Cat food delivery services cut out one of the worst parts of pet ownership: those frequent trips to the pet store for your fuzzy friend’s favorite foods. Subscription services offer a convenient alternative, and with a few clicks, you can get regular deliveries of high-quality meals.
Of course, that’s only one of the benefits. Many cat food services offer formulas that you won’t find on store shelves — from grain-free kibble to raw diets, you’ll find an incredible selection of healthy options online. With that said, choosing a cat food subscription can be difficult, particularly if you’re a new pet owner or you’ve never looked into different types of feline diets.
Every year, we ask our readers to share their top recommended subscriptions of all types. Then we ask our experts to share what they know about each subscription to make it easy for you to know which subscription is right for you. Below, you’ll find our insights for shopping cat food subscription boxes and see readers’ top choices for the purrfect cat food delivery service, taking into account factors like cost and ease of use, as well as options for wet and dry foods.
What To Look For When Shopping for Cat Food Subscription Boxes
There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to cat food subscription boxes. Not only do you as the human have to take into account things like cost, ease of use, and what works best for your lifestyle (hey, no judgment here if you can't stand the sight of wet food), but you also have to take into account the fact that you are feeding a member of your family who communicates in ways other than words. If you don't want to spend a bunch of money on new food only for them to turn their nose up at it, one of the boxes that offer a starter box or trial kit may be something that appeals to you. Or, if your kitty has allergies or any dietary concerns, you want to make sure you find a subscription that aligns with what those dietary needs are. If you're looking for a cat food subscription that can deliver prescription food for your feline friend, there's a subscription for that too. The first step is determining which factors are most important to you and your cat. The second step is to read the rest of this list.
The Winners for Best Cat Food Subscription Boxes
Read on for our reader’s recommendations for the best cat food subscriptions currently available. If we missed anything, drop us a comment. If you’ve tried one of these services, be sure to leave a quick review (even if you had a poor experience — your review can help other readers avoid subscription remorse).
1. Smalls
Best Cat Food Subscription Box With A Trial Plan Available
Image from our review.
What's In This Cat Food Subscription:
Smalls serves up healthy, human-grade food for cats and can be considered your one-stop pet shop as it also sells cat toys, treats, and litter. When you first sign up for Smalls, you’ll answer a few questions about your cat and then Smalls will ship a trial to your doorstep so your beloved feline can sample each flavor and texture. Once your cat has figured out which meals are his or her favorites, you can then update your full subscription and next box through the Account Portal and customize item quantities, shipping frequencies, and more.
You can choose meal plans to meet your pet’s health goals (for instance, they offer weight loss options). Smalls also offers toys, treats, and litter, so they’re a one-stop-shop for cat owners. We really recommend their “Liquid Gold” (chicken broth) add-on, which helps to make the transition to a new food a little bit easier.
Type of Cat Food: Freshly cooked food, freeze-dried raw food, and dry kibble options.
Pros
- High-protein food made using only USDA-certified, humanely-harvested, and sustainably-sourced ingredients
- Both fresh and freeze-dried meals contain veggies to mimic what cats would naturally be eating in the wild
- Trial plan lets you see if your cat will enjoy the food before committing to a larger purchase
- The Cat Concierge team is available by both text and email
Cons
- Only three flavors are available for fresh or raw meals
- Difficult to find a set pricing structure on their website
- The selection of toys and treat add-ons is limited
Ships to: The 48 contiguous states.
2. Primal Pet Foods
Best Freeze-Dried Raw Food Subscription
Image from Primal Pet Foods.
What's In This Cat Food Subscription:
Primal Pet Foods include meat organs farmed without antibiotics, hormones, or steroids. Ground bone is added for calcium supplementation, along with a species-appropriate amount of minerals, unrefined vitamins, and organic produce. You get all the benefits of a raw ancestral diet in a highly-palatable, freeze-dried form that’s fast and easy to serve.
They use a natural preservation technique to extend the shelf life of their products; they’re still “raw,” as far as your cat’s concerned, and you’ll simply add water or broth to rehydrate the meal.
Type of cat food: Freeze-dried raw food.
Important Note: Primal Pet does not sell directly to consumers, but you can order these from Chewy and sign up for autoship to receive regular shipments.
Pros
- Grain-free formulas available
- Convenience of dry food with benefits of raw food diet
Cons
- Cannot purchase from the brand directly
- Foods tend to be high in phosphorous
Shipping: If you choose to use Chewy Autoship, shipping is free on orders over $49.
3. Cat Person
Best High Protein Cat Food Subscription Box
Image from Cat Person.
What's In This Cat Food Subscription:
Cat Person delivers easy-to-serve meals with simple ingredients. Their recipes are crafted with at least 50% more quality animal protein than the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards, and their site includes transparent descriptions of what’s in each container — you won’t find any fillers, empty carbohydrates, or artificial flavors.
Cat Person offers an array of options including paté, kibble, meat shreds in broth, and digestive support blends. We recommend experimenting with a few foods to find something that works for your pet; once you’ve found the perfect option, you can sign up for their cat food delivery subscription to stay well-stocked.
Type of cat food: Dry and wet food options.
Pros
- Meal plan includes a combined wet and dry food option
- Cat Person offers a Starter Box to try out before committing to a larger food purchase
- Cat Person also has a store for a one-stop-shop
- Edit or cancel your subscription at any time
Cons
- Price may be cost-prohibitive to some
- Some cats may be picky and refuse to eat it
Ships to: The 48 contiguous states.
4. Darwin's Natural Selections Raw Cat Food
Best Cat Food Subscription Box That Offers a Prescription Food
Image from Darwin's.
What's In This Cat Food Subscription:
Darwin’s Natural Selections cat food is 100% real meat (chicken, turkey, or lamb) and contains no animal by-products or fillers. This grain-free meal provides complete balanced nutrition and helps to ensure your cat lives a long, healthy life.
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means that they need meat to survive, and Darwin’s Natural Selections uses pasture-raised, cage-free meats to cut out antibiotics, steroids, and artificial hormones.
Darwin’s also offers Intelligent Design™ Veterinary Formulas, which require a prescription from a veterinarian. These specialized meals are designed to provide extra support to cats with specific health issues (such as kidney disease) or food allergies.
While we’re covering plenty of natural pet foods on this list, Darwin’s Natural Selections focuses on providing raw cat food with ethically sourced ingredients. There’s minimal processing, and the brand claims that its products can help fight skin problems, allergies, and certain other health problems.
Type of Cat Food: Raw food.
Pros
- Ethically-sourced ingredients
- Regular and prescription formulas available
- Unique protein options like lamb available
Cons
- Some formulas are high in phosphorous which isn't good for cats with kidney issues
- Weekly price can get expensive depending on protein choice
Ships to: The 48 contiguous states.
5. Bobcat Raw Food
Best Cat Food Subscription With a Local Delivery Option
Image from Bobcat Raw Food.
What's In This Cat Food Subscription:
Made in Texas, Bobcat meals are complete, balanced, and packaged in 32 oz chubs. This is another raw food option, though Bobcat adds in essential vitamins and minerals to meet your cat’s dietary requirements. All formulations meet or exceed AAFCO standards. The company recommends feeding an adult cat two pouches per day.
All Bobcat Raw Food meals are handmade in small batches, and you can place an individual order to determine whether this is the right service for your kitty. You’ll save 2% with the subscription option. At this time, Bobcat doesn’t ship to Alaska or Hawaii.
Type of Cat Food: Raw food.
Pros
- Small batch food using only human-grade ingredients
- Unique formulas like rabbit and elk available
- Local hand-delivery is available in Houston, Texas
Cons
- Food is not preportioned
- While food should arrive cold, it may not always arrive frozen
Ships to: The 48 contiguous states.
6. Savage Cat Food
Best Cat Food Subscription That Mimics Their Ancestral Diet
Image from Savage Cat Food.
What's In This Cat Food Subscription:
It’s right there in the name: Savage Cat Food is a raw cat food delivery service that attempts to match your kitty’s ancestral diet. Their meals contain real animal bone and marrow, which provide additional nutrients. Protein sources include chicken, duck, and rabbit (you’ll select one of these options when setting up your order).
Each individual packet allows for easy serving. All meals are shipped frozen with dry ice with 1-2 day delivery. Savage Cat Food also offers snacks, toys, and organic catnip, and all of their products are true to the brand — you can even order frozen quail to serve as a supplemental treat. Don’t worry, it’s not as messy as it sounds.
Type of Cat Food: Raw food.
Pros
- Food is made with chunks of real meat for advanced oral health
- All protein is sustainably and humanely sourced
- The food is free of vegetables and traditional grains
Cons
- Only three protein options are available
- Rabbit is more expensive than the chicken or duck options
- Orders are only shipped on Mondays
Ships to: The 48 contiguous states.
7. Raised Right
Best Cat Food Subscription for Small-Batch Cat Food
Image from Raised Right.
What's In This Cat Food Subscription:
Raised Right is a family-owned human-grade pet food company that works with a veterinarian, Dr. Karen Becker to make “home-cooked style” whole-food recipes for dogs & cats. Raised Right offers limited ingredient recipes that are low in carbs. Most of their recipes have less than 2% carbs because they don’t use any high-carb fillers like potato, rice, oats, yam, squash, or barley. Raised Right can proudly make the human-grade pet food claim as every ingredient in their food has passed the same standards necessary for human consumption and all their food is lightly cooked in a USDA inspected human-grade facility. Raised Right also lab safety tests every single batch they cook for pathogens like E.coli, listeria, and salmonella. For transparency, they post the results of every lab safety test on their website for everyone to see, along with a map tracing their ingredients to their source and a video showing how their food gets made.
Raised Right also offers sample boxes, so if you’re not sure whether this is the right option for you, that’s a great place to start. Meals should be kept in the refrigerator and served within six days; shipments arrive in temperature-controlled packaging and can remain frozen until you’re ready to serve.
Type of Cat Food: Fresh, cooked food.
Pros
- You can try a starter box before committing to a larger purchase
- Having every single batch lab-tested for safety is a unique feature compared to other raw food subscriptions
- Packages are sent with Carbonfree® shipping and are plastic neutral certified
Cons
- This is one of the most expensive options on the list
- Only two flavor options available for cats
Ships to: The 48 contiguous states ($9.99 for a sample box, free for a full box).
Former Option - Nom Nom Cat Food
Best Overall Cat Food Subscription Box
Image from Nom Nom.
How does this cat food subscription box work?
Nom Nom meals are custom-made for your cat based on age, weight, and allergies. The meals are portioned perfectly to keep cats satisfied without over-or under-feeding, and because Nom Nom focuses on scientifically supported recipes, even the most finicky felines will fall in love. Plus, the meals are made with real, whole ingredients like ground beef, russet potatoes, eggs, carrots, and peas.
The company cooks each meal in U.S. kitchens, shipping within days of prep for optimal freshness. Your order will arrive packed in ice, and meals can be kept frozen until you’re ready for mealtime.
Nom Nom’s foods are designed to improve your pet’s overall health. Whether you’re hoping to achieve weight goals, reduce shedding, or limit allergies, this is a fantastic cat food subscription — while it’s slightly expensive, a healthy cat is worth every penny. Subscription options include deliveries every week, every two weeks, or every four weeks.
Type of cat food: Fresh foods cooked in small batches.
Pros
- Food is cooked fresh in small batches
- Meals are pre-portioned specifically to the unique dietary needs of your cat
- Great option if your cat has allergies or other dietary concerns
Cons
- Very pricy; expect about $60-$70 per two weeks of food
- Some cat owners may not be happy with multiple plant ingredients in the formula
Shipping: is free to the contiguous 48 states.
How to Get The Most Out of Your Cat Food Subscription Once You’ve Picked
Once you’ve picked out the right box for you, follow our steps to help make sure you make the most of your new subscription:
- Make a note of when you should expect your recurring delivery. This is especially important if you're receiving fresh or frozen food and it is being shipped in the warmer months- you want to make sure you're able to bring that package in ASAP so it isn't sitting outside in the heat.
- Keep some of your current food handy. Your feline friend might not take immediately to their new cuisine, so it may help to mix the new food with some of the old as you introduce it. Plus, on the off chance there is an issue with the mail, you want to have some backup food handy so you don't have to make an emergency trip to the store for food.
Factors We Considered When Reviewing These Cat Food Subscriptions
This list features our fellow subscription fanatics’ top choices, and we can confidently recommend the subscriptions above since we’ve researched and reviewed them all. Factors we considered when reviewing these subscriptions include the cost of the cat food subscription, the types of proteins offered, the sourcing of their proteins (when brands shared that information), if trial options were available if prescription formulas were available, and whether the food was dry or wet. There is no one-size-fits-all food for all cats out there, so we wanted to round up the cat food subscriptions that encompass everything our furry friends might need.
Have you tried any of these or other cat food subscription options? Let us know in the comments!
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