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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Verdict: Northwest Naturals offers meat-forward frozen raw and freeze-dried cat foods, and its recipe pages say they are formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages. That is the manufacturer’s formulation claim—not an AAFCO endorsement or proof of suitability for an individual cat. The main tradeoffs are raw-food handling, lot-specific recall checks and the need to compare nutrition figures with moisture and calories in mind.
What Northwest Naturals sells
Northwest Naturals has frozen raw and freeze-dried cat food, with official recipe pages for Chicken, Turkey, Beef & Trout, and Trout. Cats.com describes the lineup as small. Product availability can vary, so check the manufacturer’s current recipe and package details before buying.
The company says its cat recipes are formulated to meet the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages. This describes the manufacturer’s formulation; it does not mean AAFCO tested or approved the food, nor does it establish that a particular recipe is right for a cat with a medical condition.
The Northwest Naturals Chicken Recipe page lists chicken, chicken necks, hearts and liver among its first ingredients, followed by egg, gelatin, water, sea vegetables, ground flaxseed, psyllium husk, salmon oil, inulin, green-lipped mussels, produce and mixed tocopherols as a preservative. The company identifies the chicken as sourced in Oregon and says it comes from a USDA-inspected human facility; those are manufacturer statements.
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#1 Best Overall
- Human-Grade Ingredients: Proudly made in the USA with ethical standards and on-site USDA inspection. Achieves the highest food safety scores for premium, trustworthy quality.
- Loved by Cats & Kittens: Delivers mealtime excitement for even the pickiest eaters. Doubles as a delicious, rewarding treat for training or everyday bonding.
- Bite-Sized Nibbles: Thoughtfully sized for easy chewing and enjoyment by cats of all breeds and ages—perfect for daily treating without the mess.
- Health Benefits: Raw food boosts nutrient retention, promotes a healthy skin and coat, and supports strong bones, muscles, digestion, and dental health.
- Freeze-Dried: Freeze-dried for long-lasting freshness and easy storage. The convenient, easy-open packaging is perfect for travel and on-the-go feeding.
How to read the Chicken Recipe nutrition figures
The manufacturer lists these guaranteed-analysis figures on the Chicken Recipe page. They are percentages as fed, so the water in each form affects the apparent protein and fat percentages.
| Form | Crude protein | Crude fat | Crude fiber | Moisture |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frozen raw | 14% minimum | 9% minimum | 4% maximum | 72% maximum |
| Freeze-dried | 45% | 15% | 5% | 5% |
These numbers should not be read as a direct comparison of nutritional value: the frozen food contains substantially more moisture. The product page also gives calculated nutrition values and notes that fresh meat and produce vary seasonally, that listed values are averages, and that its nutritional information is as fed rather than a guaranteed minimum or maximum.
Rank #2
- HUMAN GRADE INGREDIENTS: Ethically made in the USA, All production is supervised by an on-site USDA Inspector and has the highest scores in food manufacturing safety.
- LOVED BY CATS: Raises the bar for meal excitement, for even the pickiest eaters.
- BITE-SIZED NIBBLES: Easily enjoyed by cats.
- HEALTH BENEFITS: Feeding Raw food to pets can result in better nutrient retention, and improved skin and coat. Sustains digestive and dental health. Supports healthy bones and muscles.
- FREEZE-DRIED: For convenient storage. Our easy-open packages are perfect for travel.
AAFCO explains that ingredients are listed in descending order by weight and that guaranteed analysis reports minimum crude protein and fat and maximum crude fiber and moisture. Feeding directions are guidelines that may need adjustment for an individual animal. For a useful comparison, look at the exact current package or product page, calories, moisture, feeding directions, and cost per calorie—not only the as-fed percentages. AAFCO’s guide to pet food labels
Frozen or freeze-dried: what to weigh
The forms differ in moisture and handling needs, so choose based on the instructions and your household’s ability to store and serve the food safely. Freeze-dried does not mean risk-free, and this evidence does not establish that either form produces better clinical outcomes for cats.
Rank #3
- Human-Grade Ingredients: Proudly made in the USA with ethical standards and on-site USDA inspection. Achieves the highest food safety scores for premium, trustworthy quality.
- Loved by Cats & Kittens: Delivers mealtime excitement for even the pickiest eaters. Doubles as a delicious, rewarding treat for training or everyday bonding.
- Bite-Sized Nibbles: Thoughtfully sized for easy chewing and enjoyment by cats of all breeds and ages—perfect for daily treating without the mess.
- Health Benefits: Raw food boosts nutrient absorption, improves skin and coat health, and supports strong muscles, joints, digestion, and dental health for a happy, healthy pet.
- Freeze-Dried: Freeze-dried for long-lasting freshness and easy storage. The convenient, easy-open packaging is perfect for travel and on-the-go feeding.
- Recipe and purpose: Check whether the exact product is presented as a complete food or a topper, and confirm its feeding directions. Do not assume all products in a brand lineup are interchangeable.
- Calories and cost: Compare feeding cost per calorie rather than price per ounce alone; the formats have different moisture content and calorie density.
- Your cat’s needs: Ask a veterinarian before choosing food for a health condition, life-stage requirement, or elimination diet. A general review cannot determine whether a recipe is medically appropriate.
What the Cats.com rating means
Cats.com gives Northwest Naturals an overall score of 7.5/10 (45/60, grade B+). Its category scores are species appropriateness 9/10, ingredient quality 9/10, product variety 5/10, price 7/10, customer experience 9/10, and recall history 6/10. These are the publisher’s editorial judgments, not clinical results or a guarantee that the food will suit a particular cat.
The review praises the animal ingredients and discusses flaxseed and psyllium, while noting fiber as a potential downside for some cats. Its comments and user reviews are individual accounts, not evidence of how common a particular experience is. Prices shown in reviews can change; confirm current pricing with the seller.
Rank #4
- Human-Grade Ingredients: Proudly made in the USA with ethical standards and on-site USDA inspection. Achieves the highest food safety scores for premium, trustworthy quality.
- Loved by Cats & Kittens: Delivers mealtime excitement for even the pickiest eaters. Doubles as a delicious, rewarding treat for training or everyday bonding.
- Bite-Sized Nibbles: Thoughtfully sized for easy chewing and enjoyment by cats of all breeds and ages—perfect for daily treating without the mess.
- Health Benefits: Raw food boosts nutrient retention, promotes a healthy skin and coat, and supports strong bones, joint health, and optimal digestion and dental care.
- Freeze-Dried: Freeze-dried for long-lasting freshness and easy storage. The convenient, easy-open packaging is perfect for travel and on-the-go feeding.
Recalls and food-handling safety
Check the product name, package size, lot and best-by date against official notices. The two events below involve different recipes and pathogens; neither notice should be taken to mean that every Northwest Naturals product or lot is affected.
August 2026: frozen Chicken Recipe, Lot B-5
In a notice dated August 28, 2026, the FDA said Northwest Naturals voluntarily recalled 53 cases (1,272 pounds) of 2-pound frozen Chicken Recipe for cats and dog toppers. The affected cat food is identified as Lot B-5, best by 01/26/2028, UPC 087316384956. FDA reported that its testing found Salmonella in the chicken cat food. The notice said no illnesses had been reported as of its publication and that affected products had been distributed to retail stores nationwide. If your package matches these identifiers, stop feeding it and return unused product for a refund, following the notice’s directions. Check the FDA recall notice for current information.
Best Value
- Human-Grade Ingredients: Proudly made in the USA with ethical standards and on-site USDA inspection. Achieves the highest food safety scores for premium, trustworthy quality.
- Loved by Cats & Kittens: Delivers mealtime excitement for even the pickiest eaters. Doubles as a delicious, rewarding treat for training or everyday bonding.
- Bite-Sized Nibbles: Thoughtfully sized for easy chewing and enjoyment by cats of all breeds and ages—perfect for daily treating without the mess.
- Health Benefits: Raw food boosts nutrient absorption, improves skin and coat health, and supports strong muscles, joints, digestion, and dental health for a happy, healthy pet.
- Freeze-Dried: Freeze-dried for long-lasting freshness and easy storage. The convenient, easy-open packaging is perfect for travel and on-the-go feeding.
December 2024: frozen Turkey Recipe
A separate Oregon Department of Agriculture alert concerned 2-pound Feline Turkey Recipe raw frozen food with best-by codes 05/21/26 B10 and 06/23/2026 B1. The agency said USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories and Oregon State University’s diagnostic laboratory confirmed a genetic match between H5N1 in the food and a house cat that died after eating it. The alert advised customers to discard affected food and seek a refund. This historical turkey recall is distinct from the 2026 chicken recall. See the Oregon Department of Agriculture notice.
Handling raw pet food
FDA advises washing hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling raw pet food; cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces, bowls, utensils and storage areas it touches; keeping it separate from human food; and storing it frozen or refrigerated until use. These precautions apply to raw food generally, not only packages named in a recall. Oregon’s alert notes that raw meat may contain Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli and H5N1, and that thorough cooking destroys those pathogens. Follow the package’s storage and handling directions, and consult a veterinarian about food-safety risks in your household.
Quick Recap
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.
