Choosing the right food for your feline companion is a crucial decision for their health and well-being. Dave’s Pet Food, a family-run business established in 2001, has carved a niche for itself by offering premium quality cat food at accessible prices. While it might not be a household name like some larger brands, Dave’s has garnered a loyal following among discerning pet owners and specialty retailers. This review delves into the various aspects of Dave’s cat food line, evaluating its ingredients, product variety, customer experience, and overall value to help you determine if it’s the right choice for your cat.
The Cats.com Standard: Evaluating Dave’s Cat Food Quality
At Cats.com, we assess pet food brands based on six key criteria to provide a comprehensive rating. Dave’s Pet Food has been evaluated on:
- Species-Appropriateness: How well the food aligns with a cat’s natural dietary needs.
- Ingredient Quality: The caliber and source of the ingredients used.
- Product Variety: The range of formulas and flavors offered.
- Price: The cost relative to the quality and quantity.
- Customer Experience: Overall satisfaction with the brand and its products.
- Recall History: The brand’s track record regarding product recalls.
Dave’s Pet Food earned an overall score of 48 out of 60, achieving an A- grade. This score reflects the brand’s commitment to providing good nutrition without an exorbitant price tag.
Understanding Dave’s Pet Food
Founded by Dave Ratner, the brand emerged from a background in retail, evolving from a soda shop to a combined soda and pet supply store. Recognizing the growing demand for quality pet food, Ratner collaborated with a veterinary nutritionist to create “good food at a reasonable price.” Today, Dave’s Pet Food is available in over 2,000 independent retail stores across the United States and online.
The company also actively participates in the Astro Loyalty program, offering benefits to new pet adopters and animal rescues. This program provides a free can of pet food annually to newly adopted pets and a free case for every eight purchased by rescues and shelters.
Sourcing and Manufacturing Practices
Dave’s Pet Food is headquartered in Agawam, MA. While most of their products are manufactured in the United States, all tuna-based cat foods are produced in dolphin-free facilities in Thailand. The company prioritizes sourcing ingredients from the U.S. whenever possible, with some components coming from Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. The vitamin blends are sourced from China, but no other ingredients are. All canned foods are packaged in BPA-free cans.
Recall History: A Look at Safety
In its two decades of operation, Dave’s Pet Food has experienced only one product recall. This occurred in June 2018 and involved a single batch of their 95% premium beef dog food due to potentially elevated levels of thyroid hormone. The recall was initiated following an FDA report and has not been repeated since.
Dave’s Cat Food Product Lines
Dave’s offers a diverse range of wet cat foods in can sizes from 3 to 12.5 ounces, alongside a single dry food recipe. Their cat food products are categorized into four main lines:
- 95% Meat, Limited Ingredient: Formulated with a high percentage of meat and minimal ingredients.
- Naturally Healthy—Grain-Free: Features grain-free recipes catering to cats with sensitivities.
- Naturally Healthy—Economy Size: Offers larger packaging for value.
- Functional Diets: Specialized formulas designed to support specific health needs, such as restricted phosphorus for kidney health or restricted magnesium for urinary issues.
These lines encompass various flavors and textures, with chicken and tuna being prominent protein sources. Other options include turkey, salmon, beef, and lamb.
Customer Feedback and Testimonials
Customer reviews for Dave’s Pet Food highlight satisfaction with the food’s quality and ingredients. Many owners of picky eaters report success with Dave’s products, and the therapeutic diets have also received positive remarks.
- Positive Feedback: Customers frequently praise the quality ingredients and the palatability of the food, especially for cats that are difficult to please. The effectiveness of the therapeutic diets for specific health conditions is also a recurring theme.
- Negative Feedback: Some common complaints include damaged cans, which could be a shipping or packaging issue. A few customers have also noted that certain pâté-style foods, particularly the Functional Diets, can be drier than expected in texture.
Our Taste Test: What Our Feline Panel Thought
Our own feline testers sampled four Dave’s Pet Food products: Naturally Healthy Adult Dry Cat Food, Naturally Healthy Grain-Free Turkey Formula Canned Cat Food, Restricted Phosphorus Chicken Liver and Chicken in Juice Pate, and Shredded Chicken & Tuna Dinner in Gravy Recipe Wet Food. All four recipes were enjoyed by the testers, with the shredded wet food in gravy being the clear favorite. As expected, high-moisture foods and those in broth or gravy were preferred over traditional pâtés. The Restricted Phosphorus recipe was noted as being quite dry, but adding water improved its palatability.
Top 5 Dave’s Pet Food Recipes Reviewed
Here’s a detailed look at some of the top recipes:
1. Dave’s Pet Food Naturally Healthy Grain-Free Turkey Formula (Wet)
This grain-free canned food features turkey as the primary protein, supplemented with chicken broth, liver, and meat. With approximately 45.5% crude protein on a dry matter basis, it offers a moderately high protein content. The carbohydrates, derived from nutritious sweet potatoes and carrots, are preferable to starchy alternatives. While not a single-protein formula, its short ingredient list makes it a good option for many cats.
Key Ingredients: Turkey, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Chicken, Guar Gum.
Pros: High protein, good moisture content, quality ingredients.
Cons: Contains guar gum, not a single-protein recipe.
2. Dave’s Pet Food Restricted Phosphorus Chicken Liver and Chicken in Juice Paté (Wet)
Designed for intermittent feeding, this pâté-style food has reduced phosphorus levels, making it potentially beneficial for cats with chronic kidney disease. It contains around 29% protein and 16% fat on a dry matter basis, but a high carbohydrate content primarily from rice flour. While not a complete diet, it can serve as a supplementary option under veterinary guidance.
Key Ingredients: Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Chicken, Rice Flour, Fish Oil.
Pros: Supports kidney health, single animal protein source, high moisture.
Cons: High carbohydrate content, not nutritionally complete.
3. Dave’s Pet Food Shredded Chicken & Tuna Dinner in Gravy (Wet)
This shredded meat in gravy recipe was a hit with our taste testers. It boasts a very high dry matter protein content (nearly 63%) with minimal carbohydrates. Ingredients like pumpkin and potato fiber contribute to its fiber content. While appealing to picky eaters, its lower fat and calorie content might make it a more expensive staple diet for some owners.
Key Ingredients: Chicken Broth, Chicken, Tuna, Pumpkin, Tapioca Starch.
Pros: Very high protein, palatable texture, good moisture.
Cons: High fiber content, relies on plant-based fat, low in calories.
4. Dave’s Pet Food Naturally Healthy Adult Dry Cat Food (Dry)
Chicken meal is the first ingredient, providing a concentrated protein source. This formula includes animal-sourced fats from chicken fat and fish oil, but also plant-based proteins from lentils, field peas, and pea protein. With approximately 38% protein and 18% fat on a dry matter basis, it is comparable to average dry cat foods. The grain-free nature means carbohydrates come from peas and legumes, which can be harder for some cats to digest. It’s an economically priced option, free from artificial additives.
Key Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Lentils, Field Peas, Chicken Fat, Chickpeas.
Pros: Affordable, primarily animal-sourced fat, no artificial additives.
Cons: Lacks moisture essential for cats, potential for digestive upset in some cats.
5. Dave’s Semi-Moist Renal Cat Treats
These semi-moist treats are formulated with kidney-friendly ingredients like sweet potato, carrots, and flaxseed. Sweet potato helps balance sodium levels and provides fiber, while carrots are low in phosphorus. Flaxseed offers omega-3 fatty acids, and dried egg provides a digestible protein source. These treats, with 14 kcal per treat, are intended for occasional feeding.
Key Ingredients: Sweet Potato, Coconut Glycerin, Carrots, Brewer’s Dried Yeast, Flaxseed.
Pros: Renal-friendly ingredients, no gums or artificial additives, high moisture.
Cons: Variable treat sizes, can be crumbly.
Pricing and Availability
Dave’s Pet Food aligns with its promise of “good food at a reasonable price.” Wet food typically ranges from $0.25 to $0.50 per ounce, while the dry food is around $0.20 per ounce. This pricing is competitive with brands like Taste of the Wild and American Journey, but Dave’s often provides a higher quality product within this price range. The daily cost to feed a 10-pound cat Dave’s wet food is estimated between $2 to $4, while the dry food costs less than $0.50 per day.
Dave’s Pet Food is primarily sold in independent pet retail stores. Online, it is available through major retailers such as Amazon, Chewy, Pet Flow, and Pet Life, with a complete list of retailers on the company’s website.
Conclusion: Is Dave’s Cat Food a Good Choice?
Dave’s Pet Food successfully upholds its commitment to providing quality nutrition at a reasonable price. While the carbohydrate content can vary significantly across its product lines, the overall quality of the ingredients often surpasses that of similarly priced brands. The brand’s pâté-style canned foods, in particular, offer excellent value. For owners of picky eaters, Dave’s diverse flavors and textures present appealing options. Their Restricted Diets may also be a beneficial choice for cats prone to urinary or kidney issues, though consultation with a veterinarian is advised.
