Naked Essentials Chicken + Duck Dry Cat Food
Verified Jun 15, 2026
This is a high‑protein, grain‑free dry cat food made with chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, and duck as the main animal protein sources. It uses chickpeas and peas instead of grains for carbohydrates and includes added omega‑3 and omega‑6 fatty acids, taurine, and probiotics. The formula is designed to be complete and balanced for cats of all life stages, including kittens and adults.
A high-protein, grain-free dry food that should suit many healthy kittens and adult cats, including those who do well on poultry-based diets. It offers good levels of omega fatty acids and added taurine, plus a probiotic, which can be helpful for digestion. Because it relies heavily on peas and garbanzo beans, it’s best used with a bit of extra caution in cats with a history of sensitive digestion to legumes.
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
- Chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal provide concentrated, highly digestible animal protein for cats.
- AAFCO complete and balanced for all life stages, so it can be fed to both kittens and adults.
- Includes flaxseed and fish oil to supply omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that support skin and coat health.
- Contains added probiotic (Bacillus coagulans) and chicory root, which may support healthy digestion.
Considerations
- Contains multiple poultry sources and egg, so it is not a good match for cats with chicken, turkey, or egg allergies.
- Uses peas and garbanzo beans as major carbohydrate sources, which can cause gas or softer stools in some cats.
- Grain-free but legume-heavy formulas may not suit every cat, especially those that haven’t done well on legume-based diets in the past.
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
Chicken
Chicken is a common animal-based protein in dog and cat foods, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins, and energy-dense fats that support muscle maintenance, growth, and overall health; for cats it also contributes toward dietary taurine but must be present in sufficient amounts or provided via supplementation. It is prized for its digestibility and palatability, though some pets develop sensitivities or allergies to chicken, and nutritional value and safety depend on ingredient quality and processing—raw chicken carries pathogen risks and whole bones can pose choking or GI hazards.
02
Chicken
Chicken is a common animal-based protein in dog and cat foods, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins, and energy-dense fats that support muscle maintenance, growth, and overall health; for cats it also contributes toward dietary taurine but must be present in sufficient amounts or provided via supplementation. It is prized for its digestibility and palatability, though some pets develop sensitivities or allergies to chicken, and nutritional value and safety depend on ingredient quality and processing—raw chicken carries pathogen risks and whole bones can pose choking or GI hazards.
03
Turkey
Turkey is commonly used as a primary animal protein in dog and cat foods, offering highly digestible, high‑quality protein and supplying essential amino acids along with B vitamins, phosphorus and zinc to support muscle maintenance and metabolism. Its fat level varies by cut so products can be lean or richer; some pets may develop allergies to poultry, cooked bones are hazardous, raw meat carries bacterial risk, and owners should rely on balanced commercial formulations (and ensure adequate taurine for cats) if turkey is a main ingredient.
04
Chickpea
Chickpeas are a legume commonly used in pet foods as a plant-based protein, source of digestible carbohydrates, and supply of soluble and insoluble fiber that helps with stool quality and satiety. They can be a useful ingredient for dogs but are not a complete protein for obligate carnivores like cats and may cause gas or digestive upset if underprocessed; additionally, high inclusion of legumes in some grain‑free diets has been discussed as a potential factor in canine dilated cardiomyopathy so diets should be balanced and any concerns discussed with your veterinarian.
05
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.
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
I and Love and You offers holistic, grain-free, and natural pet foods and treats aimed at health-conscious pet owners. The brand focuses on complete and balanced nutrition using high-quality proteins and no artificial preservatives, colors, or fillers.
Visit I and Love and YouManufacturer
I and Love and You partners with co-manufacturers in the United States and sometimes in Canada to produce their pet foods under strict quality control standards. Their foods are made in facilities that meet FDA and AAFCO nutritional requirements and maintain quality and safety certifications.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
I and Love and You Naked Essentials Chicken + Duck Dry Cat Food has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has I and Love and You ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for I and Love and You. 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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