Laura Ward

Written by Laura Ward

Georgia Jeremiah

Reviewed by Georgia Jeremiah

Updated: January 18, 2024

Tiki Cat Grill Wet Cat Food Review

Updated: January 18, 2024

Our Verdict

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Recommended

Tiki Cat Grill wet cat food receives the Cat Food Advisor rating, 4.5 stars.

Tiki Cat Grill recipes are high-protein meals with no genetically modified organism (GMO) ingredients. These real fish recipes are garnished with shellfish in a consommé – available in paté and whole foods.

Pros
  • No GMO ingredients
  • High in protein
  • Animal sourced nutrients
  • Grain free
Cons
  • Expensive budget brand

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

The Tiki Cat Grill (wet) product line has 13 cat foods.

Product line Rating AAFCO
Hawaiian Grill Ahi Tuna Grain-Free 4.5 U
Lanai Grill Tuna & Crab Surimi in Crab Surimi Consomme Grain Free 4.5 U
Makaha Grill Mackerel & Sardine in Calamari Consomme Grain Free 4.5 U
Tahitian Grill Sardine Cutlets Recipe in Sardine Consomme 4.5 U
Hana Grill Ahi Tuna & Crab in Tuna Broth Grain Free 4.5 U
Mañana Grill Ahi Tuna with Prawns in Tuna Consomme Grain Free 4.5 U
Bora Bora Grill Sardine Cutlets in Lobster Consomme Grain Free 4.5 U
Grill Pate Mackerel & Salmon Recipe in Broth 4.5 U
Grill Pate Tuna & Crab Surimi Recipe in Tuna Broth 4.5 U
Grill Pate Sardines Recipe in Sardine Broth 4.5 U
Grill Pate Sardines & Lobster Consomme Recipe in Broth 4.5 U
Grill Pate Tuna & Prawn Recipe in Tuna Broth 4.5 U
Grill Pate Tuna & Crab Recipe in Tuna Broth 4.5 U

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Recipe and Label Analysis

Tiki Cat Hawaiian Grill Ahi Tuna 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 Hawaiian Grill Ahi Tuna Grain-Free

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

72.7%

Protein

9.1%

Fat

10.2%

CarbsCarbohydrates

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


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 nutritionally empty. But because they add both flavor and moisture to a cat food they are a common addition component in many canned products.

The third 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 fourth 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 fifth 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 sixth 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.

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 Hawaiian Grill Ahi Tuna Grain-Free looks like an above-average wet product.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 72.7%, a fat level of 9.1% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 10.2%, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 13%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 72.5% and a mean fat level of 10.5%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 9% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 15%.

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

Final Word

Tiki Cat Grill wet cat food provides supplemental hydration in a highly-palatable, pate-style wet diet. This fish-only range comes in a variety of flavors for even the pickiest of cats. 

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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