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Tender & Crunchy Combo Dry Cat Food Chicken & Beef Flavor
Friskies

Tender & Crunchy Combo Dry Cat Food Chicken & Beef Flavor

Verified Aug 24, 2026

Cat · Dry Adult All Breed Sizes

This is a dry adult cat food formulated to provide complete and balanced maintenance nutrition, with chicken and beef by‑product meals and plant proteins as the main protein sources. Corn, wheat, and soy supply most of the carbohydrates, and the recipe includes added taurine, essential fatty acids, and vitamins and minerals to meet an adult cat’s daily needs. It’s designed as an everyday maintenance diet for generally healthy adult cats.

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Over-the-counter AAFCO No recalls

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Official product page
KibbleLab Score
7.3 out of 10

Solid Option

Nutritionally, this is a standard adult dry cat food that meets AAFCO requirements for maintenance and provides adequate protein and essential nutrients, largely from poultry by‑products and plant sources. It can be appropriate for healthy adult cats who do well on grain-inclusive, moderate‑protein diets. The heavy reliance on corn, wheat, and soy and the use of artificial colors are the main nutritional considerations compared with some higher-end options.

Nutritional profile 8.8
Ingredient composition 3.5
Adequacy substantiation 7.0
Health considerations 10.0

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.

Nutritional profile Protein, fat, fiber on a dry-matter basis, for the stated life stage and format
Adequacy substantiation Complete and balanced substantiation; feeding trials valued higher
Ingredient composition Screened for unnamed sources, artificial additives, and label protein inflation. Not a quality ranking.
Health considerations Pulse-heavy grain-free (DCM) pattern and recall history
Verified manufacturer evidence A small bonus when we can verify evidence addressing WSAVA selection criteria
9.0 - 10 Top Pick
8.0 - 8.9 Strong Choice
7.0 - 7.9 Solid Option
6.0 - 6.9 Worth a Conversation
Below 6.0 Review Carefully

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At a Glance

Marketed Benefits
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.
Immune Support Heart Care
Suitable For
Adult All Breed Sizes
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Nutritional Perspective

KibbleLab Review

Strengths

  • Meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for adult maintenance, so it provides complete and balanced nutrition for adult cats.
  • Protein level at 30% is acceptable for a dry adult cat food and is supported by chicken and turkey by-product meals plus supplemental amino acids.
  • Includes added taurine, arachidonic acid, linoleic acid, and a full vitamin–mineral premix to support essential feline needs.
  • Calorie density is clearly stated, which makes it easier to manage portion control and weight maintenance.

Considerations

  • Main ingredients are corn, corn gluten meal, wheat, and soy, so animal protein is not the predominant component of the formula.
  • Contains multiple common allergens, including chicken, beef, turkey, wheat, and soy, which may not suit cats with food sensitivities.
  • Includes artificial colors, which do not add nutritional value and are unnecessary from a health standpoint for cats.
  • Fat level is moderate at 11%, so very active or underweight cats may do better on a higher‑fat, higher‑energy formula.
Scored using the rubric of an NAVC Certified Pet Nutrition Coach (PNCC). This is informational, not veterinary advice.

Full Ingredient List

Ground Yellow Corn, Corn Protein Meal, Chicken By-Product Meal, Ground Wheat, Soybean Meal, Animal Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Meat and Bone Meal, Glycerin, Animal Liver Flavor, Chicken, Calcium Carbonate, Phosphoric Acid, Salt, Natural Flavors, Turkey By-Product Meal, Choline Chloride, Green Beans (Dried), Carrots (Dried), Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin (Vitamin B-3), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B-5), Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B-2), Vitamin A Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Folic Acid (Vitamin B-9), Biotin (Vitamin B-7), Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Vitamin K), Yellow 6, DL-Methionine, L-Lysine Monohydrochloride, L-Tryptophan, Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 2

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.
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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.
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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.
As Fed
Crude Protein (min)
30.00%
Low High
Crude Fat (min)
11.00%
Low High
Crude Fiber (max)
3.00%
Low High
Moisture (max)
12.00%
Low High
3595
kcal / Kg
375
kcal / Cup
Moderate
Calorie density category
What is calorie density How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.

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Product Details & Brand

Product Specs

Lifestage Adult
Breed size All Breed Sizes
Texture Crunchy
Food type Dry

AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy
What is AAFCO Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.

Complete & balanced Yes
AAFCO life stages Adult Maintenance
Substantiation Formulation
Friskies Tender & Crunchy Combo is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance of adult cats.

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.

Price tier $$

Manufacturer

Company name Nestlé Purina PetCare
Parent company Nestlé S.A.
Founded 2001
Headquarters St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Manufacturing type In House
Manufacturing country United States
Manufacturing region Missouri
Manufacturing oversight

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

No recalls on record

No recall is listed for Friskies Tender & Crunchy Combo Dry Cat Food Chicken & Beef Flavor.

Source: FDA animal food recall listings back to January 2019 · Checked daily, last on Aug 31, 2026

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KibbleLab food report
SOLID PICK.
7.3 /10 Grade B
Tender & Crunchy Combo Dry Cat Food Chicken & Beef Flavor
Friskies · kibblelab.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

Has Friskies ever been recalled?

We have no recalls on record for Friskies. 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.

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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.