All cat parents only want to feed their cats the best and most expensive cat food in the world, but let’s be real! If humans put as much effort into their own diets as they do when it comes to picking the perfect kibble for kitty, we’ll all be chowing kale and quinoa for breakfast!
End-of-the-month-salty-cracks is as real for cats as it is for humans. Therefore, when your bank account mirrors the emptiness of your cat’s food bowl, you need to be prepared. Even if that means scaling back to a cheaper dry cat food alternative, all for the sake of maintaining appearances and preventing hunger-related cat tantrums.
Bookmark this nifty list of the cheapest dry cat food brands in South Africa to consider as affordable alternatives for when times are tough and the cats still expect gourmet meals. Remember, just like our beloved feline friends, life can be unpredictable; cherish the moments, embrace the chaos, and always land on your feet!
**Please note that the pricing information listed is current as of February 2025, based on online shop listings in South Africa, and is subject to change over time due to market fluctuations including inflation.**
Here’s a list of best budget-friendly dry cat food brands in South Africa, ranked from the cheapest to the pricier options:
Catmor
Catmor dry food for cats is formulated to provide a balanced and nutritious diet for felines. The brand is committed to quality control and safety, ensuring that each batch of food meets stringent industry standards.
Catmor Cat Food @ MAKRO
R66 – 1.75kg
R170 – 4kg
Monty & Me by Montego
Monty & Me is a premium, well-balanced dry cat food crafted by Montego Pet Nutrition, founded in the early 2000s in Graaff-Reinet. Formulated to provide all the essential nutrients your feline friend needs, it ensures optimal health and happiness for the beloved cats of South Africa. Montego also offers two premium dry cat food options: Classic and Karoo.
Monty & Me @ Petworld
R95 – 2kg
R230 – 5kg
R399 – 10kg
Ideal Cat
Adult cats and kittens can eat for cheap with Ideal Cat by AVIP Pet Foods, whose dry food is specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs of cats at all ages. In addition, Ideal Cat for Adults is available in three sizes to suit the diverse needs of cat households, from small singles to larger clowders and colonies.
Ideal Adult Cat @ MAKRO
R120 – 1.8kg
R399 – 5kg
R600 – 10kg
Complete Cat
If the idea of merging chicken and fish into one meal seems like a winning combination for your cat, then Complete Cat for Adults will do the trick and for cheap-cheap! Available in one flavour and two sizes, Complete Cat is one of the more affordable dry cat food brands in South Africa.
Complete Cat Chick & Fish @ MAKRO
R182 – 3kg
R391 – 7kg
Nutribyte Genesis Cat
Every bag of Nutribyte Adult Cat food contains only the highest quality digestible ingredients, balanced vitamins & minerals and essential co-factors to ensure that your cat maintains a healthy lifestyle.
Nutribyte Adult Cat @ Tidypets.co.za
R110 – 1.5kg
R375 – 5kg
R636 – 10kg
Pamper
A brand of Bob Martin, Pamper’s latest innovation is a 2-in-1 Roasted Chicken and Fish flavor dry food specially formulated for adult cats. This trusted cat food brand also provides tailored options for senior cats and kittens, ensuring every feline family member receives the nutrition they need.
Pamper Dry Adult Cat Food @ PnP
R160 – 2kg
R310 – 4kg
Whiskas
Surprisingly, Whiskas is no longer the most affordable cat food option available. Once a reliable choice for after-hours emergencies when other alternatives were unavailable, it has now become one of the pricier selections on the market, costing double the price of the same quantity of Pamper Dry Cat food.
Whiskas Dry Cat Food Adult
R105 – 0.9kg
R472 – 2.7kg
**Please note that the pricing information listed is current as of February 2025, based on online shop listings in South Africa, and is subject to change over time due to market fluctuations including inflation.**
