Though it may not always feel like it, your cat heavily relies on you especially when it comes to their regular meals. With all the options on the market wet versus dry, raw versus cooked, and store-bought versus subscription or locally sourced finding the best food for your feline friend can be overwhelming.

Food is one of the most important needs for your pet. Yet there are so many options to choose from today, it can seem like a daunting task to find the best one. The two most popular types of cat food are dry food, commonly called kibble, and wet or canned cat food. There are benefits to both types of food, but if you have a picky eater, wet cat food might be the way to go.

Hill's Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight

The Perfect Weight Cat Food has fewer calories than other formulas, and the brand claims that 70% of cats lose weight within 9 or 10 weeks on this diet. The chicken and roasted vegetable flavor has a stew-like consistency, and once your cat has reached a healthy weight, the food can also be used for maintenance.

Royal Canin Kitten Canned Cat Food

This Royal Canin Kitten Food is formulated to support the growth and development of cats up to 12 months old. It is made with highly digestible proteins, fiber, and prebiotics for digestive health, and it contains antioxidants to support the immune system. It's available as thin slices in gravy or loaf in sauce, both of which have a soft texture that's easy for young cats to eat, and the food is popular among pet owners.

Fancy Feast Grilled Seafood Feast Variety Pack

The Fancy Feast line of wet cat foods is an extremely popular option from Purina it has more than 100,000 reviews on Amazon and an average rating of 4.7 stars. There is a wide range of flavors and textures available, and this variety pack includes grilled seafood flavors with ocean fish, salmon, and tuna as the main sources of protein. The canned food doesn't contain artificial flavors or preservatives, and the food is packed in gravy to make it more palatable for your pet.

Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Ocean Whitefish & Tuna Feast

According to Purina, the maker of the Fancy Feast line, this recipe provides complete and balanced nutrition at every life stage: the whitefish is cut into small, delicate chunks so it is easy for both kittens and seniors to chew and digest. Its first ingredient, fish broth, provides extra hydration for your cat, says the brand.

Open Farm Homestead Turkey & Chicken Dry Cat Food

The farm-to-bowl movement includes companies like Open Farm, which uses humanely raised meat from local farms and ranches; wild ocean whitefish caught using sustainable practices; and fresh, locally harvested fruits and vegetables, says the brand. Open Farms Homestead Turkey & Chicken Dry Cat Food is a blend of turkey, chicken, and non-GMO cranberries and dandelion greens. It also comes in a wet version that can be used as a topper for dry food, says Open Farm.

Q/A

What not to feed your cat?

Outside of standard dry, moist, and wet cat foods. There are no benefits over regular commercial cat food in terms of nutritional needs, and can even lead to nutritional deficiencies and food-borne illnesses. Meanwhile, the latter also puts cats at risk of deficiencies. If you're interested in making your cat's food at home.

What should I look out for on a cat food ingredient list?

"Reading pet food labels can be challenging," adding that the order in which ingredients are listed can be misleading. She offers an example: "Ingredients like chicken meat that contain more moisture (and therefore weigh more) are listed before dehydrated ingredients like the chicken meal that may provide more nutrients."

In addition to high-quality protein sources and nutritious animal protein by-products like liver and other organ meats, you may find grains on your food ingredient list and that's perfectly acceptable for your cat's diet.