BBy Bikram Nath·Researched from UK Amazon listings·Updated 2026-07-10·5 products compared
What is the best cat food to buy in the UK?
Our top pick for Cat Food in the UK is the Thrive Cat Food Complete Sardine with Mackerel Tins 6x75g.
For UK cat owners who want an additive-free wet food that stands on its own as a complete diet, the Thrive Cat Food Complete Sardine with Mackerel is the top pick — it is a complete food with no fillers, thickeners or artificial additives, hand-packed in a human-food factory.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This guide contains Amazon affiliate links, and we may earn a commission — at no extra cost to you — but it never changes our rankings.
Choosing the right cat food is one of the most important decisions you make for your cat's long-term health. With hundreds of options on shelves and online, the UK market can feel overwhelming — but the fundamentals are straightforward. A quality cat food should list a named protein (chicken, tuna, salmon) as its first ingredient, contain no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives, and be appropriate for your cat's life stage. Wet food provides vital hydration and is closer to a cat's natural prey-based diet, while dry kibble is convenient, more affordable, and supports dental health. Many owners feed a combination of both. Premium brands like Thrive, Applaws, and Encore use high meat content in natural broth with minimal processing, which many cats prefer. At the mid-range, Purina ONE and Perfect Fit offer complete nutrition developed with veterinary input.
Buying guide
What should you look for in Cat Food?
1Always check the first ingredient — it should be a named meat or fish, not a generic 'meat derivative' or cereal filler.
2Wet food in broth provides essential hydration that many cats don't get from drinking water alone, reducing the risk of urinary tract problems.
3Complete foods contain all nutrients your cat needs; complementary foods (like broth toppers) should be fed alongside a complete dry food.
4High meat content (70%+) wet foods tend to be lower in carbohydrates, which is closer to a cat's natural low-carb carnivore diet.
5Transition to any new food gradually over 7–10 days by mixing increasing amounts with the old food to avoid digestive upset.
Our process
How do we choose our picks?
We don’t lab-test products ourselves. Instead we synthesise current Amazon UK listings and published specs into clear, honest recommendations. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, but that never changes which products we rank.
Current UK availability
We check each pick against live Amazon UK catalogue data rather than last year’s model lists. Stock moves fast, so a listing can sell out after we publish.
Published specs
We compare manufacturer specifications so each pick is right for a real budget and use-case.
UK-specific fit
We factor in UK voltage and plug/fitting standards — details that generic global lists miss.
Applaws Natural Wet Cat Food Multipack Fish Selection in Broth 12x70g
Applaws is a natural wet cat food with 75% tuna fillet and no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. It is a complementary food, so it needs a complete dry kibble alongside it.
Format
Wet tins
Pack Size
12 x 70g
Protein Content
75% Tuna Fillet
Type
Complementary
Key Features
100% natural, no artificial additives, recyclable tins
What we like
+75% tuna fillet
+No artificial colours, flavours or preservatives
+Recyclable metal tin packaging
Worth noting
–Complementary food — needs a complete dry kibble alongside
–Pack variety may vary during packaging transitions
£10.79£13.12−18%Amazon.co.uk price as of 17 Oct, 13:00 (London time). Details
PURINA ONE Mini Fillets Mixed Selection in Gravy Adult Wet Cat Food 40x85g
Purina ONE is one of the most trusted mainstream cat food brands in the UK and the Mini Fillets format is popular with cats who prefer soft pieces in gravy. The 40-pack is practical value and the urinary support formula is a useful bonus.
Format
Wet pouches
Pack Size
40 x 85g
Protein Source
Ocean fish (mixed selection)
Type
Complete
Key Features
Urinary health support, antioxidants, no artificial additives
What we like
+Large 40-pack offers strong value per pouch
+Supports urinary tract health by reducing mineral concentration
+No artificial colours, preservatives or flavourings
Worth noting
–Some cats dislike the gravy format vs broth
–Protein content lower than specialist natural brands
£14.75£18.14−19%Amazon.co.uk price as of 17 Oct, 13:00 (London time). Details
Encore 100% Natural Wet Adult Cat Food Fish Selection in Broth 8x70g
Encore is a 100% natural wet food with 75% fish content. The variety of fish in each pack helps keep fussy cats interested, and the broth format provides excellent hydration.
Format
Wet tins
Pack Size
8 x 70g
Protein Content
75% fish
Type
Complementary
Key Features
Natural broth, Omega-3, recyclable packaging
What we like
+75% fish content with tuna, shrimp, sardine and mackerel
+Natural source of Omega-3 for eye, ear and heart health
+Fully recyclable sustainable packaging
Worth noting
–Complementary — not a standalone complete diet
–Smaller variety pack (8 tins) than some competitors
£6.50Amazon.co.uk price as of 17 Oct, 13:00 (London time). Details
Perfect Fit Adult 1+ Mixed Selection in Sauce 48 Pouches
Perfect Fit's vet-developed Total 5 Formula addresses weight, immunity, urinary health, agility, and skin in one complete food. Practical for owners who want a reliable, science-backed daily wet food without hunting for specialist brands.
Format
Wet pouches
Pack Size
48 x 85g (4 x 12-pack)
Protein Source
Mixed (poultry and fish)
Type
Complete
Key Features
Total 5 Formula, vet-developed, urinary support
What we like
+Complete food covering 5 key health needs in one formula
+Developed with vets at the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition
+No artificial preservatives
Worth noting
–Higher price per pouch than basic mainstream brands
–Sauce-based rather than broth — lower natural hydration
£25.30Amazon.co.uk price as of 17 Oct, 13:00 (London time). Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of 17 Oct, 13:00 (London time) and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Editor's Note
Cats are obligate carnivores and need taurine, arachidonic acid, and vitamin A from animal sources — they cannot synthesise these from plants. Any food marketed as vegetarian or vegan for cats should be approached with extreme caution and only used under veterinary guidance. For hydration, broth-based wet food is far more effective than adding water to dry kibble. If your cat is prone to urinary issues, look for foods that specifically state urinary mineral control, and always ensure fresh water is available alongside any diet.
Our Take
Thrive Complete Sardine with Mackerel is the top pick — it is a complete food, so it needs no separate dry kibble alongside it, and it is made with no fillers, thickeners, sugar or artificial additives. The tins are hand-packed in a human-food factory.
Questions & answers
Frequently asked questions
Is wet or dry cat food better?
Both have merits. Wet food provides essential hydration and higher protein with fewer carbohydrates — closer to a cat's natural diet. Dry kibble is convenient, more affordable, and supports dental health. Many vets recommend a mix of both for adult cats.
How often should I feed my cat?
Most adult cats do well with two meals per day — morning and evening. Free-feeding dry kibble works for cats without weight issues, but measured portion feeding is better for cats prone to overeating.
What ingredients should I avoid in cat food?
Avoid foods listing 'meat derivatives' or 'animal by-products' as the primary protein source without specifying the animal. Also avoid artificial colours (E102, E110, E124), artificial preservatives (BHA, BHT), and excessive cereal or plant fillers in a carnivore's diet.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. UKPicks earns a small commission from qualifying purchases made via links on this page. This does not affect our editorial recommendations or the price you pay.
