Senior Healthy Aging Chicken, Chickpea & Salmon Recipe Dry Cat Food
Verified Jun 30, 2026
This is a dry senior cat diet built around chicken and chicken meal as the main protein sources, with added salmon and fish meal for extra animal protein and omega fatty acids. Peas, chickpeas, brewers rice, and corn protein concentrate provide additional protein and carbohydrates, while added taurine, vitamins, and minerals help meet the needs of cats 7 years and older. It’s designed for generally healthy senior cats who do well on a moderately high-protein, moderate-fat kibble.
Nutritionally, this is a solid senior dry food for most older cats who don’t have specific medical diet needs. It offers good protein from multiple animal sources and a reasonable fat level and calorie density for many less-active seniors. Cats with known chicken or fish allergies, or those whose vets have recommended avoiding legume-heavy diets, may need a different option.
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At a Glance
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Multiple animal protein sources (chicken, chicken meal, salmon, fish meal) high on the ingredient list support good-quality protein for senior cats.
- 34% minimum protein and 12% minimum fat are appropriate for many older cats who still benefit from higher protein but don’t need very rich fat levels.
- Includes added taurine and omega-6 fatty acids, plus fish oil, which can help support heart, eye, skin, and coat health in aging cats.
- Contains some functional ingredients like pumpkin, beet pulp, and cranberries that can support digestive regularity and overall nutrient variety.
Considerations
- Contains chicken and fish, which are among the more common food allergens in cats, so it’s not ideal if your cat has known sensitivities to those proteins.
- Dried peas and chickpeas appear fairly high in the ingredient list, contributing plant protein; while acceptable, some cats with heart concerns may be better on diets that rely less on legumes as major ingredients.
- At 370 kcal per cup, portions may need to be measured carefully for less-active seniors prone to 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
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
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
Brewer's Rice
Brewer’s rice is a milling byproduct of rice processing made up of small broken white rice kernels commonly used in pet foods as a highly digestible carbohydrate source, filler and binder that provides readily available energy for dogs and cats while contributing little protein, fat or fiber. It is generally gentle on the stomach and cost‑effective, but diets using it must supply other ingredients for essential nutrients; pet owners should note its relatively high glycemic load (relevant for weight or diabetic pets), the potential for trace environmental contaminants associated with rice, and not confuse it with brewer’s yeast.
05
Corn Protein Concentrate
Corn protein concentrate is a plant-derived, concentrated protein ingredient produced by removing much of the starch from corn and is used in pet foods to increase protein content as a vegetarian/plant-based protein source. It is economical and shelf-stable but has lower biological value and digestibility than most animal proteins, is relatively low in key amino acids such as lysine and provides little or no taurine for cats, so diets relying on it should be carefully formulated and supplemented; a small number of pets may also show sensitivity to corn.
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
Brand
Rachael Ray Nutrish is a pet food brand developed in partnership with celebrity chef Rachael Ray. Originally launched under Ainsworth Pet Nutrition, the brand was later owned by The J.M. Smucker Company before being acquired by Post Holdings in April 2023. Nutrish offers natural dog and cat food recipes emphasizing simple, wholesome ingredients.
Visit Rachael Ray NutrishManufacturer
Post Holdings operates manufacturing facilities acquired from J.M. Smucker, following FDA and AAFCO regulatory standards.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
Rachael Ray Nutrish Senior Healthy Aging Chicken, Chickpea & Salmon 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 Rachael Ray Nutrish ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Rachael Ray Nutrish. 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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