Best Cat Broth for Hydration & Nutrition

Cats run dry by design. A fragrant, low-calorie broth can turn a boring meal into a slurp-worthy feast and help you sneak in more hydration—without loading your cat with carbs or fillers. After analyzing ingredients, thickeners, calories, sourcing notes, brand track records, and thousands of buyer reviews, these are our picks for the best cat broth right now.

Our top picks at a glance

• Best Overall: Purina Fancy Feast Lickable Wet Cat Food Broth Complement – Classics Collection
• Best Hydrating: INABA Churu Broth for Cats, Side Dish Pouch
• Best Budget: CARU Daily Dish Chicken Broth Meal Topper (for Dogs & Cats)
• Best Variety: Delectables Savory Broths Lickable Treat Variety Pack (12 ct)
• Best Salmon: Tiki Cat Born Carnivore Broths – Salmon Recipe
• Best Topper Texture: Solid Gold Bone Broth Cat Food Topper (chicken bone broth + collagen)

In-depth reviews

1) Best Overall — Purina Fancy Feast Lickable Wet Cat Food Broth Complement (Classics Collection)

This collection blends real tuna, shrimp, salmon & whitefish in a light, savory broth with tiny shreds that “wake up” the aroma of regular food. It’s widely available, priced fairly, and consistently palatable—even for skeptical seniors.

Ingredients callouts

• Grain-free and no by-products, fillers, or artificial additives (per label).
• Protein sources are clear, and the texture is liquid-forward (great for hydration).

What it’s best for

• Picky eaters who need smell and mouthfeel to trigger appetite.
• Adding moisture to dry food without flooding calories.

Watchouts

• Rotating flavors helps avoid flavor fatigue.
• As with any topper, don’t exceed ~10% of daily calories to keep the base diet balanced.

Bottom line: If you want the safest “first try” for most cats, start here. It consistently converts broth skeptics into bowl-lickers.

2) Best Hydrating — INABA Churu Broth for Cats, Side Dish Pouch

Churu is famous for squeeze-tube treats, but its broth pouches are 90% moisture with very low calories per pouch—perfect when hydration is the main goal. The aroma is intense (in a good way), and the liquid is thin enough to coat every kibble.

Ingredients callouts

• Uses farm-raised chicken and wild-caught tuna variants.
• Typically relies on simple thickeners in modest amounts to keep it drinkable.

What it’s best for

• Hot weather, post-play hydration, or cats who don’t drink much water.
• Senior cats that prefer slurpable textures.

Watchouts

• The flavor is strong; if your cat is new to toppers, start with half a pouch mixed 1:1 with warm water and build up.

Bottom line: If “more water, please” is your goal, Churu’s broth delivers the most hydration per mouthful while staying gentle on calories.

3) Best Budget — CARU Daily Dish Chicken Broth Meal Topper (Dogs & Cats)

CARU uses a simple chicken-based recipe that’s light, savory, and wallet-friendly—great if you want broth benefits without boutique prices. Despite the cross-species label, the taste profile suits cats well when used as a topper.

Ingredients callouts

• Short, transparent ingredient list built around real chicken broth.
• No onion or garlic.

What it’s best for

• Multi-pet households (one broth for both dog and cat meals).
• Daily moisture boosts on a budget.

Watchouts

• The flavor is milder than seafood-heavy broths. If your cat is a tuna addict, rotate with a fish option for excitement.
• Some batches can be slightly thicker; whisk with a splash of warm water if your cat prefers a lighter pour.

Bottom line: A dependable, straightforward broth that respects your budget and your cat’s stomach.

4) Delectables Savory Broths Lickable Treat Variety Pack (12 Count)

Why we like it: Variety matters—especially for picky cats who burn out on a single flavor. Delectables’ meat & seafood mixes come in a newer texture that blends broth with tiny shreds, giving you both aroma and bite.

Ingredients callouts

• Designed as a treat/topper; portioned pouches keep waste low.
• Formulas are grain-free and emphasize palatability.

What it’s best for

• Rotating flavors to maintain interest.
• Use as a stand-alone lickable treat during meds or after a stressful event (groomer/vet).

Watchouts

• Some cats prefer more liquid and fewer shreds—if so, thin with warm water or try Fancy Feast Classics.
• Keep an eye on total treat calories if you’re using multiple pouches per day.

Bottom line: If your cat loves novelty, this is the most fun—and often the easiest—way to keep meals exciting without switching base diets.

5) Best Salmon — Tiki Cat Born Carnivore Broths, Salmon Recipe

Tiki Cat is known for clean, fish-forward recipes. This salmon broth is grain-free with high-quality proteins and a sleeker ingredient list than many mainstream options. It’s an excellent match for fish-loving cats that you still want to keep on a tidy label.

Ingredients callouts

• Real salmon highlighted; keeps carbs minimal.
• Gentle consistency—drinkable but with enough substance to feel like a “reward.”

What it’s best for

• Fish fans, especially cats that turn up their nose at chicken broths.
• Pairing with fish-based wet foods to enhance aroma and texture.

Watchouts

• Fish-exclusive toppers shouldn’t be the only protein your cat ever gets; rotate with poultry to diversify amino acids and avoid flavor addiction.

Bottom line: A cleaner salmon broth from a brand with a strong reputation in fish foods. Great pick for seafood devotees.

6) Best Topper Texture — Solid Gold Bone Broth Cat Food Topper (Chicken Bone Broth + Collagen)

This slow-simmered chicken bone broth adds collagen and real chicken shreds to boost texture and aroma. Cats that like to chew and lick will appreciate the mouthfeel, and it mixes beautifully with wet or dry food.

Ingredients callouts

• Bone-broth base with protein shreds for taste & texture.
• Designed to be gentle on the gut while encouraging hydration.

What it’s best for

• Cats that respond to texture as much as smell.
• Serving slightly warmed (10–15 seconds in a bowl set in warm water) to release aroma.

Watchouts

• Bone broths can vary in richness. Start with small amounts if your cat is very sensitive, and always store opened pouches in the fridge.

Bottom line: When you want a broth that feels like food and not just flavored water, Solid Gold’s topper is a satisfying, slurp-and-chew option.

Buying guide: how to choose the best cat broth for your cat

1. Start with your goal.
   • Hydration: Choose thin, high-moisture options like INABA Churu.
   • Palatability/enticing food: Choose aromatic mixes with shreds (Fancy Feast, Delectables).
   • Texture reward: Choose shreds/collagen (Solid Gold).
2. Scan for simple, species-appropriate proteins.
   Cats thrive on meat. Look for chicken, tuna, salmon—familiar proteins—with clear labeling (avoid vague “meat” or “animal” terms on toppers).
3. Avoid onion/garlic and heavy seasoning.
   Even small amounts can be problematic for cats. Quality pet broths specifically exclude them—human broths usually don’t.
4. Check calories.
   Broths should be low-calorie so you can use them daily without unbalancing the diet. Most pouches land around 10–25 kcal.
5. Mind thickeners.
   Thickeners like tapioca, guar, or xanthan are common. Sensitive cats often do better with lighter liquids or minimal thickeners.
6. Rotate proteins and brands.
   Rotation helps prevent flavor addiction, provides amino acid variety, and makes you resilient to stock issues.

How to serve cat broth (and make meals irresistible)

• Warm it slightly. Place a sealed pouch in warm water for 30–60 seconds or warm a bowl of broth gently. Heat unlocks aroma.
• Coat the food. Splash over dry or wet food and toss to coat evenly. This prevents “broth first, food later” selective eating.
• Create a hydration station. Offer 1–2 tablespoons of broth in a separate dish between meals for cats who prefer sipping.
• Use during meds or stress. Many cats will accept pills or powders more easily when the meal smells stronger.
• Store properly. Refrigerate opened pouches in a covered container and use within 48–72 hours (check each label).
• Introduce slowly. Start with a teaspoon or two if your cat has a sensitive tummy.

Safety notes & when to call the vet

• Kidney/heart disease: Some broths can add sodium; always check with your vet before regular use.
• Persistent vomiting/diarrhea, appetite loss, or weight change: Broth shouldn’t be used to mask ongoing issues—seek veterinary help.
• Human broths are not substitutes. Most contain onion/garlic, spices, or high salt, which are inappropriate for cats.

FAQs about cat broths

Are broths complete cat food?
No. Broths are complements/topper treats. They help with hydration and palatability but don’t replace a complete & balanced diet.

How often can I serve broth?
Daily is fine for most healthy cats, as long as broths are <10% of daily calories and don’t cause GI upset.

Will broth help a picky eater?
Often, yes. Aroma drives feline appetite. A warm, aromatic broth can transform acceptance of both wet and dry food.

What if my cat only licks the broth and leaves the food?
Toss the food with broth instead of pooling it on top. If needed, reduce the amount so the cat must eat food to get broth flavor.

Can I make broth at home?
You can, but it’s tricky to keep onion/garlic completely out and maintain a safe sodium level. Commercial cat broths are safer and more consistent.

Verdict: which best cat broth should you buy?

• First pick for most cats: Fancy Feast Broths – Classics Collection. It’s the most consistently loved and easy to restock.
• Hydration hero: INABA Churu Broth for ultra-high moisture and minimal calories.
• Best value: CARU Daily Dish Chicken when you want simple, budget-friendly broth.
• For variety seekers: Delectables Savory Broths to rotate flavors and textures.
• For fish fans: Tiki Cat Salmon Broth with a clean, seafood-forward profile.
• For texture rewards: Solid Gold Bone Broth adds collagen and satisfying shreds.

Whichever you choose, remember the real goal: more moisture, more aroma, happier meals. Use broth as a tool—not a crutch—alongside a complete and balanced cat diet, and you’ll have a routine that’s easy to maintain and easy for your cat to love.