Our Verdict
Purpose freeze-dried raw product range is made of four recipes which all receive the Cat Food Advisor rating, 5 stars.
This range of cat food lists good quality animal protein as the first ingredient and each recipe has limited ingredients. Free from grain, corn, artificial preservatives, Purpose freeze-dried raw offers a very natural diet for your cat.
Pros
- High in animal based protein
- No corn and grain fillers
- Low in carbohydrate
- Natural fats
Cons
- More expensive than other cat foods
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.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose Carnivore Chicken Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food | 5 | A |
| Purpose Carnivore Duck Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food | 5 | A |
| Purpose Carnivore Rabbit Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food | 5 | A |
| Purpose Carnivore Turkey Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food | 5 | A |
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Recipe and Label Analysis
Purpose Carnivore Chicken Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food 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.
Purpose Carnivore Chicken Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Ground chicken, chicken heart, chicken gizzard, chicken bone, chicken liver, herring oil, organic apple cider vinegar, organic coconut oil, potassium chloride, dried kelp, sodium chloride, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, vitamin E supplement, niacin supplement, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, thiamine mononitrate, D-calcium pantothenate, sodium selenite, riboflavin supplement, biotin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin B12 supplement, folic acid, vitamin D3 supplement.
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 2%
Red denotes any controversial items
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is ground chicken. 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 ground bone is an excellent source of natural calcium.
The second ingredient is chicken heart. 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 third ingredient is chicken gizzard. This is one of many edible internal organs of a chicken known as by-products of poultry slaughter.
Although the thought of eating an animal’s internal organs may not be appealing to most humans, these unfamiliar ingredients can be considered a natural part of an authentic feline diet.
The fourth ingredient is chicken bone, which is an excellent source of natural calcium.
The fifth ingredient is chicken liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.
The sixth ingredient is herring oil. Herring oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high quality fats boast the highest bio-availability to cats and humans.
Depending on its level of freshness and purity, herring oil should be considered a commendable addition.
The seventh ingredient is organic apple cider vinegar, which is assumed to be used here to adjust the pH of this recipe which can be related to palatability in cats.
The eighth ingredient is organic coconut oil, a natural oil rich in medium-chain fatty acids.
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, this recipe 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, Purpose Carnivore Chicken Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food looks like an above-average freeze-dried raw product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 58.1%, a fat level of 24.7% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 9.2%.
As a group, the brand features an above-average protein content of 54.7% and an above-average fat level of 23%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 14.2% for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 43%.
This means this Purpose freeze-dried raw range contains higher than average protein, lower than average carbohydrate, higher than average fat, when compared to typical freeze-dried raw cat food.
Final Word
This food is a good option for your cat to provide a high level of animal based protein. With no fillers or artificial preservatives, it provides a very natural diet which is low in carbohydrates.
Has Purpose Pet Food cat food been recalled in the past?
No. Purpose Pet Food has not had a product recall since it was started in 2014.
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
Purpose Pet Food was founded in 2014 and is manufactured in New Jersey. Its headquarters is based in New York.
The ingredients are sourced from the USA, except recipes which include rabbit which is sourced from France.
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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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