Our Verdict
Answers Pet Food receives the Cat Food Advisor rating, 5 stars
These raw recipes are formulated to provide good quality animal-sourced protein. The first four ingredients are listed as either animal meat, organ, or muscle and each recipe has been enriched with vitamins.
Pros
- High in protein
- Core ingredients are from animal meat, muscle and organs.
- Low in carbohydrates
- Added vitamins
Cons
- Food is raw so must be handled with care
- Price is high versus some cat foods
Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (kitten), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
The Answers Pet Food product line includes five raw cat foods.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| DetailedTM Raw Beef | 5 | A |
| DetailedTM Raw Chicken | 5 | A |
| DetailedTM Raw Duck | 5 | A |
| DetailedTM Raw Pork | 5 | A |
| DetailedTM Raw Turkey | 5 | A |
Recipe and Label Analysis
DetailedTM Raw Chicken recipe was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.
DetailedTM Raw Chicken
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Organic chicken, organic chicken heart, organic chicken liver, organic ground chicken bone, organic chicken eggs, cod liver, whey, raw goat milk, montmorillonite, carrot fiber, salt, vitamin E supplement.
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 2%
Red denotes any controversial items
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is organic chicken. Chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”. 1
Chicken is naturally rich in the 11 essential amino acids required by a cat to sustain life.
The second ingredient is chicken heart, although it doesn’t sound very appetizing, heart tissue is pure muscle — all meat. It’s naturally rich in quality protein, minerals and complex B vitamins, too.
The third ingredient is organic chicken liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal and is thus considered a beneficial component.
The fourth ingredient is organic ground chicken bone. The ground bone is an excellent source of natural calcium.
The fourth ingredient is organic chicken eggs. Eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.
The fifth ingredient is cod liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.
The sixth ingredient is whey, a by-product of the cheese industry. Depending on its type, whey consists of about 75% carbohydrate and can also contribute a limited amount of protein to cat food.
The seventh ingredient is raw goat milk, a raw milk product made by fermenting milk sourced from a cow or a goat. Like most other dairy products, kefir is rich in calcium, protein and other healthy nutrients. Since bacteria remove much of its lactose (milk sugar) during fermentation, kefir is also easy for a cat to digest and can provide probiotic benefits.
The eighth ingredient is montmorillonite, a naturally occurring compound rich in many trace minerals. Montmorillonite has been approved for use in USDA Organic Certified products.
Reported benefits include the binding of certain mold-based toxins and even controlling diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
From here the list goes on to include a number of other items. But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of the product.
Recipe star rating 5
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, DetailedTM Raw Chicken recipe looks like an above-average wet product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 55.3%, a fat level of 34% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 2.6%.
As a group, the brand features an above-average protein content of 56.1% and an above-average fat level of 34.5%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 2.6% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 62%.
This means this Answers Pet Food range contains higher than average protein, lower than average carbohydrate and higher than average fat, when compared to typical raw cat food.
Final Word
This range of food is raw and the texture makes it very easy for cats to eat. The protein content is high and is species-appropriate. Because the food is animal-based, it doesn’t require supplemental taurine. The only synthetic supplement needed is vitamin E.
Has Answers Pet Food cat food been recalled in the past?
Yes, Answers Pet Food has had one state-specific recall.
In January 2019, the FDA notified Answers and issued a warning to consumers that a single lot of A+ Answers Straight Beef Formula for Dogs tested positive for Salmonella. For more details visit the Dog Food Advisor.
You can view a complete list of all cat food recalls since 2021 here.
To stay on top of any cat food product recalls, sign up for our free email alerts, here.
About
Answers Pet Food was founded in 2009 and is a small family owned business with headquarters in Eastern Pennsylvania.
The brand uses ethically sourced and humanely raised ingredients — including organically grown vegetables — in its products. Answers Pet Foods are formulated and manufactured by Lystn, LLC.
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Article reviewed by
Content Director
Julia Ogden, is a former journalist with more than 10 years’ experience in content marketing; specializing in writing for people as well as a Google algorithm.
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