Friskies vs. Fancy Feast vs. Meow Mix vs. 9Lives: Which Cat Food is the Best?
Buying cat food can be tricky, especially if you are not used to it.Many of the standard cat food products that are available on the market today include many forms of processed foods and other additives which can pose harm to your cat if not correctly identified.Have you wondered which is the best cat food brand to go for?There are many factors to consider when choosing the best pet food brand for your pet,such as ingredient quality, guaranteed analysis, product safety, brand history, and cost.Friskies,Fancy Feast,Meow Mix and 9Lives are four of the most widely available brands of cat food.All of them offer a range that includes wet cat food, dry food, and treats.What cat food is better 9Lives or Friskies?Is Friskies or Meow Mix wet food better?Which cat food is better Fancy Feast or Friskies?Is Friskies better than Fancy Feast?Friskies vs. Fancy Feast vs. Meow Mix vs. 9Lives: which cet food is the best?In this comparison article for Friskies vs. Fancy Feast vs. Meow Mix vs. 9Lives, I'll highlight the key differences among these four cat food brands.For a better understanding of your options and to provide the best meal that your cat needs, here are some things you should know.
Introduction of Friskies
Friskies is an American brand of wet and dry cat food and treats owned by Nestlé Purina PetCare Company, a subsidiary of Nestlé global.Nestlé Purina is a popular conglomerate and among the leading pet food brands in the world. The brand, in addition to Friskies, is also responsible for manufacturing Fancy Feast, Purina Cat Chow, Tidy Cats, and other products.
Friskies is especially known for being affordable yet tasty. It works great for cats who are known to be pickier in terms of food.Friskies has been around for more than 80 years.Friskies started operations back in 1934. The brand was started as a dog food manufacturer, but it later moved to the manufacturer and provided affordable cat food.Later, the Friskies Feast for cats brands gained a foothold in the then growing cat food market.Today, Friskies is the leading cat wet food manufacturer.
With a wide variety of yummy wet and dry foods, treats and cat food complements, Friskies provides a world of taste adventures that feed your cat’s playfulness and curiosity.With more than 101 different options, your cat’s mealtime can be more exciting than a bird riding a squirrel in a tiny rodeo.
A Quick Look at Friskies Cat Food
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Where to Buy Friskies Cat Food?
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Introduction of Fancy Feast
Fancy Feast is the world’s first gourmet natural food for cats.Initially introduced by the Carnation Company in 1982, it was later taken up by Nestle Purina PetCare Company in 1985.Though it’s now one of the cheaper brands on the market, Fancy Feast is advertised as a luxurious food experience for cats.
Fancy Feast is known for its delectable selection of gourmet wet and dry food for cats, originally available in seven different flavors.Now,Fancy Feast offers a wide range of over 150 different types of cat food, including dry kibble, sliced meats, chunky pâté, and broth. It also has a range of food toppers and appetizers, so almost all cat tastes are catered for!
Fancy Feast is a favourite of cat owners who feed their pets a variety of foods. They offer some of the most excellent textures and flavours available, and most cats will love at least one.These flavors of wet food are savory, which most cat foods lack, thus making the Fancy Feast cat food an unrivaled brand in the gourmet food world for cats.
A Quick Look at Fancy Feast Cat Food
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Where to Buy Fancy Feast Cat Food?
Introduction of Meow Mix
Meow Mix Cat Food started back in 1974 and was initially run by Ralston Purina Company.The Meow Mix brand went from owner to owner through the next forty years.It is a product of The J.M. Smucker Company as of March 23, 2015. As a result, Meow Mix became a part of the same company that currently owns 9Lives, Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance, and Rachael Ray Nutrish, among other brands.
Meow Mix is a variety of dry and wet cat food known for its advertising jingle. Meow Mix is perhaps best known for its tagline—“the food cats ask for by name” and accompanying jingle. The brand is economical, offers a respectable product variety, and is easy to find in stores around the world.
Meow Mix cat food is so delicious. It’s the only brand cats ask for by name.As their jingle states, cats ask for it by name. Because of its tasty flavor, affordability, and ease of access, Meow Mix is a favorite among cat owners and cats alike.Still, Meow Mix isn’t necessarily the best option for all cats. Because Meow Mix does not contain the healthiest of ingredients, cats with known health conditions ought to select healthier brands that are tailored to their health needs.
A Quick Look at Meow Mix Cat Food
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Where to Buy Meow Mix Cat Food?
Introduction of 9Lives
The 9Lives brand has a long history of caring for cats. It started with food, but it actually goes way beyond that.9Lives cat food first hit shelves in 1959, starting with wet cat food. In fact, it was the first wet cat food brand in the U.S. Over the years, the brand expanded into dry cat food! Due to a well-thought-out advertising campaign featuring “Morris the Cat,” they quickly became one of the industry’s most recognizable brands. This cat starred in over 50 commercials.9Lives is now owned by Big Heart Pet Brands of the J.M. Smucker Company. The company also owns other brands of cat food such as Meow Mix and Rachael Ray Nutrish.
9Lives also advocates the adoption of rescued kitties, works with shelters, and donates food and money to help support the cause.Morris himself was a shelter cat before becoming an advertising icon.To this day, the 9Lives brand is all about helping give cats the good life. That includes not just good food but also good homes and good health.
A Quick Look at 9Lives Cat Food
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Where to Buy 9Lives Cat Food?
Friskies vs. Fancy Feast vs. Meow Mix vs. 9Lives Comparison Side by Side
1.Sourcing and Manufacturing
Friskies - Friskies are manufactured in facilities in the USA that are owned by Purina. Most ingredients are sourced from the United States, according to the company’s website. Some hard-to-find ingredients are sourced from other companies, including rabbit,lamb,venison,duck and vitamin packs.While the ingredients used to make this food are not exactly top-of-the-line, they are able to maintain costs and keep the prices low.
Fancy Feast - Most Purina products are sourced and manufactured in the United States.Certain product lines, including Fancy Feast Flaked Fish & Shrimp, Fancy Feast Broths, and Fancy Feast Purely, are made in Thailand, but these are still manufactured in facilities owned by the company.
Meow Mix - All Meow Mix dry food is produced in Decatur, Alabama, which is also the company’s head facility location. The wet cat food, however, is produced in Thailand. Unfortunately, the company does not release information relating to sourcing practices.
9Lives - The brand’s dry cat food products are manufactured in Pennsylvania and Kansas. Their wet variants are made in the US, with some made in international facilities. 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.
2.Type of Cat Foods
Friskies | Fancy Feast | Meow Mix | 9Lives | |
Dry Cat Food | 7 Recipes | 3 Recipes | 15 Recipes | 5 Recipes |
Wet Cat Food | 129 Recipes | 176 Recipes | 21 Recipes | 19 Recipes |
Cat Treats | 21 Treats | 10 Treats | 5 Treats | ✕ |
Friskies cat food line does not offer specifically designed meals for kittens or seniors.However, they have a food topper Friskies Lil’ Soups, explicitly designed for senior cats.
9Lives does not offer specialized kitten and senior cat food.
3.Nutrition
Wet Cat Food
Wet Cat Food | Friskies | Fancy Feast | Meow Mix | 9Lives |
Crude Protein | 48% | 55% | 58% | 45.9% |
Crude Fat | 14.8% | 15% | 13% | 16.7% |
Crude Fiber | 6% | 8.2% | 6.6% | 5% |
Dry Cat Food
Dry Cat Food | Friskies | Fancy Feast | Meow Mix | 9Lives |
Crude Protein | 34% | 38% | 35% | 35% |
Crude Fat | 12% | 19% | 13% | 10% |
Crude Fiber | 4% | 3.3% | 5% | 4% |
Crude Protein - Cats require twenty-two amino acids to sustain life. Eleven of these amino acids are synthesized naturally, the remaining eleven are consumed. Protein is the nutrient which provides some or all of these eleven essential amino acids.Cats can acquire a wide range of significant health issues if they don’t get enough protein.
Crude Fat - Dietary fat benefits our feline friends’ health in various ways. The following is a non-exhaustive list of the advantages fats provide:
Aid in the development of the retina and visual cortex.
Boost the skin’s and coat’s health.
Make careful to keep a regular blood pressure reading.
Prevent or reduce the likelihood of certain heart problems.
Aid in the development of the retina and visual cortex.
Reduce inflammation associated with arthritis.
Crude Fiber - Fibre is an essential carbohydrate for your cat’s health. The cat’s body not only benefits from this, but it also digests the food thoroughly, allowing all of the required nutrients to be absorbed appropriately.
4.Price
The average cost-per-lb is heavily influenced by the varying amounts of moisture present in each brand's food products (wet vs. dry food, dry vs. freeze-dried food, etc). However, the average cost-per-kcal eliminates the influence of moisture. Therefore, the average cost-per-kcal is the better metric to consider.
We all know how expensive cat food can get. Many pet owners have to carefully consider their budget restraints to determine what cat food to get.While higher price does not always mean a better product, you should always prioritize feeding the best quality food you can afford.
Dry Cat Food
Dry Cat Food | Friskies | Fancy Feast | Meow Mix | 9Lives |
Per Pound | $1.21 | $2.25 | $1.31 | $1.62 |
Per Calorie | $0.007 | $0.0012 | $0.0008 | $0.0011 |
Wet Cat Food
Wet Cat Food | Friskies | Fancy Feast | Meow Mix | 9Lives |
Per Pound | $2.11 | $5.06 | $4.84 | $2.71 |
Per Calorie | $0.0050 | $0.0123 | $0.0133 | $0.0070 |
The average cost-per-lb is heavily influenced by the varying amounts of moisture present in each brand's food products (wet vs. dry food, dry vs. freeze-dried food, etc). However, the average cost-per-kcal eliminates the influence of moisture. Therefore, the average cost-per-kcal is the better metric to consider.
5.Recall History
Friskies - Friskies has had very few recalls. They did a voluntary recall in 2011 because of potential salmonella contamination. However, there were no reports of any illnesses that were attached to that recall.
Fancy Feast - Even though the Pet Care company of Purina has had several recalls in the past, Fancy Feast has never been recalled to date.
Meow Mix - To date, Meow Mix has never been recalled, but that does not mean their food is completely safe. In 2015, Meow Mix was found to have the highest mycotoxin mold contamination. These results were found in a study that was crowdfunded by a consumer advocacy group.Mycotoxin is a substance that is created by a fungus that commonly grows on grains. If your cat consumes this, it might get ill.
9Lives - 9Lives has been recalled at least twice during its 60-plus years in the industry.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.
Conclusion
Essentially, you should look for food based on your cat age and healthy, this way it will get the nutrients and energy to thrive.Overall, Friskies or Fancy fast are suitable for fiber, protein, and fats,ut Fancy Feast is better when compared to Friskies. Friskies contains rice, whereas Fancy Feast does not.This means that Fancy Feast has a lower carb count. As obligate carnivores, cats prefer low-carbohydrate diets. However, if you can’t afford to spend money on Fancy Feast, Friskies is a terrific alternative!
9Lives 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.
Meow Mix food contains some artificial additives that might lead to health issues in the long run. It is also high in grains and carbohydrates.It is therefore recommended to opt for their wet products as it is better catered to a cat’s pallet. It contains essential nutrients such as proteins and fats that a cat needs.
#Top 2 Friskies Cat Food Recipes
Friskies Surfin' & Turfin' Favorites Dry Cat Food
Price: $19.98 for 22-lb(@Chewy)
Top Ingredients: Ground Yellow Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal, Soybean Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Beef Fat Preserved With Mixed-Tocopherols, Meat And Bone Meal, Liver Flavor, Ocean Fish Meal
Friskies Surfin’ & Turfin’ appears to be the most popular of the brand’s six dry cat foods. It packs whisker-licking flavor that’s sure to impress even the pickiest connoisseur, with chicken, ocean whitefish, salmon and filet mignon in every crunchy bite. This delicious kitty kibble is loaded with protein to encourage healthy muscles, essential fatty acids to help support healthy skin and coat, and a crunchy texture to keep her teeth clean! Friskies provides a complete and balanced diet and a taste that will have your furry friend purring with delight with every single bite!
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Friskies Classic Pate Turkey & Giblets Dinner Canned Wet Cat Food
Price: $17.52(@Chewy)
Top Ingredients: Meat By-Products, Water Sufficient for Processing, Turkey, Poultry By-Products, Fish, Poultry Giblets, Rice
The pate-style of wet food seems to be one of the most popular that Friskies makes. The Friskies Classic Pate Turkey & Giblets Dinner Canned Cat Food is one such recipe.This classic pate recipe features tasty and nutritious turkey and giblets, and is packed with everything your cat needs to stay looking and feeling his best, like protein, antioxidants and healthy omegas. Plus, the formula is enhanced with vitamins, minerals and essential taurine for nose-to-tail well-being in every bite. Since it’s made with real broth, it also provides moisture to help keep your pal hydrated and support urinary health.
Though this food is called “Turkey & Giblets Dinner”, it’s primarily made from meat by-products, a vague name for any combination of AAFCO-approved tissues from cattle, pigs, sheep, or goats.
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#Top 2 Fancy Feast Cat Food Recipes
Purina Fancy Feast With Savory Chicken & Turkey Dry Cat Food
Price: $58.16 for 12-lb(@Chewy)
Top Ingredients: Rice, Poultry By-Product Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Beef Fat Preserved With Mixed-Tocopherols, Whole Grain Corn, Soybean Meal, Natural Flavor, Chicken, Turkey
A deliciously savory premium dry cat food, this recipe is 100 percent nutritionally complete and balanced while offering a deliciously savory gourmet chicken and turkey dry cat food taste. Each delectable bite of this soft dry cat food provides essential vitamins for cats, plus minerals to help support feline health so your cat can flourish. Watch as your cat enthusiastically scampers over every time these Fancy Feast dry tender cat food morsels hit her dish and know you’re giving your lovable feline the nutrition she needs to be her best. Fancy Feast dry cat food is produced using sustainable ingredients in Purina-owned facilities to ensure the highest quality standards.As a budget-range cat food, this kibble does contain chicken and turkey, but these are fairly low down the ingredients list.
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Fancy Feast Classic Chicken Feast Canned Wet Cat Food
Price: $19.60(@Chewy)
Top Ingredients: Chicken, Poultry Broth, Liver, Meat By-Products, Fish
This cat food is one of Fancy Feast’s essential recipes.Turn mealtime into a fancy affair with Fancy Feast's Classic Chicken Feast Canned Cat Food. This protein-rich recipe is made with whisker-licking chicken as the very first ingredient and provides your cat with a complete and balanced meal, for the nourishment she needs. Your kitty won't be able to resist the smooth, pate texture and gourmet flavor from real poultry broth. Best of all, every bite contains essential vitamins and minerals for nose-to-tail well-being.
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#Top 2 Meow Mix Cat Food Recipes
Meow Mix Original Choice Dry Cat Food
Price: $20.48 for 22-lb(@Chewy)
Top Ingredients: Ground Yellow Corn, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken By-Product Meal, Soybean Meal, Beef Tallow (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Animal Digest, Calcium Carbonate, Turkey By-Product Meal, Salmon Meal, Ocean Fish Meal
Meow Mix Original Choice Dry Cat Food is specially formulated to help adult cats stay healthy and happy. To maintain wellness throughout adulthood, fully grown cats need the proper nutrition to keep them in top shape as they age. Meow Mix Original Choice provides all the essential nutrients they need, including high-quality protein and essential fatty acids to help support strong muscles and keep their coat looking its best. It’s packed with tons of wholesome ingredients and the irresistible flavors of chicken, turkey, salmon and ocean fish. This tasty food is complete and balanced for adult cats with all the vitamins and minerals they need for optimal health.
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Meow Mix Pate Toppers Seafood & Poultry Variety Pack Wet Cat Food
Price: $7.68(@Chewy)
Top Ingredients: Mackerel, Water Sufficient for Processing, Chicken, Beef Liver, Tuna, Tuna By-Product
Mealtime has way more variety with Meow Mix Pate Toppers Seafood & Poultry Variety Pack Canned Cat Food. This variety pack features three uniquely textured wet food choices, including: Pate Toppers with Real Chicken Topped with Shreds of Chicken (4 cups), Pate Toppers with Real Whitefish Topped with Flakes of Tuna (4 cups), Pate Toppers with Real Salmon Topped with Flakes of Tuna (4 cups). Each easy-open cup combines bite-size flakes or shreds of seafood or poultry layered over a smooth pate for a delicious and nutritious meal.Each can provides 100% complete and balanced nutrition. The food is bite-sized and layered over a smooth paté.
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#Top 2 9Lives Cat Food Recipes
9Lives Indoor Complete Cat Food
Price: $13.59 for 12-lb9(@PetFlow)
Top Ingredients: Whole ground corn, poultry by-product meal, corn gluten meal, soybean meal, whole wheat, meat & bone meal, animal fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), salmon, chicken, animal digest
9Lives Indoor Complete cat food is specially formulated with an Advanced Nutrient System to help indoor cats maintain their ideal weight and digestive health. Made with delicious cuts of real salmon and chicken and enriched with essential vitamins and the taste of garden greens it's everything your indoor cat needs to thrive inside.It also helps support hairball control and is made to result in easy litter box cleanup. Aside from that, this formula helps your cats to have a healthy weight and helps promote proper metabolism. It is the common choice of many cat owners as it is offered at a reasonable price and is available in a chicken and salmon flavor that can easily entice their cats.
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9 Lives Poultry & Beef Favorites Variety Pack Canned Cat Food
Price: $11.26(@Chewy)
Top Ingredients: Water Sufficient for Processing, Meat By-Products, Beef, Chicken, Soy Protein Concentrate, Wheat Flour, Modified Corn Starch, Steamed Bone Meal
With 9 Lives Poultry & Beef Favorites Variety Pack Canned Cat Food, your furry friend can enjoy a different flavor with every meal. This variety pack features 24 5.5-oz. cans of 9 Lives Hearty Cuts, which delivers big cuts of real meat, savory gravy, and the nutrition cats need to live long, healthy, happy lives. You’ll get 8 cans each of Hearty Cuts with Real Beef & Chicken in Gravy, Hearty Cuts with Real Chicken & Fish in Gravy, and Hearty Cuts with Real Turkey in Gravy—a true smorgasbord of flavor any cat would purr for.All of it has been formulated in order to offer 100% complete nutrition for kitten and adult maintenance. It also has the right moisture level that is good for the needs of your cats and helps them to absorb the meals and nutrients without problems.
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