Vitality Complete & Balanced Adult Chicken and Salmon Meal Recipe Dry Cat Food
Verified Aug 18, 2026
This is a high-protein, grain-free dry food for kittens and adult cats, built around chicken, chicken meal, and salmon meal as the main protein sources. Chickpeas, lentils, and peas provide most of the carbohydrates, while added salmon oil and flaxseed supply omega fatty acids, and inulin and yeast culture support gut health. It’s designed as a complete daily diet for growing and adult cats that do well on a legume-based, grain-free formula.
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Top Pick
Overall, this is a high-protein, energy-dense dry cat food that should suit many healthy kittens and adult cats, especially those needing more calories or maintaining lean muscle. The use of chicken, chicken meal, and salmon meal provides concentrated, animal-based protein, and the formulation includes several nice extras like omega sources and gut-supporting ingredients. The main nutritional caveat is that it’s a grain-free, legume-heavy recipe, which some cats do fine on but isn’t necessary for most and may not suit every cat’s digestion.
Computed from 3 of 4 applicable checks. Missing data is skipped, never counted against a food.
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At a Glance
Where these benefits come from
Benefits the manufacturer highlights in its own product marketing. KibbleLab lists them for reference and does not verify these claims.KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Very high protein (43% as-fed) from chicken, chicken meal, salmon meal, and dried egg, which supports lean muscle in both kittens and adults.
- Good fat level (18% as-fed) with chicken fat, salmon oil, and flaxseed, providing energy and omega fatty acids for skin and coat health.
- Grain-free without corn, wheat, or soy, which can help some cats with specific sensitivities, and contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
- Includes gut-supporting ingredients like yeast culture and inulin, plus taurine and chelated (proteinate) minerals for better nutrient utilization.
Considerations
- This is a legume-heavy, grain-free formula (chickpeas, lentils, and peas high on the list), which some cats may find less digestible and which isn’t inherently superior to well-formulated grain-containing diets.
- Contains multiple common protein allergens for cats (chicken, fish, and egg), so it would not be suitable for cats with known allergies to any of these ingredients.
- The calorie density is quite high at 3923 kcal/kg, so portion control is important to avoid unwanted weight gain, especially in indoor or less active cats.
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.
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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.
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03
Salmon
Salmon is commonly used as a high-quality animal protein and rich source of omega‑3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA) in dog and cat foods, supporting skin and coat condition, joint and cognitive health, and overall muscle maintenance. While very nutritious, salmon can be an allergen for some pets and raw salmon may pose risks from parasites, thiaminase-related thiamine loss, and region-specific pathogens (e.g., salmon poisoning); owners should avoid feeding uncooked bones and consider sourcing to minimize contaminant and sustainability concerns.
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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.
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05
Lentil
Lentils are a plant-based source of protein, complex carbohydrates, fiber and micronutrients (notably folate and iron) commonly used in pet foods to add bulk, promote satiety and help moderate post-meal blood sugar. They can be a useful ingredient for dogs when properly processed and balanced with animal-derived amino acids, but lentil protein is less digestible and incomplete for obligate carnivores like cats; high legume inclusion can also increase gas or digestive upset and has been discussed in the context of diet-associated heart concerns in dogs, so lentils should be used in nutritionally complete, vetted formulations.
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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.Not sure how much of this to feed?
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Product Details & Brand
Product Specs
Brand
Applaws is a premium pet food brand focusing on natural ingredients and simple recipes for cats and dogs. It is known for its high meat content, transparent labeling, and grain-free offerings targeted at health-conscious pet owners seeking minimally processed food options.
Manufacturer
MPM Products works with audited co-manufacturers that comply with international pet food safety standards such as HACCP and GMP. Their manufacturing partners are located primarily in Thailand and the UK, and they ensure ingredient traceability and quality through third-party certification and oversight.
PSC is a nonprofit that Accredits pet companies on their environmental and social impact, through third-party verification. MPM Products is a PSC Accredited business. View profile
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
No recall is listed for Applaws Vitality Complete & Balanced Adult Chicken and Salmon Meal Recipe Dry Cat Food.
Source: FDA animal food recall listings back to January 2019 · Checked daily, last on Aug 31, 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Applaws ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Applaws. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.
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 listings. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.
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