John Seeberg

Written by John Seeberg

Laura Ward

Reviewed by Laura Ward

Updated: May 29, 2024

Made by Nacho Kibble (Dry) Review

Updated: May 29, 2024

Our Verdict

star
star
star
star
star

Recommended with Reservations

Made by Nacho kibble product range is made of eight recipes which all receive the Cat Food Advisor rating, 3 stars

This range of dry food lists animal meat as the first ingredient.  Both protein and carbohydrate content is average versus other cat foods.  Some recipes do contain omega 3 and the ingredient list includes little to no artificial additives, or fillers.

Pros
  • Contains animal protein
  • Omega 3 included
  • No artificial additives, or fillers
Cons
  • Average protein content
  • Contains plant based fats

The table below shows each recipe in the range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile.

Growth (kitten), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.

Product line Rating AAFCO
Made by Nacho Bone Broth Infused Kibble Cage-Free Chicken & Pumpkin Recipe 3 G&M
Made by Nacho Bone Broth Infused Kibble Sustainably Caught Salmon & Pumpkin Recipe 3 G&M
Made by Nacho Digestive Support Kibble 3 G&M
Made by Nacho Chicken, Duck, & Quail Kibble 3 G&M
Made by Nacho Salmon, Whitefish, & Pumpkin Kibble 3 G&M
Made by Nacho Grain-Free Provençal-Style Chicken & Turkey Kibble 3 G&M
Made by Nacho Chicken & Chicken Liver Kibble for Kittens 3 G
Made by Nacho Chicken & Chicken Liver Kibble for Kittens 3 G&M

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Recipe and Label Analysis

Made by Nacho Salmon, Whitefish, & Pumpkin Kibble 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.

Made by Nach Salmon, Whitefish, & Pumpkin Kibble recipe

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

35.6%

Protein

20%

Fat

36.4%

CarbsCarbohydrates

Salmon, salmon meal, millet, brown rice, dried eggs, sunflower oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), whitefish, freeze dried chicken livers, chicken bone broth, pumpkin, natural flavor, oat groats, salmon oil, miscanthus grass, salt, dried apples, dried cranberries, dried blueberries, dl-methionine, taurine, pomegranate powder, inulin, choline chloride, dried bacillus coagulans fermentation product, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, niacin supplement, vitamin A supplement, thiamin mononitrate, D-calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, folic acid, biotin ), minerals (zinc methionine complex, zinc sulfate, iron proteinate, ferrous sulfate, copper proteinate, copper sulfate, manganese proteinate, sodium selenite, manganous oxide, calcium iodate, ethylenediamine dihydroiodide), dried parsley, rosemary extract.


Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4%

Red denotes any controversial items

Ingredients Analysis

The first ingredient is salmon.  Salmon is an oily marine and freshwater fish not only high in protein but also omega 3 fatty acids, essential oils needed by every cat to sustain life.

The second ingredient is salmon meal. Because salmon meal is considered a meat concentrate, fish meal contains almost 300% more protein than fresh fish itself.

Fish meal is typically obtained from the “clean, dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings” of commercial fish operations.  1

The third ingredient is millet which is a gluten-free grain harvested from certain seed grasses.  Millet is hypoallergenic and naturally rich in B-vitamins and fiber as well as other essential minerals..

The fourth ingredient is brown rice, a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) can be fairly easy to digest.  However, aside from its natural energy content, rice is of only modest nutritional value to a cat.

The fifth ingredient is dried eggs, a dehydrated powder made from shell-free eggs.  Eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.

The sixth ingredient is sunflower oil.  Sunflower oil is nutritionally similar to safflower oil.  Since these oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids and contain no omega-3s, they’re considered less nutritious than canola or flaxseed oils. 

Sunflower oil is notable for its resistance to heat damage during cooking.

There are several different types of sunflower oil, some better than others.  Without knowing more, it’s impossible to judge the quality of this ingredient.

The seventh ingredient is whitefish which is a marine or freshwater species native to Canada and the California coast.

The eighth ingredient is freeze dried chicken livers, a dehydrated product made from whole chicken livers.  Because it contains about 62% protein and 20% fat, this item makes a favorable addition to this cat food.

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.

However, this food contains chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better cat foods.

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Nutrient Analysis

Based on its ingredients alone, Made by Nacho Salmon, Whitefish, & Pumpkin kibble looks like an average dry product.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 35.6%, a fat level of 20% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 36.4%.

As a group, the brand features a near-average protein content of 35.8% and an above-average fat level of 20.3%. Together these figures

suggest a carbohydrate content of 35.9% for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 57%.


This means that Made by Nacho kibble contains near-average protein, near-average carbohydrate and higher than average fat, when compared to typical dry cat food.

Final Word

This range of kibble contains good sources of animal protein and omega 3. Some recipes have added carbohydrate sources such as grains, vegetables and dried fruit.  Overall, this food appears to offer a reasonable diet option.

Has Made by Nacho cat food been recalled in the past?

No.  Made by Nacho cat food has never had a recall.

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

Made by Nacho was founded in 2021 by US TV personality and chef Bobby Flay, who is a TV personality in the USA. 

Working alongside Bobby Flay is veterinarian Dr. Katja Lang who aims to ensure every product is full of premium ingredients that provide cats with the essential nutrients they need to thrive. 

Made by Nacho cat food is made in the USA from ingredients sourced from around the world.

Sources

1: [1. Association of American Feed Control Officials].

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