Fancy Feast With Ocean Fish & Salmon Dry Cat Food
Verified Jun 16, 2026
This is a dry all-life-stages cat food designed for kittens through adult cats, including pregnant and nursing queens. It uses a mix of poultry by-product meal, corn protein meal, and fish (ocean fish and salmon) as key protein sources, with rice and corn providing carbohydrates, and added vitamins, minerals, and taurine for complete and balanced nutrition. The formula is AAFCO-formulated for all life stages and has a relatively high calorie density, so portions should be measured carefully.
Nutritionally, this is a solid all-life-stages dry diet that can be used for most healthy cats, including kittens and breeding females. It offers adequate protein and fat levels for growth and maintenance, with animal-based meals and added taurine to support essential needs. The main trade-off is that it relies on a blend of animal and plant protein sources rather than a predominantly meat-based formulation, and it is quite calorie-dense, so portion control is important, especially for indoor adult cats.
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
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Complete and balanced to AAFCO standards for all life stages, so it’s suitable for kittens, adults, and pregnant or nursing cats when fed appropriately.
- Good protein and fat levels for a dry cat food (34% protein, 17% fat as-fed), with poultry by-product meal, ocean fish, and salmon contributing animal-based protein.
- Includes taurine and a full complement of added vitamins and minerals to support essential heart, vision, and overall health needs in cats.
- Clear calorie information (3961 kcal/kg, 519 kcal/cup), which makes it easier to measure appropriate portions and help prevent excess weight gain.
Considerations
- Uses a significant amount of plant-based proteins (corn protein meal, soybean meal), which may make the overall protein slightly less rich in some amino acids compared with more meat-heavy formulas, though this is addressed with supplementation.
- Contains common allergen sources like poultry, beef fat, soy, and fish, so it would not be a good fit for cats with known sensitivities to any of these ingredients.
- High calorie density per cup means that overfeeding is easy; indoor or less active adult cats in particular may need smaller measured portions to maintain a healthy weight.
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
Rice
Rice is a common carbohydrate source and binder in dog and cat foods, supplying readily digestible energy and often used in formulations for sensitive stomachs or hypoallergenic diets. White rice is gentle and easy to digest while brown rice provides more fiber and micronutrients, but rice is low in essential amino acids, has a relatively high glycemic index, and can accumulate trace arsenic, so it should not be relied on as a primary protein and portions should be considered for diabetic or weight‑management pets.
02
Poultry By-Product
Poultry by-product is used primarily as a concentrated protein, fat and micronutrient source in pet foods and consists of rendered poultry parts such as internal organs, bones and connective tissues that supply amino acids, minerals (notably calcium and phosphorus) and B‑vitamins. It can be a cost‑effective source of bioavailable nutrients, but composition and quality vary by source and processing—owners of pets with poultry allergies or who prefer named-meat ingredients may choose alternatives, and safety depends on reputable rendering and adherence to regulatory standards.
03
Corn Protein
Corn protein is a plant-derived concentrated protein (often from corn gluten meal or corn protein isolate) used in dry pet foods to increase crude protein content and aid kibble texture; it supplies digestible plant-based amino acids but is lower in certain essential amino acids, particularly lysine, compared with animal proteins. It is an economical and sustainable ingredient but should be balanced with complementary animal proteins or supplemented amino acids—especially for cats, which need high-quality animal-based protein—and some pets can be sensitive or allergic to corn.
04
Beef Fat
Beef fat (tallow) is used in pet foods as a concentrated energy source and flavor/palatability enhancer that also helps with absorption of fat‑soluble vitamins and can support skin and coat condition. It is rich in saturated and monounsaturated fats and provides animal‑derived omega‑6 fatty acids but is low in omega‑3s, so overall fatty acid balance matters; because it is calorie‑dense and can cause digestive upset or contribute to obesity and pancreatitis in susceptible animals, amounts should be controlled and rendered fats stabilized to prevent rancidity.
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
Fancy Feast is a premium cat food brand known for its gourmet-style wet foods and variety of textures designed to appeal to feline palates. It targets owners seeking indulgence and variety for their pets.
Visit Fancy FeastManufacturer
Nestlé Purina operates its own manufacturing facilities in the United States and globally with rigorous quality assurance programs. Facilities comply with FDA and USDA standards and implement HACCP-based food safety systems. The company conducts AAFCO feeding trials and employs board-certified veterinary nutritionists.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
Fancy Feast Fancy Feast With Ocean Fish & Salmon Dry Cat Food has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Fancy Feast ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Fancy Feast. 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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