We did the hard work and looked at the best dry cat food available to Canadians. We hope that our reviews will help you to sort through the options and that you’ll find the best food for you and your cat.
In this article
A Quick Comparison of Our Winners (2026)
| Image | Product | Details | ||
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Best Overall
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IAMS Proactive Weight & Hairball Cat Food |
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CHECK PRICE |
Best Value
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Friskies Chef’s Blend Cat Food |
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CHECK PRICE |
Premium Choice
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Hill’s Science Diet Cat Food |
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CHECK PRICE |
| Best for Kittens |
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Royal Canin Feline Health Kitten Food |
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CHECK PRICE |
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CRAVE Adult Cat Food |
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CHECK PRICE |
The 10 Best Dry Cat Foods in Canada
1. IAMS Proactive Health Weight & Hairball Cat Food — Best Overall
| Flavour: | Chicken & turkey |
| Size: | 18 kg |
| Protein: | 30% |
The best overall dry cat food available in Canada is IAMS Proactive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Cat Food. It’s well priced and is good for cats that have weight or hairball issues. It contains L-carnitine, which helps burn fat and maintain a healthy metabolism. It also includes omega acids that contribute to a beautiful coat and has beet pulp, which should help reduce hairballs.
On the negative side, it doesn’t help with every cat’s hairballs, and it includes chicken by-products, corn, and artificial ingredients and preservatives.
- Affordable
- L-carnitine helps metabolism and weight
- Fibre and beet pulp reduces hairballs
- Omega acids contribute to healthy skin and coat
- Won’t help every cat with hairballs
- Contains animal by-products and corn
2. Friskies Chef’s Blend Cat Food — Best Value.
| Flavour: | Chef’s Blend |
| Size: | 3 kg |
| Protein: | 30% |
The best dry cat food in Canada for the money is Friskies Chef’s Blend Cat Food because it’s well priced and has 30% protein for your cat. It has essential fatty acids for a healthy coat and skin and vitamin A and taurine for vision health. The chef’s blend flavour is a blend of several ingredients, such as beef, tuna, turkey, chicken, salmon, eggs, and cheese.
The disadvantage of this food includes that it is full of ingredients that aren’t necessarily the healthiest for your cat, including animal by-products, artificial dyes, and preservatives. It also does not contain any whole meat products.
- Inexpensive
- 30% protein
- Fatty acids for healthy skin and coat
- Vitamin A and taurine for vision health
- Doesn’t contain whole meat
- Full of animal by-products, gluten, and artificial dyes and preservatives
3. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Indoor Cat Food – Premium Choice
| Flavour: | Chicken |
| Size: | 7 kg |
| Protein: | 31% |
Our pick for premium choice dry cat food for Canadians is Hill’s Science Diet Adult Indoor Cat Food. This food is specially formulated for indoor cats for their specific energy needs. It has natural fibres for healthy digestion, which helps with litter box clean-up. Both protein and fibre can also help keep your cat fuller in between meals. Added fish oil and minerals support eye and brain health and strong bones and teeth.
However, while Hill’s is full of natural ingredients, it is also full of grains, which isn’t something that a cat needs in their diet. It also might make some cats experience stomach upset.
- Specially formulated for the energy needs of indoor cats
- Natural fibre for healthy digestion
- Natural proteins and fibres help keep your cat fuller longer
- Minerals and fish oil for brain, eye, teeth, and bone support
- Expensive
- Contains grains
- Some cats might experience stomach upset
4. Royal Canin Feline Health Kitten Food — Best for Kittens
| Flavour: | Chicken |
| Size: | 13 kg |
| Protein: | 32% |
Royal Canin’s Feline Health Kitten Food is one of the best dry foods for kittens aged 6 to 12 months. The size and texture of the kibble are just right for kittens, and it contains a blend of vitamin E and antioxidants to help support the immune system. High in protein and prebiotics, this kitten food helps support digestive health and promotes optimal poop. This food also helps support the high-energy needs of a growing kitten.
Unfortunately, this food is expensive and does include corn, wheat, and animal by-products. Some kittens might experience an upset stomach too.
- Perfect size and shape kibble for kittens ages 6–12 months
- Blend of vitamin E and antioxidants to support the immune system
- 32% protein and prebiotics support digestive health
- Supports the high energy of a growing kitten
- Expensive
- Contains animal by-products, corn, and wheat
- Might cause stomach upset
5. CRAVE Adult Cat Food
| Flavour: | Chicken, chicken and salmon, salmon and ocean fish |
| Size: | 5 kg and 1.8 kg |
| Protein: | 40% |
CRAVE Adult Cat Food comes in two sizes and three flavours and has whole meat as the main ingredients (chicken is the main ingredient in the two chicken flavours and salmon in the seafood variety). It’s high in protein at 40%, which aids in digestion, supporting the immune system, and strengthening muscles. It does not have corn, wheat, soy, animal by-products, artificial flavours, colours, or preservatives.
Disadvantages of this food include that it is expensive, and like many foods on this list, it has been known to cause upset stomachs in some cats. Also, the bag seems to be on the flimsy side, so you might want to find an alternative way to store it.
- Comes in two sizes and three flavours, with whole meat as the main ingredient
- High in protein at 40%
- Doesn’t contain by-products, wheat, corn, soy, or artificial ingredients
- Expensive
- Might cause an upset stomach in some cats
- Bag is flimsy
6. Beyond Grain Free Natural Cat Food
| Flavour: | Chicken, Ocean whitefish |
| Size: | 26 kg, 1.36 kg |
| Protein: | 35% |
Beyond’s Grain Free Natural Cat Food comes in two sizes and two flavours, and it has whole meat as the main ingredients (chicken in one and whitefish in the other). It does not have any soy, wheat, corn, or any by-products, and it also does not include any artificial flavours, preservatives, or colours. It contains natural probiotics to help with digestion, and Beyond also states that every ingredient in its food can be traced back to a trusted source.
Unsurprisingly, this food is expensive, and some cats might gain weight on this cat food.
- Comes in two sizes and two flavours
- Chicken and whitefish are the main ingredients in each flavour
- Doesn’t contain soy, wheat, corn, by-products, or artificial ingredients
- All ingredients are from trusted sources
- Natural probiotics for digestion
- Some cats might gain weight on it
- Expensive
7. Purina ONE Indoor Advantage Premium
| Flavour: | Turkey |
| Size: | 25 kg |
| Protein: | 37% |
Purina ONE’s Indoor Advantage Premium Cat Food has turkey as the main ingredient and is high in protein at 37%. It’s a special food made for indoor cats to help them maintain a healthy weight and to reduce hairballs with natural fibre. The kibble is designed to reduce plaque on your cat’s teeth, and the omega-6 fatty acids support a healthy coat and skin.
On the negative side, this food is a little expensive and includes added wheat, corn, and soy and animal by-products. It might also upset a cat’s stomach.
- Turkey is the main ingredient and has 37% of protein
- Helps indoor cats maintain a healthy weight and reduce hairballs
- Kibble helps reduce plaque
- Omega-6 fatty acids for a healthy coat and skin
- A little expensive
- Includes wheat, corn, soy, and animal by-products
- Can cause stomach upset
8. IAMS Proactive Health Healthy Adult Cat Food
| Flavour: | Salmon |
| Size: | 18 kg |
| Protein: | 32% |
IAMS Proactive Health Healthy Adult Cat Food has salmon as its first and main ingredient, supplying a rich source of protein for energy and strong muscles. It’s high in fibre and contains prebiotics and beet pulp, which aid in digestion, and omega-6, which promotes healthy skin and coat. The texture of the kibble is good for a cat’s teeth.
However, the food, like so many others, contains animal by-products and corn, and it has been known to cause gastrointestinal issues in some cats.
- Salmon is the main ingredient for energy and strong muscles
- Fibre, prebiotics, and beet pulp aid digestion
- Omega-6 for healthy coat and skin
- Kibble texture good for teeth
- Contains animal by-products and corn
- Might cause GI problems in some cats
9. Purina ONE True Instinct Cat Food
| Flavour: | Chicken |
| Size: | 53 kg |
| Protein: | 35% |
Purina ONE’s True Instinct Cat Food has chicken as the main ingredient and is high in protein at 35%. This food is made without corn or wheat and has added essential vitamins and minerals, including calcium, for stronger teeth and bones. It also includes four sources of antioxidants for a strong immune system and omega-6 fatty acids for a shiny coat and healthy skin. This food also does not contain any artificial preservatives, colours, or flavours.
However, while this food claims that it has no fillers, it is still using pea starch, soybean meal, and a by-product meal. Some cats might seem to be still hungry after eating.
- Chicken is the main ingredient and high in protein at 35%
- Added vitamins and minerals, including calcium
- Four sources of antioxidants for a strong immune system
- No wheat, corn, or artificial flavours, preservatives, or colours
- Contains by-product meal and pea and soybean meals
- Some cats might still appear hungry after consuming
10. Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Cat Food
| Flavour: | Chicken and rice |
| Size: | 7 kg |
| Protein: | 29% |
Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Cat Food is a veterinarian-recommended brand that has chicken as the first and main ingredient. It’s good food for cats with sensitive skin and stomachs. It contains vitamin E and omega-6 for healthy skin and coat, and it has the prebiotic FOS to support the beneficial bacteria in your cat’s gut. It is highly digestible and gentle on the stomach.
On the downside, this food is expensive, and it does have gluten, which might not work when you have a cat with sensitive skin and stomach issues. It can also have the opposite effect on some cats, who might experience dry skin and vomiting.
- Veterinarian recommended and chicken is the main ingredient
- Healthy skin and coat with omega-6 and vitamin E
- Contains FOS prebiotic for good bacteria in the gut
- Gentle on a cat’s stomach and easily digested
- Expensive
- Contains gluten
- Might cause vomiting and dry skin
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Dry Cat Food in Canada
Now that you’ve had a look at the options, there are a few more things to consider before you buy any new cat food.
Indoor Cat
There are a few brands designed for indoor cats because they don’t always get the same amount of exercise as outdoor cats. Food made for indoor cats if your cat doesn’t go outside is your best bet.
Nutrition
Protein is the most important ingredient for cats. They are obligate carnivores, so their diet should always consist primarily of meat and have added taurine. Cats can have difficulty digesting plant and grain products, so many of the added ingredients in cat food aren’t always necessary.
Ingredients
When you look at the list of ingredients on the food bag, the first ingredient is always the primary one. Ideally, you want to see whole meat, such as turkey or salmon, as the first ingredient, and by-products, grains, or other fillers shouldn’t be within the first three ingredients.
Introducing New Food
If your cat has a health condition, you will need to speak to your vet before you introduce any new food. In fact, your vet should recommend the right food for your cat. Otherwise, you can just add a small amount of the new food to your cat’s old food and gradually increase the amount. Stomach upset might result if you switch without the gradual change, or your cat might reject it entirely.
Our Dry Cat Foods in Canada Selection Process
Catster’s dedicated team of writers and editors collaborate with expert veterinarians, considering a wide range of factors when selecting the best foods for cats. These parameters include customer reviews, brand reputation, veterinary experience, and in some cases, hands-on testing. Of course, our cats have a say in the process, too! We strive to select and review the highest-quality products available, to help you choose the best possible product and make the most informed decision for your and your cat’s needs.
Why Trust Catster?
Catster has been a trusted online brand since 2001, so we know a thing or two about cat foods. We’re a team of cat-loving writers, editors, and veterinarians dedicated to helping you make the most informed decision for your feline. We deeply believe in providing the best information for cat owners to help their cats live their best life possible. We look at reviews from the most trusted sources available, and this, combined with our veterinary team’s experience and expertise, helps us gather the best options on the market. Our team is invested in the welfare and health of cats around the world, and believe that expert knowledge is one of the best ways to achieve this.
Conclusion
Our choice for the best overall dry cat food is IAMS Proactive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Cat Food with its L-carnitine and beet pulp to help with weight and hairballs. The best value cat food for Canadians is Friskies Chef’s Blend Cat Food for its price and use of essential vitamins and minerals, including taurine. Our third pick for dry cat food is Hill’s Science Diet Adult Indoor Cat Food for its natural protein and fibre.
Now that you’ve had the opportunity to read over our reviews, we hope that they will help you find the next best food for your cat.
See Also:
- Best Litter Boxes in Canada – Reviews & Top Picks
- Best Budget Cat Foods in Canada – Reviews & Top Picks
Featured Photo Credit: Patrick Foto, Shutterstock
