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Adult Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food
Applaws

Adult Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food

Verified Jun 20, 2026

Cat · Dry Adult All Breed Sizes

This is a high‑protein dry food for adult cats, built around chicken and chicken meal as the main protein sources. It uses peas, lentils, and chickpeas for carbohydrates and fiber, with added taurine, vitamins, and chelated minerals for complete and balanced nutrition. The formula is limited in ingredients, which can be helpful for some cats that do better on simpler recipes.

Over-the-counter AAFCO No recalls
Official product page
KibbleLab Score
7.6 out of 10

Overall, this is a solid adult dry cat food with a good protein level and chicken as the primary animal ingredient. It’s a limited-ingredient, grain-free formula that relies on pulses (peas, lentils, chickpeas) for most of the carbohydrate content. This can suit healthy adult cats that do well on grain-free diets, but I would be a bit cautious in cats with known food allergies to chicken or with a history of urinary or kidney issues where closer mineral and moisture management is key.

The KibbleLab Score (1–10) is assessed from publicly available product data. Our evaluation is science-based, not marketing-based.

Ingredient composition Quality, beneficial additions, absence of artificial colors/flavors
Nutritional profile Protein, fat, fiber evaluated for stated life stage and food type
AAFCO compliance Complete and balanced certification; feeding trials valued higher
Health considerations Sensitivity profile, DCM risk, processing method
9.0 – 10 Top Pick
8.0 – 8.9 Strong Choice
7.0 – 7.9 Solid Option
6.0 – 6.9 Worth a Conversation
Below 6 Not Recommended

KibbleLab may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through a link. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.


At a Glance

Health Benefits
Probiotic Support Allergy Support
Diet & Compliance
Limited Ingredient
Suitable For
Adult All Breed Sizes
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Nutritional Perspective

KibbleLab Review

Strengths

  • Chicken and chicken meal appear first on the ingredient list, providing concentrated, animal-based protein appropriate for cats as obligate carnivores.
  • Guaranteed analysis shows a robust 36% protein and 16.5% fat (as-fed), which is very reasonable for an adult maintenance dry diet.
  • Limited-ingredient profile may help some cats that do better with simpler, more straightforward formulations.
  • Includes flaxseed as a plant source of omega-3 fatty acids, plus added taurine, vitamins, and chelated minerals for complete and balanced adult nutrition.

Considerations

  • Chicken is a common food allergen for cats, so this diet would not be appropriate for cats with chicken sensitivities.
  • This is a grain-free formula relying heavily on peas, lentils, and chickpeas; while DCM concerns are best documented in dogs, some owners prefer to limit long-term reliance on pulse-heavy, grain-free diets in general.
  • Being a dry food at 9% moisture, it provides relatively little water; cats prone to urinary tract issues often benefit from higher-moisture diets or additional water intake alongside dry food.
Scored using the rubric of an NAVC Certified Pet Nutrition Coach (PNCC). This is informational, not veterinary advice.

Full Ingredient List

Chicken, Chicken Meal, Peas, Lentils, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Chickpeas, Natural Flavor, Flaxseed (Source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Salt, Vitamins (Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3, Folic Acid), Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate), Choline Chloride, Rosemary Extract.

Ingredients and analysis reflect manufacturer data at the time of our last update and can change without notice. Always check the actual product packaging before feeding.

Ingredient filtering helps identify compatible options but is not a substitute for a veterinary elimination diet.

Top 5 Ingredients Explained

01
Chicken
Chicken is a common animal-based protein in dog and cat foods, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins, and energy-dense fats that support muscle maintenance, growth, and overall health; for cats it also contributes toward dietary taurine but must be present in sufficient amounts or provided via supplementation. It is prized for its digestibility and palatability, though some pets develop sensitivities or allergies to chicken, and nutritional value and safety depend on ingredient quality and processing—raw chicken carries pathogen risks and whole bones can pose choking or GI hazards.
02
Chicken
Chicken is a common animal-based protein in dog and cat foods, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins, and energy-dense fats that support muscle maintenance, growth, and overall health; for cats it also contributes toward dietary taurine but must be present in sufficient amounts or provided via supplementation. It is prized for its digestibility and palatability, though some pets develop sensitivities or allergies to chicken, and nutritional value and safety depend on ingredient quality and processing—raw chicken carries pathogen risks and whole bones can pose choking or GI hazards.
03
Pea
Pea is a plant-based ingredient used in pet foods as a source of protein, soluble and insoluble fiber, and micronutrients (often included as whole peas, pea flour, or pea protein concentrate) to boost protein content and improve texture. While peas can provide digestible carbohydrates, fiber, and some plant protein useful especially for dogs, they are not a complete protein for obligate carnivores like cats and — when overused, particularly in concentrated forms or as a major component of grain‑free diets — have been scrutinized for a possible association with canine dilated cardiomyopathy and can contribute to nutrient imbalances or excess calories, so balanced formulation and compliance with AAFCO nutritional profiles are important.
04
Lentil
Lentils are a plant-based source of protein, complex carbohydrates, fiber and micronutrients (notably folate and iron) commonly used in pet foods to add bulk, promote satiety and help moderate post-meal blood sugar. They can be a useful ingredient for dogs when properly processed and balanced with animal-derived amino acids, but lentil protein is less digestible and incomplete for obligate carnivores like cats; high legume inclusion can also increase gas or digestive upset and has been discussed in the context of diet-associated heart concerns in dogs, so lentils should be used in nutritionally complete, vetted formulations.
05
Chicken Fat
Chicken fat is used in dog and cat foods as a concentrated energy and flavor source that supplies essential fatty acids (notably linoleic acid) and aids absorption of fat‑soluble vitamins, improving palatability and supporting skin and coat health. Because it is calorie‑dense, diets must account for added fat to prevent weight gain, and quality (proper rendering and antioxidant protection to prevent rancidity) is important; although fats are less commonly allergenic than proteins, pets with poultry sensitivities may still react in some cases.

Nutritional Breakdown

How to read As Fed versus Dry Matter As fed shows the numbers straight off the label, water included. Dry matter removes the water so you can compare a wet food and a dry food fairly.
As Fed
Crude Protein (min)
36.00%
Low High
Crude Fat (min)
16.50%
Low High
Crude Fiber (max)
4.50%
Low High
Moisture (max)
9.00%
Low High
3733
kcal / Kg
Moderate
Calorie density category
What is calorie density How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.

Product Details & Brand

Product Specs

Lifestage Adult
Breed size All Breed Sizes
Texture Kibble
Food type Dry

AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy
What is AAFCO Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.

Complete & balanced Yes
AAFCO life stages Adult Maintenance
Applaws Chicken Recipe dry cat food contains nothing more than the ingredients listed and is a complete and balanced pet food for adult cats.

Brand

Applaws

Applaws is a premium pet food brand focusing on natural ingredients and simple recipes for cats and dogs. It is known for its high meat content, transparent labeling, and grain-free offerings targeted at health-conscious pet owners seeking minimally processed food options.

Visit Applaws
Price tier $$$$

Manufacturer

Company name MPM Products
Parent company Partners Group
Founded 2002
Headquarters Manchester, United Kingdom
Manufacturing type Co Packer
Manufacturing country Thailand
Manufacturing oversight

MPM Products works with audited co-manufacturers that comply with international pet food safety standards such as HACCP and GMP. Their manufacturing partners are located primarily in Thailand and the UK, and they ensure ingredient traceability and quality through third-party certification and oversight.

Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.

Recall History

No recalls on record

Applaws Adult Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food has no recalls since 2014.

Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily

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KibbleLab food report
SOLID PICK.
7.6 /10 Grade B
Adult Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food
Applaws · kibblelab.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

Has Applaws ever been recalled?

We have no recalls on record for Applaws. We monitor the FDA Pet Food Recall Database daily.

How does KibbleLab rate foods?

Our scores are based on ingredient composition, nutritional profile, AAFCO compliance, and health considerations. We don't penalize by-products, grains, or synthetic preservatives. Brands cannot pay for higher scores.

Is KibbleLab a substitute for veterinary advice?

No. KibbleLab provides data-driven food analysis, not medical advice. Always consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes, especially for pets with health conditions.

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KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.

KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through product links. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.

Product data sourced from manufacturer websites, AAFCO statements, and FDA recall database. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check.