Our cats are such picky eaters. That is why it gives us immense satisfaction when we buy new food and they actually like it. A celebration is in order when all your cats like one kind of food.
But just because they all like it, does it mean it’s good? With this in mind, we have created this Meow Mix cat food review of the very popular brand.
Meow Mix has been around for over 40 years. Introduced in 1974, it was then owned by Ralston Purina. It was acquired by JW Childs Associates in 2001 for $160 million. The brand was then acquired by Cypress Group in a $425 million leveraged buyout in 2003.
In 2006, Del Monte Foods bought the company for $705 million. JM Smucker (makers of 9lives, Rachael Ray Nutrish, etc.) acquired Meow Mix’s parent company Big Heart Pet Brands for a whopping $5.8 billion in 2015. Kitty grub truly is big business.
Made popular by their catchy jingle “The Company Theme, the brand is also known for its tagline, “Tastes so good, cats ask for it by name”. How much do cats really ask for their products? Let’s find out in this review of Meow Mix’s best-sellers available on Amazon.com.
Meow Mix Cat Food Review
NOTICE: Okay, the bad news is Meow Mix® Grain Free dry and wet cat foods have been discontinued. –> More Info
1. Original Choice
First 5 ingredients:
Whole Ground Corn, Soybean Meal, Chicken By-product Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Beef Tallow
Protein: 31.0% min
Fat: 11.0% min
Fiber: 4.0% max
Moisture: 12.0% max
Food Type: Dry
Best for: All Lifestages, Adult
Here we have a flavorful and nutritious blend designed to satisfy your cat’s cravings while supporting their overall health.
This tasty formula combines the delicious flavors of chicken, turkey, salmon and ocean fish to create a mealtime experience your feline will look forward to every day.
Packed with wholesome ingredients, it offers 100% complete and balanced nutrition, making it suitable for adult cats at every stage of life.
Each serving is rich in high-quality protein to help maintain strong, lean muscles and support an active lifestyle.
In addition to its protein content, this recipe is fortified with essential vitamins and minerals that contribute to a healthy immune system, skin and coat and overall vitality.
Proudly made in the USA, it is a dependable and satisfying choice for pet parents who want to give their cats great taste and reliable nutrition in every bowl.
Pros
- Multi-protein formula
- Locally made (US)
- With minerals and vitamins
- Encourages better fur and skin
- Loaded with essential amino acids
- Promotes strong and healthy muscles
Cons
- Could use more real meat
2. Tender Centers Salmon and White Meat Chicken
First 5 ingredients:
Whole Ground Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Soybean Meal, Whole Wheat
Protein: 31.0% min
Fat: 11.0% min
Fiber: 4.0% max
Moisture: 12.0% max
Food Type: Dry
Best for: All Lifestages, Adult
This salmon and chicken flavored dry cat food is the perfect mix of two of the most well-loved cat food flavors and textures.
It delivers a tasty and satisfying mealtime experience with every bite. This unique kibble features a crunchy outer layer paired with a tender, meaty center that cats find irresistible.
Bursting with the savory flavors of salmon and white meat chicken, it’s a delicious way to please even the pickiest eaters.
It is rich in protein sources such as chicken by-product meal, corn gluten meal and soybean meal. It also contains animal fat and salmon meal among other ingredients.
More than just great taste, this formula provides 100% complete and balanced nutrition, ensuring your cat gets all the essential vitamins and minerals needed to support their overall health and well-being.
It’s a flavorful, texture-rich meal that combines taste, nutrition, and excitement in every bowl.
Pros
- Easy to chew
- 2 satisfying textures
- A hit with the kitties
- Highly palatable
- Provides complete nutrition
Cons
- Always out of stock
- Several buyers prefer the old resealable packaging
3. Meow Mix Kitten Li’l Nibbles
First 5 ingredients:
Chicken By-Product Meal, Brewers Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Ground Yellow Corn, Soybean Meal
Protein: 36.0% min
Fat: 15.0% min
Fiber: 4.5% max
Moisture: 12.0% max
Food Type: Dry
Best for: Kitten
This kibble is made especially for kittens with kibble size that is smaller and easier to chew.
It specially crafted to give your growing kitten the nutritious start they need, with a medley of delicious flavors from ocean fish, salmon, turkey and chicken.
This tasty blend is packed with high-quality protein to help support the development of strong, healthy muscles as your kitten grows.
Each small, easy-to-chew piece is loaded with wholesome nutrition and essential nutrients to promote overall health and vitality.
Enriched with essential fatty acids and DHA, this formula also supports healthy vision, brain development, and muscle growth during your kitten’s crucial early life stages.
It offers the perfect balance of flavor and nourishment to fuel your kitten’s playful energy and growth.
Pros
- Kittens love the flavor
- Helps kittens gain weight
- Boasts several proteins
- Helps develop strong muscles
- With essential fatty acids and DHA
Cons
- Consumers complain that kibble size is not for kittens
4. Tenders with Real Tuna & Whole Shrimp in Sauce
First 5 ingredients:
Tuna, Fish Broth, Ocean Fish, Shrimp, Soybean Oil
Protein: 12.0% min
Fat: 1.8% min
Fiber: 1.5% max
Moisture: 82.0% max
Food Type: Wet, Minced
Best for: All Lifestages, Adult
Special Diet: Grain-free
This product offer a delicious and nutritious meal your cat will love, whether they're a growing kitten or a fully grown adult.
Crafted with real tuna and whole shrimp, each tray delivers high-quality protein to support strong muscles and overall health.
The savory sauce enhances the natural seafood flavors, creating a mouthwatering dish served in a convenient, stay-fresh cup that locks in flavor and aroma.
Formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles, this recipe provides complete and balanced nutrition for both kittens and adult cats.
Fortified with essential vitamins and minerals, this one ensures your feline gets the nourishment they need in a meal they'll eagerly devour.
Pros
- Boasts real meat
- Comes in savory sauce
- Made from real tuna and shrimp
- Rich in protein and filled with vitamins
- Meets AAFCO nutrient profile
Cons
- Chunks may be a bit large
5. Pate in Gravy with Real Chicken & Beef
First 5 ingredients:
Chicken, Fish Broth, Tuna, Liver, Beef
Protein: 10.0% min
Fat: 4.0% min
Fiber: 0.7% max
Moisture: 80.0% max
Food Type: Wet, Pate
Best for: All Lifestages, Adult
This wet food delivers a savory and satisfying meal with a soft, smooth texture your cat will love.
Made with real chicken and beef, this flavorful paté is blended with a rich gravy for a deliciously moist and tender dining experience.
Each cup offers 100% complete and balanced nutrition tailored for adult cats, ensuring your feline gets all the essential nutrients they need to thrive.
Conveniently packaged in easy-to-serve cups with peel-off lids, there's no need for a can opener—just peel, serve, and watch your cat enjoy every bite.
It's a perfect mix of taste, nutrition and convenience.
Pros
- Tasty flavor
- Great value
- Cats like its rich texture
- Offers balanced and complete nutrition
- Comes in easy peel-off lids
Cons
- Others find it too wet
Is Meow Mix good for cats?
Overall, cats do love Meow Mix and many have grown up eating it since kitten-hood up to their senior years. Numerous cats have never had any issues
from this product, while some may have had less than pleasant experiences. The same can be said of almost all other pet food brands.
It may be good enough for many finicky felines, but it might not be the right choice for meticulous cat owners, or perhaps cats who have special dietary requirements. As far as pet food is concerned, you do get what you pay for. The reality is, superior quality requires a much higher price tag.
Takeaway
Based on our review of this brand's wet and dry cat foods, they are able to offer affordable products that pets enjoy. The quality of the ingredients is not exactly the highest that you can find in the market given its low cost. Ingredients such as animal digest are considered by many as substandard. The kibbles also contain artificial food color, and some variants even have corn syrup.
The price difference between Meow Mix and premium brands is quite huge. While all wet and dry variants contain meat and other sources of protein, only the Tender Favorites with Real Tuna and Whole Shrimp in Sauce lists real meat as the first ingredient among all the products we reviewed.
Chicken by-product meal and corn gluten meal are both high protein ingredients so the cats still get what they need. Most grain-free food are relatively expensive due to the high meat content without any fillers. We find that the Meow Mix Grain Free dry cat food is a good option for those who are on a budget, but requires grain-free food for their pets.
Meow Mix’s wet food variety fare better than their dry counterparts in terms of ingredient quality. It has chunks of real meat, fish, or poultry served in broth.