As cat parents, we wish the best for our cats. Even if the brand of the cat food is well known and highly sought after, there may still be even better options to support your cat’s health and development. Yes, we’re talking about Fancy Feast today.
It is important to research different cat foods in order to find the best results. After all, you will want foods with the best nutritional value and ingredients for your cat so they can grow up healthy.
In this in depth guide, we’ll cover many important aspects about different flavors of Fancy Feast cat food.
The topics of ingredients, taste, manufacturing, and overall nutritional value will be covered. Let’s also talk about any possible history of products recalled. This information may help you come to your own conclusions about whether or not Fancy Feast is a suitable option for your cat.
Fancy Feast Cat Food Review
Fancy Feast is a cat food brand that started in 1982, and was later bought by Purina before ultimately merging with Nestlé. Fancy Feast is described as a bit of a luxury when it comes to cat food, while remaining affordable. Fancy Feast is manufactured within the U.S. with the exception of a few products.
There are many different Fancy Feast recipes to choose from, which will ensure that you will be able to find flavors that your cat will enjoy. It also comes in the forms of dry food, wet food, and food toppers.
Has Fancy Feast Food Been Recalled?
To this day, none of the cat food made by Fancy Feast has been recalled. Although the same cannot be said for some Purina brand cat food products.
Despite Purina’s recall history, Fancy Feast is a safe and reliable brand of cat food. Many Fancy Feast customers have nothing but positive remarks to make about the brand’s overall quality. However, no brand is free from criticism. There are still some customers who blame the brand for making their cat sick, or some who complain about the consistency of the food.
How people perceive Fancy Feast cat food may be based upon which recipes they buy for their cats. With many recipes to choose from, it can be difficult to determine which ones are the most suitable.
Regardless, Fancy Feast has a history of being trustworthy with the quality of their points. Hardly anyone seems disappointed with their decision to purchase Fancy Feast products.
Is Fancy Feast Dry Food Any Good?
Fancy Feast’s dry cat food is mostly meant for adult cats. The two labels for the adult dry cat foods are Gourmet and Gourmet Naturals. Fancy Feasts excel more with their wet cat food, but there are still many varieties of flavors that the dry foods can offer.
The flavors of their dry cat food range from filet mignon, salmon, turkey, chicken, and many more appealing ingredients.
Gourmet Naturals is made without the addition of artificial colors, preservatives, or unnatural flavors. However, the same cannot be guaranteed for the original Gourmet dry food. Here are just a couple of the dry cat food products that Fancy Feast has to offer.
Gourmet Naturals White Meat Chicken
The Gourmet Naturals White Meat Chicken recipe is made with white meat chicken as its first ingredient, without including any kind of artificial flavors or preservatives that would be bad for your cat. White meat chicken, along with the many other ingredients that go into the making of this product, will greatly appeal to cats and to you as a cat parent.
There are plenty of essential vitamins and minerals in this particular product, which will ensure that your cat stays on a healthy diet. The only real problem with this product is that it also consists of by-products and grains that most cat parents dislike giving their cats.
While this will give your cat the full flavor of real and nutritious white mean chicken, the by-products and grains might be enough to turn you away from this product.
Gourmet Savory Chicken & Turkey
The Gourmet with Savory Chicken & Turkey recipe is made with an appealing combination of chicken and turkey, allowing your cat to have an excellent source of protein.
While chicken and turkey are not the first ingredients listed on the product ingredient list, there is a good amount of both within the food.
This product provides a healthy balance of protein, carbohydrates, and an acceptable level of fat. The calorie level for this product measures to around 469 calories per cup. Aside from chicken and turkey, the list of ingredients consist of ground rice, poultry by-product, and much more.
Many cat owners are not pleased about the inclusion of ground rice, whole grain corn, and other seemingly unsavory ingredients.
One of the greatest advantages is that this product has many of the necessary vitamins and minerals that your cat will require to remain healthy. There is a nice balance of ingredients and vitamins to help keep your cat on a suitable diet. Some cats enjoy the crunchiness of hard food, and will especially love the amazing taste of chicken and turkey.
One of the biggest disadvantages of this product, however, is that this product mostly consists of low quality ingredients. There is also an excessive amount of grains and by-products that go into this food, which is not the healthiest thing to include in cat food. This particular product is also made with artificial colors and flavors, and may have an excessive level of carbohydrates.
Overall, this food seems like an excellent option for adult cats who prefer dry foods. However, you will need to be aware that chicken and poultry by-products can be common allergens for cats that you will need to look out for.
So, Should I Buy Fancy Feast Dry Foods?
Now that you know a good bit of information about the dry foods that Fancy Feast offers, the ultimate question arises: are their dry foods worth the purchase?
The general consensus seems to express that their dry foods are too full of by-products, grains, artificial flavors, and so many other poor ingredients to be worth giving to your cat. The Gourmet Naturals White Meat Chicken is genuinely better in terms of nutritional value to give to your cat than the Gourmet Savory Chicken & Turkey.
Both of the products listed above are highly affordable and will be good options for you if you are focused on sticking to a budget. However, the overall effects of the bad ingredients, lack of nutrients, and possible allergens can be worse for your cat than you may be aware.
Your cat can have a negative reaction due to this, and you can end up having to bring your cat to the vet and rack up numerous bills. Even if you are capable of affording the trip to the vet, you will definitely want to avoid having to take them in the first place.
If your cats prefer the texture, crunchiness, or taste of dry food, then these products may still be good purchasing options. If you are unsure whether or not your cat will be able to handle the ingredients from these products, you may want to consult your vet.
Overall, you will want to make sure that these products do not trigger allergies or food sensitivities within your cat to prevent the uprising of possible health problems.
Is Fancy Feast Wet Foods Any Good?
Fancy Feast greatly excels in making amazing wet food products that your cat is sure to enjoy. They are popular amongst Fancy Feast’s customers and they come in many appealing flavors. The labels for wet foods include Chunky, Creamy Delights, and Classic Pate.
The original Fancy Feast wet food was the Gourmet line, which offers different types of wet foods such as milk-infused food, foods with gravy, and much more.
The Gourmet Naturals wet food has many similar recipes that the regular Gourmet line has. However, the Gourmet Naturals are made without the inclusion of artificial flavors or colors. This makes the Gourmet Naturals the exceptionally healthier option for your cat.
There are also entrées known as Purely Fancy Feast that include flavors such as seafood and chicken that are free of by-products and other bad ingredients.
Here are a few of the wet food products made by Fancy Feast.
Classic Paté Tender Liver & Chicken Feast
Classic Paté Tender Liver & Chicken Feast is made of real meat and has a multitude of vitamins that will support your cat’s growth. Giving this to your cat will help you remain reassured that your cat is receiving the protein they need while remaining on a balanced diet.
Adult cats specifically will benefit from being put on a diet with this product. This grain-free product will enhance your cat’s urinary health and will provide them with a tasty broth and positive vitamins. The addition of minerals and antioxidants will also be beneficial for your cat’s overall health.
This product also comes in many unique flavors that are sure to make your cat happy. Flavors such as beef, salmon, shrimp, and other exciting flavors will appeal to you and your cat. Knowing that you will have a variety of options for your consideration may encourage you to buy this Fancy Feast product.
One of the greatest downsides of this product is that it contains meat by-products. That alone may cause some cat parents to turn away and start considering other cat food products. You will also need to be mindful of possible allergens being triggered if your cat has allergic reactions to fish.
Purina Fancy Feast Chunky Chicken
The Purina Fancy Feast Chunky Chicken is a complete food product that provides your cat with chunky bites of real chicken and chicken broth that your cat is sure to enjoy. It is packed full of vitamins and minerals that are essential for your cat’s developmental growth. If our cat enjoys chicken. They will be even more enamored with this product with every bite they take.
This product will allow your cat to enjoy a 100% balanced meal with antioxidants, omegas, and proteins that will keep them strong. It is made up mostly of moisture and can be opened without a struggle thanks to the easy-open tab on the can. If your cat likes flavors other than chicken, there are also other flavor options for this particular product. The two other flavors that are available are chopped grill and turkey.
Now to get to the downsides. Purina Fancy Feast Chunky Chicken consists of wheat gluten, meat by-products, and artificial flavors. Any cat parent would be hesitant to feed any product to their cat if they know they contain these ingredients. If this is something that would bother you, you may want to weigh your options for affordable and healthy food products.
Fancy Feast Classic Chicken
The Fancy Feast Classic Chicken product is one of the essential recipes of Fancy Feast. This product’s main source of protein is chicken, which is a food that many cats typically tend to enjoy. It is also one of the first ingredients listed on the can, right above poultry broth. It is made up of 78% moisture at the most, which is appealing to many cats who prefer Fancy Feast’s wet food.
This particular food product has an exemplary level of protein, with lower levels of carbohydrates and fat content. The calorie content has been estimated to be around 33 calories per ounce.
By looking at the dry matter nutrient breakdown of this product, you will see that it is 61.1% protein, which is amazing if your cat needs a lot of protein in their diet. After knowing all of this, the classic chicken flavor would seem to be one of the healthiest options for your cat.
The downside, however, is that this product is also filled with artificial flavors and colors and low-quality animal by-products. Many cat parents would also not like the fact that this product also contains guar gum.
Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Salmon & Sole Feast
Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Salmon & Sole Feast enhances the health of your cat’s coat and urinary tract. The broth inside of this product also works to keep your cat hydrated while they eat. The high moisture content is something that your cat will definitely enjoy if they prefer wet food over dry food.
Additionally, there is a decent amount of protein that will allow your cat to remain on a healthy diet. For the gravy lovers line, there are many other flavor options available for your cat’s enjoyment. They are sure to find the appeal of grilled chicken, roasted beef, seared salmon and much more.
The low calorie level of this product will be a good option to give to overweight cats if you are attempting to get them back down to a healthier weight.
While it may seem like a good thing that this food product is low in calories, it may mean that you will have to give your cat slightly bigger portions than usual. The low calorie content would, however, benefit overweight cats who eat this product as part of their weight loss diet.
Aside from the low calorie content, you would also need to pay attention to the list of ingredients. Wheat gluten, meat by-products, and a few other negative ingredients go into the making of this product.
Purina Fancy Feast Paté Creamy Delights Chicken Feast
Paté Creamy Delights Chicken Feast is meant for adult cats. It is considered to be one of the most popular wet food products in the United States. This product consists of real chicken and liver, as well as real milk. Many cats love the taste and consistency of milk. The high protein and moisture content will keep your cat healthy and hydrated.
Since this product has real meat as its first ingredient, cat parents will know that it is a healthy option to give to their own feline babies. If your cat is a picky eater, even they might enjoy the flavors and consistency that this food has to offer. It is an affordable option for cat parents on a budget and even comes in tuna and salmon flavors for the seafood lovers.
Keeping all of this information in mind, you will still need to be wary of the fact that this product contains real milk. Some cats are lactose intolerant and would not be able to handle the dairy content of this product. That, along with the fact that this product contains meat by-products and artificial flavors, may make you reconsider your options.
Is Fancy Feast Wet Foods Good?
One of the biggest downsides of Fancy Feast wet foods is the added negative ingredients such as artificial flavors and colors, as well as meat by-products. Even so, the wet food is packed with nutrients that will keep your cat happy and healthy and even comes in all kinds of appealing flavors. They are highly affordable, which will be excellent if you have to work around a set budget.
Many of the products from Fancy Feast’s wet food line contains real meat, which is a must for any growing kitty. Some foods are even suitable for cats who need to go on a diet.
If you are worried about how your cat will react to the more unlikeable ingredients, you may want to be more cautious with the food you provide for them. Sometimes all you would really need to do is check the ingredients label if you know your cat is allergic to certain ingredients or needs to remain on a strict diet.
Are Fancy Feast Broths Good?
The broths that are made by Fancy Feast usually come in simple to open pouches and are usually made to suit adult and senior cats. There is even one that would be suitable to give to kittens. It is easy for them to digest and allows them to have wonderful taste experiences.
Is Chicken Broth Good For Cats?
Some of the most common flavors for broths include seafood and chicken. One of the biggest downsides of the broths, however, is that they tend to be more expensive than the dry and wet foods.
Here are a couple of broths that your cats are sure to enjoy.
Fancy Feast Senior Classic Broths with Skipjack Tuna and Vegetables
This Fancy Feast broth with skipjack tuna and vegetables provides an immense amount of flavor with ingredients that will keep your cat healthy. They are made specifically for older cats who may have a hard time chewing and digesting food.
The vegetables and the high protein level will keep your cat healthy and hydrated without compromising on the overall taste. The only downsides to this product is the price and the fact that they are not qualified as an entire meal. They are considered food toppers and are only meant to complement the meal you have already provided for your cat.
Fancy Feast Classic Broths with Tuna, Shrimp & Whitefish
This broth is made for both cats and kittens to enjoy. Your cat will be able to experience the wonderful flavors of real seafood. The different varieties of seafood will be able to entice your cat or kitten into eating and enjoying their entire meal.
This broth is made to complement any meal you give to them and has enough nutritional value to promote their overall health. Use it as a topper for any meal and your cat is sure to enjoy it. There are very low levels of carbohydrates in this broth as well.
Are broths worth it?
The broths may be worth purchasing if you have kittens or older cats and are willing to spend a bit more on cat food. You will have to be wary of the fact that they contain salt, artificial coloring, and sugar that can potentially cause health problems for your cat.
You should always read the ingredients label so you will know what you will be giving to your cat. Also keep in mind that the broths are only meant to be used as supplemental items to your cat’s food, and not as a whole meal.
Can Diabetic Cats Have Fancy Feast?
Diabetic cats will be able to eat a few lines from the Fancy Feast brand. You will need to know the ingredients beforehand and avoid foods with sugar and heavy amounts of carbohydrates. Luckily, Fancy Feast meals are already low on carbohydrates. The broths made by Fancy Feast usually contains salt and sugar, so you may want to consider other options if your cat is diabetic.
Many of the Fancy Feast wet food products are rich in moisture to keep your cat hydrated. Many products will help keep your cat’s body weight in a stable and healthy range thanks to its low fat content. Even veterinarians recommend giving your cat Fancy Feast, thanks to its low fat and carbohydrate level.
Conclusion
After reading this information about the different lines that Fancy Feast has to offer, you may be able to draw your own conclusions. Fancy Feasts products have proven to be tasty and nutritious, which is what any cat parent would want for their cat. On top of that, it is even one of the most affordable brands available on the market. You will still have to watch out for all of the more negative ingredients such as meat by-products and artificial colors and flavors.
Fancy Feast may not be the best option for some cats due to those negative ingredients, but it has been proven to be suitable for many cats. Fancy Feast knows that some cats are picky or just looking to fulfill their specific tastes. They do their best to incorporate this knowledge when they make their food, especially when they distribute their wet food.
