Our Verdict
Tiki Cat Special wet cat food receives the Cat Food Advisor rating, 4.5 stars.
Tiki Cat is known for its high-quality ingredients and this Special range is no different with non-GMO ingredients and high-protein content. Each mousse is formulated to help support healthy skin, coat, good digestion or maintain a healthy weight.
Pros
- High moisture for hydration
- High in protein
- Non-GMO ingredients
Cons
- Expensive budget brand
Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (kitten), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
The Tiki Cat Special product line has five wet cat foods.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Tiki Cat Special Digestion: Chicken & Egg Recipe in Broth | 4.5 | M |
| Tiki Cat Special Fussy: Duck, Liver & Egg in Broth | 4.5 | M |
| Tiki Cat Special Light: Chicken, Turkey & Pumpkin Recipe in Broth | 4.5 | M |
| Tiki Cat Special Mobility: Chicken & Tuna Recipe in Broth | 4.5 | M |
| Tiki Cat Special Skin & Coat: Salmon Recipe in Broth | 4.5 | M |
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Recipe and Label Analysis
Tiki Cat Special Light: Chicken, Turkey & Pumpkin Recipe in Broth 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 Special Light: Chicken, Turkey & Pumpkin Recipe in Broth
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Chicken broth, chicken, turkey, pumpkin, dried egg, sunflower seed oil, tricalcium phosphate, potassium chloride, salt, xanthan gum, magnesium sulfate, choline chloride, ginger powder, tuna oil, taurine, flaxseed, L-carnitine, green tea extract, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), ferrous sulfate, vitamin E supplement, niacin (vitamin B3), zinc oxide, vitamin A supplement, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, manganous oxide, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement (vitamin B2), copper amino acid chelate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), folic acid, potassium iodide, vitamin D3 supplement.
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 2%
Red denotes any controversial items
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is chicken broth. Broths are of only modest nutritional value. Yet because they add both flavor and moisture to cat food, they are a common component in many wet products.
The second and third ingredients are chicken and turkey which are considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken and turkey” 1.
Both are naturally rich in the 11 essential amino acids required by a cat to sustain life.
The fourth ingredient is pumpkin. Pumpkin is a nutritious addition high in complex carbohydrates, beta-carotene and dietary fiber.
The fifth ingredient is whole dried egg, 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-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 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 eighth ingredient is potassium chloride, a nutritional supplement sometimes used as a replacement for the sodium found in table salt.
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.
There is one notable exception in this recipe:
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.
This recipe receives a 4.5-star rating.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Tiki Cat Special Light: Chicken, Turkey & Pumpkin Recipe in Broth looks like an above-average wet product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 58.8%, a fat level of 23.5% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 9.6%, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 40%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 56.2% and a mean fat level of 26.9%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 8.9% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 48%.
This means the Tiki Cat Special wet product line contains above-average protein, below-average carbs and above-average fat when compared to typical wet cat food.
Final Word
Tiki Cat Special wet cat food uses non-GMO ingredients, is grain-free and has no fillers or artificial additives. The focus is on high-quality ingredients to support your cat’s overall health.
Has Tiki Cat cat food been recalled in the past?
Has Tiki Cat cat food been recalled in the past?
No, there are no recorded recalls for Tiki Cat.
Read a complete list of all cat food recalls since 2021 on our recall page.
You can also stay on top of any future cat food product recalls by signing up for our free email alerts.
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, more species-appropriate food, with fewer grains and carbohydrates.
Christine is also a big fan of Polynesian culture which explains the tiki-style branding.
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