Grain-Free Chicken & Herring Pate Wet Cat Food
Verified May 18, 2026
This is a grain-free canned pate for adult cats, built around chicken (including liver and heart) with added herring for extra animal protein and omega-3s. It includes chicken bone broth for moisture and flavor, plus salmon and sunflower oils and ground flaxseed to supply omega fatty acids. The formula is complete and balanced for adult maintenance and offers a soft, high-moisture texture that suits many cats’ preferences.
Overall, this is a high-quality grain-free wet food for adult cats, with a strong emphasis on animal protein and added fish sources for omega-3s. It is formulated to meet AAFCO maintenance standards, making it a solid staple diet for healthy adult cats who do well on chicken-based recipes. The moderate calorie content per can can work well for many indoor cats when portions are measured appropriately.
The KibbleLab Score (1–10) is assessed from publicly available product data. Our evaluation is science-based, not marketing-based.
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At a Glance
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Chicken, organ meats, and herring provide a variety of high-quality animal proteins and essential amino acids.
- Salmon oil and ground flaxseed add omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that can support skin, coat, and overall health.
- Formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for adult maintenance, so it can be used as a complete daily diet.
- Wet pate format offers high moisture content, which can help support hydration in cats that don’t drink much water.
Considerations
- Contains chicken and fish, so it is not a good choice for cats with known allergies to these proteins.
- As a grain-free formula, it relies on other ingredients for structure; this is fine for cats but may matter if you prefer diets with some grains.
- Calorie density is moderate, so portion control is important for indoor or less active cats to prevent weight gain.
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.
02
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.
03
Chicken Bone Broth
Chicken bone broth is commonly used as a palatability enhancer and hydration topper in dog and cat diets, supplying gelatin, collagen-derived amino acids and trace minerals that may support joint comfort and gut health while making food more appealing. It is not a complete food, so choose low-sodium, additive-free products (avoid broths containing onion, garlic or excessive fat), and ensure no bone fragments are present—use caution with pets that have pancreatitis, sodium-sensitive conditions, or known food sensitivities.
04
Chicken Heart
Chicken heart is a nutrient-dense organ meat commonly used in dog and cat foods and treats as a highly palatable animal protein source, providing taurine, B vitamins (notably B12), iron, zinc and coenzyme Q10. It supports lean muscle and, for cats, provides essential taurine, but should be included as part of a balanced formulation and properly sourced/processed to reduce bacterial risk, since excessive organ intake can unbalance nutrients or be a concern for pets with specific metabolic or urate-stone issues.
05
Herring
Herring is commonly used as a high-quality, palatable fish protein and oil source in dog and cat foods, supplying digestible protein along with beneficial long-chain omega-3s (EPA/DHA), vitamin D, B vitamins and trace minerals. It can support skin, coat and joint health, but may be an allergen for some pets and raw fish can contain thiaminase (typically destroyed by commercial cooking); owners should also consider fat content for pancreatitis-prone animals and look for responsibly sourced, low-contaminant products.
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
Made by Nacho is a chef-created, vet-approved cat food brand aimed at modern cat owners seeking premium nutrition with culinary inspiration. The brand highlights responsibly sourced proteins like cage-free chicken and sustainably caught salmon, paired with functional ingredients such as bone broth, pumpkin, and cranberries.
Visit Made by NachoManufacturer
Made by Nacho products are manufactured in the United States in facilities that adhere to FDA pet food regulations and are typically inspected under AAFCO nutritional guidelines. The company maintains quality oversight through ingredient sourcing and production partners that follow safety and quality control protocols such as HACCP compliance.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
Made by Nacho Grain-Free Chicken & Herring Pate Wet Cat Food has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Made by Nacho ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Made by Nacho. 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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