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Hey there Cat Care Providers & Cat Lovers of all kind! Are you looking for the Best Cat Food for Outdoor Cats? Then You Have come to the right website!
At Outdoor Cat Houses, we talk about all things for our Outside kitty pals. You might have already figured that even more important than shelter is food and water. Water is somewhat easier for cats to find, they’re not picky and don’t need much.
But food is another story. During the winter, cats need food to keep a nice thick coat as well as produce extra heat.
Mamas who got caught with kittens in the cold will need to produce extra milk as well. The most heart-wrenching thing to me is seeing a starving mother whether pregnant or nursing. I will ALWAYS feed her if I have to cut up some lunch meat in the fridge.
The good thing about cats is that they’re very protein-heavy. They NEED meat so you can easily give them a bowl of meat from your fridge in a pinch.
But of course that’s not all they need and giving them the best cat foods might get a bit pricey also. At the same time, you don’t want to feed them crappy cat food.
You’re wasting your money because a lot of the times they’re not going to eat it and their bodies are still not getting the nutrients it needs to survive in the cold.
Believe me, my dogs are forever vacuuming piles of cat food put out with good intention but the cats won’t touch anything that doesn’t contain a certain level of protein. I’ve watched the cats reject our neighbor’s cat food to wait until we put our’s out.
All this to say, don’t waste your money going for the cheapest bag. Lets focus on getting the most cost effective option because we truly care about these cats.
So What’s The Best Dry Cat Food For Outdoor Cats?
For your convenience, we’ve gone ahead and given you our Top Recommendation for Dry Cat Food for Outside Cats. But the article doesn’t end there.
Underneath it, you will find a list of our favorite 10 dry cat foods that we use for our outside cats but still strongly encourage you to read this article so that you can have a solid understanding of why we chose these cat foods.
At any time please feel free to ask questions or make other comments in the comments box below. We are caring for these outdoor cats together.
Our #1 Recommendation for Dry Cat Food for Outside Cats
(Click Here To Watch Our Brief Discussion on The Best Cat Food For Outside Cats on YouTube)
In the above video, we’re diving deep into the world of outdoor cat nutrition and sharing our top recommendation: 9 Lives Daily Essentials Cat Food.
Before we get into it, if you’re interested in cat care for both outdoor & inside cats, go ahead & subscribe to our YouTube channel. Click the bell to make sure you don’t miss any of our videos
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Outdoor cats really are a unique bunch, aren’t they? That’s where 9 Lives Daily Essentials steps in!
Why 9 Lives Daily Essentials for Outdoor Cats?
- Nutrient-Packed Formula: Outdoor cats need a diet that provides them with the energy to explore, hunt, and play. 9 Lives Daily Essentials boasts a blend of essential nutrients, including but not limited to:
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Taurine
- Protein
- Vitamins
- Mineral
- And more that will keep your outdoor kitty in tip-top shape.
- Good Ingredients: We all want the best for our furry pals, right? That’s why 9 Lives Daily Essentials is made with real, high-quality ingredients that your cat will love. The chicken and beef flavors are bound to make those whiskers twitch with delight!
- Supports Eye Health: Cats do most of their activity in low light conditions so it is essential they have good eyesight. This cat food contains taurine which supports their vision, helping them lead productive lives outdoors.
- Omega Fatty Acids: A shiny coat and healthy skin? Yes, please! The addition of omega fatty acids in this cat food helps maintain your outdoor cat’s coat and skin health, even after those exploratory escapades.
- Affordable Quality: We get it, providing the best for your cat shouldn’t break the bank. 9 Lives Daily Essentials strikes a fantastic balance between quality and affordability.
So, whether your outdoor cat is a curious explorer, a feather-chasing pro, or simply loves soaking up the sun, 9 Lives Daily Essentials has their nutritional needs covered. Make mealtime an exciting and healthful experience for your outdoor companion!
Ready to give your feline friend The Best Cat Food for Outdoor Cats? Click that button below to read more about it!
Click Here To Learn More About 9 Lives Daily Essentials Dry Cat Food!
The 10 Best Dry Cat Food For Outdoor Cats
- Purina Cat Chow Naturals Grain-Free With Real Chicken Adult Dry Cat Food
- Rachael Ray Nutrish Super Premium Dry Cat Food
- Diamond Naturals INDOOR Real Meat Recipe Dry Cat Food with Real Cage Free Chicken Protein
- Purina ONE Healthy Kitten Formula Kitten Food
- Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Mother & Babycat Dry Cat Food
- Purina Friskies Dry Cat Food, Gravy Swirlers
- Purina 25 Lb Complete Cat Chow
- Purina Kit & Kaboodle Indoor Dry Cat Food
- Iams Proactive Health Adult Dry Cat Food
- Meow Mix Original Choice Dry Cat Food
Cat Nutritional Needs
Cats are obligate carnivores which means that they HAVE TO HAVE protein aka meat. Sorry animal lovers, there’s just no such thing as a vegan cat.
The proteins they need can only be found in meat, therefore the MUST have meat. Meat contains 10 amino acids that cats’ bodies need but can not produce on their own.
Even just missing out on one of these amino acids can have serious effects. For instance, if your cat doesn’t get any or enough Arginine, ammonia will build up in its bloodstream and become very toxic and fatal.
A lack of taurine in their food can cause a number of metabolic deficiencies, degenerative sight and hearing, heart failure and more!
How Much Protein Should Your Cat Have?
The amount of protein is critical for your cat’s survival. Of course, nursing and pregnant mothers need a lot more than your everyday Joe Blow cat which is why I tend to favor them in a pinch.
I (Marlinda) have only breastfed one baby in my life and that was rough. Could you imagine having to provide nutrients for 6??
Cat protein requirements are as follows:
- Kittens need 10g of crude protein and 4g of fat (total)
- Adult cats (9lbs and under) need 12.5g of crude protein and 5.5g of fat (total) from 250 calories worth of food
- Nursing and Pregnant Mothers need 41g of crude protein and 12g of fat (total) for 4 kittens
- And I’m not sure about you but the cats here can have big litters and some will nurse other kittens as well. Feed them mamas!!
What Is Crude Protein?
Crude protein (or crude fat, fiber, etc.) can sound legit and/or cause confusion depending on how you look at it but its actually pretty simple really. Crude protein just means that the protein has gone through a process in a laboratory that chemically measures the amount of protein present in the protein source, food, etc.
It doesn’t mean that the source is better or worse for your cat. It doesn’t really say anything about the quality of ingredients.
If you want to learn more about the crude protein, fat, or other ingredients in your cat’s food be sure to look for the ‘Guaranteed Analysis’ section that is usually on or near the nutritional facts label.
Other Nutrients Your Cat Needs
Of course, your cat does need more than just protein. It also needs:
- carbohydrates which it can only get from its food and provide energy
- fats that also provide energy and assist with other important metabolic functions like transporting nutrients around its body
- Linoleic and arachidonic acids are cats essential fatty acids in addition to DHA which helps with better vision, reproductive health and a stronger immune system
- minerals that create a host of vital reactions in your cat’s body that controls pH levels, nutrient utilization, enzyme formation, etc.
- calcium, chloride, chromium, cobalt, copper, fluorine, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, silicon, sodium, sulfur, and zinc should be present in cat food
- vitamins are very different than minerals (I used to think they are one and the same). They are responsible for normal growth and regulating your cat’s metabolism. They can be fat-soluble or water-soluble but below are the ones you need to be aware of.
- Fat-soluble vitamins include A, D, E, and K. Water-soluble vitamins include C and the B complex.
- water is essential for all life. It is true that cats need little water BUT that’s only because they usually get enough from raw meat they eat. Since they are eating dry cat food, you will need to put out a bowl of freshwater for them every day (or every other day just depends on the weather and other environmental factors. Bottom line, it needs to be clean)
Serving Cat Food To Outdoor Cats
One thing I want you to know before feeding your outdoor cat dry cat food is that it is much harder for cats to digest than wet cat food. In other words, it takes more energy.
Especially if you live in a particularly harsh environment, you might want to consider mixing wet cat food in with it. This way, their bodies can focus more energy on producing heat to stay warm outside in the cold since wet food is easier to digest than dry food.
Mix anywhere from half to three-quarters of dry food to half or a quarter of wet food. In other words either use a 1:1 ratio or a 3:1 ratio dry cat food to wet cat food.
For example, if you use 1 cup of dry cat food, mix in a cup of wet cat food. If you choose the latter ratio, mix a quarter cup of wet cat food per 1 cup of dry food.
If it doesn’t make sense, please feel free to engage with us in the comments 🙂
10 Best Dry Cat Foods For Outdoor Cats
1. Purina Cat Chow Naturals Grain-Free With Real Chicken Adult Dry Cat Food
I’ve seen many a cat food go untouched by outside cats. This cat food is LOVED by pets and what we personally use here at Outdoor Cat Houses to feed our outside cats.
I’ve come across many picky cats but they have never rejected this food. I’ve even had a cat with stomach issues that needed sensitive stomach foods eat this cat food.
It’s about the most affordable, grain-free cat food that you’re gonna find with well-balanced nutrition. Your outdoor cats will not go hungry anymore when you feed them this cat food.
Here’s the breakdown of the Purina Cat Chow Naturals Grain-Free With Real Chicken Adult Dry Cat Food:
Weight: available in 6.3 lbs, 13 lb, and 4 x 3.15 lb bags
Grain-Free: Yes
Meat Source: Chicken
Flavors: Chicken
Artificial Ingredients: No artificial colors, flavors or preservatives
Made In The USA? Yes
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon
What people are saying about the Purina Cat Chow Naturals Grain-Free With Real Chicken Adult Dry Cat Food:
My cats LOVE this food.. I have two cats.. one in particular if a finicky eater, meaning she throws up a LOT, lol. This cat food really agrees with her sensitive stomach. – Excerpt from JP’s Review on Amazon
My cat was vomiting every day. I did research and found this to be the best for the money. Its been 4 weeks and he hasn’t vomited once since i switched. He’s happy with a healthy coat. – Angela Tuck
Rachael Ray Nutrish Super Premium Dry Cat Food
It’s hard these days to go anywhere without seeing some famous person’s product on the shelves. You think to yourself is this crap or is this the real deal?
Well friend, when it comes to Rachael Ray’s cat food line it certainly is the best of the best. Of course, it is or it wouldn’t be on this list, haha!
Though it does not claim to be grain-free it is made with cats in mind by leaving out ingredients that are harmful or just not necessary for your cat like wheat, soy and animal by-product meal.
We also enjoy the fact that portions of every bag sold goes to the Racheal Ray Foundation which helps animals in need. Thank you Rachael for not only making this wonderful food but also helping animals in need! We love you!!!
Here’s the breakdown of the Rachael Ray Nutrish Super Premium Dry Cat Food:
Weight: available in 3 lbs, 6 lb, and 14 lb bags
Grain-Free: not marketed as such but does not contain:
- Ground corn
- Wheat
- Soy
- Poultry by-product meal or fillers
- Artificial flavors or preservatives
Meat Source: Depends on the flavor. Salmon for salmon. Chicken for chicken
Flavors: Chicken & Brown Rice, Salmon & Brown Rice
Artificial Ingredients: No artificial flavors or preservatives
Made In The USA? Yes, ‘safely cooked’ in the US as per the bag
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon
How others are helping strays with Rachael Ray Nutrish Super Premium Dry Cat Food:
We have 3 cats and feed 4 strays so price is important, but not as important as feeding them decent food. One of my cats has digestive issues and most food upsets her stomach and fills the house with terrible smells. This does not. In fact my son sometimes forgets to clean the litter because it doesn’t stink much. – Carolyn Tingle
I’ve been feeding 2 stray cats for a year. When I changed to this food, I noticed that they filled out and looked healthier. – K. A. Hadley
3. Diamond Naturals INDOOR Real Meat Recipe Dry Cat Food with Real Cage Free Chicken Protein
If you are concerned about the source of protein in the cat food you are feeding to your outdoor cats, this is a good option for you! The source of the protein makes all the difference especially when every bit of nutrients count to your survival.
Diamonds Naturals cat food is made with cage-free chicken. That means the chickens are raised in a stress-free environment which, to make a long story short and get straight to the point, produces better quality meat.
It also contains superfoods, prebiotic fiber that makes it easy to digest and more!
Truth be told it is a little more than the lesser quality cat foods BUT not by much! Which is why we recommend this one. You just can’t beat that price for better quality because especially in these winter months, your cats need all of the extra nutrients they can get!
Here’s the breakdown of the Diamond Naturals INDOOR Real Meat Dry Cat Food:
Weight: available in 6 lb and 18 lb bags
Grain-Free: not marketed as such but does not contain:
- Corn
- Wheat
- Fillers
- Artificial flavors, colors or preservatives
Essentially, this is grain-free.
Meat Source: Chicken
Flavors: Chicken
Artificial Ingredients: No artificial flavors, colors or preservatives
Made In The USA? Yes, and family-owned & operated! 😀
Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon
How others are helping strays with Diamond Naturals INDOOR Real Meat Dry Cat Food:
So happy I found this cat food... A stray cat claimed me about 18 months ago.. Bodhi came with all kinds of allergies and fungi… It took months to discover what would trigger his allergies, fish, most grains such as corn and soy, and chemicals are the culprits… Diamond Naturals and a little creme cheese is the only thing Bodhi can eat.
He loves it… He is big boned and 21 lbs yet only eats a little over a 1/2 cup a day...Since he eats less the price turns out to be more reasonable than the junk cat food with corn fillers and most important the quality is excellent and highly digestible. He does not throw the food up – sparrow
Been feeding it for years, cats stay healthy and we have a feral cat that’s 18 yrs old, not saying it’s the food but it sure don’t hurt! – GCRedfisher
4. Purina ONE Healthy Kitten Formula Kitten Food
If you can’t afford a good cat food, your secret weapon might be a good or decent kitten food. Often times, nursing mothers are normally put on kitten food for the same reason.
More bang for your bowl you could say. And when it comes to outside cats the same rule applies especially again for nursing mothers and kittens.
When I first started feeding stray dogs and cats (yes, I can’t stand to see any living thing hungry. Dogs, cats, people, PLANTS, you name it, I’ll feed’em) this is the exact kitten food I used.
No, it’s not grain-free (it claims 0% fillers) but it is decent. And decent does a lot for our furry friends in need. A LOT better than the cheap, crappy adult foods. Sometimes, decent is all you can do and that’s the best choice for their benefit as well.
I’m so proud and happy that you’re taking the time to care for the kitties in your area. You should feel amazing too!
Here’s the breakdown of the Purina ONE Healthy Kitten Formula Kitten Food:
Weight: available in 3.5 lbs, 7lb, and 16 lb bags
Grain-Free: they claim ‘0% fillers’ but to me, that doesn’t say grain-free. You can take it as you see fit.
Meat Source: Real chicken is #1 ingredient can also contain fish products or other meat
Flavors: Chicken
Artificial Ingredients: Yes
Made In The USA? Not stated
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon
How others are helping strays with Purina ONE Healthy Kitten Formula Kitten Food:
I have taken in a stray kitten and I didn’t have any experience with cats so I did some research and decided on this brand. My kitten LOVES it! Even a 2nd stray cat has shown up and has been gobbling this food down. It seems like I’m on the fast track to being a crazy cat lady. Perhaps this food is partially to blame? – Les’s Amazon Review
My stray cat and the litter of kittens love this – Teresa
5. Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Mother & Babycat Dry Cat Food
If you live in snowy areas or ones that are particularly cold where your cat will need the extra nutrients, this is one of the best choices you will find. It is packed with nutrients, antioxidants, and minerals that are important to cat survival.
It is also easy to chew and digest which means your cat won’t have to use up extra energy processing it which means their body can use it to stay warmer instead. This one is a bit pricey but you do get your money’s worth.
If necessary, you can always ask neighbors for donations. Honestly, the last thing anyone wants in their backyard is a corpse. And a well-fed cat will also be less destructive to their properties. So it’s a win-win situation for all parties involved.
If you’re not the type of person to go around asking for funds, which is totally understandable, you can mix it with another cat food. Remember, this stuff is packed with nutrients. Adding it to another cat food won’t hurt.
Here’s the breakdown of the Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Mother & Babycat Dry Cat Food:
Weight: available in 3.5 lbs and 7lbs
Grain-Free: no
Meat Source: Chicken
Flavors: Chicken
Artificial Ingredients: Not specified
Made In The USA? Not specified
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon
How others are helping strays with Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Mother & Babycat Dry Cat Food:
Expensive But Preferred – Family of stray cats and kittens LOVE this. – Angela
…the feral mama cat who had her babies in my yard can’t seem to eat enough of this stuff. Hopefully the kittens like it too as they start weaning… – DB
6. Purina Friskies Dry Cat Food, Gravy Swirlers
Realistically speaking, cat populations can be pretty big or/and they can get there rather quickly. When you are feeding a large number of cats, the cost of the food really does matter.
But I will tell you that I’ve seen many piles of cat food go uneaten because the cat food is complete garbage. Cats will not eat anything low in protein.
This is why I love the Purina brand in general. They give you the best quality possible in all of their cat food ranges.
This Friskies brand is a favorite of mine when things get tough and I know your cats will love it too. It will still provide your cats with the nutrients they need to survive in outdoor climates while keeping things comfortable for your capabilities as well.
I will also caution you about salmon flavor. Contrary to popular belief, cats are not adapted to eating fish. They don’t even like water! Therefore many cats will not eat fish-flavored cat foods.
From my personal experience, I have had indoor cats who refuse to eat fish but have had no problems with outdoor cats. I just thought I would mention it so that you can be best informed to make your decision.
Here’s the breakdown of the Purina Friskies Dry Cat Food, Gravy Swirlers:
Weight: picture says 22lbs but the listing says 27lbs. Personally, I can’t say I’ve ever seen a 27 lbs bag of cat food. Also, if you prepare for less but get more its a pleasant surprise, however, if you expect more and get less its a disappointment. So I would go with 22 lbs to heir on the side of caution 🙂
Grain-Free: no
Meat Source: Chicken, fish and other meats
Flavors: Chicken and salmon
Artificial Ingredients: Yes
Made In The USA? Yes
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon
How others are helping strays with Purina Friskies Dry Cat Food, Gravy Swirlers:
We have cats in our neighborhood who visit a feeder we installed on the side of our fence, and we use this food to supplement their home feeds and to have available for any strays. The bowls are usually empty each day so I know they enjoy it. Pricing is comparable with Walmart and delivery from Amazon makes it easier. – Kel T.’s Amazon Review
Got this to feed the outside strays. They seem to like it. Good value for the price. Even my own cats try to get into the bag so it must smell and taste pretty good. – A. Drewes
7. Purina 25 Lb Complete Cat Chow
A bag full of goodness is what you should call this cat food. It will provide your strays with 25 essential vitamins and minerals at a very reasonable price.
I used to use this for my cats but they did not eat it, however, that does not omit the fact that it is good cat food. Outdoor cats are much less picky than indoor cats.
The most important part is that they get in the right nutrients. Animals are more instinctual driven and in tune with their bodies needs. This means that they will eat food as long as it is good for them!
Here’s the breakdown of the Purina 25 Lb Complete Cat Chow:
Weight: 25 lbs
Grain-Free: no0
Meat Source: Unsure
Flavors: Great taste? haha!
Artificial Ingredients: Likely
Made In The USA? Yes
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon
How others are helping strays with Purina 25 Lb Complete Cat Chow:
I’m definitely not a cat lover by any perception, but I was finally “coerced” into going against my vow of “(I’m) never feeding those @#$% cats!” by a pregnant feral that wouldn’t stop sitting in front of my home @ dinner time staring at the front door…I’m glad I selected this especially for the claims of helping their coat because the three kittens have grown into very healthy looking “puff balls” that appear to have coats that keep them warm through the 40 degree and lower, FLA. winter nights. – Excerpt from Frankly Speaking’s Amazon Review
my outside cats love this food. – Ron B.
8. Purina Kit & Kaboodle Indoor Dry Cat Food
As far as cheap price goes, this is about as low as I will recommend. I honestly don’t buy or use this brand and have never had a good experience with cats when I tried it.
However, what is affordable for you is affordable for you and this is an option that many other cat saviors use. Just be aware that if you live in a harsher part of the country, it will not give your cat nearly enough nutrients as it will need to survive.
Also, be aware that you have to feed ONE cat double and up to triple what some of the other brands recommend. Cats can only eat so much at one time.
If you’re on a tight budget or a pinch this will work temporarily but on a permanent basis, you might want to consider something more beneficial to your cats.
Here’s the breakdown of the Purina Kit & Kaboodle Indoor Dry Cat Food:
Weight: 16 lbs
Grain-Free: no
Meat Source: chicken and other animal product
Flavors: Great taste? haha!
Artificial Ingredients: Likely
Made In The USA? Yes
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon
How others are helping strays with Purina Kit & Kaboodle Indoor Dry Cat Food:
I’m always buying bags of cat food to feed the stray cats in my neighborhood. My stray‘s just love Kit and Kaboodle and eat all of it up in no time flat. I used to buy Meow Mix, but I was just wasting my money. If you feed a lot of cats or have picky eaters, then give Kit and Kaboodle a try, you’ll be amazed. It’s also a great value for the price. – The Texas Reviewer’s Amazon Review
Bought for my feral cats. They love it – Beverly G.
9. Iams Proactive Health Adult Dry Cat Food
Do you struggle to cat your cat to eat anything? Then you might want to switch brands altogether.
This cat food is formulated with salmon and tuna. Most of the others only have chicken.
I also like this one because it is ‘Healthy Adult’ not to be confused with ‘Healthy Weight’. No, we don’t want these cats to go on a diet.
We need them to put on and keep on weight. Not unhealthy amounts, but be just right.
Here’s the breakdown of the Iams Proactive Health Adult Dry Cat Food:
Weight: 7 lbs and 16 lbs
Grain-Free: no
Meat Source:
Flavors: chicken and salmon & tuna
Artificial Ingredients: No artificial preservatives, synthetic dyes, and no wheat
Made In The USA? Not sure
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon
How others are helping strays with Iams Proactive Health Adult Dry Cat Food:
I bought this to feed outside stray cats and the raccoons that come around. I try not to buy the cheapest food for them. There are about 5 cats that can come around and there is a family of coons; 2 adults and 4 kids that are so darn cute. They get hungry too. – Nancy
my stray ferreal cat loves iams 🙂 its MR WADDLES approved lol. – MCAS EL TORO JARHEAD
10. Meow Mix Original Choice Dry Cat Food
Ok…ok. I know I said Kit and Kaboodle is the cheapest I would recommend but if you reeeaaallllyyy need to, then this cat food might be an option for you.
In a tight pinch…a VERY TIGHT PINCH!
I’ve seen piles of this cat food go uneaten and it has very little nutritional value or substance. Remember I told you how cats won’t touch food that isn’t nutritious for them.
This is one. However, not all cats are picky. Hungry cats WILL eat this but I just need you to understand that it is not very nutrient-rich or good for them. So even though you may mean well by feeding it to them, you should really see this cat chow as a temporal option.
Thanks for caring and hopefully you understand what I’m saying. Please do not thin I’m trying to be harsh on you because I TOTALLY understand.
Here’s the breakdown of the Meow Mix Original Choice Dry Cat Food:
Weight: 3.15 lbs, 6.3 lbs, 16 lbs, 22 lbs, 30 lb, 3 x 3.15 lbs, 4 x 3.15 lbs, and 6 x 18 oz
Grain-Free: no
Meat Source: variety of meats
Flavors: variety of meats
Artificial Ingredients: Yes
Made In The USA? Yes
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon
How others are helping strays with Meow Mix Original Choice Dry Cat Food:
I have several strays that creep around my place, which I am okay with as they keep any vermin or rabbits out of my yard and garden. I feed them this as it is $7 cheaper on Amazon than at my local store for the same size bag! They seem to really prefer this to the other off brand cat or dog foods i have left out for them before. – Brian Alpine
Got this for the strays around my shop. Massive bag lasts about a dozen cats (and one rogue raccoon)for 2 or 3 weeks – Justin
I hope this has given you a good idea of the many options you have to feed the outdoor cats in your area. If you have any questions, comments or anything to add to this, please feel free to engage in the comments below!
See you next time 🙂
Marlinda
Thank you for another great post about cats and cat food! I was very happy to see that you had put Rachel Ray’s cat food on here because that is the one I have been using for years now!
I can attest that this cat food is the best and I highly recommend it to everyone who has a cat! It is relatively cheap too, which is helpful to many of us!
Hey Jessie!
Thanks so much for your comment and for sharing your experience with us. I hope it helps others to make a better-informed decision.
Take care and look forward to connecting further,
Marlinda
Thanks a lot for such an amazing review about The Best Dry Cat Food For Outdoor Cats and explanations are given.
I have a cat and often as I rush to work I don’t have much time to give him a good meal so I put him in a bowl outside. I have read many articles about cat food, but this is the best. I will definitely order one of the foods for my cat.
Thanks again and keep in touch.
Hey RazvanIlie!
Thanks for your comment and for taking a few seconds of time to leave food for your outside cat. If you have any questions please let me know. I would love to hear which one you ended up choosing as well!
Take care,
Marlinda
Thank you so much for sharing with us such a beautiful article. I have a beautiful cat and this is a very good friend of mine. When I go out, I put him outside for a little while.
But when I go out I am very worried about his food because I want to eat healthily and be healthy. I was thinking about some good dry food for this and was looking for an article.
I would like to buy two dry foods from your article’s Purina Kit & Kaboodle Indoor Dry Cat Food and Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Mother & Babycat Dry Cat Food for my cat and I think it is health agreeable.
Looking forward to a more informative article like this in the future. And put your article in the collection for the future.
Hey Shanta!
Thanks for sharing about your cat. I’m glad that you are taking the time to learn about good nutrition for him and make an informed decision. I hope she enjoys her new food but be sure to transition her properly.
If you need assistance please let me know!
Take care,
Marlinda
Well, cats and food…
My aunt owns a cat. And it’s not your average cat. It is a fat cat. It also only plays on its back. And it might chase a ball extremely rarely.
The thing about this cat, is that it eats only a specific brand of wet cat food. If you give him anything else, he won’t eat it. Period.
Another peculiar thing about this cat is that it won’t eat unless someone is standing over it while saying sweet words like: “What a good kitty…” and things of that nature. At first it was a street cat, which later was domesticated. Do you have any idea why he behaves this way?
I loved the remark that your dogs vacuum up piles of cat food. I also loved all of the nutrient information that you provided about what keeps cats healthy.
Thanks.
Hey Mikhail!
Thanks for sharing with us about your aunt’s sweet cat. I will write an article about this as I have multiple thoughts and theories.
One of the biggest being his weight. What stands out to me as a big red flag is that it only plays on its back.
Cats feel very vulnerable on their backs and although showing their belly IS a good thing, extended play is not.
My thought is that its weight is crushing its organs. Especially in play because there is more force.
The second red flag for me is digestion issues which are commonly linked to obesity. Crushed organs will also have a tough time functioning properly. Wet food is a lot easier to digest than dry food.
Has she ever taken him to the vet? What did they say?
As for the eating habit, she’s taught him that he needs that to eat. It became part of eating so he feels that it’s not time to eat until she does it. Maybe she felt sorry for him and did it all the time as a kitten. I’m not sure but it is definitely a taught habit now.
Hope this helps 🙂
Marlinda
Hi,
I have three cats, they are mostly outside (I have a large property), but two of them sometimes go inside. I feed them outside. They have their food bowls on top of a fridge that stands outside in a patio (so it’s safely out of reach of the dogs 😉 ).
When I read your list of recommended cat foods, I’m glad I saw Purina among them, because that’s what I buy the most. I didn’t see Whiskas on your list, and I hardly ever buy it, but Purina is one of my favorites.
Diamond Naturals is also very good. I alternate the dry food with wet food. In the morning I top up the dry food bowls and I leave it for them all day and night, whenever they feel like eating, and in the evening they get a pouch of wet cat food, which they love.
Since my cats are always moving around, it is ok to leave the food out. They get plenty of exercise, so there is no danger of them putting on too much weight 😉
I saw your comment about vegan cats. I am a vegan, but my cats are not, they are obviously carnivores, so I feed them meat. I don’t want to force them on a diet that is not good for them. There are many vegans who feed their cats vegan cat food which has added taurine and protein and other minerals, I believe ( I never did much research about vegan cat food) and they swear it works well, but I have not tried it, and I just stick to their natural diet. Cats are obligate carnivores, I don’t want to mess with that.
I always make sure that my cats have enough water to drink. Your article is very useful and it has many great tips.
Hey Christine!
Thanks so much for sharing your experience and taking care of your three outdoor/indoor cats! That’s so good of you.
I’ve never tried Whiskas but its about the same quality as Friskies on my list.
As far as vegan food goes, whether its added or there as part of the meat, it still comes from meat. Maybe they can synthesize it in labs or something but as far as I know, from being in the field for many years and staying pretty up to date, the synthetic versions still do not work like the natural versions.
I am glad to hear that you respect your cat’s needs.
Thanks again and take care,
Marlinda
I love your post and many of us like cats and dogs. I have a cat of my own, but I used to feed it a regular diet because he was sick most of the time. I rarely feed him dry food.
My cat is here in the cold and snowy areas where I live and that’s why my cat needs extra nutrition. In order for him to get it, I noticed in your post the Royal Canine Line Health Nutrition Mother and Babycare Dry Food. I think it Will Be Best for My Cats.
Hey Shariful!
Thanks for sharing your caring for the cats in your area. Especially in the cold when they are most vulnerable.
I hope he enjoys the cat food. If he has trouble with that try mixing it with wet food or getting sensitive stomach formulas.
Take care and keep it up!
Marlinda
I truly need to initially value your effort in assembling this incredible site and composing this article. I really liked this article. Thanks for sharing a useful and informative post, as you share valuable information.
I have a baby cat. Do you think Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Mother & Babycat Dry Cat Food will be good for my little cat? Can I give it to my baby cat?
Thank you so much for sharing a beautiful article.
Hey Sabrina!
Thanks for your comment and question. As long as the kitten is able to eat solid food, you can give it to it. If it is transitioning to hard food, soak it in water or kitten milk formula. Contrary to popular belief, cow’s milk is not the best milk for kittens. You can find kitten milk at pet stores or online.
Hope this helps and please feel free to ask further questions if you have them! 🙂
Take care and thanks for caring,
Marlinda
Hi
Thank you very much for writing this detailed review of the best dry cat food to buy. When you are selecting food for your cat you want the best for them, so that it has the right balance of nutrients, proteins, and fats to enable them to be at their healthiest.
You are right there is no point penny pinching to find your cat turn its nose up at the end but then again there is no point spending a lot to find yourself in the same boat. We need to understand our cats and their preferences before making any choice.
I think your choices are excellent and that my cat will enjoy them.
Which of the food you recommend is better for older cats?
Thanks
Antonio
Hey Antonio!
Thanks for your comment and question. Yes, it is important that we understand our cats and their preferences.
Some are picky while others will eat just about any and everything you give them! lol
As for older cats, you want to definitely feed them good quality foods that are high in protein, especially taurine. You want something that is going to support heart health as they age.
According to PetSmart, you should, feed senior cats a dry food that’s 10% fat to 28% protein, or wet food that’s 4% fat, and 8% protein.
A good example is this senior cat food by Nutro. Click here to learn more.
Hope this helps and thanks for caring,
Marlinda
Hi! Thanks so much for the suggestions. I’m always on the lookout for various ideas for my cat colony.
I take care of many outdoor cats, including some barn cats I ‘adopted’ from situations where they had to leave their outdoor home and are completely feral. I do agree with a lot of your suggestions, actually.
Most of the Purina brands are cheap enough to be affordable for someone feeding stray cats and yet healthy enough you’re not harming them.
Except for two things: Cats actually don’t need carbohydrates and in fact, they’re starting to believe that too many carbs in a cat’s diet lead to diabetes and obesity in cats simply because they don’t actually need many if any carbs. Something to do with the only carbs they would ever consume in the wild would be the stomach contents of their prey. (Though don’t tell my cat Buddy he’s not supposed to eat grains or sugary stuff as he steals the horses’ sweet feed for some reason. Pretty sure it’s not good for him at all! The oats are fine, but some of the rest is pure sugar and carbs!)
Secondly, while I don’t know how well Rachel Ray’s products are health-wise (though the ingredient list is awesome), my cats won’t touch the wet food varieties at ALL. Not even a little bit. They’ll slurp up the juice and leave the rest.
I feed dry food regularly, except at night, and wet food 2x a day. I also care for over 16 cats and foster kittens, so I definitely couldn’t afford the high-end ones. (Plus spay and neuter surgeries of my fosters and vet bills for the rest).
Luckily, none of mine have stomach issues, so I stick with Friskies or Purina Cat Chow! Healthy enough they get what they need, they all like it, and no one has digestion issues.
Hey Selenity!
Wow, you take care of a bunch of cats! Thanks so much for helping so much cats even with your own resources.
As for carbs, cats do need a tiny bit of carbs. Yes, in the wild they would get it from the prey they eat. That is a very small amount when you think of the stomachs of rodents.
I also have a problem with a cat that just seems drawn to carbs. One of my indoor cats, if she’s getting into anything its carbs like bread, bran cereal, etc. I feed her grain-free Purina and have had her since she was a kitten.
It baffles me because she will eat and eat and eat. Usually, animals are more in tune with their bodies so it seems like at times she needs more carbs.
The others aren’t like that though and they all eat the regular food I give them. Maybe there’s some sort of rare gene that causes them to need more carbs or something. Where it’s very very out of the ordinary to happen.
I guess we’ll just have to see as cat researchers find out more. In the meantime, I’ll have to keep my breads and cereals in the fridge, haha!
Thanks again and keep up the good work!
Marlinda
Hi Davis Family!
Thanks for this article, I love it.
You have provided so much information and detail and guidance on what is the Best Dry Food For Outdoor Cats. It is evident how much you care about your animals, by the way you have gone into so much detail to help others to know what’s best.
I certainly feel a lot more educated on what I can give to a cat should I see it alone and hungry.
Thank you for taking the time to provide such an in-depth post.
Hey Chezstar!
Thanks for taking the time to read our guide on The Best Cat Food for Outdoor Cats. We are so glad you found value in this information!
If you ever have any questions about caring for outside cats please be sure to ask us in the comments of any post or through our contact form in the main menu.
Take care & thank you for caring for outdoor cats in your area!
The Davis Family
Hey Marlanda,
In my opinion, your post is like the hunt of the perfect nutrition for outdoor feline friends! I felt like I’m landed in the right spot.
At Outdoor Cat Houses, you’re all about providing for our adventurous kitty companions. Thank you for offering this kind of variety and clarifications about the perfect kind of food.
While shelters are crucial, let’s not forget the significance of nourishment and hydration. Water might be less of a concern, given our feline friends’ resourcefulness, but when it comes to food, the story thickens.
As winter approaches, ensuring a steady supply of food becomes vital for maintaining that cozy coat and generating extra warmth.
Thank you for this valuable information!
Hey there,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts in this comment. We appreciate your love & support.
If you have any questions or other concerns please feel free to respectfully leave them in the comments or get in touch with us through our contact form.
If you are looking for our cat house ideas read our recommendations on the Best Heated Outdoor Cat Houses especially seeing, as you mentioned, cold weather is just around the corner!
Click Here To See Our Recommendations for the 10 Best Heated Outdoor Cat Houses” >>Click Here To See Our Recommendations for the 10 Best Heated Outdoor Cat Houses
This is a topic of great relevance, as Outdoor Cats often have specific dietary needs due to their active lifestyles.
It’s important for cat owners to provide nutrition that supports their feline friends’ health and energy levels while they explore the outdoors.
This website appears to be a valuable resource for those seeking information on selecting the right dry cat food to meet these unique requirements.
Hey there,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts in this comment.
If you have any questions or other concerns please feel free to respectfully leave them in the comments or get in touch with us through our contact form.
Just to let you know, we specialize in Outdoor Cat Houses & recommend your next step to be to read our recommendations on the Best Heated Outdoor Cat Houses especially seeing cold weather is just around the corner at the time of this writing!
>Click Here To See Our Recommendations for the 10 Best Heated Outdoor Cat Houses
9 Lives Daily Essentials #1 ingredient is CORN. That’s not right. You must be getting paid to advertise for 9 Lives.
Hey Sarah,
While I understand your point about ingredients, feeding outside cats can be quite costly. For the price it is decent and a lot better than even the regular 9 Lives.
Is it the best non-gmo, grain-free and all that? No. But neither is it feasible to feed large populations of cats that food either. If you’ve got the budget for it, more power to you and I’m happy for you and your cats. As for us and others we know, we just don’t have that type of money.
So in the price range & for these purposes, it is a pretty decent cat food. The cats choose it over other cat food and they are vibrant, healthy animals.
This is not a sponsored video. We only make money if someone clicks through the link and purchases something immediately from Amazon. That’s what we use to make money to provide for the outside cats in our area & believe me, its not that much.
If you’d like to make a donation, you can reach out to us through our Contact Page but full disclosure, we’re NOT a charitable organization.
This was great information about The Best Dry Cat Food for Outdoor Cats!
Hey Mandy,
We’re glad you enjoyed this information.
Please let us know if you need any further assitance.
Take care,
The Outdoor Cat Houses Team
This guide was incredibly helpful. I always find myself lost in the pet aisle, so it’s great to see which dry foods actually stand out for outdoor cats. I appreciate how you pointed out the importance of higher protein levels and the right balance of nutrients, especially since outdoor cats can be a lot more active. Now I feel much more confident about choosing the best option for my furry friend—thanks for making it so easy to understand!
So glad you found the guide helpful! It can definitely be overwhelming with all the options out there, but you’ve got this! Your outdoor kitty is lucky to have someone who cares so much about their nutrition. If you ever have more questions, we’re here to help. Happy feeding!
Choosing the best dry cat food for outdoor cats is an important topic, especially considering their unique dietary needs compared to indoor cats. One aspect I find intriguing is the balance between protein content and caloric density. Since outdoor cats tend to be more active, do they require a significantly higher calorie intake, or is the protein ratio more crucial for sustained energy?
I also wonder about the differences in nutritional requirements across various climates. For example, do cats in colder environments benefit from higher fat content in their diet to help with insulation and energy reserves? On the flip side, do warm-weather cats require a different balance of nutrients?
Great questions! Outdoor cats do tend to burn more calories than their indoor counterparts, so a higher caloric intake is important. The protein ratio is crucial too since it supports muscle maintenance and overall energy.
For colder climates, a higher fat content can indeed help with insulation and sustained energy. In warmer climates, hydration is key, so moisture-rich food or a diet that supports water retention can be beneficial.
We’ll be diving deeper into these factors in an upcoming article, so stay tuned!