9+ Best Venison Cat Food [2024]

If you’ve noticed your cat experiencing digestive issues or skin irritations, they might be dealing with food allergies. In many cases, the most common trigger comes from the protein in their diet. This is where venison cat food can make a difference. 

As a novel protein cat food, venison offers a high-quality, nutrient-dense option that’s less likely to cause allergic reactions. Unlike more typical proteins like chicken or beef, venison is less commonly used, which reduces the risk of triggering allergies. But how do you know which venison cat food is the best? Read on to explore the benefits and top choices available today.

What is Venison Cat Food?

Venison cat food is made using meat from wild or farmed deer, referred to as "venison." The term “venison” originally described any hunted game meat but today typically refers specifically to deer. This meat is naturally lean, meaning it contains less fat and more protein per serving compared to other meats. 

Benefits of Venison Cat Food

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Cats are known to be picky, but venison is a fan favorite for good reason. Let’s break down how this unique meat could benefit your cat:

Packed With Essential Nutrients 

Venison is naturally rich in nutrients like vitamin B, zinc, and iron. These nutrients support your cat’s immune system, maintain healthy skin and coat, and promote overall wellness. It’s a convenient option to ensure your cat gets the vitamins they need without additional supplementation.

High-Quality Protein Source

As an obligate carnivore, your cat thrives on a protein-rich diet, and venison delivers just that. It helps maintain muscle mass and energy levels, which are especially important for active or senior cats. 

Easily Digestible 

Venison is a great option for cats with food sensitivities because it’s a novel protein and less likely to cause digestive upset. Venison cat food formulas, like KOHA limited ingredient diet, avoid common irritants and junky fillers that make meals gentle and easy to digest.

Delicious Taste 

Venison’s unique, rich flavor often appeals even to the pickiest eaters. It provides variety and excitement in your cat's diet and makes mealtime something they genuinely look forward to.

 

Best Venison Cat Food 

Even as a novel protein, the market is filled with so many venison options. While not all may offer many benefits, we’ve done our due diligence to uncover the brands that your cat will love. Here are the best venison cat foods available today:

1. KOHA Venison Cat Food

Cats and their owners love KOHA Limited Ingredient Venison Cat Food, especially those with food sensitivities or digestive issues. The formula features venison as the single animal protein source to minimize allergic reactions while providing lean, high-quality nutrition. 

They even add pumpkin and cranberries to aid digestion and urinary tract health. The formula is moisture-rich and contains no junky fillers or carbohydrates, making it an easily digestible meal that supports your cat’s overall health.

Benefits:

• Highly palatable taste
• Easy on the stomach
• Includes pumpkin to aid with digestion 
• Features cranberries to support urinary tract health 
• Helps with hydration
• Avoids junky fillers
• Retains essential nutrients for better absorption

Give your cat an easily digestible, delicious meal with KOHA Limited Ingredient Venison Cat Food!

2. Natural Balance Pet Food

Natural Balance’s Limited Ingredient Green Pea & Venison Recipe is suitable for cats with food sensitivities. They include green peas for additional health support. This grain-free formula is free from wheat, soy, and other common allergens.

Benefits:

• Grain-free
• Includes Green peas to aid digestion
• Contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for skin and coat health

3. Feline Natural

 

Feline Natural’s Chicken & Venison Feast canned cat food offers a blend of cage-free chicken and grass-fed venison. This formula is suitable for all life stages and meets AAFCO standards. The product is free from binders, gums, or gelling agents, with fresh New Zealand water added for hydration.

Benefits:

• Suitable for cats of all ages, including kittens
• Free from fillers or artificial additives

4. Addiction Pet Foods

Addiction’s Viva La Venison Entree cat food with free-range venison sourced from New Zealand. This grain-free formula includes antioxidants, phytonutrients, and probiotics. It's suitable for cats with food sensitivities or allergies.

Benefits:

• Features free-range venison
• Includes antioxidants from fruits and vegetables

5. Primal Pet Foods

Primal Pet Foods offers a venison formula that comes in both freeze-dried and frozen nuggets. It uses grass-fed venison as the primary ingredient. The formula includes organic fruits and vegetables such as kale, squash, apples, carrots, blueberries, and cranberries. 

Benefits:

• Contains a variety of organic fruits and vegetables
• Includes microorganisms to aid digestion

6. Tiki Pets

Tiki Pets offers a venison and beef liver paté for adult cats. This formula features finely minced venison as the first ingredient, accompanied by beef liver. It also avoids carrageenan, artificial preservatives, and veggies.

Benefits:

• Real venison as the primary ingredient
• No carrageenan or artificial preservatives
• Smooth paté texture

7. Instinct

 

Instinct's Original Real Venison Recipe wet cat food uses grass-fed venison as its primary ingredient. The formula contains 95% venison and pork liver, with the remaining 5% consisting of vegetables, fruits, and other beneficial ingredients. It’s grain-free and free from potatoes, corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, or preservatives, making it a suitable choice for cats with sensitivities​.

Benefits:

• High in protein
• No unnecessary fillers like grains or potatoes
• Includes vegetables, fruits, and omega fatty acids for overall health

8. Lotus

Lotus offers their Just Juicy Venison cat food with a grain-free formula. This recipe features hand-packed cuts of venison in a stew for easier digestion. It’s free from any fillers, artificial colors, and preservatives.

Benefits:

• Supports muscle health
• Adds hydration

9. ZIWI

 

ZIWI Peak’s Venison Recipe for cats comes from free-range, grass-fed deer raised in New Zealand. The recipe includes 92-96% meat, organs, bone, and New Zealand green mussels. ZIWI’s venison cat food is free from grains, potatoes, glycerin, and rendered meats or meals.

Benefits:

• Single protein source
• Provides natural probiotics

 

More About Venison Cat Food

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Still have a few questions about venison cat food? Don’t worry, we’re here to tackle some frequently asked questions to help you make the best choice for your cat.

Is venison cat food good for cats?

Absolutely! Venison cat food is an excellent option for cats, especially those with sensitive stomachs or allergies. It’s a lean, high-quality protein that provides essential nutrients like B vitamins and iron to support your cat's overall health.

To make it even better, you can choose a quality option like KOHA Venison cat food, which includes added ingredients like pumpkin for digestion and cranberries for urinary tract health.

Can cats eat venison every day?

Yes, cats can eat venison every day as long as it’s part of a balanced, nutritionally complete diet. It’s always a good idea to consult with your veterinarian before changing your cat’s diet.

Is venison hypoallergenic for cats?

For many cats, venison can be considered hypoallergenic cat food because it’s less likely to cause allergic reactions compared to more common proteins like chicken or beef. Its novel protein status means that most cats haven’t been exposed to it before, making it an excellent option for cats with food allergies or sensitive stomachs.

Is venison good for cats with IBD?

Yes, venison can be a suitable option for cats with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Venison cat food formulas typically avoid common irritants and unnecessary fillers, which can help reduce inflammation and digestive discomfort in cats with IBD. However, always consult your vet before making dietary changes for cats with IBD.

 

Choose the Best Venison Cat Food  

When it comes to giving your cat the best nutrition, not all venison cat foods are created equal. While many brands offer venison options, they may include unnecessary fillers or low-quality ingredients that may not be ideal for cats with sensitivities. For those considering the best option for your cats, consider KOHA. 

With KOHA, you get a single-animal protein source packed with essential nutrients, plus added ingredients like pumpkin and cranberries for digestive and urinary tract support. Their focus on using high-quality, limited ingredients means your cat receives a nutrient-dense, easily digestible meal that genuinely supports their health. 

Give your cat a delicious, easily digestible meal with KOHA limited ingredient diet venison cat food!