Crave Cat Food positions itself as a brand that “Satisfies Their Nature™,” emphasizing ancestrally-inspired, meat-focused recipes designed to cater to your cat’s carnivorous instincts. With a marketing approach centered around high protein and grain-free formulas, Crave aims to appeal to pet owners seeking a diet that aligns with their cat’s natural dietary needs. But does Crave truly live up to the hype? Is it a premium, healthy choice for your feline companion, or just another mass-market pet food capitalizing on the protein trend? In this comprehensive and unbiased Crave cat food review, we’ll delve into the brand’s formulas, ingredient quality, and overall nutritional value to help you make an informed decision for your cat.
Evaluating Crave Cat Food: Our Cats.com Standard
At Cats.com, we hold cat food brands to a rigorous standard, assessing them across six crucial categories to determine their overall quality and suitability for feline diets. Our evaluation of Crave cat food is based on species-appropriateness, ingredient quality, product variety, price point, customer experience, and recall history. This detailed analysis provides a clear and transparent grading system, helping you understand how Crave measures up against our benchmarks for feline nutrition.
Shop for Crave cat food on Chewy
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Our Ratings for Crave Cat Food:
- Species-Appropriateness: 6/10
- Ingredient Quality: 6/10
- Product Variety: 7/10
- Price: 7/10
- Customer Experience: 8/10
- Recall History: 9/10
Overall Score: 7.2/10
Cats.com Grade: B (43 out of 60)
The Crave cat food logo, emphasizing their meat-centric and ancestrally-inspired approach to feline nutrition.
A Closer Look at Crave Cat Food
Launched in 2017 by pet food giant Mars Petcare, Crave cat food emerged with a mission to offer “specialty-quality nutrition at a price designed for the masses.” This statement, from a 2017 PR Newswire release quoting Mars Petcare marketing director Eric Huston, highlights Crave’s intended market position: providing a high-protein, grain-free diet that is both accessible and affordable for everyday pet owners.
Mars Petcare, Crave’s parent company, boasts a long history in the pet food industry, dating back to 1939 with the introduction of Kit-E-Kat® cat food in Europe. Today, their portfolio includes over 40 well-known pet food brands, such as Whiskas, Iams, Royal Canin, Nutro, and Sheba. As the world’s leading pet food company, generating over $17 billion in revenue in 2017, Mars Petcare brings significant resources and expertise to the Crave cat food brand.
Where is Crave Cat Food Made and Where Do They Get Their Ingredients?
Crave cat food is produced in Mars-owned manufacturing facilities located across the United States. While Crave does not provide specific details regarding ingredient sourcing locations, Mars Petcare states a preference for sourcing ingredients from suppliers near their manufacturing plants. They emphasize a commitment to quality control, with regular testing of ingredient batches and auditing of their supplier network to ensure ingredient integrity.
Crave Cat Food Recall History: A Clean Record
Since its inception in 2017, Crave cat food has maintained a clean recall history. There are no records of any public recalls for Crave products, which is a positive indicator for pet owners concerned about food safety and brand reliability.
Exploring the Range: What Types of Cat Food Does Crave Offer?
Crave cat food provides a selection of both dry and wet food options for cats. A defining characteristic of the Crave product line is its grain-free formulations. All Crave recipes are formulated without corn, soy, or wheat, aligning with the brand’s emphasis on ancestral diets. Furthermore, Crave proudly features real meat as the primary ingredient in all of their cat food recipes, reinforcing their commitment to a protein-rich approach to feline nutrition.
Crave Cat Food: Top 3 Recipes Examined
To give you a detailed understanding of Crave cat food quality, we’ve selected three of their popular recipes for in-depth review. These include both dry and wet food options to provide a comprehensive overview of the brand’s offerings.
| Product Name | Food Type | Price (per lb/oz) | Our Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crave with Protein from Chicken Adult Grain-Free Dry Cat Food | Dry | $5.34 per lb | C |
| Crave with Protein from Chicken & Salmon Indoor Adult Dry Cat Food | Dry | $5.34 per lb | C |
| Crave Salmon Paté Grain-Free Cat Food Trays | Wet | $0.42 per oz | B |
#1 Crave with Protein from Chicken Adult Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
Bag of Crave with Protein from Chicken Adult Grain-Free Dry Cat Food, highlighting chicken as the primary protein source.
$20.98 At Chewy $19.93 At Amazon
Ingredient Breakdown:
Crave with Protein from Chicken Adult Grain-Free Dry Cat Food lists chicken and chicken meal as its top ingredients, indicating that animal-based protein is indeed prioritized in this formula. Chicken meal is a concentrated protein source, further boosting the meat content. Fish meal also appears on the ingredient list, adding another source of animal protein.
However, alongside these animal proteins, the recipe incorporates several plant-based protein concentrates. Pea protein, potato protein, and dehydrated alfalfa meal are included, which, while contributing to the overall protein percentage, are less biologically appropriate for obligate carnivores like cats than animal sources.
Other plant-based ingredients include split peas, tapioca, and dried plain beet pulp. Tapioca and split peas serve as carbohydrate sources and binding agents, while beet pulp provides fiber.
Nutritional Profile:
Crave with Protein from Chicken is a high-protein dry cat food with a guaranteed minimum of 40% crude protein. It features a moderate fat content of 18% and a moderate carbohydrate level, estimated at around 31% on a dry matter basis. The calorie content is 402 calories per cup.
Ingredients:
Chicken, Chicken Meal, Pea Protein, Split Peas, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Tapioca, Fish Meal, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Potato Protein, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Natural Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, DL-Methionine, Salt, Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid (preservatives), Taurine, Zinc Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Niacin Supplement, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Biotin, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), D-Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Vitamin A Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Sodium Selenite, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Folic Acid, Rosemary Extract.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Chicken Fat – These are high-quality, species-appropriate ingredients.
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Split Peas, Pea Protein, Potato Protein, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal – These are plant-based protein sources and fillers that are less ideal for cats.
Guaranteed Analysis:
Loading chart for guaranteed analysis of Crave Chicken Dry Cat Food.
- Crude Protein: 40%
- Crude Fat: 18%
- Crude Fiber: 4%
- Moisture: 10%
Dry Matter Basis:
Loading chart for dry matter basis of Crave Chicken Dry Cat Food.
- Protein: 44.44%
- Fat: 20%
- Fiber: 4.44%
- Carbs: 31.11%
Caloric Weight Basis:
Loading chart for caloric weight basis of Crave Chicken Dry Cat Food.
- Protein: 35.81%
- Fat: 39.13%
- Carbs: 25.06%
Pros:
- High in Animal Protein: Chicken and chicken meal are the first two ingredients, ensuring a good foundation of animal-based protein.
- Species-Appropriate Fat Source: Chicken fat is used as the primary fat, which is a biologically appropriate and palatable fat source for cats.
- No Artificial Additives: The recipe avoids artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
Cons:
- Plant Protein Concentrates: The inclusion of pea protein, potato protein, and dehydrated alfalfa meal detracts from the overall meat-centric focus and may not be optimally digestible for cats.
- Higher Carbohydrate Content: While grain-free, the carbohydrate content is still relatively high for a dry cat food, primarily from tapioca and peas.
#2 Crave with Protein from Chicken & Salmon Indoor Adult Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
$20.99 At Chewy $19.94 At Amazon
Ingredient Breakdown:
Crave with Protein from Chicken & Salmon Indoor Adult Grain-Free Dry Cat Food is formulated specifically for indoor cats. Similar to the previous recipe, chicken and chicken meal are the primary protein sources. This formula also incorporates salmon meal, adding another animal protein source and omega-3 fatty acids.
Like other Crave cat food dry recipes, it includes plant-based protein concentrates such as pea protein and potato protein. It also contains split peas, tapioca, and dried plain beet pulp, similar to the chicken recipe. Flaxseed is added as a source of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids.
Nutritional Profile:
This indoor formula maintains a high protein level (40% minimum crude protein) but reduces the fat content to 16% compared to the regular chicken recipe. The fiber content is increased to 6%, typical of indoor cat formulas designed to help with hairball control. The carbohydrate content is also estimated to be around 31% on a dry matter basis, similar to the chicken recipe. It is slightly lower in calories at 379 calories per cup.
Ingredients:
Chicken, Chicken Meal, Pea Protein, Split Peas, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Tapioca, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Potato Protein, Salmon Meal, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Natural Flavor, Flaxseed, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, DL-Methionine, Salt, Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid (preservatives), Taurine, Zinc Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Niacin Supplement, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Biotin, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), D-Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Vitamin A Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Sodium Selenite, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Folic Acid, Rosemary Extract.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Chicken Fat, Salmon Meal – Good sources of animal protein and fats.
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Pea Protein, Split Peas, Tapioca, Dried Beet Pulp, Potato Protein, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal – Plant-based ingredients that contribute to carbohydrate and fiber content but are less biologically appropriate.
Guaranteed Analysis:
Loading chart for guaranteed analysis of Crave Chicken & Salmon Indoor Dry Cat Food.
- Crude Protein: 40%
- Crude Fat: 16%
- Crude Fiber: 6%
- Moisture: 10%
Dry Matter Basis:
Loading chart for dry matter basis of Crave Chicken & Salmon Indoor Dry Cat Food.
- Protein: 44.44%
- Fat: 17.78%
- Fiber: 6.67%
- Carbs: 31.11%
Caloric Weight Basis:
Loading chart for caloric weight basis of Crave Chicken & Salmon Indoor Dry Cat Food.
- Protein: 37.43%
- Fat: 36.36%
- Carbs: 26.2%
Pros:
- Multiple Animal Protein Sources: Chicken, chicken meal, and salmon meal provide a variety of animal protein sources.
- Species-Appropriate Fat: Chicken fat remains a good primary fat source.
- No Artificial Additives: Free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
Cons:
- Plant Protein Concentrates: Still relies on pea protein and potato protein, reducing the focus on purely animal-based protein.
- High Carbohydrates: Carbohydrate content remains high, even for an indoor formula, due to tapioca and other plant-based ingredients.
#3 Crave Salmon Pate Grain-Free Cat Food Trays – Discontinued
Image of Crave Salmon Pate Grain-Free Wet Cat Food Trays, showcasing the pate texture.
Ingredient Breakdown:
Crave Salmon Pate Grain-Free Cat Food Trays (discontinued) stands out as a wet food option with a strong emphasis on animal-based ingredients. Salmon is the first ingredient, followed by chicken liver, chicken, pork broth, chicken broth, and chicken heart. This recipe is rich in muscle meat and organ meat, providing excellent sources of protein and essential nutrients for cats.
Fish oil is included as a species-appropriate source of omega-3 fatty acids, beneficial for skin and coat health.
Thickeners like guar gum, tapioca starch, and carrageenan are used to achieve the pate texture. Carrageenan, in particular, is a somewhat controversial ingredient, with some concerns about its potential to cause inflammation in some cats.
Nutritional Profile:
Crave Salmon Pate is a high-protein, moderate-fat, and low-carbohydrate wet cat food. It boasts a minimum of 12% crude protein and 5% crude fat as guaranteed analysis, which translates to approximately 54.55% protein, 22.73% fat, and very low carbohydrates (around 2.27%) on a dry matter basis. Each 1.32 oz serving contains 39 calories.
Ingredients:
Salmon, Chicken Liver, Chicken, Pork Broth, Chicken Broth, Chicken Heart, Natural Flavor, Guar Gum, Potassium Chloride, Fish Oil (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Tomatoes, Carrageenan, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Magnesium Sulfate, Calcium Carbonate, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, Tapioca Starch, Salt, Choline Chloride, Sodium Hexametaphosphate, Taurine, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Copper Sulfate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (source of Vitamin K Activity).
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken Heart, Chicken Liver, Fish Oil – Excellent sources of nutrients and healthy fats.
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Dried Tomatoes, Tapioca Starch, Carrageenan – Unnecessary plant-based additions and potentially inflammatory thickener.
Guaranteed Analysis:
Loading chart for guaranteed analysis of Crave Salmon Pate Wet Cat Food.
- Crude Protein: 12%
- Crude Fat: 5%
- Crude Fiber: 1%
- Moisture: 78%
- Ash: 3.5%
Dry Matter Basis:
Loading chart for dry matter basis of Crave Salmon Pate Wet Cat Food.
- Protein: 54.55%
- Fat: 22.73%
- Fiber: 4.55%
- Carbs: 2.27%
Caloric Weight Basis:
Loading chart for caloric weight basis of Crave Salmon Pate Wet Cat Food.
- Protein: 48.7%
- Fat: 49.28%
- Carbs: 2.03%
Pros:
- Rich in Animal-Sourced Protein: Formulated with a high percentage of animal-based protein from diverse sources.
- Includes Muscle and Organ Meat: Contains nutrient-rich organ meats like chicken liver and heart.
- Free of Artificial Ingredients: No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
Cons:
- Fish-Based for Frequent Feeding: While salmon is nutritious, relying heavily on fish-based diets long-term is not always recommended for all cats.
- Contains Carrageenan: Includes carrageenan, a potentially inflammatory thickening agent.
- Tapioca Starch: Contains tapioca starch, a source of carbohydrates, though in minimal amounts compared to dry food.
Customer Experiences with Crave Cat Food: What Are Cat Owners Saying?
Crave cat food generally receives positive feedback from customers, with many listings showing predominantly four and five-star reviews. A significant advantage for many consumers is the accessibility of Crave, as it’s readily available in grocery stores and large retail chains, making it a convenient option for pet owners. Many reviewers report that their cats are highly palatable and enjoy the taste of Crave cat food.
Examples of Positive Reviews:
One reviewer, “Draco,” noted their cat “stalks his bowl” and “attacked dry food this heavily before,” highlighting the palatability of Crave with Protein from Chicken Adult Dry Cat Food.
Brittany, reviewing Crave Salmon Paté, praised the convenient packaging, pleasant smell, and her cats’ enthusiastic response, stating they “loved it and ate every last bite quickly.”
Examples of Negative Reviews:
However, some negative reviews point out issues. “AzPerson” was disappointed with the kibble size of Crave with Protein from Chicken and Salmon Indoor Adult Dry Cat Food, finding it too large for a cat with dental issues.
Roger reported that his cats “reluctantly ate the food and they vomited” after consuming Crave with Protein from Chicken Adult Dry Cat Food, suggesting potential digestive sensitivities in some cats.
Crave Cat Food: Cost Breakdown
Crave cat food is positioned as a moderately priced brand. Dry food recipes average around $0.20 per ounce, translating to approximately $0.49 per day for a typical 10-pound cat. Crave wet cat food is more expensive, averaging around $0.40 per ounce, resulting in a daily cost of about $2.75. These prices are generally competitive within the grain-free cat food market, making Crave an accessible option for many budgets.
Final Verdict: Is Crave Cat Food a Good Choice for Your Cat?
While not a top-tier, nutritionally exceptional cat food, Crave cat food is a better-than-average option, particularly when compared to many other brands found in grocery and discount stores. Its accessibility, palatability, and focus on higher protein content make it a step up from more budget-oriented brands.
To maximize the nutritional benefits of Crave cat food, opting for their wet food recipes is recommended over dry formulas. Crave wet foods generally have a higher proportion of animal-based ingredients, lower carbohydrate content, and simpler ingredient lists compared to their dry counterparts. If you’re seeking a convenient, moderately priced, and palatable grain-free cat food that is a step above basic grocery store brands, Crave cat food can be a reasonable choice, especially the wet food options.
Where to Purchase Crave Cat Food
Crave cat food is widely available, making it easy to find for most pet owners. You can purchase Crave at pet specialty stores, large retail chains, and select grocery stores. Online retailers offering Crave include major platforms like Amazon and Chewy, as well as other online pet food vendors. This widespread availability adds to the convenience factor of choosing Crave cat food.
