Cat Chow Naturals Original Dry Cat Food
Verified Jun 6, 2026
This is a dry, all-life-stages cat food built around chicken, chicken by-product meal, and salmon, with corn gluten meal, rice, wheat, and soybean meal providing additional protein and energy. It offers a moderate-to-high protein level with added taurine, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals to support kittens, adult cats, and breeding queens. The formula is AAFCO-complete for all life stages, so it can be used as a sole diet for most healthy cats.
This is a solid, mid-range dry diet from a major manufacturer that meets AAFCO standards for all life stages, including growth and reproduction. It uses a mix of animal and plant protein sources to reach a 34% protein level, with appropriate fat and added taurine for cats. It’s a practical everyday option for many healthy cats, though cats with chicken, fish, soy, or wheat allergies, or those needing very high animal-protein diets, may need a different formula.
The KibbleLab Score (1–10) is assessed from publicly available product data. Our evaluation is science-based, not marketing-based.
KibbleLab may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through a link. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.
At a Glance
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Complete and balanced for all life stages, so it’s suitable for kittens, adults, and pregnant or nursing cats when fed as directed.
- Good protein level for a dry food (34% minimum) from a combination of chicken, chicken by-product meal, salmon, and plant proteins like corn gluten and soybean meal.
- Includes added taurine, arachidonic acid, linoleic acid, and a full vitamin–mineral premix tailored to feline needs.
- Made by a large, established company with extensive experience in formulating cat diets, which generally supports consistency and quality control.
Considerations
- Contains several common allergens, including chicken, chicken by-product meal, salmon (fish), soybean meal, and wheat, so it’s not ideal for cats with food allergies or suspected sensitivities to these ingredients.
- Uses a significant amount of plant-based proteins (corn gluten meal, soybean meal) alongside animal proteins; cats who do best on very high animal-protein diets might do better on a different formula.
- Calorie density is relatively high at 398 kcal per cup, so portions may need careful measuring for indoor or less active cats to help prevent weight gain.
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
Corn Gluten
Corn gluten (often listed as corn gluten meal) is a concentrated plant-based protein and kibble-binding ingredient commonly used in dry pet foods to boost protein content, energy density, and help with texture. It provides digestible protein for dogs but is relatively low in essential amino acids like lysine, is not an ideal sole protein source for obligate carnivores such as cats, and can be a sensitivity/allergen for some pets, so it’s best used alongside high-quality animal proteins and complementary ingredients.
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
Rice
Rice is a common carbohydrate source and binder in dog and cat foods, supplying readily digestible energy and often used in formulations for sensitive stomachs or hypoallergenic diets. White rice is gentle and easy to digest while brown rice provides more fiber and micronutrients, but rice is low in essential amino acids, has a relatively high glycemic index, and can accumulate trace arsenic, so it should not be relied on as a primary protein and portions should be considered for diabetic or weight‑management pets.
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
Purina Cat Chow is a staple mid-range cat food brand emphasizing everyday nutrition, variety, and affordability. The brand markets balanced nutrition for cats of all life stages.
Visit Purina Cat ChowManufacturer
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
Purina Cat Chow Cat Chow Naturals Original Dry Cat Food has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Purina Cat Chow ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Purina Cat Chow. 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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