Our Verdict
Boat to Bowl dry cat food is made up of three recipes with ratings that vary from 3.5 to 4 stars. The average rating of the brand overall is 3.5 stars.
This range of food is grain-free and sustainably caught. It provides good levels of protein derived from multiple species of fish and fish meal. No artificial colors, flavors or preservatives have been added.
Pros
- High in good quality protein
- No artificial colors, flavors or preservatives
- No wheat, corn or soy
- Antioxidants to support the immune system
Cons
- Limited range
- Contains plant based protein
The table below shows each recipe in this range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Boat to Bowl Wild Salmon Recipe with Sweet Potato | 3.5 | M |
| Boat to Bowl Cod and Haddock Recipe New England Style | 3.5 | M |
| Boat to Bowl Wild Seafood Five Fish Combo | 4 | A |
Recipe and Label Analysis
Boat to Bowl Wild Seafood Five Fish Combo 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.
Boat to Bowl Wild Seafood Five Fish Combo recipe
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Redfish, salmon meal, whitefish meal, cod, haddock, sunflower oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), brown rice, whole grain sorghum, dried eggs, sweet potatoes, whole oats, flaxseed, pollock oil, natural flavor, yeast extract, dried bacillus coagulans fermentation extract, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, niacin supplement, D-calcium pantothenate, vitamin A supplement, riboflavin supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, menadione sodium bisulfite complex), salt, taurine, choline chloride, dl-methionine, minerals (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate sodium selenite, calcium iodate), rosemary extract.
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 2.5%
Red denotes any controversial items
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is redfish. Redfish is a name used to group several kinds of fish that are not closely related, including ocean perch, snapper, salmon and red drum. Since different species of fish vary in terms of the nutrition they provide, it’s impossible for us to judge the quality of this item.
In any case, fish meat is naturally rich in the 11 essential amino acids required by a cat to sustain life and a rich source of omega 3 DHA which carries numerous health benefits due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
The second and third ingredients are salmon meal and fish meal. Because it is considered a meat concentrate, fish meal contains almost 300% more protein than fresh fish itself.
Fish meal is typically obtained from the “clean, dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings” of commercial fish operations. 1
The fourth ingredient is cod, a marine species of fish native to both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North America.
Although it is a quality item, raw fish contains up to 73% water. After cooking, most of that moisture is lost, reducing the meat content to just a fraction of its original weight.
After processing, this item would probably account for a smaller part of the total content of the finished product.
The fifth ingredient is haddock, a marine or freshwater species native to Canada and the California coast.
The sixth ingredient is sunflower oil. Sunflower oil is nutritionally similar to safflower oil. Since these oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids and contain no omega-3s, they’re considered less nutritious than canola or flaxseed oils.
Sunflower oil is notable for its resistance to heat damage during cooking.
There are several different types of sunflower oil, some better than others. Without knowing more, it’s impossible to judge the quality of this ingredient.
The seventh ingredient is brown rice, a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) can be fairly easy to digest. However, aside from its natural energy content, rice is of only modest nutritional value to a cat.
The eighth ingredient is whole grain sorghum. Sorghum (milo) is a starchy cereal grain with a nutrient profile similar to corn.
Since it is gluten-free and boasts a smoother blood sugar behavior than other grains, sorghum may be considered an acceptable non-meat ingredient.
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.
We note the inclusion of four ingredients worthy of further explanation.
Firstly, the inclusion of dried fermentation products in this recipe. Fermentation products are typically added as probiotics to aid with digestion.
Next, this food also contains chelated minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better cat foods.
Thirdly, this food includes taurine which is 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.
Finally, this food also contains menadione sodium bisulfite complex, a controversial form of vitamin K linked to liver toxicity, allergies and the abnormal break-down of red blood cells.
Since vitamin K isn’t required by AAFCO in its nutrient profiles, we question the use of this item in any feline recipe.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Boat to Bowl Wild Seafood Five Fish Combo recipe looks like an above-average dry product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 43.5%, a fat level of 21.7% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 26.8%.
As a group, the brand features a near- average protein content of 39.1% and a mean fat level of 18.8%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 34% for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 48%.
Final Word
This range of food is a rich source of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids which can help promote a healthy skin, coat and immune system in cats. It also contains active prebiotics and natural fiber to support a cat’s digestion.
Has BOAT to Bowl cat food been recalled in the past?
No. Boat to Bowl cat food has not experienced a product recall.
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
North Coast Seafoods (NCS) was founded by Mel Stavis in 1957 and is based in Boston’s Long Wharf district.
NCS launched ‘Boat to Bowl’ in January 2024 and its ingredients are sustainably caught from the North Sea waters surrounding Boston.
The company has a dedicated shellfish house in Chatham on Cape Cod and a new state of the art facility in New Bedford, North Coast and has roots in three of New England’s most famous seafood cities — Boston, New Bedford, and Cape Cod.
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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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