John Seeberg

Written by John Seeberg

Laura Ward

Reviewed by Laura Ward

Updated: May 29, 2024

Made by Nacho Minced and Flakes (Wet) Review

Updated: May 29, 2024

Our Verdict

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star
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Recommended

The Made by Nacho Minced and Flakes wet product range is made up of ten recipes with ratings varying from 3.5 to 5 stars. The average rating of the whole range is 4.5 stars.

This range of food offers high levels of protein and lists the first ingredient as animal meat.  Carbohydrate levels vary by recipe, so this needs to be considered when evaluating your cat’s requirements.  With added vitamins and minerals, this food offers a well balanced diet option.

Pros
  • High in protein
  • Animal protein is listed as the first ingredient
  • Good moisture content
Cons
  • High and low levels of carbohydrate across the recipe range

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 Minced Salmon & Sole 4 G&M
Made by Nacho Minced Chicken in Bone Broth 4 G&M
Made by Nacho Minced Turkey & Turkey Liver 4.5 G&M
Made by Nacho Minced Chicken for Kittens 4.5 G&M
Made by Nacho Grain-Free Flaked Tuna Cup 5 G&M
Made by Nacho Grain-Free Minced Pollock & Salmon 5 A
Made by Nacho Grain-Free Minced Chicke 4.5 A
Made by Nacho Minced Chicken & Herring 4 G&M
Made by Nacho Minced Salmon with Bone Broth 3.5 G&M
Made by Nacho Minced Beef in Bone Broth 4 G&M

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Recipe and Label Analysis

Made by Nacho Minced Salmon & Sole 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 Nacho Minced Salmon & Sole recipe

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

38.9%

Protein

22.2%

Fat

30.9%

CarbsCarbohydrates

Salmon, chicken bone broth, salmon broth, chicken liver, sole, dried egg white, chicken heart, chicken, dried egg, oatmeal, natural flavor, sunflower oil, salt, sodium phosphate, dried kale, potassium chloride, guar gum, minerals (iron amino acid chelate, zinc amino acid chelate, copper amino acid chelate, manganese amino acid chelate, sodium selenite, potassium iodide), cranberries, vitamins (thiamine mononitrate, vitamin E supplement, niacin supplement, D-calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, vitamin A supplement, biotin, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, folic acid), taurine, magnesium sulfate, inulin, choline chloride, salmon oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols).


Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 1.5%

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 and third ingredients are chicken bone broth and salmon broth.  Bone broths add both flavor and moisture to a cat food, bone broths are a common component in many wet products.  However, since broths consist almost entirely of water, the trace nutrients they contain account for only a fraction of the overall finished cat food.

Broths are of only modest nutritional value. Yet because they add both flavor and moisture to a cat food, they are a common component in many wet products.

The fourth ingredient is chicken liver.  This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.

The fifth ingredient is sole.  A marine or freshwater species native to Canada and the California coast.

The sixth ingredient is dried egg white.  Eggs are highly digestible and an excellent source of usable protein.

The seventh 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 eighth ingredient is chickenChicken 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.

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 Minced Salmon & Sole recipe looks like an above-average wet product.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 38.9%, a fat level of 22.2% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 30.9%.

As a group, the brand features an above-average protein content of 44.4% and an above-average fat level of 20.6%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 26.9% for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 47%.

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

Final Word

Made by Nacho wet food formulas are made with bone broth and prepared with a flavorful gravy.  These recipes contain real animal protein as the first ingredient, paired with supplementary protein sources as well as grains, fruits and veggies, omega fatty acids, and prebiotics.

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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