Gravy Swirlers Dry Cat Food Chicken & Salmon
Verified Jun 5, 2026
This is a dry all‑life‑stages cat food that uses chicken by-product meal, corn protein meal, soybean meal, meat and bone meal, and salmon meal as its main protein sources. It provides moderate protein and fat for everyday adult cats and growing kittens, with added taurine, omega-6 fatty acids, and supplemented vitamins and minerals for complete and balanced nutrition. The recipe relies on corn, wheat, and soy for much of its protein and calories, with added artificial colors and flavors for palatability.
Nutritionally, this formula meets AAFCO requirements for all life stages and offers adequate protein and fat for most healthy cats, including kittens, when fed as directed. It leans heavily on plant-based ingredients (corn, soybean meal, wheat) for calories and some protein, with animal by-products and meals supplying essential amino acids. This type of diet can work well for many cats without special dietary needs, but it’s not a “meat-forward” option and includes several ingredients some owners prefer to avoid, such as artificial colors.
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
- AAFCO complete and balanced for all life stages, so it’s appropriate for healthy adult cats and kittens when fed according to directions.
- Includes multiple animal protein sources (chicken by-product meal, meat and bone meal, fish meal, salmon meal) that help provide essential amino acids and natural taurine.
- Reasonable macronutrient profile for dry cat food (30% protein, 12% fat as-fed) with added taurine (0.12%) and arachidonic acid to support feline-specific needs.
- Fortified with a full vitamin and mineral premix, including zinc, selenium, and vitamins A, D, and E.
Considerations
- Relies heavily on corn, soybean meal, and wheat flour, so it’s a relatively carb-dense, plant-forward formula compared with more meat-centric diets.
- Contains multiple common feline allergens (chicken, fish, soy, wheat), so it’s not ideal for cats with known food sensitivities to these ingredients.
- Includes artificial colors (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 2) and added artificial flavors, which are not nutritionally necessary.
- Protein level, while adequate for most pets, is on the lower side compared with many higher-meat cat foods, which may be a consideration for very active or lean-prone 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
Yellow Corn
Yellow corn is commonly used in pet foods as a digestible carbohydrate and energy source, supplying starch, some fiber, plant-based protein, B vitamins and carotenoids like lutein. It is a cost-effective ingredient that dogs digest well (cats, as obligate carnivores, do not require carbohydrates), but corn’s protein is lower in certain essential amino acids, it can add excess calories if overused, and quality control is important to minimize contaminants (e.g., mycotoxins) and address rare food sensitivities.
02
Corn Protein Meal
Corn protein meal is a concentrated plant-based protein ingredient commonly used to raise crude protein and energy in dry kibbles, treats and some wet diets as a cost-effective alternative to animal protein sources. It provides digestible amino acids for dogs but has an incomplete amino acid profile (notably low in lysine and lacking taurine), so it should be balanced with higher-quality animal proteins for growing animals and obligate‑carnivore cats; some pets may also be sensitive to corn and quality/sourcing can affect safety and nutrient content.
03
Chicken By-Product
Chicken by-product is a common protein ingredient in pet foods made from edible parts of the bird not typically consumed by people—such as organs (liver, heart), necks and other tissues—and is used to add protein, flavor and nutrient density. It can provide concentrated protein, essential amino acids, B vitamins and minerals (and may contribute taurine when organ meats are included), but composition and quality vary by source, so pet parents concerned about sourcing, higher ash/fat content or chicken allergies should check the manufacturer’s labeling and quality standards.
04
Soybean
Soybean is a common plant-based ingredient in pet foods used as a concentrated protein and fat source (in forms such as soybean meal, soy protein concentrate/isolate, and soybean oil) that supplies essential amino acids, calories, and beneficial polyunsaturated fats. It can be a cost-effective, digestible protein for many dogs but is less ideal as the sole protein for obligate carnivores like cats and may trigger allergies or deliver phytoestrogens and antinutritional factors (e.g., trypsin inhibitors, phytates) that are typically reduced by proper processing, so diets using soy should be balanced and monitored.
05
Animal Fat
Animal fat is used in pet foods as a concentrated energy source and palatability enhancer, and can provide fat-soluble vitamin absorption and essential fatty acids (including arachidonic and linoleic acids, depending on the source) that support skin, coat and overall cellular function—particularly important for obligate carnivores like cats. Because it is calorie-dense and prone to oxidation, fats are typically rendered and stabilized; owners should be aware that high-fat diets can contribute to obesity and may trigger pancreatitis in susceptible dogs, so quality, source, and total dietary fat should be considered.
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
Friskies offers a wide variety of cat food and treats at an affordable price, focusing on flavor variety and accessibility. It is designed for mass-market distribution and long-standing brand loyalty.
Visit FriskiesManufacturer
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
Friskies Gravy Swirlers Dry Cat Food Chicken & Salmon has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Friskies ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Friskies. 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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