Our Verdict
Applaws Dry cat food is made up of four recipes with ratings varying from 3.5 to 4 stars. The average rating of the whole range is 4 stars.
Each formula lists the first ingredient as either animal protein, or fish. Protein content is derived from a range of ingredients including plants.
Pros
- First ingredient listed as animal meat, or fish
- Contains flaxseed (a source of omega-3)
- Added vitamins and minerals
Cons
- Includes plant based protein
- Limited range
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Applaws Natural Grain-Free Adult Dry Cat Food Chicken With Turkey Recipe | 4 | M |
| Applaws Natural Grain-Free Adult Dry Cat Food Chicken With Salmon Recipe | 3.5 | M |
| Applaws Natural Grain-Free Adult Dry Cat Food Whitefish Recipe | 4 | M |
| Applaws Natural Grain-Free Adult Dry Cat Food Chicken Recipe | 4 | M |
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Recipe and Label Analysis
Applaws Natural Grain-Free Adult Dry Cat Food Chicken With Turkey 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.
Applaws Natural Grain-Free Adult Dry Cat Food Chicken With Turkey Recipe
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Chicken, peas, chicken meal, lentils, chickpeas, turkey, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), turkey meal, natural flavor, flaxseed (source of omega-3 fatty acids), salt, vitamins (vitamin e supplement, niacin supplement, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin a supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, biotin supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3, folic acid), taurine, potassium chloride, choline chloride, minerals (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, sodium selenite, calcium iodate), rosemary extract.
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4.5%
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 peas which 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 third ingredient is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.
The fourth ingredient is lentils which 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 fifth ingredient is chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans. Like peas, beans and lentils, chickpeas are 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 sixth ingredient is turkey. Turkey is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin derived from the parts or whole carcasses of turkey”. 2
Turkey is naturally rich in the 11 essential amino acids required by a cat to sustain life.
The seventh 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 eighth ingredient is turkey meal. Turkey meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh turkey.
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, Applaws Natural Grain-Free Adult
Dry Cat Food Chicken With Turkey looks like an above-average dry product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 39.6%, a fat level of 18.1% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 34.3%.
As a group, the brand features an near-average protein content of 38.6% and an above-average fat level of 16.8%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 34.3% for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 44%.
This means this Applaws dry range contains near-average protein, near-average carbohydrate and higher than average fat, when compared to typical dry cat food.
Final Word
This range of food provides good quality protein derived from animal and fish protein. Animal fats, along with flaxseed and added vitamins and minerals, all provide a good balance of ingredients.
Has Applaws Dry cat food been recalled in the past?
No. Applaws have not had a product 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
Applaws is owned by premium pet food company MPM, which specializes in the production of high quality, human-grade pet foods made from natural, clean-label ingredients.
Applaws has been creating natural cat and dog food for 15 years.
Its wet pet food is made in Thailand; sourced from human-quality food suppliers.
Sources
Best cat foods
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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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