Tiki Cat Aloha Friends (Wet) Review

Tiki Cat Aloha Friends product range is made of ten recipes which all receive the Cat Food Advisor rating, 4.5 stars.

Tiki Cat Aloha Friends wet cat food features real, high-quality proteins as the primary ingredient. The protein sources often include seafood options like tuna or shrimp, combined with additional ingredients like pumpkin or sweet potato to create a nutritious and tasty meal for cats. 

The recipes typically include a savory broth to enhance the flavor and moisture content.

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

Tiki Cat Aloha Friends Tuna with Pumpkin Grain Free 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 tuna. Tuna is an oily marine fish not only high in protein but also omega-3 fatty acids, essential oils needed by every cat to sustain life. This item is typically sourced from clean, undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings of commercial fish operations.¹

The second ingredient is tuna 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 pumpkin. Pumpkin is a nutritious addition high in complex carbohydrates, beta-carotene and dietary fiber.

The fourth 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 fifth ingredient is calcium lactate, a calcium additive made by the action of lactic acid and calcium carbonate. The ingredient is most likely used here as a calcium supplement prized for its notably high bio-availability.

The sixth ingredient is tricalcium phosphate, a beneficial source of calcium and phosphorus. In addition, this additive is used in wet foods as an emulsifier – an agent designed to disperse a food’s fats more evenly in water.

The seventh ingredient is choline chloride, an essential B vitamin that naturally occurs in both plants and animals. It is found in meat, eggs, fish, liver, soybeans and wheat germ. Because a cat cannot store choline chloride in its body, the nutrient must be replenished to avoid a deficiency. Choline chloride is a supplement required by both AAFCO and the FDA.

The eighth ingredient is taurine, an essential amino acid for cats associated with the healthy function of heart muscle and eyesight, and is crucial for maintaining good health in cats. We view the presence of Taurine in this recipe as a positive addition.

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.

This recipe receives a 4.5-star rating.

Nutrient Analysis

Based on its ingredients alone, Tiki Cat Aloha Friends wet Cat Food looks like an above-average wet product.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 68.8%, a fat level of 11.3% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 12%, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 16%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 62.2% and a mean fat level of 16.7%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 13.1% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 28%.

This means the Tiki Cat Aloha Friends wet product line contains above-average protein, below-average carbs and near-average fat when compared to typical wet cat food. 

Has Tiki Cat cat food been recalled in the past?

No, there are no recorded recalls for Tiki Cat. 

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

Tiki Cat was founded in 2005 by husband and wife, Christine and Robert Hackett. Christine had previously worked in research and development for PetCo and during that time decided that the pet food market needed a new kind of diet, food that is more species-appropriate, fewer grains and carbohydrates. Christine is also a big fan of Polynesian culture which explains the tiki-style branding.