Best Pet Insurance Companies & Plans 2024 | U.S. News

The Healthiest Wet Cat Food From Top Brands In 2024

When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

Our cats might not know what a love language is, but they sure love it when we feed them tasty food. The best wet cat food recipes come in a wide range of flavors and textures to please every cat. Ultimately, the healthiest canned food for your cat is one that's nutritionally complete and balanced for their life stage and any existing health issues.

We asked veterinarians how to choose nutritious wet food for kittens, adult cats, and seniors. Based on their advice, we narrowed down our picks from top brands. One of the best overall wet cat foods is Wellness Gravies Salmon Entree for adult cats, which contains a healthy balance of protein from salmon, turkey, and egg whites. 

All of our recommendations meet the standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and the Global Nutrition Guidelines published by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA). For more advice on how to shop for high-quality wet cat food, scroll to the end of this article.

Read more about how Insider Reviews tests and researches pet products.

Highlights for the best wet cat food

Best overall: Wellness Gravies Salmon - See at Chewy

Best budget: Natural Balance Chicken and Liver - See at Chewy

Best for indoor cats: Purina One Indoor + Hairball Ocean Whitefish and Rice - See at Chewy

Best for older cats: Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Savory Chicken - See at Chewy

Best for sensitive stomachs: Royal Canin Digestive Care Thin Slices in Gravy - See at Chewy

Best for kittens: Iams Perfect Portions Healthy Kitten Chicken - See at Chewy

Best for hairball control: Purina Pro Plan Hairball Salmon - See at Chewy

Best fresh: Just Food for Cats Cats Fish and Chicken - See at Chewy

Best overall

Wet food and the best dry cat foods are both quality options for your cat, says Dr. Bruce Kornreich, a board-certified veterinary cardiologist and director of the Cornell Feline Health Center at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. But there may be cases where wet food is recommended in addition to, or in place of, dry food. Kornreich says wet food benefits cats who need more water, particularly older cats with kidney disease. It packs 75% to 78% moisture, whereas dry foods contain 10% to 12%, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

Cats must eat animal proteins to satisfy their essential amino acid requirements, which help maintain normal body functions, so meat should be the first ingredient in cat food. You'll also want to see an AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement on the food label. This indicates that the food meets the AAFCO's recommended balance of fats and proteins, essential vitamins, and minerals for a cat's life stage.

Adult cat foods should have a minimum of 9% fat and 26% protein. To compare nutrient profiles of wet food to the AAFCO standards, you'll need to convert wet food percentages of fat and protein to a "dry matter basis." You can do this by following the directions from the Tufts University Cummings Veterinary Medical Center, calling the food manufacturer, or asking your veterinarian for help.

Although some of our picks for the best wet cat food are pricier than other options, they're packed with animal proteins such as deboned chicken, salmon, and turkey that cats love and require. 

Wellness Gravies Salmon Entree

This wet cat food is high in protein but not calories, helping your cat feel full and satisfied while supporting their lean muscle mass.

Merrick Purrfect Bistro Chicken Recipe Pate

Animal protein sources in this pate for adult cats include deboned chicken, chicken liver, chicken broth, and dried egg product. The recipe also contains omega-3 fatty acids from Menhaden fish oil to support brain health. It consists of 50.1% protein, 36.2% fat, 0.3% fiber, and 101 kcal/3-ounce can.

Instinct Original Grain-Free Pate Real Salmon Recipe

Salmon, pork liver, and egg product make up the main protein sources in this wet food for all life stages. The recipe also provides beneficial fiber from carrots and pumpkin and antioxidants from cranberries and blueberries. It contains 48% protein, 18% fat, 9% fiber, and 90 kcal/3-ounce can.

Best budget

Cost is a significant factor when choosing among the best cat food. Luckily, plenty of budget-friendly options meet a cat's nutritional requirements.

Budget-friendly cat foods often contain byproducts, a concentrated source of protein that's biologically appropriate for felines. Byproducts are repurposed ingredients that keep the cost of cat food down, says Dr. Korinn Saker, a board-certified veterinarian and associate professor of clinical nutrition at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. They include parts of the animal other than skeletal meat that are still nutritious for cats, such as organs. While many cat foods are touted as free of grains, byproducts, or artificial preservatives, these diets have no proven benefit compared to other cat foods that meet AAFCO standards.

Our affordable picks for the best wet cat food are significantly higher in protein than the 26% AAFCO minimum recommendation and include selections with and without byproducts.

Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Chicken Entree in Savory Sauce

This food for adult cats contains chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, and egg product. Brown rice and carrots are fiber sources to support digestion and keep cats feeling full. The food contains 50% protein, 22.2% fat, 8.3% fiber, and 80 kcal/3-ounce can.

Best for indoor cats

Indoor cats might not face outdoor life's dangers, like predators and food scarcity. But they do face a growing epidemic: feline obesity.

Pet caregivers play an invaluable role in regulating a cat's access to food and ensuring their food is appropriate for their needs, says Dr. Deb Zoran, a board-certified small animal internist, nutritionist, and professor at Texas A&M University. Indoor cats can't catch their own food and typically don't exercise as much as an outdoor cat would. An indoor cat diet shouldn't replace environmental enrichment and daily play, but incorporating food made for their unique needs is a step in the right direction.

Our recommendations for the best indoor cat foods are lower in calories and fat, which helps them maintain a healthy weight and physique. Added insoluble fibers like powdered cellulose and probiotics like beet pulp support digestion, and omega fatty acids derived from fish oil keep fur soft and shiny while reducing shedding and hairballs.

Royal Canin Indoor Morsels in Gravy

This high-moisture wet food is low in calories and includes a special source of fiber to keep your cat feeling full for longer — perfect for sleepy days indoors.

Natural Balance Original Ultra Platefulls Morsels in Gravy Turkey, Salmon, and Chicken Recipe

This recipe formulated for indoor adult cats includes protein from turkey broth, turkey, salmon, chicken, chicken liver, and dried egg whites. Omega-3 fatty acids from salmon oil support brain health and fiber from beet pulp aids in digestion. The nutritional profile is 42.3% protein, 26.1% fat, 1.8% fiber, and 80 kcal/3-ounce pouch.

Purina One Indoor and Hairball Ocean Whitefish and Rice Recipe

This recipe for adult cats contains sources of animal protein such as ocean whitefish, chicken, liver, and pork lungs. Fiber from brown rice and powdered cellulose aid in digestion. The food contains 45.6% protein, 22.2% fat, 9.7% fiber and 77 kcal/3-ounce can.

Best for older cats

As your cat begins to show age-related changes as early as 7 years old and reaches their senior years around 12 years old, simple changes can improve their quality of life. They'll likely have two wellness visits yearly rather than one, which is an ideal time to discuss your cat's changing activity level and caloric needs.

Most senior cats can eat kibble, says Dr. Jennifer Larsen, a board-certified veterinarian and professor of clinical nutrition at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. However, dry foods tend to be three to four times more calorie-dense when compared to canned foods. Wet food is also higher in moisture, which helps support kidney function and can help manage symptoms of chronic kidney disease.

The AAFCO doesn't provide standards for senior cat food. Instead, the food is formulated to meet the AAFCO nutritional recommendations for adults and may vary in calories, fiber, and protein. To be sure a food is appropriate for your cat, review its nutrition and calorie content, then consult your veterinarian. Look for ingredients like glucosamine and fish oil, which are included in our picks and can help reduce pain, inflammation, and stiffness associated with age-related conditions such as arthritis. Additionally, our recommendations for the best food for senior cats contain fewer calories than our adult food selections.

Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Savory Chicken Entree

The main protein sources in this wet food for cats over 7 years old are chicken, turkey giblets, pork byproducts, and pork liver. Added fish oil may help reduce inflammation and pain from arthritis. The food's nutrition breakdown is 39% protein, 24% fat, 3% fiber, and 90 kcal/2.9-ounce can.

Royal Canin Aging 12+ Loaf in Sauce

This food for cats 12 years and older counts its main protein sources as pork byproducts, pork liver, chicken, and chicken liver. It contains fish oil, glucosamine, and chondroitin to reduce inflammation and support joint health. Its nutritional profile is 51% protein, 19% fat, 6% fiber, and 71 kcal/3-ounce can.

Best for sensitive stomachs

The best wet cat food for sensitive stomachs can reduce the risk of digestive issues like diarrhea, vomiting, or gas. These foods typically contain animal proteins that are easier to digest, including meat byproducts and meat meals, omega-fatty acids from fish oil to reduce inflammation, and fiber to prevent constipation.

Limited ingredient diets may also help cats with food intolerances and sensitive stomachs. They contain fewer ingredients, reducing the risk of digestive upset. However, before transitioning your cat to a limited ingredient diet for digestive issues, talk to your veterinarian to rule out other underlying problems. According to Saker, food intolerances can mimic some of the symptoms of food allergies, but food intolerances are typically limited to the gastrointestinal tract rather than a full-body immune response.

Our picks for the best sensitive stomach cat food include sources of dietary fiber, like pumpkin and cellulose, which can help regulate your cat's digestion. 

Go! Solutions Sensitivities Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Pollock Pate

This all-life stages food contains limited ingredients in the form of animal protein from Deboned Alaskan pollock, salmon broth, and cod liver. The omega-3 fatty acids from these marine sources may help decrease gut inflammation. Its nutritional breakdown is 42% protein, 18% fat, 0.9% fiber, and 148 kcal/5-ounce can.

Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Real Chicken Recipe

This limited-ingredient recipe includes three animal protein sources: deboned chicken, chicken liver, and chicken broth and one fiber source: flaxseed. Its nutrition profile consists of 36.4% protein, 27.7% fat, 6.4% fiber, and 148 kcal/5-ounce can.

Best for kittens

Choosing the right food for your kitten can be challenging. The first step is to look for food appropriate for a growing kitten's nutritional needs. It should be formulated according to the AAFCO standards for growth or all life stages to support a kitten's rapid growth and high-energy needs. This ensures your carnivorous kitten gets at least 30% protein and 9% fat from their food.

Plus, food formulated for growth includes key nutrients like calcium to support bones and teeth and the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for brain growth and mental development. Our picks for the best kitten foods have all the essential nutritional qualities for growth. They also include healthy ingredients like antioxidants and prebiotics, which help support a kitten's developing immune and digestive system. 

Wellness Complete Health Kitten Pate Chicken Entree

This kitten food is made up of protein from chicken, chicken liver, and chicken broth. Menhaden fish oil is an excellent source of DHA to support cognitive growth and development. Its nutrition profile is 46.7% protein, 37.2% fat, 1% fiber, and 105 kcal/3-ounce can.

Iams Perfect Portions Healthy Kitten Chicken Recipe

Protein from chicken, poultry liver, chicken broth, and dried egg product are included in this kitten recipe. It includes fish oil as a source of DHA. The nutritional breakdown for this food is 44% protein, 41% fat, 0.4% fiber, and 90 kcal/2.6-ounce twin pack.

Best for hairball control

Although hairballs are common, if you find your cat gets them frequently, it's important to tell your veterinarian. Hairballs can become a medical issue, balling up in the digestive tract and causing an obstruction. Sometimes your vet may recommend one of the best hairball remedies for cats or a special diet.

A high-fiber diet can help your cat safely pass hairballs, Larsen says. While the AAFCO doesn't recommend a specific level of dietary fiber for cats, most complete and balanced cat foods include fiber sources in the form of digestible (starches), fermentable (oats), and insoluble (cellulose) fibers. Most hairball control diets also include insoluble fiber sources like rice hulls, pea fiber, and cellulose. While all types of fiber are beneficial for digestion, insoluble fiber adds bulk to stool, which helps to pull fur through the digestive tract. 

Dry cat foods are typically higher in fiber, but the best hairball cat food recipes are formulated with extra insoluble fiber. They also include omega fatty acids to improve skin health and reduce shedding.

Royal Canin Hairball Care Thin Slices in Gravy

Animal protein sources in this adult wet food are chicken byproducts, pork byproducts, chicken liver, and pork liver. The food is high in fiber, including powdered cellulose. Its nutritional breakdown is 40.3% protein, 14.7% fat, 5.6% fiber, and 55 kcal/3-ounce can.

Purina Pro Plan Hairball Salmon Entree

This hairball control food for adult cats contains salmon, meat byproducts, and chicken as its main protein sources. The omega fatty acids from salmon may reduce shedding and added powdered cellulose helps move hair through the digestive tract. The nutrition profile for this food is 45.7% protein, 30.3% fat, 9.5% fiber, and 4 kcal/3-ounce can.

Best fresh

Some cats want a bite of every meal we cook, but not all of us have the time or resources to cook our pets fresh meals consisting of whole meats and vegetables. Fresh cat food provides a solution with nutritionally complete and balanced meals made with high-quality human-grade ingredients. Some fresh foods are offered through subscriptions, while others are available for single purchases.

Just Cats is the best fresh cat food we've tested. It's made in one of nine privately owned kitchens across the US, where it's prepared in collaboration with veterinary nutritionists. They don't share processing plants or packaging lines with other companies. According to Kornreich, this means greater quality control over the ingredients and the prepared food.

What to look for in wet cat food

When shopping for the best wet cat food for your kitten, adult, or senior cat, you'll want to consider the following criteria:

AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement: A cat food with an AAFCO statement on the label is nutritionally complete for a cat's life stage. The AAFCO is a nonprofit organization that defines the standard nutritional requirements for pet food and animal feed. Food with an AAFCO statement for growth or all life stages is guaranteed to be complete and balanced for kittens. Food with an AAFCO statement for maintenance or all life stages is guaranteed to be complete and balanced for adult cats.

Guaranteed analysis and nutrient profiles: The guaranteed analysis consists of the percentages of protein, fat, and other important nutrients. For kittens, a minimum of 9% fat and 30% protein is recommended, while adult cats should have a minimum of 9% fat and 26% protein. Cat foods should also contain other essential nutrients, including amino acids like taurine, fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins.

To compare the nutrients in wet food to those in dry food, convert the percentages of fat, protein, and fiber in wet food to a "dry matter basis." To find the dry matter basis, you can use these directions from the Tufts University Cummings Veterinary Medical Center, call the food manufacturer, or ask your veterinarian for help.

Key ingredients: The ingredients on a pet food label appear in order of weight. Animal protein is essential for cats to maintain normal body functions because it contains essential amino acids. As a result, cats are obligate carnivores. Therefore, animal-based protein should be the first ingredient in cat food.

Expert formulations: Look for brands with a dedicated nutrition expert on staff, which aligns with the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) guidelines and our experts' guidance. Even better are brands that are active in research on small animal nutrition or those that collaborate with universities and colleges. 

Manufacturing standards: When choosing a brand of cat food, it's important to consider the quality control measures and facilities used. Brands that own their manufacturing plants have greater control over the ingredients in their recipes and, therefore, the food your cat consumes. It's also important that a brand is transparent about how they implement quality control measures. Merely stating that they conduct quality control may not be sufficient. Pet food companies should make this information available on their website or be willing to provide it upon request.

Calorie content: Cat food lists calorie content in kilocalories (kcal). The number of calories a cat needs varies based on age and activity level.

According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, kittens should be given multiple meals daily and allowed to eat as much as they want since they require more energy to support their rapid growth. As your kitten approaches 9 to 12 months of age, consult your veterinarian to determine their ideal body condition, weight, and caloric requirements.

The WSAVA offers a reference chart to estimate the number of calories an adult cat should eat based on their weight, but these are just general guidelines. The appropriate amount of food for your cat depends on their weight, energy level, breed, and overall health. Talk with your veterinarian to determine how many calories your cat should consume daily.

How we selected the best wet cat food

To land on our recommendations for the best wet cat food, we consulted three veterinary nutritionists and one board-certified veterinary cardiologist.

Dr. Bruce Kornreich is a board-certified veterinary cardiologist and director of the Cornell Feline Health Center at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. While Cornell University faculty cannot disparage or recommend specific brands, Kornreich helped us understand when wet cat food might be appropriate to serve in addition to, or in place of, dry food. He also guided our understanding of what makes a high-quality wet food and what to avoid.

Dr. Deb Zoran is a board-certified small animal internist, nutritionist, and professor at Texas A&M University. Zoran shared insights on cat nutrition and quality food. 

Dr. Jennifer Larsen is a veterinarian, distinguished member of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition, and professor of clinical nutrition at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Larsen spoke with us about senior cat nutrition and the role of high-fiber diets in feline nutrition and well-being.

Dr. Korinn Saker is a veterinarian, distinguished member of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition, and a professor of clinical nutrition at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. We spoke with Saker about the metabolic needs of indoor cats, in addition to feline food intolerance and sensitivities. 

We also consulted guidelines and recommendations from other organizations, including the AAFCO and the WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines.

Wet cat food FAQs What is the healthiest wet food for a cat?

Because cats are obligate carnivores, the healthiest wet food for a cat includes animal-based protein as the first ingredient. Complete and balanced food also has an AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement on its label. However, there isn't a perfect wet food choice that fits every cat or kitten. Instead, ask your veterinarian for food recommendations tailored to your pet. They may be able to suggest some options that meet your cat's specific nutritional and caloric needs based on their age, body condition, and overall health. 

What wet food is best for indoor cats?

Obesity is common among indoor cats, especially middle-aged and neutered male cats. Your cat's ideal weight can be maintained through regular exercise, play, and enrichment, as well as low-calorie indoor cat food. Omega fatty acids are also included in some indoor cat formulas to promote healthy skin, which could mean less shedding and fewer hairballs. Indoor cats prone to frequent hairballs may benefit from a diet high in insoluble fiber, Larsen says. Most hairball control diets contain insoluble fiber sources like rice hulls, pea fiber, and cellulose.

Is it OK to give cats wet food every day?

Wet food with an AAFCO statement of nutritional adequacy is OK to feed your cat every day. However, to prevent food inflexibility, Zoran recommends rotating textures, proteins, and brands starting from a young age. Check out our guide on the best automatic cat feeders if you are interested in feeding your cat at specific times.

Do vets recommend wet food for cats?

Both canned and dry food choices can meet the nutritional needs of cats and kittens, as long as they're labeled with the AAFCO statement for your cat's specific life stage. The most appropriate food for your cat depends on their overall health, your budget, and your cat's preferences. According to Kornreich, veterinarians may recommend a wet food diet for older cats with kidney disease or cats prone to dehydration. If you're unsure how much your cat should eat or if they have special nutritional needs, talk to your veterinarian.

Janelle Leeson

Freelance Writer

Janelle Leeson is a Portland, Oregon-based contributor for Insider Reviews, where she tests and writes about products for pets. She holds a bachelor of science in biology and transitioned to freelance writing after a decade-long career in the field. Her approach to pet care writing and reporting is rooted in scientific principles which consider a pet's biological need for play, proper nutrition, and environmental enrichment. In addition to writing about animal health, behavior, and nutrition, Janelle also writes about sustainability, beauty, and fashion. Her work on pets and other topics appears at Daily Paws, Great Pet Care, Rover, Shop Today, USA Today Reviewed, Fetch by The Dodo, and elsewhere. Her work has also appeared in print in Inside Your Dog's Mind, Inside Your Cat's Mind, and Paw Print magazines. You can find Janelle on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.  Read more Read less

Pét-Nat (is Not A New French Style Of Cat Food)!

One of the hottest trends among some (especially the under 35 wine crowd) is a wine style called Pét-Nat, short for pétillant naturel, a style of sparkling wine very different from the traditional French méthode champenoise which requires several steps, months or more of aging, and considerable intervention by a winemaker attempting to produce a sparkler in that time honored process.

Pét nat is a quicker process, more hands-off style of production where no sugars, yeasts or preservatives are added. Its effervesce tends to be much more short-lived, it is usually low in alcohol and low sugar. The final product is also much less predictable – and its flavor profiles, amount of fizz and overall quality can vary widely from bottle to bottle.

Pét nat in the bottle often exhibits "funky" aromatics, is almost always cloudy and made in what is called a "quick and dirty" process. It is most often made in very small lots. For those who are exploring this style of sparkling wine, tasting a bottle can be a real adventure and often one without a predictable or consistent finish.

Pét-nat is made in an old French 'ancestral' process where the wine is bottled before the primary fermentation is complete, so the initial CO2 that would be shed in a normal primary fermentation is trapped in the liquid.

How is Pét-nat different from traditional sparklers or Champagne if it is a French wine?

• P-N goes under one fermentation, Champagne two after a 'dosage.'

• P-N needs to be consumed young — 1 to 3 years at most, while Champagne needs several years to mature before it is released.

• The taste, aromas and fizz of P-N are unpredictable, Champagne is very consistent, within a brand and a vintage.

• P-N is cloudy, Champagne is sparkling and clean.

• A good P-N can usually be found for under $20, while Champagne can cost several hundred dollars.

Andy Kirk, research specialist at the Kingsville OSU station, was the lead in some Pet-Nat research over the past couple of years. The experiment was funded by the Ohio Grape Industries Committee, an adjunct of the Ohio Department of Agriculture. He has shared that the work done underscores the volatility of potential outcomes. He ran experiments with levels of sugar, levels of clarification, levels of trapped CO2. Some corks unexpectedly popped, some liquids flattened to flabbiness, some bottles were lovely and interesting and would have great appeal. His work will help our winemakers consider how they might tap into this trendy wine and appeal to that important but elusive Gen Z consumers.

Research over four or so decades helped the Ohio wine community produce some table wines worthy of "world-class" status. Andy's work in Kingsville may well open some additional doors for our winemakers to excel in the world of Pét-Nat.

DONNIELLA WINCHELL is executive director of the Ohio Wine Producers Association. She can be reached at dwinchell@ohiowines.Org.

Apocalypse Z Ending, Explained: Do Manel And Lúculo Die Or Survive?

Directed by Carles Torrens, Amazon Prime Video's Spanish film 'Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End' ends with Manel's efforts to leave for the Canary Islands and reunite with the family of his sister, Belén. He overcomes a series of obstacles and threats that force him to put his life on the line. When the hope to survive the apocalypse slowly evaporates from him, the kindness of the strangers rescues him from a grim fate. Still, the future is not comforting for the lawyer, who receives news that his destination is not a paradise after all! SPOILERS AHEAD.

Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End Plot Synopsis

'Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End' begins with Manel and his wife, Júlia, spending time with the family of his sister Belén, including the latter's military-man husband, Mario, and son. On their way back to their house, the couple's car gets into an accident, killing Júlia. A year later, the lawyer lives alone in a house with his cat, Lúculo. Spain is stunned to learn about the spread of the TSJ Virus, which forces the European Union to shut itself down from the rest of the world. The danger that arises due to the spread of the virus escalates when a new mutant of the same is identified, especially since it can affect human beings within five minutes.

The patients who are exposed to the virus become zombies, which causes severe unrest and fear among the Spanish population. Manel observes that people are stocking food and other essential items, fearing a nationwide lockdown, which the country's Prime Minister implements in no time. The army personnel are called to the Canary Islands to tackle the national emergency, paving the way for Mario and Belén's departure for the Spanish autonomous community with their son. She asks her brother to join them, but the locked-down airports stop him from joining the rest of his family. The government starts to evacuate the civilians, but Manel hides in his house to avoid the same since his sister promises him that she will rescue him from his home soon.

Soon, Manel's locality becomes a deserted region. When his essential supplies gradually end, he steps out to garner the same, only to confront the man-eating zombies. Since no shops or supply portals are open, he is forced to break into his neighbors' houses, looking for food for himself and his pet, Lúculo. During one of these break-ins, he encounters his neighbor, Gabriela, who is bound to a wheelchair. They form a heartwarming bond to deal with their respective loneliness. She guides him to several houses where food supplies can be found. During one of these days, Manel listens to a radio message that states that the survivors who reach the Arousa Estuary will be taken to the Canary Islands.

Manel gets excited about the message and prepares for the journey with Gabriela and Lúculo. However, his neighbor kills herself after leaving him a note in which she asks him to look after himself without carrying her as a burden. The lawyer leaves for the estuary with his cat, and in the middle of his journey, he encounters several camps set up by the government. He realizes that the evacuated civilians have become zombies, which makes him thank his sister, even though the message doesn't reach her due to the lack of cellular networks. After arriving at the pier, he learns that all the yachts have vanished or become useless, which makes him embark on a journey to the Canaries on a small motorboat.

Who is Ushakov? What Does He Do?

Manel and Lúculo's journey on the motorboat doesn't take them far away, as the same stops working soon. He sees a large ship as he tries to figure out why the engine stopped working, only for him to turn the crew members' attention to him. He is rescued from the sea by a group of Ukrainians led by Ushakov, the scary captain of the ship. The gang of men gives the lawyer and his cat food and a place to sleep in return for his assistance in procuring supplies from the mainland. Manel promises to help them and sleeps on the ship. In the middle of the night, he sees another group requesting refuge aboard the marine vessel. The next day, he asks Viktor Pritchenko, one of the members of the Ukrainian gang, about the group.

Pritchenko asks Manel to pretend that he has seen nothing. However, his curiosity gets the better of his senses, making him look for the group. He sees a couple of men tied inside the ship and learns that Ushakov has separated them from their families. The lawyer saves these men but gets attacked by the captain's associates. Pritchenko then turns against his leader and joins Manel, especially after learning from the latter that there is a helicopter in a hospital not far away they can fly to escape from the mainland. The pilot lets Manel know that his captain, Ushakov, is nothing but a dictator who has been taking other survivors as prisoners.

Ushakov is building a community of survivors on the island of Sálvora. He has established himself as the "king" of this small refuge. He allows Manel and other survivors to board his ship because he sees them as prisoners who work for him on his island kingdom. His actions are not governed by compassion but by his greed and thirst for power. That's why he kills the survivors who are not useful to him and worthy of a place on Sálvora Island. While the zombie apocalypse presents itself as a tragedy for the Spanish population, Ushakov approaches the same as an opportunity to gain unlimited authority over a chosen community.

How Do Manel and Lúculo Survive?

Manel and Lúculo escape from Ushakov with the help of Pritchenko. The lawyer then takes the pilot to the hospital where his wife died a year ago. Their aim is to fly to the Canaries using the medical center's helicopter. After arriving at the place, they don't see the chopper there. To escape from the zombies who surround them and treat the bullet injury Pritchenko sustained during his fight with his former leader's gang, the two-man group seeks refuge inside the hospital. They then come across five individuals who have been staying in the medical center since the apocalypse.

Lucia and Cecilia treat Pritchenko's bullet injury, while Iris, Max, and Leila, the children of a late couple who worked in the hospital, look after Lúculo. The lawyer and his cat survive the apocalypse because of the kindness of a group of strangers he encounters after the tragedy. Gabriela helps him with his loneliness and hopelessness and makes him feel that he is not alone in the world, especially when he cannot reach out to his sister. Pritchenko then puts his life on the line to save him from Ushakov's gang, allowing him not to become one of the numerous survivors shot down by the Ukrainian or his men.

Finally, Lucia and Cecilia's compassion stops Manel from becoming utterly hopeless. The former guides him to a helicopter hidden near the hospital, while the latter saves Pritchenko from death by removing his bullet, giving all of them a fighting chance to escape from the place. In the middle of their efforts to leave for the Canaries, Cecilia gets bitten by a zombie. Even in the face of death, she asks the others to move ahead with their plan and walks away without being a burden and threat to them. These acts of kindness show that any obstacle can be overcome when humans look after each other without selfishness and greed.

Manel joins Lucia, Max, Iris, Leila, and Pritchenko to escape from the mainland to leave for the Canaries with Lúculo after surviving a final hurdle: Ushakov and his men. The lawyer puts his life on the line to expose himself and his enemies to a large herd of zombies. He then relies on Lucia to save only him from the face of death, leaving behind the selfish Ukrainians as the food for the zombies.

Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End Ending: What Happens on the Canary Islands? Why Does Belén Ask Manel Not to Come?

Since the zombie apocalypse becomes an unignorable reality to Manel, he has seen the Canary Islands or the Canaries as the haven where he can be safe with Lúculo and his family. The video messages he receives from Belén, in which she appears healthy and safe from any dangers, strengthen this belief. That's the reason why he puts his life on the line to leave for the islands with his companions. The lawyer believes that he will be away from the threat of the "maneaters" when he lands on the island and reunites with his loved ones. However, this belief is eliminated when he receives a call from Belén, who asks him not to come to the Canary Islands.

Considering that Belén has been looking forward to meeting Manel since the start of the apocalypse, her cryptic message can only mean one thing: the zombie virus has breached the walls of the islands to spread throughout the Canaries. The safe haven has been exposed to the maneaters who kill the survivors, shutting down the islands from the rest of the world. Since the small autonomous community doesn't have as many safe places as the mainland, Belén may not want her brother to arrive on the islands and get trapped, confronting death. The distress in her voice also indicates that the predicament has worsened severely.

Another possibility is that a military dictatorship has been established on the Canary Islands, with the soldiers shooting down the vulnerable and useless like Ushakov does on Sálvora Island. However, the chances of this happening are little to none. Since Belén's husband, Mario, is a soldier, her family must enjoy the privileges of a dictatorship if the same is implemented on the islands. If that's the case, she may only want to take advantage of the situation and invite Manel to her place. Considering that she asks her sibling not to come to the place at any cost, the predicament has to be out of control there, which makes the spread of the zombie virus all the more plausible.

Are Belén and Her Family Dead or Alive?

Belén is most likely confronting death when she calls Manel. She is extremely distressed when the lawyer speaks to her on his way to the Canary Islands. The message even sounds like she is in a hurry to inform him not to come to her place, which means that she is not experiencing the comfort and safety of her home. The videos she sent to Manel are taken right after she reaches the islands, and he does not receive them because of the lack of cellular networks. Belén's situation on the islands must have changed considerably after the videos are taken, which explains her call.

The distress in Belén's voice can also mean that her husband, Mario, and their son are already dead. That can be why she asks Manel not to come to the islands. Since she couldn't protect her partner and child, she must be convinced that she cannot help her brother either, which explains the reason behind the call. The shock and sorrow of losing her loved ones also align with the distress in her voice. Knowing that she is in danger, Manel is expected to complete his journey with the hope of saving her. Her disrupted call doesn't mean that she is dead because the lack of networks, especially while the lawyer is traveling on a helicopter, may have ended the call.

However, it doesn't mean that Belén is alive beyond the shadow of a doubt. By the time Manel reaches the islands, she can get killed by the zombies, which is beyond his control at this point. Regardless of her fate, the lawyer may look for her to find out what really happened to her. Since she is the only surviving family he has other than Lúculo, Manel may not be able to live without knowing whether she is dead or alive.

Read More: Best Zombie Movies on Amazon Prime

---