8 Best Cat Food For Outdoor Cats (2024)

Several years ago we spent Thanksgiving with our in-laws, in the mountains of Franklin, North Carolina. About an hour after we had finished Thansgiving dinner, we heard a meowing and scratching at the door and discovered a tortoiseshell kitten. (See photo above.) In a bizarre twist of fate, our beloved cat Scooter had suddenly died about two weeks earlier, so we brought this [apparently feral] kitty home and named her Snickers. Whether you have pet cats that enjoy going outside, you’ve discovered a hungry stray cat, or you want to create a feeding station for colony of feral cats in your neighborhood, you’ll want to feed them the best food that meets their nutritional needs. In this post you’ll first some of the best foods for outdoor cats and what ingredients they have — or don’t have — they make them a good choice. Then keep scrolling and you’ll learn about things like:

If outdoor cats are happier than indoor cats
How to keep outdoor cats safer
What feral cats typically eat
What TNR is and why it’s even more important than just feeding outdoor cats
How to create an easy DIY cat feeding station

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Table of Contents

✅ What IS the Best Food for Outdoor Cats?

The first thing to know is that cats are obligate carnivores. This is a fancy-sounding term that simply means that cats must eat meat. They need a specific type of amino called Taurine, which is only found in animal-based proteins. which They cannot survive only on protein from other sources. According to VCA Hospitals, most mammals (including dogs) are able to manufacture enough taurine from other amino acids to meet their needs. (That’s why humans can become vegans without dropping dead.) However, cats have a limited ability to manufacture taurine. Not only that, but taurine is not stored in large quantities in their body, so they have to eat it on a regularly basis. This means the best outdoor cat food is going to be high in protein and have a meat protein source as the first ingredient. Poultry meat, such as chicken, turkey, or duck, is perhaps the best animal protein for cat food since these birds are considered natural cat food instead of beef from cattle, which is not natural prey for tiny wild cats. It also means that — at least ideally — you stay away from foods with large amount of fillers like rice, potato, corn, or wheat. Moisture is something else to consider. Because they are too preoccupied, some outdoor cats miss lunch and lose body water due to their activities. As a result, feeding them moist cat food or a combination of wet and dry food is beneficial. The moisture percentage of dry cat food should be at least 10%, while the optimal minimum moisture for wet cat food should be at least 80%.

Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein, Natural Adult Dry Cat Food

This dry cat food is “packed with real chicken” and provides nutritious carbohydrates such as sweet potatoes and peas, as opposed to corn and rice. In addition, it contains omega 3 & 6 fatty acids to support skin and coat health The formula contains what they call “LifeSource Bits,” a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals carefully selected by holistic veterinarians and animal nutritionists, to support immune system health First Five Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Pea Protein, Tapioca Starch, Peas One Amazon reviewer said this cat food only had one minor con, and a whole of pros:

… The salmon flavor makes the kittens’ breath smell like a dead fish all of the time, but all the other flavors of this brand do not do that. I just had my cats seen at the vet and the vet said this food is the real deal. It is made, truly, with real and pure ingredients, so it will smell very organic with whatever they eat. She said their mouths and GI tracts are fine (had them checked because their breath was so awful smelling!). I called them names like tuna tongue or salmon suck, lovingly, of course. We are going back to duck, chicken, or red meat flavors after this. Whew. Pros: Everything. Our 6 yr old Mainecoon cat acted like a kitten again, once on this food. The kittens are always hyped, but they have been healthy and they have muscle. I see people’s cats grow up and get flabby. No, not with this. This makes them lean, and STRONG … The older cat’s fur became silky, soft, and shiny after a few months. The kittens, going on 1 yr, have the softest fur I’ve ever felt on cats. None of them have ever had a hairball on this food. Ever. Or diarrhea … This food is what real pet owners feed their pets. It will give your pet a longer life span, a healthier and more energetic life, and I assure you, you will not be sorry. It feels great knowing you are giving them truly the BEST …

Instinct Original Grain Free Recipe with Real Chicken Dry Cat Food

The number one ingredient in this grain-free dry cat food is cage-free chicken. Its makeup includes 81% real animal ingredients and nutritious oils and 19% vegetables, fruits and other wholesome ingredients.

- NO grain
- NO potato
- NO corn
- NO wheat
- NO soy
- NO artificial colors or preservatives

Each piece of kibble is coated in freeze dried raw chicken for extra nutrition & taste. Amazon reviewer Sophia observed several positive changes in her cats after switching to this food:

… The only con of the formula is that it has a low percentage of guaranteed moisture, which is why I suggest pairing this dry food with wet food. I chose this brand after hours of research and it’s because of the quality ingredients that I’ve made it my choice. The weeks following my change I noticed the coats of my 3 cats were significantly softer, shinier, and healthier. I cannot stress how important it is for cat owners to do their research before choosing the right brand for their fur babies, because not all cats require the same nutrients in their diet. Not only that, but if you choose a brand with too many carbs, filler products, or not enough moisture, you’re putting your cat(s) at risk for obesity, bladder infections/problems, and kidney failure. This brand has been perfect for my 3 cats (they seem to love it) and I have no intention of switching it any time soon …

First Five Ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, menhaden fish meal, peas

Taste of the Wild Rocky Mountain Grain-Free Dry Cat Food

This dry cat food is made of roast venison and smoked salmon. I don’t know about you, but I think that sounds pretty darn tasty! It has a protein content of 42%, which helps support bones, joints and a lean, healthy body. It also has vitamins and minerals from fruits and superfoods, plus omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat. Amazon reviewer A bought this food for an abandoned stray and was quite pleased:

I brought in a stray who was abandon at a local park near my house 8 months ago. I have never had an adult cat before, I have only fostered kittens. I wanted the best quality dry food for her and found this brand on a website ranking different cat foods based on nutrition analysis (protein content, fat content, fiber content etc.) While my cat was still living as a stray outdoors I fed her canned food. She was incredibly picky and ONLY ate the chicken cans. She refused to eat the turkey, tuna, and salmon cans. To my surprise she loves both the Quail & Duck and Venison & Salmon flavors of this dry food. The 15 pound bag lasts me 4-5 months. I’ve had no issues with vomiting or diarrhea. Couldn’t be happier knowing shes eating the best. Her coat looks absolutely beautiful and healthy as well.

First Five Ingredients: Chicken meal, peas, sweet potatoes, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), pea protein

Purina One Selects Tender Blend Dry Cat Food

Purina ONE Natural Dry Cat Food

“Purina One” is the sorta kinda “high end” line of products by Purina, which is known for being a budget brand. However, the “high end” of a budget brand is still not high end in the grand scheme of things. To put in into perspective, a Hall of Fame reviewer on Amazon described Purina One as being “a step up from garbage grocery store foods” and roughly equal to Royal Canin and Nutro brands, while far above Rachel Ray and I and Love and You brands. Purina One dry cat food contains real chicken are the first ingredient and has 0% fillers, plus omega-6 fatty acids to help support healthy skin and coat. Reviewers loved how their finicky cats enjoyed the taste and never seemed to get bored with it. Generally speaking, people considered it a nice balance between quality ingredients and affordability. As one reviewer described it, “It may not be THE healthiest dry cat food on the market, but it is better for them than 90% of the other ones you will find and definitely seems to be the most affordable of the ‘healthy’ cat food brands I have tried.”

Acana Dry Cat Food, Homestead Harvest

Acana Homestead Harvest is a high-protein dry cat food that’s packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support a healthy immune system. It’s made in the USA, it contains 65% small prey animal ingredients, like chicken, turkey, and duck, and is free of grain, gluten, potato, tapioca ingredients, and artificial colors and preservatives. This food is easy to digest and good for sensitive stomachs. (Several reviewers said their cat stopped vomiting after they made the switch.) First Five Ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, oatmeal, whole peas

Click here to see a short video of a kitty enjoying this food.

Purina Beyond Grain Free, Natural Dry Cat Food

Purina Beyond Grain Free is a high-protein dry cat food with chicken as its number one ingredient. It’s gluten free and grain free cat food and includes natural probiotics for digestive health.

- - NO corn
  - NO wheat
  - NO soy
  - NO poultry by-product meal
  - NO artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives

First Five Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Pea Protein, Pea Starch, Cassava Root Flour

Purina Cat Chow Naturals

Purina Cat Chow features real chicken as the #1 ingredient, with real salmon, whole grains and leafy greens rounding out the recipe. It’s also free of artificial flavors and preservatives and is made in the USA. You’ll notice that the ingredients in Purina Cat Chow Naturals is higher in fillers like flour and rice than many of the other food listed here. It’s also less expensive. This might be a good option if you are feeding several outdoor cats and simply can’t afford the absolutely highest quality, but still want to provide a good, high-protein food. Reviewer NiLa Warrior Princess saw a noticeable different when her cats stopped eating this food:

I never knew if there were truly a difference between the cheapest cat food & Purina Naturals until I was hospitalized for over a month & my family took, over purchasing my cat’s food choosing the cheapest they could find, Kit & Kaboodles. I’d always prided myself on having thin, healthy & active cats so I was saddened when I came home & found they’d all gained a considerable amount of weight. They no longer had waists & one became so plump she now has trouble jumping onto my bed. I immediately switched them back to Purina Naturals, & cut their caloric intake, after almost 2 weeks the smallest cat has already begun to lose weight. Purina Naturals has 34% protein while Kit & Kaboodles has 28% protein …

First Five Ingredients: Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Soy Flour, Ground Whole Wheat, Brewers Rice

Weruva Mideast Feast with Grilled Tilapia in Gravy

Weruva Classic Cat Food, Mideast Feast with Grilled Tilapia in Gravy

First Five Ingredients: Tuna, Water Sufficient For Processing, Tilapia, Potato Starch, Sunflower Seed Oil

Are outdoor cats happier

This can be a hotly debated topic for cat owners. The Animal Humane Society points to studies that show the average life span of a cat is dramatically shorter for cats that who roam freely outdoors — by as much as 10-12 years. “Though it’s true that it’s much easier for your cat to get enrichment outside, it’s still possible for a cat to live as happy of a life indoors without all the risks.” For people who insist on letting their cats go outdoors, they recommend either leash-training the cat and/or building an outside “catio.” Perfect Fit lists some of the possible dangers for outdoor cats:

- - Car accidents. These can happen both on busy streets or quiet country roads.
  - Attacks from natural predators (coyotes and hawks are often spotted in our neighborhood)
  - Attacks from rattlesnakes and other snakes
  - Diseases like Feline Leukemia, Feline AIDS, abscesses, and upper respiratory infections can be caught from fighting with other cats
  - Poisonings from slug pellets, anti-freeze or rat poison.
  - Poisonings from garden plants like lilies or poinsettia.
  - Getting trapped in a neighbor’s garage or shed.
  - Getting lost.

However, Freeport Veterinary Hospital — while agreeing with this — also point out that there are some downsides to have your cat be indoor-only.

- - Boredom. This can even lead to depression and separation anxiety.
  - Obesity. This can lead to fatty liver disease, diabetes, joint stress and pain, and other health issues.
  - Urinary diseases such as cystitis and urethral obstruction are more common in indoor-only cats, especially males.

And oddly enough, when cats get stressed due to a lack of mental or physical stimulation, their bladder can become inflamed, leading to trouble urinating.

Make sure your cat is neutered. This will also keep him from wandering too far.

Perfect Fit offers these tips to help keep your kitty safer if you choose to let them go outdoors:

- - Make sure your cat has all the proper vaccinations.
  - Regular treat your cats with flea, tick, and worming medication.
  - Get your cats microchipped.
  - Remove any sharp objects or toxic substances from the garden that your kitten is likely to walk on or ingest.
  - Try to encourage your cat to come in at dusk.

- ✅ What do outside cats eat in the wild?

According to Pet Keen, they’re a big difference between stray cats and feral cats. Feral cats have never had a home and are more likely to fear humans. They live in colonies of females that are related to each other. Feral cats tend to eat:

- - Mice and other rodents (as many as 9 per day!)
  - Snakes and small lizards
  - Rabbits and hares
  - Squirrels</li
  - Bats
  - Shrews and moles
  - Grasshoppers and spiders

Also — don’t be confused by the fact that we adopted our little Snickers. She was a kitten — and possibly a stray? — and even with that, it was hard to socialize her. Years later, she often hides from me (although she is comfortable around my one daughter, who is her official owner.) If an adult cat is truly feral you should not chase after them, try to pick them, or attempt to adopt them into your home any more than you would do so with any other wild animal.

✅ How often should you feed an outdoor cat?

According to Barn Cat Lady, outdoors should be fed daily — ideally, twice a day, and at the same time every day. Why are scheduled feedings important? The cats will start showing up regularly for their feed times, and you’ll be able to check them for any illness or injuring. It also makes the TMR (Trap Neuter Return, see below) easily to accomplish. Adult cats eat around 5.5 ounces of wet food per day or about 1/2 a cup of dry food per day, although of course each cat is different. If you notice that there’s still food left after 30 minutes, start putting down a little less. On the other hand, if they eat it all within 15 minutes, start giving them a little more. In addition, fresh, clean water should be available at all times.

Video — Feeding Feral & Stray Cats Chicken

Will a stray cat starve if I stop feeding it?

If you’re reading this, you’re almost certainly a kind person who really cares about animals. Maybe you’re considering feeding some straying cats in your yard, or maybe you’ve already started, but don’t know if you can continue forever. Did you just make things worse? Will the cats starve to death if for some reason you’re no longer able to keep feeding it? Thankfully, the answer is no. According to Upgrade Your Cat, a stray cat will not starve if you stop feeding it. Unless you live in a very remote place and there are very few other options, the worst that will happen is they have to find food from somewhere else. And don’t forget that cats are natural hunters. Even the softest, most domesticated cat will draw on their natural hunting instinct when needed. At the very least, they’ll get creative and do some dumpster diving. The point is, they’ll be okay. But … This is a pretty good time to mention that by far the best thing you can do to help a stray cat is to make sure they’re spayed and neutered. This is known as TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) and according to Alley Cat Allies, they are many important benefits:

- - It relieves cats of the constant stresses of mating and pregnancy.
  - Cats get vaccinated against rabies.
  - Mating behaviors like roaming, yowling, and fighting stop.
  - Cats live healthier, longer lives.

Here are some really sad statistics from Havahart:

- - In the U.S. alone, only 3% of free-roaming cats are neutered or spayed.
  - One female cat has the ability to produce roughly 100 kittens in seven years.
  - Feral cats account for 80% of the cats in animal shelters.
  - Out of the 80% of feral cats that are turned in to animal shelters, 72% of these cats are subjected to euthanasia.

So please, don’t just feed stray and feral cats and then forget about them. Contact your local vet and ask them about TNR.

How Do You Make an Outdoor Cat Feeding Station?

If you’re feeding a community of feral cats, Fix Nation has these tips about creating a good feeding station for them:

- - Make sure the feeding station is discreet and blends in with its surroundings as much as possible. It will keep the cats safer and make the cats more likely to show up and return.
  - Protect the food from the rain. One simple way to do this is to set a large Rubbermaid container on its side and put the food bowls in it. (See the video below for simple directions on how to make this concept a little more sturdy.) You can also take the door off a large cat carrier and place the food and water bowls inside it.
  - Be sure to keep the feeding area clean. A messy, gross station is unhealthy for the cats, can attract skunks and raccoons, and will probably make you unpopular among your neighbors. Be sure to pick up scattered food and empty cat food cans, plus wash the bowls, on a regular basis.
  - Daybreak and dusk are the two best times to feed. Cats are more likely to be up and active then.

8 Best Cat Food For Outdoor Cats