Market Fresh Duck Recipe Dry Cat Food
Verified Jun 16, 2026
This is a high-protein, all-life-stages dry cat food featuring duck and duck meal as the main animal protein sources. Peas provide additional protein and carbohydrates, while salmon oil and sunflower oil supply omega fatty acids to support skin and coat. Added prebiotic fiber, cranberries, blueberries, and kelp round out a complete daily diet for kittens through adult cats that do well on a poultry-based kibble.
This is a well-formulated dry cat food with duck as the primary protein and a solid overall nutrient profile for cats at any life stage. The protein and fat levels are appropriate for most healthy cats, and the inclusion of salmon oil, prebiotic fiber, and antioxidant-rich fruits is a nice nutritional bonus. It does rely on peas as a significant plant ingredient, which some owners may want to keep in mind for cats with pea sensitivities or for those preferring fewer legumes in the diet.
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At a Glance
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Duck and duck meal are the first ingredients, providing clear, named animal protein sources for good amino acid quality.
- 34% protein and 14% fat (as-fed) are reasonable levels for an all-life-stages dry cat diet, supporting both kittens and adults when fed appropriately.
- Includes salmon oil and sunflower oil, supplying omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that can help support skin and coat health.
- Contains added taurine, prebiotic fructooligosaccharides, and antioxidant ingredients like cranberries, blueberries, and kelp, which can support overall wellness in a complete and balanced formula.
Considerations
- Peas and pea flour are prominent ingredients, so this may not be ideal for cats with known sensitivities to legumes or for owners specifically seeking pea-free formulas.
- Dry food is calorie-dense at 407 kcal per cup, so portion control is important, especially for indoor or less active cats to help prevent weight gain.
- Duck is a poultry protein; while it can be useful for some cats, it may not be suitable for cats with general poultry allergies or sensitivities.
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.
02
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.
03
Pea
Pea is a plant-based ingredient used in pet foods as a source of protein, soluble and insoluble fiber, and micronutrients (often included as whole peas, pea flour, or pea protein concentrate) to boost protein content and improve texture. While peas can provide digestible carbohydrates, fiber, and some plant protein useful especially for dogs, they are not a complete protein for obligate carnivores like cats and — when overused, particularly in concentrated forms or as a major component of grain‑free diets — have been scrutinized for a possible association with canine dilated cardiomyopathy and can contribute to nutrient imbalances or excess calories, so balanced formulation and compliance with AAFCO nutritional profiles are important.
04
Pea Flour
Pea flour is a finely milled powder from whole peas used in pet foods as a plant-based source of protein, starch and fiber to add bulk, improve texture and boost overall protein content. It provides digestible protein, fiber and some micronutrients, but plant proteins are lower in certain essential amino acids (important for cats in particular) and high inclusion of legumes can create formulation imbalances, so manufacturers typically supplement limiting amino acids and process pea flour to reduce anti-nutritional factors; pet owners should note rare allergies and rely on complete, balanced diets rather than single-ingredient comparisons.
05
Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil is used in pet foods as a concentrated fat source to increase energy density, palatability and supply linoleic acid (an essential omega‑6) that helps maintain healthy skin and coat. It is beneficial for dogs and cats but is high in omega‑6 and low in omega‑3—so formulas should balance fatty acids to avoid an inflammatory imbalance; it is calorie‑dense (important for weight control and pancreatitis-prone animals) and may require antioxidants or high‑oleic formulations for better shelf stability.
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
Fussie Cat offers palatable cat foods emphasizing high protein and moisture content. It is known for its 'cats as connoisseurs' approach, focusing on recipes that appeal to finicky eaters.
Visit Fussie CatManufacturer
Pets Global partners with trusted U.S.-based manufacturers for its products, maintaining oversight of ingredient sourcing and recipe formulation to ensure food safety and nutritional quality standards. Its products are formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles and follow U.S. FDA manufacturing guidelines.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
Fussie Cat Market Fresh Duck Recipe Dry Cat Food has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Fussie Cat ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Fussie Cat. 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.