As more cat owners look for better food options, fresh cat food has become popular. This trend makes cat owners less likely to feed their cats standard foods like kibble and canned food. Natural, nutrient-dense, fresh cat food is more like what cats eat in the wild, which is good for their health and energy.
Pet food has dramatically changed since fresh cat food brands have become popular. Cat owners have many options to meet their pets’ specific needs. There are now fresh cat food options for picky eaters and farm-fresh cat food for pet parents who care about their pets’ health. This blog post looks at the top 10 fresh cat food brands making waves in the market. It also compares prices, gives storage tips, and discusses the health benefits cats might get from moving to a new diet.
Table of Contents
The Rise of Fresh Cat Food
Market Trends
The pet food industry has witnessed a significant shift in recent years, with fresh cat food emerging as a rapidly growing segment. This trend influences how pet parents approach their feline companions’ nutrition. Since 2021, dollar sales of fresh cat food have increased by an impressive 54%, with unit sales climbing 20% over the last two years. This growth outpaces the overall pet food category, indicating a strong consumer interest in fresher options for their feline friends.
The rise of fresh cat food has also caused a revolution in product offerings. While dry foods still account for the bulk of the market, younger pet owners gravitate towards fresher, healthier, or more natural products. This shift has led to increased refrigerated and frozen options that resemble human-grade food, appealing to pet owners who want to provide their cats with similar diets.
Related Read: Bland Diet For Cats
Consumer Demand
Younger cat owners, especially Millennials and Gen Z, are the leading group that wants fresh cat food. These younger generations are just as likely as older groups to have a pet, and they treat their cats more like family. They are happy to pay more for pet foods they think are better for their health. 79% of people who buy pet food say they would spend more on healthier cat options.
The humanization trend is the driving force behind this purchase behavior. Cat owners are spending more time and money on their pets, linking humans and animals more similar to that between a parent and a kid. Fresh cat food options that cater to pet owners’ dietary needs are becoming increasingly popular. Many are on the hunt for goods that are free of artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.
Scientific Support
Fresh cat food is becoming increasingly common, and research suggests it might benefit your cat’s health. Many fresh cat food brands are made to give cats proper nutrition, similar to what they would eat in the wild. The caloric density of these foods is often lower than that of regular kibble, which can help with weight control.
Veterinarians and animal experts are starting to see that giving cats fresh food might benefit them. Some studies show that feeding your pet fresh food can improve their general health, coat quality, and digestive health. But it’s important to remember that more studies are needed to fully understand how fresh food affects cats’ health in the long run.
As the market for fresh cat food grows, it opens up possibilities for new companies and ingredient suppliers. Companies are focused on making products with functional benefits, such as formulations that help with weight loss, dental health, and different stages of life. This shift toward fresh, healthy cat food will likely keep growing, especially as younger pet owners get better jobs and make more money.
Top 5 Fresh Cat Food Brands for Picky Eaters
Cats often turn their noses up at perfectly good food because they don’t like it. Finding the right fresh cat food can make all the difference for cat owners whose cats are picky eaters. Here are five well-known names that have been shown to please even the fussiest cats.
Brand Features
Smalls Human-Grade Fresh Cat Food
This subscription-based service offers human-grade fresh cat food that’s packed with protein. Their Fresh Ground Bird Recipe contains 42% chicken thigh, 37% chicken breast, and 5% chicken liver, mimicking a cat’s natural diet. It’s a nutritional powerhouse with 15.5% protein and high levels of antioxidants and micronutrients.
American Journey Duck Grain-Free Cat Food
This cheap choice comes in 5- or 12-pound bags and is made with real, deboned duck as its main ingredient. It doesn’t contain grains, corn, soy, or wheat, so it’s suitable for cats with food allergies. It’s an excellent choice for adult cats because it has 40% protein.
Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dry Cat Food
This recipe comes from a doctor and is safe for people with sensitive stomachs. It also has fibers that help your body digest food. It also keeps your face healthy because it has vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids. It’s made with real food, comes in three sizes, and has no extra flavors or chemicals.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Kitten Chicken Dry Cat Food
This high-protein, grain-free food is made just for cats. It contains real chicken and is fortified with DHA and ARA fatty acids to help it grow healthy. It comes in small bags, making it great for growing kittens.
Wellness CORE Selects Poultry Variety Canned Cat Food
This high-protein, grain-free food is made just for cats. It contains real chicken and is fortified with DHA and ARA fatty acids to help it grow healthy. It comes in small bags, making it great for growing kittens.
Taste Test Results
These brands have done very well in real-life situations. Smalls Fresh Cat Food has been a big hit with all cats, even the pickiest ones. Numerous cat owners say that their cats eat everything, even the more expensive types that the cats used to ignore.
Cats like the duck recipe from American Journey better than the usual chicken and beef tastes. It makes them want to try something new. Hill’s Science Diet is mostly about digestive health, but its tasty recipe has also won over a lot of picky eaters.
Blue Buffalo’s kitten food has been liked by kittens, and many owners have noticed that their cats have more energy and better coats. The Wellness CORE kitten wet food has kept cats interested because the different flavors keep them from getting tired of the same taste.
Customer Reviews
Most cat owners who have used these brands have had good experiences with them.
One Smalls customer said, “I finally tried Smalls, and he LOVED it from the first meal. I’m happy to know he is eating good-quality food.”
Another pet parent using Hill’s Science Diet shared, “The finicky old lady (almost 17 y.o.) is eating it! She seems better as she puts on weight.”
A Blue Buffalo customer noted, “Ever since I started my cats on Blue Buffalo, they have had more energy and have played with toys that just sat around the house.”
Wellness CORE users appreciate the variety, with one stating, “I’ve tried so many different brands, but this is the ONLY one where all three cats wake me up in the morning, unable to wait for their breakfast.”
These types of fresh cat food are good at satisfying picky eaters while still giving cats good nutrition. Don’t forget that each cat is different, so what works for one might not work for another. Before making significant changes to your cat’s diet, you should always talk to your vet first, especially if your cat has specific health issues or dietary needs.
Top 5 Fresh Cat Food Brands for Health-Conscious Pet Parents
Choosing the right fresh cat food has become increasingly critical for cat owners who care about their pets’ health. As the movement toward healthy pet food grows, more and more brands have stepped up to offer high-end options. Let’s look at some of the most popular types of fresh cat food among people who want the best for their cats.
Organic Options
There is a growing trend among cat owners who want to feed their cats food that doesn’t contain pesticides, fake hormones, or other man-made ingredients. Researchers are still looking into whether organic cat food is better for your cat’s health than non-organic food, but many cat owners like the peace of mind that comes with choosing organic.
Smalls Cat Food has made a name in the organic cat food market. Their wet cat food is high in protein and doesn’t contain many chemicals. Smalls stands out because they care about the earth and package their goods in recyclable materials. This brand is liked by cat owners who care about their cats’ health and the environment.
Limited Ingredient Diets
Diets with few ingredients are now the norm for cats with sensitive guts or food allergies. These diets focus on using a few simple and easy-to-digest ingredients that meet a cat’s nutritional needs without making its stomach upset or causing allergic responses.
KOHA stands out in this group because it offers a variety of cat foods with few ingredients. These foods are great for cats that are very sensitive to food or have IBS, IBD, or other digestive problems. Some of KOHA’s limited-ingredient cat foods are duck pâté, rabbit au jus, turkey pâté, and chicken pâté. There is only one meat in each mix, so cat owners have the best chance of not dealing with food allergies.
Another notable brand in this category is Blue Buffalo. Their Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free cat food contains no preservatives, soy, wheat, or by-products, making it an excellent choice for cats with food sensitivities or allergies.
Read more about low residue diet for cats
Specialized Formulas
Some brands have created unique recipes to help cats with specific health problems. These recipes often contain extra nutrients or unique ingredients that help with certain aspects of a cat’s health.
Purina Pro Plan Feed for Pets Gastroenteric Wet Cat Food is an excellent example of a recipe made just for cats. It is made with many proteins, prebiotics, and not much fiber to help keep your gut healthy. This product is mainly for cats with gastritis, IBD, pancreatitis, or other digestive system diseases.
With their Digestive Support wet cat food, Made by Nacho offers another unique choice. This mix includes bone broth, fruits, veggies, and antioxidants that help digestion. Notably, Made by Nacho’s recipe doesn’t include any grain, chicken, corn, wheat, or soy, meaning it can be fed to cats sensitive to certain foods.
Moving to fresh, high-quality cat food can improve a cat’s health and well-being. I own and love cats. Whiskers, my cat, had been having stomach problems for months. We tried several brands before deciding on a limited food diet from KOHA. Whiskers underwent a considerable change. His coat got shinier, and he had more energy, and, most importantly, his digestion problems disappeared.
Cost Comparison: Fresh vs. Traditional Cat Food
As a cat owner and lover, I’ve often wondered how much switching to fresh cat food would cost. While giving our cats the best nutrition possible is essential, knowing how much fresh and canned cat food costs is also important.
Initial Investment
When you first look into fresh cat food, the cost may be higher than with traditional foods. Chewy.com prices show that dry cat food costs about USD 4.67 per pound, and wet cat food costs about USD 0.89 per ounce. Fresh cat food names, like The Farmer’s Dog, start at $2.00 daily, which can add up quickly.
For example, it would cost about USD 12.96 per day to feed a 70-pound, 2-year-old golden retriever, The Farmer’s Dog. This comparison is for a big dog, but it gives us an idea of how much it might cost for cats, which would be less because they are smaller but still more than regular choices.
Long-term Health Benefits
Even though it costs more upfront, many cat owners say their cats’ health improved after switching to fresh food. As a cat owner, I can say that the switch has improved my cat’s coat, energy level, and general health.
Often, fresh cat food has better ingredients than processed commercial cat food. It usually contains whole meats, veggies, and grains, which gives cats a healthier, more natural diet. This higher nutritional value can make food more accessible to digest, help the body stay hydrated, and maybe even help with weight loss.
Subscription Models
Many companies offer fresh cat food monthly plans that can help you keep costs down and ensure your cat always has food. For example, Nom Nom delivers frozen meals that are individually wrapped, which makes it easier to prepare and store dinners. The price starts at USD 3.00 daily, which is less expensive than other fresh food choices.
Ollie is another brand that offers fresh cat food subscriptions. Prices start at less than USD 2.00 per day. Feeding their cats is easy because the food comes frozen and can stay in the fridge for up to 14 days.
When comparing costs, it’s essential to consider the long-term health benefits of fresh cat food. While the initial investment might be higher, the potential reduction in veterinary bills and improved quality of life for your cat could offset these costs over time.
Storage and Handling of Fresh Cat Food
As a cat owner or lover, you should ensure your cat’s food is safe and fresh. Safely storing and handling fresh cat food will maintain its nutritional value and avoid health risks. Here are some essential things you should do to ensure your cat’s food stays safe and tastes good.
Refrigeration Requirements
Fresh cat food needs to be stored carefully to maintain its quality and safety. Wet fresh cat food doesn’t last long once it’s been opened; it must be put in the fridge immediately. To keep fresh and raw cat food safe, keep it at 40°F or lower. At this temperature, germs can’t grow as quickly, so the food is safe.
Opened wet cat food should be kept in sealed containers or with snap-on plastic lids that fit right over the cans to keep it fresh. This keeps the food from coming into contact with air, which helps maintain its structure and flavor. Some cat owners use glass dishes instead of plastic because they don’t leach chemicals.
Fresh Cat Food Portioning Tips
Proper portioning influences both food freshness and your cat’s health. Here are some helpful tips:
- Scoop out only enough food for each meal, keeping the rest refrigerated.
- For single-serve packets, use them immediately after opening and avoid saving leftovers.
- Consider using an automatic pet feeder to store more food while keeping it fresh for your cat’s next meal.
If your cat doesn’t eat all its food, you should throw away any that has been out for over 30 minutes. To cut down on waste, you could try smaller cans or packages already divided into portions just right for one meal.
Fresh Cat Food Shelf Life
Understanding the shelf life of different types of cat food has an impact on storage practices. Here’s a quick guide:
- Opened wet cat food: Lasts 3-5 days when refrigerated
- Opened dry cat food: Lasts 4-6 weeks in an airtight container in an excellent spot
- Freeze-dried food: Can be used within 30 days of opening
- Raw food: Should be used within 3-5 days
Remember that these times only apply to food that has already been opened. Always check the expiration date on packages that haven’t been opened yet, but remember that these rules become more important once the package is opened.
Many cats like their food at “mouse temperature.” Giving your cat food straight from the fridge is safe if it doesn’t mind being cold. If your cat prefers warm food, you can warm it up. Put the piece in a dish that can go in the microwave and heat it for 7 to 9 seconds or until it’s warm enough to eat.
As someone with cats, I know that each has its tastes. My cat Whiskers seems to have hypnotized me, so I know how long it takes to heat his food. These little quirks are what make our animal friends so cute.
Remember never to feed food that looks slightly “off” or spoiled. If you’re unsure what to do, it’s always better to be safe and serve a new meal. Using these tips for storing and handling food, you can ensure your cat’s fresh food stays safe, healthy, and tasty, improving their general health and happiness.
Conclusion
I love cats very much, and I’ve seen how the rise of fresh cat food has changed how we feed them. Because of this trend, pet owners can choose a more natural, nutrient-dense food for their cats, similar to what cats would eat in the wild. From organic options to unique formulas, the market now has many options for us to choose from based on our cats’ individual wants and tastes.
Fresh cat food is usually more expensive, but many pet owners think it’s worth it because it might be better for their cat’s health. Food must be stored and handled correctly to keep its quality and safety. As long as we put our cats’ health first, it’s clear that fresh cat food isn’t just a trend; it shows how much we love and care for our animal family members. Remember that every cat is different, so it’s best to talk to your vet about what your furry friend should eat.
