Best High Protein Low Carb Wet Cat Food 2023

This list features only the best high protein low carb wet foods that I recommend to my friends and family.

All of these products have made it on Susan Thixton’s 2023 list!

That means they have proven the following:

• Human-grade quality
• BPA-free packaging
• Made in USDA kitchens

I’ve noted in each section which foods are appropriate for kittens as well.

Here are the best high protein low carb wet cat foods:

• Raised Right – Best high protein gently cooked cat food
• Smalls – Best subscription wet cat food
• Just Food for Cats – Best wet cat food at Petco
• Caru – Best high moisture wet cat food stews
• Open Farm – Best wet cat food meal or topper

Note: Cats are sensitive to dietary changes. Please transition cat food gradually.

Check out the guide today or pin the image below to your Cat Food board on Pinterest.

Disclaimer: I earn a commission if you purchase through affiliate links below. No additional cost to you.

Raised Right – Best high protein gently cooked cat food

18.5/20 rating

• Protein amount = approx 59%, dry matter basis
• Carb amount = approx 4% carbs, dry matter basis
• First 5 ingredients = Turkey Thigh, Turkey Heart, Turkey Liver, Carrots, Blueberries
• First 5 ingredients = Chicken Thigh, Chicken Heart, Chicken Liver, Carrots, Peas

Raised Right offers lightly cooked custom meal plans or sample packs for cats.

The company works with Dr. Karen Becker and pet food formulation expert Steve Brown.

You can trace all of their ingredients. And everything is lab tested for safety.

They also have healthy treats!

Buy Raised Right on their website. Raised Right is for adult cats only.

Use code CUSTOM15 for 15% off a custom meal plan. Or use code PETS20 for 20% off your first box.

FAQ – Isn’t spearmint toxic to cats?

The ingredients state “Organic Spearmint” not “spearmint essential oil”. This is very different. This food is formulated by holistic veterinarian Dr. Karen Becker, and Raised Right uses human-grade ingredients. If you have other questions regarding the ingredients, please contact them.

Smalls – Best subscription wet cat food

17/20 rating

• Product name rule = “recipe” means 25% minimum requirement of the named ingredients
• Protein amount = 51-57%, dry matter basis
• Carb amount = approx 5% carbs
• First 5 ingredients = Chicken, Chicken liver, Green beans, Peas, Water
• First 5 ingredients = Beef, Beef liver, Green beans, Water, Spinach

Smalls does include some veggies and synthetic supplements. However, the bulk of their wet foods is meat.

Their products are low-carb, and they offer a lot of variety.

Smalls makes it easy for busy cat parents with their subscription model.

Watch my full review and mom’s 4 cats test it on YouTube.

Buy Smalls on their website. Use code CATICLES for $5 off your first box.

Smalls is suitable for adults and kittens. Note: their freeze-dried raw is not human-grade.

Just Food for Cats – Best wet cat food at Petco

16.5/20 rating

• Product name rule = “recipe” means 25% minimum requirement of the named ingredients
• Protein amount = approx 46%, dry matter basis
• Carb amount = approx 19% carbs
• First 5 ingredients = Wild-caught Alaska Pacific cod, Chicken Thighs, Chicken Hearts, Chicken Liver, Tapioca Starch

Just Food for Cats is available online and at Petco.

This one is higher in carbohydrates than others on this list. However, there are more meat-based ingredients in Just Food compared to the rest on this list.

Just food can also work with you and your veterinarian on custom food for special needs cats.

This is a great transition food if your cat is currently very picky and eating fish-flavored foods.

However, I would not suggest this food for long-term feeding. Because fish-flavored foods can cause picky eating.

Buy Just Food for Cats:

Click the button above to get 35% off your first auto-ship order.

Just Food is suitable for adult cats only.

Caru – Best high moisture wet cat food stews

16.5/20 rating

• Product name rule = stew does not fit under a rule but AAFCO says these foods are mostly liquids
• Protein amount = approx 55% (chicken), approx 61% (turkey), dry matter basis
• Carb amount = approx 11% carbs (chicken), approx 8% carbs (turkey), dry matter basis
• First 5 ingredients = Chicken, Chicken Broth, Tapioca Starch, Egg Whites, Apples
• First 5 ingredients = Turkey, Turkey Broth, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Potatoes

Caru wet cat food is best as a topper to add more moisture to your cat’s kibble.

This can help your cat get used to eating soft, mushy food. That will make the transition to wet and raw much easier.

But, at the end of the day, this is still much better quality than most wet cat foods.

Buy Caru wet cat food:

Caru is appropriate for cats and kittens.

Open Farm – Best wet cat food meal or topper

16.5/20 rating

• Product name rule = blend does not fit under any AAFCO rule so the minimum requirement is unknown
• Protein amount = approx 39%, dry matter basis
• Carb amount = approx 11% carbs, dry matter basis
• First 5 ingredients = Chicken, chicken bone broth, pumpkin, carrots, spinach

Open Farm has the lowest amount of protein on this list.

But the ingredients are of much better quality than most wet canned foods.

Buy Open Farm wet cat food:

Open Farm is for adult cats only.

This would be a great choice to use as a meal topper if your cat is addicted to kibble.

Use this food to get your cat used to eating better quality.

FAQ

Do cats need carbs in their diet?

Cats do not need carbs in their diet. The only carbs a wild cat eats are the stomach content of prey. This is only about 2% carbs. AAFCO bases its nutritional standards on the NRC. The NRC says carbohydrates are not essential to the cat’s diet. Carbs break down into sugar. Some may say that sugar is easily digested energy. But excessive sugar promotes hunger and weight gain in cats.

How do I calculate carbs?

Take 100 and subtract each protein, fat, fiber, moisture, and ash. This is the number of carbs including moisture. Now convert that to a dry matter basis. Subtract the moisture content from 100. This gives you dry matter for the entire food. Divide the carb percent by the dry matter of the entire food and multiply by 100.

You must compare foods on a dry matter basis. That means without moisture.

Kibble and wet cat food vary significantly in moisture content. Convert nutrient contents to a dry matter basis to compare foods appropriately.

What is a good high protein low carb cat food?

The best high protein low carb cat food is complete homemade cat food. But high protein low carb wet cat food is much better than kibble. You must learn cat food label rules to shop for the best cat food. Always compare the guaranteed analysis on a dry matter basis.

Final thoughts on high protein low carb wet food

Any wet food is better than kibble.

But high protein low carb wet food is the best.

Cats don’t need carbs in their diet. They need high protein and high moisture.

If you aren’t ready for homemade, choose any of the wet foods on this list.

Any of these options are better than kibble and most wet canned foods.

Remember, cats need a variety of proteins. And you should always introduce new foods gradually.

Want a clear, step-by-step plan to feed your cat better? Buy my Switch to Raw Blueprint Course to stay organized and fast-track your success!