Best Low Protein Wet Cat Food

The best low protein wet cat food can benefit cats having certain health issues. They are especially great for cats with kidney diseases, reduced liver function, obesity, heart conditions, etc.

The moisture in the wet food also reduces the risk of developing urinary tract infections and kidney or struvite stones.

As always, please consult your vet before you switch to any low protein wet cat food. After all, cats are primarily carnivores, and they need meat. Therefore, it is important to consider several aspects of their health profile before reducing protein drastically in their diets.

In case your vet has given you the go-ahead for switching your cat to the best low protein wet cat food, then do check out our guide on 5 top-rated low protein canned cat food for seniors and juniors below.

Don’t forget to also check out our recent comprehensive guide on the best low protein cat food which covers some dry foods with low protein as well.

Just in case you are in a hurry, click on our short summary below to view our Top 5 reviewed products for the best low protein wet cat food:

1. Blue Buffalo Kidney + Mobility Wet Cat Food
2. Royal Canin Digest Sensitive Wet Cat Food
3. Forza10 Renal Support Canned Cat Food
4. IAMS Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
5. Hill's Prescription Multi-Care Canned Cat Food

Best Low Protein Wet Cat Food – 2022 Top 5 Picks

1. Our Editor’s Pick: Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet K+M Wet Cat Food, Kidney + Mobility Support Formula, Veterinarian Prescription Required, Chicken, 5.5-oz Can (Pack of 24)

Blue Buffalo Kidney + Mobility Support low protein canned cat food contains just 4.5% crude protein per can and is especially made for ailing cats having renal impairment.

Its low phosphorus levels (0.08%) along with controlled sodium levels offer complete urinary support to cats that get frequent urinary infections.

This high-quality canned cat food contains glucosamine and chondroitin, both of which are proven to increase mobility and support joint health in cats and dogs.

Being grain-free ensures that most cats with sensitivities and food allergies can also digest this food with ease.

What we like about it

• Great low protein cat food with controlled levels of phosphorus and sodium for complete kidney health
• Contains glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health
• Grain free prevents food sensitivities.

What we don’t like

• Gelatinous pate texture which some cats refused to touch. Adding some as a topping on Blue Buffalo Kidney + Mobility Support dry food can help.

2.  Royal Canin Feline Digestive Care Thin Slices in Gravy Wet Cat Food, 3 oz can (24-count)

Our number one pick is this highly digestible low protein canned food from Royal Canin. It is ideal for cats needing lower protein levels, since, according to their website, each can contains just 7.5% minimum crude protein.

It also has a precise blend on nutrients for cats at all life-stages.

Royal Canin Digest sensitive has easy-to-digest chicken as its main ingredient. It will also provide your pet with adequate water for hydration which can benefit cats having frequent urinary infections. This feature is also known to benefit cats with kidney or struvite stone issues.

Many pet parents also reported that their pet’s stools were a lot less stinky after making the switch to Royal Canin Digest.

Another great feature of Royal Canin, apart from its low protein content, is the fact that it is great for cats with food allergies, sensitivities, and digestive troubles.

It could even help in your cat’s weight management.

What we like about it

• Low protein, highly digestible, tons of water!
• Great for weight management as well as for cats with food sensitivities.
• Less stinky stools

What we don’t like

• Some cats only eat the gravy and leave the slices. Try crumbling the solid bits or mix with your pet’s dry food.

3.  Forza10 Wet Renal Cat Food, Kidney Care Cat Food with Lamb, 3.5 Ounce Can Kidney Support for Cats Wet Food and Renal Health Canned Cat Food, 32 Pack Wet Cat Food

With only 6% crude protein and specific ingredients for cats’ renal support, congestive heart failure, and cardiac problems, it is little wonder that this delicious food from Forza10 has made it to our best low protein canned cat food list.

Forza 10 cat food contains a delicious, moisture-rich gravy with farm-raised lamb from New Zealand which your cat will find irresistible. Lamb is a great source of easily digestible protein for cats and is suitable for all life-stages.

Being grain, soy, wheat, gluten, and antibiotic-free, it is ideal for cats with food sensitivities and allergies.

It is also low in sodium, phosphorus, and magnesium for supporting urinary health in cats.

We love the fact that Forza 10 Renal Support low protein cat food has been made by Italian vets based on decades of research. This recipe has even been published in renowned scientific journals.

What we like about it

• Designed specifically for renal issues in cats with some of the lowest protein content
• High-quality lamb protein, easy to digest, antibiotic and hormone-free, sourced from New Zealand.
• Grain and gluten-free, non-GMO
• Optimally balanced levels of Omega 3 and omega 6.

What we don’t like

• The food is non-returnable. So, in case your cat does not like it, could be problematic.

4. IAMS PERFECT PORTIONS Indoor Adult Grain Free* Wet Cat Food Pate Variety Pack, Salmon Recipe and Turkey Recipe, 2.6 oz. Easy Peel Twin-Pack Trays 24 Count, (Pack of 2)

With only 9.5% minimum crude protein per can, IAMS Perfect Portions had to make it to our list of best low protein wet cat food.

Not only is IAMS Perfect Portions lower in protein than most cat foods, it also contains very easy to digest protein sources like salmon and turkey.

Another great feature of IAMS Perfect Portions is its vitamin E content which provides antioxidants to indoor cats for healthy aging and immune support. Vitamin E also benefits your pet’s skin and coat.

Its adequate moisture has helped many cats avoid UTIs as well.

IAMS Perfect portion meals are also easy to chew for older cats with few or missing teeth. (Check out our guide on Soft Dry Cat Food for Cats).

IAMS Perfect Portions -as its name indicates – provides perfectly balanced portion-sizes for your pet and its grain-free and nutritionally dense formula is suitable for cats for all life stages.

What we like about it

• Highly digestible protein from salmon with adequate moisture
• Easy to chew and good portion sizes
• Vitamin E for immune support

What we don’t like

• Packaging needs improvement. People have to use knives and scissors to open this pack.

5. Hill's Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Urinary Care with Chicken Wet Cat Food, Veterinary Diet, 5.5 oz. Cans, 24-Pack

Hill’s Prescription Diet C/D Multi-Care Urinary canned cat food contains just 8.5% crude protein per can.

This is a vet-recommended low protein diet for cats and is clinically proven to reduce stones in cats by almost 89%. It also supports complete urinary health thanks to its balanced and controlled magnesium, calcium, sodium, and phosphorus levels.

The main ingredients in this high-quality low protein wet cat food are pork, chicken, and brewer’s rice along with a healthy mix of antioxidant vitamins.

Many pet parents have used this top-quality canned cat food for dissolving struvite and calcium oxalate stones in their pets.

It is also a multi-care cat food with excellent flavor, balanced nutrition, and well-sized portions.

What we like about it

• Contains very low-protein compared to most cat food brands
• Cats with renal failure, urinary issues, struvite stones, etc. have done very well on this food
• Excellent flavor, taste, and generous portion-sizes.

What we don’t like

• Needs a prescription from the vet.

What Constitutes the Best Low Protein Wet Cat Food?

Ideally, most cat foods, dry and wet, contain high amounts of protein.

This is normally great, since cats have a daily nutritional requirement of nearly 25 to 30% protein, depending on their life stage.

Low protein wet cat food contains limited or controlled amounts of protein. In general, most low protein canned or wet cat food do not contain more than 15% minimum levels of crude protein.

However, simply reducing the protein too much is not feasible and it definitely isn’t healthy for cats – even if they have been prescribed a low protein diet.

It is important that the food contains a highly digestible form of protein.

This way, your cat, (to the point of being repetitive here – only if it has been prescribed a low protein diet) – can still get the protein it needs, but without burdening its compromised organs.

It is also important that a low protein diet contains low levels of electrolytes as well. These include sodium, phosphorus, and magnesium.

An ideal low protein diet should also be rich in antioxidants and omega essential fatty acids. These boost the immune system, help in metabolism of fats and proteins, and, in general, help cats having Chronic kidney disease, renal failure, etc.

What are the Benefits of Feeding Your Cat the Best Low Protein Wet Cat Food?

The best low protein wet cat food could have the following benefits:

A) Helps in the management of ailments

Some cats need to be placed on a low protein diet.

This may be because of certain imbalances in the body which can cause health problems like kidney disease, liver impairment, heart-related issues etc.

A low protein diet is known to halt the progression of some of these conditions.

Often, when a cat has certain compromised organs, its protein metabolism gets impaired.

By feeding cat food lower in proteins, a cat is in a better position to digest and assimilate the food better.

That is also the reason why vets recommend (or prescribe) low protein cat food for kidney disease, liver problems, chronic kidney disease, renal failure, congestive heart issue, cardiac diseases, etc.

B) Helps prevent urinary issues

Wet cat food is always better than dry cat food for managing your pet’s kidney and urinary health.

The higher moisture content helps provide moisture which prevents the escheria coli bacteria from clinging to the bladder walls.

Moisture in the best low protein wet cat food also helps in elimination of the infection-causing bacteria.

Another benefit of high-quality low-protein cat food is the reduced levels of sodium, magnesium, and phosphorus. These low levels of these salts help prevent bladder stone and struvite crystal formation in cats.

What Factors Should You Consider when Selecting a Low Protein Wet Cat Food?

Here are some factors to consider when selecting the best low protein wet cat food:

1) Contains Highly Digestible Protein

The number one feature to consider in the best low protein wet cat food is to ensure a protein content of just 10-12%.

More than the percentage of protein, make sure that your pet can handle the protein and digest it easily.

Protein sources easy to digest for most cats are: chicken, salmon, tuna, and turkey. They support lean muscle mass so that ailing cats can maintain optimal body weight.

2) Contains Lower Levels of Sodium, Magnesium, and Phosphorus

Choose a low protein cat food with low levels of sodium, magnesium, and phosphorus to prevent struvite crystals, bladder infections, and kidney stones in your cat.

3) Contains Plenty of Moisture

Select a low protein wet cat food containing at least 75-80% moisture content.

This will help prevent urinary issues and bladder infections.

4) Provides your Cat with Immune-Supporting Nutrients

Cats with CKD, renal failure, and other underlying health issues that require a low protein diet need all the help they can get.

That is why, it is important to select a food with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and omega essential fatty acids.

These nutrients help strengthen your pet’s immunity and could prevent infections or secondary illnesses which ailing cats are susceptible to.

5) Comes in Great Flavors, Textures, and Scent

Cats get very picky as they age and especially so when they are diagnosed with the above health issues.

Many cats also tend to develop nausea or experience reduced appetite due to impaired kidney or liver function.

It is important that such ailing cats eat properly in order to receive the nutrition needed for managing these conditions.

Select a food that your cat loves. An advantage of low protein wet cat food its that it often comes in variety packs and multiple flavors so you can always find something for a picky eater.

You might need to do some trial and error before finding a food that ticks all the boxes above and also appeals to your cat.

Conclusion

The best low protein wet cat food has controlled levels of highly digestible protein for better kidney health in cats. It also has higher moisture level to keep your pet well-hydrated.

We recommend Blue Buffalo Kidney + Mobility Supportlow protein canned cat food because it contains just 4.5% crude protein per can.

Don’t forget to check out our other recommendations as well.