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Whiskas Cat Food Review (7 Products)

We examined the manufacturing, safety record, ingredient quality, and other aspects of this iconic brand. Discover the truth about this brand in our Whiskas cat food review.

We submitted samples for analysis at an ISO 17025 certified food testing and analysis facility in addition to completing our own qualitative study of the brands featured here.

We paid full retail price for the products, and BestForPets (bestforpets.org) supported the entire testing procedure with no direct input or influence from the firms involved.

The exact macronutrient and micronutrient composition of each dish is determined through analytical testing at a food chemistry lab.

The tests also look at microbiological content, yeast, mold, and heavy metals, so you can be confident you're only putting the best in your cat's bowl.

Regarding Whiskas

In 1936, the brand that would become Whiskas was born. It was one of the first pet food products, originally known as Kal Kan.

By the time the brand’s name was changed to Whiskas in 1988, it had become a pantry staple all over the world.

The brand is owned by Mars Petcare, one of the world’s most profitable pet food companies, which also owns Iams, Royal Canin, Nutro, and other well-known brands.

Whiskas is one of the most famous and well-known brands in the world, with international distribution and a presence in practically every grocery and pet food store.

Sourcing and Production

With Whiskas available in so many places, it’s difficult to pinpoint where all of their items are produced.

It appears that at least some of their items offered in the United States are manufactured in Virginia by a co-packing company, thus it’s safe to presume that the corporation collaborates with other manufacturers worldwide.

Contact your local Whiskas customer care staff for additional information about Whiskas food sold in your country.

Whiskas Cat Food Has It Been Recalled?

However, just in Canada. Whiskas issued its first voluntary recall after 60 years in the industry, involving many brands of dry cat food supplied in Canada.

While the firm blamed the 2021 recall on a raw component that did not fulfill their quality standards, retailer Costco Wholesale discovered that the culprit was mycotoxin contamination.

Mycotoxins are harmful chemicals produced by certain molds. This mold is most commonly found on rice, corn, and other grains.

There have been no reports of illness associated with this recall to our knowledge.

What Types of Cat Food Does Whiskas Provide?

Whiskas is a low-cost budget brand that focuses on traditional, low-cost cuisine. Their menu comprises both dry and wet recipes packaged in pouches.

All of their dishes include beef, chicken, or fish as key ingredients, either in combination or as stand-alone ingredients.

Reviews

Cat Food Whiskas Purrfectly Chicken Entree
 

The predominant protein source in this wet cat food appears to be chicken.

This famous Whiskas dish appears to be comprised of shredded chicken in broth at first appearance, but the ingredient list tells a different story.

According to the ingredient list, the cuisine appears to be made of chicken, liver, corn starch, and wheat gluten shreds placed in a thickened sauce.

The product contains various potentially dangerous preservatives and possibly carcinogenic caramel color, which are among the ingredients we want to avoid.

Overall, this cuisine is high in protein, moderate in fat, and low in carbohydrates.

Though the macronutrient proportion is correct, the usage of questionable chemicals and the presence of wheat gluten rather than species-appropriate animal protein make it a less-than-ideal choice.

Pros

  • Carbohydrate content appears to be low.
  • Cats enjoy the flavor of their food.
  • One of the most reasonably priced wet feeds on the market
  • Made primarily of species-appropriate chicken

Cons

  • Artificial dyes and preservatives may be dangerous.
  • Instead of shredded meat, this product has a meat composite.
  • Only plastic pouches are available.
  • According to some critics, the food’s quality has recently changed.

 

Dinner with Whiskas Choice Cuts Chicken in Gravy
 

The predominant protein source in this wet cat food appears to be chicken. This cuisine, like the food mentioned before, is made up of more than just chicken cuts.

Instead, it appears that the meal chunks are extruded hunks of chicken, meat by-products, wheat gluten, and other chemicals.

According to Whiskas, the meat by-products in this recipe come from cows, pigs, and sheep.

Though by-products aren’t always bad—they might contain some of the most nutritious portions of the animal—they’re also not always beneficial.

Animal by-products might include minimally nutritional animal parts such as noses, ribs, and skin, or they can concentrate on highly digestible organs and muscular meat. We simply don’t know.

Furthermore, for cats with food sensitivities, this unnamed substance introduces too many variables for effective intolerance management.

Our Whiskas recipe, unlike the first on this list, does not contain BHA or BHT, but it does have additional colors.

This food has a high protein content, a moderate fat content, and a low carbohydrate content.

With a mixture of identified and nameless meats, wheat gluten and corn starch, and the use of artificial colors, this dish is not a top option.

However, its macronutrient distribution is carnivore-appropriate, distinguishing it from other cuisines high in starchy, plant-sourced ingredients.

If you’re looking for a low-cost food that provides species-appropriate, meat-based nutrients, this could be a good option.

Pros

  • Carbohydrate content is low.
  • Cats enjoy the flavor of the food.
  • Almost any budget can afford it.

Cons

  • Contains by-products of beef; may not be a highly digestible or high-quality food.
  • It is packaged in little plastic packets.

 

Favorite Whiskas Tender Bites Selections Ocean Whitefish & Tuna in Sauce
 

The principal protein sources in this wet cat food appear to be chicken and animal by-products.

Despite the presence of ocean whitefish and tuna in the product’s name, poultry and meat by-products take center stage on the ingredient list.

The soft bites appear to be a reconstructed slurry of chicken, meat byproducts, wheat gluten, ocean whitefish, tuna, and other ingredients.

The meal is fortified with a variety of synthetic vitamins, minerals, and amino acids and contains “added colors.” Overall, this cuisine is high in protein, moderate in fat, and low in carbohydrates.

Whiskas, like many budget brands, has a high protein content and a fair dosage of fat while excluding many of the most frequent carbohydrate sources.

However, the meal isn’t ideal. The presence of meat by-products indicates low protein digestion and makes it impossible to identify which meats are entering your cat’s body.

Heavy metals and other contaminants may contaminate ocean whitefish and tuna. Again, if cost is your primary concern, this cuisine may be a fine choice, but it is not among our top picks.

Pros

  • Primarily composed of animal components
  • Carbohydrate content is low.
  • Cats enjoy the flavor of this food.

Cons

  • Contains by-products of meat
  • Only little plastic pouches are available.

 

Dry Cat Food WHISKAS Meaty Selections Chicken & Turkey Flavor
 

  • Food Type: Dry
  • Poultry by-product meal, ground yellow maize, ground wheat, corn gluten meal, and soybean meal are the first five ingredients.
  • 35% protein, 13% fat, 4% fiber, and 12% moisture are guaranteed.
  • Calories in a Cup: Unknown
  • N/D Price Per Pound/Ounce

Whiskas Meaty Selections Chicken & Turkey Flavor is described as having “the right balance of chicken and turkey flavors that your cat won’t be able to resist.”

We can only presume this is accurate, but not for the reason we’d want – high fresh chicken and turkey intakes. Instead, the ingredient list includes “natural chicken and turkey taste.”

This formula’s main ingredient is poultry by-product meal. Meat by-products aren’t inherently unhealthy in and of itself, but it’s never a good indicator when they come from an unspecified source, such as fowl rather than chicken or turkey.

This recipe uses corn, soy, and wheat components in addition to the poultry by-product meal.

Corn gluten meal, which is commonly utilized as a plant-based source of protein (although primarily as a filler) in low-cost pet diets, is also a significant ingredient.

The only thing we can tell about this recipe is that it has no artificial colors or flavors.

 

Wet Food WHISKAS Purrfectly Fish with Snapper Recipe
 

  • Food Type: Wet
  • Water, sardines, mackerel, tuna, and snapper are the first five ingredients.
  • Analysis guaranteed: 7% protein, 2% fat, 3% fiber, 87% moisture
  • Calories in a Cup: Unknown
  • Price per pound/ounce: $0.19

This recipe is part of the Purrfectly Fish range of goods and is labeled “with Snapper” rather than simply a snapper recipe. The key point to remember here is that the 3% rule applies.

When a pet food is labeled “with,” it implies it contains up to 3% of that ingredient. It’s a little perplexing in this example because snapper isn’t the first seafood element mentioned.

Having said that, we enjoy that the first five ingredients include four animal proteins. Unfortunately, the addition of soy oil, carrageenan, and BHA/BHT makes things worse.

 

WHISKAS 1 Dry Cat Food Complete
 

  • Cat food of the dry variety
  • Adult cats with healthy coats
  • Price per ounce: $0.60

A flavorful and crunchy tuna-flavored dry kibble for your cat’s meal times.

This kibble recipe combines poultry, whole grain cereals, and important minerals and vitamins, as well as taurine for improved vision.

Whiskas dry cat food contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which maintain a lustrous coat and improve general health.

Pros

  • Excellent for skin and coat health.
  • Healthy proteins are present.
  • Delicious and simple to use formula

Cons

  • Preservatives are present.

 

Temptations Cat Treat by WHISKAS
 

  • Cat treats of the dry variety
  • Adult cats with good oral health
  • Price per pack: $6

A tasty snack for your cat in between meals. This is a one-of-a-kind delight with a crunchy exterior and a delectable softcore on the inside.

Each treat includes less than two calories and comes in an enticing salmon flavor that cats enjoy, making this a healthy snack option for cats.

This snack has the added benefit of reducing tartar, which aids with oral care.

Pros

  • Aids in tartar removal
  • Low calorie count
  • Texture that is crunchy yet soft

Cons

  • Not suitable for kittens

What Do Whiskas Cat Food Customers Think?

Whiskas is a well-known brand. Every day, people all around the world buy and rely on it—and cats enjoy it as well.

While the majority of consumers feed their cats Whiskas without ever leaving a review, the majority of those who do have positive things to say.

Whiskas also receives some bad feedback. ConsumerAffairs users, for example, give it 2.5 out of 5 stars for total satisfaction.

Some people claim that their cats became ill after eating Whiskas. Some claim that the meal was not fresh. Others discovered odd items in their food.

What are actual consumers saying about Whiskas cat food? Let’s have a look at some client feedback.

Positive Feedback

“Whiskas Tender Bites has been a “God send” for our domestic shorthair orange cat Fireball, who is thirteen years old. After her bonded sister died, the poor thing suffered from depression.

She had lost all desire for eating and treats. We didn’t want to give up on her because she had recently been diagnosed and treated for cancer.

So we figured if she could handle that, she could handle this. She had plummeted to an alarming 4lbs when we decided to start force feeding her.

She finally started eating on her own after several nights of baby food, kmr, broths, and so on.

We wanted her food to be as tasty as possible, but we didn’t have the money or resources to spend an arm and a leg on top-of-the-line cat food that was better than human food.

She tried Whiskas and went CRAZY over it. She began with lapping the gravy/juices and gradually moved to eating the meat chunks.

She couldn’t get enough of it after her appetite returned to normal. We used to feed her three packets per day to help her gain weight.

And it worked: she gained 6 pounds in less than four months.

I like Wiskas Tender Bites since they are inexpensive (Amazon’s Subscribe and Save has the greatest deal), come in easy-to-open pouches, and are allegedly pretty tasty.

While the components aren’t exceptionally organic or premium, actual meat is the second ingredient used in the preparation after water.

Plus… I mean… this meal literally saved my kitty’s life and helped her regain control of her weight!” – Shaigirl on Whiskas Tender Bites

My cats adore it. Excellent product. It is convenient, fresh, and delicious. The cats lick their plates, and the kittens enjoy it as well. I would, in fact, suggest it.

When I sell a kitten, I always recommend that the whiskas be fed purrfectly chicken.” – Henri, commenting on Whiskas Purrfectly Chicken Entree

Negative Feedback

“I concur with some of the other evaluations on this product.” The previous few cases I’ve bought have all had black meat and dark gravy.

The meat is left by the feral cats I feed. It’s a squander. I’ll order it one or two more times, but if it stays like way, I’ll stop buying it.” – Maggie, commenting on Whiskas Purrfectly Chicken Entree

“I have two kittens who don’t seem to like the food.” My 9-year-old cat walked away after the first whiff. But she’ll eat it later if she’s too hungry.

She has become ill both times she has eaten. She threw up after the first time. She threw up again the second time, but she was sick for two days.

She had bloody diarrhea for a day, followed by less bloody soft but solid feces the next day.

To be honest, I would not put your pet’s health at risk for a cheap cat food alternative.” Whiskas Tender Bites Favorite Selections – J W

FAQs

How Much Is Whiskas Cat Food?

Whiskas cat food is one of the most affordable products on the market. Their wet feeds cost about $0.07 per ounce, or about $0.63 per day for a 10-pound cat.

Whiskas dry cat food is half the price per ounce, and feeding the same 10-pound cat would cost roughly $0.08 per day. As a result, Whiskas cat food is among the most affordable available.

Is Whiskas a Good Choice in General?

Whiskas are a wonderful alternative if you want a tasty, inexpensive, meat-based meal, but their recipes aren’t the best.

Read the label carefully to ensure you’re selecting one of their BHA and BHT-free recipes and avoiding ones with caramel color.

If your cat appears to have a sensitive stomach, consider switching to a brand that only uses specified meats.

The usage of meat by-products in Whiskas makes it harder to identify and eliminate problematic substances.

Where Can I Get Whiskas Cat Food?

Whiskas cat food is available in supermarkets, big box stores, and pet food stores all around the world. It’s also available online at Amazon, Chewy, Walmart, and other pet food retailers.

Conclusion

Overall, BestForPets (bestforpets.org) cannot suggest Whiskas cat food with confidence.

Some of their wet food recipes contained more whole animal proteins than we expected, but we can’t feel comfortable about a dish that has maize, wheat, or soy ingredients – especially if they also contain chemical preservatives.

According to our research and testing, elements Cat Food Whiskas Purrfectly Chicken Entree and Dinner with Whiskas Choice Cuts Chicken in Gravy are the two most significant and trustworthy elements in the Whiskas cat food review.

You can honestly do better if you’re searching for an economical brand of cat chow or something as easily accessible as Whiskas.

Author Image

Dr. Deborah Fletcher

Deborah R. Fletcher, DVM, is a skilled veterinarian with more than 15 years of experience dealing with companion and exotic animals. She has experience caring for a variety of animals, including household cats and dogs, reptiles, birds of prey, and even primates. Dr. Fletcher is a valuable part of the BestForPets team, where she contributes to their aim of providing pets and their owners with the finest possible treatment and services.

Veterinarian (DVM) Dr. Deborah Fletcher

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