We went on a journey to review hundreds of cat food products to finally offer you a list of the 10 best cat foods for British Shorthair cats.
Our lovable British blues are not too many picky eaters and are obliged most of the time to feast on their food to the last lick. However, as the human parents of this majestic feline, your job is to make sure your cat does not overeat and fall prey to health problems.
A Quick Glance at the Winners of 2023
Best Overall
9Lives Dry Cat Food
- Improve digestive health
- No preservatives or fattening ingredients are added
- Helps to maintain healthy bowel movement
Editor’s Pick
Sheba Perfect Portions Paté Wet Cat Food Tray
- No fillers are added
- Low in calories and high in protein
- Turkey, beef and chicken meat included
Affordable Pick
The 10 Best Cat Foods for British Shorthair Cats Reviews of 2023
Editor’s pick: Sheba Perfect Portions Paté
Sheba’s Perfect Portions Wet Cat Food Tray will rid you of your worries of constantly portioning meals for your beautiful BSH. The innovative solution for pre-portioned servings makes it easier for weight loss and promotes optimum heart and coat health. This wet food variant is hands down the best cat food for British Shorthair cats!
Blues love lazing around the house and not putting a lot of effort into anything. These are one of the few medium to large sized indoor cats whose weight requires constant maintenance in terms of food and activity.
We have reviewed and listed the 10 Best Cat Foods for British Shorthair cats in the year 2023, which will make keeping your cat fit and gorgeous all the time:
1. 9Lives Dry Cat Food
9Lives has hit the nail with their affordable and nutritiously dense Indoor Complete Dry Cat Food variety and Chicken being the main source of protein for your BSH.
One of the biggest issues cat lovers come across in terms of cat food is the presence of high magnesium or ASH which can form crystals in a cat’s urine and badly harm him or her. With these very basic yet well-thought-out solutions, 9Lives has made sure the quantity of these elements stays low.
- Quantity: 20 lbs
- Ingredients: Chicken, B Complex Vitamins
- What we liked: Low magnesium and ASH
- Our Rating: 4.7/5
This product has been proven to maintain healthy bowel movements in cats, eradicating the problem of constipation or loose stools. Plus this huge 20 lbs bag will keep the kitchen cabinets full for longer.
“To conclude, we think this is the overall best cat food for British shorthair cats.”
- Negligible ASH and magnesium quantity
- Super budget-friendly choice
- Large packaging for longer use
- Improves digestive health
- No added preservatives or fattening ingredients
- Less flavors available in the market
2. Sheba Perfect Portions Paté Wet Cat Food Tray
Pets love the taste, pet parents love the rate. Sheba Perfect Portions Paté Wet Cat Food Tray has pre-portioned meals that make it so much easier to avoid overfeeding your cat. This product is high in protein and sparse in calories, making it easier to fend off the excess body weight gain British Shorthairs are prone to.
Let your pet indulge in the goodness of high-quality protein whose main source is turkey, beef, and chicken meat.
- Quantity: 24 (2.6 oz. Twin-Pack Trays)
- Ingredients: Chicken, Beef, Turkey
- What we liked: Pre-portioned meals
- Our Rating: 4.8/5
This bunch of 24 twin-pack trays make sure you do not run out of your cat’s favorite food for a long time. The one and only issue that has surfaced is the shipment grievance from a lot of customers. However, the team at Sheba have been able to tackle the problem and assure the history won’t repeat itself.
- Comes in perfectly portioned meals
- No artificial flavors
- Does not contain fattening fillers
- Low in calories and high in protein
- Shipment issues observed
3. Royal Canin Kitten Dry Cat Food
Royal Canin always makes the list for best cat foods, the reason being their uniquely formulated pet foods to suit specific needs. This kitten dry cat food from Royal Canin is a good option for kittens of almost all cat breeds!
With this formula your BSH kitten will receive a significant amount of carbs and calories through meat by-products with this formula, however, it’s only going to help your growing kitten stay active and healthy. The addition of psyllium seed husk within the mixture helps keep your kitten’s gut clean.
- Quantity: 7 lbs
- Ingredients: Chicken (with byproducts), Vegetables and Nutrients
- What we liked: Balanced kitten food formula
- Our Rating: 4.6/5
Makes sure to track your BSH kitten’s maturing process and stop feeding this kitten food within a year of their birth to avoid obesity.
- Balanced nutrition for BSH kittens
- High Protein
- Kibbles designed to suit
- Keeps teeth clean
- Bigger packaging would have been ideal
- More of the expensive side on the price range
4. Wellness Complete Health Pate Chicken Canned Food
Wellness Complete Health’s canned food recipes are unlike any other. With the main source of protein is derived from lamb and chicken, this product makes sure your BSH beauty is agile and healthy all through the day.
The canned food has added Taurine to help maintain proper heart muscle and vision in kittens. Along with that, grounded flax seeds have been supplemented for smooth bowel movements, keeping your BSH kitten’s gut clean and happy.
- Quantity: 12.5 oz. pack of 12
- Ingredients: Chicken, Multivitamins
- What we liked: Added Taurine, B12 and Folic acid for optimal growth
- Our Rating: 4.6/5
If you thought this is it, I have more to add! Necessary vegetable nutrition has been provided as well for growth and overall health. The only petty con here is that the brand struggled with shipment issues for some time, which has been resolved now with fresh and healthy batches being delivered again.
- Essential amino acids for maximum growth
- High-quality source of protein
- Promotes skin and coat health
- Supports healthy teeth and gums
- Toward the higher price range
5. Orijen Fit & Trim High Protein Dry Cat Food
The well-intentioned dry cat food mix by Orijen will leave your cat wanting more after every meal. The consciously picked ingredients, which are later carefully processed within a facility of the brand itself leaves no room for contamination or unhealthy elements seeping in.
Cage-free chickens and wild-caught fish are the main source of protein and keep your BSH cat’s cells healthy and thriving.
- Quantity: 12 lbs
- Ingredients: Chicken, Fish, and
- What we liked: Free-run chicken and wild-caught fish
- Our Rating: 4.5/5
The rich fiber content contributed by delicious fruits and vegetables provides your fluffy feline an adequate dose of goodness to help them grow into a beautiful big cat.
- Stringent quality assurance
- Raw and fresh meat products
- Rich fiber and high protein content
- Added fresh fruits and veggies as an extra nutritional punch
- Not suitable for senior British Shorthair cats
6. Purina Beyond Adult Dry Cat Food
Created with respect to the different nutritional requirements of indoor cats, this dry cat food variant by Purina Beyond accommodates a regular BSH life of low activity and high chill sessions.
Along with the main source of protein being Salmon, this product provides a punch of essential amino acids and nutrients to help sustain your pet’s healthy lifestyle. The whole nutritional diet helps with weight management along with an added hairball control formula to help keep your feline’s gut clean.
- Quantity: 5 lbs.
- Ingredients: Salmon, Egg, and Sweet Potato
- What we liked: Complete nourishment for gentle giants
- Our Rating: 4.4/5
- Suitable for BSH cat diets
- Hairball control formula
- Healthy weight management
- Supports immunity system
- Small packaging
- Not suitable for outdoor cats
7. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food Chicken Recipe
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food Chicken Recipe will not only make YOUR British Shorthair fluff with joy, but it will also help you add light to the lives of millions of other shelter cats through proceedings – now that is something to be excited about!
Coming to the essence of the food, this dry cat food formula promotes healthy skin and coats in felines while going easy on your cat’s colon to assist in smoother bowel movements and healthier stool.
- Quantity: 7 lbs
- Ingredients: Chicken, Added Minerals and Vitamins, Corn and Wheat Gluten
- What we liked: Clinically-proven anti-oxidants, Natural ingredients
- Our Rating: 4.5/6
Due to the small amount of added fillers within this blend, it does not have enough credibility for adult or older cats as they are prone to putting on kilos fast.
- Brimmed with essential vitamins and minerals
- Suitable for malnourished BSH kittens
- Big kibble size for your gentle giants
- Helps teeth stay strong and clean
- Added corn, wheat gluten, and whole grains
- Not suitable for adult BSH cats
- May promote weight gain
8. Weruva Grain-Free Natural Canned Wet Canned Cat Food
This canned wet food by Weruva has been certified for meeting the nutritional requirements set by AAFCO, making sure your cat gets a wholesome diet resulting in a happier and healthier life.
Some veggies have been added to the mix for a balanced diet with a little dose of required plant-based nourishment. And make even the fussiest eaters go gaga over having their timely meal.
- Quantity: 8 lbs
- Ingredients: Chicken in Gravy
- What we liked: Free of preservatives, cage-free chicken
- Our Rating: 4.3/5
It is obvious that every good thing in the world comes with a price, and so does this product, but with a rather high price. However, it is value for money and your cat would agree.
- Meets nutritional requirements established by AAFCO
- Helps picky eaters and cats with sensitive stomachs
- Free of artificial colors and preservatives
- Added vegetables to increase the benefits
- Toward the expensive side of the price range
9. Blue Buffalo Healthy Growth Kitten Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
You just cannot talk about cat foods without mentioning Blue Buffalo. The Blue Buffalo Healthy Growth Kitten Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe by this well-known brand is designed to work efficiently for kitten growth. With grains and animal byproducts standing null in the ingredient list, your British Blue is surely to rejoice with every bite.
This inexpensive supplement of essential proteins and nurturing components ensures optimum heart and vision health in growing kittens.
- Quantity: 7 lbs
- Ingredients: Chicken and Brown Rice
- What we liked: Wholesome nutrition and great for cats with sensitive stomachs
- Our Rating: 4.7/5
The only downside of this product is: the packaging will not last you even a month, forcing you to reorder on a timely basis because your feline will keep asking for more!
- Helps maintain strong muscles and energy
- Zero grains or byproduct chicken meals
- Good for BSH kittens with allergies or sensitive stomachs
- Promotes eye and heart health
- Toward the cheaper side of the price range
- Small packaging
10. Merrick Purrfect Bistro Grain-Free Dry Cat Food Chicken Recipe
If there is heaven made specifically for felines, it is Merricks’ Purrfect Bistro Chicken recipe. This 12 lbs package overloaded with vitamins and essential amino acids, along with a delectable flavor is sure to be a quick favorite for your BSH cat.
This grain-free and gluten-free chicken formula have been designed to make sure your cat does not get too chonky (and miserable).
- Quantity: 12 lbs
- Ingredients: Real Chicken, Sweet Potato
- What we liked: Added minerals, vitamins, and taurine
- Our Rating: 4.5/5
If you take pride in your cat flaunting a shiny and healthy coat, you are sure to stick to this cat food. The only detail to pay attention to here is that this show is more suitable for adult BSH cats than kittens due to their almost-negligible amount of carbs and energy. Make sure to provide your kitty cat with enough fresh water throughout the day.
- Antioxidants to support a healthy immune system
- Rich in animal protein
- Grain-free
- Ideal for adult BSH cats
- Promotes healthy skin and coat
- Not suitable for BSH kittens
Buyer’s Guide for Cat Foods for British Shorthair Cats
We have made this descriptive buyer’s guide to help you purchase the best food for your British Shorthair Cat.
Do You Need Specific Cat Food for British Shorthair Cats?
British Shorthair cats have low caloric requirements, and prefer lounging and relaxing around the house far more than jumping all over. You don’t need a specific diet for your BSH cats, however, you do need a controlled one.
Their tendency to put on excess weight leaves a lot of room for meals that are portioned and regulated to avoid becoming chonky. It is very important to feed them with low-calorie, low-carb, and high protein diets. While meat must be a staple for these natural predators, vegetables and fruits are not crucial to their well-being and cannot be an aid to your cat’s health independently.
British Shorthair is a long-lived cat, with a life expectancy of up to 20 years. And while most of them reach complete adulthood by the age of three, some continue to grow even when they are five. Hence, they stay kitten-like for a big chunk of their lives, have nutritional requirements the same as kittens. Make sure to feed your British Shorthair accordingly.
How to Choose the Best Cat Food for British Shorthair Cats?
Luckily, cats’ diets do not vary too much based on their breeds. All cats need grainless, high protein, and essential nutrients-packed goodness supplied in their meals. Nevertheless, they do require a little more or less of the above-mentioned components according to their age, activity level, and build.
Follow the below guidelines to pick the best combination for your British Shorthair:
- Protein
As we know, felines are natural predators and thrive on protein and energy derived from hunted meat. Unfortunately so, plant protein is just no food for their muscle growth and agility. Choose a cat food with the main crude protein sources being high quality and/or free-range livestock meat. This will help your British Shorthair kit develop into a beautiful adult cat.
- Low Carb
Your fluffy buddy is a true carnivorous and his or her body is not designed to process plant-based foods or dairy. Going well against the popular ideas, the milk of other animals is not good for your feline’s health and neither is helpful for vegetables or fruits. Avoid dairy and restrict their intake of greens.
- Omega Fatty Acids
A shiny coat does not just make your British Blue aesthetically pleasing, it also signifies the flourishing healthy of your feline. If you love a smooth coat on your cat, feed him or her plenty of Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids and boost their vigor.
- Low-calories
British Shorthair cats already flaunt a comparatively larger built than their feline counterparts. At times cat owners can confuse a growing British Blue kitten for one who is getting fat, however, they do run the risk of putting on a couple of kilos easily if their diet is not controlled due to their indoor nature. Make sure to pick a cat food variant that contains zero to minimal fillers containing unnecessary calories.
Which Cat Foods to Avoid for British Shorthair Cats?
BSH cats are extremely affectionate and easy to be around due to their docile behavior and relaxed way of living. These attributes desirable to their human parents may potentially be detrimental to their health. You cannot help change their activity level as much, but you do decide what goes on their plate.
Avoid these types of cat foods for British Shorthair cats to maintain their vigor:
- High Carb and Calories
As mentioned in the above topic, make sure to avoid choosing cat foods with high caloric or sugar content. British Blues are indoor felines and their days are not packed with high-activity as such. Unnecessary fatty foods can pose a health risk for your beloved.
- Dairy
Once your kitty has been weaned by her mother, they can no longer digest lactose (a sugar that comes from milk). Avoid serving him or her milk or other dairy products which can disturb your feline’s digestive health.
- High Magnesium
Simply put, your BSH kitty is not a human and does not require the same minerals and nutrients you do. Especially not magnesium. High magnesium levels in cats can put your kitty at risk of Urinary Tract Infections (UTI). Look for less than 1% in dry cat food and 0.02% in wet food.
- High ASH
If you have been looking for the best cat food for British Shorthair cats for a while now, you may have come across a very peculiar element called ASH and numerous cat lovers asking you to avoid it. Well, ASH is an inorganic mineral generally derived from bones, cartilages, and other animal byproducts grounded along with the meat.
High quantities of ASH has been known to develop polycystic kidney disease (PKD) in felines, however, that does not mean they do not need ASH at all. Felines do need these minerals for sustenance. Therefore, always opt for cat foods with roughly 2% ASH content.
FAQs about Cat Food for British Shorthair Cats
How much should I feed my British shorthair cat?
Feeding your kitten thrice or five meals a day is ideal. Always portion your British Shorthair’s meals and provide small servings to them for easy digestion and weight management. Doing so will guarantee good bone and muscle development in your kitten and a smooth transition to full cat adulthood.
Can British Shorthair eat raw food?
Cats originally love to chase and hunt, so munching on dried raw food comes naturally to them.
This is a no-brainer. But! Cats in the wild, from where we refer to our house-cats’ diets, often catch parasites from their prey and fall sick. The reason why it is so important is to pay heed to where the raw food comes from. Even then, you must feed a very moderate raw food diet to your British Blues.
How much does cat food for a British Shorthair cat cost?
Decent brands’ cat foods suitable for British Shorthairs range anywhere from 12 to 70 USD. Such a wide difference between the two price points can be influenced by package size, ingredients, type (wet or dry), and so forth.
Which is the best cat food for British Shorthair cats?
Feed them a diet that mimics their natural prey. Your British Blue must get all the necessary nutrients in their diet without it fattening them or harming their health. To sum it up – high protein and fiber, fewer calories and carbohydrates, and last but not the least, low ASH and magnesium
Conclusion
This versatile reviewed list of best cat foods for British Shorthair cats will help you pick out the most nutritionally dense routine meals for your beautiful feline. Make it a habit of checking the ingredient list before opting to feed your BSH any cat food in the market; making sure it fits his or her dietary demand.
References
- Health and Nutrition for The British Shorthair Cat Breed — Town of La Ronge
- British Shorthair — Wikipedia
- The British Shorthair: A charming and easygoing companion — Pet Plan