Introduction
Fancy Feast is one of the most popular and well-known cat food brands in the United States. It is manufactured by Nestlé Purina PetCare, a division of Nestlé focused on pet food products. Fancy Feast was first introduced in 1982 and aimed to be a “gourmet” cat food, offering minced, sliced, and broth-based wet foods in addition to dry foods.
Over the years, Fancy Feast has built a reputation as an affordable yet tasty cat food brand. It markets itself as a more upscale and indulgent option compared to standard grocery store cat food brands. The extensive product line covers everything from classic pâté style wet foods to thinly sliced options and broths. Fancy Feast positions itself as elevating your cat’s dining experience.
Despite its popularity, Fancy Feast has also faced some criticism over the years about the quality of its ingredients and nutrition. However, it remains one of the top selling cat food brands on the market, appealing to many cat owners seeking a reasonably-priced yet appetizing option.
Nutritional Value
Fancy Feast wet cat food provides balanced nutrition for cats according to AAFCO standards. The calorie content ranges from 78 to 120 calories per 3 ounce can depending on the flavor, with an average of about 100 calories per can (Fancy Feast Classic Pate Chicken Gourmet Wet Cat Food). The first ingredient is usually meat or poultry, followed by meat broths and by-products.
According to analysis by Cat Food Nutritional Composition (Cat Food Nutritional Composition — sortable charts – CatInfo.org), a 3oz can of Fancy Feast Classic Pate Chicken contains approximately 10.5% protein, 5.5% fat, and 1.5% carbohydrate with 78 calories. It provides essential vitamins and minerals like Vitamin A, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3, and taurine.
Overall, Fancy Feast wet foods contain moderate protein and fat with low carbs. The use of quality muscle meats as the first ingredient provides balanced nutrition for cats.
Taste
Fancy Feast wet and dry cat foods are known for their appetizing taste that cats enjoy. According to cats.com’s review, most cats seem to love the taste of Fancy Feast products across the different food textures and formulas [1]. Fancy Feast offers nearly 100 different flavor varieties between wet and dry foods so there are ample flavors to choose from to suit any cat’s preferences.
The tasty flavors and smells are designed to appeal to cats’ appetites. Consumer Affairs cites the high ratings from cat owners saying their cats love Fancy Feast food [2]. The top flavors that receive rave reviews for taste from picky cats include the gravy lovers poultry and beef entrees as well as the grilled seafood medley recipes.
Affordability
Fancy Feast is considered one of the more affordable wet cat food options, especially compared to premium brands. According to cats.com, Fancy Feast costs about $0.60 per 3 oz can, while premium brands like Weruva can cost over $2 per can. For cat owners on a budget, Fancy Feast provides a much more affordable option without sacrificing quality.
The Fancy Feast Classic pate line tends to be their most budget-friendly variety. A 24-pack of 3 oz cans costs around $10-12 on Amazon. In comparison, a 24-pack of 3 oz Weruva cans costs $35-40. So while Fancy Feast is not the absolute cheapest cat food available, it provides a nice middle ground between premium and low-cost foods.
Some Fancy Feast product lines like Medleys and Gravies cost a bit more, but are still very reasonably priced compared to similar premium foods. Overall, Fancy Feast remains a go-to recommendation for cat owners seeking quality wet food on a budget.
Ingredients
Fancy Feast wet cat foods contain a variety of ingredients including animal by-products, artificial flavors, and artificial colors. According to the Purina website, common ingredients across Fancy Feast’s wet food varieties include beef, chicken, fish, liver, pork, salmon, shrimp and ocean whitefish.
Specific ingredients in the Fancy Feast Classic Pâté Beef & Chicken wet cat food include beef broth, chicken, meat by-products, artificial and natural flavors and various thickening agents like carrageenan. The full ingredient list indicates the use of animal by-products and artificial flavors, which may be concerning for pet owners looking to feed their cats high quality, natural ingredients.
While animal by-products provide protein, they lack muscle meat and may include beaks, feet and other inedible parts. Artificial flavors and colors also raise questions about nutritional quality and potential health risks.
Recalls
Fancy Feast has a long history of cat food production dating back to 1982 and in that time has never been recalled according to research by Petful’s team (https://www.petful.com/brands/fancy-feast/). This is a good sign that Fancy Feast has rigorous safety and quality control standards. While isolated incidents of pets getting sick from eating Fancy Feast have been reported, there are no widespread outbreaks that would have warranted an official recall (https://www.amazon.com/review/R2G4DTJHM832UE/).
The lack of any major recalls for Fancy Feast is a positive indicator of the brand’s commitment to providing safe, quality cat food. Pet owners can feel confident feeding Fancy Feast knowing the brand takes the safety of their products seriously.
Veterinarian Recommendations
When it comes to veterinarian recommendations for Fancy Feast cat food, opinions are somewhat mixed. Some vets caution against feeding too much Fancy Feast, while others say it can be an acceptable option in certain circumstances.
Many vets note that while Fancy Feast is quite palatable to cats, some recipes can be high in carbohydrates. According to one veterinarian reviewed on Reddit, “Depending on the food and the circumstances, fancy feast can be an okay diet for some cats. Fancy feast has many different foods within their product lines, some much healthier than others.”1
Some veterinarians caution against feeding Fancy Feast long-term, but say it can be used as a tool to transition cats to a healthier diet. According to Veterinarians.org, “This food can be used temporarily to transition your cat to a healthier diet.”2
Overall, most vets prefer and recommend higher-quality, grain-free recipes for long-term feeding. But some say Fancy Feast can be an acceptable option in moderation, depending on the specific recipe and your cat’s needs. Consulting your own vet for personalized diet advice is always a good idea.
Owner Satisfaction
Overall, Fancy Feast cat food receives positive reviews from cat owners, especially for its taste and affordability. On ConsumerAffairs, Fancy Feast wet and dry foods have an average rating of 4/5 stars based on nearly 300 reviews. Satisfied owners say their cats love the taste and texture of Fancy Feast products. Many note that it’s an affordable, reliable cat food brand that fussy cats seem to enjoy. However, some critical reviewers say their cats had issues with urinary or kidney problems after eating Fancy Feast long-term.
On Amazon, one of Fancy Feast’s most popular dry foods, the Ocean Fish and Salmon recipe, has a 4.6/5 star rating based on over 5,000 reviews. Positive reviews mention happy, healthy cats who eagerly eat this food. Critical reviews mention issues with manufacturing or ingredients changing over time, leading to pickier eaters. Some cats had vomiting or diarrhea after eating this recipe. Overall, most owners say their cats enjoy eating Fancy Feast products, especially the wet food, and it meets their budgetary needs.
Alternatives
When considering cat food brands, Fancy Feast is far from the only option. Here are some other high-quality cat food brands cat owners may want to consider:
Blue Buffalo – This brand uses premium natural ingredients and contains no by-product meals, artificial preservations, or artificial flavors. Blue Buffalo provides both wet and dry food options across several product lines optimized for kittens, adults, seniors, and special dietary needs. Many cat owners recommend Blue Buffalo for providing premium nutrition at an affordable price point. Learn more at bluebuffalo.com.
Taste of the Wild – Formulated with novel proteins and probiotics, Taste of the Wild aims to provide the balanced nutrition of a feline’s natural wild diet. Their grain-free recipes use quality ingredients with no fillers or artificial preservatives. Taste of the Wild comes recommended by vets and pet owners for providing great taste cats love. Shop Taste of the Wild cat food at tasteofthewildpetfood.com.
Wellness – This brand uses an optimal balance of quality proteins, fats, and carbs to mimic a cat’s natural dietary needs. Wellness cat food contains no meat by-products, fillers, or artificial ingredients. Many reviewers praise this brand for providing excellent nutrition and helping cats maintain a healthy weight. Browse Wellness wet and dry cat foods at wellnesspetfood.com.
Conclusion
Fancy Feast has long been a popular brand of wet cat food, featuring a wide variety of flavorful recipes marketed as gourmet meals for cats. While Fancy Feast provides excellent palatability, the brand has faced some criticisms regarding its nutritional value. Fancy Feast wet foods tend to be high in carbohydrates and lower in protein compared to many competing brands. They make heavy use of by-products and plant-based protein boosters as well. However, Fancy Feast has made efforts to improve their formulas over the years.
For cat owners seeking a tasty wet food that most felines will love, Fancy Feast remains a solid option. It may not be the best choice for cats with special dietary needs or owners looking to feed a diet very high in meat proteins. But most healthy cats will thrive on Fancy Feast. Just be mindful of the higher carb content and supplement with high protein kibble or raw food as needed. Overall, Fancy Feast wet cat food delivers satisfying taste and decent nutrition at an affordable price point.
