Our Verdict
Dave’s Pet Food Restricted Diet wet product range is made of two recipes which all receive the Cat Food Advisor rating, 4 stars.
This range of food has been formulated for cats with specific dietary requirements. The recipes have controlled levels of ingredients such as magnesium and include a good source of animal protein, although overall protein levels are low.
Pros
- Suitable for cats on a restricted diet
- Grain free
- Good sources of animal protein
Cons
- Limited range
- Higher price than ordinary cat food options
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dave’s Pet Food Restricted Diet Magnesium – Chicken Paté Recipe in Gravy / 5.5 oz | 4 | A |
| Dave’s Pet Food Restricted Diet Phosphorus – Chicken & Chicken Recipe Paté in Juice / 5.5 oz | 4 | S |
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Recipe and Label Analysis
Dave’s Pet Food Restricted Diet Magnesium – Chicken Paté Recipe in Gravy 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.
Dave’s Pet Food Restricted Diet Magnesium – Chicken Paté Recipe
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Chicken broth, chicken, chicken liver, rice flour, pumpkin, natural flavor, fish oil, calcium carbonate, guar gum, potassium chloride, choline chloride, tricalcium phosphate, vitamin E supplement, thiamine mononitrate, niacin, vitamin A supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, D-calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, folic acid, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, biotin, taurine, salt, zinc oxide, reduced iron, sodium selenite, manganese sulfate, copper amino acid complex, potassium iodide.
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 1.5%
Red denotes any controversial items
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is chicken broth. Broths are of only modest nutritional value. Yet because they add both flavor and moisture to a cat food, they are a common component in many wet products.
The second ingredient is chicken which 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 third ingredient is chicken liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.
The fourth ingredient is rice flour. Rice flour is made from either white or brown rice and is considered a gluten-free substitute for wheat flour.
The fifth ingredient is pumpkin. Pumpkin is a nutritious addition high in complex carbohydrates, beta-carotene and dietary fiber.
The sixth ingredient is natural flavor. Natural flavors doesn’t give us much information about the particular ingredients included in this cat food for flavoring purposes.
We’re pleased that the flavorings used are natural, but more details are required to give any further information about these natural flavoring ingredients. Flavorings are used to make the foods more appealing and tasty for our cats.
The seventh ingredient is fish oil. Fish oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high quality fats boast the highest bioavailability to dogs and humans.
Depending on its level of freshness and purity, fish oil should be considered a commendable addition.
The eighth ingredient is calcium carbonate, likely used here as a dietary mineral 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.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Dave’s Pet Food Restricted Diet Magnesium – Chicken Paté Recipe in Gravy looks like an average wet product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 27.5%, a fat level of 15% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 49.5%.
As a group, the brand features an below average protein content of 27.5% and a near-average fat level of 15%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 49.5% for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 55%.
This means that Dave’s Pet Food Restricted Diet range contains lower than average protein, higher than average carbohydrate and near-average fat, when compared to typical wet cat food.
Final Word
This range of cat food is suitable for cats which have specific dietary needs. It provides a good source of animal protein, although carbohydrate content is high.
Has Dave's Pet Food cat food been recalled in the past?
No. Dave’s Pet Food has never had to product recall one of its cat foods. However, there have been two recalls of its dog foods. One in December 2015, the other in June 2018. To find out more information, visit the Dog Food Advisor.
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
Dave’s Pet Food was founded by Dave Ratner, an independent retailer and the man behind a chain of pet stores in New England.
It offers a wide range of cat and dog food products including canned, dry, grain-free and limited ingredient options. Most of the products feature natural ingredients and avoid artificial additives and by-products.
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Article reviewed by
Veterinarian
Dr Georgia Jeremiah has a first class honors degree in comparative pathology with field experience in anatomic and clinical pathology, studying disease processes in a multitude of species.
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