Our Verdict
Young Again Diabetic/Zero 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 specifically designed to help cats which are pre-diabetic or diabetic. Each recipe is very high in protein and very low in carbohydrates. Vitamins and minerals have been added to ensure a balanced diet.
Pros
- High in protein
- Specifically designed for pre-diabetic and diabetic cats
- No plant based protein
- Contains animal fat
Cons
- Limited range
- More expensive than some cat foods
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 Zero Kitten & Juvenile Formula | 4 | A |
| Young Again Zero Mature Health Formula | 4 | M |
| Young Again Lid Zero Mature Formula | 4 | M |
Recipe and Label Analysis
Young Again Zero Kitten & Juvenile 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 Kitten & Juvenile Formula
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Hydrolyzed pork, chicken meal, chicken fat, chicken liver flavor, guar gum, herring meal, dl methionine, l-lysine, fish oil, psyllium husk (source of soluble dietary fiber), potassium citrate, fructooligosaccharides (fos), sodium acid pyrophosphate, brewers yeast, potassium chloride, calcium carbonate, choline chloride, taurine, potassium carbonate, vitamin E supplement, l-tryptophan, l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of stabilized vitamin C), l-carnitine, betaine anhydrous, magnesium sulfate, zinc sulfate, salt, yucca schidigera extract,rosemary extract, vitamin B12 supplement, niacinamide (vitamin B3), copper proteinate, biotin (vitamin B7), thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), 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) = 3%
Red denotes any controversial items
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is hydrolyzed pork, pork meat that’s 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, 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 herring meal. Because it is considered a meat concentrate, herring meal contains almost 300% more protein than fresh fish itself.
Fish meal is typically obtained from the “clean, dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings” of commercial fish operations. 1
The seventh ingredient is DL-Methionine which 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 eighth 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.
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 brewers 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.
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.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Young Again Zero Kitten & Juvenile Formula looks like an above-average dry product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 57.4%, a fat level of 27.7% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 6.9%.
As a group, the brand features an above-average protein content of 58.3% and an above-average fat level of 27%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 6.7% for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 46%.
This means this Young Again Diabetic/Zero 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
Young Again Diabetic/Zero cat food supports your pre-diabetic or diabetic cat and is recommended for felines that cannot tolerate excess starch.
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. Overall, this food has high protein and fat content and low carbohydrate levels.
Has Young Again Diabetic/Zero (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.
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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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