Paw Lickin' Chicken Freeze-Dried Cat Food
Verified Aug 29, 2026
This is a high-protein, freeze-dried complete diet for adult cats, made primarily from boneless, skinless chicken breast with added chicken fat for energy. It includes tapioca starch as a simple carbohydrate source and a full vitamin and mineral mix, including taurine, to meet feline nutritional needs. The gently cooked, freeze-dried cubes can be fed dry or rehydrated, offering flexibility for different cat preferences.
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Strong Choice
Nutritionally, this is a very high-protein, moderately low-fat chicken-based diet that should suit many healthy adult cats who do well on poultry. The ingredient list is straightforward, with chicken as the clear main protein source and added taurine and minerals to support a complete and balanced formula. It’s a good option for owners looking for a minimally processed, freeze-dried food, as long as their cat does not have chicken sensitivities and can maintain weight on a leaner formula like this.
Computed from 3 of 4 applicable checks. Missing data is skipped, never counted against a food.
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At a Glance
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Very high protein (minimum 66% as-fed) from named chicken, which fits cats’ needs as obligate carnivores.
- Simple, transparent ingredient list with chicken and chicken fat as primary ingredients and no unnecessary plant proteins or complex additives.
- Freeze-dried and gently cooked format can help preserve nutrients while offering convenience and safer handling compared with raw.
- Includes taurine and a full vitamin–mineral premix to support complete and balanced nutrition for adult cats.
Considerations
- Chicken is the sole animal protein, so it is not suitable for cats with chicken allergies or sensitivities.
- Fat level is relatively modest (minimum 11% as-fed), which may be a bit lean for some very active or underweight cats who need a more calorie-dense diet.
- Tapioca starch is a simple carbohydrate source; while not harmful, it doesn’t add much nutritional value beyond calories for 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 Fat
Chicken fat is used in dog and cat foods as a concentrated energy and flavor source that supplies essential fatty acids (notably linoleic acid) and aids absorption of fat‑soluble vitamins, improving palatability and supporting skin and coat health. Because it is calorie‑dense, diets must account for added fat to prevent weight gain, and quality (proper rendering and antioxidant protection to prevent rancidity) is important; although fats are less commonly allergenic than proteins, pets with poultry sensitivities may still react in some cases.
03
Mixed Tocopherol
Mixed tocopherols are a blend of natural vitamin E compounds (alpha, beta, gamma and delta tocopherols) used in pet foods primarily as a natural antioxidant and preservative to protect fats and fat‑soluble nutrients and extend shelf life. They also supply dietary vitamin E—an essential antioxidant for immune function, skin and coat health and cellular integrity in dogs and cats—and are generally safe at typical use levels, though they are not a substitute for a complete vitamin formulation and may be less effective in animals with fat‑absorption disorders.
04
Tapioca Starch
Tapioca starch is a purified carbohydrate used in pet foods mainly as a thickener, binder and easily digestible energy source, contributing virtually no protein, fat, vitamins or minerals. It is low‑allergy and gluten‑free, but because it is a high‑glycemic, low‑nutrient filler it should be limited in diets for overweight or diabetic pets and not relied on for essential nutrition.
05
Tricalcium Phosphate
Tricalcium phosphate is an inorganic mineral commonly used in dog and cat foods as a source of calcium and phosphorus and as an anti-caking/bulking agent to help fortify diets and adjust the dietary Ca:P balance. It supplies minerals important for bone and tooth health and neuromuscular function, but must be formulated carefully to maintain an appropriate calcium‑to‑phosphorus ratio and may be a consideration in pets with kidney disease where phosphorus intake is restricted.
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
The flagship Weruva brand offers premium wet cat and dog foods made with whole cuts of meat and fish, produced according to strict human food standards. Known for its high-moisture, protein-rich recipes, Weruva caters to pet owners seeking top-quality nutrition.
Manufacturer
Weruva pet foods are manufactured in human food facilities that meet strict standards for safety and quality, including FDA, BRC, and HACCP certifications. The company oversees manufacturing closely to ensure ingredient integrity and overall product safety.
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 Weruva Paw Lickin' Chicken Freeze-Dried 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 Weruva ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Weruva. 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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