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10 Best Budget Cat Foods of 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Written by: Christian Adams

Last Updated on March 11, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

cat eating food in the bowl

10 Best Budget Cat Foods of 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

cat eating food in the bowl

Feeding time for your cats can sometimes be tedious; they’re just about the pickiest eaters around, so it’s difficult to find food they’ll willingly eat that’s good for them and that doesn’t require you to take out a second mortgage.

Nutrition is essential for your cat because they’re meat eaters and don’t process grains well. They get most of what they need in their diet from meat sources, and many commercial cat foods use complex carbohydrates as filler, which should be avoided if possible.

Because we know it’s difficult and time-consuming to find a budget cat food that’s balanced and affordable (and good quality) that your cat will actually eat, we’ve compiled this list of reviews of the best affordable cat foods.

Let’s dig in so your cat can too!

A Quick Look at the Winners of 2024

Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
American Journey Grain-Free American Journey Grain-Free
  • Whole, natural ingredients
  • No grains or filler foods
  • High protein content
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Iams ProActive Health Dry Iams ProActive Health Dry
  • High protein content
  • May help reduce weight
  • Very affordable
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Purina Cat Chow Indoor Dry Purina Cat Chow Indoor Dry
  • Made with real meat
  • Supplies a balanced and healthy diet
  • Cats will love it
  • Meow Mix Original Choice Dry Meow Mix Original Choice Dry
  • Contains multiple protein sources
  • Packed with vitamins and minerals
  • Cats enjoy the smell and taste
  • Purina Kit & Kaboodle Dry Purina Kit & Kaboodle Dry
  • Multiple sources of protein
  • Includes vitamins and minerals
  • Promotes healthy coat and joints
  • The 10 Best Budget Cat Foods

    1. American Journey Grain-Free Dry Cat Food – Best Overall

    American Journey Turkey & Chicken Recipe Grain-Free

    Instead of reviewing this cat food, we could just tell you to look at the ingredients! This American Journey Cat Food is grain-free, it’s made up of 40% protein, and all ingredients are recognizable, meaning there are no artificial ingredients, fillers, or preservatives. The nutrients provided are well-rounded and balanced, so your cat will get everything they need to stay happy and healthy.

    The best thing about this food is that your feline friend is bound to love it! Since a large portion of American Journey food is real meat, this had our cats coming from the other room to eat, which we never thought we’d see from our picky eaters.

    The pieces of food are small, which might lead to your kitty not chewing enough. Also, most flavors include chicken or fish, which are common food allergens for cats, so this may not be the best food if your cat has food allergies. We think this is the best overall budget cat food available, and you don’t have to sacrifice quality with its price.

    Pros
    • Whole, natural ingredients
    • No preservatives
    • High protein content
    • No grains or filler foods
    Cons
    • Small pieces might not be chewed well
    • May not be best for food-allergic cats

    2. Iams ProActive Health Dry Cat Food – Best Value

    Iams ProActive Health Indoor Weight

    This product line from Iams is, first and foremost, made with your cat’s health and happiness in mind. It’s made with real protein as the first ingredient, and most of this formula consists of whole foods. This food also boasts that it helps reduce your cat’s weight and hairballs. The lower fat content and filling carbohydrates will likely help your cat eat fewer calories, and there are high-fiber ingredients that may help in the hairball department, although we didn’t see any difference in hairball frequency. The pieces of food are small, so your cat may not chew them enough, which could be an issue for some cats.

    Because this food is made with real chicken, your cats are less likely to turn their nose up at their bowl. The nutrition packed inside and the price tag make this the cat food for the money, and a 16-pound bag costs about what a 12-pound bag of other healthy options costs. There are carbohydrates, which your cat may not process as easily, so this food didn’t hit our number one spot, but it’s still an excellent choice.

    Pros
    • Made with real, whole ingredients
    • High protein content
    • May help reduce weight
    • Very affordable
    Cons
    • Contains carbs that can be difficult to process
    • May not reduce hairball issues as stated
    • Small pieces may not be chewed well

    3. Purina Cat Chow Indoor Dry Cat Food – Premium Choice

    Cat Chow Hairball & Healthy Weight

    If you’re willing to give a little bit more from your wallet for a little bit better meal for your cat, the Purina Cat Chow may be the option for you. This premium cat food is specially formulated for indoor cats, which means if you have a cat that struggles with a weight issue or you have a low-energy kitty, this food will be a great option for them. It does have a rather high carbohydrate content, but this is likely to make your cat feel full to help control hunger and weight gain. It’s made with real meat and protein sources, as well as meat flavors that will have your cat enjoying every bowl.

    While it’s a good choice, it’s not a perfect home run. The meats are not the main ingredients, and it has artificial coloring in them, which keeps this out of our top two choices for budget cat food. Additionally, this food is more expensive than other options on the list, but it does supply your furry friend with all of the nutrients, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals they need to stay healthy.

    Pros
    • Made with real meat
    • Helps maintain weight
    • Cats will love it
    • Supplies a balanced and healthy diet
    Cons
    • Meat isn’t the main ingredient
    • Contains artificial coloring
    • Expensive

    4. Meow Mix Original Choice Dry Cat Food

    Meow Mix Original Choice Dry

    The Meow Mix Original Choice food is made with various types of meat in each flavor, and having a variety of protein sources is the best thing for your cat’s nutrition. It’s packed with vitamins and minerals and provides all the nutrients needed for a balanced diet.

    The meat is not the main ingredient, and the protein content is lower than the higher-rated foods on this list. Carbohydrates make up roughly 50% of this formula, which can be difficult for some cats to digest. Additionally, the ingredient list includes artificial coloring, which is neither necessary nor healthy for your cat.

    Pros
    • Contains multiple protein sources
    • Cats enjoy the smell and taste
    • Packed with vitamins and minerals
    Cons
    • High carbohydrate content
    • Can be difficult to digest
    • Contains artificial coloring

    5. Purina Kit & Kaboodle Dry Cat Food

    Kit & Kaboodle Dry

    The Purina Kit & Kaboodle ingredient list on this food contains multiple protein sources, including chicken, fish, and turkey. This combination is not only beneficial for your cat’s health, but it also entices even picky eaters to dig in. There are a bunch of vitamins and minerals packed into this food, but they’re coupled with artificial coloring, which isn’t needed in cat food.

    The protein content is lower than many other options, and the main ingredients are carbohydrate-based corn and soybean products. A high fat content can help keep your cat’s joints and coat healthy, but this creates a high-calorie food that may lead to weight gain in some cats. Although a minor inconvenience, it should be noted that this bag is not resealable, so you’ll need a separate airtight container to maintain freshness.

    Pros
    • Multiple sources of protein
    • Includes vitamins and minerals
    • Promotes healthy coat and joints
    Cons
    • Low protein content
    • High carbohydrate content
    • High fat content may cause weight gain
    • Contains artificial coloring
    • The bag is not resealable

    Related Read: Kit & Kaboodle Cat Food Review: Recalls, Pros & Cons


    6. 9 Lives Daily Essentials Dry Cat Food

    9 Lives Daily Essentials

    The Daily Essentials 9 Lives option is another on our list that provides protein from multiple sources, including chicken, turkey, and fish. This will help get your cat munching even if they tend to be finicky eaters. The food is also loaded with vitamins and minerals, so it really does have the “daily essentials” for your feline friend to stay happy and healthy.

    The main ingredients are primarily carbohydrate-heavy corn products, and artificial colors are included that aren’t necessary or particularly healthy. Daily Essentials is one of the cheapest on the list, but the reason may be the high carbohydrate content. It should also be noted that the fat content is fairly high, so if weight maintenance is an issue for your cat, this may not be the best option for you.

    Pros
    • Contains multiple protein sources
    • Packed with vitamins and minerals
    • Very affordable
    Cons
    • High carbohydrate content
    • It has a comparatively low protein percentage
    • Contains artificial flavors
    • High fat content

    7. Rachael Ray Nutrish Dry Cat Food

    Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Chicken

    The Rachael Ray Nutrish Dry food has a slightly higher protein content than many other commercial options, and it includes real, whole protein sources, which is important for your cat’s health. There are a good number of vitamins in this cat food but fewer than other brands on this list.

    The fat content is very high at 14%, so this may not be a good option for indoor cats or those who generally have lower energy levels. It may also create weight gain issues for your feline friend, especially if they’re heavy eaters. If your cats are particularly picky, you may be better off with a different food. While our cats tend to be generally picky eaters, this food caused some turned-up kitty noses.

    Pros
    • High protein content
    • Real, whole protein sources
    • Promotes healthy joints and coat
    Cons
    • High fat content
    • High caloric content
    • Fewer vitamins and minerals than other options
    • Not very enticing to cats

    8. Purina ONE Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Cat Food

    Purina ONE Sensitive

    The Purina ONE food is specifically made for cats with sensitive tummies, and it contains a higher protein content than many other commercial cat foods, which can aid in digestion. So, if your kitty has digestive issues, this may be a good option for you. Purina ONE has a very high fat content at 13% and is consequently very high in calories, so this likely won’t be a good food for your cat if they have issues with weight management.

    Purina ONE food is fairly expensive, and although it contains whole protein sources, it may not entice your cat to eat if they are picky when it comes to food. This was another food that our cats chose to leave in their bowls.

    Pros
    • Contains whole protein sources
    • Promotes digestion
    Cons
    • High fat content
    • High in calories
    • Expensive
    • Not particularly appetizing for cats

    9. Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Grain-Free Canned Cat Food

    Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Kitty Gone Wild

    The Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Grain-Free wet food contains a variety of real protein sources, which will likely entice even the pickiest of eaters to dive in. Despite whole meats being the main ingredients, the protein content is very low at only 10%, given the moisture content, which is insufficient for cats.

    The food also contains large pieces of fish, which may be too big for your cat to consume safely, and ours resorted to leaving many of these pieces behind. This resulted in large portions of food being thrown away. So, while Weruva Cats may be relatively inexpensive, you’ll pay more for the food your cat doesn’t eat. We’re also concerned that these fish pieces may contain bones, so even if your cat eats the chunks, they may not be safe. For these reasons, along with the low protein content, we wouldn’t recommend this food for your cat.

    Pros
    • Contains multiple whole protein sources
    • Inexpensive
    Cons
    • Low protein ratio
    • Large fish chunks are unsafe or inedible
    • Ultimately more expensive due to wasted pieces
    • May contain bones

    10. AvoDerm Natural Wild by Nature Grain-Free Canned Cat Food

    AvoDerm Natural Wild by Nature Grain-Free

    The AvoDerm Natural Wild wet, canned cat food is a grain-free formula, but there’s only one source (salmon) of protein, so it doesn’t provide balance in your cat’s diet. Even though the main ingredient is salmon and the protein percentage is higher than the previous product on this list, the price tag is relatively high. AvoDErm has few vitamins and minerals, so it doesn’t supply a well-balanced diet.

    It’s also important to note that this food is not a pate, so many cats may opt out of eating it, especially since the salmon flakes seem relatively dry. Whether it’s the texture or the taste, we found that our cats didn’t think this food was appetizing, and they chose to stay hungry rather than try it. Given our cats’ reactions and price, we wouldn’t recommend this canned food.

    Pros
    • Real, whole protein source
    Cons
    • Only one source of protein
    • Expensive
    • Unappetizing to cats
    • Low in vitamins and minerals
    • Not a balanced diet

    3 cat face divider

    Buyer’s Guide: How to Select the Best Cheap Cat Foods

    After reading about our top list, you can probably agree that buying the best cheap cat food can be a complicated process. This is mainly because the options available will always create a balancing act of looking for real, whole, and varied protein sources, which tend to be expensive and affordable food priced realistically. In our buyer’s guide, we’ll cover the main components of choosing the best cheap food, which we hope will help you narrow down the options the next time you walk down the pet aisle.

    Protein vs. Carbohydrates

    Cats are natural predators that need a high-protein diet to stay healthy, and protein should be the main supply of calories for your feline friend. While carbohydrates are significantly cheaper than meats, they aren’t easily processed by your cat, so they are generally considered “filler foods” that don’t offer much nutrition for your cat. Your primary goal in searching for a budget cat food should be to find one that has a high protein content.

    Fat Content

    Another thing to keep in mind in terms of macronutrients is fat content. Healthy fats are great for cats and can help promote healthy joints and coats, but too much fat significantly increases the caloric density of cat food, so a moderate percentage of fat – around 10% – is best for most cats. Keep in mind that an even lower fat percentage may be better for your cat if they struggle with weight management.

    Vitamins and Minerals

    While protein and fat sources are your main concerns when looking for quality cat food, vitamins, and minerals are important as well, so you’ll want to find a food that provides all of these necessary micronutrients for your kitty. The results of feeding your cat high-fat or low-protein food may be immediately evident, as they may cause weight gain or digestive issues, but you likely won’t see the immediate effects of vitamin deficiency. Pay careful attention to the ingredient list to make sure you’re buying a balanced cat food, or check with your vet to make sure the option you choose provides everything your pet needs.

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    Feeding your cat a high-quality diet is important for keeping them healthy and happy. But it goes beyond the food you choose; the dishes they use also matter. The Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl is our favorite for its unique, five-star design that protects from whisker fatigue and promotes good posture which also aids in better digestion. As an added bonus, it’s beautifully crafted and offers a modern take on the traditional cat bowl that fits seamlessly with all home stylings. Learn more about the NomNom by clicking here.

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    Leaving Out Unnecessary Additives

    You should always review the ingredient list on cat foods before purchasing because while many commercial brands boast that they are grain-free or don’t contain corn products, they might include preservatives or artificial colors which are usually unrecognizable or difficult-to-pronounce ingredients. A quick search online will help determine if these ingredients are preservatives or artificial colorings. These ingredients are unnecessary in cat foods and should generally be avoided. They don’t offer any nutritional benefits, and they may cause digestive problems or long-term health issues in your pet.

    Taste

    One of the most essential, non-nutrition-based things to look for in cat food is a product your cat will actually eat! High protein is excellent, but if your cat would rather go hungry than eat the food you’re serving, it doesn’t matter how many healthy ingredients are in it. Generally, cats find foods with multiple protein sources most appetizing because they smell like foods they enjoy: chicken, turkey, beef, and fish.

    However, any cat owner will know that cats are very often very finicky and picky eaters, so what is enticing to one won’t be appetizing to all. You may need to try a few different brands for your cat to find a healthy and affordable option they don’t just leave in their bowl. Opting for a protein-rich food with different meats included is a good place to start to get your cat’s interest piqued.

    Dimensions

    Although usually not an issue, you may find that your cat struggles with the sizes of some foods. Most cats won’t have a problem eating small or larger pieces of food, but if you find your cat is not chewing enough (or at all), you may choose a different cat food made of larger pieces that will force your furry friend to chew.

    Price

    Lastly, and with all of the above things considered, you should find a food that ticks all of the health and wellness boxes for your cat and doesn’t require you to pay an arm and a leg for a 5-pound bag. Highly nutritional, healthy, and appetizing cat food exists even for those on a budget, so don’t feel you need to pay top dollar for proper nutrition. It’s important to find the best cheap cat food that’s good for your cat and your wallet to create a sustainable and enjoyable diet for your kitty.

    Cat ball divider 1

    Conclusion

    Finding a cat food that’s all-around beneficial and healthy for your cat can seem like a daunting task, and when a lot of high-nutrition and high-protein cat foods top the price range you’re comfortable with, it may seem impossible. Add in a picky cat that would rather starve than eat some commercial cat foods, and you’ve got a big problem!

    Know that there are options out there that will suit your budget and your cat’s appetite and well-being. Our top pick to suit both of you is American Journey Grain-Free Dry Cat Food for its nutrition, cat-pleasing taste, and affordable price. If you’re looking for a cheaper option that will still provide a healthy, balanced diet, then Iams ProActive Health Dry Cat Food is the best option for you. No matter which option you choose, we’re sure these reviews will help you hone in on the perfect cat food for you and your little furball!

    See also:


    Featured Image Credit: Okssi, Shutterstock

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