9Lives Cat Food Reviewed
Table of Contents
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9Lives Cat Food Summary
- Most Overall 9Lives Cat Food: 9Lives Meaty Pate Wet Cat Food
This affordable wet cat food offers a nutritious solution for all life stages, including kittens and adult cats. - Best Wet 9Lives Cat Food: 9Lives Favorites Wet Cat Food
This is the most popular 9Lives cat food, especially on online platforms such as Amazon and Chewy. - Best Dry 9Lives Cat Food: 9Lives Indoor Complete Dry Cat Food
Thanks to a specially curated formula, this calcium-rich cat food is perfect for boosting your cat’s life and wellness. - Most Delicious 9Lives Cat Food: 9Lives Hearty Cuts Wet Cat Food in Gravy
This wet cat food is based on a delicious gravy making it one of the best value-for-money products on the market. - Best Affordable 9Lives Cat Food: 9Lives Daily Essentials Dry Cat Food
Made using the finest ingredients, including high-quality protein that improves digestion and makes cat litter more manageable.
What is 9Lives Cat Food?
9Lives Cat Food is a pet food brand established in 1957. Soon after it was founded, it became one of the most recognized cat food brands in this industry.
The creative marketing campaign by the brand features an orange tabby called Morris. Morris was discovered back in 1968 by a talent scout and was described as the “Clark Gable of Cats.”
9Lives is owned by Big Heart Pet Brands, which is a known subsidiary of the J.M. Smucker company. Other key brands that are owned by the Big Heart Pet Brand include Meow Mix, Natural Balance, and Nature’s Recipe.
Where is 9Lives Cat Food Made?
9Lives Cat Food is manufactured in the USA in Kansas and Pennsylvania.
However, their wet cat food is produced partly in the USA and partly outside the country. The company does state that they source most of their ingredients from North America. However, it does not provide any further information about their sourcing practices.
How is 9Lives Cat Food Made?
The 9Lives Cat Food makes both wet and dry food.
9Lives Cat Food uses ingredients that are used in cat foods within the same budget. However, their poultry and meat by-products are more than named meat products. Additionally, all their dry foods contain plant-sourced protein. Finally, all of the brand’s recipes contain at least one additive that is considered artificial.
Is 9Lives Cat Food Good for Cats?
Yes, 9Lives Cat Food is good, especially if you are on a budget.
The food contains meats as protein sources, but it also features meat meals and by-products. It has some plant ingredients and certain formulas are with artificial additives.
In terms of ingredient quality, 9Lives’ formulas are often compared to some of Purina’s lines, such as Friskies, Cat Chow, and Fancy Feast.
9Lives Cat Food Formulas Reviewed
There are various 9Lives Cat Food formulas. To make the choice easier, we have reviewed some of the brand’s best-selling options.
Summary: This Meaty pate super supper wet cat food is made using real chicken and fish. You can get variety packs considering the various flavor and size options. It is also a great choice if you are into feeding feral cats and it has been observed to be popular among them. The brand also offers large portion sizes in affordable packaging.
Type: Wet cat food
Best for: Kitten and adult; Complete Nutrition
Price: $2/can
- 100% complete nutrition
- Made with real fish and chicken
- Suitable for all cat sizes
- Offers great portion sizes
- Affordable
- Contains additives like titanium dioxide
- With meat by-products
Ingredient Analysis
- Chicken: This is a great source of protein and helps to make the meal a lot more filling
- Meat By-Products: This is often considered a meat substitute and not regarded as very healthy
- Taurine: This is a supplement that helps with normal vision, digestion, and heart muscle function
Review: This wet cat food contains real chicken and fish making it a hit with most cats. You can also get a discount during checkout on some websites.
Summary: This is a convenient variety pack of wet cat food that gives your cat a new taste more often. It includes several flavors and food varieties that will keep your cat interested and engaged. It contains real beef and ocean whitefish that offer nutritional benefits and help keep your cat healthy. The food is filling and therefore will not require multiple feeding sessions per day. There are several size options available also.
Type: Wet cat food
Best for: Adult; Variety Pack
Price: $0.8/can
- Highly affordable
- Contains real beef and fish
- Available in a variety of flavors
- Delicious flavor
- Filling meals per serving
- Contains meat by-products
- Titanium dioxide (artificial color)
Ingredient Analysis
- Meat By-Product: Used to add bulk, it has nutrients but is not always the healthiest ingredient
- Flavoring Agents: These are both natural and artificial and may cause issues in some cats
- Titanium Dioxide: This is used to add color to the food to make it look more appealing
Review: This food product contains moist and tender grounded meat. It is a great source of nutritional benefits.
Summary: Just a single serving of this dry cat food will keep your cat full and energetic throughout the day. However, it is best to adjust the serving size based on the breed and age of the cat. It is best to consult a vet for that. This cat food offers 100% complete and balanced nutrition that keeps your cat’s weight under control.
Type: Dry cat food
Best for: Adult; Weight Control
Price: $0.8/pound
- Easy to store
- Affordable product
- Available in a variety of flavors
- Filling meals per serving
- Offers hairball control
- Some cats dislike the flavor
- Contains chicken by-product meal
Ingredient Analysis
- Whole Wheat: Grains are often not suitable for feline species as they are complete carnivores
- Meat and Bone Meal: This helps to add volume to the food and makes it a lot more filling
- Animal Fat: This is a great source of energy and helps keep your cat feeling warm on cold days
Review: This product contains lean protein and B vitamins that help keep your cat’s weight under control. It is also affordable and perfect if your feed feral cats.
Summary: Every bite of this wet cat food will keep your cat on its toes. It contains thick pieces of meat in a delicious gravy. The protein in the dish varies between seafood, poultry, and beef. It offers large portion sizes in affordable packaging making it convenient for most pet parents. The quality of ingredients used is at par with some of the best brands.
Type: Wet cat food
Best for: Kittens, adults & senior cats; Complete Nutrition
Price: $1.8/can
- Affordable product
- Available in a variety of flavors
- Made with real chicken
- 100% complete nutrition
- Filling meals per serving
- Some flavors might not suit some cats
- Contains meat by-products that could be harmful
Ingredient Analysis
- Chicken: This is a great source of protein and helps to make the meal a lot more filling
- Meat By-Products: Used to make the food more filling and is not often considered healthy
- Titanium Dioxide: This is used to add color to the food to make it look more appealing
Review: Just unpack a single serving in your cat’s food bowl and watch them spend the entire day taking bites of this delicious wet cat food.
Summary: Offering complete and balanced nutrition to your kittens and adult cats, this dry cat food is perfect for your indoor pet. It helps with strong muscle growth and maintains your cat’s heart and vision health. It contains taurine, which supports cardiovascular development and improves blood flow in your cat’s body. It is available in a range of varieties and sizes making it easy for you to choose the perfect product for your cat.
Type: Dry cat food
Best for: Kitten and Adults; Healthy Heart
Price: $0.9/pound
- Affordable product
- Available in a variety of flavors
- Contains omega-3 fatty acids
- Filling meals per serving
- Promotes healthy skin and coat
- Contains meat by-products
- With titanium dioxide for coloring
Ingredient Analysis
- Chicken By-Products: Added to make the food more filling, but is not often considered healthy
- Beef Fat: Used to provide energy and keep the cat active throughout the day. However, in excess amounts, it can make your cat obese.
- Titanium Dioxide: This is used to add color to the food to make it look more appealing
Review: This product is extremely affordable and a great pick as a product that is easy for your cat to digest. It also gives your cat a lot of energy.
What Cat Food Formulas Does 9Lives Make?
The brand offers a variety of wet and dry cat foods classified into four product lines. Here is a full list of the different 9Lives Cat Food formulas:
- 9Lives Hearty Cuts
- Hearty Cuts With Real Turkey & Cheese in Gravy
- 9Lives Meaty Pate
- Meaty Paté With Real Turkey & Giblets
- Meaty Paté With Real Chicken & Tuna Cat Food
- 9Lives Protein Plus
- 9Lives Tender Morsels
- Tender Morsels With Real Turkey & Chicken in Sauce
- 100% Complete Nutrition For Kittens And Adult Maintenance
- Made With Real Fish And Chicken
- Moist And Tender Grounds
Has 9Lives Cat Food Been Recalled?
During its 50+ years in the market, 9Lives Cat Food has been recalled two times.
In 2018, certain wet cat foods were recalled due to potentially low levels of thiamine (vitamin B1). In 2017, some canned food lines had to be recalled for the same reason – low thiamine levels.
Is 9Lives Cat Food Worth it?
Yes, 9Lives Cat Food is worth it if you are looking for an affordable brand of cat food.
The brand uses good quality ingredients but also includes several by-products and additives that could be an issue for some pet parents. Additionally, their products also contain grain on several occasions in contrast to whole meat which would be a better first ingredient.
