When it comes to cat food, it’s all about protein. A quality animal protein is not only the most expensive ingredient in your cat’s food, it is also one of the most important. cats are obligate carnivores, which means they need meat to get all the nutrients they need.
Chicken is often the cheapest and most readily available protein source for cat food and is found in almost every brand of cat food on the market.
While chicken may work for most kitties, some need chicken-free cat food.
That’s why I’ve put together a list of my top three chicken-free cat foods. We have three options for dry and three options for wet, so no matter what you feed your cat, we have an option for you. I also made sure to include a few options on the list that are completely poultry-free.
We’ll delve into all the ways chicken can show up in your cat’s food along with reviews of each product, but you just want to jump in and see which foods make the list, you can check them out here:
dry food
- Best Overall: American Journey Salmon Recipe
- Runner Up: Blue Buffalo Limited Ingredient Diet
- Best on a Budget: A Taste of the Wild River Canyon
- best overall: nomnomnow cat food delivery
- Finalist: American Travel Landmark
- Best on a Budget: A Taste of the Wild River Canyon
- amazing ingredients with animal protein as the first 4 of 5 listed ingredients
- american journey has no recalls on any pet food products
- the salmon recipe is free of poultry of any kind
- the price is excellent, especially when you consider the quality
- features multiple sources of protein that can upset the stomach of sensitive cats
- just a flavor that doesn’t actually contain chicken
- multiple flavors to choose from, all without chicken
- no grains, soy, corn.
- excludes egg which may be excellent for some cats
- slightly lower quality ingredients with the inclusion of vegetable proteins
- mixed history of withdrawals in the last 5 years
- trout is the first ingredient that makes this a more unique option
- Made in the USA. uu. and family-owned since the 1970s
- limited filling and only sources of carbohydrates
- 2012 salmonella recalls raise some concerns (more information)
- limited in flavor options
- simple, high-quality ingredients you can actually see
- small batch production
- custom ratios based on your cat’s weight and activity (so you don’t have to guess how much to feed)
- premium cat food at a premium price
- four of the first five ingredients are of animal origin with three different types of fish
- american journey has a perfect withdrawal record with zero withdrawals
- multiple non-poultry flavors to choose from
- extra fishy smell
- trout is the number one ingredient
- Made in the USA. uu. and family-owned since the 1970s
- limited filling and only sources of carbohydrates
- 2012 salmonella recalls raise some concerns (more information)
- includes egg which some cat owners prefer to avoid
- pig
- duck
- pheasant
- bison
- deer
- tuna
- arctic char
- salmon
- turkey
- and more
wet food
how to find chicken-free cat food
cat food labels are not easy to understand. in fact, the fda has a 4,000+ word article that explains pet food label language in detail.
and we’re not even talking about ingredients.
For example, cat food brands can label their recipe “with tuna” as long as 3% of the food includes tuna. therefore, a cat food recipe labeled “turkey with tuna” only needs to have a minimum of 3% tuna to earn the “with” in the title. this very specific wording can quickly become overwhelming, and things get even more complicated when you look at the actual ingredients.
That’s why I put together a list of the most common chicken ingredients and some that might include chicken. that way, you’ll know what to look for, even if you don’t opt for one of the chicken-free foods I’ve listed here.
We will reference the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) for some of our definitions and you can learn more about them here.
chicken
As defined by the AAFCO, chicken is “an accompanying clean combination of meat and skin, with or without bone, derived from parts or whole carcasses of poultry, or a combination thereof, excluding feathers, heads, legs and entrails”. .”
chicken meal
Chicken meal is the meat, skin, and muscle of a chicken treated with intense heat to remove water and fat, leaving behind concentrated protein. it is then ground into a meal.
chicken by-product
These are other parts of the chicken that are not normally used in food. that includes things like neck, freet, heads and intestines but excludes feathers.
meal from chicken by-products
These are chicken parts like necks, feet and heads, but processed to remove most of the fat and moisture.
liver
Now this one is really important to look for since the ingredient “liver” by itself doesn’t specify which animal it came from. in other words, “liver” could mean chicken liver but it could also mean turkey liver. Obviously, this is important to consider in our search for chicken-free cat food. In general, if you’re looking for chicken-free cat food, you should avoid the no-name liver ingredient just to be on the safe side.
traces of chicken may still appear
While I believe the pet food industry is constantly improving and raising standards as cat owners demand higher quality, you still (unfortunately) cannot believe everything you read on the ingredient label.
either through direct negligence or simply as a result of a facility handling various types of pet food, a 2013 study found that 40% of cat and dog foods contained meat that was not listed on the label.
guess the most common unexpected ingredient to find its way into cat and dog food?
That’s right, chicken.
but that’s okay…we promise!
Please note that studies such as the one conducted by Avma show a very wide range of cat food companies. many already have a bad reputation and are not known for their quality products.
you won’t find them in this list.
Unlike some articles you may have read that list 20 of the “best” cat foods, we’ve carefully sifted through our selection and narrowed it down to three across dry and wet food categories.
the best dry cat food without chicken
We’ve selected three of the best chicken-free dry cat foods. each represents a different alternative protein source and each is completely grain free.
Best Overall: American Trip Salmon Recipe
buy in chewy
My number one pick is the chevy.com exclusive brand called american journey. specifically, the salmon recipe like the other flavors list chicken in the ingredients list. American Journey has been on the market since 2017 and they are easily taking the number one spot due to their high quality ingredients, great price, and perfect recall record. american journey is exclusive to chewy.com and can be found by clicking here.
advantages:
cons:
All American Journey cat foods are also free of corn, wheat, soy, and even artificial preservatives. To get a better idea of how good this product really is, let’s take a look at the first five ingredients with a brief explanation.
1. boneless salmon
Any cat food that does not contain an animal protein as the first ingredient should be avoided. the first ingredient we see in american journey salmon recipe is exactly what we want to see: boneless salmon.
2. salmon meal
this is salmon but the fat and water have been removed after high temperature treatment.
3. tapioca starch
This is essentially a carbohydrate, but luckily it’s the only one we’ll find among the top five ingredients. remember, grain-free does not mean carb-free. while it’s not great, it’s about the problem I’m having with the first five ingredients.
4. menaden fish meal
similar to salmon meal, this is menhaden fish but with the fat and water removed through an extraction process.
5. dried egg product
Dried egg is easy to store and inexpensive, but is still a high-quality protein source for cats. this is one that is common in american journey products, but it is very common to see it in other cat foods.
summary
Overall, american journey is the clear winner when it comes to the best chicken-free cat food. with no recalls (for any pet food) and a long list of quality ingredients focused on animal protein can be a great option. the only drawback would be the mix of different animal proteins, which could be a deal breaker if your cat has allergies or a sensitive stomach. If you want to read more, you can check out my full american journey cat food review.
Runner Up: Blue Buffalo Limited Ingredient Diet
Runner up is Blue Buffalo Limited Ingredient Diet. The Limited Ingredient Diet (often abbreviated as Lid) is a cat food formula that is limited to one type of protein source, and often only one type of carbohydrate source. Limited ingredient diets are often used to help cats with food allergies by greatly decreasing the amount of protein your cat might be reacting to. They’re also a great non-chicken cat food option.
blue buffalo has three different flavors (turkey, duck, and fish) and none contain chicken. You can see today’s price on Amazon by clicking here.
advantages:
cons:
the blue buffalo is a solid choice, and the limited lineup of ingredients is perfect for those looking to avoid chicken. Let’s take a quick look at the first 5 ingredients to get a better idea of the product. we will be looking at the fish & potato recipe, since it does not contain poultry either.
1. boneless white fish
similar to the American trip, we see boneless fish as the first ingredient which is exactly what we want to see.
2. menhaden fishmeal
This is a menhaden fish, but most of the fat and water are removed by heat. it is a good source of protein.
3. tapioca starch
This is our first carb on the list, and while it’s not ideal, it’s much better than anything corn, soy, or wheat based.
4. peas
peas are another primarily carbohydrate source. I would love to see another protein in its place.
5. pea protein
This is the concentrated protein from the peas. peas happen to be one of the highest protein vegetables, but still not a substitute for animal protein.
summary
with two carbohydrates and only two animal sources of protein, we can see why blue buffalo is in second place. Still, it helps that this limited-ingredient diet focuses on a single source of animal protein, making it a great choice for cats with sensitivities. If you are interested in learning more, you can read my full review of the blue buffalo limited ingredient diet.
Best on a Budget: A Taste of the Wild River Canyon
I chose the wild canyon river flavor as our top budget pick. This dry cat food contains trout as the first ingredient, making it somewhat unique in the world of cat food and a great choice if you suspect your cat has trouble digesting more traditional proteins. The ingredient list is more similar to our blue buffalo product, making the wild flavor a solid budget option. You can get the latest Amazon price by clicking here.
advantages:
cons:
taste of the wild takes a more unique approach to its carbohydrate choice by including potatoes and sweet potatoes. this could be a great option for cat owners who want to try something new and avoid chicken. Let’s take a closer look at the first five ingredients.
1. trout
As mentioned, trout is a bit more unusual when it comes to cat food, so it’s a good choice if you’re looking for an alternative protein.
2. fishmeal from the sea
this is the concentrated ocean fish food. unfortunately, the specific fish is not mentioned.
3. sweet potatoes
This is the first carbohydrate and is more unique to cat food.
4. potatoes
although I think the inclusion of sweet potatoes is interesting, I don’t like to see two types of potatoes among the top 5 ingredients.
5. pea protein
As we’ve seen before, pea protein is the concentrated protein from peas. while it’s nice to see another source of protein, it’s not nice to see it come from plants instead of an animal.
trout, saltwater fishmeal, sweet potatoes, potatoes, pea protein
summary
a taste of the wild can be a great alternative to dry food without chicken. while it doesn’t have the same ingredient profile as our number one pick, it’s still a great choice and a solid budget option. just remember that cat foods come in different sizes and you’ll want to find the price per pound or ounce when shopping around to find the best price. You can check the latest price on Amazon by clicking here.
best wet cat food without chicken
Wet food is an excellent option to keep your cat hydrated and healthy. It can also make a great treat, or if you have a particularly picky kitty, it might be the only thing you feed him. we have three of the best chicken-free wet cat food options.
our number one pick: nomnomnow food delivery
our number one pick is nomnomnow food delivery.
My brother uses this service and I must say it’s amazing. if you really want to pamper your kitty and have as much control as possible over his diet, this is the way to go. nomnomnow has a fish-based diet that is free of chicken, by-products, and grains. it’s about as close as you can get to cooking for your cat without doing all the work. you can learn more about nomnom now by clicking here.
advantages:
cons:
nomnomnow really is a great service and product and if your cat has a sensitive stomach it could be the perfect choice. what i really love about this cat food is that not only do they have a chicken-free option, but you can also see and recognize what is in your cat’s food. instead of seeing a brown spot, you can see the fish, carrots, and other ingredients.
Speaking of ingredients, let’s take a look at the top 5 in nomnomnow’s Fish Feast formula.
1. talapia
Talapia is a popular fish that is a good source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids.
2. salmon
I love seeing salmon as our second ingredient here and would expect nothing less from a premium cat food service.
3. beef fat
So far we haven’t seen any other food on our list that includes beef fat and I love it for animal-based energy.
4. cassava
cassava is the first carbohydrate and is closely related to the tapioca starch we’ve seen in other ingredient lists.
5. carrots
as usual, I’d love to see more protein, but carrots are ok!
summary
nomnomnow is a premium cat food at a premium price. but you absolutely get what you pay for and it is one of the highest quality cat foods you can feed your cat. With built-in portion control, you can also rest easy knowing your cat is getting the right amount of food. All in all a great choice and the Fish Feast flavor is chicken free. you can learn more about nomnom now by clicking here.
the runner-up: landmark of the American trip
It should come as no surprise that American Journey products appear again on this list. this time, I have selected their flagship line of products that they market as gourmet cat food. This chicken-free cat food has an excellent ingredient list based on fish products. Like the dry food, this product is exclusive to Chewy.com. you can get the latest price by clicking here.
advantages:
cons:
american journey’s historic line has several fish-based products that are great for cat owners looking for a chicken-free wet food option. this wet food is very carnivore friendly (which I love). Let’s take a closer look at the first five ingredients.
1. tuna
We already know that cats love tuna and this is a great source of protein and omega 3 fatty acids.
2. fish broth
broth is a typical ingredient in wet food and it’s nice to see that it’s fish based, but I’d rather see the name of the fish.
3. bream
bream is a type of fish and another great source of protein and omega 3 fatty acids.
4. tilapia
another fish appears in our ingredients. again, we have a great source of protein and omega 3 fatty acids.
5. sunflower oil
our first non-animal ingredient and I’m pleased to see that it’s not a carbohydrate.
summary
The iconic line of wet cat food is a great option at a great price. especially when you consider the quality of the ingredients inside. It’s technically our runner-up, but I see it more as an alternative to nomnomnow food delivery. you can get the latest price and see the other non-chicken flavors by clicking here.
Best on a Budget: A Taste of the Wild
Do you notice a trend here?
Our best budget-friendly and chicken-free wet food will do the same again with our dry options, as we’ve curated the flavor of protein-rich wild-caught wet food.
This formula is completely free of chicken and features the less common trout as the number one source of protein. This can be a great option if your cat has a general allergy to poultry or if you simply want to avoid poultry-based protein sources for other reasons. You can check the latest price on Amazon by clicking here.
advantages:
cons:
taste of the wild is my budget pick, but still a great option for cat owners trying to avoid chicken products. Let’s take a closer look at the first 5 ingredients to see why it’s a solid choice (but why american journey is still your top pick).
1. trout
As with the dry food, trout is the first ingredient which is a great alternative source of protein.
2. fish broth
the fish broth is great, but as mentioned above, I’d love to see how real fish is used.
3. vegetable broth
I would love to see another animal-based ingredient instead of another broth.
4. sea fish
it’s nice to see fish in the list, but again I’d prefer to see the actual name of the fish.
5. dried egg product
egg is a highly bioavailable protein source, so it is included in the list, but some cats may be sensitive to it.
summary
taste of the wild isn’t quite on the same level in terms of ingredient quality compared to american journey, but it’s still a great choice and a solid budget option. it’s also completely free of chicken, which is exactly what we’re looking for. you can get the latest price on wild cat wet cat food flavor on amazon by clicking here.
frequently asked questions
There are always a lot of questions about diet, especially when looking for more unique options like chicken-free cat food. I’ve put together our list of the most common questions to try to help you out!
p: my cat has not been diagnosed with a chicken allergy. should i consider cat food without chicken?
definitely! even without an allergy, understanding your cat’s food and exactly what’s in it (and what’s not) is part of owning a pet. Diet changes can also affect your cat’s stool and vomit, so it’s usually worth trying a few foods over time to find the one that works best. You may also find that your cat just prefers the taste of food without chicken (I know mine does!)
Q: Should I replace my cat’s current food with non-chicken food right away?
It’s best to transition your cat from one food to another slowly. Hill’s has a great article on how to make this transition that you can find by clicking here.
Q: Should I feed my cat a raw or homemade diet?
That’s completely up to you. while a raw diet may work for many cats (and perhaps better for those with high sensitivities), it can take a lot of work to achieve. the biggest concern we have is making sure your cat’s diet is balanced.
Like human food, cat food is often fortified with essential vitamins and minerals. vitamin d is an example for humans and taurine is often seen in cat food. at the end of the day, this is something you should discuss with your vet.
Q: How do I know if my cat has food allergies?
Food allergy symptoms can take many forms, but most of the time you’ll see digestive problems like vomiting or diarrhea. in other cases, you may see skin irritation. diagnosing allergies on your own is not recommended, and your vet can help diagnose food allergies using a food test.
Q: Why bother with chicken in cat food?
with chicken appearing as a main ingredient in so many brands of cat food, why should we care?
The reality is that cats, just like people, can develop allergies to certain proteins. one of the most common feline food allergies is…
You guessed it, chicken!
While you should always see your vet to diagnose any type of food allergy in your cat, it may still be worth changing your cat’s diet for a variety of reasons other than allergies.
Q: What chicken alternatives are available?
You may think you’re just looking for some alternative protein options to avoid cat food that contains chicken.
but there is a surprisingly large variety of products that feature unique sources of animal protein.
final thoughts
that’s it! you’ve got our top chicken-free cat food picks, and hopefully you’ve learned what to look for too!
