Tender Centers With Basted Bites Beef & Salmon Flavors Dry Cat Food
Verified Jun 7, 2026
This is a dry kibble for cats of all life stages that combines crunchy pieces with a softer center. It uses chicken by-product meal, corn protein meal, and salmon meal as its main protein sources, with corn, soybean meal, and wheat providing most of the carbohydrates. The formula is fortified to be complete and balanced, including for kittens and pregnant or nursing cats.
Nutritionally, this food meets all the basic requirements for cats at any life stage, including kittens and pregnant or lactating queens, and provides moderate protein and fat levels typical of many supermarket dry foods. The main proteins come from poultry by-products and plant sources, with salmon meal further down the list, and it is heavily grain- and soy-based. It can be a workable everyday diet for generally healthy cats, but there are some ingredients and formulation choices that won’t be ideal for every cat, especially those with food sensitivities or needing more animal-heavy protein sources.
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
- Complete and balanced to AAFCO standards for all life stages, including growth and reproduction, so it can be used for kittens and adult cats alike.
- Decent protein level for a dry food (minimum 31%) with multiple animal-derived ingredients, including chicken by-product meal and salmon meal.
- Added taurine, vitamins, and minerals to support essential feline nutrient needs.
- Dry kibble format with 3,530 kcal/kg makes portion control straightforward for most indoor adult cats.
Considerations
- Relies heavily on corn, soybean meal, and wheat as major ingredients, which means a substantial portion of the protein is plant-based rather than from meat or fish.
- Contains common allergen sources (chicken by-product meal, salmon meal, soybean meal, wheat), so it may not suit cats with food allergies or sensitivities to these ingredients.
- Includes artificial colors (titanium dioxide, Yellow 5, Red 40, Blue 2), which add no nutritional value and are unnecessary from a health standpoint.
- Uses BHA as a preservative; while considered safe at regulated levels, some owners prefer to avoid this synthetic preservative in favor of alternatives.
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
Corn
Corn is commonly used in dog and cat foods as a digestible source of carbohydrates and calories, and it also provides some plant protein, fiber, B vitamins and minerals while helping with kibble structure and palatability. While generally safe and economical, corn is relatively high in starch and has an incomplete amino acid profile for obligate carnivores (cats), can be a source of mycotoxin contamination if poorly stored, and although true corn allergies are uncommon, some pets may be sensitive, so quality and proper formulation with animal proteins are important.
02
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.
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
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.
05
Beef Tallow
Beef tallow is rendered beef fat used in pet foods as a concentrated energy and flavoring ingredient, providing dietary lipids that improve palatability and supply mainly saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids though it is not a notable source of essential omega‑3s. It can help support skin and coat condition and increase caloric density, but should be used in moderation because its high fat content can promote weight gain and may trigger gastrointestinal upset or pancreatitis in fat‑sensitive animals, and product quality/processing affect freshness and safety.
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
Meow Mix is a well-known cat food brand famous for its advertising campaigns and wide availability. It offers dry and wet cat food products emphasizing taste appeal for cats.
Visit Meow MixManufacturer
Products are manufactured in company-owned and partner facilities under the oversight of The J.M. Smucker Company’s quality assurance program, following FDA and AAFCO regulatory guidelines for pet food production.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
Meow Mix Tender Centers With Basted Bites Beef & Salmon Flavors Dry Cat Food has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Meow Mix ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Meow Mix. 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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