Many cat foods use ingredients sourced from other countries, where it can be harder to control the quality of the ingredients.
With so many different brands of cat food out there, it can be a hard task to narrow down your selection to only those that are made closer to home. That’s where our reviews come in! We’ve scoured the market to find the best cat foods made in the USA. We’re sure that there’ll be one to suit your cat perfectly!
In this article
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2026
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Best Overall
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Smalls Fresh Cat Food Subscription |
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Click to Save 40% Use code: Catster24 |
Budget Buy
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9 Lives Daily Essentials Dry Cat Food |
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CHECK PRICE |
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American Journey Dry Cat Food |
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CHECK PRICE |
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Royal Canin American Shorthair Cat Food |
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CHECK PRICE | |
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Iams ProActive Indoor Cat Food |
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CHECK PRICE |
The 10 Best Cat Foods Made in the USA
1. Smalls Fresh Cat Food Subscription — Best Overall
The Smalls Fresh Cat Food is overall the best cat food made in the USA. All Smalls cat food varieties are made in the USA, sourced from the USA, and even cooked in USDA-certified kitchens. In other words, every aspect of Smalls Fresh Cat Food takes place in the US. The fresh human-grade foods are all prepared in Chicago, Illinois.
Better yet, the Smalls cat food even meets the USDA requirements for human consumption. What this means is that your precious feline gets food that is such high quality that even you can eat it. The same cannot be said about most other cat food brands.
All Smalls cat foods are made primarily from animal protein sources and are free of any fillers, by-products, and artificial additives. You have your choice between chicken, turkey, and beef recipes, as well as two textures. The only potential downside of this food is that it is more expensive than other varieties, but it is well worth the price. Because every step of the making of the food happens in the US, you can trust this food is safe for your furry friend.
- Entirely sourced and made in the US
- Meets USDA requirements for human consumption
- Several flavors and textures to choose from
- Free from additives and preservatives
- Costs more than traditional kibble
2. 9 Lives Daily Essentials Dry Cat Food — Budget Buy
If you’re looking for the best dry cat food made in the USA and you’re on a budget then look no further than 9 Lives Daily Essentials Dry Cat food. It is the best cat food made in the USA for the money that we found during our extensive review process. Coming in at well under half the price of our best overall choice for an equivalent-sized bag, this is a great choice that still provides everything that your cat needs to stay healthy.
The only reason this missed out on our top spot is that the ingredients aren’t premium quality. That means this contains chicken by-product meal, and the first ingredient is whole ground corn, not meat. But as the best value dry cat food made in the USA, this is definitely your best bet.
- Suitable for adult cats and kittens
- 30% protein
- Contains omega-3 fatty acids
- Provides complete and balanced nutrition
- Contains chicken by-product meal
- Related Read: 9 Lives Cat Food Review: Recalls, Pros & Cons
3. American Journey Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
One of the best cat food brands in the USA makes American Journey Grain-Free Dry Cat Food. This dry food features real turkey as the first ingredient, but it also includes real chicken and a blend of fruits and vegetables designed to provide all the nutrients that your cat needs to thrive. This kibble contains a high level of protein that will help your cat build lean muscle.
If your cat likes variety, the good news is that this American Journey dry cat food is also available in other flavors, including salmon, chicken, and duck. The only thing we don’t like about this food is that some of the ingredients are imported from other countries. Of course, these are from trusted suppliers and of great quality, but it is something to bear in mind.
- Choose from two bag sizes
- Grain-free
- 40% protein
- No meat by-products
- Contains antioxidants and amino acids
- Also available in other flavors
- Uses some ingredients from outside the USA
4. Royal Canin American Shorthair Adult Dry Cat Food
The Royal Canin American Shorthair Adult Dry Cat Food is also another great cat food. While this recipe is formulated specifically for the American Shorthair breed, it will also suit almost any other short-haired cat breed too! This feed has a moderate amount of fat at 14%, making it a good choice for cats who need help maintaining a healthy weight.
This is packed full of essential nutrients like omega fatty acids, vitamins, and amino acids. These work together to provide balanced nutrition for your cat. The only thing that made this kibble miss out on a place at the top of the list is that it contains corn as the first ingredient, and it has chicken by-product meal as the second ingredient, which is something that some cat owners prefer to avoid.
- 29% protein
- Tailor-made nutrition
- Unique kibble shape
- Helps maintain a healthy weight
- Corn is the first ingredient
- Contains chicken by-product meal
5. IAMS ProActive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Care
If you’re looking for cat food that’s made in the USA but is also specifically formulated for indoor cats, you’re in luck! The Iams ProActive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Care Dry Cat Food is going to suit your cat perfectly. Indoor cats can end up overweight due to a lack of activity, so this kibble contains 10% less fat than Iams Original formula to help your cat maintain a healthy weight.
Indoor cats can also struggle with hairballs, but thanks to the blend of natural fiber within this kibble, you should find that the number of hairballs your cat suffers from is reduced. The fiber comes from a blend of grains, rice, and beets. One thing to watch out for is the fact that this kibble does contain eggs, which can trigger allergies in some cats.
- Available in four bag sizes
- 30% protein
- Specifically formulated for indoor cats
- Helps control hairballs
- Contains chicken by-product meal
- Contains eggs
6. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
Blue Buffalo has a great reputation for producing high-quality cat food, and its Wilderness Grain-Free Dry Cat Food is no exception. Containing real chicken as the first ingredient and an impressive 40% protein, this is the perfect choice for active cats. The chicken within this kibble is supplemented by a blend of carbohydrates, including peas and sweet potatoes, to help your cat feel energetic all day long.
While we can’t fault this kibble in terms of ingredients, it is not a cheap option. Your food bill will be quite large if you have multiple cats eating this food. It’s still a great choice if you can afford it, though. It’s worth noting that this feed contains peas, which can cause allergies in some cats.
- Contains 40% protein
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- Contains healthy carbohydrates
- Contains peas
- Expensive
7. Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach Adult Dry Cat Food
The Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach Adult Dry Cat Food is a great option if your cat is prone to digestive issues and needs a little extra nutritional support. This kibble contains prebiotics, antioxidants, and a carefully selected blend of vitamins and minerals, all designed to work in harmony to help your cat look and feel its best.
While this dry kibble is designed for cats with sensitive stomachs, be aware that it contains both peas and eggs. Both of these can cause allergies in some cats. It is also not suitable for kittens, so if you have a multi-cat household with a mixture of cat ages, you’ll need to find an alternative for your kittens.
- Chicken as the first ingredient
- No meat by-products
- 32% protein
- Not the cheapest option
- Not suitable for kittens
- Contains peas and eggs
8. Meow Mix Original Choice Dry Cat Food
The Meow Mix Original Choice Dry Cat Food is a great budget choice of kibble that is proudly made in the USA. This food includes four different shaped and flavored pieces: turkey, salmon, ocean fish, and chicken. This can be great if you have a fussy eater or a cat who loves variety at dinner times!
As with many budget options, this kibble contains corn as the first ingredient and uses a blend of different meat by-product meals rather than including any real meat. The protein content, sitting at 31%, is also on the lower end of what we like to see, but it’s still within the range that will provide all the nutrition that your cat needs to stay healthy and happy.
- Excellent value for money
- Different kibble shapes for interest
- Includes essential fatty acids
- Low protein content
- Contains meat by-product meal
- Contains colorings
9. Sheba Perfect Portions Grain-Free Cat Food Trays
If you’d prefer to feed your cat wet food that’s made in the USA, the Sheba Perfect Portions Grain-Free Cat Food Trays are ideal. This multipack contains 12 roasted chicken trays, six gourmet salmon, and six tender turkeys. It’s easy to snap the twin-pack trays apart and feed the whole tray without worrying about storing any leftovers.
While the plastic twin trays are convenient, they do create a great deal of waste. One cat will eat one twin-pack per day, but if you have multiple cats, you’ll find this soon creates tons of packaging to dispose of. This food also has added colors and xanthan gum as a thickener, both of which are ingredients that some cat owners prefer to avoid.
- Great value for money
- Contains 7% protein
- Contain real meat
- Contain added color
- Contains xanthan gum
- Packaging is wasteful
10. Rachael Ray Nutrish Indoor Complete Natural Dry Cat Food
As a good choice of complete feed for indoor cats, The Rachael Ray Nutrish Indoor Complete Natural Dry Cat Food is worth a try. This doesn’t contain any meat by-product meals, and the fact that it has real chicken as the first ingredient is always a promising sign. It also contains plenty of other beneficial ingredients, including salmon and lentils.
What we don’t like so much about this kibble is that it can’t be considered GMO-free due to the corn it contains, and it also has peas, which can cause allergies in some cats. Some cats don’t like the flavor of this kibble, although there’s nothing in the ingredients list we can see to cause that. You’ll just have to give it a go and see if your cat likes it!
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- Contains 34% protein
- Contains peas
- Not GMO-free
- Some cats don’t like the flavor
- Not suitable for kittens
Buyer’s Guide: Finding the Best Cat Food Made in the USA
If you take time and effort trying to source locally produced food for your family, it makes total sense to extend the same logic to the food you feed your cat! But what does it mean when cat food says that it’s made in the USA? Let’s find out in our buying guide.
Read the Label
The Federal Trade Commission is in charge of regulating which manufacturers can state that their pet food is “made in the USA.” For cat food to show this claim, it must be made either totally or almost entirely from ingredients sourced in the USA.
This includes the packaging and production of the cat food, not just where the ingredients come from. So, if you see a “made in the USA” label on cat food, you can be confident that the entire production is carried out right here.
Some brands use ingredients that are mostly from the USA but will source specific ingredients elsewhere. These brands can still state “made in the USA” on their labels, but they will have to include an additional disclaimer to show the origin of these other ingredients. For instance, a brand could state, “made in the USA,” but underneath, it must include the text, “using lamb sourced from New Zealand.”
Many cat owners are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of confirming the quality and source of the ingredients used in their cat’s food. Corn listed on the ingredients list can easily be from a GMO crop based in China. Choosing to find a USA-made cat food doesn’t necessarily mean having to buy a premium brand. There are plenty of options in all price brackets, from budget to premium and everything in between.
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. 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! 
How We Selected Our List of Cat Foods Made in the USA
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 food. 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
As the best cat food made in the USA overall, we selected Smalls Fresh Human-Grade Cat Food. Combining real meat with a blend of other beneficial ingredients, this high-quality cat food is a popular option for a wide range of cats.
As the best value option, you can’t go wrong with the 9 Lives Daily Essentials Dry Cat Food. This is a fabulous bargain choice that provides all the nutrition that your cat needs to stay happy and healthy. As you might expect for a budget option, most of the protein content comes from meat by-product meals, rather than real meat.
We hope that you found our reviews useful, and we’ve made it easier for you to find a few different options to feed your cat. Sometimes where food is manufactured can be an important factor when it comes to deciding which cat food to choose, and we’re sure that one of our top picks of cat food brands made in the USA will suit your cat.
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Featured Image Credit: Lightspruch, Shutterstock
