Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken Entree Cat Food Mini Nibs Review

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Review of Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken Entree Cat Food Mini Nibs

According to our data, this Vital Essentials recipe provides complete & balanced nutrition for all life stages. In other words, this formula is AAFCO approved.

Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken Entree Cat Food Mini Nibs is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages.

Review of Ingredients

In our review of Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken Entree Cat Food Mini Nibs, we'll examine all 10 ingredients and highlight the nutritional contribution of each ingredient.

While the first few ingredients typically dominate the recipe's composition, ingredients in small quantities can still have a meaningful impact on the overall nutritional profile of the recipe.

  1. Chicken is a high-quality source of lean protein, providing essential amino acids for muscle growth, healthy skin, and coat, and supporting your cat's overall well-being.

  2. Chicken Heart is a rich source of protein, taurine, and essential nutrients for your cat's heart health and overall well-being.

  3. Chicken Liver is a nutrient-dense organ meat that provides essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids for your cat's overall health. This unique ingredient supports muscle growth, healthy skin and coat, and proper immune function.

  4. Herring oil is a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids, which help support healthy skin, coat, and immune system in cats.

  5. Mixed Tocopherols are a type of vitamin E used as a natural preservative in cat food to maintain freshness and prolong shelf life.

  6. Vitamin E Supplement is an essential nutrient that plays a vital role in supporting your cat's immune system, skin health, and overall well-being. It also acts as a powerful antioxidant, protecting your cat's cells from damage caused by free radicals.

  7. Zinc Amino Acid Complex is a highly bioavailable form of zinc that supports various bodily functions in cats, including immune system health, skin and coat maintenance, and wound healing.

  8. The iron amino acid complex is a chelated form of iron, which is easier for cats to absorb, supporting healthy red blood cell function.

  9. Copper amino acid complex is a highly bioavailable form of copper, an essential trace mineral that supports various body functions, such as the production of red blood cells, nerve function, and immune health.

  10. Manganese amino acid complex is a chelated form of manganese that aids in bone development, enzyme function, and nutrient absorption.

Review of Guaranteed Analysis

The crude protein content of 52.00% is quite high, which is typical for freeze-dried raw cat foods that are often rich in animal proteins. The primary contributor to this protein content is the first ingredient listed, chicken, which is a high-quality source of protein. Additionally, chicken heart and chicken liver are also rich in protein, as well as other nutrients, and further contribute to the overall protein content of the food.

The crude fat minimum of 20.00% is likely due to the inclusion of chicken, which naturally contains fat, especially the chicken liver and heart, which are higher in fat than muscle meat. Herring oil is another significant contributor to the fat content, providing essential fatty acids that are beneficial for a cat's skin, coat, and overall health.

Crude fiber is listed at a maximum of 5.00%, which is relatively low, indicating that the food does not contain a lot of plant-based ingredients, which are typical sources of fiber in pet foods. The lack of specific plant ingredients in the list suggests that the fiber present is primarily from the connective tissues or other indigestible parts of the chicken ingredients, rather than from added fiber sources.

The caloric content of 4105.00 calories per kilogram is reflective of the high protein and fat content of the food. Both protein and fat are calorie-dense nutrients, with fat providing more than twice the calories per gram than protein. The chicken, chicken heart, and chicken liver, along with the herring oil, are the main contributors to the overall caloric density of this cat food.

Review of Affordability

According to our data, Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken Entree Cat Food Mini Nibs costs approximately $37.27 per pound. The following table provides our estimate of the monthly cost to feed this recipe exclusively as your cat.

Adult WeightKittenAdult
5 lbs $118.64$185.37
10 lbs $199.53$311.76
15 lbs $270.44$422.56
20 lbs $335.56$524.32
30 lbs $454.82$710.66
40 lbs $564.35$881.79
50 lbs $667.16$1042.44
60 lbs $764.92$1195.18
70 lbs $858.67$1341.67
80 lbs $949.12$1482.99
90 lbs $1036.77$1619.96
100 lbs $1122.02$1753.16

Estimates are based on average prices and caloric requirements.