Cat Food Without Chicken Meal: Top Natural & Grain-Free Picks

Did you know that some cat food is made without chicken meal?

Meat is the main ingredient to make cat food healthy. All cat food brands contain meat as their main ingredient because cats are carnivores. They need an animal meat-based diet for a better life. Yet, many cat food brands that offer cat food without chicken meal.

Many cat foods have chicken, even if the label says something else. A bag might say “salmon recipe,” but you’ll see chicken meal after checking the ingredients. This made it tricky to find the best cat food. You have to read every label carefully to make sure their food is truly cat food without a chicken meal.

Luna started scratching her ears non-stop. I thought it was just dust or fleas at first. Cleaning and keeping fleas away didn’t work. Even the best-wet cat food didn’t work. She even wakes up from sleep to scratch again. This is the point where I came to know that the food I give could be the problem. One day, I picked up a bag at the pet store that said “cat food without a chicken meal.”

Does Your Cat Have a Chicken Allergy?

Cats can have common food allergies. Chicken is also included in the foods that can be the reason for allergy. Finding a food allergy in a cat is not very difficult. It can affect the digestive tract. Cats have different symptoms from which you can determine food allergies.

The result of any allergy in cats appear on skin. Some symptoms, like chronic skin problems and recurring ear infections, may appear. Cats also have digestive issues because of the allergy. Knowing how did it take to for a cat to digest food can help to cure early issues.

What Makes Cat Food Without Chicken Meal Different?

Chicken meals might sound healthy, but it just a mix of chicken and not the good kind. It can include bones skin, tissues and other leftovers. A lot of cheaper cat foods use it as filler. This is the reason that I started looking for something cleaner and better. I found a few options that skipped chicken meals while hunting for the best affordable dry cat food. Things started to change after this research.

Wet cat food without chicken or chicken by-products is much easier on the stomach. Especially for sensitive cats like Luna. She used to throw up sometimes after meals, but now it is rare. So, what’s the best cat food to buy right now? I’d say it’s one that skips the mystery meat. That choice made a bid difference in our home. Luna has fallen in love with a chicken-free wet food that has salmon and a little bit of sweet potato.

Tips for Finding Cat Food Free from Chicken

Once you have confirmed that your cat has a chicken allergy, you will need to find the new cat food without chicken meal. It should be made with high-quality ingredients. Always flip the bag or can around to find out the ingredients. Put it back if you see any chicken and poultry by-products. You should also watch for the sneaky words like “turkey.” Sometimes it says animal fats and natural flavor. I once bought food labeled “duck,” and Luna ended up scratching again.

Some brands make it easy with labels like “limited ingredient” or “allergy care.” These are often made without chicken and grains. Try buying the small bag before buying the big one. I also read reddit conversation during the research of food. That’s how I found cat food without chicken meal reddit.

Best Chicken-Free Cat Food to Buy

Choosing the best chicken-free cat food for picky cats is difficult because it has limited options. But once I figured out what worked for Luna and Milo, it got easier. Wet food is gentle with the stomach of Luna. It keeps her hydrated and energetic. Some cat parents think how much wet food is necessary to feed a cat.

On the other hand, Milo loves to eat dry cat food. I also have to know how much dry cat food is necessary to feed Milo. It also depends on the age and health of a cat. The cat nutritional requirements chart helped me a lot in this situation. Milo eats about half cup a day which is split into two meals. This keeps his belly full without overeating. Some brands helped me very much to make my cat live longer.

Smalls Smooth Cat Food

• This brand is overall best cat food without chicken meals.
• Smalls make their food suitable for budget and health.
•  It is easily digestible and keep a cat hydrated.

Stella And Chewy’s Dried Cat Food

• They made their product with raw meat, bone, and organs.
• The other benefit of this food is that it has limited number of plant-based ingredients
• The other benefit is that it is freeze-dried to preserve nutrition and flavor

Orijen Cat Food

• This brand produces affordable dry cat food.
• It is rich in protein that makes it the best among the cat food.
• This brand contains 18 ingredients rich enough to make a cat healthy.

Weruva Tuna Wet Cat food

• This brand produces their food for the nutritional needs of growing kittens
• It is rich in moisture for hydration and digestion.
• This brand uses two in one formula, means that they keep cats hydrated and full of tummy.

What Other Cat Parents Say About Going Chicken-Free?

I felt lost when I was first searching for new food for Luna and Milo. So, I turned to the internet and stumbled on a thread about cat food without chicken meal Reddit. That community was a lifesaver. One post mentioned switching to a salmon-based brand after trying a homemade chicken and rice cat food recipe that didn’t help.

Another person shared how their skinny cat wouldn’t eat anything until they tried duck-based dry food with no chicken. That post stuck with me because they also asked, “How to fatten up a cat at home?” Finding something they actually enjoy eating is the answer.

Final Thoughts

Don’t be afraid to try something new if your cat seems off and has tummy issues. Sometimes the fix is as simple as switching to the best cat food without chicken. You don’t have to commit to a giant bag right away. You should try small portions and mix slowly with regular cat food. There could be a situation where the food working for one didn’t work for the other. This simple change can make a cat avoid scratching and left the food untouched.

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