8 Best Wet & Dry Cat Foods for Healthy Skin And Coat (2024)

Everyone wants their cats to be happy and healthy. That is why it can be distressing if your cat occasionally experiences skin and coat issues. This could be related to dietary intolerances or skin sensitivities. It may be hard to find a way to curb these skin and fur issues, and flare-ups are common. So how can you fix it? Years ago when our grey tabby cat, Cookie (see the photo below), had definite lumps around his neck and chest, we panicked. Were they tumors? Did he have cancer? What on earth was going on? We never would guessed that the bumps were his skin’s reaction to a food allergy. We switched him to a food with rabbit meat, and the bumps cleared away for good.

Yup, your cat’s skin and coat could be directly related to what your precious pet is eating. So, if you want to remedy your cat’s dull coat or skin condition, you should begin by changing up their diet. Our list will help you pick the best food for your cat, no matter how fussy they are! em>As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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The Best Cat Food Ingredients For Healthy Skin And Coat

Cat food usually has a wide range of ingredients, making it difficult to determine which ones are beneficial to your cat’s coat and skin. Some of the most important ingredients to ensure that your cat has a healthy coat and skin include:

Omega fatty acids: Omega 3 is known for its skin benefits and its role in eye health. Omega 6 can help reduce the risk of your cat getting sick or suffering from skin disease. Both Omega 3 and 6 work together to give your cat a smooth, healthy coat.
Zinc: Zinc is beneficial in several ways, but the most essential benefit is promoting wound healing. If your cat picks at sores on their skin, cat foods containing zinc are a fantastic option. Zinc will help your cat heal and overcome any reoccurring skin issues.
Vitamin A: This vitamin has a wide range of health benefits, including protecting your cat from a number of conditions. Foods that are rich in Vitamin A will help your cat to combat any skin issues that may be causing a dull or unhealthy-looking coat.

Best Wet Food For Healthy Skin And Coat

AvoDerm Grain Free Canned Cat Food

Our top pick for wet food to give your cat’s coat its gorgeous shine back is the AvoDerm grain-free cat food. We love that it has been formulated with high-quality fats and oils derived from avocados. AvoDerm uses omega-rich avocados to create a balance of Omega 3 and Omega 6 oils, which not only promotes a healthy skin and coat, but it also improves your cat’s immune system for better overall health. Besides being a great source of protein, this wet food is also free from wheat, soy, and corn to make it completely grain-free. It is one of the healthier options on the market because it uses all-natural ingredients with added vitamins and minerals to ensure that your feline friend is as healthy as they possibly can be. AvoDerm contains no artificial colors or flavors and is great for overweight cats. The protein used in this wet food mixture is lean and will promote healthy weight loss for your cat that is getting soft around the middle. If you have more than one cat, you can use AvoDerm to feed cats of all breed sizes and in all life stages. Customers liked how you can see actual pieces of tuna and crab in the food, as opposed to it just looking like processed chunks of random meat-like substance. Others said that this was the only canned cat food that their cat would actually eat. First Five Ingredients: Tuna (Source Of Omega 3), Tuna Broth, Crab, Tapioca Starch, Sunflower Oil Pros: • Good for all breed sizes • Good for both cats and kittens • Free from all sources of grains, artificial colors, and artificial flavors • Promotes healthy skin and coat • Promotes healthy weight management • Rich in Omega 3 and 6 Cons: • Only available in two flavors which may not work for fussy eaters

Royal Canin Feline Care Nutrition Intense Beauty Canned Cat Food

Helping your cat achieve a sleek coat starts with what they eat. After all, we all want our cats to feel as good on the inside as they look on the outside. Royal Canin Intense Beauty is a great canned food to help your cat achieve holistic wellness and return your kitty’s fur to pristine condition. Made with a balanced mixture of Omega 6 and Omega 3 oils, this canned food is targeted for adult cats aged one year and older. You can mix it with their dry food for a well-rounded and well-balanced diet. If you struggle to keep your cat’s weight in check, you may find this low-calorie option can help you to manage your pet’s weight without having to reduce the amount of food that they eat. Royal Canin has formulated their Intense Beauty canned cat food to include a targeted balance of vitamins and minerals that works for all cats, no matter how big or small. The chicken flavored canned food comes as either a loaf covered in sauce or as thin slices of protein in a thick and delicious gravy. Amazon reviewer Iron Woman said this canned food gave both her cats an incredibly silky coat:

My 1-year old kitties are very finicky when it comes to food. Both LOVE Intense Beauty and tend to lick their plates clean whenever they eat it. After using this food for about 3-months now, I can honestly say I’ve seen a difference in their coats. They are softer, more silky, and simply AMAZING! I HIGHLY recommend this food …

Click here to see photos of her cat’s beautiful, silky fur.

First Five Ingredients: Water sufficient for processing, chicken, pork by-products, pork liver, chicken by-products, chicken liver Pros: • Good mix of Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids • Low in calories • Promotes holistic wellness • Promotes weight management • Good for all breed sizes Cons: • Only targeted for cats older than one year • Needs to be mixed with dry food for a balanced diet

Blue Buffalo True Solutions Perfect Coat Wet Cat Food

Blue Buffalo cat food is a nutrient rich wet food that your cat is sure to love. Made with real Whitefish, it contains Omegas 3 and 6 and Vitamins E and C. These fatty acids and vitamins help support a strengthened immune system and a beautiful, healthy coat. You can also say goodbye to pesky skin sensitivities because Blue Buffalo eliminates any allergy-causing ingredients like by-products, corn, wheat, soy, dairy, and eggs. And as a bonus, it also includes blueberries and cranberries, which help provide a healthy dose of antioxidants for your kitty. The high moisture content of this canned food also helps supply your cat with its daily hydration. It contains real fish as its first ingredient to provide a lean, healthy protein source.

Click here to see before and after photos of a kitty who fur grew back and allergies calmed down after eating this cat food.

First Five Ingredients: Whitefish, Fish Broth, Potatoes, Pea Flour, Potato Protein Pros: • Contains Omega 3 and Omega 6 • Contains Vitamin E and Vitamin C • Helps to eliminate skin sensitivities • Provides a source of antioxidants through blueberries and cranberries • High moisture content Cons: • It may not be suitable for fussy eaters

Best Dry Food For Healthy Skin And Coat

You don’t necessarily have to give your cat canned food in order for them to have a healthy, shiny coat. Here are some dry cat foods that will help make your fur baby look fantastic:

Purina Pro Plan High Protein Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Cat Food

Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Lamb & Rice Formula Dry Cat Food is a wonderful option for cats who suffer from dull coats and skin sensitivities or allergies. The primary ingredients in this food are lamb and rice, and it’s high in omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin A for healthy eyes, skin, and fur. Not only will this food help to keep your cat’s coat healthy, but it also helps with digestion, thanks to both the oats and rice. It’s also pea-free for cats that are allergic to peas. It should be noted, though, that if your cat has a gluten allergy, avoid this food since it includes corn gluten meal. This super-premium cat food provides 100 percent complete and balanced nutrition for adult cats, allowing you to provide them with the nutrition they require to be as happy and healthy as possible. Each meal is enriched with proven live probiotics to support your pet’s digestive and immunological health. Customers loved that Purina Pro plan was made from natural ingredients with no dyes, it doesn’t smell, and it helps with both fur and digestion — all for a much lower price than cat foods of similar quality. Amazon reviewer Jennifer Andrews said this was the only food that helped with her cats’ dandruff:

My cats are eight years old and have had severe dandruff as long. I’ve tried every food and remedy know to treat the problem with no luck. I have been paying for overly priced Iams for seven years now since it seemed to be the best food for them even though it never eliminated the dandruff. I purchased this food and within three days we could see a difference, by day seven the dandruff was completely gone! My cats are different animals!!! They have beautiful coats, no tummy trouble …

First Five Ingredients: Lamb, Brewers Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Dried Egg Product, Soy Protein Isolate Pros: • Good for healthy skin and coat, and cats with skin allergies • Provides balanced nutrition • Enriched with probiotics • Contains Omega 6 and Vitamin A • Good for digestion • Free from peas Cons: • Contains corn gluten meal • Only suitable for adult cats

Click here to see photos of a grey kitty happily devouring this food.

NUTRO Wholesome Essentials Natural Dry Cat Food

Nutro Wholesome Essentials cat food uses salmon as its primary ingredient and source for a healthy, lean protein. This kibble contains no chicken by-products, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, as well as no corn, wheat, or soy protein, so it is safe for almost any cat to enjoy. Nutro dry food is high in minerals and omega-6 from natural fats, which helps to develop a healthy and lustrous coat. Nutro brands only use ingredients from reputable farmers and suppliers for more wholesome nutrition that will continue to be sustainable. It’s important to note that you should avoid this food if your cat has pea allergies, as it contains pea protein. Nutro Wholesome Essentials dry cat food also provides your feline companion with enough natural fiber to aid in their digestion and a good balance of antioxidants to support a healthy immune system. Pros: • Contains lean protein for good weight management • Free from potential allergens • Contains rich Omega 6 fatty acids and is high in vitamins and minerals • Contains natural fiber to aid digestion • Contains antioxidants for a healthy immune system Cons: • Contains pea protein – Not suitable for cats with pea allergies • May not work for fussy eaters

Best Dry Food For Cats With Skin Allergies

As someone who has eczema and has two daughters who have such severe eczema that one of them often woke up crying in the middle of the night, I understand that some of us have — whether cats or humans — have skin that needs as much as help as it can get. Here are some foods that will give that extra care to cats with sensitive skin.

GO! Solutions Sensitivities Limited Ingredient Dry Cat Food

GO! Solutions dry cat food includes healthy animal protein from a single source of premium-quality meat or fish, entire eggs, and little additional ingredients as possible to properly support cats with food allergies and sensitivities. It also has kibble with complete nutrition made from a small number of ingredients to reduce your cat’s exposure to potential allergens. This includes excluding ingredients such as grains, gluten, potato, wheat, corn, and soy. With GO! Solutions, you can be sure that your cat is only getting the best – and healthiest – diet. This dry food formula combines whole flaxseed, a natural ingredient rich in protein, fiber, and Omega 3 fatty acids, which can support your cat’s brain development, good skin, and a stunning, healthy coat. If that wasn’t enough, GO! Solutions also contain prebiotic fibers for sensitive stomachs, which will reduce the risk of your kitty having an upset stomach. Pros: • Contains flaxseed and Omega 3 fatty acids • Limited ingredients to prevent skin and stomach sensitivities • Good for healthy skin and a beautiful coat • Supports brain development • Contains prebiotic fibers Cons: • Only available in duck flavor, so it may not be suitable for picky eaters

Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet HF Hydrolyzed for Food Intolerance

Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet HF Hydrolyzed for Food Intolerance Dry Cat Food

Our best overall cat food for allergies is this vet-recommended diet. It’s a limited ingredient diet with only one animal protein source, so it’s less likely to expose your cat to allergens. Salmon is the main protein source in this dry food and is hydrolyzed to make it more digestible and less prone to induce allergic reactions. So if your beloved pet struggles with uncomfortable skin allergies, this may be a great choice for you. Grain, wheat, maize, dairy, and soy are all frequent allergens in cats, and Blue Buffalo Hydrolyzed cat food is free of ALL of those ingredients. This cat food has received many positive reviews for being an ideal alternative for many sensitive cats because it avoids many of the most common allergies in cats. The drawback is this special diet is on the more expensive end of the price spectrum compared to similar products, so it may not be a sustainable option for cat owners on a budget. Pros: • Vet-recommended • One protein source • Good for skin and stomach sensitivities • Easy to digest • Free from allergens Cons: • Expensive

Avoderm Natural Grain-Free Dry Cat Food

AvoDerm’s grain-free dry cat kibble is made from all-natural ingredients, so you can rest assured that your furry friend is only getting the best nutrition available. This awesome dry food has NO by-products, preservatives, artificial flavors, and colorants. It is also grain-free, wheat-free, soy-free, and corn-free. AvoDerm removes the possibility of food or skin sensitivities in your cat by removing potential allergens. It also contains real protein, with duck as its primary ingredient. Because the food is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, it is also safe to use for all life stages, so it’s safe and healthy for both kittens and adult cats. Your cat’s coat is sure to shine thanks to the kibble’s formulation, which includes Omega-rich avocado oil. Pros: • Made from all-natural ingredients • Free from potential allergens • Suitable to use for all life stages • Contains balanced levels of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants • Contains real protein • Made with Omega-rich avocado oil Cons: • AvoDerm is free from chicken and fish and may not be suitable for picky eaters References

Find the Best Food for Your Cat

Jennifer Blaske

Our family has been a multi-cat household for ovr 20 years. We've learned a few things along the way.

Click here to meet our cats!