This list features only the best high protein low carb wet cat foods that I recommend to my friends and family.
These are great options if you aren’t comfortable with feeding raw. Most of these options are lightly cooked and frozen to keep fresh. Fresh food is the best! But there are a few options that are shelf-stable and don’t require a freezer. Just in case you don’t have the space for fresh food.
I’ve noted in each section which foods are appropriate for kittens as well. The video below is from 2023. But I still recommend the same options below.
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 on Chewy
- Canned wet cat food options

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
- 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.
Some cons include lack of protein variety and the use of peas and pumpkin. But peas are often used as a source of manganese and other nutrients instead of using synthetic supplements. So you’ll have to decide which you prefer.
They also have healthy treats!
Buy Raised Right on their website and get 20% off your first box with code PETS20. Raised Right is for adult cats only.
You can also get a custom meal plan. Use code CUSTOM15 for 15% off a custom meal plan.
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

- 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 protein variety. This is a big plus because cats eat variety out in nature. This also comes in handy with preventing picky eating.
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.
Smalls also has complete and balanced freeze-dried puffs. I would use these as a healthy treat and food topper if your cat is eating dry food now. This will make the transition to wet food much easier.
Buy Smalls on their website and get $10 off your first trial purchase with this link.
Smalls is suitable for adults and kittens.
Just Food for Cats – Best wet cat food on Chewy

- 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 the 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 only for long-term feeding. Because cats often get addicted to fish-flavored foods and then don’t want anything else.
Buy Just Food on Chewy or locally at Petco.
Just Food is suitable for adult cats only.
Canned wet cat food options
If you don’t have the freezer space for the fresh wet food options above, there are healthier canned options.
Feline Natural has a good protein variety and uses a lot of meat-based ingredients. You can buy it on Chewy and Amazon.
Ziwi Peak is another canned option that uses a lot of meat-based ingredients. Buy on Chewy and Amazon.
Caru stews are in cartons and can be helpful as a topper if you’re feeding kibble. This can help your cat get used to eating mushier wet food which makes the transition to wet food easier. There is a long list of synthetic supplements. But Caru has been on Susan Thixton’s list for many years which means they have proven their ingredients are of human-grade quality. Buy on Chewy and Amazon. Caru is also available in Canada. Just check their store locator.
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 less than 10% carbs on a dry matter basis. The NRC says carbohydrates are not essential to the cat’s diet.
Plus, the main organizations that make nutritional guidelines for pet food, AAFCO and FEDIAF, do not have a minimum requirement for carbs. 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. You can use my carb calculator for cat food.
What is a good high protein low carb cat food?
The best high protein low carb cat food is a raw diet. But high protein low carb wet cat food is still 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 complete wet food is better than kibble. But high protein low carb wet food is the best if you can’t feed raw.
Cats don’t need carbs in their diet. They need high protein and high moisture.
If you aren’t ready for raw or home-cooked, 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.
Need help switching your cat’s food? Check out my switch from kibble to wet or raw guide next!


