Pet Advice

Best Cat Food in New Zealand (2026): Brand-by-Brand Comparison Guide

If you’re searching for the best cat food in New Zealand, you’ll quickly notice there isn’t one single “best” option for every cat. The right choice depends on your cat’s life stage, lifestyle (indoor vs outdoor), digestion, skin/coat needs, weight, budget, and whether a vet has diagnosed a condition that requires a therapeutic diet.

This guide compares the key cat food brands we stock on PetSupply.co.nz — Royal Canin, Hill’s, ACANA, Purina (including Purina ONE), Whiskas, IAMS, and ZIWI Peak — with clear pros/cons, what each brand is best for, how pricing generally compares, and how to choose the best match for your cat.

Important note: For cats with a diagnosed medical condition (e.g., urinary crystals, chronic kidney disease, severe GI disease), your vet may recommend a therapeutic diet. Royal Canin and Hill’s both offer veterinary-exclusive diets for specific health problems. These should be used under veterinary guidance. Royal Canin’s NZ site labels certain products as “veterinary exclusive” and indicates you should ask your veterinarian if it’s right for your pet. Hill’s states its Prescription Diet range offers therapeutic nutrition for a range of conditions and is clinically tested and developed by nutritionists and veterinarians. 

Contents

Quick Picks: Best Brands by Cat Type

Here are quick, practical “best fit” recommendations. These are not medical advice — they’re general buying guidance based on each brand’s common positioning and range strengths.

Cat / Household Type Best Brand Fits Why
Indoor adult cat (average needs) Royal Canin, Purina ONE, Hill’s Science Diet, IAMS Strong “everyday nutrition” options + indoor/hairball variants depending on range.
Fussy eater / topper needed ZIWI Peak (air-dried or wet), Royal Canin wet Higher palatability formats; air-dried can be used as full diet or topper.
Hairballs / heavy groomer Purina ONE Coat & Hairball, IAMS Hairball Care, Royal Canin (hairball-focused options) Purina ONE and IAMS specifically highlight fibre blends aimed at hairball control. 
Sensitive digestion Purina ONE Sensitive Systems, Hill’s (Digestive-focused diets), Royal Canin GI (vet guidance) Purina ONE states it includes prebiotic fibre to support gut microflora balance and digestive health; Hill’s and Royal Canin have condition-focused options (some vet-only). 
Budget-conscious multi-cat home Whiskas, IAMS, Purina Strong availability and generally lower cost per day vs ultra-premium ranges.
Premium “high animal ingredient” preference ACANA, ZIWI Peak ACANA describes high animal-ingredient formulations and WholePrey concept; ZIWI emphasises air-dried, high-meat recipes. 
Breed-specific preference Royal Canin Royal Canin offers breed-specific cat foods and tailored kibble design on certain formulas. 
Vet-directed therapeutic nutrition Hill’s Prescription Diet, Royal Canin Vet Products Both brands have veterinary-exclusive / therapeutic diets for diagnosed conditions (urinary, renal, GI, etc.). 

At-a-Glance Comparison Table

This is a simple “scan table” to help you shortlist brands fast.

Brand Best For Typical Price Tier (NZ) Range Style Notes
Royal Canin Breed/life-stage precision, retail + vet diets Mid–High (vet diets often higher) Highly targeted formulas Tailored nutrition by breed/age/lifestyle; vet-exclusive products available. 
Hill’s Science Diet daily feeding + Prescription Diet therapeutic support Mid–High Science-led; strong vet presence Prescription Diet is clinically tested and developed by nutritionists & veterinarians (per Hill’s). 
ACANA High animal-ingredient preference, WholePrey concept High Protein-forward, premium kibble ACANA describes WholePrey ratios and high animal ingredients (varies by recipe). 
Purina / Purina ONE Everyday nutrition, hairball/sensitive options, strong value Budget–Mid Practical, science-based range Purina ONE NZ states cat food is manufactured in Blayney, NSW; Sensitive Systems highlights prebiotic fibre for gut microflora balance. 
IAMS Everyday feeding, hairball/indoor options, value Budget–Mid Protein-first mainstream premium IAMS NZ product pages highlight chicken as #1 ingredient and fibre blends for digestion / hairballs depending on formula. :
Whiskas Budget-friendly complete & balanced feeding Budget Mainstream everyday foods Whiskas NZ states many 1+ products are “100% complete and balanced”. 
ZIWI Peak Ultra-premium, air-dried/wet, NZ-sourced positioning Premium+ Air-dried + wet, high-meat formats ZIWI describes air-dried cat food crafted with NZ ingredients; multiple listings describe very high meat/organs/bone content depending on recipe. 

How to Choose the Best Cat Food for Your Cat

Before we compare brands, here’s the fast decision framework most NZ cat owners find helpful.

Step 1: Choose the right life stage

  • Kitten: higher energy + nutrients for growth and development.
  • Adult: maintenance nutrition, weight control if needed.
  • Senior: may benefit from diets designed for ageing needs (depends on brand and product line).

Step 2: Factor in lifestyle

  • Indoor cats often need help with hairballs and weight management.
  • Outdoor cats may need higher daily energy intake.

Step 3: Identify the “top 1–2 priorities”

  • Digestive sensitivity
  • Hairballs
  • Skin/coat
  • Weight control
  • Urinary tract history (talk to your vet if this is a recurring issue)

Step 4: Choose your budget lane

In NZ, cat food pricing can vary massively depending on format and brand. A simple way to think about it:

  • Budget: Whiskas (and some Purina/IAMS options)
  • Mid-range: Purina ONE, IAMS, many retail Hill’s/Royal Canin lines
  • Premium: ACANA, ZIWI Peak, vet-only diets

Step 5: Decide wet, dry, or mixed feeding

Many NZ households do a mix (e.g., dry as the base with wet as a topper or daily meal). We’ll cover this in more detail below.

Royal Canin: Tailored Nutrition for Breed, Age & Lifestyle

Royal Canin positions its cat nutrition around tailored formulas to match breed, age, and lifestyle needs. Royal Canin NZ describes its cat food as created to deliver nutrition tailored to your cat’s health needs “whatever their breed, age or lifestyle,” and it offers a range specifically for pure-breed cats. What Royal Canin is best for

  • Breed-specific feeding (e.g., Maine Coon, Persian, British Shorthair)
  • Precision nutrition by life stage (kitten/adult/senior lines depending on range)
  • Targeted nutrition for common needs like indoor cats, hairballs, etc. (depending on product)
  • Vet-exclusive diets for diagnosed health problems (under vet direction)

Notable Royal Canin “how it works” features

  • Tailor-made kibble on certain breed formulas — e.g., Royal Canin’s British Shorthair Adult page describes a kibble design adapted to the breed’s jaw. 
  • Vet-only range — Royal Canin’s vet product pages for cats include statements like “veterinary exclusive formula” and condition-specific diets such as Gastrointestinal and Urinary S/O. 

Royal Canin pricing (NZ)

  • Generally mid to high depending on product line and bag size.
  • Breed-specific and veterinary diets typically sit higher than general adult maintenance foods.

Who should consider Royal Canin?

  • Owners who want very specific nutrition (breed or condition-focused).
  • Owners whose cats do best on a consistent, targeted diet.
  • Owners following vet guidance for urinary/GI/renal needs (vet-only products). 

Shop Royal Canin on PetSupply: Royal Canin Cat Food

Hill’s: Science Diet + Prescription Diet

Hill’s is widely known for a science-led approach. Hill’s states its Prescription Diet foods offer therapeutic nutrition for a range of health conditions and are clinically tested and developed by a team of PhD nutritionists and veterinarians. Hill’s also describes how products are tested in blinded, randomised feeding studies by veterinarians.

What Hill’s is best for

  • Everyday feeding with Hill’s Science Diet (retail range)
  • Vet-directed therapeutic nutrition with Hill’s Prescription Diet (for diagnosed conditions)
  • Owners who value clinically tested, science-led claims from the brand

Hill’s Prescription Diet: when it matters

Hill’s Prescription Diet includes therapeutic formulas for conditions such as digestive upsets, urinary issues, dental care and more — usually used under veterinary guidance. Hill’s states the range is designed for specific health conditions, and examples on the NZ site describe “clinically shown” benefits on certain products (e.g., digestive support claims for i/d). 

Hill’s pricing (NZ)

  • Typically mid to high.
  • Prescription diets are often priced higher due to therapeutic positioning and limited distribution.

Who should consider Hill’s?

  • Owners who like a science-led brand with strong veterinary presence. 
  • Cats needing a therapeutic diet as part of vet care (Prescription Diet). 
  • Cats with sensitive digestion where vet-recommended GI support is needed.

Shop Hill’s on PetSupply: Hill’s Cat Food

ACANA: High Animal-Ingredient, WholePrey Approach

ACANA positions its foods around high animal-ingredient recipes and the “WholePrey” concept. ACANA’s official FAQ states its recipes contain approximately 60–90% animal ingredients (depending on recipe) and describes WholePrey ingredients incorporating meats, organs, and bone. ACANA product pages also describe WholePrey ratios of meat, organs, cartilage, and bone.

What ACANA is best for

  • Owners who want a premium dry food with a strong animal-ingredient emphasis
  • Cats that do well on protein-forward kibble
  • Owners who like the WholePrey concept (meat/organs/bone) 

ACANA “why people buy it” summary (NZ shopper view)

  • Ingredient philosophy: premium positioning and WholePrey messaging
  • Palatability: many cats love the rich meat-forward taste
  • Great for: owners wanting a “step-up” premium kibble

ACANA pricing (NZ)

  • Generally high compared with mainstream brands.
  • Often better value per day when you measure energy density and feeding amounts (varies by cat and formula).

Who should consider ACANA?

  • Cats doing well on premium kibble and owners wanting premium ingredient positioning.
  • Owners who want a dry food with higher animal-ingredient emphasis.

Shop ACANA on PetSupply: ACANA Cat Food

Purina (Including Purina ONE): Practical, Science-Based Everyday Nutrition

Purina is a major pet food manufacturer, and in NZ, Purina ONE is a common choice for owners who want reliable everyday nutrition with formula options for indoor cats, hairballs, and sensitive digestion. Purina NZ states Purina ONE dry and wet cat food ranges are manufactured at the Nestlé Purina PetCare factory in Blayney, NSW, Australia. 

What Purina / Purina ONE is best for

  • Everyday feeding at a budget-to-mid price point
  • Hairballs (Purina ONE Coat & Hairball references natural plant fibres for hairball reduction on brand/retailer pages) 
  • Sensitive digestion (Purina ONE Sensitive Systems highlights prebiotic fibre to support gut microflora balance and digestive system health) 
  • Kitten feeding with a dedicated kitten formula in the range (varies by retailer availability)

Purina ONE: what to look for (common NZ formulas)

Purina ONE Formula Best For What it focuses on
Healthy Adult Most adult cats General daily nutrition / maintenance.
Coat & Hairball Hairballs, heavy groomers Fibre blend support + coat-focused positioning. 
Sensitive Systems Digestive sensitivity Prebiotic fibre supporting gut microflora balance (brand claim). 
Healthy Kitten Kittens Growth-focused nutrition for kittens (availability varies by NZ retailer).

Purina pricing (NZ)

  • Generally budget to mid-range, depending on product line and format.
  • Often a strong choice when you want “better than basic” without going ultra-premium.

Who should consider Purina / Purina ONE?

  • Multi-cat households needing good value.
  • Owners wanting a simple, trusted brand with specific options for hairballs/sensitive digestion.

Shop Purina / Purina ONE on PetSupply:

IAMS: Value-Friendly, Protein-First Everyday Diets

IAMS is a long-standing brand positioned around everyday nutrition, with formulas that commonly highlight protein-first recipes and tailored fibre blends depending on the product. On IAMS NZ product pages, some adult formulas state chicken is the #1 ingredient, and hairball formulas highlight fibre blends intended to help with hairball control. 

What IAMS is best for

  • Everyday feeding at a budget-to-mid price point
  • Hairball control options (depending on formula) 
  • Owners wanting a mainstream brand that’s easy to source

Popular IAMS “use cases”

  • Adult maintenance: a practical base diet
  • Indoor/weight + hairball: useful for indoor cats prone to weight gain and grooming-related hairballs (formula-specific)

IAMS pricing (NZ)

  • Generally budget-to-mid.
  • Often offers strong cost-per-day value compared with premium brands.

Who should consider IAMS?

  • Owners wanting a reliable everyday diet without premium pricing.
  • Indoor cats needing hairball/weight-support style options (choose the right formula).

Shop IAMS on PetSupply: IAMS Cat Food

Whiskas: Budget-Friendly “Complete & Balanced” Everyday Feeding

Whiskas is one of the most widely recognised cat food brands in NZ supermarkets. Whiskas NZ states its 1+ Years dry cat food is “100% complete and balanced” to provide daily nutrition for adult cats, and Whiskas also describes its 1+ Years wet range as 100% complete and balanced. 

What Whiskas is best for

  • Budget-conscious households
  • Owners wanting a familiar, widely available brand
  • Cats who enjoy Whiskas wet textures and flavours

What to know about Whiskas (practical buying notes)

  • Great for value: often lower cost per feed.
  • Wide format choice: wet pouches, wet cans, dry kibble.
  • Best practice tip: if your cat is prone to weight gain, measure portions carefully and choose a feeding plan (many cats overeat when free-fed dry food).

Whiskas pricing (NZ)

  • Typically budget pricing.
  • Often the most cost-effective option for large households.

Who should consider Whiskas?

  • Owners prioritising affordability and availability.
  • Owners who want complete and balanced feeding on a budget. 

Shop Whiskas on PetSupply: Whiskas Cat Food

ZIWI Peak: Ultra-Premium New Zealand Air-Dried & Wet Cat Food

ZIWI Peak is a premium brand strongly associated with New Zealand-sourced ingredients and air-dried processing. ZIWI describes its air-dried cat food as crafted with premium, free-range and ethically-sourced ingredients from New Zealand, and it explains its air-drying approach (“warm air” circulation) as part of its process. 

Depending on recipe and pack, NZ retailers commonly describe ZIWI air-dried cat food as containing very high proportions of meat, organs, and bone (often referenced as “over 96%” on listings for specific recipes). 

What ZIWI Peak is best for

  • Owners wanting an ultra-premium option (air-dried or wet)
  • Cats that do well on high-meat, low-carb style diets (brand positioning)
  • Fussy cats who need a highly palatable topper
  • Owners who value New Zealand ingredient sourcing and premium processing claims.

ZIWI Peak “what it’s good for” (practical buying notes)

  • Air-dried convenience: shelf-stable, easy to portion, often used as a full diet or topper.
  • Energy-dense: many cats need smaller portions than standard kibble (follow feeding guide).
  • Great for picky eaters: strong aroma and meat-forward texture helps.

ZIWI pricing (NZ)

  • Typically premium+.
  • Best thought of as a “premium daily” or “premium topper” depending on budget.

Who should consider ZIWI Peak?

  • Owners who want a NZ-made/premium positioned food and are comfortable paying more.
  • Owners who want to add an air-dried topper to improve appetite (especially for fussy cats).

Shop ZIWI Peak on PetSupply: ZIWI Peak Cat Food

Best Cat Food by Scenario (NZ-Focused)

Use the table below to pick a shortlist based on your cat’s real-life situation.

Scenario What to Prioritise Brand Shortlist (from our range) How to choose within that shortlist
Indoor cat Weight control + hairball support Royal Canin, Hill’s, Purina ONE, IAMS Choose an indoor/hairball-oriented formula; measure portions.
Hairballs Fibre blend + hydration support Purina ONE Coat & Hairball, IAMS Hairball Care, Royal Canin (hairball options) Pick hairball-labelled formulas and consider adding wet food for hydration.
Digestive sensitivity Digestibility + gentle formulas Purina ONE Sensitive Systems, Hill’s (digestive lines), Royal Canin GI (vet) Start with diet change slowly over 7–10 days; if ongoing symptoms, see a vet.
Fussy eater Palatability + texture variety ZIWI Peak, Royal Canin wet, Whiskas wet Try smaller packs first; use toppers; keep routine consistent.
Budget feeding Complete & balanced + cost per day Whiskas, IAMS, Purina Choose a life-stage appropriate product; measure portions to avoid weight gain.
Premium preference High animal-ingredient / premium processing ACANA, ZIWI Peak Pick based on format (kibble vs air-dried) and your cat’s digestion and appetite.
Vet-directed diet Therapeutic nutrition for diagnosed conditions Hill’s Prescription Diet, Royal Canin Vet Products Use only under veterinary guidance; select the condition-matched product.

Wet vs Dry Cat Food in New Zealand: What’s Best?

Most NZ cat owners use one of three approaches:

  • Dry only: convenient and cost-effective, but some cats overeat if free-fed.
  • Wet only: can support hydration; can cost more per day.
  • Mixed feeding (most common): dry as a base + wet as a meal or topper.

When wet food can be especially helpful

  • Cats that don’t drink much water
  • Fussy eaters (wet textures and aromas can help)
  • Older cats (often prefer softer food)

When dry food can be a great base

  • Households needing convenience and value
  • Food puzzle toys (mental enrichment)
  • Multi-cat households (easier logistics)

Many owners combine them: a measured amount of dry plus 1–2 wet meals daily.

How to Switch Foods Safely

If you’re changing your cat’s food (especially to a richer premium food), do it slowly:

  • Days 1–3: 75% old + 25% new
  • Days 4–6: 50% old + 50% new
  • Days 7–9: 25% old + 75% new
  • Day 10+: 100% new

If your cat develops persistent vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, or stops eating, contact your vet.

Browse the live ranges here (update links if your Shopify handles differ):

FAQs

Q. What is the best cat food brand in New Zealand?

A. There isn’t one single best brand for every cat. In NZ, many owners choose Royal Canin or Hill’s for targeted nutrition (including vet diets), ACANA for premium high animal-ingredient positioning, Purina ONE and IAMS for practical everyday feeding, Whiskas for budget complete-and-balanced feeding, and ZIWI Peak for ultra-premium air-dried/wet formats.

Q. What cat food is best for indoor cats?

A. Indoor cats often benefit from formulas that consider hairballs and weight management. Purina ONE and IAMS have hairball-focused options, and Royal Canin/Hill’s also offer indoor and lifestyle-oriented ranges depending on availability.

Q. Should I buy a vet diet if my cat has urinary issues?

A. If your cat has recurrent urinary issues or has been diagnosed with urinary crystals or disease, a vet may recommend a therapeutic diet. Royal Canin Urinary S/O is described for nutritional management of cats with lower urinary tract disease and crystals, and Hill’s Prescription Diet also offers therapeutic nutrition for various conditions. Always ask your vet what’s appropriate.

Q. Is ZIWI Peak worth it?

A. ZIWI Peak is typically premium-priced. Owners often choose it for air-dried convenience, high-meat recipe positioning, NZ ingredient sourcing, and strong palatability. It can be fed as a full diet or used as a topper depending on budget.