Our Verdict
Blackwood Dry product range is made up of six recipes with ratings varying from 3 to 3.5 stars. The average rating of the whole range is 3 stars.
Pros
- Foods are nutritionally complete and balanced according to AAFCO standards
- Affordable
- All recipes are free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
Cons
- Some recipes contain plant-based protein
- Lower than average protein content with some recipes
The table below shows each recipe in this range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (kitten), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Blackwood Special Diet Cat Food Duck Meal, Salmon Meal & Field Pea Recipe | 3.5 | A |
| Blackwood Special Diet Dry Cat Food for All Stages of Life Chicken Meal & Field Pea Recipe | 3.5 | A |
| Blackwood Kitten Food Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Recipe | 3 | G |
| Blackwood Dry Senior Cat Food Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Recipe | 3 | M |
| Blackwood Indoor Cat Food Formula Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Recipe | 3 | M |
| Blackwood Adult Cat Food Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Recipe | 3 | M |
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Recipe and Label Analysis
Special Diet Dry Cat Food for All Stages of Life Chicken Meal & Field Pea Recipe was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.
Special Diet Dry Cat Food for All Stages of Life Chicken Meal & Field Pea Recipe
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Chicken meal, whitefish meal, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), field peas, lentils, egg product, chickpeas, tapioca starch, brewers dried yeast, pea protein, spray dried porcine plasma, natural flavor, menhaden fish oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), dried tomato pomace, canola oil, lecithin, dl-methionine, choline chloride, taurine, dried cranberries, dried blueberries, yucca schidigera extract, calcium carbonate, vitamin E supplement, niacin supplement, mixed tocopherols, dried seaweed meal, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate, d-calcium pantothenate, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin A acetate, vitamin D3 supplement, citric acid, biotin, folic acid, potassium chloride, ferrous sulphate, zinc sulphate, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper sulfate, zinc oxide, manganese sulfate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, manganous oxide, calcium iodate, sodium selenite, dried lactobacillus casei fermentation product, dried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried bifidobacterium animalis fermentation product, dried lactobacillus reuteri fermentation product
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4%
Red denotes any controversial items
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.
The second ingredient is whitefish meal. Fish meal is typically obtained from the “clean, dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings” of commercial fish operations.1 And because it is considered a meat concentrate, fish meal contains almost 300% more protein than fresh fish itself.
The third ingredient is chicken fat. Chicken fat is obtained from rendering chicken, a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.
Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Although it doesn’t sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.
The fourth ingredient is field peas. Peas are a quality source of carbohydrates. And like all legumes, they’re rich in natural fiber.
However, peas contain about 25% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this cat food.
The fifth ingredient is lentils. Lentils are a quality source of carbohydrates. Plus (like all legumes) they’re rich in natural fiber.
However, lentils contain about 25% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this cat food.
The sixth ingredient is egg product, an unspecified (wet or dry?) form of shell-free eggs. Quality can vary significantly.
Lower grade egg product can even come from commercial hatcheries — from eggs that have failed to hatch. In any case, eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.
The seventh ingredient is chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans. Like peas, bean and lentils, chickpea is a nutritious member of the fiber-rich legume (or pulse) family of vegetables.
However, chickpeas contain about 22% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this cat food.
The eighth ingredient is tapioca starch, a gluten-free, starchy carbohydrate extract made from the root of the cassava plant.
From here the list goes on to include a number of other items. But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of the product.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Blackwood Dry Special Diet Dry Cat Food for All Stages of Life Chicken Meal & Field Pea Recipe looks like an average dry product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 44.4%, a fat level of 20% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 27.6%.
As a group, the brand features an above-average protein content of 37.2% and an above average fat level of 18%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 36.8% for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 48%.
This means this Blackwood dry cat food contains higher than average protein, near average carbohydrate and higher than average fat, when compared to typical dry cat food.
Final Word
There are six recipes in the Blackwood dry product range, each recipe is tailored to meet the nutritional needs of cats at different stages of life.
Has Blackwood Dry cat food been recalled in the past?
No, Blackwood has never been recalled.
You can view a complete list of all cat food recalls since 2021 here.
To stay on top of any cat food product recalls, sign up for our free email alerts, here.
About
Blackwood Pet Foods is a family-operated brand that’s based in Ohio. Founded around 20 years ago, the company offers super premium wet and dry dog food, cat food, puppy food, and kitten food.
Grain-free and gluten-free options are available, along with sensitive diet recipes for pets with unique dietary needs.
Blackwood is manufactured in the United States and all of it’s recipes are AAFCO approved.
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Article reviewed by
Pet Nutritionist
Laura studied BSc (Hons) Animal Science with an accreditation in Nutrition at the University of Nottingham, before working for eight years in the pet food and nutrition industry.
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