Duck & Chicken Recipe Kibble Dry Cat Food
Verified Aug 17, 2026
A very high-protein dry cat food made mainly from duck, dried chicken, and other animal ingredients, designed for cats at any life stage. It emphasizes animal-based protein with moderate fat and added taurine and omega-3 fats. This formula can suit active cats and may also be useful in careful portions for overweight or diabetic cats under veterinary guidance.
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Strong Choice
This is a high-protein, animal-focused dry food formulated to be complete and balanced for cats of all life stages. With duck and dried chicken leading the ingredient list, it more closely mimics the high-meat makeup of a cat’s natural diet than many kibbles. It’s best suited for healthy, active cats or those who need a higher-protein option and whose vets are comfortable with a calorie-dense dry food.
Computed from 4 of 4 applicable checks. Missing data is skipped, never counted against a food.
The KibbleLab Score (1–10) is assessed from publicly available product data. Our evaluation is science-based, not marketing-based.
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At a Glance
Where these benefits come from
Benefits the manufacturer highlights in its own product marketing. KibbleLab lists them for reference and does not verify these claims.KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Duck and dried chicken are the main ingredients, giving cats highly digestible animal protein they can use well.
- The protein level is very high at a minimum of 58%, which can help support muscle maintenance in active cats.
- Includes added taurine and omega-3s (EPA and DHA), which are important for heart, eye, and overall health in cats.
- Formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages, so it can be fed to kittens and adult cats as a sole diet.
Considerations
- Chicken, duck, and pork are present, so this is not a good match for cats with poultry or pork allergies.
- The calorie density is quite high, so portion control is very important, especially for indoor or overweight cats.
- The fat level is moderate but not low, so diabetic or overweight cats should only eat this under a vet’s guidance.
- As a dry kibble, it does not provide much moisture, so good water intake or wet food alongside it is helpful for many 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
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.
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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.
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03
Pork
Pork is used in pet foods primarily as a high-quality animal protein and flavor enhancer, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins (especially B12 and niacin), iron and zinc, plus fat for calorie-dense energy; it can be suitable for both dogs and cats when balanced in a complete diet. Because pork can be relatively high in fat, it may be inappropriate for pets requiring low‑fat diets or those prone to pancreatitis, some animals may have sensitivities to pork, and raw or undercooked pork can carry parasites or pathogens so it should be properly processed or cooked.
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04
Gelatin
Gelatin, a collagen-derived gelling agent and binder, is commonly used in pet treats, chews and wet foods to improve texture, moisture retention and as an ingredient in joint or skin supplements. It provides collagen-related amino acids (e.g., glycine and proline) that may support joint and coat health but is not a complete protein—lacking essential amino acids such as tryptophan and taurine—so it should not replace balanced animal protein; source and quality (bovine vs. porcine) can matter for dietary preferences and safety concerns.
05
Porcine Plasma
Porcine plasma is a spray‑dried, blood‑derived ingredient used in pet foods and milk replacers as a highly digestible animal protein and palatability enhancer with useful binding and emulsifying properties. It supplies concentrated plasma proteins—including immunoglobulins and growth factors—that may support gut health and nutrient absorption (particularly in puppies and kittens), but because it is pork‑derived some pets with pork sensitivities or owners with dietary/religious concerns may prefer to avoid it; manufacturers typically process it to reduce pathogen risk.
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.Not sure how much of this to feed?
The right daily portion depends on your cat's weight, age, and activity level. Create a free account, add your cat, and get their daily calories and portion sizes.
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
Dr. Elsey’s is a premium pet brand best known for its high-quality cat litters and the Cleanprotein line of cat food. The brand targets cat owners seeking high-protein, low-carbohydrate formulations modeled after a cat’s natural diet. Dr. Elsey’s products are developed with veterinary input and emphasize overall feline wellness.
Manufacturer
Manufacturing is overseen by veterinary professionals led by Dr. Bruce Elsey, with products developed to meet holistic feline health standards. Food manufacturing partners follow AAFCO nutritional guidelines and strict quality controls for pet food safety.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
No recall is listed for Dr. Elsey's Duck & Chicken Recipe Kibble Dry Cat Food.
Source: FDA animal food recall listings back to January 2019 · Checked daily, last on Aug 31, 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Dr. Elsey's ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Dr. Elsey's. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.
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 listings. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.
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