Last updated Apr 18, 2024
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Duck is a delicacy in human cuisine, known for its rich flavor. It’s a juicier alternative to chicken and turkey but just as high in protein and healthy nutrients. But is it an appropriate choice for cats?
The simple answer is yes. There’s nothing wrong with feeding your cat duck. In fact, it’s often considered a “hypoallergenic” protein for cats simply because cats are less likely to have eaten it than more conventional proteins.
While duck is packed with protein and species-appropriate for cats, there are a few factors to keep in mind when choosing a duck-based food for your cat. Here, we cover the nutritional benefits of duck and offer our recommendations for the best cat food with duck.
At a Glance: Best Cat Foods With Duck To Buy
Want a quick look at the best cat foods reviewed in this article? In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. You’ll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Stella & Chewy’s Duck Duck Goose Dinner Morsels Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food
- First five ingredients are all animal-based
- Made with three sources of species-appropriate animal protein
- Limited number of plant ingredients
Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Duck Mini Patties
- Made with a single source of novel animal protein
- Rich in omega-3 fatty acids from herring oil
- Very short list of easily digestible ingredients
Wellness CORE Tiny Tasters Duck Pate Cat Food Pouch
- Smooth pate texture
- Rich in protein from duck and chicken
- Single-serve pouches minimize waste
PureBites Cat Pates Duck Food Topping
- Made with a single ingredient
- Rich in hydrating moisture
- Smooth pate texture is easy to eat
Fussie Cat Market Fresh Quail & Duck Meal Recipe Dry Cat Food
- Made with two novel protein sources
- Small kibbles are easy for cats to eat
- Free from artificial additives
Nulo Freestyle Duck & Lentils Recipe Grain-Free Indoor Dry Cat Food
- Four high-quality animal proteins at the top of the list
- Nutritious chicken fat as the main source of fat
- Free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
Hound & Gatos 98% Gamebird Poultry Formula Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
- First six ingredients are all animal-based
- Very low in carbohydrates
- Salmon oil as a rich source of omega-3s
Why Should You Trust Us?
One of my cats, Biscuit, has numerous food allergies, so I’ve spent years testing single- and limited-ingredient diets. I’ve also spent countless hours researching novel proteins for cats and consulting veterinary experts about cat food allergies. Drawing on both personal experience and expert advice, I selected an assortment of products to test for this guide.
My in-house testing was accomplished with the help of all three of my cats (the other two are Bagel and Munchkin). They offered their opinions on flavor, texture, and overall appeal while I evaluated the products more objectively. In addition to performing an in-depth analysis of each product’s nutritional and ingredient makeup, I researched the brands and read hundreds of customer reviews to see what other cat owners think of them.
Is Duck Good for Cats?
Though often classified as a gamebird by hunters, commercially raised duck is considered poultry. Duck is technically considered white meat but even the breast meat tends to be a bit darker than chicken and turkey breast.
Nutritionally speaking, duck contains about 40 calories and nearly 8 grams of protein per ounce. While there’s a thick layer of fat between duck skin and the meat, there’s much less marbled fat throughout the muscle than you would find with beef. Without the skin and that layer of fat, duck breast is actually leaner than chicken breast.
In addition to being protein-rich and species-appropriate for cats, duck may be a good choice for cats with food allergies.
There’s a low risk of triggering food allergies with novel proteins like duck, but cats can develop allergies at any time to any protein regularly included in their diet. If your cat is allergic to other common proteins, a single-source duck recipe is probably the best choice.
Limited ingredient diets and single-protein recipes do, however, tend to be more expensive. If allergies aren’t a concern, a multi-protein recipe made with duck might be more affordable.
The 7 Best Duck Cat Foods
For its carnivore-appropriate formulation and convenient freeze-dried form, Stella & Chewy’s Duck Duck Goose is our top pick for the best cat food with duck. It’s protein-packed and made with novel animal proteins sure to tempt your cat’s taste buds.
Though this Stella & Chewy’s recipe is our top recommendation, it might not be a perfect fit for every cat—especially those with turkey allergies. To help you choose the best option for your cat, we’ve provided an array of recommendations categorized by food type, price range, and other key considerations.
#1 Overall Best: Stella & Chewy’s Duck Duck Goose Dinner Morsels Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 40% Min
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Calories Per Ounce: 151
- Typical Cost Per Day: $3.89 per day
This freeze-dried raw cat food formula is made with a carnivore-appropriate blend of fresh muscle meat, ground bone, and organs. Duck is the primary protein, though the food also contains turkey and goose.
Measured as dry matter, this Stella & Chewy’s recipe contains over 42% protein and 31% fat. The carbohydrate content is higher than we’d like, around 21% (dry matter), but pumpkin seed appears to be the only significant plant ingredient. The food doesn’t contain any refined grains or hard-to-digest beans and legumes.
With its meat-centric recipe, this product appears to be highly appealing to cats. It’s a freeze-dried food, so very low in moisture unless you rehydrate it before feeding. Using warm water or broth will enhance the appeal of this food.
Though freeze-dried foods are more expensive than kibble and some canned foods, they also tend to be energy-dense. At 151 calories per ounce, this Stella & Chewy’s recipe requires a relatively small daily portion.
Ingredients
Duck With Ground Bone, Turkey With Ground Bone, Turkey Liver, Goose, Turkey Gizzard, Pumpkin Seed, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Phosphate, Choline Chloride, Dried Pediococcus Acidilactici Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Longum Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Taurine, Tocopherols (Preservative), Dandelion, Dried Kelp, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Riboflavin Supplement, Sodium Selenite, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Manganese Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement.
Ingredients We Liked: Duck With Ground Bone, Turkey With Ground Bone, Turkey Liver, Goose, Turkey Gizzard
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Pumpkin Seed
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- First five ingredients are all animal-based
- Made with three sources of species-appropriate animal protein
- Limited number of plant ingredients
- Completely free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
What We Didn’t Like
- High calorie content, may be easy to overfeed
- Needs to be rehydrated before feeding
#2 Premium Pick: Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Duck Mini Patties
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 47% Min
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Calories Per Ounce: 130
- Typical Cost Per Day: $5.83 per day
This Vital Essential recipe is a freeze-dried raw formula. It contains duck as a single source of protein, made with both fresh duck and three duck organs. As a single-protein formula, it could be an appropriate choice for cats with food allergies or sensitive stomachs.
Aside from generous amounts of species-appropriate animal protein, this recipe contains a moderate amount of fat in the form of herring oil. Herring oil is rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids which also support skin and coat health.
Quite simply, there aren’t any ingredients to dislike in this formula. It’s not too high in fat or calories, so it should work for cats of all life stages and body compositions as long as you feed the right amount.
Like the previous recipe, this is a low-moisture freeze-dried food that should be rehydrated to provide essential moisture. Some customers report finding large pieces of hard cartilage in the patties, but they are generally easy to break apart for rehydration.
Ingredients
Duck, Duck Gizzard, Duck Heart, Duck Liver, Herring Oil, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Manganese Amino Acid Complex.
Ingredients We Liked: Duck, Duck Gizzard, Duck Heart, Duck Liver, Herring Oil
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Made with a single source of novel animal protein
- Rich in omega-3 fatty acids from herring oil
- Carnivore-appropriate blend of muscle meat, organs, and bone
- Very short list of easily digestible ingredients
What We Didn’t Like
- Low moisture, should be rehydrated before feeding
- Some customers report finding large pieces of hard cartilage in the patties
#3 Best for Picky Cats: Wellness CORE Tiny Tasters Duck Pate Cat Food Pouch
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
- Made In: Thailand
- Guaranteed Protein: 10.5%
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 32
- Typical Cost Per Day: $4.24 per day
With its smooth texture and meaty flavor, this duck pate may be an appealing option for picky cats. It comes in single-serve pouches, so you don’t have to worry about wasting leftovers. Plus, there are half a dozen flavors to choose from, aside from this duck and chicken recipe.
Duck muscle meat is the first ingredient in this Wellness CORE Tiny Tasters formula, followed by chicken muscle meat. Measured as dry matter, it contains nearly 48% protein and about 34% fat. This makes the carbohydrate content pretty low, another factor which should up the appeal for your carnivorous cat.
While loaded with animal protein, this recipe relies on plant-sourced fat. It also contains several gum thickeners which may contribute to loose stools in some cats. Be sure to feed small amounts at first, mixing it with your cat’s regular food, to reduce the risk for stomach upset.
Ingredients
Duck, Chicken, Chicken Broth, Water Sufficient For Processing, Natural Flavors, Tapioca Starch, Sunflower Oil, Tricalcium Phosphate, Locust Bean Gum, Potassium Chloride, Guar Gum, Salt, Sodium Carbonate, Taurine, Xanthan Gum, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Hydrochloride, Niacin, Vitamin A Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement), Magnesium Sulfate, Choline Chloride, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite, Potassium Iodide.
Ingredients We Liked: Duck, Chicken
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Tapioca Starch, Sunflower Oil
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Smooth pate texture
- Rich in protein from duck and chicken
- Single-serve pouches minimize waste
- Good source of hydrating moisture
What We Didn’t Like
- Relies on plant-sourced fat
- Fairly expensive
#4 Best Food Topper: PureBites Cat Pates Duck Food Topping
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
- Made In: Thailand
- Guaranteed Protein: 11% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 41
- Typical Cost Per Day: $0.64 per day
Whether you’re looking for something to entice a picky cat to eat or a simple way to boost the protein content of your cat’s diet, this duck food topper from PureBites is worth considering. It’s made with a single ingredient—duck muscle meat—and has a moist, smooth texture that cats seem to enjoy.
Because it’s made only with duck, this food might be a good choice for cats with allergies to other proteins. Keep in mind, however, that it’s intended for supplemental feeding only. It isn’t formulated to provide the specific blend of nutrients your cat needs for optimal health.
Measured as dry matter, this food contains 44% protein and 28% fat. Each can contains about 102 calories, so factor that in when adding it to your cat’s regular diet.
Ingredients
Duck.
Ingredients We Liked: Duck
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Made with a single ingredient
- Rich in hydrating moisture
- Smooth pate texture is easy to eat
- Works well as a treat or meal topper
What We Didn’t Like
- Not a complete and balanced recipe
#5 Best Dry Cat Food: Fussie Cat Market Fresh Quail & Duck Meal Recipe Dry Cat Food
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 33% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 103
- Typical Cost Per Day: $0.65 per day
This dry food from Fussie Cat contains two animal-based proteins that are novel for most cats: duck and quail. In addition to duck muscle meat and duck meal which contribute to the food’s dry matter protein content of 36.7%.
After the first two protein-based ingredients, you’ll find peas and pea flour. These are starchy ingredients which, along with alfalfa meal, cranberries, and blueberries, contribute to a dry matter carbohydrate content of over 40%. We’d prefer a much lower carb content, but this Fussie Cat formula might be a good option for cats who need a novel protein diet.
One benefit this recipe offers is that the kibbles are very small which could be good for senior cats who have trouble chewing larger pieces.
Ingredients
Quail, Duck Meal, Peas, Pea Flour, Sunflower Oil, Duck Fat, Duck, Natural Flavors, Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, Salt, Alfalfa Meal, Fructooligosaccharides, Taurine, Cranberries, Blueberries, Kelp, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate) Mixed Tocopherols.
Ingredients We Liked: Quail, Duck Meal, Duck Fat, Duck
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Peas, Pea Flour, Sunflower Oil, Alfalfa Meal
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Made with two novel protein sources
- Small kibbles are easy for cats to eat
- Free from artificial additives
What We Didn’t Like
- No dry food provides the moisture your cat needs
- Fairly expensive
#6 Best Budget Dry Cat Food: Nulo Freestyle Duck & Lentils Recipe Grain-Free Indoor Dry Cat Food
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 40% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 106
- Typical Cost Per Day: $0.58 per day
If price is a key factor in your cat food selection, this Nulo Freestyle recipe may be an appealing option. It’s available in a 14-pound bag which makes it more economical than the previous pick and it’s a convenient option for multi-cat households.
This Nulo Freestyle dry food features deboned duck as the primary protein and it is supplemented with chicken meal, turkey meal, and fresh cod. Measured as dry matter, this food has a protein content of around 44%. Unfortunately, like many dry foods, it’s high in carbohydrates at around 31% when measured as dry matter.
The majority of the carbs in this recipe come from peas and lentils. Both of these are high in phytic acid which can inhibit the absorption of certain nutrients—they are also hard for some cats to digest. To help counter this effect, Nulo adds probiotics to their dry food.
Ingredients
Deboned Duck, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Deboned Cod, Whole Peas, Lentils, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols & Citric Acid), Pea Fiber, Natural Flavor, Ground Flaxseed, Dried Chicory Root, Dried Kelp, Dried Sweet Potato, Dried Cranberries, Calcium Carbonate, Dl-Methionine, Taurine, Zinc Proteinate, Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Iron Proteinate, Niacin Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Manganese Proteinate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Sodium Selenite, Riboflavin Supplement, Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid, Rosemary Extract.
Ingredients We Liked: Deboned Duck, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Deboned Cod, Chicken Fat
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Whole Peas, Lentils, Pea Fiber
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Four high-quality animal proteins at the top of the list
- Nutritious chicken fat as the main source of fat
- Free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
- Supplemented with probiotics for digestive support
What We Didn’t Like
- Not a single-protein recipe
- High carbohydrate content
#7 Best Canned Cat Food: Hound & Gatos 98% Gamebird Poultry Formula Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 10.5% Min
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Calories Per Ounce: 35
- Typical Cost Per Day: $2.61 per day
This Hound & Gatos Gamebird Poultry recipe is a pate-style wet food formula made for all life stages. The primary protein is turkey, but it also contains duck, guinea fowl, and quail. Salmon oil offers a species-appropriate source of added fat.
While this may not be a single-protein recipe, it’s highly digestible which makes it a good option for cats with sensitive stomachs. The high moisture content helps with digestion as well and supports your cat’s hydration.
Overall, it’s a low-carbohydrate, high-protein choice featuring turkey and duck as the main proteins. It doesn’t contain any added carbohydrates except for agar-agar which is used as a thickener. It’s a little pricier than the average wet cat food, but it’s also much lower in carbs and packed with omega-3s from salmon oil.
Ingredients
Turkey, Duck, Duck Broth, Turkey Liver, Guinea Fowl, Quail, Calcium Carbonate, Agar-Agar, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Salmon Oil, Taurine, Salt, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Magnesium Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid.
Ingredients We Liked: Turkey, Duck, Duck Broth, Turkey Liver, Guinea Fowl, Quail
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- First six ingredients are all animal-based
- Very low in carbohydrates
- Salmon oil as a rich source of omega-3s
What We Didn’t Like
- A little pricey around $0.42 per ounce
- Not a single-protein recipe
What to Look for in Duck Cat Food
Whether it’s made with duck, chicken, or another protein, your cat’s food should be formulated to meet their nutritional needs. More than just being nutritionally balanced, however, cat food should work with your cat’s biology—not against it. Your cat deserves a daily diet that honors their carnivorous heritage.
Here are some general things to look for in a cat food with duck:
- Meat as the first ingredient. Whether you go with a duck-only formula or not, animal protein should be the first ingredient.
- Low in carbohydrates. Cats are able to digest and derive nutrition from small amounts of carbohydrate, but an ideal commercial diet for cats contains less than 20% dry matter carbohydrate.
- Rich in hydrating moisture. Wild cats get most of their daily moisture from the food they eat, so an ideal feline diet is moisture-rich.
- Free from artificial additives. Synthetic flavors and added color provide no nutritional value and some artificial additives come with a risk of harming your cat.
Something else to keep in mind when feeding your cat duck is that the fat and calorie content can be fairly high, especially if the recipe contains added fat. High-fat and high-calorie foods may require smaller portions to avoid overfeeding. If your cat is already overweight, you should be extra careful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is duck a good protein for cats with allergies?
Sometimes. Food allergies in cats are typically triggered by proteins but can also be linked to carbohydrates or food additives. If you know what your cat is allergic to, the best option is to choose a diet free from that ingredient. For cats allergic to common proteins like chicken or beef, duck may be a suitable alternative.
Is duck a common cat allergy?
No. Duck is considered a novel protein for many cats because it is a much less common ingredient than things like chicken and beef.
Is duck good for cats with sensitive stomachs?
Animal proteins like duck are easier for cats to digest than plant proteins. That said, the digestibility of a recipe—and its appropriateness for a cat with a sensitive stomach—depends on the formulation as a whole, not just the main ingredient. Meat-centric cat foods with minimal plant matter and no artificial additives are generally best for cats with sensitive digestion.
Is duck better for cats than chicken?
It depends. Both chicken and duck are protein-rich and contain the essential amino acid taurine, which cats need for a healthy heart and strong vision. Duck is a much less common ingredient than chicken, so it may be a better choice for cats with food allergies. It is, however, higher in fat and calories. Chicken may be the better choice for cats prone to overeating.
