Rabbit

Rabbit is easily digested and unlikely to cause allergies, which makes it a good option for sensitive cats.

Rabbit is a lean meat that is close to the small prey cats catch in the wild. Cornell's Feline Health Center notes that cats are obligate carnivores and evolved to eat prey high in protein, moderate in fat and low in carbohydrates. In cat food, rabbit is a named animal protein. If your cat has a food allergy or another medical condition, ask your veterinarian before switching.

Source: vet.cornell.edu

Rabbit gives a lean protein from a species most cats have not eaten before. That makes it popular for cats that react to chicken, beef or fish. It also matches the small-mammal prey cats would hunt on their own. Because it costs more and is harder to source, it appears in far fewer recipes than poultry or fish.

Rabbit is a niche meat. It is raised in smaller numbers than chicken, turkey or beef, so supply is tighter and prices are higher. Pet food makers usually save it for limited-ingredient or specialty recipes. Only 2 of the 149 dry cat foods Pettings lists include rabbit, and some prescription diets from veterinarians use it as well.

Raw meat carries infection risks, rabbit included. Cornell's Feline Health Center advises against raw meat and describes it as a potential vehicle for toxoplasmosis and other infectious diseases. Rabbit in commercial dry cat food is cooked during processing. Talk with your veterinarian before you add raw rabbit or any other raw meat to your cat's meals.

Source: vet.cornell.edu

Pettings gives rabbit 5 out of 5 and lists it as a named animal protein. It appears on 2 of the 149 dry cat foods we list. It earns the top score as a named animal protein. Each food's page shows how the whole recipe scores overall.