Last Updated: 18/06/2025
Best Wet Cat Food in Australia
Find out the best picks of wet food in Australia from our Vet team
Author: Dr Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 38 minutes - long read
No doubt you want the best for your kitty cat, and that includes their nutrition. With so many wet and dry diets on the market, how can you be sure your fur baby is getting the best?
Wet food can offer a host of benefits to cats. Not only is it highly palatable, but it can help improve hydration levels; which in turn can support good urinary health. Wet food is also ideal for fussy eaters and those who may be off their food due to illness or dental disease.
However, not all wet foods are created equal. There are a few things to consider when choosing the best wet food for your kitty. Wet food diets for cats can have vastly different moisture contents, digestibility and ingredients; so comparing different diets can sometimes be like comparing apples to oranges. When it comes to comparing wet food for cats, it definitely pays to do your research.
We've discussed factors below, included our top picks for each factor, and our vet's recommendations for our best wet foods for cats.
Paw and Spoon
Paw and Spoon tasty wet food recently hit the scene and is quickly becoming an Aussie feline favourite. Focusing on supreme palatability, the delightful range boasts 9 different flavours and textures to keep even the fussiest kitties pleased.
1. Ingredients and Quality
When comparing different varieties of wet cat food, many people start with the ingredients list. It's important to note that the ingredients listing alone doesn't provide sufficient information to determine the overall quality of a cat food, as other factors such as nutrient balance, scientific research, and quality assurance are also important. However, that said, the ingredients panel can certainly give you some hints as to the quality.
Lower quality wet foods may use gelling agents such as guar gum or seaweed extracts to give their foods a more appealing texture. While gelling agents are generally considered to be safe, they don't offer any nutritional benefits to your pet so many pet owners prefer to avoid them. Conversely, higher quality wet foods may contain added ingredients designed to support your cat's overall health and wellbeing such as green lipped mussel for joint function or fish oil for skin and coat health.
The Winners: Top Wet Cat Food based on Ingredients
Feline Natural wet food is made with over 90% animal protein, including free range lamb and sustainably sourced fish, which is perfect for carnivorous cats. It also contains beneficial green-lipped mussel to promote healthy coat and joints.
Ziwi is made from premium quality, New Zealand animal protein and contains whole prey ingredients, including beneficial microflora. With novel proteins such as rabbit and mackerel, it offers a different flavour set for fussy eaters.
Each Black Hawk recipe is proudly made in Australia from high quality proteins, vegetables and fruits with zero grains or unnecessary ingredients. Based on the 'Real Food Movement', Black Hawk also provides a wide range of flavours to keep fussy kitties interested.
Want to know more? Read more about ingredients in cat food and ingredients vs nutrients in pet foods.
2. Science, Research, and Targeted Benefits
Ever noticed how cat food seems to be hyper-specialised these days? Not only are lifestages catered for (ie, kitten, adult, senior), but many health conditions are targeted, too (ie, hairball / skin care / dental health).
Pet food brands toward the 'premium' end of the spectrum tend to produce food tailored for specific lifestages or medical issues. By manipulating nutrients and adding beneficial ingredients, these precisely balanced recipes are designed to meet the unique nutritional requirements of your cat's lifestage or special health needs like urinary health, sensitive digestion, hairballs, or sensitive skin. For instance, if you have an older cat, a senior or mature formula will offer increased digestibility and added benefits such as joint health support. If your cat is a little on the heavy side or prone to weight gain, you may be better served by choosing a weight control recipe which is lower in fat and higher in fibre to promote feelings of satiety.
To contrast, a cheaper or poor quality pet food brand may produce 'one size fits all' formulas with no specific wellness purpose. While this may not do your cat any harm, we recommend seeking a premium food with targeted benefits to ensure your cat's nutritional needs are catered to as closely as possible.
What about veterinary diets? Many cat owners find themselves a little confused about the difference between 'veterinary' or 'prescription' diets and 'regular' lines. This is especially confusing when some 'non-veterinary' formulas seem to address the same condition as a 'prescription' formula. For instance, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary S/O is a therapeutic diet which requires a recommendation from a vet, yet Royal Canin Urinary Sachets are available at a retail level and do not require a prescription. Usually, the difference lies in the treatment of a health condition as opposed to the prevention. Veterinary diets are finely tuned to treat an existing condition, whereas retail diets are only intended as a means of preventing a condition before it occurs.
The Winners: Top Wet Cat Food Brands based on Targeted, Specific Benefits
Hill's Science Diet produces a wide range of health-targeted formulas. With a prescription veterinary line and a general retail line, Hills wet food caters for everything from urinary disease to hairballs.
Royal Canin is one of our most popular brands, and known for being highly palatable. Royal Canin produces wet food to help with a wide array of health conditions (including a therapeutic veterinary line) as well as breed-specific formulas.
Pro Plan produces targeted, scientifically formulated wet food for cats. With a focus on specific lifestages, their wet food is highly palatable and available in a number of flavours.
Advance produces targeted formulas based on scientific research from the WALTHAM institute in the U.K. Advance wet food is produced in Australia as complete, balanced formulas for every lifestage
Read more about the why lifestage nutrition matters in our article The Importance of Age-Appropriate Nutrition
3. Palatability
When searching for a wet food, palatability is undoubtedly one of the most important features to consider. Cats can be notoriously fussy, and nobody wants to waste time or money on food that won't get eaten. Palatability is also very useful if your cat is ill or suffering from dental pain as it can tempt them to eat.
Why are some cats so fussy? The truth is, rather than being 'fussy', some cats may simply be bored with a lack of variety. Eating the same food every day is an unnatural concept for cats, who are naturally inclined to hunt a different prey each day. This means that if your cat seems a little fussy, it may help to rotate between different flavours (particularly between different meat proteins) to see if it sparks their interest.
So, what is the most palatable wet cat food? Based on customer reviews, we've listed our top 4 varieties most often reviewed for being readily accepted and highly palatable. However, it's important to note that all cats have different flavour preferences, and what works for one cat might not work for every cat.
The Winners: Most Palatable Wet Cat Foods
Royal Canin is one of our most popular brands, and known for being highly palatable. Their 'Instinctive' wet food is specifically designed for tempting fussy eaters.
Paw and Spoon is available in a huge variety of scrumptious flavours and is widely reviewed as highly palatable. Perfect for fussy cats, it is complete and balanced to keep your cat healthy.
With a high meat content and 'whole prey' ingredients including organs and tripe, Feline Natural is widely reviewed as a real cat pleaser. This tripe topper (pictured) is extra smelly and cats LOVE it.
4. Country of Manufacture
Most cat owners consider the place of manufacture as an important factor, and actively look for an Australian-made cat food over one made overseas. Buying locally can have major benefits both for you and your kitty.
Why buy Australian Made cat food? Considering recent pet food recalls due to deficiencies or contaminated food, one can never be too careful. When seeking an Australian-made food, it is comforting to know you're buying food from trusted, 'first world' Australian facilities (with natioanlly controlled manufacturing factories, quality assurance, and OH+S standards). There is also a financial benefit: buying locally avoids unecessary import costs. This all adds up to a better good quality pet food for a much fairer price. Plus, buying locally produced pet food ultimately helps support our economy!
Below we've listed which pet food is Made in Australia, and which is not. Note: not all varieties below produce wet cat food, some only produce dry cat food.
MANUFACTURED INTERNATIONALLY:
Applaws wet food (Asia)
Fancy Feast (U.S.A. / Hungary / Thailand)
Feline Natural (New Zealand)
Hills Science Diet (U.S.A)
Orijen (U.S.A)
Paw and Spoon (Thailand)
Royal Canin (France)
Taste of the Wild (U.S.A)
Ziwi Peak (New Zealand)
The Winners: Top Australian Made Wet Cat Food
Advance wet food is produced in Australia (Albury/Wodonga and Bathurst) in state-of-the-art MARS Pet Food facilities. Their food is all based on world-leading research.
Dine is available in a variety of flavours and is widely reviewed as being highly palatable. Some varieties are marked as 'occasional feeding only', intended as a special treat.
Each Black Hawk recipe is proudly made in Australia from high quality proteins, vegetables and fruits with zero grains or unnecessary ingredients.
5. Comparison Table
Wet food brand
Key callouts
Lifestage / Health Formulas Available
Meat Proteins Available
First 5 Ingredients (of pictured formula)
Varieties Available
Australian made, highly palatable, premium recipes based on gold standard WALTHAM Institute research.
Kitten, Adult, Senior, and Weight Control
Chicken, Turkey, Ocean Fish, Lamb, Beef Tuna
Chicken; Pork; Lamb; Turkey; Gelling Agents
Sachets and Trays
Natural, grain free, Australian made wet food for cats.
Kitten, Adult, and Senior
Chicken, Tuna, Beef, Lamb, Salmon
Chicken, Peas, Chicken Broth, Plasma Protein, Tuna, Ocean Fish
Sachets
Australian made, affordable, highly palatable canned food perfect for tempting fussy eaters.
Kitten and Adult
Chicken, Ocean Fish, Tuna, Lamb, Beef
Meat including Chicken, Beef, Lamb, Pork and Turkey; Gelling Agents; Colours
Sachets, cans, and trays
Natural, grain-free, high meat canned food, complete and balanced for all life stages.
All Formulas marked for 'All Lifestages'
Chicken, Venison, Lamb, Salmon, Beef, Hoki, Lamb
Chicken, Venison Heart, Venison Kidney, Venison Liver, Venison Blood
Cans
Delivers a wide range high quality wet food varieties, with reduced calories for small breed dogs with a tendency to gain weight.
Kitten, Adult, Senior, as well as weight control, urinary, hairball, and neutered
Chicken, Ocean Fish, Salmon, Tuna, Beef
Chicken (31%), pork, tapioca starch, corn starch, pea protein
Sachets and cans
Highly palatable, premium canned food recipes with a focus on taste optimisation and broad range of aromas.
Kitten and Adult wet food
Salmon, Chicken, Cheddar cheese, Tuna, Ocean fish
Chicken broth, Chicken, Tapioca starch, Vitamins and Minerals
Cans
Natural, grain free, all life stages canned food with an appealing pate texture.
All formulas marked for 'All Lifestages'
Ocean Fish, Chicken, Salmon and Shrimp, Turkey
Chicken, Chicken Liver, Chicken Broth, Chicken Meal, Whitefish
Cans
Premium quality, highly digestible canned food recipes with varieties for every cat.
Kitten, Adult, Senior, Sensitive stomach, urinary, sensitive skin
Salmon, Chicken, Lamb, Ocean fish
Water sufficient for processing, salmon, wheat gluten, liver, meat by-products
Sachets and cans
A wide, varied array of wet diets scientifically formulated for different types of cats.
Kitten, Adult, Senior, high palatability, sensitive stomach, weight control, urinary, hairball, and breed specific lines
Animal protein generally not specified
Meat and animal derivatives, fish and fish derivatives, cereals derivatives of vegetable origin, oils and fats, minerals
Sachets and Cans
Natural, limited ingredient canned food made in New Zealand with novel proteins and 'whole prey' ingredients.
All Formulas marked for 'All Lifestages'
Rabbit, Lamb, Mackerel, Venison, Beef
Rabbit Meat, Lamb Broth, Lamb Liver*, Lamb, Lamb Lung
Cans
Top Recommendations from Our Vet Team
"I really like the Royal Canin range of breed specific wet foods for Persians, British Shorthairs, and Maine Coons. As breeds which tend to be prone to specific conditions such as urinary tract disease, it makes sense to offer wet food as part of the diet for these cats and these diets offer premium, targeted nutrition that complements the range of breed specific dry foods really well."
Dr. Teagan
"While I like different brands for different reasons, I have always been impressed with the Feline Natural line of wet food. Not only is it complete and balanced, but it is great for owners who want a natural option for wet food. They offer different protein sources such as mackerel, beef, and lamb - which is usually quite hard to find for wet food. I recommend pairing with a premium, high quality dry food."
Dr. Carla
Hills Science Diet is my go-to for wet food. This premium line of cat food is scientifically formulated to meet the requirements of your cat's lifestage or individual health needs. The wet food is available in cans or handy pouches, and different flavours afford plenty of variety for fussy cats."
Dr. Elise
"I routinely recommend Advance wet food for cats. It is highly palatable, and made in Australia from premium ingredients. With recipes based on research from the WALTHAM Institute, and a strong veterinary influence, you know you're getting the best in terms of balanced nutrients!"
Dr. Antonella
Further Reading
Want to read more? Check out our other articles:
Premium pet food: Is it worth it?
History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Tue Jul 4 2023
Written by Dr Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons)Dr Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr. Carla graduated from the University of Queensland in 2013 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and worked for a number of years in small animal clinics across South East Queensland. While Carla enjoys most facets of clinical veterinary work, she holds a special passion for feline medicine, pocket pets, and nutrition.
