SquarePet’s cat food line is small: two dry recipes sold under the VFS Powercat name, Turkey & Chicken and Herring & Salmon. On paper, both look reasonable. Cats.com, which reviewed the line on January 6, 2026, describes them as high in animal protein and lower in carbohydrates than many dry foods. Those figures are the reviewer’s calculations from product information, though, not proof that a given cat will do better on them. Whether SquarePet is worth buying depends on whether your cat eats it, how much water it drinks alongside a dry diet, and whether a veterinarian has a reason to steer you toward a specific protein.
What SquarePet sells for cats right now
SquarePet’s official cat food page currently lists two products under the VFS Powercat name: Turkey & Chicken for Cats and Herring & Salmon for Cats. Both are dry food. The Cats.com review states that the brand did not offer wet cat food at the time of its January 2026 update, and the catalog as checked for this article shows no wet cat recipe. If you were hoping for a canned or pouched option to pair with the kibble, you will need to look elsewhere from this brand.
VFS Powercat Turkey & Chicken
According to Cats.com, the ingredient list opens with turkey, chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal, followed by potatoes and other ingredients, and salmon also appears in the list. That makes this the poultry-based recipe of the two.
VFS Powercat Herring & Salmon
The Herring & Salmon ingredient list opens with herring, salmon meal, and herring meal. Cats.com describes its animal protein as fish-only, which makes it the only fish-based option in the line.
#1 Best Overall
- VFS POWERCAT is obligate carnivore nutrition specifically formulated to match the needs of the unique feline metabolism
- VFS POWERCAT is a high meat-based protein diet paired with ultra-low carbohydrates which provides the carnivorous amino acids required by hypercarnivores to help promote strong muscles and a lean and fit body condition.
- VFS POWERCAT is the perfect diet for your hypercarnivorous feline! High Meat - Ultra Low Carbohydrates
- VFS POWERCAT formulas mirror the high-meat nutrition found in raw diets but in a convenient kibble form. >92% of protein from animal proteins to support strong muscles and lean body condition, and meet energy demands Scientifically formulated with ultra-low carbohydrates (less than 8% dietary starch) to provide more carnivorous amino acids from meat-based protein ingredients Convenient alternative to raw feeding & home cooking Complete and balanced diet for kittens or adult cats
- All-natural nutrition – no artificial ingredients Made with real fruits and vegetables, antioxidants, DHA/EPA, and probiotics to support a healthy immune system. Exceptionally palatable - great for picky cats! Made WITHOUT peas, legumes, lentils & grains dry-food Made in the USA Veterinarian formulated to match the needs of the unique feline metabolism Also Great for Ferrets!
How the two recipes compare
The table below uses the figures Cats.com reported in its January 6, 2026 review. Where the review’s own numbers disagree, the table says so rather than picking one.
| Feature | Turkey & Chicken | Herring & Salmon |
|---|---|---|
| Animal proteins named first in the ingredient list | Turkey, chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal (salmon also appears) | Herring, salmon meal, herring meal (fish-only animal protein) |
| Calories per ounce (Cats.com) | About 114 kcal/oz | About 117 kcal/oz |
| Dry-matter protein (Cats.com calculation) | About 53% | About 49% |
| Dry-matter carbohydrate (Cats.com calculation) | Not settled: the review’s text gives about 23%, while its chart shows about 11.6%. Check the current guaranteed analysis or manufacturer data before quoting a figure. | About 25% |
| Crude protein and crude fat on guaranteed analysis (Cats.com) | 48% crude protein and 18% crude fat, as listed in the review; verify against the current bag | Not stated in the review |
| Daily cost (Cats.com calculation) | Lower per day than Herring & Salmon in the review’s calculation | Higher per day than Turkey & Chicken in the review’s calculation; prices change, so check current listings |
The introduction of the Cats.com page also mentions “less than 8% dietary starch.” That is a measure of starch, not total carbohydrate, so it should not be substituted for the carbohydrate figures above.
What the nutrition numbers do and do not show
The higher protein and lower carbohydrate picture is the main nutritional argument for both recipes, and it is the most useful thing to understand about them. A few limits apply:
Rank #2
- VFS POWERCAT is obligate carnivore nutrition specifically formulated to match the needs of the unique feline metabolism
- VFS POWERCAT is a high meat-based protein diet paired with ultra-low carbohydrates which provides the carnivorous amino acids required by hypercarnivores to help promote strong muscles and a lean and fit body condition
- VFS POWERCAT is the perfect diet for your hypercarnivorous feline! High Meat - Ultra Low Carbohydrates
- VFS POWERCAT formulas mirror the high-meat nutrition found in raw diets but in a convenient kibble form. >92% of protein from animal proteins to support strong muscles and lean body condition, and meet energy demands Scientifically formulated with ultra-low carbohydrates (less than 8% dietary starch) to provide more carnivorous amino acids from meat-based protein ingredients Convenient alternative to raw feeding & home cooking Complete and balanced diet for kittens or adult cats
- All-natural nutrition – no artificial ingredients Made with real fruits and vegetables, antioxidants, DHA/EPA, and probiotics to support a healthy immune system. Exceptionally palatable - great for picky cats! Made WITHOUT peas, legumes, lentils & grains dry-food Made in the USA Veterinarian formulated to match the needs of the unique feline metabolism Also Great for Ferrets!
- The protein and carbohydrate percentages are dry-matter calculations made by the reviewer from product information. They are not laboratory results published by the manufacturer for this article, and they are not measures of how a cat digests or uses a diet.
- Calorie density matters for portion planning. Turkey & Chicken and Herring & Salmon differ by only about 3 kcal per ounce in the review, so calorie density alone is not a reason to choose one over the other.
- Nothing in these figures shows a health outcome. A higher protein percentage is not a promise of better coat, weight, or kidney health for an individual cat.
Is it complete and balanced for all life stages?
Cats.com reports that both recipes are complete for all life stages. That claim comes from the package adequacy statement, and you should confirm it on the bag you buy. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is explicit about what that means. Its consumer FAQ, accessed October 7, 2026, states: “In short, AAFCO does not approve, certify or otherwise endorse pet foods.”
What AAFCO does provide is a nutrient profile. Its FAQ notes that cat nutrient profiles include 44 nutritional parameters, and it directs consumers to the nutritional adequacy statement on the package to see whether a product conforms to a profile or feeding protocol. Read that statement on the bag. Do not describe either recipe as “AAFCO approved,” because AAFCO does not approve products.
Also be cautious with marketing terms. AAFCO cautions that “premium” is not a specially regulated quality standard. Words such as “natural” and “veterinarian-formulated” do not stand in for clinical evidence or a guarantee of a health benefit.
Rank #3
- VFS POWERCAT formulas mirror the high-meat nutrition found in raw diets but in a convenient kibble form.
- >92% of protein from animal proteins to support strong muscles and lean body condition, and meet energy demands
- Scientifically formulated with ultra-low carbohydrates (less than 8% dietary starch) to provide more carnivorous amino acids from meat-based protein ingredients
- Convenient alternative to raw feeding & home cooking
- Complete and balanced diet for kittens or adult cats
Ingredient quality and manufacturing claims
Cats.com gives SquarePet a 10 out of 10 for ingredient quality, but that score reflects the reviewer’s rubric. AAFCO’s label guidance lists ingredients by weight, so the order tells you what makes up the largest share of the recipe. The order alone does not show overall nutritional quality, and it does not show whether a recipe suits a cat with a specific medical condition.
Several production claims come from SquarePet itself and are relayed by Cats.com. The company says its formulas are developed with a veterinarian and a PhD animal nutritionist, that it runs laboratory testing and feeding studies, and that it uses a “test and hold” process. Cats.com also reports production in Minnesota at an SQF-certified facility and describes some ingredient sourcing examples, while noting that sourcing detail is incomplete. These are company descriptions. Nothing here amounts to an independent audit of the plant or an independent feeding trial.
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Feeding amounts and water intake on a dry diet
Cats.com gives about one-half cup per day as a starting point for a 10-pound cat. It says activity level and individual needs may call for more or less. Treat that as a starting estimate, not a prescription. The bag’s feeding directions, and your veterinarian if your cat has a health concern, take priority.
Rank #4
- PICKY EATER APPROVED: Premium raw-coated kibble cats love -- our freeze-dried raw coating delivers irresistible taste that even the most selective eaters enthusiastically devour.
- HIGH-PROTEIN, ANCESTRAL NUTRITION: 65-70% animal protein with cage-free duck as the #1 ingredient -- formulated to provide the nutrient-rich diet your cat's wild ancestors thrived on.
- SMALL KIBBLE SIZE WITH DIGESTIVE SUPPORT: Perfect for kittens, senior cats, and cats with dental issues -- includes natural fiber and probiotics to promote gentle digestion.
- PROMOTES HEALTHY SKIN & GLOSSY COAT: Rich in omega fatty acids from salmon oil and fenugreek seeds that visibly improve coat shine and reduce shedding -- supports complete feline wellness.
- PURE QUALITY, USA CRAFTED: Grain-free recipe with NO fillers or artificial additives -- responsibly sourced premium ingredients in small batches for maximum freshness and nutritional integrity.
Because both recipes are dry, water intake matters more than it would with a canned diet. Cats.com suggests fresh water, multiple bowls, or a water fountain to encourage drinking. A fountain is an optional accessory, not something the food requires.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Recall history and how to check it
Cats.com reported that none of SquarePet’s products had been recalled at the time of its January 6, 2026 review. That is a dated finding. It does not mean a product cannot be recalled later.
To check for current notices, use the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Recalls & Withdrawals page. FDA explains that a recall can be initiated by a firm, requested by FDA, or ordered by FDA. The page changes often, so check it on the day you buy. Not finding a SquarePet notice there is useful, but it is not proof of overall product quality.
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Best Value
- Chicken is the First Ingredient
- 36% Protein Guaranteed
- Nutrients to Support Complete Indoor Health
- Omega 3 & 6
Customer response and palatability
Cats.com summarizes its selected customer reviews as mostly positive. It also notes reports of stomach upset and food refusal. Individual comments are anecdotes, not evidence of how most cats will respond. One reviewer quoted by Cats.com, on October 28, 2025, wrote: “I hoped my cats would eat this, but unfortunately, my cats didn’t like this food and I had to mix it with their old food just so they would eat it.” Acceptance clearly varies by cat.
Cats.com’s ratings
Cats.com gave SquarePet an overall 7.8 out of 10, or B+, under its own review rubric. These are the reviewer’s ratings, not independent certification.
| Category (Cats.com rubric) | Score |
|---|---|
| Species appropriateness | 8/10 |
| Ingredient quality | 10/10 |
| Product variety | 4/10 |
| Price | 5/10 |
| Customer experience | 10/10 |
| Recall history | 10/10 |
| Overall | 7.8/10 (B+) |
Is SquarePet worth it for your cat?
SquarePet makes sense as one option among several dry foods if the following are true:
- Your cat eats dry food reliably and you have a plan for water intake.
- You want a poultry-based recipe or a fish-based recipe, and no veterinarian has advised a specific protein.
- The bag’s adequacy statement covers your cat’s life stage.
- The cost per day at your cat’s actual ration fits your budget. Check current prices, since the review’s cost comparison may be out of date.
Consider a different approach, or talk to your veterinarian first, if:
- Your cat has a diagnosed condition or a suspected food allergy. Herring & Salmon is not a proven allergy diet, and Turkey & Chicken contains poultry. Neither should be chosen on the strength of a review alone.
- Your cat refuses the food or drinks too little on a dry diet.
- You need a wet food option, which this line does not currently offer.
Before you buy, check the bag’s adequacy statement and guaranteed analysis against the figures above, then check the FDA recall page. If you introduce the food, blend it gradually with your cat’s current food, and watch appetite, stool, and drinking habits during the switch.
SquarePet’s catalog lists two products, and the public data behind them is limited to a single detailed review, company statements, and the bag label. That makes it a reasonable candidate to test, not a food with independent evidence of superior results.
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.
