Cats.com rates Addiction cat food at 48 out of 60, or A-, in its review published April 4, 2026. That is a positive but qualified verdict. The reviewer says cats seemed to enjoy the foods, and the brand offers unusual proteins and several wet recipes. But the review also finds that some recipes rely on plant ingredients and carbohydrate levels that it considers less ideal for obligate carnivores, which are animals that need animal-based nutrients. Whether a specific Addiction recipe suits your cat depends on the exact recipe, its ingredient list, and your cat’s sensitivities, not on the brand name alone.
How Cats.com scores Addiction
Cats.com grades brands across six categories, each out of 10. Addiction’s results are below. These are the review’s editorial ratings, not a clinical or regulatory certification.
| Category | Cats.com score (out of 10) |
|---|---|
| Species appropriateness | 8 |
| Ingredient quality | 9 (highest category score) |
| Product variety | 8 |
| Price | 6 (lowest category score) |
| Customer experience | 9 |
| Recall history | 8 |
| Overall | 48 out of 60 (A-) |
The gap between the strongest and weakest scores is the useful part. Ingredient quality and customer experience score well, while price pulls the total down. The reviewer’s closing judgment is more personal than the number: “Though Addiction isn’t one of our top-rated brands, cats really seem to enjoy it.” (Kate Barrington, Cats.com reviewer, April 4, 2026)
Which Addiction recipes were reviewed
The review covers the classic line and the Wild Islands line, and it covers both dry and wet foods. The four recipes below are the ones it analyzes in detail. Ingredient details are as represented in the review; check the current package label before buying.
#1 Best Overall
- High 42% Protein for Energy & Vitality: This formula is packed with 42% protein to support your cat’s muscle development, energy levels, and overall health, making it ideal for active and growing felines.
- Grain-Free & Low-Carb for Sensitive Stomachs: Free from potato, corn, soy, and wheat, this recipe delivers a nutritious, low-carbohydrate meal aligned with your cat’s natural dietary needs.
- Premium Island Bird Proteins: Featuring New Zealand duck, turkey, and chicken, this formula offers flavorful, digestible protein sources that cats love.
- Infused with Organ Meats & Antioxidants: Enriched with green-lipped mussel, manuka honey, and kiwifruit, this nutrient-rich blend supports immunity, a shiny coat, and overall well-being.
- Wild-Inspired Recipe for Holistic Health: Designed to mimic the primal diet of wild cats, this formula promotes robust muscles, a vibrant coat, and balanced nutrition for cats of all ages.
| Recipe | Format and moisture | Review-reported strengths | Review-reported caveats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Kangaroo Feast | Dry | Kangaroo is the first ingredient. The reviewer calls it a possible option for some cats that need a poultry-free food. | Contains fish meal, peas, and tapioca. It has the highest calculated carbohydrate share of the dry recipes reviewed, and lower dry-matter protein than Pacific Catch. |
| Wild Islands Pacific Catch | Dry | The first five ingredients are fish ingredients or animal meals. Calculated dry-matter protein is 50%. | Contains chicken meal, peas, pea protein, and tapioca. It is not fish-only and not poultry-free. |
| Wild Islands Highland Meats | Wet, 78% moisture (guaranteed analysis) | Beef, lamb, and lamb liver are among the first ingredients. The reviewer describes a soft, moist texture. | Also contains chicken, guar gum, and manuka honey. Calculated carbohydrates are higher than the reviewer would prefer. |
| Wild Islands Island Birds | Wet, 78% moisture (guaranteed analysis) | A chicken and turkey formula. The reviewer describes a smooth, moist texture. | Not suitable for a cat that must avoid poultry. Contains guar gum and manuka honey. |
Protein, fat, and carbohydrates: what the numbers mean
The review’s nutrient figures are calculated from each product’s guaranteed analysis, which lists minimum and maximum values for a few nutrients, and are expressed on a dry-matter basis so that dry and wet foods can be compared. They are not laboratory measurements of every production lot, and guaranteed analysis does not give a full typical nutrient profile. Cats.com itself warns that its nutrient charts may not reflect typical values.
| Recipe (dry-matter basis, calculated by Cats.com) | Protein | Fat | Fiber | Carbohydrates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Kangaroo Feast (dry) | 33.33% | 13.33% | 6.67% | 35.56% |
| Wild Islands Pacific Catch (dry) | 50.00% | 16.67% | 4.44% | 28.89% |
| Wild Islands Highland Meats (wet) | 40.91% | 18.18% | 9.09% | 31.82% |
| Wild Islands Island Birds (wet) | 45.45% | 18.18% | 9.09% | 27.27% |
For a cat, the carbohydrate column is the one that most often separates the recipes in the review. Dry foods generally need more carbohydrate to hold their shape, so the dry recipes show higher carbohydrate shares than the wet ones here. That is why the reviewer’s concern about plant ingredients and carbohydrates applies most directly to the Wild Kangaroo Feast and the wet recipes with peas or tapioca in their lists.
Rank #2
- One (1) 4 lb bag of ACANA Bountiful Catch Salmon and Whole Herring Dry Cat Food for Adult Cats.
- Crafted with raw** salmon and whole herring for a nutrient-dense high protein cat food with a craveable taste
- Balanced dry cat food recipe with 65% animal ingredients*
- Includes Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids to help support healthy skin, heart and eyes; and helps support cat digestive health with a blend of protein, fiber, and probiotics
- Cat food crafted in the USA using quality ingredients from around the world
Recall history: what Cats.com reports
Cats.com reports that 355 cases of two Addiction dog-food varieties were recalled in September 2016 because of excessive vitamin A and variation in the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio. The review says no illness was associated with the recall. The event involved dog food, not cat food, and the details here come from Cats.com. They have not been checked against a regulator’s notice, so verify them against a primary record if recall history is important to your purchase decision.
Sourcing and company background
Cats.com says Addiction was founded in 2002 by Jerel Kwek and makes its food in New Zealand, although some ingredients come from other countries. The brand’s official global catalog also describes its cat range as made in New Zealand. Both are brand or review descriptions rather than independently audited guarantees, so treat sourcing and sustainability claims as the company’s own statements.
Rank #3
- Limited Ingredient Recipe: Great nutrition starts with high-quality ingredients. Reveal Complete & Balanced Adult Cat Food is free from grains, wheat, soy, and potatoes, and is crafted using only the finest ingredients. Enriched with essential vitamins and minerals, this formula provides a complete and balanced meal that supports your cat's overall health and well-being.
- Ingredients You Can Trust: Reveal Dry Cat Food is crafted with simplicity and integrity, using only high-quality ingredients you can feel confident about. Free from artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors, this premium cat food provides a wholesome, nutritious meal for your cat.
- Energy-Rich Legumes: Formulated with a blend of peas, lentils, chickpeas, and flaxseed, Reveal Dry Cat Food offers an energy-packed source of nutrition. This balanced recipe combines plant-based ingredients with high-quality animal protein to support your cat’s energy levels and overall health.
- Real Protein First: Reveal Adult Dry Cat Food is made with high-quality, real protein as the first ingredient, delivering the essential amino acids your cat needs for strong muscles and overall vitality. Enriched with taurine, this recipe supports optimal health, enhances muscle development, and promotes your cat’s well-being at every stage of life.
- Quality Without Compromise: Every ingredient is carefully selected to ensure it meets the highest standards of quality, supporting your cat’s health with every bite. Trust in the goodness of Reveal, knowing you're giving your pet a clean, high-quality, and delicious meal every time.
How the review was tested, and its limits
Cats.com’s brand reviews cover ingredients, sourcing, manufacturing, and recall history. For this review, the author ordered products from the classic and Wild Islands lines, and reports that the cats accepted both the wet and dry foods. That is a home observation from one reviewer’s household, not a controlled feeding trial. The reader should weigh it as experience, not as proof that a recipe will suit a particular cat.
Price and availability
At review time, Cats.com estimated dry food at about $5 to $12 per pound and wet food at about $1 per ounce. Those are estimates from April 2026, not current quotes. Cats.com names Amazon, Chewy, and the brand’s own store as places to buy. The brand’s official U.S. catalog lists Addiction cat foods, but stock, pricing, and recipe availability change, and availability may differ by region.
Rank #4
- Single Animal Protein Nutrition: Natural Balance Dry Cat Food features reserve green pea and venison, a rich protein to help maintain strong muscles while delivering complete nutrition for adult cats
- Sensitive Stomach Support: Crafted with easily-digestible ingredients and a grain-free recipe, this simplified formula helps support cats with dietary sensitivities while promoting smooth digestion
- Skin & Coat Support: A nutrient-dense blend helps promote healthy skin and visibly shiny coats while delivering balanced nourishment for adult cats
- Balanced Daily Nourishment: Carefully selected ingredients including green peas as a natural fiber source help provide immune system support and overall wellbeing through balanced pet nutrition
- Vet Recommended: Natural Balance crafts only the most nutritious food and treats that dogs and cats will love and parents can trust
How to choose a recipe
- Start with your cat’s known sensitivities. If a cat must avoid chicken, Wild Islands Highland Meats and Island Birds are out, and Pacific Catch is out too because it contains chicken meal.
- Read the current package ingredient statement, not the front label. The review’s ingredient descriptions may not match a newer batch.
- Decide on format. Wet foods here carry 78% moisture on the guaranteed analysis. Dry foods carry far less water, so they need more careful portioning.
- Compare the dry-matter protein, fat, and carbohydrate figures in the table above, keeping in mind that they are calculated and not lab-tested.
- Check the price per ounce or per pound at the store you plan to use, and estimate your cat’s daily cost from the package feeding guide.
- If your cat has a diagnosed allergy, a medical condition, or a dietary restriction, consult your veterinarian before switching foods.
The evidence supports a comparison between recipes, not a blanket claim that every Addiction product suits every cat.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- One (1) 4 lb bag of ACANA Indoor Entree Free Run** Chicken and Turkey Dry Cat Food
- Craveable free-run** chicken and turkey and whole herring recipe that is uniquely suited to the needs of your domesticated, indoor cat
- Dry cat food*** made with 65% animal ingredients* and 35% fruits, vegetables and botanicals****
- ACANA Cat food kibble with a blend of protein, fiber, probiotics and nutrients to help support cat digestive health, weight management and hairball control
- Cat food crafted in the USA with the world’s finest ingredients
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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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