Our Verdict
Young Again Kitten & Juvenile Dry product range is made up of four recipes which each receive the Cat Food Advisor second highest rating, 4 stars.
This range of food comes in the form of small kibble, so it is easy for kittens to eat. The food is primarily made from a combination of hydrolyzed, non-allergenic and digestible pork, chicken meal, and chicken fat.
Pros
- High in protein
- Low in carbohydrate
- Rich in animal fat
Cons
- Limited range
- Does not contain freshly prepared ingredients
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 Li’l Bites Kitten formula | 4 | A |
| Young Again Junior Kitten formula | 4 | A |
| Young Again Original 50/22 Cat Food | 4 | A |
| Young Again Zero Cat Food | 4 | A |
Recipe and Label Analysis
Young Again Li’l Bites Kitten 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 Li’l Bites Kitten formula
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Hydrolyzed pork, chicken meal, chicken fat, potato starch, chicken liver flavor, 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, guar gum, 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, which is 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 potato starch. Potato starch is a gluten-free carbohydrate used more for its thickening properties than its nutritional value.
The fifth 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 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. 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 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.
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 higher quality cat foods.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Young Again Li’l Bites Kitten formula looks like an above-average dry product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 53.2%, a fat level of 23.4% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 15.4%.
As a group, the brand features an above-average protein content of 53.5% and an above-average fat level of 23.9%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 14.6% for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 45%.
This means this Young Again Kitten & Juvenile range contains higher than average protein, lower than average carbohydrate and higher than average fat, when compared to typical dry cat food.
Final Word
Hydrolyzed pork and chicken meal appear to be the primary protein sources in this dry cat food. This is a meat-rich food with high protein content, moderate fat, and low carbohydrate content.
Has Young Again Kitten & Juvenile 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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