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Chicken Recipe Pate Wet Cat Food
Dr. Elsey's

Chicken Recipe Pate Wet Cat Food

Verified Aug 18, 2026

Cat · Wet All Life Stages All Breed Sizes

This is a high–moisture chicken-based canned pate for cats of all ages. It uses chicken and chicken liver as primary protein sources, with added egg and salmon oil to support a balanced amino acid and fatty acid profile. The recipe is relatively low in carbohydrates and designed for cats who do well on a meat‑focused, wet diet.

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Over-the-counter No recalls

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Official product page
KibbleLab Score
9.1 out of 10

Top Pick

Nutritionally, this is a very solid wet food for most healthy cats, with a strong emphasis on animal protein and low carbohydrate content. The use of chicken and chicken liver, plus egg, provides high-quality, highly digestible protein, and the taurine level is appropriate for cats. It’s a good everyday option for owners who prefer a high‑moisture, meat‑forward diet in canned form.

Nutritional profile 9.4
Ingredient composition 8.0
Health considerations 10.0

Computed from 3 of 4 applicable checks. Missing data is skipped, never counted against a food.

The KibbleLab Score (1–10) is assessed from publicly available product data. Our evaluation is science-based, not marketing-based.

Nutritional profile Protein, fat, fiber on a dry-matter basis, for the stated life stage and format
Adequacy substantiation Complete and balanced substantiation; feeding trials valued higher
Ingredient composition Screened for unnamed sources, artificial additives, and label protein inflation. Not a quality ranking.
Health considerations Pulse-heavy grain-free (DCM) pattern and recall history
Verified manufacturer evidence A small bonus when we can verify evidence addressing WSAVA selection criteria
9.0 - 10 Top Pick
8.0 - 8.9 Strong Choice
7.0 - 7.9 Solid Option
6.0 - 6.9 Worth a Conversation
Below 6.0 Review Carefully

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At a Glance

Marketed Benefits
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.
Skin Coat Health Kidney Care Diabetic Support Weight Management Appetite Support
Suitable For
All Life Stages All Breed Sizes
Does this food work for your pet?
We'll check every ingredient against your pet's sensitivities and avoidance list.

Nutritional Perspective

KibbleLab Review

Strengths

  • Chicken and chicken liver are the main ingredients, offering high-quality, species-appropriate animal protein.
  • Relatively high protein and moderate fat for a canned food, with low fiber, suggesting a low-carbohydrate formula that many cats do well on.
  • Includes salmon oil and ground flaxseed, which contribute omega fatty acids that can support skin, coat, and overall health.
  • Contains added taurine and a full range of vitamins and chelated minerals to provide complete and balanced nutrition for all life stages, including kittens and adults.

Considerations

  • Chicken, chicken liver, egg, and fish are common food allergens for some cats, so this wouldn’t suit cats with known sensitivities to those proteins.
  • The 11% protein on an as‑fed basis may look low at a glance; owners should understand that for a high‑moisture canned food this still translates to a high protein level on a dry‑matter basis.
  • Green-lipped mussel appears as an added ingredient; while generally safe, it is a shellfish source, which could matter for cats with rare shellfish sensitivities.
Scored using the rubric of an NAVC Certified Pet Nutrition Coach (PNCC). This is informational, not veterinary advice.

Full Ingredient List

Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Dried Egg Product, Ground Flaxseed, Agar-Agar, Salmon Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Flavor, New Zealand Green Mussel, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Sodium Carbonate, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin A Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Folic Acid, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement.

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 Broth
Chicken broth is commonly used in pet foods and toppers as a flavorful liquid base or gravy to improve palatability and add moisture, providing modest amounts of soluble protein, electrolytes and minerals. It can help encourage eating and increase hydration, but owners should choose low‑sodium, onion‑ and garlic‑free formulations (or make homemade broth), since commercial broths may contain excessive salt, seasonings or additives that are unsafe or unsuitable for dogs and cats.
03
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.
04
Egg Product
Egg product is used in pet foods as a high-quality, highly digestible animal protein and palatability enhancer, providing complete essential amino acids, fats, vitamins (such as A, D and B12), minerals and choline, and it often serves as a binder or emulsifier when included as whole, dried or concentrated egg. It supplies bioavailable nutrients for dogs and cats but can be a food allergen for some individuals, may be higher in fat depending on yolk content, and should be properly processed (pasteurized or cooked) to reduce microbial risk.
05
Flaxseed
Flaxseed is used in pet foods as a plant-based source of alpha‑linolenic acid (ALA) omega‑3, soluble and insoluble fiber, and modest protein, often added to support skin and coat condition, digestive health, and kibble texture; ground seed or flaxseed oil is more digestible than whole seed. Dogs can partially convert ALA to long‑chain EPA/DHA but cats convert ALA poorly and therefore still need marine sources for essential DHA/EPA; flax is calorie‑dense, prone to oxidation if not stabilized, and contains lignans (phytoestrogens) and trace cyanogenic compounds, so it should be processed and used in moderation.
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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.
As Fed
Crude Protein (min)
11.00%
Low High
Crude Fat (min)
8.00%
Low High
Crude Fiber (max)
1.00%
Low High
Moisture (max)
78.00%
Low High
1245
kcal / Kg
97
kcal / 2.75 oz can
187
kcal / 5.3 oz can
High
Calorie density category
What is calorie density How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.

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Product Details & Brand

Product Specs

Lifestage All Life Stages
Breed size All Breed Sizes
Texture Pate
Processing method Canned
Food type Wet

Brand

Dr. Elsey’s is a premium pet brand best known for its high-quality cat litters and the Cleanprotein line of cat food. The brand targets cat owners seeking high-protein, low-carbohydrate formulations modeled after a cat’s natural diet. Dr. Elsey’s products are developed with veterinary input and emphasize overall feline wellness.

Price tier $$$$

Manufacturer

Company name Precious Cat, Inc.
Founded 1987
Headquarters Englewood, Colorado, USA
Manufacturing type Contract Manufacturer
Manufacturing country United States
Manufacturing region Wyoming
Manufacturing oversight

Manufacturing is overseen by veterinary professionals led by Dr. Bruce Elsey, with products developed to meet holistic feline health standards. Food manufacturing partners follow AAFCO nutritional guidelines and strict quality controls for pet food safety.

Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.

Recall History

No recalls on record

No recall is listed for Dr. Elsey's Chicken Recipe Pate Wet Cat Food.

Source: FDA animal food recall listings back to January 2019 · Checked daily, last on Aug 31, 2026

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KibbleLab food report
TOP TIER.
9.1 /10 Grade A+
Chicken Recipe Pate Wet Cat Food
Dr. Elsey's · kibblelab.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

Has Dr. Elsey's ever been recalled?

We have no recalls on record for Dr. Elsey's. 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.

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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.