Last updated Mar 24, 2023
China has a bad reputation in the pet food industry since country was implicated in the major FDA pet food recall of 2007. This recall was triggered by reports of poisoning due to elevated melamine levels.
It’s been 15 years since the recall, but pet owners are still hesitant to purchase pet foods made in China as well as foods that contain ingredients sourced from China.
But are pet foods in China really that bad? And what brands are available for Chinese pet owners?
In this guide, we’ll briefly discuss what your cat needs in terms of nutrition. We’ll also talk about the kind of cat food you’ll find in China and introduce you to our top picks.
At a Glance: Best Cat Food To Buy in China
Want a quick look at the best cat foods reviewed in this article? In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. You’ll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Nature Bridge Bi Ruiji Grain-Free Six Fish Full Price Cat Food
- First three ingredients are all animal-based
- Salmon oil provides a natural source of omega-3s
- Rich in species-appropriate animal protein
Diyouke Full Price Cat Food Duck and Beef Recipe
- Fresh duck meat as the first ingredient
- Supplemented with nine other animal ingredients
- Chicken fat provides a nutrient-rich source of essential fats
Timberwolf Organics Legends Ocean Blue Feline Formula Cat Food
- Three meat-rich animal proteins top the ingredient list
- Rich in animal-based omega-3 fatty acids for skin/coat support
- Free from by-products and artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Pate Real Turkey Recipe Wet Cat Food
- Top three ingredients are all animal-based
- Made with a single source of animal protein
- Rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Pate Variety Duck Recipe Canned Food
- Three animal-based ingredients at the top of the list
- Contains nutrient-rich chicken liver
- Free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
Sheba Perfect Portions Delicate Salmon Entrée Grain-Free Wet Cat Food
- First five ingredients are all animal-based
- Rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration
- Fish oil provides plenty of omega-3s
Purina ONE True Instinct Tuna Recipe in Sauce Canned Cat Food
- Five of the top six ingredients are animal-based
- Rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration
- Free from artificial color, flavor, and preservatives
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Rice Recipe Dry Cat Food
- Fresh chicken as the main ingredient
- Nutrient-rich chicken fat provides essential fatty acids
- Supplemented with chicken meal and egg product
Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Adult Instinctive Thin Slices in Gravy Canned Food
- Contains nutrient-rich organ meats from chicken and pork
- Numerous sources of animal-based protein
- Rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration
Why Should You Trust Us?
Having reviewed over 231 of the world’s most popular cat food brands and hundreds of formulas. We spent hours researching, contacting pet food companies, and analyzing labels. With the help of our cats, we’ve also accumulated hours upon hours of hands-on experience with different cat foods.
Based on that research, we’re bringing you an updated list of the best cat food brands and products available in China. We’ve researched the brands themselves and evaluated individual recipes to bring you our top picks.
The Basics of Feline Nutrition
Before diving into the details of our top picks, it’s important to understand the basics of feline nutrition. When you understand your cat’s needs for protein, fat, and essential nutrients you’ll be better able to understand our evaluations and make judgments of your own.
Protein is the most essential component of a balanced diet for cats.
Cats are obligate carnivores which means they are biologically designed to eat meat. It’s not just that they prefer it – their bodies simply can’t process plant foods effectively. Plant foods also provide very limited nutritional value for cats.
This being the case, it’s important to select a recipe as low in carbohydrates as possible. Generally, that means a wet food – ideally one that isn’t thickened with starchy ingredients to make a gravy. It’s particularly important to avoid corn, wheat, and soy ingredients as well as starchy vegetables and plant protein concentrates.
Following protein, fat is the second most important nutrient for cats.
Not only does it support your cat’s ability to absorb and utilize essential nutrients, but it provides a concentrated source of calories. Growing kittens have higher needs for fat than adult cats, but the minimum recommended fat content in your cat’s diet is 9% regardless of age.
Cats also need certain vitamins, minerals, and amino acids in their diet. Taurine in particular is an essential amino acid that must come from dietary sources.
Generally speaking, it’s wise to avoid cat foods that contain excessively long lists of ingredients. This generally means that the ingredients aren’t particularly rich in nutrition and that the recipe relies heavily on synthetic supplements. You should also avoid cat foods made with artificial additives like colorant, flavoring, and preservatives.
Overview of the 2007 Melamine Recall
In March of 2007 the FDA received reports that pets were getting sick and even dying after eating certain pet foods. After conducting a thorough investigation, the FDA determined that the problem was linked to contaminants in certain vegetable proteins sourced from China. It was revealed that these contaminated ingredients contained high levels of melamine.
In 2008, the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations announced that two Chinese nationals and the businesses they operated had been indicted by a federal grand jury. The named parties were Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology Development Co, LTD (XAC) along with its owner Mao Linzhun and Suzhou Textiles, Silk, Light Industrial Products, Arts and Crafts I/E Co. LTD (SCC), managed by Chen Zhen Hao.
These parties were indicted on 26 counts by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, MO. An additional 27 counts were indicted against ChemNutra, Inc. and its owners who had contracted with SSC and XAC to purchase food-grade wheat gluten. It is estimated that 800 tons of wheat gluten tainted with melamine was imported to the United States between November 6, 2006 and February 21, 2007.
Melamine is an industrial chemical used in the production of plastics and adhesives. While melamine isn’t considered toxic for humans in these forms, the chemical and its byproduct (cyanuric acid) is dangerous for pets. In the 2007 recall, elevated melamine levels were linked to reports of kidney failure and the deaths of thousands of cats and dogs.
Following the recall, over 150 pet food brands recalled products made with wheat gluten, rice protein, and other vegetable proteins sourced from China. This list includes big names like Diamond Pet Foods, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, and Royal Canin.
The Pet Food Market in China
Given the seriousness of the 2007 recall, I wasn’t surprised to find a dearth of pet foods made in China. While many popular brands still source ingredients from China, I wasn’t able to find any brands manufactured in China and especially none that are currently imported into the USA.
I did, however, find a consumer alert issued by The Truth About Pet Food referencing a change in the production and exportation of Chinese-made pet foods.
In the 2016 report, author Susan Thrixton references an announcement (the link to which is broken) which reads, “Chinese manufacturers in the early days have been known in the pet industry as suppliers of cheaper snacks for dogs and cats and chewing bones for dogs, which were almost always delivered under the trademark of Western companies, but a significant change is now discernible.”
Thrixton goes on to say that, as of 2016, China was shifting toward the manufacture of complete pet foods with intentions of exporting them all over the world. Predicting consumer concern, Chinese pet food manufacturers reported that they had hired “an international consultant in the field of pet food” and had pet foods tested by SGS-Germany HmbH, Hamburg.
The article doesn’t mention specific manufacturers or brand names, unfortunately, and I wasn’t able to find any more information about the announcement. What I did find is a report issued by Mordor Intelligence in 2021 titled China Pet Food Market – Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2022-2027).
Regarding the competitive landscape of the pet food market in China, the report states, “The China pet food market is consolidated with the presence of multinational companies, such as Mars Incorporated, Nestle Purina Pet Food, Bridge PetCare, Yantai China Pet Food Co. Ltd, Royal Canin China Co. Ltd., Huaxing Pet Food Co. Ltd, and Chengdu Care Pet Food Co. Ltd.”
Mars Inc., Nestle Purina, and Royal Canin are, of course, US-based pet food companies with manufacturing facilities around the world. The remaining four companies, however, appear to be manufactured in China.
What Brands Are Made in China?
Referred to as “multinational companies” in the previously mentioned report, Bridge PetCare, Yantai China Pet Food Co. Ltd., Huaxing Pet Food Co. Ltd, and Chengdu Care Pet Food Co. Ltd. appear to be manufactured in China and sold internationally.
Bridge PetCare is headquartered in Shanghai, China. On the company’s website, Bridge PetCare is described as a “China-Norway joint venture company.” This company manufactures several brands including NatureBridge, Kitchen Flavor, and Vigor & Sage.
Yantai China Pet Foods Co., Ltd. is headquartered in Shandong Sheng, China but has 17 pet food manufacturing facilities in countries around the world, including the USA and Canada. Their biggest brand name is Wanpy which is one of the few brands in China to have been awarded the “Chinese Famous Trademark.”
Huaxing Pet Food Co., Ltd. is headquartered at Jiasong Industrial Park of Nanhe County. This company manufactures over a dozen brands, the largest of which are Odin and Diyouke.
Finally, Chengdu Care Pet Food Co. Ltd. is headquartered in Changdu City, Sichuan. This company won the “Made in China Brand” PetAward in 2022. They offer one brand of cat food called Good Master.
The Best Cat Foods in China: Our Top Picks
My top two picks on this list are China-based brands NatureBridge and Diyouke. Google had some difficulty translating the label information for Good Master cat food and no specific information was available about Wanpy products on Yantai China Pet Foods Co. Ltd.’s website.
The remaining products on this list are US-based companies that either have manufacturing facilities in China or export internationally.
#1 NatureBridge
Headquartered in Shanghai, Bridge PetCare manufactures several brands including NatureBridge, Kitchen Flavor, and Vigor & Sage. NatureBridge was established 19 years ago and has since launched over 200 pet food products including dry food, wet food, nutritional products, snacks, cat litter, and more. The NatureBridge line includes dog food, cat food, and veterinary formulas.
The Bi Ruiji line of NatureBridge products was started in 2002, designed to bring together both Chinese and foreign talents including pet nutrition experts and clinical pet professionals. In 2016, Bi Ruiji was named a “National Top Ten Pet Feed Enterprise.”
Featured Recipe: NatureBridge Bi Ruiji Grain-Free Six Fish Full Price Cat Food (Full Period)
Formulated with six different types of fish, this grain-free recipe is designed to improve skin and coat health in cats. The top two ingredients are salmon meal and bonito meal with tuna, cod, mackerel, sardine, egg, and chicken ingredients providing supplemental protein.
While the top three ingredients are animal-based, the next three are starchy potato, sweet potato, and peas. Even with other plant ingredients, however, this recipe has fewer total carbs than the average dry food, under 15% as fed.
In addition to plenty of animal protein, this formula has nutritious animal-based fats like duck oil and salmon oil. The natural omega-3s from the fish combined with these oils are what provide the skin and coat benefits for which this recipe is known.
Ingredients
Salmon Meal, Bonito Meal, Duck Oil, Dried Potato, Dried Sweet Potato, Peas, Frozen Tuna, Frozen Cod, Frozen Mackerel, Frozen Sardines, Frozen Salmon, Frozen Bonito, Brewer’s Yeast Powder, Beet Powder, Egg Yolk Powder, Salmon Oil, Frozen Chicken, Goat Milk Powder, Flaxseed, Coix Seed, Carrot Grain, Seaweed Grain, Dried Purple Potato, Dried Apple, Dried Avocado, Blueberry Powder, Cranberry Powder, Dried Pumpkin, Dried Cauliflower, Dried Broccoli, Dried Pear, Bonito Flower, Green Mussel Powder.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- First three ingredients are all animal-based
- Salmon oil provides a natural source of omega-3s
- Rich in species-appropriate animal protein
- Free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
What We Didn’t Like
- Contains several starchy ingredients
- No dry food provides the moisture your cat needs
#2 Diyouke
Translated into English as Deuce, Diyouke is the second brand launched by Huaxing Pet Food. It’s marketed as a cost-effective option for pet owners in China. This brand is divided into three product lines: classic, dile, and grain-free. The classic series focuses on healthy coat, bright eyes, and strong bones with the use of high-quality raw materials.
Featured Recipe: Diyouke Full Price Cat Food Duck and Beef Recipe
Fresh duck meat provides a rich source of animal-based protein to create the foundation of this formula. It is supplemented with numerous other animal proteins like chicken, duck, beef, and egg. In fact, the fresh duck and beef alone comprise 30% of this recipe.
Unfortunately, there are a significant number of plant ingredients including corn and wheat derivatives which provide extremely limited nutritional value for cats. They are largely used as fillers to bulk up the protein content and volume of the product in an inexpensive way.
It’s also worth noting that this recipe contains “pet feed compound seasoning.” It’s not entirely clear what this ingredient is or whether it is potentially harmful. It seems to be used as a flavoring. Other than this, however, the recipe doesn’t appear to contain any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
Ingredients
Fresh Duck Meat, Corn, Whole Wheat Flour, Brown Rice, Chicken Meal, Duck Meat Meal, Oats, Fresh Beef, Chicken Fat, Butter, Beets, Beef Bone Meal, Pet Feed Compound Seasoning, Egg Yolk Powder, Frozen Chicken Breast, Gluten Flour, Dehydrated Chicken, Dehydrated Fish, Dehydrated Duck, Psyllium, Cranberry Powder, Blueberry, Spirulina Powder, Yucca Powder, Taurine, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D3, Vitamin E, Yeast Selenium, Zinc Sulfate, Choline Chloride, Amino Acid Zinc Complex, Amino Acid Iron Complex, Potassium Sorbate, Antioxidant, Sulfuric Acid, Manganese, Copper Sulfate, Sodium Chloride.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Fresh duck meat as the first ingredient
- Supplemented with nine other animal ingredients
- Chicken fat provides a nutrient-rich source of essential fats
- Free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
What We Didn’t Like
- Contains a significant number of plant ingredients
- Made with wheat and corn ingredients
- Vaguely named pet food compound seasoning
#3 Timberwolf Organics
Timberwolf Organics is one of our most highly ranked cat food companies, having earned an A rating. The company was founded back in 2000 as a small, independently owned and family-operated company. Their products are formulated to mimic the wild diets of your pet’s ancestors, featuring premium animal proteins and healthy animal-based fats.
While Timberwolf Organics doesn’t ship directly to China, you can place an international order by using MyUS.com. This site enables you to create a US-based shipping address online. When your order arrives at the MyUS address, it will then be shipped out to you.
Featured Recipe: Timberwolf Organics Legends Ocean Blue Feline Formula Cat Food
This dry food formula is made with 91% protein from animal sources. Fresh salmon, salmon meal, and herring meal top the ingredient list with fish meal not far behind.
All three of these proteins come from species-appropriate animal sources but, unfortunately, they’re followed by pea protein, a concentrated source of plant protein. It’s also worth noting that fish isn’t always the best protein source for cats. It can be high in heavy metals and other contaminants.
Timberwolf doesn’t specify how or from where their proteins are sourced, so it’s difficult to say how much of a risk this might be.
On the whole, this formula is made with all-natural ingredients and is completely free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. It contains more plant ingredients than we’d like and the overall carb content is fairly high, but it’s still rich in animal proteins and fat.
Ingredients
Salmon, Salmon Meal, Herring Meal, Pea Protein, Canola Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Fish Meal, Egg Albumin, Tapioca Starch, Dried Peas, Dried Potatoes, Natural Flavor, Salt, Potassium Chloride, DL-Methionine, Choline Chloride, Taurine, L-Tryptophan, Inulin, Dried Spinach, Dried Apples, Dried Blueberries, Dried Carrots, Dried Cranberries, Dried Pumpkin, Minerals (Zinc Methionine Complex, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate), Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement), Citric Acid, Mixed Tocopherols, Rosemary Extract.
Ingredients We Liked: Salmon, Salmon Meal, Herring Meal, Fish Meal
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Pea Protein, Canola Oil, Tapioca Starch, Dried Peas, Dried Potatoes
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Three meat-rich animal proteins top the ingredient list
- Rich in animal-based omega-3 fatty acids for skin/coat support
- Free from by-products and artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
- Made with 91% protein derived from animal sources
What We Didn’t Like
- Contains plant protein concentrate (pea protein)
- Higher than we’d like to see in carbohydrates
- No dry food provides the moisture your cat needs
#4 Instinct
The origins of Instinct (previously known as Nature’s Variety Instinct) can be traced back to 2002. The company was founded by Bob Milligan but is now owned by Agrilomen, a company based in Barcelona. Though internationally owned, Instinct continues to operate as an independent company with headquarters in St. Louis, MO.
With an overall B rating, Instinct is a decent cat food brand. They provide a variety of wet and dry food formulas, including limited ingredient recipes which may be a good choice for cats with sensitive stomachs and food allergies.
Featured Recipe: Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Pate Real Turkey Recipe Natural Wet Canned Food
Formulated as a limited ingredient diet for food sensitivities, this recipe is made with turkey as a single source of protein. The top three ingredients are all animal-based.
Unfortunately, the next two are starchy peas and plant protein concentrate. The recipe is also thickened with guar gum but, otherwise, has a fairly limited list of ingredients.
As a canned food, it is rich in moisture which helps support your cat’s hydration. It’s also free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives as well as corn, wheat, and soy ingredients.
Ingredients
Turkey, Turkey Broth, Turkey Liver, Peas, Pea Protein, Dicalcium Phosphate, Guar Gum, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Magnesium Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Iron Proteinate), Taurine, Vitamins (L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Vitamin E Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin D Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid), Potassium Iodide.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Top three ingredients are all animal-based
- Made with a single source of animal protein
- Rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration
- Free from artificial additives
What We Didn’t Like
- Contains plant protein concentrate
#5 Blue Buffalo
One of the most recognizable names in the pet food industry, Blue Buffalo was created in 2002 by Bill Bishop. A graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, Bishop enjoyed a long career in advertising and consumer products, gaining recognition for big names like Nabisco, Tropicana, and American Express. When his company SoBe was sold to Pepsi in 2001, he began a new project – Blue Buffalo.
Blue Buffalo was sold to General Mills after 16 years of operation. Today, the brand works with a variety of major pet food manufacturers including Ainsworth Pet Nutrition and ProPet. The brand was successful for many years but has been plagued by product recalls since 2007. We’ve given Blue Buffalo an overall C grade.
Featured Recipe: Blue Buffalo Wilderness Pate Variety Duck Recipe Canned Food
Part of Blue Buffalo’s Wilderness line, this canned cat food is marketed as a high-protein recipe. While duck is named as the primary protein, it also contains turkey broth and chicken liver. This makes it a poor choice for cats with chicken allergies because it is not a single-protein recipe.
This cat food contains several plant-based ingredients including starchy potatoes, guar gum thickener, and flaxseed. It’s also thickened with carrageenan, a potentially harmful ingredient.
It is, however, free from artificial additives and is very low in total carbohydrate.
Ingredients
Duck, Turkey Broth, Chicken Liver, Potatoes, Natural Flavor, Guar Gum, Flaxseed (source of Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids), Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Carrageenan, Cassia Gum, Salt, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite, Niacin Supplement (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin (Vitamin B7), Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9).
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Three animal-based ingredients at the top of the list
- Contains nutrient-rich chicken liver
- Free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
- Rich source of moisture to support hydration
What We Didn’t Like
- Contains starchy ingredients like potato and guar gum
- Made with carrageen, a potentially harmful ingredient
#6 Sheba
Owned and manufactured by the highest-earning pet food company in the United States, Mars, Inc., Sheba is largely manufactured in the US, but some recipes are made in Thailand and Australia. Sheba belongs to the same brand family as Iams, Crave, Whiskas, and Royal Canin.
Sheba ranks a little higher than Blue Buffalo with an overall B grade. This brand offers a limited selection of wet cat foods, most of which are packaged in small portions.
Featured Recipe: Sheba Perfect Portions Seafood Pate Delicate Salmon Entrée Wet Food
This wet cat food is packaged in twin packs of 1.32 portions which makes it a convenient option for cat owners who are using wet food to supplement a staple diet of dry food. For cats who eat wet food only, however, multiple packs may be required for daily feeding.
Though marketed as a salmon-based recipe, this formula actually starts with chicken as the first ingredient. Salmon appears third, followed by poultry liver and guar gum.
Overall, this recipe doesn’t have any seriously concerning ingredients. I’d prefer to see a named liver instead of vague poultry liver, however, and the same goes for the fish oil. It does contain starchy guar gum and tapioca starch as thickeners, but not the more harmful carrageenan.
The total carb content of this recipe is very low and it’s rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration.
Ingredients
Chicken, Water, Salmon, Poultry Liver, Chicken Broth, Guar Gum, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Fish Oil, Choline Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Tapioca Starch, DL-Methionine, Taurine, Salt, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Oxide Color, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- First five ingredients are all animal-based
- Rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration
- Fish oil provides plenty of omega-3s
- Free from artificial color, flavor, and preservatives
What We Didn’t Like
- Salmon is not the first ingredient
- Contains vaguely named poultry liver and fish oil
#7 Purina
First introduced in 1986, Purine ONE was Nestle Purina’s first venture into the super-premium pet food market. Purina claims to use “high-quality ingredients” which supposedly support improved health in pets. This particular brand is similar in quality to Purina Pro Plan and Purina Beyond, but it is one of the cheapest Purina product lines.
Purina ONE products are primarily manufactured in the United States. Most ingredients seem to be sourced from the US, though that may not be true in all cases depending on availability and manufacturing location.
Featured Recipe: Purina ONE True Instinct Tuna Recipe in Sauce Canned Cat Food
This recipe is marketed as a high-protein formula featuring protein as a top ingredient. Tuna is, in fact, one of the top two ingredients, coming in behind tuna broth. Other animal-based ingredients on the list include chicken and pork lungs.
Aside from these, the only other main ingredient is wheat gluten. Not only is wheat a problematic ingredient for cats, but concentrated plant proteins like wheat gluten help manufacturers increase the crude protein content without adding more expensive (and more nutritionally valuable) animal ingredients.
The total carb content of this formula is very low, under 5%, and it is rich in hydrating moisture. Unfortunately, it is thickened with carrageenan which is a potentially harmful ingredient for cats.
Ingredients
Tuna Broth, Tuna, Wheat Gluten, Chicken, Pork Lungs, Liver, Minerals (Potassium Chloride, Tricalcium Phosphate, Salt, Magnesium Sulfate, Mono And Dicalcium Phosphate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Potassium Iodide), Natural Flavors, Corn Oil, Soy Protein Concentrate, Xanthan Gum, Vitamins (Choline, Vitamin E, Vitamin B-1, Vitamin B-3, Vitamin B-5, Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Vitamin B-6, Vitamin B-2, Vitamin B-12, Vitamin B-7, Folic Acid, Vitamin D-3), Carrageenan, Taurine.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Five of the top six ingredients are animal-based
- Rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration
- Free from artificial color, flavor, and preservatives
What We Didn’t Like
- Contains wheat and corn ingredients
- Thickened with carrageenan, a potentially harmful ingredient
- Contains vaguely named liver
#8 Hill’s
The story of Hill’s started in 1907 when Burton Hill opened a rendering facility in Topeka, KS. By the 1940s, Burton had partnered with Dr. Mark L. Morris to formulate some of the first clinical veterinary diets in the market. The first diet they released was Canine k/d for dogs with kidney disease.
In 1976, Hill’s was purchased by Colgate-Palmolive and today their products are sold in 86 different countries around the world.
Featured Recipe: Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Rice Recipe Dry Cat Food
While this recipe starts off strong with fresh chicken at the top of the list, it quickly goes downhill with the three plant ingredients that follow. Chicken meal and egg product provide supplemental source of protein, however, and chicken fat is a nutrient-rich source of essential fatty acids.
Like the previous recipe, this formula contains numerous unnecessary plant ingredients including corn and soy. Again, corn gluten meal contains plant-based protein that likely contributes significant to the overall protein content of the recipe without adding much in the way of nutritional value.
This formula is a little higher in fiber than I like to see, and the total carbohydrate content is even higher, over 30% as fed.
Ingredients
Chicken, Brewers Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Whole Grain Corn, Chicken Fat, Chicken Meal, Egg Product, Chicken Liver Flavor, Soybean Oil, Lactic Acid, Oat Fiber, L-Lysine, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Fructooligosaccharides (FOS), Iodized Salt, DL-Methionine, Taurine, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Calcium Carbonate, L-Tryptophan, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Natural Flavors, Beta-Carotene.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Fresh chicken as the main ingredient
- Nutrient-rich chicken fat provides essential fatty acids
- Supplemented with chicken meal and egg product
- Free from artificial color and preservatives
What We Didn’t Like
- Contains unnecessary plant ingredients
- High carbohydrate content
- Contains corn ingredients
#9 Royal Canin
Royal Canin got its start back in the 1960s, started by veterinary surgeon Jean Cathary in France. Cathary began experimenting with homemade pet foods to resolves skin and coat conditions and ended up developing a cereal-based dry food formula that yielded positive results. Once Cathary imported an extruder from the United States, he was able to take his company international.
The brand was sold to Mars, Inc. in 2001 and has since become a globally recognized pet food company. Unfortunately, most of Royal Canin’s products don’t meet our standards. We’ve given the brand an overall C rating.
Featured Recipe: Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Adult Instinctive Thin Slices in Gravy Canned Food
With water as the first ingredient, this formula is moisture-rich which supports your cat’s hydration. Unfortunately, the rest of the ingredients leave something to be desired.
Aside from water, the top two ingredients are animal by-products. While by-products are not necessarily of poor quality, I generally prefer to see fresh meat or concentrated meat meal. I do, however, like the chicken liver, pork liver, and fresh salmon that follow these byproducts.
This recipe does contain a few unnecessary plant ingredients, some of which are corn- and wheat-based. Fortunately, however, the total carbohydrate content is still very low, under 5% as fed.
Ingredients
Water Sufficient For Processing, Pork By-Products, Chicken By-Products, Chicken Liver, Pork Liver, Salmon, Wheat Flour, Wheat Gluten, Gelatin, Pork Plasma, Powdered Cellulose, Natural Flavors, Modified Corn Starch, Calcium Sulfate, Guar Gum, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Carrageenan, Taurine, Vitamins [Dl-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate (Source Of Vitamin E), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Niacin Supplement, Biotin, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Riboflavin Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement], Trace Minerals [Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Oxide, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate], Choline Chloride.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Contains nutrient-rich organ meats from chicken and pork
- Numerous sources of animal-based protein
- Rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration
- Free from artificial additives
What We Didn’t Like
- Contains several animal by-products
- Made with corn and wheat ingredients
- Thickened with carrageenan, a potentially harmful ingredient
If you’re not satisfied with the quality of these commercial pet foods, you might consider making your own cat food at home.
Keep in mind that making your own cat food isn’t as simple as boiling some chicken or chopping up some raw fish. Your cat requires a specific balance of nutrients to ensure optimal health and wellness. Ingredient quality matters, of course, but you need to follow a recipe formulated by a veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist to achieve balanced nutrition.
Learn more about making your own cat food in this in-depth article.
Final Thoughts
The most important thing you can do to ensure the long-term health and wellness of your cat is to choose a high-quality, nutritionally balanced diet.
Unfortunately, there don’t appear to be many species-appropriate choices available in China. While the NatureBridge recipe reviewed above certainly seems to be one of the best options, it contains too many plant ingredients for my liking. The US-made brands may be familiar and easy to find, but they leave much to be desired in terms of quality.
What matters in the end is that you feed your cat the highest quality diet you can consistently afford. If you’re able to afford a homemade or raw diet, go for it! If not, we recommend NatureBridge or one of the lower carb recipes from the American-made brands reviewed above.
Thank you very much for what your professional team do! Especial thnks for clear information about cet food brand form China. I live in Mongolia and adopted 3 cats. As I am unable to read Chinese and there were lots of vague information among cat lovers in Mongolai about Diyouke dry food quality, you article was very helpful.
So glad you found it helpful!