When it comes to selecting top-quality wet food for your beloved pets, several brands consistently receive high praise for their nutritious, tasty offerings. These brands are known for their commitment to using premium ingredients, ensuring the meals they provide are both delicious and balanced for optimal health. Whether you are looking for grain-free options, age-specific formulas, or recipes for specific dietary needs, these top brands have something to suit every pet's preference. Discover the best options below and find the perfect match to keep your furry friend happy and healthy.
Illustration of wet food
Best brands of wet food in 2025
Hill's Science Diet
Hill's Science Diet, a prominent brand under Hill's Pet Nutrition, is renowned for its high-quality wet pet food products. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, Hill's Pet Nutrition reported a 5% increase in net sales, reaching $1.11 billion, with organic sales growth of 10.5% for the fiscal year. The brand's wet food offerings, including new innovations like stews, mousses, and multi-packs, have secured additional shelf space in the pet specialty channel. Despite a 4% decline in organic volume, the brand continues to gain market share due to its science-driven portfolio and significant advertising investments. Hill's Pet Nutrition operates a new smart manufacturing plant in Tonganoxie, Kansas, enhancing production capacity for its wet pet food products.
Royal Canin
Royal Canin is renowned for its high-quality wet pet food, particularly popular among cat owners, with a notable increase in usage rates; as of 2020-21, 59% of cat owners fed their pets wet cat food, up from 49% in 2006-07. The brand, owned by Mars, is known for its meticulous attention to nutritional needs, with products like Royal Canin's kitten spayed/neutered dry cat food featuring meat-rich ingredients, although their wet food offerings are equally praised for their nutritional value and palatability.
Blue Buffalo
Blue Buffalo, acquired by General Mills in 2018, has emerged as a leading producer of high-quality, natural pet food, including wet food options. The brand has seen significant growth, with its pet food segment growing at a compound annual rate of 15% since the acquisition. Despite some challenges, such as supply chain disruptions, Blue Buffalo's volume sales resumed growth in early 2024, particularly for its Life Protection formulation, which saw high-single-digit growth. The company is investing $200 million to expand its Indiana operations, enhancing its production capacity and innovation in pet food. Blue Buffalo's commitment to using real meat as the first ingredient and avoiding poultry by-product meals, corn, wheat, and soy has solidified its position in the market.
Wellness
Wellness, a renowned brand in the pet food industry, is highly regarded for its high-quality wet pet food products. Known for their nutrient-rich formulas, Wellness wet foods cater to the dietary needs of both dogs and cats, offering a range of flavors and textures. The global wet pet food market, which includes brands like Wellness, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2023 to 2033, reaching a valuation of $37.7 billion by 2033. Wellness products are popular among pet owners due to their high water content, low carbohydrate levels, and soft texture, making them an ideal choice for pets with specific dietary needs. With the rising trend of pet humanization and increasing awareness of pet health, brands like Wellness continue to innovate and expand their product lines.
Purina Pro Plan
Purina Pro Plan is a leading brand in the pet food industry, particularly renowned for its high-quality wet food products. In 2023, Purina Pro Plan achieved significant sales, reaching almost $3.4 billion, and its Veterinary Supplement sales grew by 22.6%. The brand is part of Nestle Purina PetCare, which holds a 20.6% share of the global pet care market, just behind Mars. Purina Pro Plan's products, such as those in the LiveClear line, are scientifically formulated to meet specific pet needs, including reducing allergens in cat hair and dander. The brand's strong performance has contributed substantially to Nestle's overall sales, with Purina PetCare accounting for 20.3% of Nestle's overall sales in 2023. For more information about Purina Pro Plan's offerings, visit their official website.
Merrick
Merrick is renowned as one of the best producers of wet dog and cat food, offering high-quality products with impressive nutritional profiles. For instance, their Limited Ingredient Diet dog food features a dry matter protein reading of 36%, a fat level of 23%, and estimated carbohydrates of about 33%, making it an above-average wet dog food. Their Merrick Backcountry wet cat food boasts an average protein content of 48% and a mean fat level of 17.6%, with a carbohydrate content of 26.4%, earning it a 4.5-star rating from Cat Food Advisor. These products are crafted with real nutrition, often including ingredients like deboned chicken, chicken broth, and brown rice, and are free from added colors and plant-based protein boosters. This commitment to quality and nutrition makes Merrick a trusted choice for pet owners.
Nutro
Nutro, a subsidiary of Mars Incorporated, is renowned for its high-quality wet dog food formulations, which are rich in nutrients and made with real, recognizable ingredients. The Nutro Ultra line, for instance, features 22 wet and dry food recipes, including single-serve trays made with named quality meat sources and superfoods like blueberries and spinach. Nutro's products are formulated to meet AAFCO standards, ensuring they are complete and balanced for all life stages. Despite some past recalls, such as the 2009 recall due to small melted plastics, Nutro has maintained a strong reputation for its rigorous safety testing and commitment to sustainability. The brand's new NUTRO SO SIMPLE line further emphasizes ingredient transparency and the use of non-GMO ingredients.
Instinct
Instinct is renowned as one of the top producers of high-quality wet dog food, boasting an average protein content of 49% and a mean fat level of 36%, resulting in a carbohydrate content of just 7% in their Ultimate Protein canned dog food. This profile indicates an abundance of meat, with a dry matter protein reading of 52% and a fat level of 34%. The brand's commitment to raw, science-proven nutrition is evident in their minimally processed, protein-packed recipes. Instinct's products have received high praise, with Chewy customers rating them 4.6 out of 5 stars and 94% recommending them. The brand's focus on raw nutrition has led to significant health improvements in pets, as reported by numerous satisfied customers.
Canidae
Canidae is a renowned brand in the pet food industry, particularly esteemed for its high-quality wet food products. Owned by Ethos Pet Brands, Canidae has been a leader since 1996, known for its grain-free and limited ingredient foods. The company's Brownwood processing plant produces approximately 80% of Canidae's annual sales, with a significant portion dedicated to wet food and treats, which are co-manufactured to ensure top quality. Canidae's products are widely available in stores like Petco and PetSmart, as well as online on platforms such as Amazon and Chewy, catering to the growing demand for premium and natural pet foods. The brand's commitment to quality and customer satisfaction is reflected in its positive customer reviews and awards, including "Best Dog Food for Puppies" and "Best Overall Dog Food".
Natural Balance
Natural Balance is renowned for its high-quality wet cat food, particularly the Original Ultra Wet line, which boasts an above-average protein content of 40.9%, a fat level of 27.3%, and an estimated carbohydrate level of 23.8%. This nutrient profile makes it an excellent choice for cats, providing complete and balanced nutrition. The brand is also notable for being grain-free and free from artificial colors and flavors. With a strong market presence, Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc. has generated revenue between $200M to $500M as of October 2024. This financial stability underscores the brand's commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.
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