The best cat biscuits are complete and balanced, rich in quality animal protein and matched to your cat's biggest concern, whether that's everyday feeding, hairballs, weight, a dull coat or the senior years. Cats are obligate carnivores, so what's in the bowl matters more than the marketing on the bag. This guide walks through what to look for in a good dry cat food, then matches ACANA™ and ORIJEN™ cat biscuits to the concerns Kiwi cat owners ask us about most.
How to choose cat biscuits: what to look for
"Cat biscuits", "kibble" and "dry cat food" all mean the same thing, and the shelf is crowded with them. A few simple checks will help you sort the good from the filler, whatever your cat's needs.
- Animal protein first. Cats are carnivores, so look for a named animal ingredient, like chicken or fish, at the top of the list.
- Complete and balanced. The pack should say the food meets a recognised nutrient standard, such as FEDIAF or AAFCO.
- Taurine. This is an essential nutrient cats can't make enough of on their own, so it should be in any cat food you choose.
- Fish for omega-3s. Fish ingredients provide omega-3 fatty acids, which support skin, coat and overall wellbeing.
- A readable ingredient list. Skip artificial colours, flavours and preservatives.
Once you've covered the basics, the best biscuit comes down to your cat's biggest concern. Here's how we'd match them up.
Best cat biscuits for everyday feeding
For a healthy adult cat with no special concerns, the best everyday biscuit is a complete and balanced recipe built on quality animal protein.
ORIJEN™ Original Cat (premium everyday)
Our step up in animal ingredients for everyday feeding, made with 85% quality animal ingredients and 40% protein. It starts with fresh chicken, with raw turkey, whole herring and hake, and two thirds of the meat is fresh or raw.
- Freeze-dried chicken and turkey liver for a taste cats instinctively crave
- 39% of calories come from protein, and fewer from carbohydrates
- Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids from fish for healthy skin and a glossy coat
- No added grain ingredients, soy, corn, wheat, potato or tapioca
ACANA™ Homestead Harvest (poultry)
A flavourful feast of protein-rich poultry, made with 65% quality animal ingredients, including free-run chicken and turkey.
- 34% protein and 16% fat to support lean muscle and daily energy
- Taurine, EPA and DHA for eye and heart health
- Balanced omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin and a shiny coat
- Complete and balanced for adult cats, indoor or outdoor (FEDIAF adult maintenance)
ACANA™ Bountiful Catch (fish)
A fish-forward everyday recipe made with 65% quality animal ingredients, including raw salmon and whole herring.
- 34% protein and 16% fat
- Taurine, EPA and DHA for eye and heart health
- Fibre and a probiotic blend to support healthy digestion
- Balanced omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for skin and coat (FEDIAF adult maintenance)
Best cat biscuits for hairballs and weight management
Indoor and less active cats burn fewer calories, and a cat that grooms a lot can bring up hairballs. The right biscuit helps with both, without cutting back on the animal protein your cat needs.
ACANA™ Indoor Entrée (hairballs and healthy weight)
Made for indoor or less active cats, with 65% quality animal ingredients, including free-run chicken, turkey and whole herring.
- Fibre from oat groats, miscanthus grass and lentil fibre to help control hairballs
- Carefully balanced calories from protein and fat, plus L-carnitine, to help maintain a healthy body weight
- A probiotic blend and fibre to support healthy digestion
- 37% protein and 14% fat (FEDIAF adult maintenance)
ORIJEN™ Fit & Trim Cat (healthy weight)
Crafted to support a healthy weight without compromising on nutrition, with 85% quality animal ingredients and 42% protein.
- Two thirds of the meat is fresh or raw, including chicken, turkey and whole fish
- 45% of calories from protein, and fewer from carbohydrates
- Fibre from lentils and apple to help your cat feel satisfied
- No added grain ingredients, soy, corn, wheat, potato or tapioca (FEDIAF adult maintenance)
Whichever you choose, measure portions carefully. Even the best weight management biscuit works only when you feed the right amount.
Best cat biscuits for a dull coat
A soft, glossy coat is a good sign of a well-fed cat. If your cat's coat looks dull, a fish-based biscuit rich in omega-3 fatty acids is a good place to start. Fish provides naturally occurring omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which support healthy skin and coat. If the dullness continues or your cat has itchy or irritated skin, check in with your vet.
ORIJEN™ Six Fish Cat
Made with six varieties of raw fish, including whole pilchard, hake, mackerel, flounder, rockfish and sole, with 85% quality animal ingredients and 40% protein.
- 2.1% omega-3 fatty acids, including 0.8% DHA and 0.5% EPA
- Two thirds of the meat is fresh or raw
- No added grain ingredients, soy, corn, wheat, potato or tapioca
- Formulated for all life stages (FEDIAF)
ACANA™ Highest Protein Pacifica Cat
A flavourful blend of wild-caught whole mackerel, herring and raw hake, with 75% quality animal ingredients and 37% protein.
- 2% omega-3 fatty acids, including 0.7% DHA and 0.6% EPA
- Taurine, EPA and DHA for eye and heart health
- Fibre and a probiotic blend to support healthy digestion
- Formulated for all life stages (FEDIAF)
ACANA™ Bountiful Catch
Our everyday fish recipe doubles as a coat-supporting pick, with raw salmon and whole herring and balanced omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (1.4% omega-3). A good choice if you want fish in the bowl every day. See ACANA™ Bountiful Catch
Best cat biscuits for senior cats
As cats enter their senior years, they still need quality animal protein to maintain lean muscle, along with nutrients that support joints, heart, brain and eyes. Our guide to the signs your cat is entering their senior years can help you spot the change, and our article on senior cat weight loss explains what's normal and what isn't.
ORIJEN™ Guardian 8
An all-in-one adult recipe made with 90% quality animal ingredients and 40% protein, designed to support eight key health benefits: immunity, digestion, skin and coat, muscle maintenance, heart health, joint health, and brain and eye function.
- Starts with fresh chicken, with raw salmon, turkey, herring, mackerel and rabbit, and two thirds of the meat fresh or raw
- Whole fish for naturally occurring omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
- 10% fibre to support healthy digestion
- No added grain ingredients, soy, corn, wheat, potato or tapioca (FEDIAF adult maintenance)
If you notice changes in your older cat's weight, appetite or energy, talk to your vet.
Which cat biscuits for which cat? A quick guide
Here's the whole lineup at a glance, matched to the concern each recipe suits best.
|
Cat biscuit |
Best for |
Quality animal ingredients |
Protein |
Fat |
Energy (kcal/kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Everyday feeding (poultry) |
65% |
34% |
16% |
3760 |
|
|
Everyday feeding (fish), coat |
65% |
34% |
16% |
3800 |
|
|
Everyday feeding (premium) |
85% |
40% |
20% |
4120 |
|
|
Hairballs, healthy weight |
65% |
37% |
14% |
3630 |
|
|
Healthy weight |
85% |
42% |
15% |
3710 |
|
|
Dull coat |
85% |
40% |
19% |
4070 |
|
|
Dull coat |
75% |
37% |
18% |
3930 |
|
|
Senior cats |
90% |
40% |
18% |
3980 |
Calories differ between recipes, so always use the feeding guide on the bag of the biscuit you choose.
How much to feed and how to switch your cat's biscuits
Start with the feeding guide on the bag, then monitor your cat's weight and adjust as needed. The packs suggest feeding twice a day, with fresh, clean water always available, and serving the biscuits dry or lightly moistened.
- Measure. Use a standard measuring cup or kitchen scales rather than guessing. Our guide to portion control for pets shows how.
- Check their shape. You should be able to feel your cat's ribs under a thin layer of fat, and see a waist from above.
- Add moisture. Many cats benefit from mixing wet and dry food. Read about the benefits of mixing wet and dry cat food.
- Don't swap cup for cup. Different recipes have different calories, so use the new food's own guide.
How to switch to new cat biscuits
Change foods gradually so your cat's tummy has time to adjust:
- Step 1: 25% new food, 75% old food
- Step 2: 50% new food, 50% old food
- Step 3: 75% new food, 25% old food
- Step 4: 100% new food
If your cat is fussy or has a sensitive tummy, go even slower.
Cat biscuit questions, answered
What are the best cat biscuits in NZ?
The best cat biscuits are complete and balanced, rich in quality animal protein and matched to your cat's needs. For everyday feeding, try ACANA™ Homestead Harvest or Bountiful Catch. For hairballs and weight, try ACANA™ Indoor Entrée or ORIJEN™ Fit & Trim. For a dull coat, try ORIJEN™ Six Fish or ACANA™ Pacifica. For seniors, try ORIJEN™ Guardian 8.
Are cat biscuits and kibble the same thing?
Yes. "Cat biscuits", "kibble" and "dry cat food" all describe the same type of food.
What is the best dry cat food for hairballs?
ACANA™ Indoor Entrée is formulated with fibre from oat groats, miscanthus grass and lentil fibre to help control hairballs, and it also helps maintain a healthy weight.
What is the best dry cat food for weight management?
ACANA™ Indoor Entrée has carefully balanced calories and added L-carnitine to help maintain a healthy body weight. ORIJEN™ Fit & Trim Cat supports a healthy weight with 85% quality animal ingredients and 42% protein.
What is the best cat food for a dull coat?
Choose a fish-based biscuit rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as ORIJEN™ Six Fish Cat, ACANA™ Pacifica Cat or ACANA™ Bountiful Catch. If the dullness continues, check in with your vet.
What is the best dry food for senior cats?
Older cats still need quality animal protein to maintain lean muscle, plus nutrients for joints, heart, brain and eyes. ORIJEN™ Guardian 8 is made with 90% quality animal ingredients and supports eight key health benefits, including muscle maintenance, joint health and heart health. Talk to your vet if you notice changes in your older cat.
How often should I feed my cat biscuits?
The packs suggest feeding twice a day. Start with the feeding guide on the bag, then monitor your cat's weight and adjust as needed.
Where can I buy ACANA™ and ORIJEN™ cat biscuits in NZ?
Over 100 stores across New Zealand stock ACANA™ and ORIJEN™. Pop your location into our stockist finder to see the closest.
Find the right biscuit for your cat
Every cat is different, but the starting point is the same: quality animal protein, a complete and balanced recipe and a biscuit matched to your cat's biggest concern. Whether it's everyday feeding, hairballs, weight, a dull coat or the senior years, there's an ACANA™ or ORIJEN™ recipe to suit.
Browse our adult cat food range, find your nearest stockist, or read our guides on how to choose the right food for your cat and how to read cat food labels.
