Open Farm Pate (Wet) Review

Open Farm Pate is made up of six wet recipes with ratings that vary from 3.5 to 4.5. The average rating of the range overall is 4 stars.

These grain and legume-free paté recipes include humanely-raised and sustainably sourced proteins, paired with non-GMO vegetables and superfoods to create a complete and balanced diet, ideal for adult and senior cats. There is also one recipe formulated specifically for kittens.

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.

Recipe and Label Analysis

Open Farm Wild-Caught Salmon Pâté for Cats 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.

Ingredients Analysis

The first ingredient is salmon. Salmon is an oily marine and freshwater fish not only high in protein but also omega 3 fatty acids, essential oils needed by every cat to sustain life.

The second ingredient is salmon 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 tapioca, a gluten-free, starchy carbohydrate extract made from the root of the cassava plant.

The fourth ingredient is pumpkin, which is a nutritious addition high in complex carbohydrates, beta-carotene and dietary fiber.

The fifth 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 sixth ingredient is agar agar, a natural vegetable gelatin derived from the cell walls of certain species of red algae. Agar is rich in fiber and is used in wet pet foods as a gelling agent.

The seventh ingredient is dandelion greens. Dandelion roots, leaves and flowers feature in traditional herbal medicine and are thought to provide health benefits. These include supporting the health of the liver and soothing inflammation, control of blood sugar and digestive health benefits. 

It must be noted that there have been no studies so far which have found inclusion of dandelion greens in the diets of cats to provide health benefits. Dandelion greens are a source of fiber, as well as minerals including magnesium, potassium and iron.

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.

There is one notable exception, however. 

This food also contains chelated minerals — minerals that have been chemically attached to protein which makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better cat foods.

Nutrient Analysis

Based on its ingredients alone, Open Farm Wild-Caught Salmon Pâté for Cats looks like an above-average wet product.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 38.6%, a fat level of 31.8% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 21.5%.

As a group, the brand features an near-average protein content of 39% and an above-average fat level of 33.7%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 19.3% for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 86%.

This means this Open Farm Pate range contains near-average protein, lower than average carbohydrate and higher than average fat, when compared to typical wet cat food.

Has Open Farm Canned Pate cat food been recalled in the past?

No.  Open Farm cat food 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

In 2014, Jacqueline Prehogan founded Open Farm Pet Foods.  The cat food arm of the operation has its headquarters in Canada, and the products are developed and formulated in Canada. However, production takes place over the U.S. border in the state of Minnesota. 

The company is focused on using locally sourced ingredients, and the location of the plant allows easy access to farms which meet its strict animal welfare and quality standards.