Published Apr 29, 2022
Balanced nutrition is essential for the health and wellbeing of cats around the world. Unfortunately, the availability of high-quality pet food varies greatly from one country to another.
As part of the European Union (EU), the pet foods made and sold in Ireland are subject to certain standards for quality.
In this guide, we’ll explore the basics of what your cat needs in terms of nutrition. We’ll also compare pet food regulations between the U.S. and Ireland then provide you with a generous list of pet food brands we recommend in Ireland.
At a Glance: Best Cat Food To Buy in Ireland
Want a quick look at the best cat foods reviewed in this article? In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. You’ll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Naturo Adult Cat Salmon Mousse
- Packed with species-appropriate animal protein
- No added carbohydrate
- Rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration
Nice ‘N Natural Salmon & Brown Rice Adult Cat
- First four ingredients are animal-based
- Rich in omega-3 fatty acids from salmon and salmon oil
- Doesn’t contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Arden Grange Adult Cat with Fresh Chicken and Potato
- Three of the first five ingredients are animal-based
- Two sources of nutritious animal-derived fat
- Prebiotics and probiotics for healthy digestion
Encore Tuna Fillet with Crab in Broth Pot
- Two sources of species-appropriate animal protein
- Rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration
- Free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
Applaws Tuna Fillet in Broth
- High-quality animal protein as the first ingredient
- Very limited list of natural ingredients
- Rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration
Felix As Good As It Looks Meaty Selection in Jelly
- Very low carbohydrate content
- Doesn’t contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- Affordably priced around £50 per pouch
Heart to Tail Special Medley Formula Premium Adult Cat Food
- Highly affordable and readily available
- Doesn’t contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- Chicken fat provides a nutritious source of essential fats
Now that you’ve been introduced to our top picks for the best cat food in Ireland, let’s take a closer look at your cat’s nutritional needs and some details about the pet industry in Ireland. From there, we’ll delve into the details of our recommendations.
Why Should You Trust Us?
Having reviewed over 230 of the world’s most popular cat food brands and hundreds of of formulas. We spent hours researching, contacting pet food companies, and analyzing labels. With the help of our cats, we also got hands-on experience with a few foods.
Between reviewing specific brands and researching feline nutrition, we’ve learned which brands and products are worth buying and putting in your cat’s bowl.
Based on that experience, we’ve chosen the 10 products described below as the best cat food you can buy in 2022.
The Basics of Feline Nutrition
We’re not going to get into too much detail here, but it’s important to cultivate an understanding of your cat’s basic nutritional requirements when shopping for cat food.
The most important thing you need to remember is that cats are obligate carnivores. This means that they are biologically designed to consume other animals. Unlike dogs who have a limited ability to digest plant matter, cats do not possess the enzymes needed to break down plants and their needs for animal-based protein are very high.
In addition to plenty of protein, cats require a moderate level of healthy fat in their diets. Again, this fat should come from animal sources and should provide essential fatty acids as well as a balance of omega-3s and omega-6s.
Generally speaking, the fewer plant ingredients (and the lower the carbohydrate content) in your cat’s food, the better. You should also avoid low-value grains like corn, wheat, and soy as well as artificial additives like flavoring, colorants, and preservatives.
Learn more about your cat’s nutritional needs in our in-depth article here.
How Is Pet Food Regulated in Ireland?
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for regulating pet foods. The FDA creates and enforces regulations regarding quality, ingredients, and labeling.
While the FDA has regulatory power, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is the organization trusted by pet food manufacturers to set the standards for nutritional adequacy. Through years of testing, AAFCO has established nutrient profiles for dogs and cats which establish the minimum requirements for crude protein, crude fat, and essential vitamins and minerals.
In the European Union, there is no legislation written specifically for pet foods.
There are three regulatory bodies in the European Union:
- The Council
- The European Parliament (EP)
- The European Commission (EC)
Each of these bodies has the power to produce legislation, but most legislation is sponsored jointly by at least two of them. Like AAFCO in the U.S., the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is an influential part of the process, despite having no power to directly write legislation.
While there isn’t any legislation written directly for pet foods, there are a number of directives that pet food manufacturers are encouraged to follow. In recent years, however, there has been an increasing move toward the enforcement of regulations rather than the suggestion of directives.
Legislation produced for livestock feed includes provisions for pet foods.
It’s important to mention that while there aren’t specific regulations for pet food as a whole, the EU does regulate the materials used in their manufacture.
These materials are divided into three categories:
- Materials of animal origin
- Materials of non-animal origin
- Additives
Regarding materials of animal origin, all ingredients must be fit for human consumption. Any food containing animal by-products must be labeled with “not fit for human consumption,” even if animals from which those ingredients are derived are approved for human consumption.
Materials of non-animal origin include cereals, vegetables, and fruits as well as the derivatives thereof. Additives include nutritional supplements as well as probiotics, flavoring agents, colors, and preservatives.
Pet food manufacturers in the EU must be approved or registered with their national authority. If materials of animal origin are used in the product, they must be approved by the relevant veterinary authority. Labeling and marketing regulations for pet food fall under the same general regulations that apply to most consumer products.
While pet food in Ireland is, in practice, less strictly regulated than in the U.S., there are standards in place to ensure quality and safety. These regulations are constantly being updated and it seems there’s a movement toward legislation that specifically applies to pet food.
The Best Cat Food in Ireland: Our Top Picks
Our top two picks for the best cat food in Ireland are all formulated and manufactured in Ireland. These brands focus primarily on meat as the main ingredient along with animal-based fats and other natural ingredients. The remaining brands on this list are made in the EU or widely available in pet stores throughout countries with membership.
#1 Naturo Pet Foods
Manufactured in Northern Ireland, Naturo is available throughout the UK and in the Netherlands. This brand uses fresh and locally sourced ingredients, all of which are traceable from farm to bowl. Their recipes are developed by veterinary nutritionists and made with 100% natural ingredients.
Naturo is a 100% family-owned company that offers three wet cat food recipes. The primary proteins they feature include chicken, salmon, and turkey.
Featured Recipe: Naturo Adult Cat Salmon Mousse
This formula is sold in 85g (3oz) containers and features 80% salmon and chicken. It is a protein-rich recipe that contains no added carbohydrate. The only plant-based ingredient is sunflower oil.
With fresh salmon, chicken, and chicken liver as the top three ingredients, this recipe is highly species appropriate. There are no unnecessary plant additives, aside from 0.1% sunflower oil. The moisture in this recipe comes from chicken broth and salmon oil provides additional omega-3 fatty acids.
Customers seem to be pleased with this formula. Several consumers mentioned that the food is a hit even with their picky eaters.
Overall, this appears to be a high-protein, high fat, and low-carbohydrate recipe. It contains the moisture your cat needs for hydration and is very species-appropriate.
Ingredients
Salmon, Chicken, Chicken Liver, Chicken Broth, Salmon Oil, Sunflower Oil, Vitamin D3, Vitamin E, Taurine, Zinc Sulphate, Manganese Sulphate, Potassium Iodide.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Packed with species-appropriate animal protein
- No added carbohydrate
- Rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration
What We Didn’t Like
- Not a single-source protein recipe
#2 Nice ‘N Natural
Nice ‘N Natural is made in Ireland. From the ingredients they use to the manufacturing process itself, the company is 100% Irish. This brand sources their free-run chicken from Irish farms and their salmon is farmed off the West Coast or Ireland. All recipes are completely natural, made without artificial additives.
This company offers a limited selection of dry cat foods including two adult recipes and one kitten recipe. All three contain at lease 65% animal-derived ingredients from salmon or chicken.
Featured Recipe: Nice ‘N Natural Salmon & Brown Rice Adult Cat
Featuring 65% fish ingredients, this recipe is rich in species-appropriate animal protein and omega-3 fatty acids. The first three ingredients are all derived from salmon, including fresh salmon, dehydrated salmon, and salmon oil.
Additional sources of animal protein include chicken, dried whole egg, and hydrolyzed chicken liver. These ingredients contribute to a crude protein content of over 42% (dry matter basis).
While this recipe is fairly high in protein and healthy fats, it does contain several unnecessary plant ingredients. These include brown rice, white rice, and starch from both potatoes and peas. Nice ‘N Natural identifies this as a high-fiber recipe formulated to support smooth digestion, but the fiber content may be too high for some cats who don’t struggle with digestive issues.
I don’t see any red flag ingredients in this formula (like artificial additives), but it is much higher in carbohydrates than I generally like to see. Like any dry food, it also doesn’t provide the moisture your cat needs for proper hydration.
Overall, this is a high protein, high fat, and high carbohydrate formula.
Ingredients
Fresh Salmon, Dehydrated Salmon, Salmon Oil, Dehydrated Chicken, Brown Rice, White Rice, Dehydrated Salmon, Dried Whole Egg, Potato Starch, Pea Starch, Hydrolyzed Chicken Liver, Whole Linseed, Minerals, Alfalfa, Dehulled Oats, Seaweed Meal, Dehydrated Tomato, Yeast Extract, Chicory Inulin, Yucca Schidigera, Dehydrated Carrot, Cranberry, Rosemary.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- First four ingredients are animal-based
- Rich in omega-3 fatty acids from salmon and salmon oil
- Doesn’t contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
What We Didn’t Like
- Fairly high carb content (around 20% as fed)
- Doesn’t provide the moisture your cat needs
#3 Arden Grange
Arden Grange is a family-run business located in Sussex in Southeastern England. This company was founded in 1996 by two renowned dog breeders out of a desire to provide superior nutrition for pets. The brand’s core philosophy is “nutrition without compromise.”
This brand offers a decent selection of dry cat foods. This includes one kitten recipe, three adult recipes, and one senior recipe. They also offer cat foods formulated for sensitive stomach, indoor cats, and weight management as well as four grain-free diets.
Featured Recipe: Arden Grange Adult Cat with Fresh Chicken and Potato
This dry food formula features three animal-derived ingredients within the top five. It contains additional animal protein in the form of egg powder and chicken digest with salmon oil as a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Though it’s a dry food formula, this recipe has a fairly limited number of plant ingredients. Arden Grange doesn’t provide the moisture content of their dry foods, but it’s safe to assume it’s somewhere around 10%. Given this assumption, the total carb content of the food would be about 30% (as fed).
Most of the plant ingredients in this formula are starches or added fiber which don’t provide much in the way of nutritional value. With the inclusion of prebiotics and probiotics, it may be that they’re intended to help regulate your cat’s digestion.
Overall, this is a moderate protein, high fat, and high carbohydrate formula. Like any dry food, it doesn’t provide the moisture your cat needs for optimal hydration.
Ingredients
Fresh Chicken, Potato, Chicken Meat Meal, Pea Starch, Chicken Oil, Egg Powder, Chicken Digest, Salmon Oil, Yeast Extract, Malt Extract, Pea Fiber, Minerals, Probiotic FOS, Prebiotic MOS, Cranberry Extract, Glucosamine, MSM, Chondroitin, Nucleotides.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Three of the first five ingredients are animal-based
- Two sources of nutritious animal-derived fat
- Prebiotics and probiotics for healthy digestion
What We Didn’t Like
- Contains unnecessary plant ingredients
- No dry food contains the moisture your cat needs
#4 Encore
Based in the UK, Encore was originally launched in 2008 but has since come to be sold around the world. This brand is part of the Making Pet Food Matters (MPM) family with other brands on this list like Applaws and Reveal.
Encore offers a variety of wet and dry foods, all of which are made with up to 75% meat and 100% natural ingredients. Their wet food recipes are packaged in pouches, tins, and pots. They are primarily intended for supplemental feeding while all of Encore’s dry food formulas are complete and balanced.
Featured Recipe: Encore Tuna Fillet with Crab in Broth Pot
One of Encore’s complementary wet foods, this recipe features tuna and crab as species-appropriate sources of animal protein. The formula does contain rice, a plant-based ingredient which seems particularly unnecessary given that the formula isn’t complete and balanced.
Though there is a plant-based inclusion, the formula as a whole is very rich in protein and moisture. It’s unfortunately fairly high in carbohydrates, however, around 21% (dry matter).
Overall, this formula could be a good choice if you’re looking for a simple way to add some supplemental protein and moisture to your cat’s diet.
Ingredients
Tuna Fillet, Fish Broth, Rice, Crab.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Two sources of species-appropriate animal protein
- Rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration
- Free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
What We Didn’t Like
- Contains one unnecessary plant ingredient
- Not a complete and balanced formula
#5 Applaws
Another member of the MPM family, Applaws is a UK-based brand that has since spread throughout Europe, North America, and Australia. Applaws has been in the natural pet food business for 10 years. They’re a small, independent company that promises high levels of quality animal protein and recipes free from artificial additives.
Applaws offers a wide range of dry and wet cat foods including recipes formulated for kittens. They offer a generous variety of wet food pouches as well as canned food and wet food pots in broth or gravy.
Featured Recipe: Applaws Tuna Fillet in Broth
This wet food formula is intended for complementary feeding which means it shouldn’t be your cat’s staple diet. It can be paired with a nutritionally complete dry or wet food to supplement your cat’s protein and moisture intake.
Fresh chicken breast is the first of only three ingredients. Chicken broth provides moisture and added flavor while rice adds bulk to the product. If your cat has a sensitive stomach or an allergy to fish or beef, this could be a good choice.
Overall, this is a high protein, low fat complementary cat food that is very low in carbohydrate.
Ingredients
Chicken Breast, Chicken Broth, Rice.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- High-quality animal protein as the first ingredient
- Very limited list of natural ingredients
- Rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration
What We Didn’t Like
- Not a complete and balanced formula
- Contains unnecessary carbohydrate
#6 Felix
Owned by Nestle Purina PetCare, Felix is easily one of the most popular pet food brands in the UK. According to Purina’s website, it’s the brand of choice for more than one-third of cat owners in the UK. This wasn’t always the case, however. The brand sold poorly in the 1980s, but its popularity picked up when the brand relaunched in 1989 with Felix, their black-and-white feline mascot.
Felix only offers wet cat food formulas sold primarily in pouches. It’s difficult to determine exactly where the food is produced or where their ingredients are sourced since the sale to Nestle Purina PetCare.
Featured Recipe: Felix As Good As It Looks Meaty Selection in Jelly
While this wet food formula for Felix contains a very limited number of ingredients, none of them are particularly good. With only three primary ingredients, two of which are animal-based, it’s difficult to tell exactly how much of the protein comes from animals and how much from plant sources.
The main issue with this recipe is the use of vaguely named ingredients. We know that two of the three proteins are animal-based, but not from which animals they are sourced. The same is true for the vegetable protein extract – we don’t know exactly where it comes from.
We can’t necessarily assume that the quality of these ingredients is poor, but the low price of this product leads us to believe they’re not top tier.
Overall, this wet food is a by-product-heavy formula that, nonetheless, appears to be rich in protein and very low in carbohydrates.
Ingredients
Meat and Animal Derivatives, Vegetable Protein Extract, Fish and Fish Derivatives, Minerals, Various Sugars.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Very low carbohydrate content
- Doesn’t contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- Affordably priced around £50 per pouch
What We Didn’t Like
- Contains vaguely named animal and plant ingredients
- Contains potentially significant levels of plant protein
#7 Aldi Cat Food
Originally started in Germany, Aldi has become one of the fastest growing grocery chains in the U.S. Aldi now has over 7,600 stores worldwide. As one of their many in-store brands, Aldi offers Heart to Tail cat food which is distributed exclusively by Aldi.
Heart to Tail includes both dry and wet cat food recipes. The brand’s offerings are divided into two product lines: the classic Heart to Tail and Pure Being. Overall, Aldi cat food is fairly limited in terms of variety, but it is very affordably priced.
Featured Recipe: Heart to Tail Special Medley Formula Premium Adult Cat Food
Right off the bat, this recipe is problematic. Corn and soy make up the first two ingredients, followed by a vaguely-named meat and bone meal. You’ll also find corn gluten meal, wheat middlings, and dried grains on the list of ingredients.
The only animal-based ingredients in this formula are meat and bone meal, chicken fat, and chicken by-product meal.
Meat and bone meal is less than ideal because we don’t know where it comes from. Chicken fat is a nutritious source of essential fatty acids, however. Chicken by-product meal is a named animal protein but, again, it’s difficult to judge the product because by-products may include many different parts of the chicken.
Overall, this formula is fairly low in protein and fat but extremely high in carbohydrates. The primary benefit is that it’s readily available and highly affordable in Aldi stores worldwide.
Ingredients
Ground Corn, Soybean Meal, Meat and Bone Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken Fat Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols, Wheat Middlings, Corn Distillers Dried Grains With Solubles, Chicken By-Product Meal, Natural Flavors (source Of Chicken, Liver, Turkey, And Tuna), Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Phosphoric Acid, Calcium Sulfate, Taurine, Vitamins (choline Chloride, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement), Minerals (potassium Chloride, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite).
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Highly affordable and readily available
- Doesn’t contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- Chicken fat provides a nutritious source of essential fats
What We Didn’t Like
- Contains corn, wheat, and soy ingredients
- Very high carbohydrate content
- Contains vaguely named animal products
Other Popular Brands In Ireland
Our top picks for the best cat food in Ireland are primarily made in Ireland or elsewhere in the UK. You can, however, find certain brands that are popular in the U.S. in some Irish pet stores and from online retailers that ship to Ireland.
While these brands are wildly popular, we generally don’t recommend most of them. These brands are formulated with high concentrations of plant ingredients (including plant protein concentrates) which are not particularly species-appropriate. Many contain corn, wheat, and soy ingredients as well as vaguely named animal produces like animal digest and meat by-products.
That being said, here are another handful of popular brands available in Ireland:
#1 Whiskas
Owned by Mars Petcare, Whiskas is a highly affordable brand and one that’s easy to find throughout the world. Whiskas offers both dry and wet foods, all priced under $0.10 per ounce.
Much like Aldi cat food, Whiskas products contain corn, wheat, and soy ingredients. What puts them on a lower tier in terms of quality, however, is the inclusion of artificial color and preservatives.
#2 Sheba
Similar in quality to Whiskas cat food, Sheba is an extremely affordable brand that, unfortunately, leaves something to be desired in terms of quality. Sheba is also owned by Mars Petcare and is manufactured in the United States.
Sheba offers a limited selection of wet food and treats, some of which contain few to no added carbohydrates. They do, however, contain vaguely named animal ingredients and added color.
#3 Royal Canin
Launched in the 1960s, Royal Canin is a very well-known pet food brand around the world. The brand changed hands a few times over the years, sold most recently to Mars, Inc. in 2001. Royal Canin appears to source their ingredients around the world and has multiple international manufacturing facilities.
Though Royal Canin has only had three product recalls in the last 15 years, their cat foods are similar in quality to the previous two brands. Royal Canin cat foods make heavy use of corn, wheat, and other plant-based ingredients. They don’t seem to use as many vaguely named animal products, but animal by-products do make frequent appearances in their recipes.
#4 Purina
Another brand with a long history in the pet food industry, Purina was launched all the way back in 1894. Though it originally started with animal feed, Purina transitioned into pet nutrition in the 1920s. In 2001, Purina merged with Nestle to become the second-largest pet food company in the world.
Purina offers a wide variety of cat food products in various product lines. Purina GoCat and Purina One appear to be two of the more popular product lines sold in Ireland. GoCat formulas make heavy use of vaguely named plant and animal ingredients. Purine ONE seems to be slightly higher in quality (depending on the recipe) but still includes corn, wheat, and soy ingredients as well as vaguely named animal proteins.
#5 Hill’s
Hill’s was originally founded in 1907 by Burton Hill as Hill Rendering Works. It later came to be known as the Hill Packing Company and eventually partnered with Dr. Mark L. Morris to pioneer the development of some of the world’s first clinical veterinary pet food diets. In 1976, Hills was sold to Colgate-Palmolive and is now sold in more than 80 countries worldwide.
The Hill’s name includes four lines of cat food: Science Diet, Prescription Diet, Healthy Advantage, and Ideal Balance. The brand makes heavy use of plant ingredients and while some recipes seem to offer scientifically supported benefits for specific healthy problems, they generally aren’t the best choice for a healthy cat’s staple diet. They’re also fairly expensive.
#6 IAMS
Another company owned by Mars, Inc. in the United States, IAMS received one of our lowest ratings of 5.1 out of 10 or a D grade. The European brand is owned and manufactured by a subsidiary called Spectrum Brands with manufacturing facilities in Drenthe, Netherlands.
The two most popular product lines sold in Ireland are IAMS Proactive Health and IAMS for Vitality. Both utilize significant concentrations of plant ingredients, including corn and wheat. They do, however, seem to be mostly free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. IAMS foods are similar in price to Purina, though their wet foods tend to be more expensive than the dry.
Final Thoughts
The Irish cat food market offers a generous variety of options. While there seem to be a limited number of brands headquartered and manufactured in Ireland, the selection is much more varied when you include UK-based brands and U.S. brands sold online.
When selecting a cat food, the most important thing to consider is your cat’s requirement for balanced nutrition. While Europe’s pet food regulations are a little behind the U.S., there are still set standards for ingredient quality.
If you’re not sure what to feed your cat, consider one of the two brands based in Ireland that we’ve recommended as our top picks. Should those not be practical or affordable, the remaining picks on our list may be more economical for your needs.
