Special Diet Duck Meal, Salmon Meal & Field Pea Recipe Dry Cat Food
Verified May 22, 2026
This is a high-protein, grain-free dry cat food featuring duck and salmon meals as the main animal protein sources, with peas, lentils, and chickpeas providing additional plant protein and carbohydrates. It includes added omega fatty acids, prebiotics, and probiotics to support skin, coat, and digestive health. The formula is designed to be complete and balanced for cats of all life stages, from kittens through adults, when fed as directed.
Nutritionally, this is a solid, higher-protein grain-free dry food that can work well for many healthy cats, including kittens and adults, as long as portions are controlled because of the relatively high calorie density. I like that it uses named animal meals (duck, salmon, turkey) along with egg, fish oil, and added taurine, and it’s formulated to meet AAFCO standards for all life stages. Because it relies heavily on legumes (peas, lentils, chickpeas) and added pea protein, I’d be a bit more cautious for cats with any digestive issues or for owners specifically wanting to avoid legume-heavy formulas.
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At a Glance
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- High protein level for a dry food (38% as-fed), with multiple named animal protein sources including duck meal, salmon meal, turkey meal, egg product, and porcine plasma.
- Complete and balanced to AAFCO standards for all life stages, so it can nutritionally support both kittens and adult cats when fed appropriately.
- Includes menhaden fish oil and guaranteed omega-3 and omega-6 levels, which help support skin and coat health.
- Contains added prebiotics (yeast, seaweed, fiber sources) and several probiotic strains, which can support a healthy digestive microbiome in some cats.
Considerations
- Grain-free and legume-heavy, with field peas, lentils, chickpeas, and pea protein high on the ingredient list; some cats may not do as well on legume-rich diets, and this style of formulation is more plant-heavy than some owners prefer for cats.
- Very calorie dense at about 473 kcal per cup, so overfeeding is easy; many indoor or less active cats will need smaller portions than you might expect to maintain a healthy weight.
- Contains several common animal allergens (chicken fat, turkey meal, egg, fish), so it’s not ideal for cats with known food allergies to those ingredients.
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
Duck
Duck is used in pet food primarily as a flavorful animal protein and fat source, commonly included in limited-ingredient or novel-protein formulas for dogs and cats. It supplies high-quality amino acids and energy and can help pets with sensitivities to common proteins, but it is relatively rich in fat (so may be unsuitable for low‑fat or pancreatitis-prone animals), can still trigger allergies in some pets, and requires proper cooking/processing and handling to avoid bacterial contamination.
02
Salmon
Salmon is commonly used as a high-quality animal protein and rich source of omega‑3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA) in dog and cat foods, supporting skin and coat condition, joint and cognitive health, and overall muscle maintenance. While very nutritious, salmon can be an allergen for some pets and raw salmon may pose risks from parasites, thiaminase-related thiamine loss, and region-specific pathogens (e.g., salmon poisoning); owners should avoid feeding uncooked bones and consider sourcing to minimize contaminant and sustainability concerns.
03
Field Pea
Field peas are commonly used in dog and cat foods as a plant-based protein, starch/binder and fiber source, contributing protein, soluble and insoluble fiber and some micronutrients (e.g., iron and B‑vitamins) while being low in fat. They can be a useful ingredient in moderate amounts—particularly in grain‑free or novel‑protein diets—but are less bioavailable than animal proteins for obligate carnivores, can cause gas from oligosaccharides, contain antinutritional factors that are reduced by processing, and have been highlighted in investigations of diet‑associated canine DCM when used in high levels or in diets lacking key nutrients (e.g., taurine), so balanced formulation and monitoring 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
Chickpea
Chickpeas are a legume commonly used in pet foods as a plant-based protein, source of digestible carbohydrates, and supply of soluble and insoluble fiber that helps with stool quality and satiety. They can be a useful ingredient for dogs but are not a complete protein for obligate carnivores like cats and may cause gas or digestive upset if underprocessed; additionally, high inclusion of legumes in some grain‑free diets has been discussed as a potential factor in canine dilated cardiomyopathy so diets should be balanced and any concerns discussed with your veterinarian.
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 Special Diet Duck Meal, Salmon Meal & Field Pea 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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