential minerals and fatty acids
Features prebiotics to help maximize absorption
No fillers, soy, or artificial ingredients
Budget-friendly
- Real chicken and salmon 1st and 5th ingredients. (84% of protein)
- High protein content with essential minerals and fatty acids
- Features prebiotics to help maximize absorption
- No fillers, soy, or artificial ingredients
- Budget-friendly
Not an ideal single-food source for kittens
- Not an ideal single-food source for kittens
Pros
Very tender for cats with dental problems
All-natural ingredients
High protein content
Chicken is the 1st ingredient
Cons
Whole grain wheat and corn gluten are the 2nd and 3rd ingredients.
One of the best soft, dry cat foods on the market, Blue Buffalo Wilderness Indoor Chicken Recipe, is high in protein, thanks to real chicken as its first ingredient. It’s grain-free cat food that will help your cat’s gut stay healthy while improving its immune system and ability to fight disease. Peas add to the protein to help your cat’s muscles and bones stay strong, lean, and supple. It’s an excellent choice for cats with no teeth or dental problems that impede their chewing and biting. The packaging says that the formula is inspired by the diet a cat would typically have in the wild (although it’s doubtful wild or feral cats would be eating peas).
Very tender for cats with dental problems
All-natural ingredients
High protein content
Chicken is the 1st ingredient
- Very tender for cats with dental problems
- All-natural ingredients
- High protein content
- Chicken is the 1st ingredient
Whole grain wheat and corn gluten are the 2nd and 3rd ingredients.
- Whole grain wheat and corn gluten are the 2nd and 3rd ingredients.
Pros
Very easy to chew
Real chicken is the first ingredient
No artificial ingredients or meat by-products
Contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
Cons
Nearly 30% carb content makes it unsuitable for diabetic cats
Dries and hardens quickly after opening
100% balanced nutrition is the key to Purina Kitten Chow Nurture. The addition of 25 vitamins and minerals is also excellent, and real chicken is the primary protein. Chicken by-product meal is, however, the first ingredient. This Purina recipe has plenty of protein to help your kitten grow strong and a lot of calories to keep their energy level high.
Very easy to chew
Real chicken is the first ingredient
No artificial ingredients or meat by-products
Contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
- Very easy to chew
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- No artificial ingredients or meat by-products
- Contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
Nearly 30% carb content makes it unsuitable for diabetic cats
Dries and hardens quickly after opening
- Nearly 30% carb content makes it unsuitable for diabetic cats
- Dries and hardens quickly after opening
Pros
No artificial ingredients
A large variety of minerals and vitamins
Contains DHA and antioxidants
Easy to digest
Cons
Higher price than comparable brands
Unsuitable for cats suffering from kidney and renal problems
Purina ONE Tender Selects provides a high protein content with 12% maximum moisture. The resulting kibble is both crunchy and tender and easy to chew. The protein comes from real chicken, making it very palatable to cats. White rice is used as a filler, which is healthier than the artificial ingredients typically used as fillers. Purina ONE does not contain artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors.
No artificial ingredients
A large variety of minerals and vitamins
Contains DHA and antioxidants
Easy to digest
- No artificial ingredients
- A large variety of minerals and vitamins
- Contains DHA and antioxidants
- Easy to digest
Higher price than comparable brands
Unsuitable for cats suffering from kidney and renal problems
- Higher price than comparable brands
- Unsuitable for cats suffering from kidney and renal problems
Pros
Real chicken is the first ingredient
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Easy to chew
High-quality ingredients and added vitamins and minerals
Cons
Not organic
Not ideal for free-feeding
Real salmon is the first ingredient in this IAMS Proactive Health Adult Indoor Weight & Hairball Control formulated for older felines. With 10% less fat than other IAMS products, it’s also a good choice for obesity control. The high-quality protein it provides from salmon is excellent for an older cat’s energy levels. Also, the beet pulp fiber blend will help your cat reduce their hairballs. This brand is a perfect choice if you have a cat 11 years or older.
Real chicken is the first ingredient
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Easy to chew
High-quality ingredients and added vitamins and minerals
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- Easy to chew
- High-quality ingredients and added vitamins and minerals
Not organic
Not ideal for free-feeding
- Not organic
- Not ideal for free-feeding
Pros
Made in the USA
Helps cats with weight and hairball problems
Reduced fat content for weight control
Ideal for older cats with tooth problems
Cons
Has been known to cause diarrhea
Kibble size isn’t consistent
- American Journey Grain-Free Dry Cat Food Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Turkey, turkey meal, chicken meal, tapioca starch, dried egg, pea protein
Protein content: 40%
Fat content: 15%
Calories: 342 kcal/cup
Real, deboned turkey is the first ingredient in this soft, dry cat food, with turkey meal and chicken meal rounding out the top three ingredients. That gives American Journey Turkey and Chicken Recipe one of the highest amounts of protein on today’s list. It’s also filled with antioxidants, fatty acids, and taurine from blueberries, spinach, pumpkin, and carrots. You won’t find any grains in this grain-free cat kibble, nor wheat, corn, or soy.
Made in the USA
Helps cats with weight and hairball problems
Reduced fat content for weight control
Ideal for older cats with tooth problems
- Made in the USA
- Helps cats with weight and hairball problems
- Reduced fat content for weight control
- Ideal for older cats with tooth problems
Has been known to cause diarrhea
Kibble size isn’t consistent
- Has been known to cause diarrhea
- Kibble size isn’t consistent
Pros
Deboned turkey, turkey meal, and chicken meal are the first three ingredients
All ingredients are sourced in the USA
40% protein
Grain-free recipe
Cons
Strong odor
More expensive than some brands
Real chicken is the primary proteint in this high-quality soft, dry cat food. Blue Buffalo Healthy Aging Chicken and Brown Rice provides an excellent protein source for aging cats, and the soft bite makes it easier for them to chew. The recipe doesn’t contain chicken by-products, corn, soy, or wheat. It’s also devoid of artificial preservatives and flavors. For aging cats, it’s one of the best kibble choices on the market and is specially designed to help your cat age gracefully.
Deboned turkey, turkey meal, and chicken meal are the first three ingredients
All ingredients are sourced in the USA
40% protein
Grain-free recipe
- Deboned turkey, turkey meal, and chicken meal are the first three ingredients
- All ingredients are sourced in the USA
- 40% protein
- Grain-free recipe
Strong odor
More expensive than some brands
- Strong odor
- More expensive than some brands
Pros
Made specifically for senior cats
Kibble size is very small for east ingestion and chewing
The first ingredient is deboned chicken
Cons
Expensive
Pet owners reported digestion problems
Although chicken by-meal product is the protein source, and whole ground corn is the first ingredient, Meow Mix Tender Centers Dry Cat Food for kittens and younger, healthy cats. It’s soft on the inside but crispy outside: a combination that kittens love. Of course, it would also be a good choice for mature, healthy cats, but some kittens and adult cats may reject the abundance of corn and grains.
Made specifically for senior cats
Kibble size is very small for east ingestion and chewing
The first ingredient is deboned chicken
- Made specifically for senior cats
- Kibble size is very small for east ingestion and chewing
- The first ingredient is deboned chicken
Expensive
Pet owners reported digestion problems
- Expensive
- Pet owners reported digestion problems
Pros
100% complete, balanced nutrition
Has salmon for omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
Wide range of flavors
Cons
Doesn’t stay fresh long after opening
Real protein is not the #1 ingredient
The first ingredient in this celebrity-sponsored Rachael Ray Nutrish Super Premium Dry Cat Food is chicken, although it has a relatively low protein content of 14%. Lentils supply fiber and can help control your cat’s weight. Natural prebiotics are also included (from pumpkin) and are excellent for your cat’s digestive health. Rachel Ray Nutrish comes in several flavors and is suitable for cats of all ages.
100% complete, balanced nutrition
Has salmon for omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
Wide range of flavors
- 100% complete, balanced nutrition
- Has salmon for omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
- Wide range of flavors
Doesn’t stay fresh long after opening
Real protein is not the #1 ingredient
- Doesn’t stay fresh long after opening
- Real protein is not the #1 ingredient
Pros
Chicken is the first ingredient
Suitable for cats of all ages
Cons
Corn gluten is the third ingredient
Lower protein content than the competition
Chicken is the first ingredient
Suitable for cats of all ages
- Chicken is the first ingredient
- Suitable for cats of all ages
Corn gluten is the third ingredient
Lower protein content than the competition
- Corn gluten is the third ingredient
- Lower protein content than the competition
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Soft Dry Cat Food
Important things to consider when buying soft, dry cat food.
Since dry, soft cat food is typically made for younger or older cats, look for a brand with meat or seafood as the primary protein. That will ensure your cat gets the protein, fat, and calories they need. Also, cat food with fewer by-products and no artificial ingredients is always a good choice.
What makes a quality soft, dry cat food?
Recipes with chicken, turkey, or fish as the first ingredient (or close) is the key to quality cat food. The brand should have a higher water content to make it easier to chew and a high amount of protein to help your cat stay strong and healthy.
Tips for buying soft, dry cat food.
Look for soft, dry cat food with meat or fish as the first ingredient.
Look for a brand with natural ingredients. Avoid recipes with fillers, preservatives, and artificial colors.
Look for soft, dry food, which is different than dry food. Dry food can cause chewing and biting problems for kittens and older cats.
What Options Do Buyers Have?
The best way to find a quality cat food that’s good for cats with tooth problems is to check the nutrition label, ask your vet for advice, and always look for a recipe that’s free of artificial ingredients.
Look for soft, dry cat food with meat or fish as the first ingredient.
Look for a brand with natural ingredients. Avoid recipes with fillers, preservatives, and artificial colors.
Look for soft, dry food, which is different than dry food. Dry food can cause chewing and biting problems for kittens and older cats.
- Look for soft, dry cat food with meat or fish as the first ingredient.
- Look for a brand with natural ingredients. Avoid recipes with fillers, preservatives, and artificial colors.
- Look for soft, dry food, which is different than dry food. Dry food can cause chewing and biting problems for kittens and older cats.
How Have Soft, Dry Cat foods Evolved
Today, you’ll find the best cat food manufacturers using natural protein as their first ingredient, plus fruits and vegetables for their vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutritional benefits.
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Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed our dry, soft cat food reviews. The best overall brand was Iams ProActive Health High Protein Chicken & Salmon Recipe. We picked Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food as the best value for the money. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Indoor Chicken Recipe was picked as our premium choice cat food. With high protein and chicken as the first ingredient, it’s an excellent choice. Purina Kitten Chow Nurture Kitten Dry Cat Food was our choice as best for kittens and will likely be your kitty’s fave. Our final Top 5 pick was Purina ONE Tender Selects Blend with Real Chicken since it’s a brand that veterinarians prefer and offers premium quality ingredients.
Featured Image Credit: Skrypnykov Dmytro, Shutterstock
