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Best Dry Food for American Curls

By PetEssentialist Editorial ยท Updated July 2026

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๐Ÿ† Quick answer

Our top pick is Hill's Science Diet Adult Indoor Dry Cat Food โ€” best for Indoor American Curls with weight concerns. Why it wins: Supports weight management.

As American Curl owners know, their medium-sized felines have a unique combination of playful energy and affectionate nature. However, this breed's distinctive characteristics also come with specific dietary needs, particularly when it comes to managing their obligate-carnivore protein requirements and mitigating risks of urinary tract issues, kidney disease, and weight gain. With their moderate energy levels and low shedding coats, American Curls require a balanced dry food that not only meets their protein needs but also supports their overall health and well-being. The curled ears of this breed also necessitate regular cleaning and a diet that helps prevent ear infections. Given these considerations, the right dry food can make a significant difference in the health and happiness of American Curls. For breeders and owners, selecting the most suitable dry food involves understanding the nuances of the American Curl's metabolism, their predisposition to certain health issues, and how these factors intersect with their dietary requirements. High-protein, taurine-rich formulas are crucial, as are features that support urinary and kidney health, weight management, and hairball control, especially for long-haired American Curls.

What to look for

Protein Content and Source

American Curls, as obligate carnivores, require a diet rich in animal-derived protein. Look for dry foods with real chicken, salmon, or other meats as the first ingredient. High-protein content is essential for maintaining lean muscle mass and supporting their moderate energy levels.

Urinary and Kidney Health Support

Given the breed's predisposition to polycystic kidney disease and urinary tract issues, a dry food that supports urinary health is vital. Ingredients that help maintain a healthy urinary pH and reduce the risk of stone formation are beneficial.

Weight Management

American Curls can be prone to weight gain, especially if they are indoor cats with limited opportunities for exercise. Dry foods with controlled calorie densities and ingredients that support metabolism, such as L-carnitine, can help manage weight.

Hairball Control

While American Curls have a low-shedding coat, the long-haired variant can still experience hairballs. Dry foods with natural fiber and specific ingredients for hairball control can help reduce the incidence of this issue.

Our top picks

SponsoredHow we choose โ†’
#ProductBest for
1Hill's Science Diet Adult Indoor Dry Cat FoodIndoor American Curls with weight concerns
2Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Adult Dry Cat FoodAmerican Curls needing high protein for lean muscle
3Blue Buffalo Indoor Health Adult Dry Cat FoodIndoor American Curls with hairball issues
4IAMS ProActive Health Adult Indoor Weight & Hairball CareAmerican Curls needing weight and hairball management
5Wellness Complete Health Adult Indoor Dry Cat FoodAmerican Curls requiring balanced omega fatty acids
1

Hill's Science Diet Adult Indoor Dry Cat Food

Best for Indoor American Curls with weight concerns

This dry food is specifically formulated for indoor cats, addressing the unique needs of American Curls that spend most of their time indoors. It provides controlled calories to help maintain a healthy weight, natural fiber for hairball control, and vitamins for a healthy coat.

  • โœ“ Supports weight management
  • โœ“ Helps control hairballs
  • โœ“ Promotes a healthy coat
  • โœ• May not be suitable for highly active American Curls
Check price โ†’
2

Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Adult Dry Cat Food

Best for American Curls needing high protein for lean muscle

With real chicken or salmon as the first ingredient, this dry food offers high protein content essential for American Curls' muscle health and moderate energy levels. It also supports skin and coat health with omega-6 fatty acids.

  • โœ“ High protein content
  • โœ“ Supports lean muscle and skin health
  • โœ“ Real meat as the first ingredient
  • โœ• May not offer specific weight management features
Check price โ†’
3

Blue Buffalo Indoor Health Adult Dry Cat Food

Best for Indoor American Curls with hairball issues

This dry food is designed for indoor cats, focusing on the health concerns specific to this lifestyle, including hairballs. It features a fiber blend for hairball control and antioxidant-rich LifeSource Bits for overall health.

  • โœ“ Helps control hairballs
  • โœ“ Supports immune system with antioxidants
  • โœ“ Real chicken as the first ingredient
  • โœ• Not specifically formulated for weight management
Check price โ†’
4

IAMS ProActive Health Adult Indoor Weight & Hairball Care

Best for American Curls needing weight and hairball management

This dry food addresses two significant concerns for American Curls: weight gain and hairballs. With L-carnitine for healthy metabolism and a fiber blend to reduce hairballs, it's an excellent choice for indoor cats.

  • โœ“ Supports healthy metabolism and weight
  • โœ“ Reduces hairballs
  • โœ“ Real chicken protein
  • โœ• May not provide the highest protein content compared to other options
Check price โ†’
5

Wellness Complete Health Adult Indoor Dry Cat Food

Best for American Curls requiring balanced omega fatty acids

This dry food focuses on complete health, including balanced omega fatty acids for skin and coat health, and deboned chicken as the first ingredient for high protein content. It's suitable for American Curls needing a well-rounded diet.

  • โœ“ Balanced omega fatty acids
  • โœ“ Deboned chicken as the first ingredient
  • โœ“ Supports digestion and hairball control
  • โœ• Not specifically tailored to weight management or urinary health
Check price โ†’

Frequently asked questions

What is the ideal protein source for American Curls?

American Curls benefit from high-protein diets with animal-derived sources such as chicken, salmon, or other meats as the first ingredient. This supports their obligate-carnivore nutritional needs and helps maintain lean muscle mass.

How can I prevent hairballs in my American Curl?

Feeding a dry food with natural fiber and specific ingredients for hairball control can help reduce the incidence of hairballs. Regular grooming, especially for long-haired American Curls, and ensuring adequate hydration are also important.

What are the key factors to consider when choosing a dry food for my indoor American Curl?

For indoor American Curls, consider dry foods with controlled calorie densities to manage weight, ingredients that support urinary health to mitigate the risk of kidney disease, and features that help control hairballs.

Can any dry food support the overall health of my American Curl?

While many dry foods can provide basic nutritional needs, American Curls benefit from formulas that address their specific health predispositions, such as urinary and kidney health support, weight management, and hairball control. High-protein, taurine-rich formulas are particularly beneficial.

How often should I clean my American Curl's ears to prevent infections?

Regular ear cleaning is essential for American Curls due to their distinctive curled ears. Owners should clean their cat's ears gently but regularly, ideally weekly, to prevent the buildup of debris and wax that can lead to infections.

When selecting a dry food for American Curls, prioritizing high-protein content, urinary and kidney health support, weight management, and hairball control is crucial. By choosing a dry food that addresses these specific needs, owners can help ensure their cat leads a healthy and happy life. For indoor or less active American Curls, weight management features are particularly important, while all American Curls can benefit from a diet that supports their overall health and mitigates breed-specific health risks.