Air & Gamefowl Wet Cat Food
Verified Jun 14, 2026
A high-meat, canned pâté for cats of all life stages, featuring turkey, guineafowl, quail, and duck as its primary protein sources. The recipe includes turkey liver for extra vitamins and minerals, plus dandelion greens, kelp-type ingredients, and added taurine to support overall feline health. It’s formulated as a complete and balanced diet suitable for kittens, adults, and pregnant or nursing cats.
This is a high-quality wet cat food with multiple named poultry and game birds at the top of the ingredient list, providing a rich mix of animal proteins. The protein and fat levels are appropriate for an all-life-stages canned diet, and it includes added taurine and a full vitamin–mineral premix for completeness. It’s a good fit for most healthy cats, including kittens and reproductive queens, as long as they tolerate poultry well.
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
- Multiple named meat and organ sources (turkey, guineafowl, quail, duck, turkey liver) high in the ingredient list, which supports good-quality, animal-based protein.
- Formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages, so it can be used for kittens, adults, and pregnant or lactating cats.
- Includes taurine at a declared minimum level, along with a comprehensive vitamin and chelated mineral blend for balanced micronutrition.
- Wet pâté texture with relatively high moisture, which can help support overall hydration in cats that don’t drink much water.
Considerations
- Contains several poultry sources (turkey, duck, guineafowl, quail), so it’s not ideal for cats with known poultry allergies or those needing a single-protein diet.
- Richer, high-meat formulas can be very palatable, so portion control is important to prevent excess weight gain in less active or indoor-only cats.
- The variety of novel game bird proteins is generally fine, but if you ever need a truly novel-protein diet for allergy testing later, using them now may limit future options.
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
Turkey
Turkey is commonly used as a primary animal protein in dog and cat foods, offering highly digestible, high‑quality protein and supplying essential amino acids along with B vitamins, phosphorus and zinc to support muscle maintenance and metabolism. Its fat level varies by cut so products can be lean or richer; some pets may develop allergies to poultry, cooked bones are hazardous, raw meat carries bacterial risk, and owners should rely on balanced commercial formulations (and ensure adequate taurine for cats) if turkey is a main ingredient.
02
Duck Broth
Duck broth is used in pet food primarily as a flavorful liquid to boost palatability and moisture, and it can contribute modest amounts of amino acids and minerals depending on how it’s made. It can help entice picky dogs and cats and encourage hydration, but caregivers should check labels for high sodium, added onions/garlic or excessive fat, and avoid broths with bone fragments or if the animal has a poultry allergy or pancreatitis risk.
03
Guinea Fowl
Guinea fowl is used in pet food as a lean, novel poultry protein source providing high-quality animal protein, essential amino acids, B vitamins and minerals such as iron and zinc. It can be a useful alternative for dogs or cats with sensitivities to common proteins, but it is not inherently hypoallergenic, should be included as part of a balanced diet, and must be properly processed (cooked or handled safely) to avoid contamination or issues with bones if whole‑prey ingredients are used.
04
Quail
Quail is used in pet foods as a novel or alternative animal protein—available as meat, whole-ground bird, or meal—to provide high-quality, bioavailable protein and essential amino acids for both dogs and cats. It supplies B vitamins and minerals like iron, is often featured in limited-ingredient or hypoallergenic formulas, but pets can still develop sensitivities, raw or cooked bones may present hazards, and diets relying heavily on quail should be complete or balanced by formulation or supplementation.
05
Duck
Duck is used in pet food primarily as a flavorful animal protein and fat source, commonly included in limited-ingredient or novel-protein formulas for dogs and cats. It supplies high-quality amino acids and energy and can help pets with sensitivities to common proteins, but it is relatively rich in fat (so may be unsuitable for low‑fat or pancreatitis-prone animals), can still trigger allergies in some pets, and requires proper cooking/processing and handling to avoid bacterial contamination.
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
Essence is a grain-free and animal protein–focused pet food brand designed around high meat inclusion and sustainable ingredients, offering premium nutrition for dogs and cats.
Visit EssenceManufacturer
Pets Global partners with trusted U.S.-based manufacturers for its products, maintaining oversight of ingredient sourcing and recipe formulation to ensure food safety and nutritional quality standards. Its products are formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles and follow U.S. FDA manufacturing guidelines.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
Essence Air & Gamefowl Wet Cat Food has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Essence ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Essence. 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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