John Seeberg

Written by John Seeberg

Laura Ward

Reviewed by Laura Ward

Updated: May 14, 2024

Made by Nacho Pate (Wet) Review

Updated: May 14, 2024

Our Verdict

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Recommended

Made by Nacho Pate cat food receives the Cat Food Advisor rating, 4.5 stars

This range of food provides high levels of protein derived from animals.  Both muscle and organ meat are listed in the first three ingredients of many of the recipes.  Carbohydrate content is relatively low and each recipe is rich in fat and moisture.  Vitamins and minerals have also been added, so these recipes offer a good diet option.

Pros
  • High in protein
  • Contains multiple sources of animal protein
  • Low in carbohydrate
  • Added vitamins and minerals
Cons
  • More expensive than other cat foods

Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (kitten), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.

Made by Nacho Pate product line includes eight wet cat foods.

Product line Rating AAFCO
Made by Nacho Grain-Free Chicken & Herring Pâté 3.5 M
Made by Nacho Grain-Free Digestive Support Pâté 4 M
Made by Nacho Grain-Free Salmon & Sole Pâté 3.5 M
Made by Nacho Grain-Free Chicken Pâté for Kittens 4.5 G
Made by Nacho Grain-Free Turkey and Turkey Liver Recipe Pâté 5 M
Made by Nacho Grain-Free Pollock & Salmon Pâté 5 A
Made by Nacho Grain-Free Chicken Pâté 5 A
Made by Nacho Skin & Coat Support Pâté 5 A

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Recipe and Label Analysis

Made by Nacho Grain-Free Salmon & Sole Pâté 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 Grain-Free Salmon & Sole Pâté recipe

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

36.4%

Protein

18.2%

Fat

37.5%

CarbsCarbohydrates

Salmon, chicken bone broth, chicken liver, chicken heart, sole, sunflower oil, ground flaxseed, agar-agar, potassium chloride, minerals (iron amino acid chelate, zinc amino acid chelate, copper amino acid chelate, manganese amino acid chelate, sodium selenite, potassium iodide), salt, cranberries, choline chloride, dried kale, 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, salmon oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), inulin, sodium carbonate.


Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 1%

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 chicken bone broth.  Although they 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.

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

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

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-3’s, 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 ground flaxseed, one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids.  Provided they’ve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber.

However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this cat food.

The eighth ingredient is agar agar which is a natural vegetable gelatin derived from the cell walls of certain species of red algae.  Agar is rich in fiber and is used in wet pet foods as a gelling agent.

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 also 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 Grain-Free Salmon & Sole Pâté recipe looks like an above-average wet product.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 36.4%, a fat level of 18.2% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 37.5%.

As a group, the brand features an above-average protein content of 41.5% and an above-average fat level of 28.7%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 21.8% for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 70%.

This means this Made by Nacho Pate range contains higher than average protein, lower than average carbohydrate and higher than average fat, when compared to typical wet cat food.

Final Word

Made by Nacho wet food formulas 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.

The Cat Food Advisor recommends this food.

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

We uphold the highest editorial standards when creating the authoritative content pet parents rely on and trust.

Every piece of clinical content on the Cat Food Advisor is reviewed by our certified Veterinary Advisory Board, which consists of licensed veterinarians and medically certified specialists.

Our reviews are completely independent; we are not paid by any pet food company to promote their products favorably. We do not accept money, gifts, samples or other incentives in exchange for special consideration. For more information see our Disclaimer & Disclosure page.

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