Pate With Real Ocean Fish Wet Cat Food
Verified Jun 20, 2026
This is a canned pate-style wet food for adult cats, made with meat by-products, ocean fish, poultry by-products, and chicken as its main protein sources. It offers moderate protein and fat levels for adult maintenance, along with added taurine and omega-6 fatty acids. The formula is AAFCO-formulated to be complete and balanced for adult cats and provides the higher moisture many cats benefit from in their diet.
Nutritionally, this is a basic but complete wet food designed for healthy adult cats, using by-products and mixed animal proteins to meet nutrient needs. It offers adequate protein and fat for adult maintenance and is formulated to AAFCO standards, with added taurine and essential vitamins and minerals. It’s a serviceable everyday option for adult cats without specific dietary restrictions, though it’s not a premium, limited-ingredient, or novel-protein type diet.
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 to AAFCO nutrient profiles for adult maintenance, so it can be fed as a sole diet to adult cats.
- Multiple animal protein sources (meat by-products, ocean fish, poultry by-products, chicken) provide a full amino acid profile and good nutrient density.
- Wet pate format with high moisture (78% max) can help support hydration, which is useful for many cats.
- Includes added taurine and omega-6 fatty acids, important for heart, vision, skin, and coat health in cats.
Considerations
- Uses generic meat by-products and poultry by-products rather than more specific single-source meats, which may not suit cats with known protein sensitivities or owners seeking very simple ingredient lists.
- Contains several common animal proteins (fish, chicken, poultry by-products), so it would not be appropriate for cats with allergies to these ingredients.
- Includes titanium dioxide and sodium nitrite as color-related additives, which do not add nutritional value and some owners prefer to avoid.
- Carbohydrate sources like brewers rice are present; while generally well tolerated, this isn’t a low-carb or specialty therapeutic formula for cats that require very restricted carbs.
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
Meat By-Product
Meat by-products are rendered animal parts such as organ meats, blood, bone and other tissues used in pet food as a concentrated source of animal protein, fat, vitamins and minerals. They can provide biologically valuable nutrients—especially for cats, which require animal-derived proteins—but composition and quality vary by source so owners seeking specific ingredients or with pet food sensitivities should look for transparency and regulation-compliant sourcing.
02
Water
Water is an essential nutrient and the primary solvent and moisture component in pet foods, especially wet and canned diets, and is also used in processing and to adjust texture and palatability. It is vital for digestion, nutrient transport, temperature regulation and waste removal in dogs and cats; pets must have constant access to clean water as dehydration can quickly lead to serious health issues and requirements increase with activity, heat, or illness, while moisture in wet food can help meet part of their daily needs.
03
Ocean Fish
Ocean fish is commonly used in pet food as a high-quality animal protein and flavor ingredient and is valued for providing omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) plus minerals like iodine and selenium that support skin and coat, joint, heart, and cognitive health in dogs and cats. While it offers important nutritional benefits, fish can be an allergen for some pets and may carry environmental contaminants (mercury, PCBs) depending on source, so responsible sourcing, proper processing, and variety in protein choices are recommended.
04
Poultry By-Product
Poultry by-product is used primarily as a concentrated protein, fat and micronutrient source in pet foods and consists of rendered poultry parts such as internal organs, bones and connective tissues that supply amino acids, minerals (notably calcium and phosphorus) and B‑vitamins. It can be a cost‑effective source of bioavailable nutrients, but composition and quality vary by source and processing—owners of pets with poultry allergies or who prefer named-meat ingredients may choose alternatives, and safety depends on reputable rendering and adherence to regulatory standards.
05
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.
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
9Lives is a widely recognized cat food brand known for its affordability and long history in the U.S. market. It offers primarily wet and dry cat food products targeting budget-conscious cat owners.
Visit 9LivesManufacturer
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
9Lives Pate With Real Ocean Fish Wet Cat Food has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has 9Lives ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for 9Lives. 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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