Our Verdict
Evanger’s Restricted Diet wet cat food is made up of five recipes with ratings that vary from 4 to 5. The average rating of the brand over all is 4.5 stars.
Pros
- First ingredient listed as fish and animal meat
- High in protein
- Low in carbohydrate
- Each recipe targets a specific feline need
- Added vitamins and minerals
Cons
- More expensive than some other cat foods
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Evanger’s EVX Restricted Diet: Bland Diet | 4.5 | A |
| Evanger’s EVX Restricted Diet: Senior And Joint Health | 4.5 | A |
| Evanger’s EVX Restricted: Controlled Magnesium | 5 | M |
| Evanger’s EVX Restricted: Low Phosphorus | 5 | M |
| Evanger’s EVX Restricted: Weight Management | 4 | A |
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Recipe and Label Analysis
Evanger’s EVX Restricted: Controlled Magnesium 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.
Evanger’s EVX Restricted: Controlled Magnesium recipe
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Boneless chicken, chicken broth, tomato paste, cranberries, blueberries, taurine, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, niacinamide, l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate, calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin A acetate, folic acid, riboflavin, biotin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement), minerals (zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, zinc proteinate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, copper proteinate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, manganese proteinate), dl-methionine, nvgen® (yeast extract, hydrolyzed yeast, brewers dried yeast, and yucca schidgera extract), acid balance® (phosphoric acid, silicon dioxide, and citric acid).
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 1%
Red denotes any controversial items
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is boneless 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 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 third ingredient is tomato paste. The tomato paste detailed here does not include the skin or seeds of the fruit.
The fourth ingredient is cranberries, a nutrient-rich fruit that’s also high in fiber.
The fifth ingredient is blueberries. Blueberries are a good source of vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.
The sixth ingredient is 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.
We view the presence of Taurine in this recipe as a positive addition.
The seventh ingredient is vitamins. Vitamins are listed here to group the added vitamins in this food. Vitamins are added to ensure that the food meets the AAFCO nutrient requirements. We see added vitamins as a positive in this food.
The eighth ingredient is minerals included in this ingredients list, as in Europe ingredients are declared a little differently. In the U.S. our nutritional additives are listed within our ingredients list. In Europe, ingredients and additives are listed separately. For that reason the category of minerals includes those elements which are classed as an ingredient, rather than an additive, such as calcium carbonate and magnesium oxide. These elements contribute to the nutritional balance of a food, so we see their inclusion in this product as a positive.
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 brewer’s dried yeast, which can be a controversial item. Dried yeast contains about 45% protein and is rich in other healthy nutrients. Fans believe yeast repels fleas and supports the immune system. Critics argue yeast ingredients can be linked to allergies.
This may be true, but (like all allergies) only if your particular cat is allergic to the yeast itself. In any case, unless your cat is specifically allergic to it, we feel yeast should be considered a positive addition.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, EVX Restricted: Controlled Magnesium recipe looks like an above-average wet product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 50%, a fat level of 27.8% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 14.2%.
As a group, the brand features an above-average protein content of 42.7% and a mean fat level of 27.5%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 21.8% for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 66%.
This means this Evanger’s Restricted Diet wet range contains higher than average protein, lower than average carbohydrate and higher than average fat, when compared to typical wet cat food.
Final Word
This range of food targets an array of specific dietary needs ranging from urinary tract, to weight issues. Each formula provides good sources of protein derived from quality fish and animal meat.
The Cat Food Advisor recommends this food.
Has Evanger's cat food been recalled in the past?
Yes, Evanger’s has had one, but significant, recall.
You can’t have a complete review about Evanger’s cat food without discussing the recall and controversy that happened in 2017. In February 2017, the FDA noticed that some of Evanger’s canned food contained pentobarbital. This is a drug that is used in animal euthanasia. No amount is safe for cat food, precisely why the FDA issued a statement warning pet owners not to purchase specific recipes.
The FDA inspected both plants the company-owned and found many significant concerns in how the food was processed. For example, condensation was dripping into the food at many points. There were no operating refrigerated storage facilities, so raw meat was thawing out before it was processed. Some meats were dropped onto the unsanitary concrete floor and then used in the final product.
Several animals died from the contaminated food. The pentobarbital was eventually traced to the company’s meat supplier. Evanger issued a voluntary recall of several recipes after the FDA report.
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
Evanger’s is a family-owned and operated pet food company.
It was started by Fred Evanger in 1935 after he wanted better nutritional food for his Great Danes, which he bred and exhibited. He built a factory at the kennel he used, so he could make his own pet food. The headquarters are now in Markham, Illinois.
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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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