The Best Cat Food For Persians, Rated and Reviewed for 2024

If you are a Persian Cat owner, you are a lucky pet parent indeed.

This long haired beauty has been delighting people around the world for hundreds of years with their exotic looks and pristine personality.

This breed of cat is perfect for apartment living, which has helped it stay as the number one cat breed since they started keeping track in the 19th century!

However, keeping them healthy goes beyond where you live. This is a delicate breed that necessitates the best cat food for Persian cats in order to stay healthy and thrive.

Of course to keep any cat happy and healthy, you should be feeding it a biologically appropriate diet.

That means it must be:

  • High in protein
  • Low in carbohydrates
  • Moderate in fats

It should also be:

  • Full of real, named meat ingredients, including organs
  • Absent of fillers like corn, wheat, and starches
  • Full of vitamins and nutrients, or whole food versions that contain them

Here’s Why We’re Qualified To Talk To You About This…

We put together a massive internal database (which we’ll be releasing to the public soon), of over 2000 cat foods.

We collected data from calories to macronutrients to ingredients to how they compare to the average.

We then used both formulas and a bit of common sense to score each food out of 5.

We looked at studies to find out what cats should really eat. 

Basically, we have dedicated hundreds of hours, now, to cat food research, and have the data to back it up!

We’ll be drawing on the data we collected to recommend some of the best foods below.

Our review process is unbiased and based on extensive research. If you buy through the links on our site, we may earn a commission.

Do Persians Need Specific Food?

Sort of, but not really.

Here’s what I mean.

Some brands have “Persian Cat Specific” dry food options. 

Basically all that means is that the dry cat food or kibble is shaped in such a way that these flat faced felines can pick up and chew the food easier than normal kibble.

However, these “specialty” dry cat foods are typically full of horrible ingredients like corn and “meat by-products”, which are absolutely not appropriate for your cat’s nutritional needs.

Sure, she may be able to grab the kibble easier, but that just means it’s easier for her to get sick with a bad food.

If your Persian kitty has a hard time with kibble, then we recommend either trying her out on one of our two top choices below, OR, if she still can’t get enough to eat, or has problems chewing, just go straight to a wet-only diet.

Canned food has more moisture, which cats have a hard time getting if they eat dry food (they don’t usually drink enough water). It may also be easier to eat than a hard kibble for kitties with shorter jaws like Persians. 

But, when it comes to “breed specific” food, that’s as far as we’re willing to go.

Here’s where we may challenge what you’ve been told to believe…(sorry!)…

Different breeds of cats are really only different in terms of their looks, not their physiology or digestion. There really is no specific best food for Persian cats that is any different from other breeds.

Just like humans can have different hair colors, skin colors, eye colors, body sizes, or body shapes, yet still remain human and have the same nutritional needs, cats can look a bit different, yet be pretty much the same “under the hood”.

That means that your precious Persian isn’t that much different than a giant Maine Coon, or a sly Siamese.

They all require the same, basic, non-complicated nutrient profile.

What Do Cats Eat In The Wild?

It’s important to learn what cats eat in the wild because…

Domestic cats are descendants of wild cats, and they are not very different biologically. 

There just hasn’t been enough time or environmental pressure for them to evolve significantly.

Therefore, what a cat chooses to eat in the wild, should be pretty close to perfect, since eating the right food is about the most important, primary drive for any animal.

Luckily, research has been done on this.

To start, let’s look at domestic cats.

In one study, when given the option between a number of commercial pet foods, cats tended to eat the foods that gave them the following macronutrient breakdown (dry matter basis):

  • 52% protein
  • 36% fat
  • 12% carbohydrate

That’s pretty different than most pet foods…especially the brands who claim they make “breed-specific” foods.

Ok, now let’s look at the data from a compilation of studies on wild cats.

These studies all looked at feral or stray cat populations. They covered multiple continents and a variety of environments (near the sea, rural, urban, etc.).

Here’s the macronutrient breakdown, on average, of what cats eat in the wild (dry matter basis):

  • 63% protein
  • 23% fat
  • 3% carbs

Wow!

So much different than most commercial pet foods.

What you should be looking for, then, is a high protein, moderate fat, low carbohydrate food.

That food should get most or all of it’s protein from named meat sources (i.e., chicken, not “meat by-products”).

After all, the foods cats were eating in the wild were almost exclusively animals. Rats, mice, rabbits, birds…

It should have minimal fillers (things like corn, rice, wheat, etc.).

OK, So Now What?

Alright, so we could have just picked some random foods and told you they were “perfectly designed” for your special kitty.

Buuut, that would be totally wrong.

It’s up to you whether you believe us and the data, or whether you believe the big companies who tell you that “breed specific” foods should be full of corn, by-products, and other junk.

If you’re ready to leave the marketing mumbo jumbo behind, read on below to find out our top recommended wet, dry, and freeze-dried food options for your special kitty!

Our review process is unbiased and based on extensive research. If you buy through the links on our site, we may earn a commission.

Ratings Of The Best Food For Persian Cats

Best Wet Food

Feline Natural

  • Very limited ingredient
  • Near-perfect macronutrients
  • Green lipped mussel for joint health

Best Dry Food

Wysong Epigen 90

  • Packed with meat
  • Biologically-appropriate
  • Near-perfect macronutrient profile

Dr. Elsey’s cleanprotein

  • Uses chicken and high-protein meat concentrates
  • No added carbs
  • Near-perfect macronutrient profile

Best Freeze-Dried

Vital Essentials Mini Patties

  • High-quality meat ingredients, including organ meat
  • Very close to a natural, wild diet
  • Absolutely no fillers

The Best Cat Food For Persians

EDITOR’S CHOICE FOR BEST WET FOOD

#1. Feline Natural Grain-Free New Zealand Chicken & Venison

Macronutrients on a dry-matter basis:

  • Protein: 51.43%
  • Fat: 28.57%
  • Carbs: 7.43%

First 4 ingredients:  Chicken, Chicken Heart, Venison Kidney, Venison Liver

One of the best canned foods you can choose, Feline Natural puts together a recipe full of various cuts of chicken and venison, including organs, which are super healthy for your cat.

It also includes New Zealand Green Lipped Mussels, a very unique cat food ingredient. This is a great addition because it is:

  • another animal-based ingredient
  • great for joint-health
  • made from free-range, grass-fed chicken 

There are really no artificial ingredients, additives, preservatives, or gelling agents.

The only drawback is it is a bit pricey. 

​>> Tap here to see our full review of Feline Natural! <<

EDITOR’S CHOICE FOR BEST DRY FOOD

#2. Wysong Epigen 90 Starch Free

Macronutrients on a dry-matter basis:

  • Protein: 70%
  • Fat: 17.8%
  • Carbs: 0%

First 4 ingredients: Chicken Meal, Organic Chicken, Meat Protein Isolate, Chicken Fat

While we recommend feeding wet food most of the time, since cats require a lot of moisture, but don’t have a strong thirst drive, this is the best of the dry foods out there.

Add a bit of water to it before feeding to make it even more appropriate to your cat’s needs.

Otherwise, it’s a show stopper.

Whereas most kibbles fail to break 40 or 50% protein, this one puts them all to shame with 70%.

It also has no carbs, and even uses gelatin as a binding agent, instead of a plant based or synthetic option, which is more popular.

The “meat protein isolate” sounds like a big no-no, since it’s an unnamed meat, but Wysong says it’s 100% pork isolate, and they’ve only labeled that because they interpret labeling laws in such a way that makes that the correct way to put it on the label.

Definitely one of the best choices if you feed dry.

​Tap here to see our full review of Wysong

#3. Dr. Elsey’s cleanprotein Chicken

Macronutrients on a dry-matter basis:

  • Protein: 67.05%
  • Fat: 20.45%
  • Carbs: 0%

First 4 ingredients: Chicken, Dried Egg Product, Pork Protein Isolate, Gelatin

We were surprised to see a real challenger to our #1 Wysong pick, but Dr. Elsey’s has delivered.

With chicken and pork protein isolate, they pack a huge amount of animal protein in right at the start.

Egg is a very bioavailable protein, full of amino acids and very digestible.

Again with no carbs, we see a very biologically appropriate macronutrient profile, close to what kitty would eat in the wild, as discussed above.

It has a lot of added vitamins and nutrients, but no digestive enzymes or probiotics, like our #1 pick.

It’s a fantastic option if your cat doesn’t like the taste of the Wysong brand for some reason, or if the shape of it isn’t right.

​Tap here to see our full review of Dr. Elsey’s

EDITOR’S CHOICE FOR BEST FREEZE-DRIED FOOD

#4. Vital Essentials Mini Patties Rabbit

Macronutrients on a dry-matter basis:

  • Protein: 56.52%
  • Fat: 16.30%
  • Carbs: 14.13%

First 4 ingredients: Finely Ground Whole Rabbit, Rabbit Heart, Rabbit Liver, Rabbit Lungs

We believe that freeze-dried food has the potential to be the closest to a wild diet for your kitty.

The way the process is done locks in nutrients and flavors. 

When you add water to “re-animate” it, you fulfill the moisture requirements, making it just about perfect.

This starts off with whole ground rabbit. That’s basically what your cat would eat in the wild.

It just so happens to be whole ground, for easier digestibility and eating.

It’s also full of additional organ meat.

The carbohydrate content seems to come from the raw goat’s milk (which is actually quite good for cats, since it’s unpasteurized and contains the enzyme that helps them break down lactose), so there are no added plants here.

Overall, this is highly appropriate for a feline.

And remember, the cost per pound goes down significantly when you add water to it. Your cat isn’t going through the package in a couple of bites, since it will expand and go further when rehydrated. Therefore the higher apparent cost per pound is a bit of a false signal.

About as close as you can get to a proper wild diet from a commercial pet food!

Tap here to see our full review of Vital Essentials

A Little History of the Persian Cat

The first documented ancestors of the modern day Persian cat dates back to 1620, when they were imported into Italy from Persia and France from Turkey. Interbreeding of different long haired cat breeds was common, leading to the lovely felines that we are familiar with today.

Persian Cats and Health Issues

Due to overbreeding of the Persian Cat with other types, certain health issues have arisen for the breed.

The large round skull and short face and nose make the modern Persian prone to breathing problems like shortness of breath.

The tear ducts are also often malformed, which leads to excessive tearing onto the face. Other less common eye issues are related to the lids which can be painful and lead to infection or damage to the cornea.

You see, the Persian has been bred such that the face has become flatter and flatter over the years. In fact, in most cat showings, a Persian loses points if the nose is not in line with the eyes and mouth (flat faced, in other words). This breeding has caused the issues around the face.

persian cat health issues

Polycystic kidney disease also is seen in Persian cats, causing kidney failure if not detected early and treated effectively. Other conditions which Persians have been found to be predisposed to include:

  • Skin problems such as ringworm and dermatitis
  • Eye issues like cataracts
  • Lower urinary tract disease
  • Liver disease
  • Hernia of the diaphragm
  • Lupus

Protecting your pet Persian from any of these illnesses involves bringing them for routine veterinary visits and providing them a healthy diet by giving them the best cat foods for Persian cats.

Plus, make sure you’re providing the right vitamins and supplements, if necessary.

Cat food that is made with quality, real-meat ingredients will enable them to live longer and more fulfilling lives.

There are a decent number of quality cat foods for Persian cats and all cats available on the market, but you must be considerate of what they contain before making a purchase. Persian cats tend to be more sensitive than other breeds to their food, and may require more easily digestible vitamins and minerals in order to avoid health issues, so look for chelated or proteinate versions of the minerals.

A Bit More Reading..

We found these sources an interesting “gateway”, if you will, to the world of breed specific cat food and just how silly it is.

Emily Parker

Emily Parker is the Content Manager at Catological. She's passionate about helping cat parents love their cats better by providing the best information and recommendations about everything you'll need to know about your cat, from kitten to senior years. She believes natural, biologically-appropriate products are best...why wouldn't you provide the best for a member of your family?!

4 thoughts on “The Best Cat Food For Persians, Rated and Reviewed for 2024”

  1. I’ve been wanting to get a Persian kitten for my family. I just want to make sure that I get the right food for it! I’ll be sure to get only the best stuff for it. Thanks for sharing!

    • Are you located in Arizona by chance? I just put a hold payment on two adorable Persian/exotic short hair babies located in San tan valley. They have an orange and a black tortoise shell baby left. I think it’s local pick up only. $400ea

  2. Though most cats have similar behaviors and life styles, there are subtle differences, even based on breed, that require unique care. Some of those differences, though, are from genetic dispositions that you can’t see. THAT is why articles, like this one, are important for understanding how to choose the best nutrition for your cat, be it a Persian, Siamese, or the common Tabby.

  3. I just got a silver chinchilla Persian cat, 1 year old, weighing 7 lbs. So small he looks like a kitten. I got him from the Humaine Society. They gave me a bag of Royal Caine dry cat food. At first he would not eat it, one week later he gobbled it up. My veterinarian told me to get Royal Caine, I guess you have to wait a while to see if your cat likes the food you gave him before you start jumping around trying different foods. My vet told me to give him a high fiber diet because male cats are prone to urine blockages resulting in blatter infections. This is new to me, because I never had a male cat before. I had a female flame point Himalayan for 18 years before getting this Persian cat. She passed away from kidney failure. Just don’t let them go outside they’ll live longer healthier lives. My cat, Prince, is so affectionate, hes a real lap cat, he always has to have his head under my chin.

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