Our Verdict
Vital Essentials Mini Patties frozen raw cat food receives the Cat Food Advisor’s second highest rating, 4.5-stars.
Packed with protein, mini patties contain naturally occurring vitamins and minerals that build strong muscles and support a cat’s digestive health.
Pros
- High animal-sourced protein
- Grain & gluten-free
Cons
- Needs thawing
- Must be stored in the freezer
Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (kitten), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
This product line includes four cat foods.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken Entrée | 4.5 | A |
| Duck Entrée | 4.5 | A |
| Rabbit Entrée | 4.5 | A |
| Turkey Entrée | 4.5 | A |
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Recipe and Label Analysis
Vital Essentials Mini Patties Chicken Entrée 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.
Mini Patties Chicken Entrée
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Chicken, chicken heart, chicken liver, herring oil, vitamin E supplement, zinc amino acid complex, iron amino acid complex, copper amino acid complex, manganese amino acid complex
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 1%
Red denotes any controversial items
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is chicken. Chicken 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.
The second and third ingredients are organ meats – chicken heart, and chicken liver. They may not sound very appetizing but organ meats are pure muscle and naturally rich in quality protein, minerals and complex B vitamins.
The fourth ingredient is herring oil, which is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high quality fats boast the highest bioavailability to cats and humans. Depending on its level of freshness and purity, herring oil should be considered a commendable addition.
From here the list goes on to include a number of other items including vitamin supplements and minerals. But to be realistic, these ingredients are not likely to affect the overall rating of the product.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Vital Essentials Mini Patties Chicken Entrée looks like an above-average product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 50%, a fat level of 16.7% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 25.3%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 55.2% and a mean fat level of 21.2%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 15.6% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 40%.
This means this Vital Essentials Mini Patties (frozen raw) product line contains above-average protein, below-average carbs and above-average fat.
Final Word
Vital Essentials Mini Patties are small, patty-shaped portions of raw meat that are frozen to maintain freshness. They are made with high-quality, single-source animal proteins, minimally processed and free from artificial additives, fillers, or preservatives.
Vital Essentials emphasizes the concept of a biologically appropriate diet for cats, aiming to provide a meal that closely aligns with a cat’s natural dietary needs and instincts.
Highly recommended.
Has Vital Essentials cat food been recalled in the past?
Vital Essentials has had four product recalls in the past, all due to potential salmonella or listeria contamination.
However the most recent recall was back in April 2018 on its Freeze-Dried Beef Toppers (for dogs and cats), 6 oz. packages, Lot #13815, Best by June 4, 2019 or June 20, 2019.
The other recalls were for the following dog products:
- Freeze-Dried Beef Nibblet Entrée (February 2018)
- Frozen Chicken Patties Entrée (January 2016)
- Frozen Beef Tripe (July 2015)
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
Vital Essentials is the flagship brand of Carnivore Meat Company – a leading manufacturer of raw frozen and freeze-dried pet foods and treats in America. The products are all US made and packaged in the company’s Green Bay, Wisconsin, facility that is GFSI and EU certified.
The company consists of Vital Essentials and Nature’s Advantage.
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Article reviewed by
Veterinarian
Dr Georgia Jeremiah has a first class honors degree in comparative pathology with field experience in anatomic and clinical pathology, studying disease processes in a multitude of species.
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