Last Updated: 10/06/2025
Vet Picks: The Best Dry Cat Food
Looking for the best dry food for your cat? Check out our Vet-guide for the best dry cat foods
Author: Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 70 minutes - extensive read
With so many dietary choices for our feline-friends, how do we know which one is the best for our cats? Grain-free, premium, freeze-dried, air-dried, natural, single-protein... it can become overwhelming! Our vets have written the following guide to help cut through the overwhelm and identify the best cat dry foods that you can choose, to support your cat's health and vitality, and so they can not just survive, but thrive!
Why is choosing the right dry cat food important?
Apart from providing water, shelter and love, food is one of the most important ways you can support your cat's health on a daily basis. Just like for humans, what your cat eats has a major impact on their health. The science of nutrigenomics (that is, how nutrients affect DNA gene expression and thereby health) in pets is showing more and more that the old adage "you are what you eat" is the same for our feline friends just as it is for us.
Many pet-owners choose to feed their cats dry food for a number of reasons. For cats who like to graze on their food throughout the day, dry kibble provides a safer option than wet foods that will spoil more quickly. Dry food can also be fed more easily through automatic feeders to satisfy your kitty's hunger cravings during time alone, or through the night! Dry cat food is also be more beneficial for dental health than wet food, as the mechanical action of crunching through the kibble can help to scrape built up plaque from the teeth. Many cats also just prefer dry food!
What to consider
Four factors to consider when choosing a dry food for cats:
- Health conditions: Your treating veterinarian should be your first port of call when it comes to dietary advice is your cat has any underlying diagnosed health conditions. In many cases, there may be prescription diets which are the best option to help manage your cat's condition. For health support, there are a range of non-prescription, therapeutic options to help prevent certain conditions, or support your cat's specific needs.
- Complete and balanced: In choosing a food, the most important consideration after any health factors is that the diet is complete and balanced for your cat's stage of life. Ensuring that it meets AAFCO or FEDIAF pet food control guidelines is crucial to ensure that your cat receives all the nutrients they require in the correct ratios.
- Age: Cats of different ages have very different nutritional requirements. Kittens require energy-dense food which meets their intense growth rates, while senior cats are often less active and have a slower metabolism which means that they require fewer calories and less fat, but an easily digestible diet, to help them maintain good body condition.
- Quality: The quality of the ingredients and the digestibility of the nutrients they provide should be a key factor in choosing a food. Premium cat foods are designed to be highly digestible (which means smaller, firmer stools) and do not change ingredients batch to batch like grocery type brands, which means less tummy upsets. They also tend to contain higher levels of added beneficial nutrients, such as omega fatty acids for joint and skin health, and some are backed by testing to ensure they deliver the results they promise. Learning how to read pet food labels and knowing the ingredients in your cat's food is a crucial part of knowing what is the best food for them.
How we review our products
Our Vet team use their health and husbandry knowledge, along with their own personal and clinical experiences to evaluate each product and provide detailed, informative reviews, free of any commercial bias. We then collate this information into our 'best of' recommendations.
Top dry cat foods in Australia [Vet Reviewed]
Best dry cat food for kittens
Royal Canin Mother and Babycat
Pros
- Highly palatable, and rehydratable
- Softer kibbles for easier chewing
- Contains a patented complex of antioxidants including vitamin E
- Available in a range of bag sizes - 2kg, 4kg and 10kg
Cons
- Specifically formulated for kittens between 1-4 months of age. A different formulation is recommended for kittens from 4 to 12 months of age
- Poultry based diet that may not be suitable for kittens with food intolerances or allergies
Why we love it
Royal Canin are the experts in age specific nutrition to meet the needs of your cat's particular life stage. For kittens, their dry formulations come in Mother and Babycat food (from weaning to 4 months of age), kitten dry food (from 4 to 12 months of age) and Maine Coon and Persian kitten varieties. All varieties are highly palatable, with a complex of antioxidants and prebiotics to support optimal immune and digestive function, as well as omega fatty acids to support brain development in growing kittens.
The Royal Canin Mother and Baby Cat food is ideal for weaning kittens as it is a softer than normal kibble, and also rehydratable (with warm water or kitten formula) to encourage acceptance by young kittens. It comes in a variety of resealable bag sizes so you can choose, and store, the most suitable size for you and your household!
What our customers say
"My kittens and even largest cats prefer this kibble to any others I've tried so far, and I've tried so many. They prefer the small size and textured shape of the kibble because it's easy to eat. It smells pleasant and doesn't cause overly malodorous droppings. I've tried many other kitten kibbles, which are all too big and hard despite supposedly being designed for kittens. By comparison, Royal Canin mother and babycat is the only kibble I've found so far that is small enough to be suitable for kittens. It's also excellent for cats in convalescence recovering from illness or injury when reintroducing dry solids because of the small and easy to eat kibble size. I really like this product and recommend it as a standard staple daily kibble to be available for any kittens/cats. "
Vetalogica Kitten
Pros
- Australian made and owned, using 100% Australian meat and animal ingredients
- High meat proportions to suit a cat's naturally carnivorous tastes
- Highly palatable
- Free from potato, tapioca and pea fibre (considered of little nutritional value)
Cons
- Contains a range of different proteins (chicken, duck, tuna and mackerel) which may not suit kittens with intolerances or allergies
Why we love it
Made in Australia, from locally sourced ingredients, Vetalogica kitten foods provide the nutrition for a strong start to life for your cat. High in protein from meat sources, the Vetalogica Biologically Appropriate kitten food meets the instinctive, carnivorous needs of cats.
The Vetalogica Kitten food is grain free, and free from carbohydrate sources considered to be of little nutritional value. The poultry ingredients are sourced from producers who do not use hormones in the production of their birds.
Available in 3kg and 6kg zip lock bags, you can feel good about feeding your kitten premium food while supporting local producers.
What our customers say
"Yes, it's expensive, but what I figure is that if you make sure your cat has a healthy diet then it's less trips to the vet and they'll have a better quality of life. When I spoke to the RSPCA about their diet recommendations, they said that feeding your cat supermarket brand kibble is basically like eating junk food every day. If you check the ingredients list on Vetalogica, the first few ingredients are meat, not useless carbs or other fillers. I feel happy knowing my kitten is getting a healthy diet but she also seems to love the taste! "
Best indoor cat food
Pro Plan Live Clear Adult Indoor
Pros
- Contains a specific protein to bind the common allergen in cats saliva responsible for human allergies
- Decreases allergens by 47% by the 3rd week of daily feeding
- Contains natural fibres to reduce hairball formation
- Has a reduced calorie density, to prevent weight gain in less active indoor cats
Cons
- More expensive than other indoor formulations
- Contains chicken as the primary protein source which may not be suitable for cats with food allergies or intolerances
Why we love it
A recent revelation in the world of cat foods, Pro Plan Live Clear food is formulated specifically for those family members with allergies to cats. 10-20% of adult world wide are estimated to have cat allergies, and cat dander plays an important role in the release of the allergens into the environment.
Cat dander is very different to cat dandruff. Dander is the microscopic particles from skin and hair that are normally shed by a health animal. The predominant protein involved in cat allergies which accumulates on the fur and skin, and is released in dander, is called Fel D1. Fel D1 is produced by glands in the skin and the salivary glands also. Pro Plan Live Clear Indoor cat uses a specific protein sourced from eggs to bind the Fel D1 in order to reduce it's allergenic ability... meaning goodbye allergies, hello kitty!
Pro Plan Live Clear also contains natural fibres to reduce hairball formation for your indoor cat, and reduced calories in order to prevent excessive weight gain, leading to a happier, healthier cat! Along with being made in Australia, Pro Plan Live Clear helps you and your cat live more contentedly together and support local industry at the same time.
What our customers say
"My cat loves them, but also it reduced my allergies after 3-6 months of continuous use. I changed from daily antihistamine tablets to occasional use of eye drops and nasal spray. Cons: The stool stinks more than with other indoor dry foods."
Hills Science Diet Indoor Adult
Pros
- Contains natural fibre and highly digestible ingredients to support digestive health, to reduce stool odour and to make litter box clean-up easier
- Available in a range of bag sizes - 2kg, 4kg and 7kg
- Hills is a premium, high end brand which conducts laboratory analyses of their foods to ensure that they are meeting optimum levels of nutrient, and ensure consistency across batches
- Contains fewer calories to suit the less active lifestyle of an indoor cat
Cons
- Not Australian made
- Larger kibble size than many dry cat foods (9.5 x 8.4mm) which may not suit all cats
- Slightly more expensive than other Hills adult cat foods
Why we love it
Formulated with highly digestible ingredients for smaller stools and reduced odour, the Hills Adult Indoor Cat food makes litter box clean up easy, and living with your cat much less smelly!
Indoor cats tend to be much less active than cats who spend some of their time outdoors, so the Hills Adult Indoor cat food contains a lower calorie density, to prevent weight gain and keep your indoor cat looking fit and trim.
The larger kibble size compared to other Hills standard adult cat foods encourages cats to chew their food, which can help with dental health - the mechanical action of crunching through the kibble helps to scrape plaque from the teeth. However, the larger kibble size may not suit all cats.
This food is available in a range of sizes to suit the needs of different households and storage abilities - the bags also feature a zip lock feature to keep the kibble fresh.
What our customers say
"This food is the best! I have 3 very picky eaters. They all love everything Hills and this particular one is fantastic for the litter box - makes for easy clean up and less smell."
Best sensitive stomach cat food
Royal Canin Digestive Care
Pros
- Easy to digest with highly digestible proteins
- Blend of probiotics and fibers, including psyllium, supports a healthy balance of gut bacteria and promotes improved stool quality
- Specialized kibble design encourages chewing, slows eating and helps with better digestion
- Proven to reduce stool volume by 49% over a period of 10 days
- Balanced mineral content supports a healthy urinary tract
Cons
- Not Australian made
- Higher price point
Why we love it
Royal Canin Adult Digestive Care Dry Cat Food is formulated with highly digestible proteins, making it easy on your cat's stomach. This specialized food is ideal for cats with sensitive digestion or those prone to digestive upsets.
The unique blend of probiotics and fibers, including psyllium, in this dry cat food helps to maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria. This promotes optimal digestion and contributes to improved stool quality, ensuring your cat's overall digestive health.
Royal Canin Adult Digestive Care also features a specialized kibble design that encourages chewing and slows down eating. This aids in proper digestion and helps to prevent issues like vomiting or regurgitation. Additionally, this formula has been proven to reduce stool volume by 49% over 10 days, further demonstrating its effectiveness in supporting digestive health. Balanced mineral content also supports a healthy urinary tract, making this a well-rounded food for your adult cat's overall well-being.
What our customers say
"We were having trouble with one of our cats, he was having gut issues and the poor little guy just couldn’t do a solid poo. Within a few days of feeding him this food he was as good as gold! Definitely recommend if your cats are having gut issues."
Best senior cat food
Hill's Science Diet Senior Cat Foods
Pros
- Available in several formulations to match the age and needs of senior cats
- Contains highly digestible protein and antioxidants to meet the needs of ageing cats
- Super-premium brand which conducts laboratory analyses of their foods to ensure that they are meeting optimum levels of nutrient, and ensure consistency across batches
Cons
- Aside from the Hills Science Diet Senior 7+, the Hills senior varieties are only available in smaller bag sizes (max 4kg)
- Not made in Australia
Why we love it
Dominating the senior cat food market with their range of premium foods for our ageing feline friends, Hills Science Diet provides an option for several life-stages and conditions. Available in specific formulations including the standard adult senior 7 years plus dry food, 7+ Youthful Vitality, 7+ Hairball Control, 7+ Perfect Digestion and a 7+ indoor variety, Hills also make a specific food for cats of 11 years and older.
The Hills Senior cat foods contain a precise balance of nutrients, including controlled phosphorus levels and reduced sodium, to support kidney and other vital organ function required for senior cat health support. As animals age, less energy but more free radicals are produced from mitochondria in the body cells. The Hills Science Diet senior cat foods address these changes with high quality, highly digestible protein for energy, and increased levels of antioxidants in their foods to support a health immune system. They also contain L-carnitine to support lean muscle mass, glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support and omega 3 fatty acids for brain, heart and joint health.
What our customers say
"We have 3 old cats who enjoy this product. Even the next doors cat comes for them, and my neighbour says he won't eat dried food at all at home. My vet said don't bother with supermarket varieties of dried food as they are poor quality and at the time I had a diabetic cat, so she needed a specialised Hill's food for her. She has long gone but we kept to Hill's products because we want the best for our pets, sure it costs more, but at least I am not harming their health."
Best hairball control cat food
Royal Canin Hairball Care
Pros
- Contains special blend of dietary fibres (including psyllium) to naturally help stimulate intestinal transit and reduce hairballs
- Proven to reduce hairball formation in 14 days
- Formulated with a balance of minerals to help maintain urinary health
- Available in 2kg and 4kg resealable bags
- Available in a complimentary wet food - Royal Canin Hairball Care Pouches
Cons
- Contains chicken - may not be suitable for cats with food allergies or intolerances to chicken
- Not made in Australia
Why we love it
Royal Canin Hairball Care is a great choice for kitties prone to hairballs as it contains a specially formulated Hairball Hair complex composed of a specific blend of natural dietary fibres (including psyllium) to double the amount of hair that naturally passes through the digestive tract, helping to reduce hairball formation. A study by Royal Canin showed that this dry food reduced hairball formation in 14 days. This diet is also formulated to be gentle on digestion, and contains balanced minerals to support urinary health.
The Royal Canin Hairball Care Dry Food is suitable for adult cats 1-7 years old and comes in a handy resealable bag. It is available only in small bag sizes - 2kg and 4kg.
What our customers say
"This has worked wonders with my kitty! She is birman so her long hair was giving her hairballs twice a week or so, as soon as i put her on this food and the wet food pouches of the same product she hasnt had a hairball since. Its been about 3 months now without one. one happy fur mumma"
Best weight loss cat food
Pro Plan Adult Weight Loss Sterilised
Pros
- Contains 31% less fat than regular adult dry foods, as well as L-carnitine to promote fat metabolism to help with weight control
- Contains only salmon and tuna as the meat protein sources, suiting cats with allergies to other proteins e.g. chicken and beef
- Contains probiotics to support digestive health
- Made in Australia
Cons
- Contains whole grain wheat which may not suit some cats
- Available only in smaller bag sizes - 1.5kg and 3kg
- Not as effective for weight loss as prescription weight loss diets
Why we love it
From Purina's premium pet food line, the Pro Plan Weight Loss Adult is formulated with 31% less fat content and lower caloric density than it's standard adult cat foods. It also contains L-carnitine to promote fat metabolism while maintaining lean muscle mass, to help your cat lose weight but maintain a fit and trim body condition.
With salmon and tuna as the only meat protein sources, it is suitable for cats who have intolerances to other meat proteins such as chicken and beef (however it does contain a source of glucosamine and chondroitin from dehydrated chicken, most likely from dehydrated chicken cartilage, so may not be suitable for cats highly sensitive to chicken products).
The Pro Plan Adult Weight Loss Cat food is made in Australia, is suitable for adult cats over 12 months of age and comes in a handy resealable bag. It is available only in small bag sizes - 1.5kg and 3kg.
What our customers say
"Have been feeding this to my 2/3 year old boy who's been getting a bit chunky for a few months now, it's definitely stabilised his weight gain, and he absolutely loves it. My 8 month old kitten is also nuts about it! Though he eats different biscuits especially for his growth stage, he has become fixated on trying to steal these biscuits specifically from his big brother's bowl! So they must be tasty."
Best grain free cat food
Open Farm
Pros
- Contains only humanely and sustainably sourced ingredients, with a focus on animal welfare in the production process
- Every ingredient is traceable using the lot code on the packaging
- No grain, corn, wheat or soy in any recipe
- Suitable for all life stages from kittens to seniors
- Packaging can be recycled through the Open Farm Pet Food Bag Recycling Program
Cons
- Not made in Australia
- On the more expensive side for dry cat foods
- Fish is used in all the Open Farm dry cat food options, so they would not be suitable for cats with sensitivities to fish
- Only available in 3.6kg bags
- Small kibble size may not suit some cats who like to chew
Why we love it
Every Open Farm product is proudly produced with a focus on transparent sourcing and traceability, humane production animal welfare standards, ethically sourced ingredients, and sustainable fishing practices in line with Ocean Wise Standards. For an environmentally friendly, grain-free food, you can't go past this one.
Alongside their environmentally friendly values, Open Farm foods are made with the most premium proteins and superfoods, providing the highest quality ingredients for your kitty. Their recipes are free from grain, corn, wheat and soy.
On the down side, the Open Farm foods are expensive options, though you do 'get what you pay for'. All of the dry cat food recipes contain fish protein, so they would not be suitable for cats with sensitivities to fish.
What our customers say
"I have 3 cats, all of whom are very fussy eaters, especially when it comes to dry food (if they don't like it, they just won't eat it). The dry food I usually buy was out of stock, so I thought I'd try this and I'm so glad I did. I have never seen my cats so excited and happy to eat dry food before! Each time I feed them this, they won't even leave a crumb behind - I've never seen them do that. This is by far their favourite dry food and I love that it's such a humane and sustainable option. This is now the go-to dry food for my cats!"
Best urinary health cat food
Pro Plan Adult Urinary Care
Pros
- Made in Australia
- Reduced magnesium levels, and ingredients to reduce urine pH help to reduce the risk of urinary issues
- On the cheaper end of the premium non-prescription urinary care foods
- Added omega fatty acids for skin and coat health, and probiotics for digestive health
Cons
- Contains chicken as the main ingredient, so may not be suitable for cats with sensitivities to chicken
- Not a suitable alternative for cats with existing urinary issues
Why we love it
Formulated to support the urinary health of cats with reduced dietary magnesium and by lowering urine pH, Pro Plan Urinary is a premium choice for cats to reduce the risk of urinary problems.
Pro Plan foods are backed by nearly 100 years of pet food research, and all apart from the wet cat foods are made in Australia. Real meat is the first ingredient in the recipes, satisfying the carnivorous needs of cats. All the adult dry cat food formulas are fortified with probiotics to support immune and digestive health.
Non-prescription urinary foods like the Pro Plan Urinary are not designed to manage existing urinary issues, or for cats with a history of urinary issues - the prescription urinary foods are more suitable in these situations, but must only be used under the direct recommendation of your vet.
What our customers say
"In 13 years our 4 cats have eaten these biscuits everyday & never looked back. One of our cats needs them & has never had any signs of cystitis return. They are all healthy & happy. It's good it's also meat based rather than grain. It's always a better price through PetCircle & their customer service is the best. Thanks."
Choosing the right dry food is crucial for your cat's health and well-being. This guide, based on veterinarian recommendations, offers a comprehensive overview of the best dry cat food options available in Australia. Whether you have a kitten, an indoor cat, a senior cat, or a cat with specific dietary needs, there's a suitable option to ensure they thrive. Make an informed decision to support your feline friend's vitality.
Further Reading
Want to read more? Check out our other articles:
History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Wed 27 Mar 2025
Edited by Dr Teagan Lever BVSc (Hons)Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr. Gillian loves being able to provide depth and detail to pet parents questions, and give up to date, evidence based advice. She loves the variety of pets and inquiries she receives - she especially loves the 'curly' questions that require some research! Seeing the gorgeous photos that pet parents send through of their babies is a highlight of the day! Gillian enjoys to further her veterinary knowledge, and has completed further training in ultrasonography, behaviour and backyard poultry!
