The best wet cat food in Australia is Applaws, with its exceptionally high named-meat content and clean, minimal ingredient list. Cats are obligate carnivores with a low thirst drive — wet food's 70–80% moisture makes it the most natural way to keep them hydrated.
Reviewed by the PetReviews editorial team
Independent scoring · Updated June 2026 · Not veterinary advice
Not veterinary advice. Always check whether a wet food is 'complete and balanced' or 'complementary' before using it as a sole diet. Consult your vet for guidance on your cat's specific needs.
Our #1 wet cat food
Applaws
Best wet food · $$$
Premium, meat-rich quality at a sensible price — our best wet-food pick for cats. Just check whether a given product is complete or complementary before it becomes the whole diet.
Cats evolved to get most of their water from prey. Unlike dogs, many cats have a low thirst drive and won't compensate for a dry-food diet by drinking more water.
Chronic kidney disease is common in older cats. Higher dietary moisture helps flush the kidneys and dilutes urine, reducing the risk of crystals and FLUTD.
Wet food contains 70–80% moisture; dry food typically 8–12%. For a cat eating dry food only, a water fountain can meaningfully increase daily intake.
Always check the label: 'complete and balanced' means the food meets all nutritional requirements. 'Complementary' means it must be fed alongside a complete food.
Good wet food lists a named meat (chicken, tuna, salmon) first and high up the ingredient list. Avoid products where water appears before the main protein.
Wet food costs more per kg than dry, but cost-per-day is the right comparison. A 70g sachet fed once a day may cost less than you think alongside a dry food base.
Ranked for moisture quality, named-meat protein, ingredient integrity and Australian availability — from premium to accessible.
Applaws leads our wet food picks for its exceptionally high named-meat content and clean, minimal ingredient list. The wet range typically lists 70–75% named meat on pack — among the highest in the category — making it a standout for cats that thrive on protein-rich, natural feeding.
ZIWI Peak's wet recipes match the ingredient integrity of its air-dried range: single-region proteins, no grains, no artificial preservatives. The moisture content supports obligate carnivores that rarely drink enough water. The premium price per can is real, but ingredient quality is unmatched.
Fussy Cat is a solid mid-range Australian-made wet food with decent ingredients at a price that doesn't hurt. Good variety of flavours helps tempt fussy eaters, and it's stocked at Coles and Woolworths as well as pet specialty — one of the most accessible Aussie-made options in the category.
Fancy Feast is the palatability champion of the supermarket wet food aisle — if your cat refuses other food, Fancy Feast usually works. Lower ingredient quality than the premium picks, but it's a useful, affordable wet topper or appetite stimulant alongside a complete dry food base.
Advance Wet completes the range alongside its highly regarded dry food — Australian-made, vet-recommended and available as part of a complete diet. A dependable everyday wet option, particularly useful for cats on Advance dry who benefit from added moisture at mealtimes.
Overall scores from our 100-point cat food index. Wet food picks selected editorially for moisture quality and named-meat content.
Cats are obligate carnivores that evolved to get most of their moisture from prey. Unlike dogs, many cats have a low thirst drive and will not drink enough water to compensate for a dry-food-only diet. Wet food typically contains 70–80% moisture, compared with 8–12% in dry food — helping to support kidney health, urinary tract function and overall hydration.
Both wet-only and dry-only diets can be appropriate if the food is complete and balanced. A mix is popular because wet food adds hydration while dry food is convenient and can help with dental wear. If feeding wet only, cost per day is typically higher. If feeding dry only, make sure your cat has access to fresh water at all times — and consider a water fountain to encourage drinking.
'Complementary' means the food is not nutritionally complete on its own and must be fed alongside a complete food. Many gourmet tins, pouches and sachets are complementary — ideal as a treat or topper but not as the sole diet. Always check the label for 'complete and balanced' before using a wet food as the main meal.
Feeding amounts depend on your cat's weight, age, activity level and whether you're feeding wet alone or mixing with dry. Most 85g sachets or tins suit a 4–5kg adult cat once or twice a day alongside dry food. Follow the pack guide as a starting point and adjust based on your cat's body condition. Your vet can advise on exact portions.
Wet food can be particularly beneficial for older cats, who are more prone to chronic kidney disease and dehydration. The higher moisture content supports kidney function, and the softer texture is easier for cats with dental problems. Look for a senior-formulated wet food with reduced phosphorus if kidney health is a concern — your vet can guide you.
