We’ve meticulously evaluated Made by Nacho Cat Food across several critical factors, including ingredient quality, species-appropriateness, and recall history. Dive into our comprehensive Made by Nacho cat food review to discover how this brand truly measures up.
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Brand Ratings:
- Species-Appropriateness: 7/10
- Ingredient Quality: 7/10
- Product Variety: 8/10
- Price: 7/10
- Customer Experience: 8/10
- Recall History: 9/10
Overall Score: 7.6/10
Made by Nacho cat food earns an overall score of 7.6 out of 10, translating to a B+ grade. This positions it as a respectable option in the premium cat food market.
Delving into Made by Nacho Cat Food
The Made by Nacho brand is the brainchild of renowned American celebrity chef Bobby Flay, though his feline companion, Nacho, is the true face of the brand. Bobby Flay’s culinary expertise and understanding of quality ingredients are central to the brand’s philosophy. Made by Nacho cat food emphasizes the use of premium ingredients to bolster your cat’s overall health and well-being.
This brand champions the concept of “cat-crafted cat food.” In collaboration with Nacho, veterinarian Dr. Katja Lang plays a pivotal role in ensuring that each Made by Nacho product is packed with high-caliber ingredients that deliver the essential nutrients cats require for optimal health. The recipes are inspired by chef-level culinary standards and are veterinarian-approved, aiming to provide both the necessary nutrition and the delectable flavors that cats naturally crave.
Ingredient Sourcing and Manufacturing Insights
Made by Nacho proudly manufactures its cat food in the USA, utilizing ingredients sourced from across the globe. While they highlight global sourcing, specific details about ingredient origins are not extensively provided.
At the heart of every recipe is a foundation of real animal protein, featuring options like cage-free chicken, sustainably sourced salmon, and grass-fed beef. The formulations also incorporate beneficial grains, fruits, and vegetables to create a balanced diet.
Notably, Made by Nacho cat food distinguishes itself by explicitly excluding corn, wheat, and soy from its recipes. Furthermore, the brand commits to avoiding artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, focusing on natural goodness for your feline friend.
Examining the Recall History of Nacho Cat Food
To date, Made by Nacho cat food boasts a clean recall history, with no products ever being recalled. However, it’s important to consider that the brand is relatively new in the pet food industry. Therefore, while the absence of recalls is positive, it’s a factor that should be observed over a longer period for a more comprehensive assessment.
Exploring the Range of Made by Nacho Cat Food Products
Made by Nacho offers a diverse selection of cat food options, including dry food, wet food, and freeze-dried treats. Cat owners can choose from three distinct recipes in both dry and wet food categories, along with five tempting varieties of freeze-dried treats.
All of Made by Nacho’s wet food formulas are enriched with bone broth and feature a savory gravy, enhancing both flavor and moisture content. These recipes prioritize real animal protein as the primary ingredient, supplemented by additional protein sources, grains, fruits, vegetables, omega fatty acids, and prebiotics for digestive health.
Made by Nacho dry food recipes are formulated to be high in protein and uniquely include freeze-dried pieces of raw chicken liver, adding a boost of palatability and nutrition. Bone broth is also incorporated into their dry food for enhanced flavor and nutritional benefits.
Expanding their product line, Made by Nacho introduced bone broth food toppers, available in chicken, turkey, and beef flavors. These bone broths are packaged in convenient 8.4-ounce resealable cartons, offering an easy way to add hydration and flavor to your cat’s meals.
Bone broth is a concentrated source of hydration and flavor, and Made by Nacho’s bone broth is crafted with a minimal list of natural ingredients. Beyond increasing fluid intake, bone broths are known for their potential to support healthy digestion, reduce inflammation, and strengthen the immune system in cats.
Customer Perspectives on Made by Nacho Cat Food
As Made by Nacho is a newer brand, extensive online reviews outside of their official website are somewhat limited. While some recipes have garnered over 100 reviews on the brand’s site, overwhelmingly positive ratings (4 out of 5 stars and above) dominate. Similarly, reviews on platforms like PetSmart are also primarily 5-star. The scarcity of negative reviews makes it challenging to gain a fully rounded perspective on customer experiences.
The majority of customer feedback praises the ingredient quality, with many noting that even picky cats enjoy the flavors. Among the less frequent negative comments, some cats reportedly showed less enthusiasm for the food, and there were mentions that dry food was more appealing than wet food for certain felines. A few customers also pointed out a strong odor associated with the fish-based flavors.
Let’s examine some specific customer reviews for popular Made by Nacho recipes:
Positive Customer Feedback
“Sambo and Scooter are absolutely in love with the salmon flavor, just as much as they adore the chicken. It makes me feel so good knowing they’re getting the nutrition they need from food they genuinely enjoy eating. Thank you, Bobby and Nacho!” – Brenda P., reviewing Made by Nacho Sustainably Caught Salmon Recipe.
“So far, my cat seems to really enjoy this food! She actually picks out the Nacho food from her previous food. I only wish there were more flavor options, like tuna or ocean whitefish. My cat is a picky eater and often gets about 3/4 through a bag of food and then suddenly decides she’s done with it, and I have to switch flavors. I also appreciate the 2lb bag option.” – Courtney A., reviewing Made by Nacho Grass-Fed Beef, Rabbit & Pumpkin Recipe.
Negative Customer Feedback
“While all four of my cats loved the dry food, they weren’t as keen on the wet food. And the treats have such a strong smell that all the cats actually ran away from them. I had my sister try them with her cats, and two out of three also ran away. The only one who liked them was her cat who grew up eating raw fish. I will buy more of the dry food to mix with their current food.” – Kathy F., reviewing Made by Nacho Cage-Free Chicken Cuts in Gravy.
“JB wasn’t as fond of the wet chicken flavor as he was of the wet beef. Seriously, you need to lower the price of this product – it’s more expensive than a can of tuna or crab meat.” – Susan S., reviewing Made by Nacho Cage-Free Chicken, Duck & Quail Recipe.
Real-World Testing: What Did Our Test Cats Think of Nacho Cat Food?
A ginger cat, Bagel, enthusiastically eats Made by Nacho Salmon and Whitefish dry cat food from a silver bowl on a kitchen counter.
Bagel, our feline tester, has a particular fondness for fish-flavored foods, and Made by Nacho’s Salmon and Whitefish recipe was a resounding success!
Overall, my cats displayed a genuine liking for Made by Nacho food. The food emitted a noticeable aroma that seemed to pique their interest, and they eagerly consumed their meals.
From a personal perspective, I was impressed with both the packaging and the ingredient quality. Made by Nacho dry food is packaged in a convenient stand-up bag with a resealable closure located on the back, maintaining freshness. Their wet foods are packaged in user-friendly pouches that are easy to open.
I also appreciated the high-quality ingredients and the substantial protein content in each recipe. The inclusion of freeze-dried chicken livers in the dry food formulas was another positive aspect.
Top 3 Made by Nacho Cat Food Recipes: A Detailed Review
| Product Name | Food Type | Main Protein Source | Calories | Price | Our Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grass-Fed Beef, Rabbit & Pumpkin Recipe Dry Cat Food | Dry | Beef | 438 kcal/cup | $0.34 per oz | B+ |
| Salmon, Whitefish & Pumpkin Recipe Dry Cat Food | Dry | Salmon | 455 kcal/cup | $0.34 per oz | B+ |
| Cage-Free Chicken Cuts in Gravy Recipe Wet Food | Wet | Chicken | 71 kcal/pouch | $0.49 per oz | A- |
#1 Made by Nacho Grass-Fed Beef, Rabbit & Pumpkin Recipe Dry Cat Food
Bag of Made by Nacho Grass-Fed Beef, Rabbit & Pumpkin Recipe Dry Cat Food.
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This dry food recipe stands out with its initial blend of two high-quality animal proteins. However, it’s worth noting that millet and brown rice are listed as the next ingredients, which are grains and generally not considered ideal in high quantities for cat food. Alongside these grains, the recipe incorporates several other carbohydrate sources, including dried fruit.
The estimated carbohydrate content of this formula is notably high, exceeding 25%. In addition to the higher carbohydrate level, this dry food is lower in moisture content, which is a crucial factor in feline diets. It’s also important to mention that the primary source of added fat is plant-based sunflower oil, although salmon oil is included later in the ingredient list.
Overall, this recipe appears to be a relatively high-protein option with moderate fat levels but a significant carbohydrate content.
Ingredients:
Beef, Chicken Meal, Millet, Brown Rice, Dried Eggs, Turkey Meal, Sunflower Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Natural Flavor, Freeze Dried Chicken Livers, Beef Liver, Rabbit, Chicken Bone Broth, Pumpkin, Oat Groats, Salmon Oil, Miscanthus Grass, Salt, Dried Apples, Dried Cranberries, Dried Blueberries, DL-Methionine, Pomegranate Powder, Inulin, Taurine, Dried Bacillus coagulans Fermentation Product, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamin Mononitrate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin ), Choline Chloride, Minerals (Zinc Methionine Complex, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Ethylene Diamine Dihydroiodide), Dried Parsley, Rosemary Extract.
| Ingredients We Liked | Ingredients We Didn’t Like | Common Allergens |
|---|---|---|
| Beef Chicken Meal Dried Eggs Turkey Meal Freeze Dried Chicken Liver Beef Liver Rabbit Chicken Bone Broth Salmon Oil | Millet Brown Rice Sunflower Oil Pumpkin Oat Groats | Beef Chicken |
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein: 32%
Crude Fat: 18%
Crude Fiber: 4%
Moisture: 10%
Dry Matter Basis:
Protein: 35.56%
Fat: 20%
Fiber: 4.44%
Carbs: 40%
Caloric Weight Basis:
Protein: 28.64%
Fat: 39.13%
Carbs: 32.23%
Pros:
- Palatable flavor for cats
- Multiple high-quality animal protein sources
- Free from artificial additives, fillers, and by-products
- Enriched with omega fatty acids and prebiotics
Cons:
- High carbohydrate content from various sources
- Plant-based sunflower oil is the primary added fat
- Low moisture content
#2 Made by Nacho Salmon, Whitefish & Pumpkin Recipe Dry Cat Food
Bag of Made by Nacho Salmon, Whitefish & Pumpkin Recipe Dry Cat Food.
$12.99 At PetSmart
Similar to the beef recipe, this Salmon, Whitefish & Pumpkin formula begins with two excellent animal protein sources, followed by millet and brown rice. While supplementary proteins are appreciated, this recipe also includes several added carbohydrates from grains, vegetables, and dried fruit.
Sunflower oil is again the primary added fat source, with salmon oil appearing later in the ingredients. The inclusion of probiotics is a positive addition, although their survival through the cooking process can be uncertain.
Overall, this appears to be a fairly high-protein recipe with moderate fat, but it is low in moisture and relatively high in carbohydrates.
Ingredients:
Salmon, Salmon Meal, Millet, Brown Rice, Dried Eggs, Sunflower Oil (Preserved with mixed tocopherols), Whitefish, Freeze Dried Chicken Livers, Chicken Bone Broth, Pumpkin, Natural Flavor, Oat Groats, Salmon Oil, Miscanthus Grass, Salt, Dried Apples, Dried Cranberries, Dried Blueberries, DL-Methionine, Taurine, Pomegranate Powder, Inulin, Choline Chloride, Dried Bacillus coagulans Fermentation Product, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamin Mononitrate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin ), Minerals (Zinc Methionine Complex, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Ethylene Diamine Dihydroiodide), Dried Parsley, Rosemary Extract.
| Ingredients We Liked | Ingredients We Didn’t Like | Common Allergens |
|---|---|---|
| Salmon Salmon Meal Dried Eggs Whitefish Freeze-Dried Chicken Livers Chicken Bone Broth Salmon Oil | Millet Brown Rice Sunflower Oil Pumpkin Oat Groats | Fish Chicken |
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein: 32%
Crude Fat: 18%
Crude Fiber: 4%
Moisture: 10%
Dry Matter Basis:
Protein: 35.56%
Fat: 20%
Fiber: 4.44%
Carbs: 40%
Caloric Weight Basis:
Protein: 28.64%
Fat: 39.13%
Carbs: 32.23%
Pros:
- Abundant in high-quality animal protein
- Free of fillers, by-products, and artificial additives
- Enriched with freeze-dried raw chicken liver
Cons:
- Insufficient moisture content for cats
- Multiple sources of added carbohydrates
- Plant-based sunflower oil as the primary added fat
#3 Made by Nacho Cage-Free Chicken Cuts in Gravy Recipe Wet Food
Pouch of Made by Nacho Cage-Free Chicken Cuts in Gravy Recipe Wet Food.
$1.99 At PetSmart
In contrast to the dry food formulas, this wet food option boasts significantly higher moisture and lower carbohydrate content. Notably, five of the initial seven ingredients are animal protein sources, with the remaining two being beneficial bone broths (chicken and turkey).
This recipe limits added carbohydrates to just three sources and includes guar gum as a thickener. The estimated carbohydrate content is impressively low, under 5%.
Overall, this wet food appears to be a protein-rich and moisture-packed formula with moderate fat and very low carbohydrates, aligning well with feline nutritional needs.
Ingredients:
Chicken, Chicken Bone Broth, Turkey Bone Broth, Chicken Liver, Dried Egg Whites, Turkey, Duck, Pumpkin, Organic Oats, Cranberries, Natural Flavor, Salt, Sodium Phosphate, Guar Gum, Salmon Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Potassium Chloride, Minerals (Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Potassium Iodide), Choline Chloride, Sodium Carbonate, Vitamins (Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid), Inulin, Taurine, Sunflower Oil, Dried Kale.
| Ingredients We Liked | Ingredients We Didn’t Like | Common Allergens |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken Chicken Bone Broth Turkey Bone Broth Chicken Liver Dried Egg Whites Turkey Duck | Pumpkin Organic Oats | Chicken |
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein: 8%
Crude Fat: 3%
Crude Fiber: 1.5%
Moisture: 82%
Dry Matter Basis:
Protein: 44.44%
Fat: 16.67%
Fiber: 8.33%
Carbs: 30.56%
Caloric Weight Basis:
Protein: 38.49%
Fat: 35.05%
Carbs: 26.46%
Pros:
- Rich in diverse animal protein sources
- High moisture content, essential for cats
- Very low estimated carbohydrate content (under 5%)
- No fillers, by-products, or artificial additives
Cons:
- Contains some added carbohydrates
- Includes guar gum as a thickener
Cost Analysis of Made by Nacho Cat Food
Made by Nacho cat food utilizes premium animal-based protein sources, including cage-free chicken, sustainably caught fish, and grass-fed beef. Consequently, it is positioned as a higher-quality brand, reflected in its price point, placing it in the upper segment of the cat food market.
On average, the brand’s dry foods are priced around $0.34 per ounce, while their wet foods are closer to $0.50 per ounce. For a typical cat consuming 2 to 2.5 ounces of food daily, the daily cost ranges from approximately $0.70 to $1.25.
Final Verdict: Is Made by Nacho Cat Food a Recommended Choice?
Overall, Made by Nacho appears to be a reputable, high-quality cat food brand. We commend their use of cage-free chicken, sustainably sourced fish, and grass-fed beef. The emphasis on starting each recipe with one or two of these premium animal proteins is a significant strength.
Areas for potential improvement for Made by Nacho lie in the carbohydrate content, particularly in their dry food recipes. The reviewed dry food recipes contain around 25% carbohydrates, derived from a considerable number of plant-based ingredients. In contrast, the wet food formulas are closer to ideal, with carbohydrate content under 5%.
Customer feedback suggests satisfaction with Made by Nacho cat food, and our test cats also showed positive reception. While it is a somewhat pricier option, and ingredient sourcing details could be more transparent, the food quality seems commendable.
Purchasing Made by Nacho Cat Food
Made by Nacho cat food is available at two primary locations. Firstly, you can purchase directly from the brand’s website, which offers a complete range of their recipes and free shipping on orders exceeding $35. Secondly, PetSmart is a retail partner, offering Made by Nacho products both in physical stores and online.
