FOR MANY CAT PARENTS, mealtime means holding your breath while scraping out a stinky can of mush. As the trend toward super-premium foods continues, wet food is evolving into a culinary centerpiece, focusing on human-grade quality, novel proteins and recognizable morsels. The end result is pleasing for both feline foodies and their human counterparts.
$ <16 cents/ounce | $$ 16-30 cents/ounce | $$$ 31-50 cents/ounce | $$$$ >50 cents/ounce
NOW FRESH Grain Free Minced Chicken
Petcurean
KEY FEATURES: Expansion to line adds three new cat formulas. Minced chicken recipe offers picky eaters a unique texture. Bone broth provides moisture and nutrition. 6.4-ounce cartons.
SALES TIP: Easy-to-open tear-off strip and no sharp edges.
petcurean.com, (866) 864-6112
$$$
Grain Free Sensitive Stomach Quail and Garden Greens
Halo
KEY FEATURES: With novel protein, non-GMO vegetables and dandelion greens, barley grass and parsley to provide antioxidants and support easy digestion. 5.5-ounce cans.
SALES TIP: Thirst quenchers: Canned food provides the benefit of added hydration, especially important for cats who drink little water.
halopets.com, (800) 426-4256
$$$
Advertisement
Pristine Cage-Free Duck
Castor & Pollux
KEY FEATURES: Grain-free duck recipe features poultry raised without antibiotics or hormones. New wild-caught tuna recipe available, too. 3-ounce pouch.
SALES TIP: The Pristine line uses only responsibly sourced ingredients, such as organic fruits and vegetables grown without synthetic fertilizers or chemical pesticides.
castorpolluxpet.com, (800) 875-7518
$$$$
Hound & Gatos Natural Cat Food
Hound & Gatos
KEY FEATURES: A natural line formulated with 98 percent meat, plus a precisely balanced vitamin-mineral mix. Made in the USA by a family-owned company. 5.5-ounce cans.
SALES TIP: This entire line and brand have gotten a reboot, with updated logo, look and packaging.
houndgatos.com, (888) 896-2951
$$-$$$$
Grandma Mae’s Country Naturals
Grandma Mae’s Country Naturals
KEY FEATURES: Five new pâtés and three new slices in gravy formulas. Grain-free, carrageenan-free and non-GMO. Supplemented with DL-methionine to maintain urinary tract health. 2.8-ounce cans.
SALES TIP: Not every cat digs seafood. Five of the new flavors meet consumers’ demand for fish-free foods.
grandmamaes.com, (888) 653-8021
$$$
Redbarn Naturals Cat Filets
Redbarn Pet Products
KEY FEATURES: Filets flaked in broth or gravy, available in five flavors and a variety pack; 2.8-ouce cans.
SALES TIP: A “no goo” guarantee: Crack open a can to show customers the recognizable ingredients, from real pieces of pumpkin to whole shrimp and shredded chicken.
redbarninc.com, (800) 775-3849
$$$$
Advertisement
Grain Free Tuna & Prawns
Health Extension
KEY FEATURES: Made with real fish as the first ingredient, in a savory sauce. 2.8-ounce cans.
SALES TIP: Liberate cans from the food aisles: Showcase newer offerings in your end caps and other promotional displays.
healthextension.com, (800) 992-9738
$$$
Turkey Adult Cat Recipe
Raised Right
KEY FEATURES: A soft food lightly cooked in a USDA-inspected human-grade facility. Third-party tested for e-coli, listeria and salmonella. 2-pound refrigerated bags.
SALES TIP: In a testament to its tastiness, company founder Braeden Ruud holds eating contests of “man against pets,” during which he personally races to finish the food first.
raisedrightpets.com, (844) 777-3871
$$$$