Darwin’s Intelligent Design (Frozen-Raw) Review

Darwin’s Intelligent Design frozen raw cat food is made up of one recipe which receives the Cat Food Advisor rating, 5 stars.

Although this is a prescription product, our review has nothing to do with the accuracy of claims made by the manufacturer as to the product’s ability to treat, or cure a specific health condition.

So, to find out whether or not this product is appropriate for your particular pet, it’s important to consult with your veterinarian.

With that understanding, this food is designed by veterinarians to provide extra support for cats with kidney health issues. The ingredients are hormone-free, antibiotic-free, and pesticide-free meats, with no grains, added fillers or chemical preservatives.

The table below shows each recipe in the range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (kitten), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.

Recipe and Label Analysis

Darwin’s Intelligent Design™ KS Kidney Support Formula for Felines recipe detailed recipe and nutrient analysis is as follows.

Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.

Ingredients Analysis

The first ingredient is chicken thigh meat. Chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”. ¹

Chicken is naturally rich in the 11 essential amino acids required by a cat to sustain life.

The second and third ingredients are turkey hearts and chicken hearts. Although it doesn’t sound very appetizing, heart tissue is pure muscle — all meat. It’s naturally rich in quality protein, minerals and complex B vitamins, too.

The fourth ingredient is beets, the root portion of a sugar beet plant. As the name implies, beets contain a high concentration of sucrose (sugar).

The fifth ingredient is zucchini which is a type of squash, high in complex carbohydrates.

The sixth and seventh ingredients are turkey livers and chicken livers. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.

The eighth ingredient is celery. Like other cruciferous vegetables, celery is believed to provide inflammation soothing properties which can link to anti-cancer benefits.

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.

However it is worth noting, this recipe does contain taurine, an essential amino acid for cats associated with the healthy function of heart muscle and eye sight, and is crucial for maintaining good health in cats. We view the presence of taurine as a positive addition.

This food also contains chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better cat foods.

Nutrient Analysis

Based on its ingredients alone, Darwin’s Intelligent Design™ KS Kidney Support Formula for Felines recipe looks like an above-average frozen-raw product.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 56.5%, a fat level of 37.6% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 0%.

This means that Darwin’s Intelligent Design™ KS Kidney Support Formula for Felines contains higher than average protein, lower than average carbohydrate and higher than average fat, when compared to typical frozen-raw cat food.

Has Darwin's cat food been recalled in the past?

Yes, Darwin’s has had several product recalls over the years.

In September 2024 and August 2023, the FDA issued a warning after Salmonella was detected in the brand’s Natural Selections raw cat food.

And in May 2022, Darwin’s raw cat food was recommended for a recall by the FDA, however, the company declined. In a statement, it stated its food was safe and the recall was wholly unnecessary.

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

Darwin’s was one of the first pet food companies to bring raw pet food directly to pet parents. Based in Seattle, it has been formulating raw pet foods for 15 years.