John Seeberg

Written by John Seeberg

Georgia Jeremiah

Reviewed by Georgia Jeremiah

Updated: June 5, 2024

Wildology (Wet) Review

Updated: June 5, 2024

Our Verdict

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Recommended

Wildology wet product range is made of two recipes which all receive the Cat Food Advisor rating, 4 stars

This food lists good quality animal protein as the first ingredient.  Protein levels are high and plant-based proteins limited.  Carbohydrate content is low and moisture high, so this food offers a well balanced diet.

Pros
  • Contains animal based protein
  • Low in carbohydrate
  • High moisture level
Cons
  • Limited range

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
Wildology Climb, Farm-Raised Chicken & Turkey Recipe 4 A
Wildology Leap, Farm-Raised Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe 4 M

Recipe and Label Analysis

Wildology Climb, Farm-Raised Chicken & Turkey 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.

Wildology Climb, Farm-Raised Chicken & Turkey Recipe

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

45.5%

Protein

31.8%

Fat

14.7%

CarbsCarbohydrates

Chicken (source of glucosamine), chicken broth, turkey, liver, dried yeast, tomato paste, carrots, ground brown rice, natural flavor, guar gum, salmon oil (source of DHA), potassium chloride, choline chloride, taurine, dried chicory root, kale, chia seed, pumpkin, blueberries, oranges, dried kelp, coconut, spinach, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, niacin, L-Ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), thiamine mononitrate, calcium pantothenate, vitamin A acetate, folic acid, riboflavin, biotin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement), minerals (zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, zinc proteinate, copper sulfate, manganese sulfate, copper proteinate, sodium selenite, manganese proteinate, potassium iodide), DL-Methionine.


Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 1.5%

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 ingredient is chicken 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 turkeyTurkey is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin derived from the parts or whole carcasses of turkey”.  2

Turkey is naturally rich in the 11 essential amino acids required by a cat to sustain life.

The fourth ingredient is liverNormally, liver can be considered a quality component.  However, in this case, the source of the liver is not identified. For this reason, it’s impossible to judge the quality of this item.

The fifth ingredient is dried yeast which can be a controversial item. Dried yeast contains about 45% protein and is rich in other healthy nutrients. 

Fans believe yeast repels fleas and supports the immune system. Critics argue yeast ingredients can be linked to allergies. This may be true, but (like all allergies) only if your particular cat is allergic to the yeast itself. In any case, your cat is specifically to it, we feel yeast should be considered a positive addition.

The sixth ingredient is tomato paste. Unlike the controversial item, tomato pomace, tomato paste does not include the skin or seeds of the fruit.

The seventh ingredient is carrots which are rich in beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.

The eighth ingredient is ground brown rice, a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) can be fairly easy to digest.  However, aside from its natural energy content, rice is of only modest nutritional value to a cat.

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, please note this food contains chelated minerals that have been chemically attached to protein.  This makes them easier to absorb.  Chelated minerals are usually found in better cat foods.

Nutrient Analysis

Based on its ingredients alone, Wildology Climb, Farm-Raised Chicken & Turkey Recipe looks like an above-average wet product.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 45.5%, a fat level of 31.8% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 14.7%.

As a group, the brand features an above-average protein content of 43.2% and an above-average fat level of 29.5%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 19.3% for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 68%.

This means this Wildology canned range contains higher than average protein, lower than average carbohydrate and higher than average fat, when compared to typical wet cat food.

Final Word

This food offers a well balanced diet which is rich in animal based protein.  Carbohydrate content is low and moisture high, although fat is above average.  This needs to be considered when evaluating a recipe for your cat’s requirements.

Has Wildology cat food been recalled in the past?

No. Wildology has not been recalled, although Diamond Pet Food, which manufactures the food, has.

The most recent was in March 2013, when Diamond Pet Food recalled Diamond Naturals cat food due to potentially low levels of thiamine. 

In April and May 2012, there was a large recall event Diamond and Diamond Naturals, plus several other brands.  Samples of Diamond’s own pet food tested positive for salmonella, which then prompted other brands produced at Diamond’s plant in Gaston, South Carolina, to be recalled including Taste of the Wild and Natural Balance.

In October 2009, Diamond Pet Food recalled two of its cat food brands after cats were reported to have shown neurological symptoms.  

The foods affected were: Premium Edge Finicky Adult Cat and Premium Edge Hairball Cat with codes of RAF0501A22X (18-lb. bag), RAF0501A2X (6-lb. bag), RAH0501A22X (18-lb. bag) and RAH0501A2X (6-lb. bag). 

In December 2005, Diamond Maintenance and Diamond Professional was recalled from the brand’s South Carolina facility following a string of pet deaths and illnesses linked to dog and cat food produced in Diamond’s South Carolina plant. 

The food was thought to be contaminated with aflatoxin, a toxic byproduct of a mold that attacks corn under certain temperature and moisture conditions. For more details visit the Dog Food Advisor.

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

Wildology is owned by Midco Distributing LLC and its food manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods in the USA.

Sources

1: [1. Association of American Feed Control Officials].

2: [1. Adapted by the Cat Food Advisor and based upon the official definition for chicken published by the Association of American Feed Control Officials, Official Publication, 2008 Edition].

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