AATU Cat Food Review

AATU is a British brand that makes both dog foods and cat foods. Their cat foods contain a minimum of 80 percent meat or fish. Each recipe is handcrafted and made in small batches.

AATU’s foods are completely free from gluten, grain, white potato, artificial colors, flavors and preservatives, and GM ingredients. Learn more about AATU in our unbiased review.

The Cats.com Standard – Rating AATU Cat Food on What Matters

We have analyzed AATU cat food and rated it according to our standards here at Cats.com. Our grades are based on the species-appropriateness of the food, the quality of the ingredients, product variety, price, customer experience, and recall history. You can read more about our ratings here.

Here are our ratings for AATU in these key areas:

We give AATU cat food a 45 out of 60 rating (75) or an B+ grade.

About AATU

AATU was developed by Pet Food UK, Ltd. This is the same company that made such popular brands as Barking Heads, Meowing Heads, and Bailey Bites in Britain. AATU has the subtitle of “Evolutionary Natural Feeding for Dogs.”

The AATU brand was established in 2014 as an “uber-premium” dry dog food with formulations of 80% meat from single-source proteins and 20% vegetables. AATU offers dry and wet dog and cat recipes adhering to this 80/20 formulation philosophy.

Pet Food UK was recently purchased by Inspired Pet Nutrition (IPN), said to be the largest producer of dry pet foods in the UK. According to reports, Inspired Pet Nutrition plans to add scale and expand international reach through the acquisition. They did not announce any plans to change AATU recipes.

IPN manufactures the very popular Harringtons and Wagg (discontinued) pet foods, among other brands.

AATU’s bases its philosophy on the idea that the ancestors of cats were natural predators. They believe that modern cats are not that far removed from their ancestors and require a high meat diet as well. They are also aware of the cat’s specific requirements for certain amino acids such as taurine, arginine, and tryptophan.

Each of their recipes is a unique high protein diet that provides cats with over 80 percent meat or fish. Their wet foods contain over 97 percent meat or fish. They are also enriched with 32 fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, and botanicals. They are freshly prepared and hand-crafted in small batches. Their recipes are completely free from gluten, grain, white potato, artificial colors, flavors and preservatives, and genetically-modified ingredients.

Their recipes are made with single-sourced fresh raw meat or fish then cooked with a unique “low and slow” method to help ensure efficient digestion of the animal proteins. All of their ingredients are human-grade.

AATU offers free shipping in the United Kingdom on all orders over £50. They give full refunds if you are not completely satisfied with your purchase.

Sourcing and Manufacturing

AATU describes its recipes as “British born.” However, we did not find any specific statements that all of the ingredients used in their foods are raised in the UK. The salmon is described as “Scottish salmon.” Otherwise, the source of the animals used for meats is not provided. We can suppose that many of them, if not all, are British in origin, but we can’t be sure.

The meats used in the recipes include: Angus beef, free-run duck, lamb, free-run chicken, Scottish salmon, pork, free-run turkey, and shellfish.

AATU also uses eight fruits in their foods: oranges, bilberries, cowberries, blueberries, mulberries, apples, pears, and cranberries. And they use eight vegetables: tomatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, chickpeas, green peas, chicory, yucca, and tapioca.

You can view the eight herbs and spices as well as the eight botanicals AATU uses in their foods here.

Petfood UK products are typically made at Dalton Airfield, Topcliffe, Thirsk, in North Yorkshire, UK. Whether this includes all of the company’s products or not, we can’t say. IPN, which has acquired Petfood UK recently, also has pet food manufacturing facilities in Kinmel, Wales.

Petfood UK, Ltd., has been based in Hertfordshire, UK. IPN has headquarters in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, UK. It appears that IPN was already making AATU and other Petfood UK foods before the sale so we would not expect any changes to the foods.

Has AATU Cat Food Been Recalled?

We didn’t find any recalls for AATU pet foods. We can’t be absolutely certain there has never been a recall since they are not always well-publicized but we didn’t find anything to indicate that there has ever been one for AATU.

What Kinds of Food Does AATU Offer?

Along with their dog food recipes, AATU offers three dry cat foods and four wet cat foods in pouches. They also have a wet food variety pack. In addition, they sell various “bundles” which are combinations of some of their cat foods: two kinds of dry food (various choices), dry food and wet pouches (various choices), dry food and a wet variety pack, and so on.

Dry Foods

All dry foods contain 85 percent meat or fish.

• Salmon & Herring for Cats (85/15 High Protein diet for Cats)
• Free-Run Duck for Cats (85/15 Single source protein diet for Cats)
• Free-Run Chicken for Cats (85/15 Single source protein diet for Cats)

Wet Foods

All wet foods contain over 97 percent meat or fish.

• Salmon, Chicken & Prawn 85g x 10 (97/3 High protein diet for Cats)
• Turkey & Goose 85g x 10 (97/3 High protein diet for Cats)
• Chicken & Quail 85g x 10 (97/3 High protein diet for Cats)
• Chicken & Pheasant 85g x 10 (97/3 High protein diet for Cats)

AATU Cat Food – Top 3 Recipes Reviewed

#1 AATU Salmon & Herring for Cats Dry Food

$53.07 At Amazon £17.99 At AATU

From the beginning, AATU has described itself as an ethical company. The company has won awards for its ethical approach to making pet food. Their ingredients, packaging, and holistic products have won favor with customers as well.

All of their foods are handcrafted in small batch recipes, naturally made without artificial colors, artificial preservatives, artificial preservatives, and without genetically-modified ingredients. The fresh and raw protein used in their foods is pre-cooked using their low and slow method so your cat can efficiently digest the meats.

The fish used in AATU Salmon & Herring for Cats dry food is freshly prepared and free of preservatives. The food contains no grain, white potatoes, or gluten to minimize the risk of allergic reactions.

AATU adds probiotics such as Enterococcus Faecium to the recipe as an aid to help restore and maintain a balanced intestinal microbiota in your cat.

Along with 85 percent fish (salmon) protein, the food contains 15 percent vegetables, fruit, herbs, and botanicals for healthy nutrition.

The first five ingredients in this recipe are: 85% salmon, sweet potato, chickpeas, salmon stock, and peas.

You might wonder if your cat really needs all of those vegetables, fruits, herbs, and botanicals. It’s a fair question since cats are not known for eating so much plant material. However, as AATU goes out of its way to use high percentages of meat/fish in every recipe, the 15 percent veggies, fruit, et al, shouldn’t be a problem. AATU also adds vitamins and minerals to the recipe to ensure your cats gets all the proper nutrients in his diet, including taurine and L-carnitine.

We do note that the “inorganic matter” (ash) content of this dry food is higher than most dry foods at 9.5 percent. The pet food industry standard for dry foods is around 7-8 percent. Higher ash percentages sometimes seem to occur with foods that use fish, perhaps because of the bones in the fish.

This food is more concentrated than many dry cat foods, according to AATU, so you may not need to feed as much per meal to your cat, making the food last longer.

AATU Salmon & Herring for Cats dry food look like a good food for your cat if your cat likes a dry food. As always with dry foods, make sure that your cat drinks plenty of fresh water.

Calorie Content (ME Calculated): 410 kcal/100 grams (estimated); 116 calories per ounce of food (estimated)

Ingredients

85% Salmon, Sweet Potato, Chickpeas, Salmon Stock, Peas, Lucerne (alfalfa), Tapioca, Apple, Cranberry, Pear, Blueberry, Mulberry, Orange, Bilberry, Cowberry, Carrot, Tomato, Chicory, Peppermint, Parsley, Cinnamon, Marigold, Stinging Nettle, Chamomile, Rosehip, Yucca, Spirulina, Seaweed, Aniseed, Fenugreek, Oregano, Sage, Marjoram, Thyme. No added synthetic colourings, flavourings or preservatives.

Ingredients We Liked: Salmon, salmon stock, various berries, carrots, tomatoes, chicory, rosehips, yucca

Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Chickpeas, peas

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein: 34%

Crude Fat: 18%

Crude Fiber: 2.5%

Moisture: 8%

Ash: 9.5%

Dry Matter Basis

Protein: 36.96%

Fat: 19.57%

Fiber: 2.72%

Carbs: 30.43%

Caloric Weight Basis

Protein: 32.16%

Fat: 41.35%

Carbs: 26.49%

Pros

• Salmon is an excellent source of protein for cats
• AATU uses no added synthetic colourings, flavourings or preservatives
• All of AATU’s dry foods have more than 80 percent meat/fish protein
• Recipes are cooked “low and slow” in small batches

Cons

• Chickpeas and peas are found in the first five ingredients; they can boost the protein percentage
• Some will question whether cats need so much plant material in their diet
• AATU is expensive

#2 AATU Turkey & Goose Wet Food for Cats

£16.50 At Amazon £12.37 At AATU

Many people (and their cats) prefer wet cat food. Not only is it often high in protein but the moisture content helps your cat get the moisture he needs in his diet. Many cats don’t get nearly enough water in their diet so eating a wet food that contains 75-80 percent moisture is a good way to ensure your cat gets the moisture he needs.

AATU Turkey & Goose wet food for cats provides lots of protein. All of AATU’s wet cat foods have some 97 percent meat content. We found them in four flavors. They can be fed as a complete meal or as a topper with dry food.

All of AATU’s wet foods contain the same eight vegetables, fruits, herbs, and botanicals that are found in their dry foods. Like the dry foods, AATU says the wet foods contain no artificial colors, artificial preservatives, artificial flavors, or genetically-modified ingredients. They contain no grain, white potatoes, or glutens to help minimize the possibility of allergic reactions. They also contain the probiotic Enterococcus Faecium as an aid to help restore and maintain a balanced intestinal microbiota in your cat.

The first five ingredients in this food are: 97% turkey and goose (includes turkey 50%, turkey broth 30%, goose 17%), minerals, sweet potato, carrots, and peas. The fact that minerals are the second ingredient suggests that the vegetables, fruits, herbs, and botanicals are present in very, very small amounts. Minerals never make up a large amount of a pet food.

Although AATU says the food contains no artificial preservatives or flavorings, we note that the ingredients list MSM which can be a source of antioxidants. Antioxidants act as preservatives. MSM is also used for inflammation and arthritic conditions.

The food also contains glucosamine and chondroitin which can be good for your cat’s joints and mobility.

AATU Turkey & Goose wet food for cats looks like a good cat food. It’s hard to dislike a food that contains 97 percent meat. We think many cats will enjoy this food. Sold in 10-packs of 85-gram pouches.

Calorie Content (ME Calculated): Metabolisable Energy 108 kcal/100 grams (estimated); 31 calories per ounce of food (estimated)

Ingredients

97% Turkey & Goose (Includes Turkey 50%, Turkey Broth 30%, Goose 17%), Minerals, Sweet Potato, Carrots, Peas, Apple, Lucerne (alfalfa), Chick Peas, Tomato, Tapioca, Pear, Cranberry, Blueberry, Mulberry, Orange, Bilberry, Cowberry, Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Parsley, Peppermint, Spirulina, Seaweed, Oregano, Sage, Marjoram, Thyme, Chamomile, Rosehip, Yucca, Chicory, Aniseed, Stinging Nettle, Marigold, Fenugreek, Cinnamon, MSM

Ingredients We Liked: Turkey, turkey broth, goose, carrots, tomato, various berries, glucosamine, chondroitin, rosehips, yucca, chicory

Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Peas, chickpeas,

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein: 10.9%

Crude Fat: 6.4%

Crude Fiber: 0.6%

Moisture: 78%

Ash: 2.5%

Dry Matter Basis

Protein: 49.55%

Fat: 29.09%

Fiber: 2.73%

Carbs: 7.27%

Caloric Weight Basis

Protein: 38.87%

Fat: 55.43%

Carbs: 5.71%

Pros

• Turkey and goose are good sources of protein
• All of AATU’s wet foods contain 97 percent meat/fish content
• Foods are cooked in small batches
• AATU uses human-grade ingredients

Cons

• AATU is expensive
• Some may question why the recipe contains so many vegetables and fruits though they only make up 3 percent of the food content

#3 AATU Cat Wet Food Variety Pack

$16.65 At Amazon £11.24 At AATU

If your cat is a fan of AATU’s wet foods, you can buy a variety pack that features all four of the brand’s tasty wet foods, each containing 97 percent meat content. There are two pouches of three flavors in the pack and four pouches of the chicken & quail.

The pouches are portion-controlled and easy-tear. The wet foods can be fed as a complete meal or as a topper for the dry food. Along with being high in protein, all of the flavors have eight vegetables, eight fruits, eight herbs, and eight botanicals.

The variety pack contains:

• 4x Chicken & Quail
• 2x Chicken & Pheasant
• 2x Turkey & Goose
• 2x Salmon, Chicken & Prawn

There are no artificial colors, artificial preservatives, artificial flavors, and no genetically-modified ingredients. The foods contain no grain, white potatoes, and no gluten to help minimize any risk of allergic reactions.

You can view the individual products to see their ingredients.

If your cat likes AATU’s wet cat foods, the variety pack can be a good way to provide him with a good selection of foods.

Ingredients

Chicken & Quail: 97% Chicken & Quail (Includes Chicken 57%, Chicken Broth 30%, Quail 10%), Minerals, Sweet Potato, Carrots, Peas, Apple, Lucerne, Chick Peas, Tomato, Tapioca, Pear, Cranberry, Blueberry, Mulberry, Orange, Bilberry, Cowberry, Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Parsley, Peppermint, Spirulina, Seaweed, Oregano, Sage, Marjoram, Thyme, Chamomile, Rosehip, Yucca, Chicory, Aniseed, Stinging Nettle, Marigold, Fenugreek, Cinnamon, MSM.

Chicken & Pheasant: 97% Chicken & Pheasant (Includes Chicken 60%, Chicken Broth 30%, Pheasant 7%), Minerals, Sweet Potato, Carrots, Peas, Apple, Lucerne, Chick Peas, Tomato, Tapioca, Pear, Cranberry, Blueberry, Mulberry, Orange, Bilberry, Cowberry, Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Parsley, Peppermint, Spirulina, Seaweed, Oregano, Sage, Marjoram, Thyme, Chamomile, Rosehip, Yucca, Chicory, Aniseed, Stinging Nettle, Marigold, Fenugreek, Cinnamon, MSM.

Turkey & Goose : 97% Turkey & Goose (Includes Turkey 50%, Turkey Broth 30%, Goose 17%), Minerals, Sweet Potato, Carrots, Peas, Apple, Lucerne (alfalfa), Chick Peas, Tomato, Tapioca, Pear, Cranberry, Blueberry, Mulberry, Orange, Bilberry, Cowberry, Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Parsley, Peppermint, Spirulina, Seaweed, Oregano, Sage, Marjoram, Thyme, Chamomile, Rosehip, Yucca, Chicory, Aniseed, Stinging Nettle, Marigold, Fenugreek, Cinnamon, MSM

Salmon, Chicken & Prawn : 97% Salmon, Chicken & Prawn (Includes Salmon 30%, Chicken 30%, Chicken Broth 30%, Prawn 7%), Minerals, Sweet Potato, Carrots, Peas, Apple, Lucerne, Chick Peas, Tomato, Tapioca, Pear, Cranberry, Blueberry, Mulberry, Orange, Bilberry, Cowberry, Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Parsley, Peppermint, Spirulina, Seaweed, Oregano, Sage, Marjoram, Thyme, Chamomile, Rosehip, Yucca, Chicory, Aniseed, Stinging Nettle, Marigold, Fenugreek, Cinnamon, MSM.

Ingredients We Liked: 97 percent meat/fish

Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Peas, chickpeas

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein: 10.9%

Crude Fat: 6.4%

Crude Fiber: 0.6%

Moisture: 78%

Ash: 2.5%

Dry Matter Basis

Protein: 49.55%

Fat: 29.09%

Fiber: 2.73%

Carbs: 7.27%

Caloric Weight Basis

Protein: 38.87%

Fat: 55.43%

Carbs: 5.71%

Pros

• High in animal protein
• AATU uses no artificial colors, artificial preservatives, artificial flavors, and no genetically-modified ingredients
• Human-grade ingredients

Cons

• Some people will question all of the vegetables, fruits, herbs, and botanicals in the foods
• AATU is somewhat expensive

What Do Customers Think of AATU Cat Food?

We found lots of customer reviews for AATU on Amazon, Trustpilot, and Google Reviews. On Trustpilot (a source we like because it has verified purchasers), the food received 84 percent 5-star reviews.

Positive Reviews

My cat Gizmo won’t eat any other cat food than AATU. Yes it’s a bit expensive but they don’t eat half as much as when you eat them the cheaper brands. It must keep him full for long periods of time as he only eats small amounts every couple of hrs or more.
You also get great customer service & fast delivery so what more can you ask for.- by Helen Walker reviewing AATU Dog & Cat Food On Jul 11, 2022

I have 2 cats who are both fussy & eat mainly raw food but they both love the chicken, prawn & salmon cat food, empty bowls every time & very happy cats.- by S STARK reviewing AATU Dog & Cat Food On Apr 9, 2022

Negative Reviews

One cats loves it, other cat sometimes is sick on it but my biggest issue is the delivery which is shocking. Payment was taken on 20th Dec and tracking today 23rd says they still haven’t received the shipment from AATU. Sadly this isn’t a one off, I constantly have issues with quite frankly awful delivery. How come I can order from other companies on 20th and received the product on 22nd. Sort it out AATU or I will be going elsewhere- by Madeline Clelland reviewing AATU Dog & Cat Food On Dec 23, 2021

On more than one occasion I have sent a query about the food, the last one asking why certain ingredients are added (mainly the fruits and botanicals such as orange which is not good for cats) and the response time is utterly apalling…in fact on this occasion I’ve been waiting almost 2 weeks with no reply. I have never come across such dreadful customer service.- by Agata Azzolina reviewing AATU Dog & Cat Food On Dec 14, 2021

How Much Does AATU Cat Food Cost?

As you would expect from a food that uses human-grade ingredients, AATU is a more expensive food. On the AATU web site, we found the following prices:

Salmon & Herring dry food for cats – 1 kg/£20.99, 3 kg/£42.49. For Americans, that’s about $25.50 for 2.2 pounds; and 6.6 pounds for $51.50 (today’s rates).

For AATU’s wet cat foods, on the AATU web site they are all sold in packages of 10, 85-gram pouches for £14.50. That’s $17.60 in U.S. dollars. The variety pack of 10 pouches is slightly less at £13.75.

However, we found AATU cat foods online at some retailers in Britain at slightly lower prices. If you are interested in buying this food, we suggest that you check around online to compare prices.

Overall, Is AATU Cat Food a Good Choice?

Yes, we do think that AATU is a good food. It appears to have very good ingredients, especially the meats, poultry, and salmon. We are a little perplexed at the adamant use of 32 veggies, fruits, herbs, and botanicals in every single recipe but they don’t appear to take up too much space in the food.

The nearest food that comes to mind by comparison is, without question, Orijen. Orijen also uses botanicals and some vegetables and fruits in their food. They have also been known for their belief in an evolutionary diet.

How Do You Order AATU Cat Food?

You can order AATU cat foods directly from the company web site if you live in the UK. They don’t ship internationally from their web site at the moment. If you live outside the UK, you can use their store finder. The food is currently sold in some 17 countries.

You can also search online for AATU cat food. We found it on Amazon and from other online retailers.

In the UK you can make one-time purchases of the food on the AATU web site or sign up for their subscription service. Using the subscription service saves money.