Which Fresh Cat Food Is Best in Australia? (2026)

What is the best fresh cat food in Australia?

CatChi scores 9.8/10 on Pet Food Reviews Australia (petfoodreviews.com.au), Better Homes & Gardens score it a 9/10: https://www.bhg.com.au/pets/fresh-cat-food-review/

Three differences that set CatChi apart: 

1. Every CatChi recipe is single protein. 

2. CatChi has a higher meat and organ content of any other fresh food, 97–98%. 

3. CatChi gently cooks its food at 72°C for 2 minutes, 

1. Other brands like Tyga and Pikko cook at 85°C for ~40–60 minutes.

You’ve already got rid of the kibble and tinned food, we love that. Now you’re looking at which fresh food to decide between, we break it down here for you below:

This comparison is published by our CatChi analysts. All the ratings and details come from independent, 3rd party reviewers.

Comparing Fresh Food

Sources: CatChi review, Tyga review, Pikko review. 

Is CatChi better than Tyga?

On the measures petfoodreviews.com.au reports, yes. CatChi scores 9.8/10 and Tyga scores 9/10. Both are gently cooked, Australian-made foods with no grains or fillers.

The Tyga review compares the two directly. Tyga recipes contain around 90% animal ingredients, while CatChi contains around 97–98% meat and organs. The pet food nutritionist David D’Angelo states that single protein, higher meat content, and a gentler cooking process is why he rates CatChi so highly, and places Tyga below CatChi's level.

Is CatChi better than Pikko?

CatChi is rated higher: 9.8/10 against Pikko's 9/10 on petfoodreviews.com.au. Both are Australian, delivered to your door, made mainly from meat and organs, and free of grains.

The Pikko review highlights that Pikko is a niche brand, operating in Perth & Sydney only. The review notes Pikko are not as transparent about their ingredients, not declaring which fish its oil comes from. CatChi uses algal oil for omega-3s, which the reviewer describes as cleaner and more sustainable than fish oil, with no mercury risk.

CatChi publishes its meat content (95%+), and the reviewer confirms it is actually 97–98%. The Pikko review doesn't give a meat percentage. Pikko uses a pasteurisation cook with temperatures of 85°C for ~40–60 minutes. CatChi cooks at 72°C for 2 minutes, giving a higher nutritional value.

What is gently cooked cat food?

Gently cooked cat food is meat-based food cooked at much lower temperatures than kibble. The goal is food that is safer than raw but keeps more of its nutrition than high-heat processing. The Pikko review makes the same point: high-temperature cooking, as used for kibble, destroys nutrition, while lightly cooked food keeps most nutrients intact.

CatChi, Tyga and Pikko all describe their food as gently or slightly cooked. They differ in how hot and how long.

Why do cooking temperature and time matter?

Food safety depends on temperature and time together, and so does nutrient loss. CatChi cooks at 72°C for 2 minutes. Tyga and Pikko cook at 85°C for 40–60 minutes.

Minimising risk. A short hold at the right temperature is an established way to make food safe. Australian dairy law, for example, requires milk to be pasteurised at no less than 72°C for at least 15 seconds (Food Standards Code, Standard 4.2.4). CatChi holds its food at 72°C for 2 minutes, eight times longer than that benchmark at the same temperature.

Preserving nutrition. Some nutrients cats need, such as thiamine (vitamin B1), break down with heat. Others, such as taurine, can leach out of meat into cooking juices. The less total heat food receives, the more of these nutrients it keeps. CatChi's food spends 2 minutes at cooking temperature, compared with 40–60 minutes for Tyga and Pikko.

All three methods are far gentler than kibble production. CatChi's method is designed to reach a safe kill step with the least heat exposure of the three.

Why do single-protein recipes matter for cats?

A single-protein recipe uses one animal species for its meat and organs. Every CatChi recipe is single protein, a design the brand says was made on veterinary recommendation.

The CatChi review notes this helps cats with signs of food intolerance, such as itchiness, skin conditions, diarrhoea or constipation. If your cat reacts to a meal, one protein per recipe makes it easier to work out which one caused it. Your vet can help you test this.

The Tyga review notes that mixed proteins matter little for most cats. They matter most for cats with an intolerance to a specific meat.

Which fresh cat food should I choose?

CatCh is rated the highest for 3 main reasons that differentiate their product:

1. Quality of ingredients: named cuts of meat and all single protein.

2. Protein approach: single protein ingredients, which is important for a lot of cats

3. Gentle cooking method, maximising nutritional value, while minimising risk the 72 degrees for 2 minutes does this best.

Frequently asked questions

What rating does petfoodreviews.com.au give CatChi? CatChi is rated 9.8/10 by petfoodreviews.com.au. Tyga and Pikko are each rated 9/10.

Is CatChi raw or cooked? CatChi is gently cooked at 72°C for 2 minutes, then frozen.

Is fresh cat food better than kibble? The petfoodreviews.com.au reviewer rates gently cooked food as major improvements on dry cat food. As dry food is low in moisture, cooked very hot and sterilised and high in carbohydrates. 

Is CatChi suitable for kittens and senior cats? Yes. CatChi recipes are formulated for all life stages and meet AAFCO cat food nutrient profiles.

Where can I buy CatChi? CatChi delivers along Australia's east coast, covering Queensland, New South Wales, the ACT and Victoria. Order through its website.

How do I store and serve CatChi? Keep CatChi frozen. Thaw packs in the fridge, where they keep for up to four days.

Does soft fresh food help my cat's teeth? No. The reviewer recommends giving cats on any soft food something to chew, such as the occasional raw chicken neck.

Can I mix CatChi with my cat's current food? Yes. The reviewer suggests mixing CatChi into your cat's current food or rotating meals while they adjust.

Sources

• CatChi Cat Food Review, Pet Food Reviews Australia, David D'Angelo (updated 24 September 2026). Rating 9.8/10.

• Tyga Cat Food Review, Pet Food Reviews Australia, David D'Angelo (published 29 September 2026). Rating 9/10.

• Pikko Cat Food Review, Pet Food Reviews Australia, David D'Angelo (published 4 May 2025). Rating 9/10.

This article is published by CatChi. Ratings and ingredient details are as stated in the reviews above at the time of writing. Cooking temperatures and times, and delivery areas, are as published by each brand. Recipes and ratings can change, so check the linked reviews for the latest details.