For this reviews list, we chose several brands of cat food that may benefit a cat with leukemia. Keep in mind that these are not a cure; they’re just a supportive measure for your cat’s general well-being. We give you the pros and cons of each one so you can make an educated decision and choose the best food for cats with feline leukemia.
Disclaimer: The foods reviewed here were chosen because they have certain characteristics that might help with some of the causes or consequences of this medical condition. However, they are not a medical treatment or a substitute for medical treatment. Keep in mind that each medical case is different, and what works for some pets may not work for others. Your veterinarian is the right person to advise you on the best diet for your pet’s individual case.
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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2025
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Best Overall
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Smalls Fresh Cat Food |
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Budget Buy
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IAMS Proactive Health Dry Cat Food |
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Purina Pro Plan Weight Management Food |
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CRAVE Grain Free High Protein Cat Food |
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The 4 Best Foods for Cats With Feline Leukemia
1. Smalls Fresh Cat Food – Best Overall
| First Ingredient: | Turkey / Chicken |
| Bag Size: | Tailored |
| Type: | Human-grade fresh food |
The best overall food for cats with feline leukemia is Smalls Fresh Cat Food. When your cat is ill, you want to be assured that you’re giving them only the best, highest quality food to ensure their quality of life.
Smalls offers multiple proteins in its fresh food line: turkey, chicken, fish, and beef. It uses high-quality ingredients and does not include preservatives or artificial colors, and the recipes are rich in protein and available in two textures. The formulas are developed with your cat’s tastes and health needs in mind. Plus, it’s been reported that even the most finicky of cats enjoy the taste of Small’s fresh cat food.
As a subscription service, Smalls delivers your order to your door monthly, so you don’t even have to leave the couch. The only drawback to Smalls fresh cat food is that it takes up room in your freezer and takes 24 hours for the meals to thaw. In addition, it has been reported that the company has poor customer service options.
- Rich in protein
- Available in different proteins and two different textures
- Convenient subscription service
- Vet formulated
- Takes up room in the freezer
- Poor customer service has been reported
- Meals take 24 hours to thaw
2. IAMS Proactive Health Adult Dry Cat Food – Budget Buy
| First Ingredient: | Chicken |
| Bag Size: | 3, 5, 7, 16, and 22 pounds |
| Type: | Dry Kibble |
Iams Proactive Health Adult Dry Cat Food is the overall best food for cats with feline leukemia for the money. It contains several ingredients that can help your pet stay healthy. Natural fiber will help balance the digestive system by regulating the amount of fluid in the intestines, reducing the frequency of constipation and diarrhea. Prebiotics help feed the gut’s good bacteria (probiotics). These bacteria work with the fiber to digest food quickly while extracting more nutrients. Important vitamins and minerals like calcium and potassium help your pet stay healthy and develop strong bones and muscles. Omega fatty acids will help reduce inflammation and can help promote a strong and healthy coat. Even with all of these ingredients, there are no artificial colors or chemical preservatives.
The only problem with IAMS is that some cats don’t like it, and it may take several weeks for them to adjust to it.
- Contains natural fiber
- Prebiotics
- Omega fattty acids
- Vitamins and minerals
- No artificial colors or preservatives
- Some cats don’t like it
3. Purina Pro Plan Weight Management, High Protein Cat Food
| First Ingredient: | Turkey |
| Bag Size: | 3.5, 7, and 16 pounds |
| Type: | Dry Kibble |
Purina Pro Plan Weight Management, High Protein Adult Dry Cat Food & Wet Cat Food is another great choice for cats with feline leukemia. The proprietary blend helps extend the life of older pets by providing plenty of vitamins and minerals, including taurine and vitamin A, which cats need for muscle maintenance and immune support. Live probiotics help boost the good bacteria in your cat’s gut, which helps the cat digest food more efficiently. This brand also provides your pet with plenty of protein (43%), which will provide plenty of energy, help your pet feel full longer, and help build strong muscle.
Many cats love this brand, but the kibble is extremely hard and can cause some older cats to have problems chewing, especially if they have dental disease.
- Proprietary blend
- Live probiotics
- Includes vitamin A and taurine
- High protein
- High in calories
- Hard kibble
4. CRAVE Grain Free High Protein Dry Cat Food
| First Ingredient: | Chicken |
| Bag Size: | 2, 4, and 10 pounds |
| Type: | Dry Kibble |
CRAVE Grain Free High Protein Dry Cat Food comes in many sizes, and you can get a package as small as 2 pounds if you need it or are on a budget. It contains chicken as the main ingredient and contains 40% protein. There are no grains or artificial colors or chemical preservatives that might harm your pet.
The biggest problem with CRAVE is that the ziplock for resealing the bag is flimsy and either breaks or doesn’t work on many bags, which means it is difficult to keep fresh. Another problem is that not all cats will eat it readily.
- High protein
- Grain-free
- No artificial colors or preservatives
- Some cats don’t enjoy the taste
- Hard to reseal
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Cat Food for Cats With Feline Leukemia
Probiotics and Prebiotics
When choosing a food to help your cat with feline leukemia, one of the first things we recommend checking is that the brand you are serving contains probiotics or prebiotics. Probiotics are the good bacteria that the stomach uses to break down food. They also help strengthen the immune system, something a cat with feline leukemia can really use.
Prebiotics are the food that probiotics eat, and they enable you to nurture the probiotics already present in your cat’s gut. Finding a brand with both nutrients is a fast way to a healthy gut and a stronger immune system.
- 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...
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!
High Protein
Your cat needs a high-protein diet to provide them with energy and to help them maintain strong, healthy muscles. This is especially crucial when your cat is fighting a disease like feline leukemia.
Vitamins
We recommend looking for brands that contain vitamin and mineral fortification.
Vitamin C
Some vitamins, like vitamin C, are powerful antioxidants that can help remove free radicals and promote better health.
B Vitamins
B vitamins are essential for converting food to energy and producing red blood cells. Cats with plenty of energy are better able to fight disease and stay healthy.
Artificial Dyes and Chemical Preservatives
We recommend avoiding foods that contain artificial coloring because several colors can cause an allergic reaction in your already compromised cat. Fortunately, the number of dyes in cat foods is declining, but they are still present in some of the most popular foods. Chemical preservatives like BHA and BHT can also cause additional health problems for your cat, creating tumors and preventing blood clotting.
Supplements
Besides the foods on this list, you can add supplements to your pet’s food to help boost the immune system. Some claim to detoxify the lymphatic system and encourage your pet to eat using only all-natural herbs that are safe for your pet. Just be sure to talk to your vet before giving any supplements to your cat, to make sure they are healthy and safe.
Every pet is unique in their nutritional needs, so we recommend reaching out to your vet for advice.
If you need to speak with a vet but can’t get to one, head over to PangoVet. It’s an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!
How We Selected Our List of Foods for Cats With Feline Leukemia
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
When choosing food for a cat with feline leukemia, we highly recommend our pick for the best overall cat food, Smalls Fresh Cat Food. When your cat is fighting an illness, you want to be assured that you’re giving them only the best, highest-quality food to ensure their quality of life. Another smart choice is IAMS Proactive Health Dry Cat Food, an option with natural fiber and prebiotics without additional fillers.
Related Reads:
- Hill’s Science Diet Cat Food Review: Recalls, Pros & Cons
- Feline Leukemia (FeLV) Vaccines for Cats: A Complete Guide (Vet Answer)
Featured Image Credit: Okssi, Shutterstock
