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6 Best Cat Foods for Bengals (2024) – Reviews & Top Picks

Written by: Christian Adams

Last Updated on March 14, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

bengal cat

6 Best Cat Foods for Bengals (2024) – Reviews & Top Picks

bengal cat As a cat owner, you want your kitty to have the best food possible. You need food that suits your cat’s needs, and you want to ensure they’ll be happy eating it. After all, if your cat is turning their nose up at their food, no matter how good it is for them, it’s not doing any good sitting in their dish.

That is why we’ve created this list of reviews for the best Bengal cat food around. We tested the brands below using our own Bengals, and you can keep reading to find out our top 6 picks.

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A Quick Comparison of the Winners in 2024

Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Smalls Cow Recipe (Fresh Cat Food Subscription) Smalls Cow Recipe (Fresh Cat Food Subscription)
  • Sustainably sourced ingredients
  • Made in the USA
  • Shipped directly to your home
  • Budget Buy
    Second place
    Tiki Cat Succulent Grain Free Canned Tiki Cat Succulent Grain Free Canned
  • Affordable
  • Full of protein
  • Supports urinary and digestive health
  • Third place
    Royal Canin Bengal Adult Dry Royal Canin Bengal Adult Dry
  • Y-shape
  • Good for digestive tract
  • Texture encourages cat to chew
  • Instinct Ultimate Protein Grain-Free Instinct Ultimate Protein Grain-Free
  • Mirrors a raw diet
  • Made in the United States
  • Easy to digest and absorb
  • Earthborn Holistic Grain-Free Natural Earthborn Holistic Grain-Free Natural
  • Affordably priced
  • Grain-free
  • Contains lots of veggies and fruits
  • The 6 Best Cat Foods for Bengals

    1. Smalls Cow Recipe (Fresh Cat Food Subscription) – Best Overall

    Smalls Fresh Cow Recipe

    Our pick for the best food for Bengals is the Smalls Fresh Cow recipe, which is available in smooth and ground textures. Smalls is a U.S.-based small business initially started by two friends cooking cat food in their kitchen. Their simple, tasty recipes rely on meat and vegetable ingredients sustainably sourced from the United States and Canada. Their products also contain peas, which is a legume under investigation for potentially causing heart issues.

    All Smalls recipes are made in the USA and include a vitamin and mineral blend. The food is gently cooked, packaged without preservatives, and shipped directly to your home every 2–8 weeks as needed. Unfortunately, Smalls does not ship internationally or to Alaska and Hawaii.

    Smalls Fresh Cow is a fantastic option for Bengal owners who like the idea of home-cooked food for their cats but want to ensure they’re feeding a nutritionally balanced diet. Customers reported that their cats love the taste of Smalls’ food, and they noticed the kitties seem to have improved energy levels, less smelly litter boxes, and shinier coats when eating Smalls.

    Pros
    • Sustainably sourced ingredients
    • Made in the USA
    • Shipped directly to your home
    • Made of fresh meats and vegetables
    Cons
    • Contains peas
    • Does not ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally

    2. Tiki Cat Succulent Chicken Canned Cat Food – Budget Buy

    Tiki Cat Succulent Chicken Canned Cat Food

    We all love our Bengals, and we want to give them something tasty to eat. But when you’re on a budget, you’re looking for the best cat food for Bengals for the money. We have done our research and suggest Tiki Cat Succulent Chicken Canned Cat Food. This nutritious cat food provides the nutrition Bengals need without emptying your bank account.

    Tiki cat food is made with shredded chicken as its first ingredient, which is cooked in chicken broth. It is full of moisture and helps your cat stay hydrated, supporting urinary and digestive health. It’s full of essential omegas, taurine, minerals, and vitamins and provides a healthy meal without carbs, flour, starches, gluten, or grains.

    Pros
    • Chicken breast is first ingredient
    • Full of omegas, taurine, vitamins, and minerals
    • Supports urinary and digestive health
    • Affordable
    • Full of protein
    Cons
    • Not specifically made for Bengals
    • Wet food, so it’s not the best for oral health

    3. Royal Canin Adult Dry Bengal Cat Food

    Royal Canin Bengal Adult Dry Cat Food

    Royal Canin Bengal Adult Dry Cat Food is another excellent choice. It is specially made for Bengals and is formulated with the best ratio of fat and high-level protein for building and maintaining your Bengal’s lean muscle.

    We also love that this Bengal cat food contains omega fatty acids, essential amino acids, and vitamins to keep your cat’s gorgeous striped coat smooth and silky. Finally, the formula includes prebiotics and highly digestible protein to support the digestive system.

    Pros
    • Specifically made for Bengals
    • Includes vitamins and other ingredients for a healthy, beautiful coat
    • Y-shape kibble is unique
    • Good for digestive tract
    • Texture encourages cats to chew for good oral hygiene
    Cons
    • May be a bit costly for some owners 

    4. Instinct Protein Grain-Free Dry Cat Food

    Instinct Ultimate Protein Grain-Free Dry Cat Food

    We have heard a lot about feeding raw diets and how good they are for your cat. The big disadvantage of the raw diet is that it takes a lot of time and effort. That is why we love Instinct Ultimate Protein Grain-Free Dry Cat Food. It was created to closely mirror the many benefits of feeding your cat a raw diet.

    The high protein levels in Instinct don’t come from an animal meal; they come from real meat. Your cat will be able to absorb all of the nutrition and enjoy the benefits of natural omegas, live probiotics, and antioxidants.

    Of course, when you want to give your cat the best, you will pay for it. This is excellent cat food, but it is a bit pricey and not made specifically for Bengals. That’s why we couldn’t put it at the top of the list.

    Pros
    • 95% of the protein comes from actual chicken
    • Contains no animal meal
    • Easy to digest and absorb
    • Supports healthy digestion, skin and coat, and immune system
    • Mirrors a raw diet
    • Made in the United States
    Cons
    • Not made exclusively for Bengals
    • More expensive

    5. EarthbornGrain-Free Dry Cat & Kitten Food

    Earthborn Holistic Grain-Free Natural Dry Cat & Kitten Food

    What we loved about the Earthborn Holistic Primitive Feline Grain-Free Natural Dry Cat & Kitten Food is that it’s high in protein and grain-free. We all know how much energy our Bengals expend with jumping and climbing, so having the protein there to build their muscles is a huge plus.

    We love that its top ingredients are chicken and turkey meal. The crunchy texture helps with our cats’ oral hygiene, and the pieces are full of apples, blueberries, cranberries, and spinach. Our cat also adored the flavor, and we love it because it doesn’t contain anything artificial.

    Pros
    • Full of protein
    • Has a lot of nutrients for kittens and adults
    • Affordably priced
    • Contains lots of veggies and fruits
    • Grain-free
    Cons
    • Has chicken and turkey meal, not meat
    • Is not formulated for Bengals

    6. Instinct Limited Diet Grain-Free Dry Cat Food

    Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Dry Cat Food

    For those of us looking for formulas for kitties with sensitive stomachs, Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Dry Cat Food was the answer. We love that it only has a limited number of ingredients, so it’s easy to read the label and know whether or not it’s right for our cats.

    Instinct Limited Ingredient contains a single animal protein and a single vegetable, and it gives cats the simple nutrition they need without upsetting their stomachs. When you are looking for something simple with easy-to-read ingredients, Instinct is ideal.

    Pros
    • Limited number of ingredients
    • Easy-to-read labels
    • Grain-free
    • Good for cats with sensitive stomachs
    • Easy to digest
    Cons
    • Not specifically for Bengals
    • One vegetable included
    • One animal protein

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    Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Cat Food for Bengal Cats

    With several options for cat food for your Bengal, how do you choose the one that is right for your cat? We’ll examine what to look for in food for your Bengal and what to avoid.

    What to Look for in Food for Your Bengal

    Even though Bengals are a special breed, they’re just like other cats regarding their diet. They prefer food that is high in protein with few or no fillers. Of course, you can treat your Bengal once in a while. You shouldn’t be afraid to give them other treats or delicious cat food on special occasions.

    But when you are shopping for their staple food, look for the following items.
    • Named Meat – Bengals need a high-protein diet and should be fed a brand with meat listed first.
    • No Fillers – You should avoid recipes that are loaded with fillers. However, some fillers are fine if they’re of high quality. If you have a Bengal without digestive issues, choose one with grains rather than one with many additives, which might cause your cat health problems.
    • No Artificial Flavors, Colors or Preservatives – Just like the previous advice, if you want to choose the best food, don’t choose brands that contain artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.
    • Fortified Using Minerals and Vitamins – To give your Bengal a nutritionally complete and balanced meal, look for one that contains minerals and vitamins.
    • Fiber – Bengals need fiber to help with their digestion. Veggies, fruits, and whole grains are all good to have in the cat food you give your Bengal. However, processed grains should be avoided if you have a cat with digestive problems.

    It doesn’t matter if you have a Bengal or another breed because all cats need plenty of protein, healthy fats, and limited carbs. You don’t want to avoid carbs since fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants, vitamins, fiber, and minerals that can help your cat stay healthy.

    Things You Should Never Feed Your Bengal

    As a cat owner, you know the look your cat gives you when you are eating something that they deem tasty. They meow, purr, and demand that you give them a piece. It's okay to do once in a while, but there are some foods that you should never give your cat.

    Below are five of the most common things you should never feed a Bengal and why:
    • Chocolate – Chocolate contains theobromine. This alkaloid can lead to problems with your cat’s digestion, heart issues, muscle tremors, seizures, and possibly death. Never give your cat chocolate.
    • Alcohol – Most cat and dog owners know alcohol is dangerous, but it bears repeating. Alcohol can cause brain and liver damage in your cat.
    • Raw fish, eggs or meat – These may contain salmonella or E.coli and can interfere with your cat’s ability to absorb biotin.
    • Garlic and onions – Any form of garlic or onion can cause blood problems and anemia in your cat.
    • Avocado – Avocados contain persin. This can lead to digestive issues, respiratory issues, heart problems, vomiting, and possibly death.

    These are just five substances to avoid giving to your cat. If you want your cat to be happy and healthy, it’s best to stick with one of the cat foods we have listed here. They have everything in them that your cat needs to be healthy. 

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    The 3 Tips for Your Cat’s Bowl

    Bengal cat
    Image Credit: Alexander_Evgenyevich, Shutterstock

    Finally, now that we have looked at the food you should buy your cat, what should you serve the food in? Below are some tips when choosing your cat’s dish.

    1. Don’t Use Plastic

    Oil and bacteria will build up in the scratches in the bowl and may cause acne. It will look like black dots on their chin. Choose a bowl made of stainless steel or ceramic.


    2. Consider the Bowl’s Depth

    A cat prefers bowls and dishes that are wide and relatively shallow. It might be uncomfortable when your cat sticks their face into a deep bowl too far. This may be because they don’t like the feel of it around their whiskers, or they can’t see their environment.

    Hepper 360 Cat Feeder, Stainless Steel, Anti-Chew...
    • NO MESS - The 360° tray on this cat food and water bowl set has a raised design to catch and...
    • WHISKER FRIENDLY - Shallow and wide metal containers with flat bottoms ensure your kitty can enjoy...
    • CHEW-SAFE MATERIALS - Kittens and cats love chewing on silicone and soft rubber - but it's a choking...

    Choosing the right food and water bowls for our feline companions can pose certain challenges for pet owners. The Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl provides a chic and innovative solution that supports cat specific needs, such as shallow bowls and a subtle elevation that fosters whisker relief, posture comfort, and improves digestion. It features an elegant contemporary design with a wide wrap-around tray aimed at minimizing any messes from ending up on your floor! Furthermore, this bowl is entirely dishwasher safe, so pet owners are able to spend more time with their cats instead of cleaning up after them. Discover why the Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl is right for both you and your kitty by clicking here.

    At Catster, 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!

     


    3. Make Sure the Bowls are Clean

    Your cat’s dishes should be washed daily using water and soap. Dry food is often oily, and bacteria can build up and smell. If your cat is fed wet food, the bowls should be washed after every feeding.

    cat paw dividerConclusion

    We hope we have helped you find the right food for your Bengal with our reviews. In our opinion, the best Bengal cat food overall is Smalls Fresh Cow Recipe. If you are looking for the best value cat food for Bengals, then Tiki Cat Succulent Chicken Canned Cat Food is a great choice.

    As cat owners, we know how hard it can be to investigate the numerous products available for your cat. That’s why we have tried to make it a little bit easier for you. Have a wonderful and long life with your cat, and treasure the time you share.

    See also:


    Featured Image Credit: TheCats, Pixabay

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