Your cat’s biggest jobs might be holding down your furniture during the day and chasing her toys at night, but in the wild, cats are avid hunters. The most natural way to feed a cat is to give them raw food. Since you might not be up for hunting for mice and birds to present to your kitty (and we don’t recommend this even if you are up for it!), feeding your little hunter a raw diet is the next most-natural choice.
We have looked at dozens of raw cat foods in order to bring you a selection of some truly great products. We looked at the ingredients, the value, and how kitties seem to like the foods (as evidenced by the reviews written by their humans). If you’re not ready to make the leap to raw food but still want to provide your cat with a very healthy diet, you might be interested in our list of the best organic cat foods
The 5 Top-Rated Raw Cat Foods
Editor's Picks |
Brand |
Rating |
Best Raw Cat Food
Overall |
Stella
& Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Morsels for Cats |
4.1 |
Best Raw Cat Food
Mixer |
Instinct
Freeze Dried Raw Boost Mixers |
4.4 |
Best Budget Raw Cat
Food |
Nulo
Freestyle Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food |
4.1 |
Best Grain-Free Raw
Coated Cat Food |
CANIDAE
Grain Free Pure Ancestral Diet |
4.3 |
Best
Limited-Ingredient Raw Cat Food |
Freeze
Dried Cat Food by Feline Natural |
4.6 |
Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food
Northwest Naturals Freeze Dried Raw Cat Food Nibbles
Available in five different varieties, this food is only meat. No fruits, no vegetables, no grains. A true carnivore’s diet for your carnivorous cat.
Key Features:
- 11-oz bag
- Contains vitamins and minerals
- No fruits, vegetables, grains, or fillers
Cost: $24
Primal Freeze Dried Cat Food
This is a complete and balanced freeze-dried raw diet featuring antibiotic-free chicken without added hormones. Grain, gluten, corn, wheat, and soy free.
Key Features:
- 14 oz bag
- Add water before feeding
- Contains vitamins and minerals
Cost: $30
Sojos Complete Raw Natural Dry Cat Food Mix
This is a 100% grain-free raw food made with real turkey. Add water and turn the 1-lb bag into 5 lbs of cat food. This has no preservatives and is made in the USA.
Key Features:
- One-lb bag
- Grain-free
- No preservatives
Cost: $15
Steve’s Real Food Freeze-dried Raw Nuggets
This freeze-dried food can be fed to both cats and dogs, making it a convenient choice to keep in your pantry if you have both types of pets. No fillers or artificial ingredients.
Key Features:
- 1.25 lbs
- Made with vegetarian-fed chicken
- Good for both cats and dogs
Cost: $35
Vital Cat Freeze-Dried Rabbit Mini Nibs
This is made from raw rabbit meat, organs, and bones. You can mix with water or serve dry, making it a good choice for kitties who prefer crunchy food.
Key Features:
- 12-oz package
- Grain and gluten-free
- Contains vitamins and minerals
Frozen Raw Cat Food
CountryPet Naturals Pasteurized Frozen Cat Food
This is a package of sixteen 1.5-lb rolls of frozen cat food. Note that it has been pasteurized for safety. It contains no fillers, gluten, grains, or additives.
Key Features:
- 24 lbs of food
- Good for cats in all stages of life
- Includes vital nutrients
Cost: $155
Raw Paws Pet Raw Frozen Dog Food & Cat Food
This product comes with twenty 1-lb rolls of frozen raw cat food. The chicken is free-range and sourced from Indiana family farms that are committed to humanely raising their livestock.
Key Features:
- Easy to serve
- Fully digestible
- Made in small batches
Raw Cat Treats
Fresh Is Best Freeze Dried Raw Duck Treats
You can use these duck hearts in a variety of ways: Treat your cat while training or just because, soak them in water and add to regular food as a topper, or soak and feed as a meal.
Key Features:
- 3-oz bag
- Grain free
- No hormones or antibiotics
Cost: $20
IMK9 All Natural Chicken Heart Treats
These are simply 100% freeze-dried chicken hearts, which cats love. They can be given to dogs, too. These are a natural source of taurine, which cats need for good health.
Key Features:
- 3-oz package
- Single ingredient
- Natural source of taurine
Cost: $10
Nandi of South Africa Premium Cat Treats
This delectable treat is made from salmon and trout farmed by people who are committed to sustainable food systems and animal welfare.
Key Features:
- 2-oz package
- Naturally lead and healthy
- Responsibly sourced
Cost: $12
PURE BITE Minnow Freeze Dried Cat Treats
Freeze-dried minnow is the only ingredient in this two-pack of cat treats. They are made in the USA and are appropriate for all cats.
Key Features:
- Two 1-oz bags
- Single ingredient
- Made in the USA
Cost: $14
Raw Paws Pet Freeze Dried Chicken Hearts
These are human-grade USDA-certified freeze-dried chicken hearts that cats (and dogs!) love. They are prepared fresh from farms committed to humane treatment of their animals.
Key Features:
- 4-oz package
- Humanely raised
- Single ingredient
Cost: $18
Remy’s Kitchen Just Turkey Hearts
These turkey hearts are made in small batches in the USA. The hearts are human-grade and raised free from hormones or antibiotics. They make a tasty treat for both cats and dogs.
Key Features:
- 3-oz container
- High in protein, vitamins, and minerals
- Grain-free
Raw Cat Food Premixes
Better in The Raw for Cats
This is a mix that is used to prepare a raw diet for cats. Just add water and meat, and this pre-mix will add in the protein, fiber, and other nutrients your cat needs for a complete meal.
Key Features:
- Good for all life stages
- Grain free
- Add water and meat
Cost: $35
TCfeline Raw Cat Food Premix
Just add this gluten- and grain-free premix to meat, water, and egg yolk (optional) to create a nutrient-filled meal for your cat. This is the beef liver variety.
Key Features:
- 4.2-oz bag
- No grains or fillers
- A cruelty-free product
Other Raw Cat Foods
Merrick Backcountry Dry Cat Food
This is a dry cat food that is infused with raw poultry pieces. It’s a good way to begin to explore raw feeding. The main ingredient is deboned chicken.
Key Features:
- 10-lb bag
- Grain-free
- Includes the nutrients your cat needs
Cost: $40
Smack Pet Organic Crunchy Raw Dehydrated Cat Food
This is a dehydrated raw food containing wild salmon and organic chicken. It is crunchy, so it’s good for cats who prefer kibble to wet food.
Key Features:
- 5.5-lb bag
- All natural
- No wheat, gluten, potato, or soy
Cost: $125
Wellness Core Rawrev
This food is regular kibble with raw pieces of freeze-dried turkey liver mixed in. This is not a completely raw food but a mixture of traditional food and raw food.
Key Features:
- 10-lb bag
- Grain-free
- Good for indoor cats
Cost: $40
Wysong Archetype Raw Canine/Feline Diet
This is a non-thermal freeze-dried food for both cats and dogs. It is starch-free and based on rabbit meat. It’s free of additives and has been proven safe for over a decade.
Key Features:
- 8-oz package
- Free of additives
- High in protein and fat
Cost: $20
ZIWI Peak Air-Dried Cat Food Recipe
This is a gently air-dried product. It is not fully raw, but it is minimally processed, so it’s close to your cat’s natural diet. This one is lamb-based; other varieties are available.
Key Features:
- 14-oz package
- Several flavors available
- Ethical and sustainable
Cost: $20