disclaimer: we are a professional review site and this post contains affiliate links. we receive compensation if you make a purchase after clicking links at no additional cost to you. All of our reviews are fair and unbiased to bring you the very best in cat products.
Finding the best cat food for outdoor cats can be difficult when there are hundreds of dry cat food options to choose from. When looking for the perfect dry food mix for your adult cats, it’s important to look at what’s in the food.
Your outdoor cat food should be high in protein. cats are carnivores and require high amounts of animal protein to give them the energy they need, especially those that live outdoors. You’ll also want to look for grain-free dry foods to avoid empty carbs.
If you’re not sure where to start in finding the best outdoor cat food, this list will help you break down the information you need to make an informed decision.
each review lists the first 5 ingredients, which you’ll want to make sure include at least 2 animal products and a minimal amount of carbohydrates (if applicable). You’ll also find the nutrient breakdown for each blend. focus on the minimum percentage of protein, as we want to pack as much as we can to help outdoor cats build lean muscle.
The special diet listed in each section reflects whether the food is high protein, grain-free, or formulated for other benefits, such as sensitive digestion. This list includes a wide variety of products, from premium prices to more affordable options, so you can choose the best dry cat food for your pet that fits your budget.
list of the best outdoor cat food
- Best Overall Outdoor Cat Food: Blue Buffalo Wild High Protein Grain Free Cat Food
- The Best Value Outdoor Cat Food: The Taste Of The Wild Rocky Mountains Grain Free Dry Cat Food
- Most Affordable Outdoor Cat Food: Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Chicken & brown rice recipe dry cat food
- purina beyond grain-free cat food
- instinct Original Recipe Grain Free Raw Freeze Dried Real Chicken Coated in Dry Cat Food
- wellness whole health natural grain free boneless chicken & dry cat food with chicken meal
- use of real animal protein
- minimum protein percentage
- Grain Free: No Wheat, Corn, or Soy
- price
- consumer ratings
- addition of taurine
- other added nutrients and minerals
best outdoor cat food 2021
Which dry cat food mixes made the list of best outdoor cat foods? check out these 6 great options for you and your furry friend.
blue buffalo wilderness high protein, grain free cat food
best overall outdoor cat food
first 5 ingredients: boneless chicken, chicken meal, pea protein, tapioca starch, peas
nutrient breakdown: protein 40% min, fat 18% min, fiber 4% max, moisture 9% max, taurine 0.15% min, fatty acids 4% min p>
calorie content: 443 kcal/cup
special diet: no grains, high in protein, no corn, no wheat, no soy
Key Features: High-protein recipe made with real chicken
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain Free High Protein Cat Food is an excellent choice for outdoor cat food. It’s made with real chicken and has a protein-rich recipe that helps cats maintain a healthy body weight while providing the energy outdoor cats need. Blue Buffalo Desert High Protein Grain Free Cat Food is also grain free, so it is wheat, corn and soy free.
Blue Buffalo Wild high protein, grain free cat food also contains essential vitamins and minerals to help support your cat’s immune system. taurine is also present to promote healthy eye and heart function. This outdoor cat food is also rich in fatty acids to help your cat keep her coat shiny.
We chose Wild Blue Buffalo Blend because it’s high in protein and grain-free. Blue Buffalo Desert is packed with real chicken to help your outdoor cats build strong, lean muscles. Their mixes also focus on complete and balanced nutrition aimed at providing your cat with a strong immune system and a healthy life.
The cost of blue buffalo wilderness cat food is higher than other options on this list, which is something to keep in mind when switching from dry cat food.
blue buffalo also has a kitten version of this outdoor cat food which can be found here.
the taste of the wild rocky mountain grain-free dry cat food
best outdoor cat food
first 5 ingredients: chicken meal, peas, sweet potatoes, chicken fat, pea protein
Nutrient breakdown: protein 42% min, fat 18% min, fiber 3% max, moisture 10% max, taurine 0.15% min, various amounts of zinc, selenium, vitamin e , fatty acids
caloric content: 390 kcal/cup
special diet: grain-free, high in protein
Key Features: Protein-rich recipe that helps maintain bone, joint, and good health
taste of the wild rocky mountain cat food is another affordable option that also comes with plenty of protein for outdoor cats. This cat food mix is made with real roasted meat along with fruits and vegetables to give your cat the energy he needs. The grain-free blend packed with minerals and fatty acids also aids in digestion and general well-being.
We chose rocky mountain wild cat food as the best outdoor cat food because it is reasonably priced and still packs a high protein content. This mix has one of the highest minimum protein contents on the list, while providing your cat with the essential minerals and nutrients they need.
rachael ray nutrish natural chicken & brown rice recipe dry cat food
the most affordable outdoor cat food
First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Brown Rice, Brewer’s Rice
Nutrient breakdown: protein 34% min, fat 14% min, fiber 4% max, moisture 9% max, taurine 0.15% min, various amounts of fatty acids, calcium, phosphorus , zinc, vitamin e
caloric content: 386 kcal/cup
special diet: n/a
Key Features: Added beet pulp as a healthy source of fiber and prebiotics to help with digestion
rachael ray nutrish cat food is an inexpensive cat food option for outdoor cats. while this cat food lists farm-raised chicken as the #1 ingredient. At #1, it generally has less protein than other options on this list. however, it’s still free of corn, wheat and soy and has no artificial flavors, making it a good choice for your outdoor cat. If you are looking for a more affordable outdoor cat food, Rachael Ray Nutrish cat food may be right for you.
We picked rachael ray nutrish cat food as the most affordable outdoor cat food, as it is the lowest cost cat food on this list. this mix still contains the protein with farm-raised chicken as the main ingredient. however, it weighs in at a lower overall minimum protein percentage than other options on this list. If you’re concerned about cost, but want to give your outdoor cats a good dry food option, then Rachael Ray Nutrish may be right for you.
purina beyond grain free cat food
First 5 ingredients: hake, chicken flour, cassava flour, dehydrated egg, pea starch
Nutrient breakdown: protein 35 min%, fat 14% min, fiber 4% max, moisture 12% max, taurine 0.15% min, various amounts of linoleic acid, calcium, phosphorous , zinc, selenium, vitamin a and vitamin e
caloric content caloric: 392 kcal/cup
special diet: gluten-free, grain-free, hyperproteic, sensitive digestions, natural
Key Features Key: High protein cat food that is gluten and grain free with natural probiotics for digestive health
purina beyond grain free cat food is a natural, high protein cat food with real ocean whitefish as the #1 ingredient. it is made specifically with in high energy cats, making it perfect for outdoor cats. purina beyond blend contains added natural vitamins, nutrients, minerals and probiotics to promote good digestive health.
instinct original grain-free recipe with real raw freeze-dried chicken coated in dry cat food
first 5 ingredients: chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, menhaden fish meal, peas
Nutrient
breakdown: protein 41% min, fat 21% min, fiber 3% max, moisture 9% max, various amounts of vitamin e, ascorbic acid, fats acids
caloric content caloric: 505 kcal/cup
special diet: grain-free, gluten-free, corn-free, wheat-free, soy-free, natural, hyperproteic
Key Features Key: Contains 81% real animal ingredients and oils along with whole fruits, vegetables and other ingredients
instinct Original Grain Free Cat Food focuses on providing pets with a diet rich in raw and unprocessed foods to aid better digestion, improve weight, improve skin and fur, and have more energy. cage-free chicken is listed as the main ingredient that helps support lean muscle growth, which is perfect for your outdoor cat.
wellness whole health natural grain free boneless chicken & dry cat food with chicken meal
first 5 ingredients: chicken, chicken meal, peas, chickpeas, chicken fat
Nutrient
breakdown: protein 40% min, fat 18% min, fiber 4% max, moisture 10% min, taurine 0.2% min, various amounts of vitamin a , vitamin e, calcium, phosphorus, fatty acids
caloric content caloric: 477 kcal/cup
special diet: no grains, no corn, no wheat, no soy
Key Features Key: Made with all-natural ingredients, including real chicken to provide your cat with plenty of energy
wellness complete health natural cat food is a good choice if you are looking for a protein-rich mix that will provide your outdoor cat with the energy it needs. high-quality protein, along with vitamins a & combine to support your cat’s immune system. This mix is also grain free, making it a good all-around choice for your feline friend.
Buyer’s Guide: How To Find The Best Outdoor Cat Food
It is extremely important to ensure that your outdoor cat receives a balanced diet. cats are carnivores, which means they need meat in their diet. however, even if they hunt outdoors, it is difficult to ensure that they get enough nutrition from fresh prey alone. therefore, you should supplement your outdoor cat’s diet with some form of commercial food.
While cats require large amounts of protein, they require only moderate amounts of fat and minimal carbohydrates. vitamins, amino acids, fatty acids and minerals are also important factors in a cat’s diet.
An important amino acid is called taurine, which cats do not produce on their own. taurine is important in supporting a cat’s brain, heart and nerve function.
So, with all these things to consider when shopping for the best cat food for your outdoor cat, what should you look for? Let’s take a look at some important items to check when buying food for your outdoor cat.
type of protein
Because cats are predominantly carnivorous, adult cats require a minimum of 26% protein in their diets. this is relatively high compared to dogs requiring 12% and humans requiring 8%. the amount of protein needed also varies depending on the cat’s age. kittens require more protein than adult cats while they continue to gain muscle mass. older cats also require higher protein content to help maintain lean body mass.
There are two sources of protein in commercial cat foods: animal-based and plant-based proteins. meats contain high amounts of taurine and essential amino acids, while most plants (including soybeans) do not. cats cannot process and utilize plant-based protein, so it’s important to make sure their food has enough animal-based protein.
The best cat food for outdoor cats will be an animal-based formula that is high in protein, such as chicken, duck, tuna, salmon, or mackerel. these protein sources also contain high amounts of vitamins and minerals your cat needs to maintain good health.
ingredients
When reading commercial cat food labels, ingredients are listed in order of use. therefore, the first ingredient listed is the most prevalent and the last ingredient listed is present in very small amounts.
It’s important to understand what the individual ingredients are in your cat’s food. You should look for meat, poultry, or fish by-products, as these are high-quality protein sources. make sure carb ingredients are minimal and not the first ingredients listed.
Many protein-rich cat foods are packed with essential fatty acids and minerals to support your cat’s healthy immune system and digestion. these added components can help maintain healthy skin and a healthy coat for your cat.
how we choose the best outdoor cat food
when comparing the best dry food options, the main things we considered were:
When looking for the best dry food to provide your cat with a healthy and nutritious diet, it is important to balance the above factors. all play an important role in your cat’s physical and mental well-being.
all of the above options are geared toward adult cats, so if you have a kitten or older cat, you’ll want to look for foods specific to their needs, as they will be different than adult cats.
Do outdoor cats need special food?
You may be wondering if there is any difference between indoor cat food and outdoor cat food. both indoor and outdoor cats have the same nutritional requirements; however, outdoor cats tend to be more active and therefore need more calories than indoor cats. most cat foods specifically for indoor cats have fewer calories per cup.
dry food vs wet cat food outdoors
When comparing dry vs. wet cat food, the main difference is the water content. wet cat food has a higher moisture content than the average dry cat food.
Due to the higher water content, wet cat food has many benefits over dry cat food, including aiding in hydration, better urinary health, and better weight management. however, it is critical that you have access to fresh water at all times, regardless of whether your cat is eating dry cat food or wet cat food.
Wet cat food doesn’t last as long as dry cat food, so this is something to keep in mind if you’re leaving food for your cat outside. dry cat food is also beneficial for your cat’s teeth, as the harder pieces help scrape off plaque and build up on her teeth.
See this in-depth article on dry vs. wet food for more information.
what do feral cats eat?
Ferral cats typically eat mice, snakes, ground squirrels, rabbits, birds, insects, and sometimes larger animals like raccoons. outdoor cats eat the same types of food as feral cats. however, it is important to provide them with balanced nutrition by feeding them high-quality commercial cat foods formulated specifically for outdoor cats.
our verdict: the best outdoor cat food
When choosing the right dry cat food for your outdoor cat, it’s important to look for foods that have the right amount of protein, fat, and carbohydrates along with additional nutrients to support her overall health.
We chose Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free Cat Food as the Best Cat Food for Outdoor Cats because of its high protein, grain free blend specifically designed to keep your cat fed throughout the day.
However, all of the options on this list are good for your cat, so read the reviews and choose the one with the right nutritional balance and price point for you and your furry friend.
If you’re looking for more information on what cats need, check out this full list of cat essentials.
