What Wet Cat Foods Have The Most Protein?

We can all agree that all cat owners want the best for their beloved pets. You might have heard that cats need a lot of protein in their diet and that they can get that from wet cat foods. But with many choices in the market, which among them has the most protein content? We've asked vets and animal nutritionists for their recommendations to help you make the best choice.

The most recommended wet cat foods with high-protein content are Tiki Cat Hanalei Luau in Wild Salmon, Purina Pro Plan True Nature Grain-Free Formula Natural Turkey & Chicken Entree, and Wellness Turkey and Salmon Complete Health Pate. They are made from high-quality ingredients coming from animal meat and can be easily ingested by felines to meet their nutritional needs.

Continue reading to know more about these wet cat food products, why your cat needs lots of protein in its diet, and the best protein source for felines. We'll also share with you the experts' recommendations when it comes to how much protein your wet cat food should have and how to choose a good quality wet cat food to aid in the optimal growth and development of your pet.

Wet Cat Foods with the Highest Protein Content

When it comes to protein content, not all wet cat foods are created equal. You've heard this a hundred times but it's true. There's a wide variety of cat foods but when you analyze their nutritional value, only a few will make it to the cut. So without further ado, here are the wet cat foods with the highest protein content based on our research.

Tiki Cat Hanalei Luau in Wild Salmon - Its main ingredients are salmon and salmon broth. This food is packed with no less than 15% crude protein. It is also grain-free which is perfect for your carnivorous feline.

Check out Tiki Cat Wild Salmon on Amazon.

Purina Pro Plan True Nature Grain-Free Formula Natural Turkey & Chicken Entree' - This wet cat food is specially formulated to ensure a well-balanced feline diet. It is made with real turkey and chicken which are naturally high in protein. Each can has a minimum of 11% crude protein.

Click this link to find Purina Pro Plan True Nature on Amazon.

Wellness Complete Health Pate in Turkey and Salmon - This product contains a minimum of 10.5% crude protein. Its healthy protein blend includes high-quality and lean animal meats from turkey, salmon, whitefish, and chicken liver.

Check out Wellness Turkey and Salmon Pate on Amazon.

Is high protein cat food good for cats?

In general, cats require a high-protein diet to fulfill their nutritional requirements. In essence, cat foods that are high in protein are good for them. But it has to be good quality proteins that come from animal meats. This is because felines have always been obligate carnivores. This means that their bodies are better able to digest and process meat and nutrients from animals than plant matter.

Proteins are important to the proper growth and development of felines. Aside from being essential in building their muscles, bones, and tissues, cats use proteins as their source of energy. Cats also need the amino acids taurine, arginine, methionine, and cysteine for their optimum health.

However, pet parents need to take into consideration the age, health condition, and nutritional needs of their cats when choosing cat food. Cat food with high protein content may not necessarily be what they need given their particular circumstances. For example, senior cats with certain diseases require them to lessen their protein intake to manage their health.

What percentage of a cat's diet should be protein?

Proteins are essential in feline nutrition. Their system does not produce the amino acids that their body needs so they have to get them from their diet. The required protein percentage would depend on the cat's age, activity level, and health needs.

The AAFCO recommends adult cats to have a minimum of 26% protein in their diet while senior cats, or those aged 12 years and above, are advised to have 50%. However, pet parents would have to modify the protein content in their cat's diet if certain health conditions exist. For example, a feline that's diagnosed with kidney disease would require a lower protein diet.

What protein source is best for cats?

Cats are carnivores. They love their meat and it is a good source of protein. When buying cat food, look for one that contains animal protein. It could be chicken, beef, turkey, fish, or lamb. It could also be in the form of meat meals and meat byproducts. There's no specific meat type that's best for cats. All of these have concentrated protein sources that readily meet your cat's nutritional needs.

Does wet cat food have more protein than dry?

In general, wet cat food tends to have more protein content than dry cat food. But it's still advisable to check the nutritional information on the product labels if you want to know the specific percentages of nutrients found in their cat food. When comparing wet and dry pet food, use the dry matter basis. By removing the moisture content out of the equation, you'd be able to tell which has more protein content.

How much protein should wet cat food have?

Protein is a very important part of a feline's diet. Pet parents should look at the information on the cat food label so that they know if it is adequate for the nutritional needs of their cats. For wet cat food, the protein content should at least be 25%.

It is also important to check the quality of the protein present in wet cat food. Look at the ingredient list and see which ranks high in the index. If you find salmon, chicken, beef, or lamb at the top of the list, then you can be sure that the wet cat food contains good quality protein coming from animal meat. Watch out for plant proteins because cats can't fully digest them and therefore, wouldn't be able to meet their nutritional needs.

What is a good quality wet cat food?

There's a wide range of choices for wet cat food. Different vets may have different recommendations when you seek their advice regarding your cat's diet. So we'll share with you the things you have to consider to buy good quality wet food for your feline.

• Nutritionally balanced diet - Your pet needs a high-protein diet and this protein should be sourced from animal meat such as salmon, beef, chicken, lamb, or turkey. But of course, cats also need other nutrients such as Vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus. It's also best if the wet cat food contains high-quality carbohydrates coming from rice or oats and natural whole ingredients from fruits and vegetables.
• Cat's Age - Cats have different nutritional requirements at different stages in their lives. Adult cats need more protein than kittens. Meanwhile, it would depend on the health condition of senior cats if they need to increase or cut down their protein intake.
• Individual factors - Each feline is unique. Your pet may have particular preferences when it comes to food and you can't disregard them. Otherwise, you'll just be wasting money on wet cat food that they wouldn't eat. Felines also have different nutritional requirements based on their health condition and activity level.

Always take these factors into consideration when choosing a good quality wet cat food. You can also consult your vet for professional advice.

What is the best wet cat food for weight gain?

If your furry friend needs to gain some weight, it is recommended that you put it on a high-calorie wet cat food diet. Many vets recommend Hill's Prescription Diet a/d wet cat food which has 183 kcal ME/can and Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Recovery RS canned cat food with 163 kcal ME/can. Both of these have been specially formulated to address your pet's dietary requirements for optimum weight gain.

Check out Royal Canin Recovery wet cat food on Amazon.

Final Thoughts

Give your pet cats the high-protein diet that they need. You can choose from Tiki Cat Hanalei Luau in Wild Salmon, Purina Pro Plan True Nature Grain-Free Formula Natural Turkey & Chicken Entree', and Wellness Turkey and Salmon Complete Health Pate which have all gotten the approval of veterinarians and animal nutritionists. But of course, you should also consider your cat's particular needs based on its age, health, and activity level to know the best wet cat food for your pet.