Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Cat Food
Verified Jun 16, 2026
This is a slow-cooked dry food for adult cats, built around chicken meal as the main protein source with added whitefish meal and egg for a good amino acid balance. Brown rice, sorghum, and millet provide carbohydrates, while flaxseed and fish oil contribute omega fatty acids, and added prebiotics and probiotics support digestive health. It’s formulated as a complete and balanced maintenance diet for adult cats without corn, wheat, or soy.
Nutritionally, this is a solid adult dry cat food that uses named animal proteins, moderate fat, and a reasonable fiber level, which suits most healthy adult cats. I like that it includes multiple animal protein sources plus flaxseed and fish oil for fatty acids, along with added taurine and probiotics for digestive support. It’s a good everyday option for adult cats who do well on a grain-containing diet and don’t need a therapeutic or weight-loss formula.
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At a Glance
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Chicken meal as the first ingredient, supported by whitefish meal and egg product, provides good-quality, animal-based protein for adult cats.
- Balanced fat level (17% as stated in description) with chicken fat, flaxseed, and menhaden fish oil supplying essential fatty acids, including omega-3 and omega-6.
- Includes prebiotics (beet pulp, yeast, fiber sources) and added probiotics, which can help support a healthy digestive tract.
- Formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for adult maintenance, so it’s complete and balanced for adult cats when fed as the sole diet.
Considerations
- Contains chicken, fish, and egg, which are common protein allergens, so it may not be suitable for cats with known sensitivities to these ingredients.
- Uses pea protein in the mid-ingredient list, which adds some plant-based protein; cats with very high protein needs may do better on a diet with a higher proportion of animal protein overall.
- Calorie density is fairly high at about 424 kcal per cup, so portion control is important to help prevent weight gain, especially in indoor or less active cats.
Full Ingredient List
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
Brown Rice
Brown rice is a whole-grain carbohydrate and fiber ingredient commonly used in dog and cat foods to provide digestible energy, dietary fiber, and modest amounts of B‑vitamins and minerals; it typically offers more nutrients and fiber than white rice. It’s generally well tolerated and can help with sensitive stomachs, but because it is high in carbohydrates (not a primary protein source) and can contain trace inorganic arsenic depending on sourcing, it should be included in balanced formulations and monitored in overweight or diabetic pets.
03
Grain Sorghum
Grain sorghum is a gluten-free cereal grain used in pet foods primarily as a carbohydrate and fiber source that also contributes modest plant protein, B vitamins, and minerals, often serving as an alternative to corn or wheat. It supplies energy and dietary fiber for dogs and cats but is relatively low in certain essential amino acids (like lysine), and some tannin-containing varieties can reduce palatability and nutrient digestibility—processing and balanced formulation mitigate these issues, and sourcing should guard against mycotoxin contamination.
04
Millet
Millet is a small, gluten-free cereal grain used in pet foods primarily as a carbohydrate and fiber source that also contributes modest amounts of protein, B vitamins and minerals such as magnesium and phosphorus. It is generally well tolerated by dogs and may be used in some cat recipes, but because cats are obligate carnivores and millet is relatively high in carbohydrates and contains phytic acid (an anti‑nutrient), it is usually cooked/processed for better digestibility and should be part of a formula that meets species‑specific protein and taurine needs; pets with specific grain sensitivities may still react, so consult your veterinarian if concerned.
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.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
AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional
adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.Brand
Blackwood is a premium pet food brand that offers small-batch, slow-cooked recipes for dogs and cats made in the USA. The brand targets pet owners seeking natural, high-quality nutrition with an emphasis on digestibility, freshness, and family-owned production values.
Visit BlackwoodManufacturer
Blackwood Pet Food manufactures its products in-house in the USA at USDA-inspected, AAFCO-compliant facilities. All recipes are slow-cooked in small batches to ensure better nutrient retention, with oversight on ingredient sourcing and process control.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
Blackwood Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Cat Food has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Blackwood ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Blackwood. 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.
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.
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