Overall Score: 7.2/10 — Reviewed by Hazel, BVSc | April 2026 | No brand relationship
Brand Overview — Advance Cat
- Founded: Over 25 years ago, developed specifically for Australian pets and climate
- Parent Company: Mars Petcare (global), with Advance formulated and developed in Australia
- WSAVA Compliance: Partial — Mars Petcare as a parent meets several WSAVA nutritional guidelines, though Advance itself does not publish full feeding trial data independently
- Veterinary Endorsement: Developed in collaboration with Australian veterinarians; stocked in many Australian vet clinics
- Manufacturing: Manufactured in Australia using locally sourced chicken and ocean fish ingredients
- Price Range: $20 – $40 per 2 – 3 kg (AUD)
Introduction
Advance Cat is one of Australia’s most established domestic cat food brands, with over 25 years of history formulating recipes specifically for Australian cats and the local climate. Unlike imported premium brands that adapt global formulas for the Australian market, Advance was built from the ground up with Australian vets and Australian conditions in mind — a genuinely meaningful distinction when it comes to life-stage and health-specific nutrition.
The brand sits within the Mars Petcare family, which brings with it significant research infrastructure and quality control resources. While Mars’s global scale draws occasional criticism from raw-feeding and boutique-brand communities, it also means Advance benefits from rigorous safety testing and consistent manufacturing standards at its Australian facility. The use of locally sourced chicken and ocean fish gives the range an authentically Australian character that resonates strongly with pet owners who prefer buying local.
Advance occupies a comfortable middle ground in the Australian cat food market — more nutritionally focused than supermarket staples like Whiskas or Purina One, yet more accessible in price than ultra-premium imports such as Orijen or Ziwi Peak. Its strong veterinary clinic presence sets it apart from most pet-store-only brands, making it a credible option for cat owners who want a vet-endorsed product without the prescription-tier price tag.
Product Ranges
Adult Dry Food
Advance’s core adult dry range covers the main life scenarios most Australian cat owners face. Variants include Chicken (the classic all-rounder), Ocean Fish (for fish-preferring cats), Hairball Control (with elevated dietary fibre to move ingested fur through the digestive tract), Urinary Health (formulated to support optimal urinary pH and reduce struvite crystal risk), Indoor (lower calorie density for less-active indoor cats), and Weight Control (lean protein focus with reduced fat). All adult dry variants are balanced to AAFCO maintenance standards and use Australian chicken or ocean fish as the primary named protein. Available at Pet Circle, PetBarn, and through vet clinics nationwide; typically $20 – $35 per 2 – 3 kg bag.
Kitten
The Advance Kitten formula is designed for cats from weaning through to 12 months, with elevated protein, calcium, phosphorus, and DHA to support rapid growth, skeletal development, and cognitive maturation. It uses Australian chicken as the primary ingredient and is available in both dry kibble and wet formats. The kitten range is a popular starter choice recommended by many Australian vet clinics as a solid, science-backed option that won’t break the budget during the high-consumption kitten phase. Priced around $22 – $30 per 2 kg.
Senior 8+
The Senior 8+ formula is tailored to the changing nutritional needs of older cats — reduced phosphorus to ease the load on ageing kidneys, adjusted caloric density to counter the metabolic slowdown common in senior cats, and added joint-support nutrients including glucosamine and chondroitin. For Australian cat owners managing the transition into their cat’s senior years, this is a thoughtfully constructed option available through vet clinics and Pet Circle at around $25 – $38 per 2 – 3 kg.
Veterinary Diets
Advance’s vet diet sub-range targets three common feline health concerns: Sensitive Skin & Coat (elevated omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, restricted allergen profile), Urinary Struvite (prescription-level pH management and reduced magnesium), and Oral Health (enlarged kibble geometry and texture designed to mechanically reduce tartar). These formulas are stocked exclusively through vet clinics and require a veterinary recommendation — they sit in a different tier from the over-the-counter adult range and represent genuine therapeutic nutrition rather than marketing claims. Pricing is higher, typically $35 – $55 per 2 – 3 kg.
Wet Food
The Advance wet food range offers pouches and trays in chicken, ocean fish, and mixed protein varieties, formulated to complement or replace the dry range. Wet food fans will appreciate that the Advance wet line maintains the same nutritional philosophy as the dry — named proteins, no artificial colours or flavours, and moisture content that supports urinary tract health. Available at PetBarn, Pet Circle, and vet clinics; priced at approximately $2.50 – $3.50 per pouch.
What Sets Advance Cat Apart
The core differentiator for Advance is its genuine Australian development heritage. This is not a global formula badge-engineered for local shelves — the recipes were developed in collaboration with Australian veterinary nutritionists specifically addressing conditions prevalent in Australian cats, including the urinary health challenges associated with lower water intake in warm climates and the hairball load that comes with indoor-only lifestyles in Australian suburban homes.
The vet clinic distribution channel is also a meaningful signal. Advance earns its shelf space in clinics by meeting a higher nutritional credibility bar than typical pet store brands. For Australian cat owners who trust their vet’s recommendations, seeing Advance stocked and recommended at their local clinic carries real weight. The brand’s price accessibility — firmly mid-range at $20 – $40 per bag — means that vet-endorsed quality does not require a premium-tier budget.
Advance Cat vs Competitors
Advance vs Black Hawk: Both are Australian-made and positioned in the mid-premium tier. Black Hawk leans harder into grain-free options and typically carries a slightly higher price, while Advance holds an edge through its veterinary clinic distribution and broader therapeutic diet range.
Advance vs Ivory Coat: Ivory Coat targets the premium natural and grain-free niche with kangaroo as a novel protein. Advance is more affordable and benefits from stronger vet endorsement, but lacks Ivory Coat’s grain-free credentials for owners who prioritise that.
Advance vs Royal Canin: Royal Canin has a deeper, more clinically documented therapeutic diet range and stronger WSAVA compliance documentation. Advance is more affordable and more Australian in ingredient sourcing, making it a compelling alternative for owners who want local provenance over global clinical pedigree.
Advance vs Purina One: Purina One is a supermarket-accessible option at a lower price point with less nutritional depth. Advance offers a clearly superior formulation, broader health-specific variants, and genuine vet clinic credibility that Purina One does not match.
Overall Pros & Cons
- Genuinely Australian-developed formulas created with local vets for local cats and climate conditions
- Stocked in Australian vet clinics, providing a meaningful third-party nutritional credibility signal
- Wide range of health-specific variants covering urinary, hairball, weight, indoor, and senior needs
- Mid-range price point ($20 – $40) makes it accessible without sacrificing nutritional quality
- Veterinary diet range provides genuine therapeutic options for skin, urinary, and dental conditions
- Australian chicken and ocean fish as named primary proteins — no vague “meat meal” sourcing language
- WSAVA compliance is only partial — no independently published feeding trial data for the Advance brand specifically
- No grain-free options in the core adult range, which may not suit owners seeking that formulation
- Mars Petcare parentage can be off-putting to owners who prefer independently owned pet food brands
- Animal ingredient percentages are not disclosed on pack, making it harder to assess meat content vs fillers
- Wet food range is narrower than some competitors, offering less variety for cats with strong texture preferences
Our Verdict — 7.2/10
Advance Cat is a solid, genuinely Australian mid-premium brand that earns its place in vet clinics across the country. It won’t excite owners chasing ultra-high meat inclusion or grain-free formulas, but for the majority of Australian cat owners who want a science-backed, locally developed food at a reasonable price — ideally one their vet actually stocks — it delivers consistently. The health-specific variants are a particular strength, covering the most common feline concerns without requiring a jump to expensive prescription diets. A trustworthy, accessible choice that punches above its price point in nutritional credibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Advance Cat food made in Australia?
Yes. Advance Cat is manufactured in Australia and uses locally sourced ingredients including Australian chicken and ocean fish. While the brand sits within the Mars Petcare global group, the Advance formulas were developed specifically in Australia with Australian veterinary nutritionists, and manufacturing remains domestic — a genuine point of difference from many imported premium brands sold here.
Where can I buy Advance Cat food in Australia?
Advance Cat is available through Pet Circle and PetBarn online and in-store, as well as directly through many Australian vet clinics. The veterinary diet range (Sensitive Skin, Urinary, Oral Health) is stocked exclusively through vet clinics and requires a vet recommendation. The standard adult, kitten, and senior ranges are widely available and often discounted through Pet Circle’s auto-ship subscription service.
Is Advance Cat recommended by vets?
Many Australian vets do stock and recommend Advance, particularly for cats with specific health needs like urinary issues or hairball problems. The brand was developed in collaboration with Australian veterinary nutritionists and its vet clinic distribution is a meaningful indicator of professional endorsement. That said, individual vet recommendations vary — always discuss your specific cat’s needs with your own vet before switching foods.
How does Advance Cat compare to Royal Canin?
Both brands have strong vet clinic presence and health-specific formulas, but they differ in a few key ways. Royal Canin has a more extensive therapeutic diet catalogue and stronger WSAVA compliance documentation, while Advance is more affordable and uses Australian-sourced ingredients. For general maintenance feeding, Advance offers excellent value at a lower price point. For highly specific clinical conditions, Royal Canin’s broader therapeutic range may be preferable — your vet is the best person to guide that decision.
Can I feed my cat Advance as their only food?
Yes — the Advance dry and wet formulas are complete and balanced, meeting AAFCO nutritional standards for the relevant life stage. You can feed Advance dry, wet, or a combination of both as your cat’s sole diet. If you choose primarily dry feeding, ensure your cat has continuous access to fresh water, as dry kibble has low inherent moisture content and adequate hydration is particularly important for urinary tract health in cats.