Our Verdict
pawTree freeze-dried raw product range is made up of three recipes which all receive the Cat Food Advisor highest rating, 5 stars.
This small range of food offers species appropriate recipes which list animal protein as the first ingredient, although plant-based proteins can also be found in some recipes.
Pros
- High in protein
- Multiple sources of animal protein
- Low in carbohydrate
- Rich in animal fat
Cons
- Plant based proteins included in some recipes
- Limited range
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 |
|---|---|---|
| pawTree Freeze-Dried Raw Food Real Chicken Recipe | 5 | A |
| pawTree Freeze-Dried Raw Food Real Beef Recipe | 5 | A |
| pawTree Freeze-Dried Raw Food Real Turkey Recipe | 5 | A |
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Recipe and Label Analysis
pawTree Freeze-Dried Raw Food Real Chicken 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.
PawTree Freeze-Dried Raw Food Real Chicken Recipe
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Chicken, chicken liver, chicken hearts, garbanzo beans, chicken gizzards, dried sweet potatoes, chicken bone broth, dicalcium phosphate, kale, apples, blueberries, carrots, eggs, flaxseed, chicken fat, apple cider vinegar, potassium chloride, egg shell meal, sea salt, choline chloride, salmon oil, dried chicory root, magnesium sulfate, taurine, glucosamine hydrochloride, mixed tocopherols, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, vitamin E supplement, niacin supplement, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, sodium selenite, calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin A supplement, riboflavin supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin D3 supplement, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, calcium iodate, folic acid, dried enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried lactobacillus casei fermentation product, rosemary extract.
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 5%
Red denotes any controversial items
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is 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 second ingredient is chicken liver, an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.
The third 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 fourth ingredient is garbanzo beans, also known as chickpeas. Like peas, beans and lentils, the chickpea is a nutritious member of the fiber-rich legume (pulse) family of vegetables.
Garbanzos contain about 22% protein, something which must be considered when evaluating the total protein reported in this food.
The fifth ingredient is chicken gizzards. The gizzard is a low-fat, meaty organ found in the digestive tract of birds and assists in grinding up a consumed food which can be considered a natural part of a feline diet.
The sixth ingredient is dried sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are a gluten-free source of complex carbohydrates in cat food. They are naturally rich in dietary fiber and beta carotene.
The seventh ingredient is chicken bone broth. Although they add both flavor and moisture to a cat food, bone broths are a common component in many wet products. However, since broths consist almost entirely of water, the trace nutrients they contain account for only a fraction of the overall finished cat food.
The eighth ingredient is dicalcium phosphate, likely used here as a dietary calcium supplement.
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, there are two notable exceptions . . .
This food 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.
We also note the inclusion of dried fermentation products. Fermentation products are typically added as probiotics to aid with digestion.
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Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, pawTree Freeze-Dried Raw Food Real Chicken Recipe looks like an above-average freeze-dried product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 44.7%, a fat level of 34% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 13.3%.
As a group, the brand features an above-average protein content of 42.9% and an above-average fat level of 34.8%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 14.3% for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 81%.
This means this pawTree freeze-dried raw range contains higher than average protein, lower than average carbohydrate and higher than average fat, when compared to typical freeze-dried cat food.
Final Word
These formulas, whilst freeze-dried, come in kibble format. Each recipe is limited in its ingredients and provides a high protein diet derived from animal protein.
The CatFoodAdvisor recommends this food.
Has pawTree Freeze-Dried Raw Food cat food been recalled in the past?
No. pawTree has not had any product recalls.
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
pawTree is an online company which was founded by Roger Morgan in 2012.
The company’s headquarters is in Southlake, Texas. The foods are and based on information from the product packaging, PawTree products are made in the USA and distributed by the company too.
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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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