Laura Ward

Written by Laura Ward

Georgia Jeremiah

Reviewed by Georgia Jeremiah

Updated: June 5, 2024

Tiki Cat Aloha Friends (Wet) Review

Updated: June 5, 2024

Our Verdict

star
star
star
star
star

Recommended

Tiki Cat Aloha Friends product range is made of ten recipes which all receive the Cat Food Advisor rating, 4.5 stars.

Tiki Cat Aloha Friends wet cat food features real, high-quality proteins as the primary ingredient. The protein sources often include seafood options like tuna or shrimp, combined with additional ingredients like pumpkin or sweet potato to create a nutritious and tasty meal for cats. 

The recipes typically include a savory broth to enhance the flavor and moisture content.

Pros
  • High in protein
  • No known recalls
  • No artificial additives
Cons
  • Expensive budget brand

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
Tiki Cat Aloha Friends Tuna with Pumpkin Grain Free 4.5 U
Tiki Cat Aloha Friends Tuna with Ocean Whitefish & Pumpkin Grain Free 4.5 U
Tiki Cat Aloha Friends Tuna with Tilapia & Pumpkin Grain Free 4.5 U
Tiki Cat Aloha Friends Chicken, Pumpkin & Duck Recipe in Broth Grain Free 4.5 U
Tiki Cat Aloha Friends Chicken, Pumpkin & Egg Recipe in Broth Grain Free 4.5 U
Tiki Cat Aloha Friend Tuna with Shrimp & Pumpkin Grain Free 4.5 U
Tiki Cat Aloha Friends Chicken & Pumpkin Recipe in Broth Grain Free 4.5 U
Tiki Cat Aloha Friends Tuna, Calamari & Pumpkin Grain Free 4.5 U
Tiki Cat Aloha Friends Chicken, Pumpkin & Lamb Recipe in Broth Grain Free 4.5 U
Tiki Cat Aloha Friends Chicken, Pumpkin & Beef Recipe in Broth Grain Free 4.5 U

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Recipe and Label Analysis

Tiki Cat Aloha Friends Tuna with Pumpkin Grain Free 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.

Tiki Cat Aloha Friends Tuna with Pumpkin Grain Free

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

68.8%

Protein

11.3%

Fat

12%

CarbsCarbohydrates

Tuna, tuna broth, pumpkin, sunflower seed oil, calcium lactate, tricalcium phosphate, choline chloride, taurine, vitamin E supplement, zinc sulfate, niacin (vitamin B3), thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, vitamin A supplement, riboflavin supplement (vitamin B2), pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), ferrous sulfate, folic acid, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, vitamin D3 supplement, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K activity), biotin, vitamin B12 supplement


Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 0.5%

Red denotes any controversial items

Ingredients Analysis

The first ingredient is tuna. Tuna is an oily marine fish not only high in protein but also omega-3 fatty acids, essential oils needed by every cat to sustain life. This item is typically sourced from clean, undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings of commercial fish operations.1

The second ingredient is tuna broth. 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 third ingredient is pumpkin. Pumpkin is a nutritious addition high in complex carbohydrates, beta-carotene and dietary fiber.

The fourth 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 fifth ingredient is calcium lactate, a calcium additive made by the action of lactic acid and calcium carbonate. The ingredient is most likely used here as a calcium supplement prized for its notably high bio-availability.

The sixth ingredient is tricalcium phosphate, a beneficial source of calcium and phosphorus. In addition, this additive is used in wet foods as an emulsifier – an agent designed to disperse a food’s fats more evenly in water.

The seventh ingredient is choline chloride, an essential B vitamin that naturally occurs in both plants and animals. It is found in meat, eggs, fish, liver, soybeans and wheat germ. Because a cat cannot store choline chloride in its body, the nutrient must be replenished to avoid a deficiency. Choline chloride is a supplement required by both AAFCO and the FDA.

The eighth ingredient is taurine, an essential amino acid for cats associated with the healthy function of heart muscle and eyesight, and is crucial for maintaining good health in cats. We view the presence of Taurine in this recipe as a positive addition.

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.

This recipe receives a 4.5-star rating.

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Nutrient Analysis

Based on its ingredients alone, Tiki Cat Aloha Friends wet Cat Food looks like an above-average wet product.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 68.8%, a fat level of 11.3% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 12%, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 16%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 62.2% and a mean fat level of 16.7%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 13.1% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 28%.

This means the Tiki Cat Aloha Friends wet product line contains above-average protein, below-average carbs and near-average fat when compared to typical wet cat food. 

Final Word

Tiki Cat Aloha Friends line is known for its grain-free recipes, meaning it does not contain grains like wheat, corn, or soy. It is also free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Tiki Cat emphasizes using natural and high-quality ingredients to create a diet that closely mimics what cats would eat in their natural habitats.

Has Tiki Cat cat food been recalled in the past?

No, there are no recorded recalls for Tiki Cat. 

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

Tiki Cat was founded in 2005 by husband and wife, Christine and Robert Hackett. Christine had previously worked in research and development for PetCo and during that time decided that the pet food market needed a new kind of diet, food that is more species-appropriate, fewer grains and carbohydrates. Christine is also a big fan of Polynesian culture which explains the tiki-style branding.

Sources

1: Adapted by The Cat Food Advisor from the official definition of other fish ingredients as published by the Association of American Feed Control Officials

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