Once exclusive to the truly health-conscious, organic food has now become a staple in most grocery stores and even convenience stores across the USA. It’s become clear that being more thorough in our food selection process and choosing only certified organic food dramatically affects our health and our quality of life.
As a cat owner, you want your beloved kitty to eat as clean and healthy as you do. There’s nothing more important than giving her the healthiest food possible and steering clear of products with low-quality ingredients. After all, her nutrition is key to ensuring she enjoys a long, happy life with you.
With so many cat food brands riding the “organic food” hype train, there’s a surplus of supposedly healthier cat food on the market. How do you know which ones are actually organic and will truly make an impact on your cat’s health for the better? Don’t worry – we’re here to help! We’ve combed through the multitude of available options online to select the top 5 best organic wet cat food based on USDA certifications, assessments from pet health experts, and reviews from fellow cat parents.
1. Castor & Pollux Organix Wet Cat Food: Best Organic Wet Cat Food on the Market
All Organix recipes are made with 95% USDA-certified organic ingredients, and the Castor & Pollux Organix Wet Cat Food is their best product for cats. Organic, free-range chicken raised without added growth hormones is this product’s first ingredient, serving as its primary source of easily digestible protein.
This wet food also features a superfood blend chock-full of important nutrients that boost your cat’s health. These include organic cranberries that provide antioxidants and organic flaxseed that offers dietary fiber and omega-3 fatty acids to boost digestive health and skin and coat health. It also contains organic coconut flour that provides healthy carbohydrates and organic dried egg that serves as another source of high-quality protein.
These ingredients were grown without chemical pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and artificial preservatives. Its protein-rich recipe also entices even finicky cats to gobble up every morsel. Cat parents have attested to their cats’ positive response to this product, both with regard to taste and high digestibility—many say it’s the perfect food for their kitties with sensitive stomachs.
Pros:
- Certified organic by the USDA
- Protein-rich recipe with organic, range-free chicken as its first ingredient
- Features a superfood blend of organic ingredients grown without chemical pesticides
- Comes packed with nutrients such as antioxidants, dietary fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids
- Boosts digestion, immunity, and skin and coat health
- Offers complete and balanced nutrition
- Has an irresistibly meaty taste that cats love
Cons:
- Somewhat pricey
2. Evanger’s Organics Dinner for Cats: Certified Organic Ingredients in an Eco-Friendly Package
Designed to give your cat mouthwateringly delicious, healthy meals, the Evanger’s Organics Dinner for Cats is made with organic ingredients certified by the USDA and Oregon Tilth. Its first ingredients and main sources of protein include hormone- and antibiotic-free organic beef, liver, and beef kidney.
Organic coconut oil is also a major ingredient in this product’s recipe, which aids in improving skin and coat health while providing healthy fats and carbohydrates. It’s fortified with essential vitamins and minerals, including taurine for good vision and heart health, vitamin E for additional antioxidants, and vitamin B12 for improved immunity.
Evanger’s has a unique canning process in that it packs each can with raw ingredients, then allows them to cook inside the sealed can in their own juices to preserve their appetizing taste and wholesome nutrition. This company has also been widely praised for its environmentally-friendly practices, including using cans with 80% recyclable steel. The Chicago Rabbicinal Council has also certified this cat food as a kosher product.
Pros:
- Certified organic by the USDA and Oregon Tilth
- Organic beef serves as its first ingredient
- Fortified with vitamins and minerals
- Rich in protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates from wholesome organic ingredients
- Formulated to meet AAFCO’s nutritional requirements
- No corn, soy, wheat, additives, artificial preservatives, and meat by-products
- Unique canning and cooking process locks in delicious flavor and wholesome nutrition
- Made with eco-friendly practices and certified kosher
Cons:
- Expensive price
3. Tender & True Organic Turkey & Liver Canned Cat Food: Features Organic, Cage-Free, Humanely-Raised Turkey
Organic, cage-free, USDA-certified turkey is the first ingredient in the Tender & True Organic Turkey & Liver Canned Cat Food, providing lean, wholesome protein to its recipe. These turkeys are humanely raised and GAP-certified Step 1 by the Agricultural Marketing Service.
Formulated by the company’s nutritionists for complete and balanced nutrition, this wet food features a blend of organic ingredients, antioxidants, and essential vitamins and minerals. It also contains wholesome ingredients like salmon oil and organic sunflower oil, which promote skin and coat health, boost energy, reduce inflammation, and help maintain healthy organ function.
Each can contains premium meat and ingredients without fillers, colorings, or artificial preservatives. It’s also free of soy, corn, and wheat, making it ideal for cats with sensitive stomachs or food allergies. Best of all, it meets the nutritional needs of cats at all life stages.
Pros:
- Certified organic by the USDA
- Features organic, cage-free, GAP-certified turkey as its first ingredient
- Comes with a blend of wholesome organic ingredients
- Boosts overall health with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals
- Contains healthy fats from salmon oil and organic sunflower oil
- No soy, corn, wheat, fillers, colorings, or artificial preservatives
- Ideal for kittens, adult cats, and senior cats
- Best for cats with food allergies
Cons:
- Some cats may not like the taste
4. Purina Beyond Organic Wet Cat Food Pate: Complete & Balanced Nutrition with Organic Meat & Vegetables
With the motto “grown and raised as nature intended”, the Purina Beyond Organic Wet Cat Food Pate contains high-quality, organic ingredients that offer cats the wholesome, complete nutrition they need. Each can comes with a USDA-certified label, giving cat parents the assurance that every ingredient was sourced responsibly and raised sustainably.
This pate’s primary ingredient is organic, free-range chicken raised without antibiotics, which provides lean and low-calorie protein. It also includes organic chicken broth for added flavor, moisture, and immune system support, organic chicken liver for added protein, and organic sweet potatoes for dietary fiber and healthy carbohydrates.
Plus, it’s verified by the Non-GMO Project, indicating that it doesn’t use corn, soy, or by-product meals in its recipe. If your kitty isn’t a fan of sweet potatoes, you can also try this brand’s chicken and carrots flavor. Either way, you can rest assured that the vegetables included in each can were grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.
Pros:
- Certified organic by the USDA
- Organic, free-range chicken is the first ingredient
- Organic chicken liver and organic chicken broth add flavor and moisture
- Organic sweet potatoes provide fiber and essential nutrients
- Fortified with essential vitamins and minerals
- Offers complete nutrition with a healthy balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fats
- No corn, soy, or by-product meals
Cons:
- Not grain-free
- Lower in protein compared to other organic wet cat food
5. ZIWI Peak Canned Wet Cat Food: Limited-Ingredient Recipe with Ethically & Sustainably Sourced Meat
Made with select high-quality ingredients, the ZIWI Peak Canned Wet Cat Food offers holistic nutrition with protein-packed, moisture-rich recipes. Each can contains ethically and sustainably sourced meat raised on free-range farms in New Zealand, with no added hormones or antibiotics to artificially accelerate growth.
This particular recipe features venison as its first ingredient, along with venison organs including tripe, liver, kidneys, heart, bone, and lung. Not only does this savory, low-carbohydrate recipe entice cats to eat more and still keep them at a healthy weight, but it also ensures they get the protein they need from wholesome, highly digestible, all-natural sources.
Along with venison meat and organs, it also contains a 10% superfood blend of chickpeas, dried kelp, and green mussels that provide antioxidants, dietary fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids. It’s also fortified with essential vitamins and minerals and contains no added sugars, fillers, carbohydrates, or carrageenan.
Pros:
- Contains ethically and sustainably sourced meat from New Zealand
- Features animal protein from meat raised without added hormones or antibiotics
- Combines venison meat and organs for wholesome protein and delicious flavor
- Comes with a blend of natural ingredients for balanced nutrition
- Enriched with essential vitamins and minerals
- Grain-free recipe with no fillers, sugars, fillers, sugars, artificial preservatives, or gums
- Great for weight management and allergy relief in cats
- Ideal for cats of all ages
Cons:
- Not certified organic by the USDA
- Very expensive
FAQs About Organic Cat Food
What is organic cat food?
Organic cat food, just like organic food for humans, refers to food that has met the standards and requirements for production, handling, and processing set by the USDA National Organic Program.
The NOP stipulates that in order to be labeled “organic”, livestock must be raised without antibiotics and growth hormones and with free access to the outdoors. Crops, on the other hand, must be grown without chemical pesticides. There are select synthetic substances that may be used, however.
Together with accredited third-party organizations, the NOP enforces these standards by conducting audits and other activities to certify farms and businesses. When they pass the certification system, they are given the “USDA Organic” label.
Pet food must have at least 95% organic ingredients in order to gain this label.
What is the difference between “natural” and “organic” cat food?
Natural cat food differs from organic cat food in that the requirements to obtain that descriptor are a little looser. According to the Association of Animal Feed Control Officials, natural food can include many ingredients as long as they are derived exclusively from plant, animal, and mined sources.
These ingredients can be classified as natural whether they remain in an unprocessed state or undergo certain processing methods. However, they cannot be classified as natural if they are chemically processed.
Products with synthetic vitamins, minerals, and trace nutrients can still be labeled “natural”. They simply should not claim to be “100% natural” and must also offer a disclaimer that lets pet parents know which synthetic ingredients are present in the product. Products with select natural ingredients can use the term “natural” only to describe the specific ingredient/s that qualify as such.
On the other hand, organic cat food must meet rigorous standards set by the USDA.
Is organic cat food always better?
In general, cat food that contains meat raised without growth hormones and plants grown without chemical pesticides is a healthier choice for your kitty. It ensures that she gets the protein, fats, and other nutrients she needs only from wholesome, high-quality sources.
Eco-conscious cat parents may also consider organic cat food better in an ethical and moral sense. With organic products, they can be certain that the meat they feed their cats were not sourced from animals who were subject to cruelty.
Keep in mind, however, that there have been no major studies proving that organic cat food is better in terms of your cat’s overall health and longevity. The advantage they have is usually that the ingredients are limited, making the products richer in protein. This can aid in proper weight management and the prevention of other health issues.
What should I look for in organic cat food?
- USDA Label – Organic cat food must have the “USDA Organic” label to prove that they are certified organic.
- High Protein Content – 10% to 20% protein is typically the ideal protein content for cats. It’s best to give your cat high-protein food to help her maintain a healthy weight, stay active and energetic, and build healthy muscles.
- High Fat Content – Make sure that your choice of organic cat food has around 20% to 24% fat content, and sources fat from healthy ingredients such as fish oil. It should also be rich in omega-3 & 6 fatty acids to improve skin and coat health.
- High Moisture Content – Cats are prone to dehydration, so it’s important to make sure their wet food has at least 75% moisture content to increase their hydration levels.
- Rich in Vitamins, Minerals, & Taurine – There are plenty of essential vitamins and minerals that cats need for survival, but are unable to produce on their own. As such, they need to get these nutrients from their daily diet. These include vitamin B12, vitamin D, and taurine.
- Right Amount of Calories & Carbohydrates – It’s generally better to get lower-calorie cat food since it keeps healthy adult cats from becoming obese. However, senior cats or newly-adopted cats may benefit from higher-calorie or higher-carb food to ensure they achieve a healthy weight.
Is organic wet food or organic dry food better?
Organic wet cat food is usually better for cats. It contains more protein and moisture that cats need to maintain optimal health and hydration. Additionally, it’s lower in carbohydrates, meaning it’s a more ideal option for cats who struggle with their weight or with thyroid problems. Some senior cats with fewer teeth may need to be put on an exclusively wet food diet.
However, dry food is typically more accessible and less expensive. Although most cats prefer wet food over dry food, some cats simply love to eat their kibble. If you can’t avoid buying dry food, make sure to give your kitty a balance of wet and dry food.
In Closing
Giving your cat organic food is a good way to ensure she gets balanced nutrition from wholesome, high-quality sources. It also allows you to participate in environmentally-friendly practices and stay away from products that inflict harm on other animals.
If you’re still confused about which organic wet cat food product lives up to its promise, go ahead and choose one from this list! All the options listed above offer certified organic meals for your cat that don’t compromise on flavor or nutrition—ensuring healthier, more delectable meals for your precious kitty!