Our Verdict
Zoe Pate product range is made up of three recipes which each receives the Cat Food Advisor second highest rating, 4 stars.
This range of food is formulated as a pâté and is free from any animal by-products. Protein is below-average, compared to other wet cat foods, whereas carbohydrate content is above-average. These recipes include both animal meat and plant-based proteins.
Pros
- Has good quality animal meat
- Contains animal fat
- Enriched with vitamins and minerals
Cons
- High in carbohydrate
- Limited range
- Includes plant based 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Zoe Pâté with Free Run Chicken | 4 | A |
| Zoe Pâté with Prairie Beef | 4 | A |
| Zoe Pâté with Wild-Caught Fish | 4 | A |
Recipe and Label Analysis
Zoe Pâté with Free Run Chicken recipe 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.
Zoe Pâté with Free Run Chicken recipe
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, rice, sunflower oil, tapioca starch, tricalcium phosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, potassium chloride, magnesium sulfate, chicken broth powder, choline chloride, minerals (iron glycine complex, zinc glycine complex, manganese glycine complex, copper glycine complex, sodium selenite, potassium iodide), taurine, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, thiamine mononitrate, niacin supplement, vitamin A supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, biotin supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid, menadione sodium bisulfite complex), salt.
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 1%
Red denotes any controversial items
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is chicken which is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”. 1
Chicken is naturally rich in the 11 essential amino acids required by a cat to sustain life.
The second ingredient is chicken 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 chicken liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.
The fourth ingredient is rice. Is this whole grain rice, brown rice or white rice? Since the word “rice” doesn’t tell us much, it’s impossible to judge the quality of this item.
The fifth 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 sixth ingredient is tapioca starch, a gluten-free, starchy carbohydrate extract made from the root of the cassava plant.
The seventh 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 eighth ingredient is sodium tripolyphosphate, a supplemental source of both sodium and phosphorus. Sodium and phosphorus are each considered essential minerals.
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 food does contain chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better cat foods.
It is also unfortunate the company chose to include menadione in its recipe. Menadione is a controversial form of vitamin K linked to liver toxicity, allergies and the abnormal break-down of red blood cells.
Since vitamin K isn’t required by AAFCO in its nutrient profiles, we question the use of this item in any feline recipe.
Without this controversial ingredient, we may have been compelled to award this line a higher rating.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Zoe Pâté with Free Run Chicken recipe looks like an above-average wet product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 36.4%, a fat level of 22.7% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 32.9%.
As a group, the brand features a near-average protein content of 36.4% and an above-average fat level of 22.7%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 32.9% for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 63%.
This means this Zoe range contains near-average protein, near-average carbohydrate and higher than average fat, when compared to typical wet cat food.
Final Word
This range of food lists animal meat as its first ingredient. It also includes other animal organs, so while protein levels are near-average they come from good sources.
Has Zoe Pate (Wet) cat food been recalled in the past?
No. Zoe Cat Food has no history of 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
Zoe is a brand owned by a company called Hagan which was founded in Canada by Rolf C. Hagen in 1955.
Its global head office is located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada along with its pet food manufacturing facility.
Hagen products are sold all around the world.
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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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