Our Verdict
Young Again Adult & Senior dry product range is made of three recipes which all receive the Cat Food Advisor second highest rating, 4 stars.
This range of food is designed to target specific dietary requirements as a cat ages.
Pros
- High in protein
- Low in carbohydrates
- Rich in animal fat
Cons
- Limited range
- Recipes do not contain muscle protein
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.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Young Again Mature Health Formula | 4 | M |
| Young Again Zero Mature Health Formula | 4 | M |
| Young Again Lid Zero Mature Formula | 4 | M |
Recipe and Label Analysis
Young Again Zero Mature Health Formula was selected to represent the other products in this line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.
Young Again Zero Mature Health Formula
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Hydrolyzed pork, chicken meal, chicken fat, chicken liver flavor, guar gum,dl methionine, l-lysine, fish oil, psyllium husk (source of soluble dietary fiber), potassium citrate, brewers yeast, fructooligosaccharides, sodium acid pyrophosphate, potassium chloride, choline chloride, taurine, potassium carbonate, vitamin E supplement, l-tryptophan, l-ascorbyl-2polyphosphate (source of stabilized vitamin C), l-carnitine, betaine anhydrous, magnesium sulfate, calcium carbonate, salt, biotin (vitamin B7), zinc sulfate, yucca schidigera extract, rosemary extract, vitamin B12 supplement, niacinamide (vitamin B3), thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), copper proteinate, folic acid (vitamin B9), vitamin A acetate, riboflavin (vitamin B2), calcium pantothenate (vitamin B5), dried aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract, dehydrated pediococcus acidilactici fermentation product, beta carotene, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin D3 supplement, mixed tocopherols, potassium sorbate and citric acid (preservatives).
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 2%
Red denotes any controversial items
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is hydrolyzed pork, which is pork meat that has been hydrolyzed or broken down into its component amino acids and fat.
Hydrolyzed pork is highly digestible and (like other hydrolyzed ingredients) may be considered hypoallergenic.
The second ingredient is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.
The third ingredient is chicken fat. Chicken fat is obtained from rendering chicken, a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.
Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Although it doesn’t sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.
The fourth ingredient is chicken liver flavor. Many chicken liver flavors are made from the enzymatic breakdown of liver tissue. Chicken Liver is incredibly palatable and so often included within flavor enhancers.
The fifth ingredient is guar gum which is a gelling or thickening agent found in many wet pet foods. Refined from dehusked guar beans, guar gum can add a notable amount of dietary fiber to any product.
The sixth ingredient is dl methionine. DL-Methionine is an amino acid. This is usually included to improve protein quality of the food. DL-Methionine is seen as a positive addition to this food.
The seventh ingredient is l-lysine. L-Lysine is an amino acid. This is usually included to improve protein quality of the food. L-Lysine is seen as a positive addition to this food.
The eighth 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.
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.
The company appears to have applied friendly bacteria to the surface of the kibble after cooking. These special probiotics are used to enhance a cat’s digestive and immune functions.
Finally, 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.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Young Again Zero Mature Health Formula looks like an above-average dry product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 57.4%, a fat level of 25.5% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 9%.
As a group, the brand features an above-average protein content of 57.4% and an above-average fat level of 24.8%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 9.7% for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 43%.
This means the Young Again Adult & Senior dry range contains higher than average protein, lower than average carbohydrate and higher than average fat, when compared to typical dry cat food.
Final Word
This range of food is formulated for older adult cats who no longer need high levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and other nutrients.
The food is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and contains prebiotics, probiotics, and digestive enzymes that support healthy digestion and overall condition.
Has Young Again Adult & Senior (Dry) cat food been recalled in the past?
No. Young Again cat food has no history of 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
Young Again was founded by Michael Massie in 1987 and sold its first pet food products in 1990.
The brand’s ingredients are from the United States, Canada, France, Switzerland, India, New Zealand, Japan, Germany, Finland, and Scotland. All of the meat ingredients are bought from USDA and/or FDA approved human-grade food manufacturing facilities.
Young Again cat food is manufactured in the company’s facility in Stacy, Minnesota.
Sources
Best cat foods
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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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