Choosing the right cat food for your furry friend is one of the most important decisions that you can make when it comes to their health and welfare. While it might not matter what color collar your cat wears or the type of bed they sleep in, the food that we give our cats has the potential to make them look amazing inside and out or fail to provide all the nutrients that they need.

In terms of how to choose the best brand of food for your cat, there’s a staggering amount of choices, and it can all feel a little overwhelming. Luckily, we’ve got your back! We’ve dug through all the available cat foods in the U.K. and picked our 10 favorite options. We’ve included detailed reviews for each of them, so you’ll be able to work out which one is going to suit your cat the best.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2026

	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		KatKin’s Fresh Food	High-quality ingredients No preservatives or fillers Suitable for all life stages	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		Purina ONE Adult Dry Cat Food Rich in Chicken	Good price Money-back guarantee Contains healthy gut bacteria	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		Bella & Duke	Delivered to your door Food is mixed while frozen, reducing pathogen risk Naturally hypoallergenic	CHECK PRICE
Best for Kittens		ORIJEN Feline Kitten	90% animal ingredients No grain or ‘meal’ components 40% protein	CHECK PRICE
		Wellness CORE Ocean Dry Cat Food	Good price Whole meat ingredients Good for cats with food allergies or intolerances	CHECK PRICE

10 Best Cat Foods in the UK

1. KatKin’s Fresh Food – Best Overall

Leading our list of the best foods to feed your cat is the pioneering fresh food company KatKin. Home-delivered, fresh-frozen food is becoming increasingly popular around the world, and when you take a look at the list of premium ingredients found in KatKin, you can see why.

KatKin is suitable for all life stages from weaning and with seven different flavors—chicken, beef, lamb, pork, duck, turkey, and fish—your cat is bound to find one (or seven!) that they enjoy. Each pre-packaged portion is made from human-grade fresh meat that has been gently cooked and then frozen to stay fresh. There are no grains, fillers, or preservatives, and it’s delivered to your door!

You can check out our complete review of KatKin Fresh Cat Food here.

2. Purina ONE Adult Dry Cat Food Rich in Chicken – Best Value

Unlike a lot of cheaper dry cat food, the main ingredient in Purina ONE Adult Dry Cat Food is the meat listed on the front of the pack: chicken. However, coming a close second are the meat, corn, and soya meal that are commonly included to keep prices down.

In terms of palatability, most cat owners agree that their cats seem to find the Purina recipe highly palatable. And if you’re looking for one more reason to give them a try, check out the Purina ONE 3-week challenge: see healthier digestion, higher energy and vitality levels, healthy skin, brighter eyes, and a shinier coat, or your money back*!

*see packaging and website for terms and conditions

3. Bella & Duke – Premium Choice

If you’re looking to get into the raw feeding movement but don’t want to take the risks or hardship of creating your own diet at home, Bella & Duke are leading the way in the UK’s pet food subscription industry. With the founding members of the company genuinely motivated to produce high-quality foods that will enhance the quality and longevity of your pet’s life, you can be sure that your cat is getting excellence in every mouthful.

If you’re after something ‘cheap and cheerful’, this may not be for you. But if you are looking for nutritionally balanced food made from human-grade meat products delivered to your doorstep, Bella & Duke might be exactly what you need.

4. ORIJEN Feline Kitten – Best for Kittens

It is a good choice to feed your kitten an age-specific diet to ensure they are getting the nutrients and calories they need to grow and thrive. If you’re looking for a dry kibble food that is as good as feeding your kitten a fresh food diet, Orijen Feline Kitten comes pretty close. With an ingredients list made up primarily of fresh or raw meat, free from rendered products and unnecessary carbohydrates, this food is ideal for owners who want the quality of feeding fresh, with the convenience that comes with a dry food formulation. This is also a good option if you’re interested in feeding raw food later on but want to play it safe with your kittens.

Rated highly amongst customers for its quality ingredients and palatability, Orijen is pricey but worth the splurge.

5. Wellness CORE Ocean Dry Cat Food for Sterilised Cats

Wellness CORE is a bit of a dark horse in the cat food arena. We initially had this one lower down on our list, but after reviewing the ingredients and product feedback, we have included it in our top five choices!

This dry kibble food is made from around 40% whole meat products, with no fillers, meat meal, or hidden ingredients. The Wellness CORE range is ideal for cats with food allergies and intolerances, as there are no sneaky ‘chicken liver’ or ‘beef by-products’ to accidentally trigger any reactions. Their sterilized range contains 18% less fat than the original, making it more appropriate for spayed and neutered cats. The food also has high levels of Glucosamine and Chondroitin, making it ideal for looking after your cat’s joints.

And if that isn’t enough, it is also very affordable, especially for premium food!

6. James Wellbeloved Senior Grain-Free Chicken in Jelly

The James Well Beloved range of cat foods is highly regarded amongst vets and owners for its quality ingredients and suitability for cats with sensitive stomachs. Their senior wet food is based on 100% chicken (no meat meals or grains) and includes glucosamine for joints, cranberry extract for urinary health, and omega-3 for brain, skin, and coat health.

The nutritional information suggests that the formulation is near-identical to the adult food, with glucosamine being the only notable difference.

7. Untamed Fresh Cat Food

This is another cat food subscription company founded by cat lovers in the UK. Unlike many of the other subscription companies, Untamed provides human-grade meat products in a formulation that can be stored in your cupboard for up to 3 years, ideal for those with limited fridge/freezer space.

It seems to be the best of both worlds: the familiar presentation of tinned, flakey meat chunks in gravy or jelly, with the high-quality ingredients found in fresh or raw diets.

*Epidemiologic study of relationships between consumption of commercially canned food and risk of hyperthyroidism in cats.

8. Applaws Wet Cat Food

Applaws has been a popular product in veterinary practice for decades as a more palatable option for hospitalized patients. The Chicken and Pumpkin in broth is particularly good for recovering patients with sensitive stomachs. Containing just four ingredients—chicken, pumpkin, chicken broth, and rice—it helps stimulate the appetite and improve digestion.

The company has expanded over the past decade, with a much wider range of flavors and formulations at a surprisingly affordable price for premium cat food.

9. Hills Metabolic + Urinary Stress

This is a great option for cats with indoor lifestyles and stressed bladders. Stress-induced feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is the leading cause of urinary issues in cats. Additionally, overweight male cats with FLUTD are at a particularly high risk of suffering from urethral obstruction. This product from Hills has been a game-changer in terms of managing cats prone to FLUTD and weight gain and is ideal for those living in multi-cat households where stress is often an underappreciated factor. This food is also suitable for cats with a history of urine crystals or bladder stones but not for treating active cases.

Owners are often surprised by how much their cats enjoy a food that is designed to manage weight. It is suitable for cats of a healthy weight, as the formulation is aimed at improving digestion and metabolism, not specifically at weight loss.

10. Burns Turkey and Brown Rice

The range of foods from Burns is regarded as a good mid-range diet that suits pets with food allergies and sensitivities, as well as fussy eaters. Although it is disappointing that the meat component is based on meat meal, this is also what keeps the price in a more affordable range. Despite this, there is very little in the way of other ‘filler’ type ingredients and no artificial colors or preservatives.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Cat Food in the UK

If you’ve been looking at all the cat foods online, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices. We’ve created this handy buyer’s guide to help you decide which food will be the best for your cat.

Approved Ingredients

The first thing to check is that the food is approved by the Pet Food Manufacturing Association (PFMA). This will ensure it provides all the nutrients your cat requires, so you don’t need to feed it alongside anything else. You can also use the PFMA website to check that whichever brand you’re considering has been listed.

One exception would be complementary foods, and there are two of these on this list. They don’t contain a complete diet, but they’re a great way to add flavor and hydration to your cat’s diet. If you have a fussy cat or one with allergies that’s on a limited-ingredient diet, using complementary food alongside their regular kibble can increase palatability and encourage your cat to eat their dinner.

Some cheaper cat foods use lower-quality ingredients that help bulk out their recipes but don’t provide your cat with any benefits. It’s always good to check that real meat is the first ingredient, although some brands do use a high-quality meat meal. Ingredients that many cat owners try to avoid include artificial preservatives like ethoxyquin, BHT, and BHA, as well as artificial colors and carrageenan.

Palatability

If your cat leaves their bowl licked clean after their dinner, it’s a great sign that they’re enjoying their food and find it palatable. If your cat is leaving food in their bowl but still appearing hungry, that is a sign that their current food might not be ticking all the boxes for them in terms of taste.

Cost

The costs of cat food can vary quite widely, and often, the higher-end premium choices will use real meat and higher-quality ingredients. If you’re on a budget, as long as a brand has been approved by the PFMA, you can be confident that they’re still going to provide all the nourishment that your cat needs to stay healthy.

Life Stage

Kittens, adult cats, and senior cats all have different requirements in terms of nutrients. Kittens need supplements like DHA and ARA that are found in their mother’s milk, and senior cats can benefit from glucosamine to help their joints feel more comfortable.

It’s always best to select a cat food that’s been specifically designed to suit your cat’s particular life stage.

Overfeeding & Obesity

Obesity is a problem for a cat’s health and can lead to a range of issues, including diabetes, breathing issues, and musculoskeletal conditions. If your cat is eating more than their body requires, the excess calories will be stored as fat. If you’re concerned that your cat is overweight, there are reduced-calorie cat foods available that can help your kitty lose weight while still feeling like they’re eating a full meal.

Before making the switch, it’s worth speaking to your vet, who can check your cat’s bodyweight score and confirm if they are indeed overweight or obese.

How Much to Feed Your Cat

Many of us cat owners don’t measure our cat’s food; instead, we just pour what we think is roughly the correct amount into their bowls. It’s always best to weigh out the correct amount of food for your cat per portion or per day. You can measure this out into a cup and mark the level on the side. You can then use this every day, knowing that your cat is getting the right amount of food.

To start with, use the recommended feeding guidelines on the packet, and speak to your vet if you feel like your cat is skinny or overweight. They can advise how to adjust your cat’s ration accordingly or switch them to a more appropriate food.

How to Switch Cat Foods

Cats might sometimes act aloof, but they’re quite sensitive. This is especially true when it comes to their digestive systems. So, whenever you’re ready to switch to a new brand of cat food, it’s important not to do it too quickly.

Make sure you have some of the old brand left, so you can make a gradual transition. This will give your cat’s digestive system time to get used to small amounts of the new food without the risk of them developing gastrointestinal issues.

As you’re making this transition, keep an eye on your cat and watch for any vomiting or other digestive upsets, like diarrhea or constipation. If you notice anything, switch back to the old food and either try again in a week or speak to your vet for advice.

How We Selected Our List of Cat Foods in the UK

Catster has an experienced, expert team of writers, editors, and veterinarians who carefully consider a wide range of parameters when choosing the cat foods. This includes but is not limited to customer reviews, brand reputation, veterinary experience, hands-on testing, and of course, our cats have a say in the process too! We aim to select and review only the best products available, to help you make the best possible choice and most informed decision for your and your cat’s needs.

Why Trust Catster?

A trusted online brand since 2001, Catster has a lot of experience with cat foods. Our team of cat-loving writers, editors, and veterinarians is dedicated to helping you make the best decision for your precious cats. Our aim is to provide the best information available for cat owners to help cats live their best life possible. To do this, we scour reviews from the most trusted sources available and this, combined with our veterinary team’s experience and expertise, helps us gather the best options available to readers. Our team is deeply invested in the health and welfare of cats the world over, and believes that expert knowledge and veterinary guidance will help you make the right choices—for you and your cats!

Conclusion

There you have it! These are the 10 best cat foods available in the UK. Our best overall choice is KatKin because of its high-quality ingredients and recipe formulation, which are suitable for cats with diabetes or sensitive stomachs. Our best value choice is Purina ONE Adult Dry Cat Food Rich in Chicken, which has chicken as the first ingredient and is easy on your wallet. As for the premium choice, Bella & Duke is a fantastic subscription cat food if you have a little bit extra to spend.

We know that choosing the best food for your precious cat can feel like a huge decision, but hopefully, we’ve made that decision a little easier by giving you the inside reviews of our top choices. We hope that at least one of them will get your cat running as fast as possible to their food bowl come dinnertime!

See Also:

• Best Dry Cat Foods in the UK: Reviews & Top Picks
• Best Fresh Cat Food Delivery Services in the UK – Reviews & Top Picks

Featured Image Credit: Jaromir Chalabala, Shutterstock