The United States remains one of the biggest manufacturers and exporters of pet food products. Popular brands like Fancy Feast and Royal Canin are available around the world, including Singapore.
While Singapore hasn’t quite joined the ranks of many European and American companies in manufacturing their own pet food, pet parents are not lacking for options. Australia is a major supplier of pet food in Singapore and many of the biggest American brands are easy to find.
In this guide, we’ll briefly discuss what your cat needs in terms of nutrition. We’ll also talk about the kind of cat food you’ll find in Singapore and introduce you to our top picks.
At a Glance: Best Cat Food To Buy in Singapore
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.
#1
10.0
Picked by 31 people today!
- High-quality source of novel animal protein
- Meat is in chunks your cat can chew and tear
- Rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration
#2
9.8
Picked by 31 people today!
- Made with 92% meat, bone, and offal
- Rich in species-appropriate animal protein and fats
- Raw and unprocessed, made with human-grade ingredients
#3
9.5
Picked by 25 people today!
- Made with ethically and sustainably sourced ingredients
- Comprised of 92% meat, organs, and green mussels
- Packed with species appropriate animal protein and healthy fat
#4
9.4
Picked by 21 people today!
- Packed with species-appropriate animal protein
- Green mussels provide joint-supporting glucosamine
- Freeze-dried to preserve natural flavor and nutrition
#5
9.3
Picked by 18 people today!
- First 7 ingredients are high-quality animal ingredients
- Made with fresh meat, ground bone, and organ meats
- Freeze-dried to preserve flavor and nutrition
#6
9.2
Picked by 18 people today!
- Made with a single source of high-quality animal protein
- Doesn’t contain any added carbohydrates
- Rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration
#7
9.0
Picked by 18 people today!
- Three sources of highly digestible animal protein
- Extremely low carb content for a dry cat food
- Rich in animal-based fatty acids
#8
9.0
Picked by 18 people today!
- Packed with high-quality sources of animal protein
- Coated with freeze-dried chicken for added protein and flavor
- Supplemented with probiotics for healthy digestion
Before getting into the details of our top picks, let’s dive into the subject of pet food in Singapore. We’ll also offer some tips for choosing a nutritionally balanced recipe and finding cat food in Singapore.
Your Cat’s Nutritional Requirements
Cats have unique nutritional needs based on their biological status as obligate carnivores. Whereas dogs are closer to omnivores in their ability to digest plant matter to some degree, cats are designed to subsist on animal products like meat, organs, and raw bone.
Your cat requires a protein-rich diet balanced with healthy fats, ideally from animal sources. To put it simply, the fewer plant ingredients in your cat’s diet the better.
Protein is particularly essential for growth and development in kittens but also plays an important role in maintaining lean muscle in adulthood. Fat helps the body absorb and metabolize essential nutrients in addition to providing a concentrated source of energy in the form of calories.
Your cat has no biological need for carbohydrates, but he does need an assortment of vitamins and minerals. These can be obtained entirely from animal sources like organ meats and raw bone, but many commercial cat foods rely on synthetic supplements to ensure nutritional balance.
When shopping for cat food, make sure the product is formulated with an emphasis on animal-based proteins and fat with limited carbohydrate content. It’s also wise to avoid fillers like corn, wheat, and soy as well as artificial additives like flavoring, colorants, and preservatives.
How Is Pet Food Regulated In Asia?
There is a widespread opinion in the pet food industry that pet food made in Asia (specifically China) is unsafe. A major factor in the development of this opinion was the major FDA recall of Chinese pet food due to elevated levels of melamine.
After the Chinese government traced much of the poisoned pet food back to Binzhou Futian Biology Technology Co. Ltd., a number of different companies voluntarily recalled their own products. Since 2007, more than 150 pet food brands have recalled various cat and dog food recipes. Some of these brands include big names like Royal Canin, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Blue Buffalo, and Diamond Pet Foods.
So, China doesn’t have a great history when it comes to pet food safety, but does the stigma apply to other Asian countries? Perhaps not.
Thailand has become a major producer of canned cat foods and the second largest importer of pet food to the United States. Production costs are much cheaper in Thailand than in the US, but another determining factor is that most of the world’s tuna is caught there. Thailand is also a major producer of canned chicken products.
Pet food production in Thailand is overseen by the Department of Livestock Development – similar to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Thailand also has its own Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which is recognized by the US FDA.
While some Asian countries are building a name for themselves as major players in the pet food market, it’s important to evaluate individual products carefully. Many brands follow AAFCO standards for nutritional adequacy and any food exported from the USA must as well.
But What About Pet Food Produced In Singapore?
In researching cat food brands in Singapore for this review, I found that most of the brand produced in Singapore didn’t make any mention of AAFCO standards. This isn’t to say that there aren’t any standards for nutrition in pet food in Singapore, but I wasn’t able to find any specific details.
Though pet food standards in Singapore are a bit of a mystery, it’s possible that stricter regulations may be on the horizon.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, market research shows an increase in online shopping among pet owners. In fact, a report released in 2020 showed that the Asia Pacific region is one of the largest global pet care market. Many of the brands that are popular in the US and Europe are readily available for residents of Singapore through online retailers like Amazon.
As the pet food market grows, regulatory agencies throughout Asia may start to pay more attention to the pet food products manufactured in their own country.
The Best Cat Food in Singapore: Our Top Picks
My top pick is the only Singapore-made cat food brand I could find. I did find a raw food brand called Raw Instinct, but it was rebranded in 2020. The top pick on this list may, in fact, be the new company.
Some of my other top picks are Australian-made pet food companies that ship to Singapore or other Asian companies that use Australian ingredients. I’ve also included some of the most popular US-based pet food companies you can find on Amazon and other online retailers that ship to Singapore.
#1 PetCubes
Featured in an article in Petfood Industry magazine, PetCubes is a Singapore-made pet food company that offers gently cooked food for dogs and fresh raw food for both dogs and cats. Among their gently cooked dog food line is a recipe inspired by the national dish of Malaysia and a local favorite in Singapore called nasi lemak.
PetCubes’ fresh raw cat food is available in six flavors including chicken, beef, duck, lamb, kangaroo, and venison. You can purchase these recipes individually or buy a variety pack of all six flavors. PetCubes also offers six flavors of bone broth for pets.
PetCubes appears to be a delivery-only company that offers free shipping on orders over $135. You can choose to make a one-time purchase or subcribe and save 5% on deliveries Monday through Friday between 6pm and 10pm.
Featured Recipe: PetCubes Wild Kangaroo Fresh Cat Food
One of PetCubes’ more unconventional recipes, this fresh raw food features kangaroo as the primary protein. It also contains supplemental protein from lamb live and lamb pluck, but not concentrated sources of plant protein.
In fact, there are only a handful of plant ingredients in this formula, the primary one being coconut oil. Salmon oil follows this ingredient, providing an animal-based source of omega-3 fatty acids.
This recipe is made with 100% wild kangaroo meat flown in from Australia. It is formulated for cats of all breeds and life stages, including cats with food allergies. There are no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
What makes PetCubes’ raw food unique is that the meat ingredients are in the form of chunks so your cat can tear and chew the food just as nature intended.
Kangaroo Meat, Lamb Liver, Lamb Pluck, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Atlantic Salmon Oil, Ground Eggshells, Organic Sea Kelp, Prebiotics & Probiotics Collagen Mix, Acai Berries, Ashwagandha Root, Dandelion Root, Spirulina, Vitamin E, Manganese Gluconate, Vitamin B Complex, Vitamin D.
Crude Protein: 32%
Crude Fat: 3.8%
Crude Fiber: 0.1%
Moisture: 65%
Protein: 91.43%
Fat: 10.86%
Fiber: 0.29%
Protein: 77.62%
Fat: 22.38%
What We Liked
- High-quality source of novel animal protein
- Meat is in chunks your cat can chew and tear
- Rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration
- Save 5% on a regular delivery every 1 to 6 weeks
What We Didn’t Like
- Contains some unnecessary plant ingredients
- Only available online
#7 Young Again
While Young Again is manufactured in the United States, the company does have a distributor in Singapore. The food is distributed by Can & Clover Pte Ltd, located near Geylang, Singapore.
The brand was founded in 1987 and launched their first line of products in 1990. The hallmark of Young Again cat foods is the low-carbohydrate content. Young Again products are known among discerning pet owners, though they keep a pretty low profile and only sell directly through their website.
Young Again’s headquarters is located in Stacy, Minnesota and they source their ingredients from various countries including the United States, Canada, France, and New Zealand. All of their meat ingredients are purchased from FDA or USDA approved human food facilities.
Featured Recipe: Young Again ZERO Cat and Kitten Formula
All of Young Again’s dry food formulas are designed to be extremely low in carbohydrates which makes them good for diabetic cats and unusually species-appropriate for a dry food. Keep in mind, however, that no dry food supplies the moisture your cat needs.
This recipe starts out with hydrolyzed pork and chicken meal as the primary proteins, supplemented with herring meal. The only two sources of added fat are animal-based as well – chicken fat and fish oil. These ingredients supply essential fatty acids.
Unlike other extruded kibbles, this recipe doesn’t contain any starchy ingredients to hold it together. Guar gum acts as a binder in this case, but it doesn’t contain any carbohydrate – only soluble fiber. Soluble fiber helps the stool retain water to soften them which could be a benefit for constipated cats but other cats may develop loose stools on this food.
Overall, this recipe is rich in animal protein and healthy fats but extremely low in carbohydrates. Just keep in mind the calorie content is very high (650), so the average cat may only need ¼ cup a day.
Hydrolyzed Pork, Chicken Meal, Chicken Fat, Chicken Liver Flavor, Guar Gum, Herring Meal, DL Methionine, L-Lysine, Fish Oil, Psyllium Husk (source of soluble dietary fiber), Potassium Citrate, Fructooligosaccharides (FOS), Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Brewers Yeast, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Potassium Carbonate, Vitamin E Supplement, L-Tryptophan, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of stabilized vitamin C), L-Carnitine, Betaine Anhydrous, Magnesium Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Salt, Yucca Schidigera Extract,Rosemary Extract, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Niacinamide (vitamin B3), Copper Proteinate, Biotin (vitamin B7), Thiamine Mononitrate (vitamin B1), Folic Acid (vitamin B9), Vitamin A Acetate, Riboflavin (vitamin B2), Calcium Pantothenate (vitamin B5), Dried Aspergillus oryzae Fermentation Extract, Dehydrated Pediococcus Acidilactici Fermentation Product, Beta Carotene, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (vitamin B6), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Mixed Tocopherols, Potassium Sorbate and Citric Acid (Preservatives).
Ingredients We Liked: Hydrolyzed Pork, Chicken Meal, Chicken Fat, Herring Meal, Fish Oil
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Guar Gum, Brewers Yeast
Crude Protein: 54%
Crude Fat: 26%
Crude Fiber: 3%
Moisture: 10%
Ash: 5.5%
Protein: 60%
Fat: 28.89%
Fiber: 3.33%
Carbs: 1.67%
Protein: 45.51%
Fat: 53.22%
Carbs: 1.26%
What We Liked:
- Three sources of highly digestible animal protein
- Extremely low carb content for a dry cat food
- Contains two animal-based fats
- Free from synthetic additives like flavors, colors, and preservatives
What We Didn’t Like:
- No dry food provides the moisture cats need
- Very high calorie content – pay attention to serving sizes
#8 Instinct
Launched in 2002 in Lincoln Nebraska as a small pet food manufacturer, Instinct is now owned by a Barcelona-based firm called Agrilomen. Even so, it continues to operate as an independent company with headquarters in St. Louis, MO. Instinct offers a variety of meat-centric recipes, many of which include raw, fresh, and freeze-dried ingredients.
Being a US-made brand, Instinct pet foods contain mostly US-sourced ingredients. The exceptions are some of their animal proteins which are sourced from New Zealand, Australia, France, and Italy. Though overall a pretty reliable brand, Instinct has had four recalls since launching in 2002 but none within the last 10 years.
Featured Recipe: Instinct Original Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken Freeze-Dried Raw Dry Cat Food
Formulated for cats in all life stages, this Instinct dry food is packed with animal protein and healthy animal-based fats.
The first ingredient is cage-free chicken, supplemented with additional protein from chicken meal, turkey meal, and menhaden fish meal. Chicken fat provides a nutrient-rich source of animal-based fat and calories to fulfill your cat’s energy requirements.
While the top four ingredients are animal-based, there is a significant number of plant ingredients on the list. This includes starchy ingredients like peas and tapioca as well as fiber-rich fruits. The total fiber content isn’t excessive, but it may still be higher than the average cat needs.
What makes this dry food unique is that the kibbles are sprayed with a coating of freeze-dried chicken heart. Not only does this enhance the flavor and aroma of the food, but it adds a hint of extra protein.
Instinct earned a B rating in our in-depth review with the primary issue being the brand’s recall history. It’s also a fairly pricey brand, though by no means the most expensive on this list.
Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal, Peas, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), Tapioca, Natural Flavor, Dried Tomato Pomace, Montmorillonite Clay, Carrots, Apples, Cranberries, Choline Chloride, Salt, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin), Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide), Taurine, Freeze Dried Chicken, Freeze Dried Chicken Liver, Pumpkinseeds, Freeze Dried Chicken Heart, Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract.
Crude Protein: 41%
Crude Fat: 21%
Crude Fiber: 3%
Moisture: 9%
Protein: 45.05%
Fat: 23.08%
Fiber: 3.3%
Carbs: 28.57%
Protein: 34.75%
Fat: 43.22%
Carbs: 22.03%
What We Liked
- Packed with high-quality sources of animal protein
- Coated with freeze-dried chicken for added protein and flavor
- Supplemented with probiotics for healthy digestion
- Chicken fat is a nutrient-rich source of healthy animal fat
What We Didn’t Like
- Contains unnecessary plant ingredients
- Carbohydrate content is high, over 25% as fed
Singapore-Made Cat Treats And Supplemental Foods
While the options are limited for cat food made in Singapore, there are a few local companies that make treats and supplements which may be available for shipping.
Where To Buy Cat Food In Singapore
As is true in the United States, Singapore has a wide variety of pet food retailers. Some of the most popular choices include CatSmart, Pet Master, and SingPet. These stores also offer online shopping, some with free delivery in Singapore over a certain order size.
If you prefer to shop online, you’ll find that many of the several online pet retailers will ship to Singapore. Amazon is likely to be your best bet – Chewy does not ship internationally. Some major U.S. pet stores like Petco will ship to Singapore through an independent international shipping company called Borderlinx.
Final Thoughts
If you’re shopping for cat food in Singapore, you have plenty of options to choose from. Not only are there a few healthy choices for Singapore-made pet food, but with Australia being so close-by, access to premium products is simple.
The most important thing you can do for your cat is select a nutritionally balanced cat food appropriate for his life stage. It’s uncertain whether Singapore-made pet food is formulated to the same nutritional standards as US-made food, but there’s no reason to believe these foods are of lower quality.
Still, if you’re more comfortable with a tried-and-true brand, you can find them online at Amazon and from other Singapore-based retailers.