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Wood-Grilled Chicken Mini-Pouch Wet Dog Food
Cesar

Wood-Grilled Chicken Mini-Pouch Wet Dog Food

Verified Aug 28, 2026

Dog · Wet Adult Small

A complete and balanced wet food for adult small dogs, this formula uses chicken as the primary protein, supported by chicken liver and dried egg product. It has a high moisture content with moderate protein and low fat, making it a lighter option that can be fed alone or used as a topper. Added vitamins and minerals round it out to meet adult maintenance needs.

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Over-the-counter AAFCO No recalls

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Official product page
KibbleLab Score
8.4 out of 10

Strong Choice

This is a convenient, fully balanced wet food option for adult dogs, especially small breeds, with chicken as the main protein source and a gravy-style texture many dogs enjoy. The nutrient profile is on the lighter side for fat, which can be helpful for dogs that don’t need a rich, high-calorie diet. It’s a reasonable everyday food or topper choice for healthy adult dogs that do well with chicken and wheat-based ingredients.

Nutritional profile 8.6
Ingredient composition 8.0
Adequacy substantiation 7.0
Health considerations 10.0

Computed from 4 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

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.


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Nutritional Perspective

KibbleLab Review

Strengths

  • Chicken as the first ingredient, with additional animal protein from chicken liver and dried egg product to support essential amino acid needs.
  • Complete and balanced for adult maintenance, so it can be used as a sole diet, not just a topper.
  • Very high moisture content (82%), which can help support hydration in dogs that don’t drink a lot of water on their own.
  • Relatively low fat (2% minimum as fed), which can suit dogs that do better on leaner formulas.

Considerations

  • Contains chicken, chicken liver, egg, and wheat (wheat gluten and wheat flour), which are common allergens for some dogs; not ideal for dogs with known sensitivities to these ingredients.
  • Protein level (8% as-fed in a high-moisture food) is adequate for most healthy adults but on the modest side compared with some other wet foods, so very active or underweight dogs may need careful portioning or additional calorie-dense foods.
  • Includes added color, which doesn’t add nutritional value and can be unnecessary from a health standpoint, even though it is considered safe.
Scored using the rubric of an NAVC Certified Pet Nutrition Coach (PNCC). This is informational, not veterinary advice.

Full Ingredient List

Chicken, Chicken Broth, Water, Chicken Liver, Dried Egg Product, Wheat Gluten, Modified Tapioca Starch, Wheat Flour, Salt, Dried Plain Beet Fiber, Magnesium Sulfate, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Tricalcium Phosphate, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Xanthan Gum, Choline Chloride, Wood Grilled Chicken Flavor, Added Color, Zinc Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Vitamin A Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid, Potassium Iodide

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.
View ingredient
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
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.
04
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.
05
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.

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)
8.00%
Low High
Crude Fat (min)
2.00%
Low High
Crude Fiber (max)
1.00%
Low High
Moisture (max)
82.00%
Low High
1098
kcal / Kg
Moderate
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 Adult
Breed size Small
Texture Chunks In Gravy
Processing method Slow Cooked
Food type Wet

AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy
What is AAFCO Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.

Complete & balanced Yes
AAFCO life stages Adult Maintenance
Cesar Filets in Gravy wet dog food is 100% complete and balanced for adult dogs.

Brand

Cesar is a Mars Petcare brand focused primarily on small dogs, offering wet trays, pouches, and some dry foods and treats. Marketing emphasizes gourmet-style meals, variety of flavors, and small-portion convenience with a strong lifestyle and companionship focus.

Price tier $$$

Manufacturer

Company name Mars Petcare
Parent company Mars, Incorporated
Founded 1935
Headquarters Brussels, Belgium (global Petcare division); McLean, Virginia, USA (Mars, Incorporated global HQ)
Manufacturing type In House
Manufacturing country United States
Manufacturing oversight

Mars Petcare operates large-scale manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America with formal quality and food safety systems modeled on human food standards. Facilities follow HACCP-based programs, Good Manufacturing Practices, and are routinely audited for compliance with local regulatory bodies (e.g., FDA and USDA in the U.S., FEDIAF-related standards in Europe). Mars maintains in‑house research and development centers, employs veterinarians and pet nutrition scientists, and conducts digestibility and palatability studies and AAFCO feeding trials for many of its complete-and-balanced diets.

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 Cesar Wood-Grilled Chicken Mini-Pouch Wet Dog 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
GREAT BOWL.
8.4 /10 Grade A
Wood-Grilled Chicken Mini-Pouch Wet Dog Food
Cesar · kibblelab.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

Has Cesar ever been recalled?

We have no recalls on record for Cesar. 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.