Friskies Tender & Crunchy Combo Dry Cat Food Chicken & Beef
Verified Jun 8, 2026
A dry adult cat food that uses corn, wheat, and soybean meal as the main energy and plant-protein sources, with added chicken by-product meal, meat and bone meal, and turkey by-product meal for animal protein. It’s formulated to be complete and balanced for adult maintenance and includes taurine, essential fatty acids, and added vitamins and minerals. This diet is designed for generally healthy adult cats without specific medical or dietary restrictions.
This is a basic, fully complete and balanced dry food for adult cats that relies heavily on grains and plant protein, with animal by-product meals and meat and bone meal providing additional protein and minerals. The protein and fat levels are appropriate for many adult cats, and it includes taurine and arachidonic acid, which are important for feline health. It’s a reasonable option for adult cats without special needs, but there are some ingredients and features (like multiple potential allergens and artificial colors) that some owners may prefer to avoid, and it’s not a specialty or high-meat diet.
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 adult maintenance, so it covers all essential nutrients for healthy adult cats when fed as the main diet.
- Adequate protein (30% as-fed) for most adult cats, with multiple animal sources (chicken by-product meal, meat and bone meal, turkey by-product meal).
- Includes taurine and arachidonic acid, which are key nutrients cats must get from their diet, as well as added vitamins and minerals for overall health.
- Fat level (minimum 11%) and calorie density are suitable for many normally active adult cats when portions are controlled.
Considerations
- Primary ingredients are corn, corn protein meal, wheat, and soybean meal, so a substantial share of the protein is plant-based rather than from meat, which may not be ideal for some cats, especially picky or very active ones.
- Contains several common allergens, including chicken, beef fat, turkey by-product meal, wheat, and soybean meal, so it may not be suitable for cats with known food sensitivities to these ingredients.
- Includes artificial colors (Yellow 6, Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 2), which don’t add nutritional value and some owners prefer to avoid in a long-term diet.
- Uses generic meat and bone meal, which is nutritionally acceptable but lower on the ingredient list than plant ingredients, reflecting a more economy-style formulation rather than a high-animal-protein recipe.
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
Wheat
Wheat is a common cereal grain used in pet foods as a source of digestible carbohydrates, some plant-based protein, B vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, and it also helps with kibble texture and binding. It provides energy and fiber for many dogs but can cause food allergies or gluten sensitivities in a minority of pets and is generally less ideal as a primary ingredient for obligate carnivores like cats, so pets with known grain or wheat sensitivities should avoid it and calorie intake should be monitored to prevent weight gain.
05
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.
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 Friskies Tender & Crunchy Combo Dry Cat Food Chicken & Beef 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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