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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Purpose cat food is freeze-dried raw food. The brand’s Carnivore line includes Chicken, Turkey, Duck and Rabbit recipes, and its product pages say the recipes are formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages. That wording is a manufacturer’s formulation claim—not AAFCO approval—and it does not establish independent testing or suitability for a particular cat. The main trade-off is raw-food handling: the FDA warns that raw pet food, including freeze-dried raw products, can carry harmful bacteria. Whether Purpose is a reasonable option depends on your cat’s needs, the package label and whether you are comfortable managing that risk.
What Purpose cat food sells
Purpose markets freeze-dried raw food and treats for cats and dogs. Its cat-food range includes four Carnivore recipes: Chicken, Turkey, Duck and Rabbit. The Chicken, Turkey and Duck product pages reviewed list 9 oz. packages. Purpose’s official site and its Chicken, Turkey and Duck pages describe the products and their ingredients.
Purpose says it works with humanely raised suppliers and produces its food in a USDA-inspected facility. Those are the company’s own sourcing and manufacturing representations, not independent audit findings. Check the package in hand for the current ingredient panel, net weight and feeding directions; product details can change.
What the AAFCO statement does—and does not—tell you
Purpose’s Carnivore product pages state that the recipes “are formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for All Life Stages.” This is the manufacturer’s claim that the formula is designed to meet those nutrient profiles. It is not proof of feeding-trial results, digestibility, clinical benefits or suitability for an individual cat.
#1 Best Overall
- Complete & Balanced Diet - Dry food for cats with optimal nutrition for your favorite feline from a blend of humanely raised chicken and turkey, paired with functional ingredients.
- Supports Healthy Digestion - Keep your kitty's tummy happy with this grain free cat food made up of a nutritious combination of proteins & functional ingredients that helps support healthy digestion.
- Essential Nutrients From Functional Ingredients - Functional ingredients like non-GMO pumpkin and dandelion greens provide the essential nutrients cats need from their diet.
- Know What's In Their Bowl - Formulated without corn, wheat, soy, or artificial flavors, preservatives or additives, just 100% traceable ingredients. No rendered poultry or meat meals either.
- Peace Of Mind For Pet Parents - We use 3rd party certified ingredients, vetted and tested, and you can trace every single ingredient to its geographic origin.
AAFCO explains: “In short, AAFCO does not approve, certify or otherwise endorse pet foods.” Read the nutritional adequacy statement on the actual package and confirm the life stage it covers. AAFCO advises choosing food with the animal’s species, life stage, condition, needs and preferences in mind; feeding amounts may need adjustment for activity and body condition. See AAFCO’s consumer FAQ and its guide to reading pet-food labels.
The raw-food safety trade-off
Freeze-dried raw is still raw food. The FDA warns that raw pet food is more likely than processed pet food to contain harmful bacteria, including Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. Its guidance includes freeze-dried raw pet food among categories that may be contaminated with Salmonella. The agency’s position is that not feeding a raw diet is the single best way to prevent infection from these bacteria. This is a general category risk; it is not evidence that a Purpose product or batch was contaminated.
Rank #2
- Chicken is the First Ingredient
- 36% Protein Guaranteed
- Nutrients to Support Complete Indoor Health
- Omega 3 & 6
For historical context, the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine reported screening more than 1,000 pet-food samples in a study conducted from October 2010 through July 2012. In the second year, the raw-food subset comprised 196 commercially available raw dog and cat food samples. The agency found raw products more likely than other types tested to be contaminated with disease-causing bacteria. That study is category-level historical evidence, not a current prevalence estimate or a test of Purpose products. Read the FDA’s Salmonella and pet-food guidance and information on freeze-dried raw pet food.
Handling precautions
- Wash your hands thoroughly after handling the food.
- Wash food bowls and utensils, and keep raw food and its juices from contaminating other surfaces or foods.
- Cover and refrigerate leftovers safely or discard them.
- Do not assume freeze-drying eliminates pathogens.
The FDA states: “FDA thinks that raw pet food poses significant health risks to both pets and pet owners.” If someone in your household is especially vulnerable to infection, discuss the choice with your veterinarian and consider whether raw food is appropriate for your home.
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- Complete & Balanced Diet - Dry food for cats delivering optimal nutrition for your favorite feline from wild-caught salmon paired with functional ingredients.
- Supports Healthy Digestion - Keep your kitty's tummy happy with this grain free cat food made up of a nutritious combination of proteins & functional ingredients that helps support healthy digestion.
- Essential Nutrients From Functional Ingredients - Functional ingredients like non-GMO pumpkin and dandelion greens provide the essential nutrients cats need from their diet.
- Know What's In Their Bowl - Formulated without corn, wheat, soy, or artificial flavors, preservatives or additives, just 100% traceable ingredients. No rendered poultry or meat meals either.
- Peace Of Mind For Pet Parents - We use 3rd party certified ingredients, vetted and tested, and you can trace every single ingredient to its geographic origin.
How to decide whether a Purpose recipe fits your cat
Compare the label and your household’s needs rather than assuming one protein is inherently better than another. Purpose’s general ingredient descriptions do not establish that a particular recipe is clinically superior.
- Protein and sensitivities: Check the complete ingredient panel against known allergies or intolerances. A recipe name alone does not show every ingredient.
- Life stage and health: Confirm that the package’s adequacy statement matches your cat’s life stage. Ask your veterinarian about a cat with a medical condition, special dietary needs or a history of food reactions.
- Feeding amount and cost: Use the current package’s directions as a starting point, then account for your cat’s activity and body condition. Compare cost per day using the amount your cat actually needs, not package price alone.
- Acceptance: A nutritionally suitable food is only practical if your cat will eat it. Introduce any diet change with veterinary guidance, especially for cats with health concerns.
- Handling: Decide whether you can consistently follow raw-food hygiene precautions at every feeding.
Price and availability
Stock and pricing are time-sensitive. When the official pages were accessed for this review, Purpose’s Chicken page showed a $25.99 sale price and “Sold out,” and the Turkey page also showed “Sold out.” Those page observations do not establish today’s availability or a regular price. Check the current Chicken listing and current Turkey listing before buying, and verify the exact recipe, package size and price at checkout. Cats.com lists Chewy as a purchase option in its review, but that mention does not confirm a live retailer listing.
Rank #4
- NATURAL INGREDIENTS: This all natural cat food features cage-free chicken as the first ingredient and made without grain, potato, corn, wheat, soy, by-product meals, artificial colors, or preservatives
- POWER OF RAW: Instinct Original cat dry food is coated in freeze dried cat food for enhanced flavor and nutrition, while crafted to remain minimally processed and never cooked
- NUTRIENT DENSE: Contains 81% animal ingredients and oils and 19% vegetables, fruits, and other wholesome foods, making this high protein cat food a nutrient-dense choice to support energy and lean muscles
- SUPPORTS WELLNESS: This grain free cat food includes guaranteed levels of live probiotics, natural omegas, and antioxidants to promote healthy digestion, nourish skin & coat, and support immune health
- CRAFTED IN THE USA: Instinct cat food is made in the USA with the finest ingredients from around the world for dependable quality, carefully sourced nutrition, and confidence in the pet food you choose.
How this review evidence compares with other coverage
Cats.com assigns Purpose an overall 7.3/10 (44/60) under its own six-criteria review rubric and discusses sourcing, variety, price and recall history. That score and those observations belong to Cats.com’s evaluation; they are not regulatory findings or independent laboratory results. No independent lab analysis, packaging transcription or manufacturer feeding-trial documentation was confirmed for this review, so the evidence supports describing the product and its claims—not making a measured performance verdict.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- One (1) 4 lb bag of ORIJEN Original Cat Food with Fresh and Raw** Ingredients
- ORIJEN dry cat food helps supports digestion, shiny coat, healthy skin and heart health for cats of all life stages
- Biologically Appropriate high protein recipe made with 90 percent animal ingredients* to deliver the nutrition cats need to thrive
- First five ingredients of this ORIJEN cat food are fresh or raw** free-run*** chicken and turkey, whole mackerel, turkey giblets and flounder, providing a strong source of essential protein, vitamins, and minerals
- Cat food kibble freeze-dried coated for a burst of raw flavor your cat instinctively craves, containing ORIJEN WholePrey ingredients that feature the most succulent parts of the prey
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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