Best Dry Cat Food | Top 10 Cat Kibbles of 2025

Kibble is the most popular and convenient food for cats, but is it the best? Learn about the best dry cat food brands to meet your cat's nutritional needs and satisfy your feline's finicky nature.

Food fuels life, which is why choosing the right dry cat food can feel a little overwhelming. There are so many options, and you might not know exactly what your cat needs to truly thrive. To help you make a more confident choice, we put together a list of our favourite dry cat foods.

In this article, we will examine the best dry cat food formulas. Cats are notoriously finicky, and many develop a fixed food preference, so you want to make sure that whichever cat food brand you pick provides nutritional balance and a flavour that promotes healthy eating habits.

Before we get to the recommendations, it's a good idea to get to know a little more about dry cat food to help you choose the perfect diet for your kitty.

A Brief History of Dry Food for Cats

Dry cat food hasn’t existed for all that long. Before commercial diets, house cats got by on scraps and the occasional mouse (not exactly balanced nutrition). In the mid-1900s, packaged cat food hit store shelves, and by the 1960s, new extrusion technology made today’s familiar crunchy kibble possible.

This new cat food format meant regular meals, less spoilage, and easy feeding for busy families. But convenience brought trade-offs. Extrusion requires cooking at high temperatures, which can reduce nutrient quality. This format also requires more carbs and starches than cats need.

To help you make an informed decision about your cat's diet, take a look at the benefits and downsides of feeding dry cat food. 

The pros: Modern dry cat food is still the easiest option for many pet parents. It’s convenient, budget-friendly, and has a long shelf life. You can scoop, serve, and leave it out without worrying about spoilage.

The cons: Modern dry cat foods bear little resemblance to your cat's natural ancestral diet. The high heat can degrade some nutrients, and the extra carbohydrates can lead to weight gain if overfed. Plus, since cats naturally get most of their moisture from prey, kibble-fed cats can become dehydrated if they don’t drink enough water on their own.

Key things to remember about dry cat food today:

• • Easy to feed and store with minimal waste
  • Affordable and shelf-stable — ideal for busy households
  • Typically higher in carbs than wet or raw diets
  • Less moisture means you may need to supplement with fresh water or wet food
  • Modern formulas use better ingredients and more protein than the dry foods of decades past

Thanks to these improvements, high-quality dry cat food can be a safe, balanced diet, especially when paired with extra moisture or mixed feeding.

Is Dry Food Good for Cats?

So, an important question looms: Is dry food good for cats?

It can be! Despite its disadvantages, kibble is one of the easiest ways to ensure that high-quality and balanced nutrition is available to all cats, regardless of age or breed. It's nutrient-dense, palatable, and affordable, and there are ways to supplement your cat's dry diet to reduce the impact of some of its not-so-great qualities.

You can help solve the moisture problem by adding water, goat's milk, or bone broth to your cat's dry meals. The additional moisture from this cat cereal will support digestion and nutrient absorption.

Also, consider feeding other foods with your cat's dry diet. Feed canned cat food once a day to help boost moisture and protein levels. There are also a ton of fresh, cat-safe human foods that can be fed as treats or added to meals to supply natural food-sourced nutrients.

Is dry food the best diet for your cat? Well, that's up to you to decide now that you have the information to help you make the best choice for your cat's health.

10 Best Dry Cat Foods of 2025

There are many excellent dry cat foods to choose from, but finding the right one for your cat requires a little research. You need to consider style, flavour, quality, and even the brand.

Chicken and fish are common protein choices for cats, but cats with allergies or digestive issues may do better on a more unique protein. Or maybe you would prefer a brand that sources its ingredients locally.

No matter what you are looking for in your cat's kibble, Homes Alive Pets can help you find the best cat kibble to help your kitty thrive.

1. Acana Dry Cat Food

ACANA is a Canadian favourite, well-known for biologically appropriate cat food made with fresh, regional ingredients. They focus on high animal protein and minimal processing to mimic what your cat would naturally eat.

It's one of the highest reviewed dry cat foods in Canada, offering a wide range of formulas to meet the unique needs of felines. From kittens to seniors, Acana delivers the quality and freshness that cats need to thrive.

Key features:

• • Up to 75% premium animal protein
  • Regionally sourced meats, fish, and veggies
  • Grain-free and limited ingredient options
  • Rich in taurine and healthy omegas
  • Made in Canada in their North Star Kitchen

Top pick:

If you are looking for the best indoor dry cat food, Acana Highest Protein Indoor Recipe is our top pick. With a focus on healthy weight, hairball control and optimal digestion, this formula is designed to help indoor cats live their best and healthiest lives.

2. Vetdiet Cat Food

Vetdiet is specially crafted by both science and nature to offer a complete and balanced, premium cat food to support cats of all breeds, ages, and lifestyles. All Vetdiet dry cat foods start with real meat as the first ingredient, ensuring a diet that helps your little carnivore thrive.

By using natural and solution-based ingredients, Vetdiet formulas can help manage common cat issues and boost overall health in cats. From kitten nutrition to weight management, Vetdiet offers expertly crafted recipes for cats of all ages and needs.

Key features:

• • Vet-formulated for targeted health support
  • Real meat always comes first
  • Functional fibres and prebiotics
  • Low-carb for healthy weight
  • Special formulas for kittens, seniors, and more

Top pick:

Feline dental health is an often overlooked aspect, which is why Vetdiet Dental Health Dry Cat Food is one of our best dental foods for cats. The unique kibble contains sodium hexametaphosphate and pea fibre to help prevent tartar formation and scrape away bacteria and debris that contribute to plaque build-up.

3. FirstMate Cat Food

FirstMate offers grain-free and grain-friendly dry cat food recipes that feature either single or multiple protein sources. Each food in the FirstMate line uses carefully selected, limited ingredients sourced regionally to create complete and balanced diets that cats love.

Their unique manufacturing process helps to maximize digestion, boost immunity, and ensure a bold and meaty flavour that cats crave. Each dry recipe is nutrient-dense and low glycemic, leaving cats feeling fuller and more energized after each meal.

Key features:

• • Limited ingredient diets for sensitive tummies
  • Free-run poultry and wild fish
  • Grain-free and grain-friendly recipes
  • Family-owned and Canadian-made
  • High digestibility

Top Pick:

It's hard to pick just one, but for cats needing the best grain free dry cat food, FirstMate Chicken and Blueberry formula is a crowd pleaser. The combination of high animal protein, low glycemic potatoes, and whole blueberries ensures optimal digestion and calorie distribution for cats of all ages.

4. Oven-Baked Tradition Cat Food

.Oven-Baked Tradition stands out by slowly baking their kibble in small batches and at lower temperatures instead of using traditional extrusion methods. This helps preserve flavour and nutrients, resulting in a denser, more nutrient-rich bite.

Their recipes focus on fresh meat, wholesome grains or legumes, and real fruits and vegetables. Choose from the original oven-baked kibble or opt for the semi-moist formulas for cats with picky eating habits or dental issues.

Key features:

• • Slow oven-baked in small batches
  • Fresh deboned meat as first ingredient
  • Denser kibble, so you feed less
  • No artificial flavours or preservatives
  • Made in Canada

Top Pick:

Cats can be very particular about their food, which is why our best dry cat food for picky cats is really all that dry! Oven-Baked Tradition Semi Moist Fish Cat Food is a unique texture that gives cats a more palatable mouth feel and chewing experience.

5. Go! Solutions Cat Food

Petcurean is an independently owned Canadian pet food manufacturer that offers Go! Solutions cat food recipes that focus on essential nutrients like high-quality proteins to give your pet energy.

With optimal cat health in mind, Go! Solutions dry cat food recipes tackle common cat issues to ensure your cat can thrive. From urinary care and digestive support to weight loss and allergies, Go! Solutions is a trusted and highly reviewed brand in Canada.

Key features:

• • Solution-based nutrition for skin, coat, weight, and digestion
  • High-quality meat proteins
  • Prebiotics and probiotics for gut health
  • Grain-free and grain-friendly lines
  • Canadian made

Top Pick:

Maintaining your cat's beautiful coat is a top priority for many cat owners. Go! Solutions Skin and Coat Care Diet is focused on conditioning your feline's skin and coat from the inside out. Only the best dry cat foods for dry skin can help revitalize their lustrous coat, prevent hairballs, and ditch cat dandruff.

6. Tiki Cat Born Carnivore Cat Food

Tiki Cat Born Carnivore satisfies your feline’s natural need for meat. Unlike many kibbles, Tiki Cat gently oven-bakes their cat kibble to retain nutrients and create a light, crunchy texture that cats crave.

This high-protein, low-carb kibble is made for carnivores who love that satisfying crunch of kibble. The bold, meaty flavour makes it a favourite among picky eaters too.

Key features:

• • Gently oven-baked, not extruded
  • High meat inclusion, low carbs
  • Grain-free, low glycemic
  • Supports healthy weight and muscle
  • Suitable for all life stages

Top Pick:

Tiki Cat Born Carnivore Baby Dry Kitten Food is easily one of our best dry kitten foods. The combination of premium and highly digestible animal proteins and brain boosting nutrients from DHA makes this formula an excellent option for growing kittens.

7. Orijen Cat Food

Orijen is a leading Canadian brand that focuses on providing biologically appropriate formulas to feed your little carnivore. Each recipe is protein-rich and packed with nutritious real food ingredients to support healthy weight and overall health of cats of all breeds and life stages.

Each recipe is made right here in Canada in their North Star Kitchen using regionally sourced ingredients from a trusted network of Canadian suppliers.

Key features:

• • 85% meat, fish, and organs
  • Grain-free and low-carb
  • Whole prey ratios for balanced nutrition
  • Made in Canada with local ingredients
  • No by-products or fillers

Top Pick:

Carnivores need meat, and Orijen Guardian 8 Cat Food is our best high protein dry cat food. The food is made with 90% prey animals such as turkey, chicken, and fish. This aptly named formula offers 8 key benefits, including immune support, healthy joints, better digestion, heart health and much more.

8. Farmina Natural & Delicious Cat Food

Farmina blends science and nature to create the perfect dry cat food. The foods include all-natural ingredients and a unique extrusion process to create delicious meals that felines love.

Each recipe is built on the foundation of better digestion through real food ingredients. You'll find solution-based recipes for a wide range of health needs and preferences, all perfectly paired with superfood ingredients like pumpkin, quinoa, or fish.

Key features:

• • 90%+ animal protein sources
  • Low glycemic, no GMOs
  • Fresh meats and real superfoods
  • Functional lines for urinary and weight support
  • Strict European quality standards

Top Pick:

A common concern for cat owners is urinary health. Feeding a complete and balanced diet is a good start, but choosing the best urinary care dry food is a great way to maintain optimal urinary health. Farmina Quinoa Functional Urinary Duck is a limited ingredient, high protein recipe that is crafted to help prevent the formation of struvite stones and the buildup of bacteria in the urinary tract.

9. Now Fresh Cat Food

The Canadian-owned company NOW Fresh launched in 1999. It is a part of Petcurean, which focuses on creating outstanding pet foods made from fresh, real food ingredients.

As its name implies, Now Fresh cat food is one of the only dry cat foods that uses only fresh animal proteins. This means no meat meals or by-products, leading to an overall more digestible and nutritious diet. These premium kibbles are grain-free and meat-rich to ensure optimal nutrition for cats of all life stages.

Key features:

• • Made with fresh, deboned meats
  • No by-products, meals, or artificial flavours
  • Grain-free and potato-free
  • Added omegas and probiotics
  • Canadian made

Top Pick:

Boost your cat's health with the best adult dry cat food in Canada. Now Fresh Grain Free Adult Cat Food is a multi-protein choice that gives your cat the freshest and tastiest Canadian-made kibble. The recipe is backed by gut-healthy probiotics and pumpkin to maximize digestibility.

10. Open Farm Cat Food

Open Farm is all about ethical sourcing and sustainability. They’re one of the few cat food brands that can trace every ingredient back to its source, with a commitment to humanely raised meats and wild-caught fish.

Their dry recipes combine high-quality animal protein with non-GMO fruits and veggies for balanced nutrition. Each high-protein recipe is designed to cater to the unique needs of felines with superfood ingredients like cranberry and dandelion greens for urinary health.

Key features:

• • Humanely raised meats and sustainable fish
  • 100% traceable ingredients
  • Grain-free, high in protein
  • No artificial preservatives or fillers
  • Eco-friendly packaging

Top Pick:

Open Farm Raw Mix is a cat food that your cat will love and you can feel good about feeding. As the best sustainably sourced dry cat food in Canada, we trust Open Farm delivers bold flavours and premium nutrition. RawMix's unique blend of bone broth and freeze-dried coated kibble, and added chunks of freeze-dried meat, is guaranteed to please even the pickiest of cats.

Best Dry Cat Food FAQs

Is dry cat food healthy for cats?

Yes! High-quality dry cat foods, like the ones in our list above, can be perfectly safe and highly nutritious when offered with fresh, clean water or other high-moisture foods or treats. 

Which dry cat food brand is the healthiest?

It's hard to pick just one. Orijen is widely considered one of the best overall dry cat foods in Canada, but there are many premium brands that offer unique and healthy formulas, like Farmina, Nulo, and FirstMate, just to name a few.

What's the best dry cat food for indoor cats?

Cat food isn't one size fits all, so you should choose the formula that suits your cat's unique needs. Some of our most popular dry cat foods include Acana, Go! Solutions, and Tiki Cat.

Can I switch dry cat food brands suddenly?

Though a gradual switch over the course of a week or two is generally recommended, you can do a quicker switch with the help of some digestive aids. It won't guarantee a seamless transition, but it can significantly reduce reactions when a fast food change is absolutely necessary.

How do I transition my cat to a new dry food?

The most common and recommended method that works for most cats is to gradually change over from the old cat food to the new over 7-10 days. You start with ¼ of the new food and ¾ of the old, then gradually increase the new food while decreasing the old. Within about a week to ten days, your cat should be fully eating the new dry cat food without issue.

How much dry cat food should I feed daily?

How much dry food you feed your cat depends on several factors, such as age, weight, and activity. The feeding guidelines provided by cat food manufacturers are a great place to start, but you can use our cat food calculator to accommodate more specific needs.

The Best Cat Kibbles in Canada

Luckily, when shopping for the best dry cat food, there is a wide array of brands offering premium ingredients to ensure a lifetime of nutrition for every stage. All 10 brands above offer outstanding dry cat foods to satisfy even the pickiest feline.

You can shop a huge selection of the best dry cat food in Canada at Homes Alive Pets. Visit us in-store or order online to get your cat food delivered right to your doorstep.