Cat Air Dried Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food
Verified Jun 8, 2026
This is a very high-protein, air-dried dry cat food made primarily from chicken, chicken liver, and chicken hearts, with added salmon oil and flaxseed for fats. It’s formulated as a complete and balanced diet for cats of all life stages, and can also be used as a topper or treat. The gentle air-drying process creates a calorie-dense, crunchy food that delivers a lot of nutrition in a small volume, which works well for cats with smaller appetites.
Nutritionally, this is a rich, meat-heavy air-dried diet that suits healthy cats who do well on high-protein, higher-fat foods. The first ingredients are all named chicken parts, and the overall formula is focused on animal protein with added functional ingredients like salmon oil, flaxseed, prebiotic fiber, and green-lipped mussel. Because it’s very calorie-dense and relatively high in fat, portions need to be measured carefully, especially for indoor or overweight-prone cats.
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
- Very high animal-protein content with chicken, chicken liver, and chicken hearts as primary ingredients, aligning well with feline nutritional needs.
- Calorie- and nutrient-dense air-dried format can be helpful for picky eaters or cats that eat small amounts but need a lot of nutrition in each bite.
- Includes beneficial ingredients such as salmon oil and flaxseed (sources of omega fatty acids), prebiotic fiber (miscanthus grass, fructooligosaccharides), and green-lipped mussel powder, which may support joints.
- Formulated as complete and balanced for all life stages, so it can be fed as a sole diet, topper, or high-value treat for kittens through adult cats.
Considerations
- Fat content is quite high for a dry-type product (27% minimum as-fed) and calorie density is high (about 420 kcal per cup), so overweight or low-activity cats will need strict portion control and may do better on a leaner formula.
- All protein is poultry-based (chicken, including organ meats), so this is not suitable for cats with chicken allergies or sensitivities.
- Air-dried foods are low in moisture compared with wet diets; cats that don’t drink much on their own may still benefit from additional water or wet food alongside this diet.
- Uses menadione sodium bisulfite (a synthetic vitamin K source); it is allowed and commonly used, but some owners prefer diets without it.
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 Liver
Chicken liver is a nutrient-dense organ meat commonly used in pet foods and treats as a highly palatable protein source and flavor enhancer, providing concentrated vitamins (especially vitamin A and B-complex), iron, and copper that support energy metabolism, red blood cell formation, and skin/coat health in both dogs and cats. Because it is so rich, liver should be fed in moderation—excessive intake can cause vitamin A toxicity, and its high fat content and risk of bacterial contamination mean it should be properly sourced or cooked and limited for pets with pancreatitis or specific dietary restrictions.
03
Chicken Heart
Chicken heart is a nutrient-dense organ meat commonly used in dog and cat foods and treats as a highly palatable animal protein source, providing taurine, B vitamins (notably B12), iron, zinc and coenzyme Q10. It supports lean muscle and, for cats, provides essential taurine, but should be included as part of a balanced formulation and properly sourced/processed to reduce bacterial risk, since excessive organ intake can unbalance nutrients or be a concern for pets with specific metabolic or urate-stone issues.
04
Natural Flavor
Natural flavor is used primarily as a palatability enhancer in pet foods to improve taste and aroma and is not intended to provide significant nutrients, typically coming from concentrated extracts of meat, poultry, plant, or fermentation sources. While it can increase acceptance in picky dogs and cats, manufacturers are not required to disclose specific sources so pets with known sensitivities or allergies may react, and presence of natural flavor should not be taken as a guarantee of overall product quality.
05
Miscanthus Grass
Miscanthus grass is a processed perennial grass used in pet foods primarily as an insoluble dietary fiber and bulking agent to improve stool quality, support intestinal motility, and help reduce caloric density for weight management. It supplies little digestible protein or energy, tends to be more useful for dogs than obligate‑carnivore cats, and should be used in balanced formulations to avoid excessive fiber that could dilute nutrients or affect digestibility; sourcing and contaminant testing are also important considerations.
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
Redbarn is the flagship brand of Redbarn Pet Products, offering natural pet foods, treats, and chews made with simple, wholesome ingredients. The brand targets pet owners seeking high-quality, transparent nutrition options for their pets, focusing on safety, palatability, and nutritional balance.
Visit RedbarnManufacturer
Redbarn maintains its own manufacturing facilities in the United States and Paraguay, utilizing in-house quality assurance programs that include extensive product testing, adherence to FDA and USDA regulations, and HACCP-based food safety procedures. The company’s facilities meet or exceed industry standards for safety and traceability.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
Redbarn Cat Air Dried Chicken 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 Redbarn ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Redbarn. 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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