Active Cat Chicken Meal & Rice Formula Dry Cat Food
Verified Jun 10, 2026
This is a high-protein, high-fat dry formula designed for active cats, kittens, and breeding (pregnant or nursing) females. It uses chicken meal as the primary protein source, with rice and potato protein for additional energy, and includes salmon oil for DHA plus a mix of superfood ingredients and probiotics. The nutrient profile supports growth and higher energy needs while providing added taurine and omega fatty acids for overall health.
Nutritionally, this is a strong, energy-dense dry food that can suit active adult cats, growing kittens, and pregnant or nursing queens. It offers very good protein and fat levels for cats with higher calorie needs, along with taurine, DHA, and probiotics. It’s a good option for multi-cat households where at least some cats are more active or still growing, as long as portions are controlled for less active cats.
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At a Glance
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- High protein (40% as-fed) and high fat (18% as-fed), which are appropriate for active cats, kittens, and breeding cats that need more calories and amino acids.
- Chicken meal as the main ingredient provides a concentrated, animal-based protein source, with added taurine to support heart and eye health in cats.
- Includes salmon oil as a source of DHA, which helps support brain and vision development in kittens and may benefit cognitive function in adults.
- Added probiotics and chicory root (a prebiotic fiber), plus a variety of fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 and -6 sources, which can support digestive and overall health.
Considerations
- Contains chicken and chicken fat, which are common triggers for food allergies in some cats; not ideal if your cat needs a poultry-free diet.
- The calorie density is quite high (about 442 kcal per cup), so less active or indoor-only cats may gain weight if portions are not carefully measured.
- Includes potato protein as a secondary protein source; while safe, it is a plant protein and does not provide the same amino acid profile as animal-based proteins, so it’s important that chicken meal remains the primary protein contributor.
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
White Rice
White rice is a highly digestible carbohydrate commonly used in pet foods as an energy source, binder or filler and is often included in bland diets to help manage gastrointestinal upset. It supplies readily available calories but contains little protein, fat, fiber or micronutrients (so complete diets must be balanced), and should be used judiciously in overweight or diabetic pets due to its high glycemic index; prolonged exclusive feeding is not recommended.
03
Potato Protein
Potato protein is a concentrated plant-based protein used in pet foods as a protein source, binder and texture enhancer, offering a highly digestible amino acid profile with relatively good lysine content compared with other plant proteins. It can be a useful hypoallergenic alternative for dogs and a supplement in balanced formulas, but it should not be the sole protein for obligate carnivores like cats because it lacks certain nutrients (e.g., sufficient taurine and other animal-derived factors) and must be used within complete, nutritionally formulated diets; quality processing also minimizes potato-specific compounds such as glycoalkaloids.
04
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.
05
Mixed Tocopherol
Mixed tocopherols are a blend of natural vitamin E compounds (alpha, beta, gamma and delta tocopherols) used in pet foods primarily as a natural antioxidant and preservative to protect fats and fat‑soluble nutrients and extend shelf life. They also supply dietary vitamin E—an essential antioxidant for immune function, skin and coat health and cellular integrity in dogs and cats—and are generally safe at typical use levels, though they are not a substitute for a complete vitamin formulation and may be less effective in animals with fat‑absorption disorders.
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
Diamond Naturals is a mid-range premium brand featuring whole-food ingredients and added probiotics for digestive health. It provides grain-inclusive and grain-free formulas designed for balanced nutrition and holistic wellness.
Visit Diamond NaturalsManufacturer
Diamond Pet Foods maintains a rigorous quality assurance program that includes in-house testing for mycotoxins, pathogens, and nutritional analysis. The company adheres to FDA, AAFCO, and HACCP standards, employing extrusion and cooking processes designed to ensure product safety.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
Diamond Naturals Active Cat Chicken Meal & Rice Formula Dry Cat Food has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Diamond Naturals ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Diamond Naturals. 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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