Last updated Apr 6, 2023
Shutterstock.com
It’s not difficult to picture a wild cat chasing a rabbit across the plains, but is rabbit an appropriate choice for domestic cats?
In this guide, we’ll answer the question “is rabbit good for cats?” and discuss the situations in which you might consider feeding your cat a rabbit-based diet. We’ll also explore our top picks for the best rabbit cat food on the market.
At a Glance: Best Cat Food With Rabbit
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.
Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Rabbit Mini Nibs Entree Cat Food
- High-quality rabbit as a single source of animal protein
- Doesn’t contain any added plant ingredients
- Rich in skin and coat supporting omega-3 fatty acids
Koha Limited Ingredient Diet Rabbit Au Jus for Cats
- Made with a single source of novel animal protein
- Rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration
- Easily digestible, only a few main ingredients
Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Recipe with Real Rabbit Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Cat Food
- First five ingredients are all animal-based
- Contains nearly 45% dry matter crude protein
- Coated with freeze-dried rabbit for flavor
Lotus Rabbit Grain-Free Pate Canned Cat Food
- Nine of the top ten ingredients (minus water) are animal based
- Comprised primarily of muscle meat, organ meat, and bone
- Rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration
Primal Nuggets Rabbit Formula Nuggets Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Cat Food
- Rich in rabbit, rabbit bone, and rabbit organs
- Made with a single source of high-quality animal protein
- Two sources of added animal-based fat
Stella & Chewy’s Absolutely Rabbit Dinner Morsels
- Top two are species-appropriate animal ingredients
- Muscle meat, ground bone, and organ meat provides balanced nutrition
- Supplemented with probiotics to support digestive health
Smallbatch Pets Rabbit Blend Raw Frozen Cat Food
- Made with 97% rabbit (including bone)
- Raw frozen to preserve nutritional integrity
- Finely ground for palatability and easy chewing
Merrick Backcountry Grain-Free Morsels in Gravy Real Rabbit Recipe
- Rich in species-appropriate animal protein
- Packed with hydration-supporting moisture
- Adds protein, moisture, and flavor to your cat’s diet
Why Trust Cats.com?
As the owner of a cat with multiple food allergies, I’ve spent the past decade rotating through different novelty diets. Rabbit is the only protein my cat, Biscuit, has never had a negative reaction to. To supplement my personal experience with rabbit-based cat foods for this review, I performed in-depth market research, read customer reviews, and analyzed product labels to determine the products’ nutritional value, quality, and cat-friendliness.
In addition to evaluating these products objectively, I tested them at home with the help of my three cats. In testing these products, I made observations about the food’s appearance, texture, and smell. My cats provided their input on taste, palatability, and general appeal. I also made notes about the packaging, in terms of its attractiveness, ease of use, and eco-friendliness.
Is Rabbit Good For Cats?
The most important thing any cat owner needs to know about their feline friend is that he is an obligate carnivore. This simply means that cats require animal protein in their daily diet.
As long as your cat’s diet is packed with animal protein, you’re pretty much free to choose any recipe you like. It’s worth considering, however, the type of protein you choose for your cat. Some are more species-appropriate than others, and cats with allergies may not be able to tolerate certain ones.
Rabbit is an excellent protein choice for cats because it’s a component of a natural feline diet.
That being said, rabbits do not make up the majority of the diet for most wild cats. It’s a healthy and biologically appropriate option, but not necessarily moreso than other proteins.
Rabbit meat is fairly low in calories because the meat is very lean. Compared to fattier proteins like beef (250 kcal per 100 g serving) and fish (142 kcal per 100g serving), rabbit contains just 96 kcal per 3-ounce serving (about 84g).
A 3-oz serving of rabbit contains about 18 grams of protein and just 2 grams of fat. Rabbit also contains significant amounts of phosphorus, selenium, zinc, niacin, and vitamin B, with particularly high levels of vitamin B12.
Why Feed Your Cat Food Made With Rabbit?
Before shopping for cat food made with rabbit, think about your motivation for doing so. Rabbit is an excellent source of animal protein and is likely to be included in a wild cat’s diet. Because rabbit-based diets tend to be expensive, however, they may not be the best option for all cats.
There are two optimal reasons to switch your cat to a single-protein diet made with rabbit.
First, you’re trying to provide your cat with a more species-appropriate diet and one that’s closer to the diet followed by his wild ancestors. This wild diet would have consisted primarily of birds and small mammals, inclusive of the muscle meat, organ meat, and bone.
If this is your motivation, the best rabbit-based diet to choose is a raw, homemade, or freeze-dried diet made exclusively with rabbit meat, organs, and bone. It shouldn’t contain any added carbohydrates and should be made with minimal use of synthetic supplements.
For cats who aren’t allergic to common proteins, a rabbit-based recipe that incorporates other high-quality animal proteins could also be appropriate.
The second reason to feed your cat a rabbit diet is if he’s allergic to more common proteins like chicken, beef, and fish.
A significant number of cat foods on the market are made with chicken as the primary protein because it is affordable and readily available. Other proteins like fish, beef, and pork are also easy to find but may cost a little more in some cases. Unfortunately, cats can develop allergies at any time to ingredients in their diet.
If you’ve run out of options with common proteins, you may need to switch to something a little different. Find a novel protein (one your cat hasn’t eaten before). In some cases, this might be a less common cat food ingredient like rabbit.
Always consult with your veterinarian before switching your cat to a different diet. Your veterinarian can help you determine which protein your cat is allergic to and recommend high-quality foods with novel proteins.
When shopping for rabbit cat food, be sure to follow the tenets of choosing a healthy diet for your cat.
It should be primarily animal-based with the lowest carbohydrate content possible (ideally none). If you can, avoid recipes that include vaguely-named animal ingredients, plant protein concentrates, low-value grains, and artificial additives.
The Best Rabbit Cat Foods: Our Top Picks
Now that you understand the basics of rabbit food for cats and some of the cases in which it might be recommended, you’re ready to see our top picks. Check them out below.
#1 Overall Best: Vital Essentials
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 60% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 108
- Typical Cost Per Day: $7.43 per day
Vital Essentials offers a variety of freeze-dried and frozen foods for cats and dogs. The brand is owned by the Carnivore Meat Company, the leading private label raw pet food company in the U.S.
Vital Essentials uses all pasture-fed, farm-raised, free-run, and wild-caught animal proteins in their recipes. All ingredients are frozen or freeze-dried in the company’s own kitchens – they’re never exposed to heat.
We’ve given Vital Essentials a 47 out of 60 rating, or a B+ grade.
Featured Recipe: Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Rabbit Mini Nibs Entree Cat Food
This freeze-dried formula from Vital Essentials is a high-protein recipe featuring rabbit as the only source of animal protein. In addition to fresh rabbit as the first ingredient, it contains four rabbit-derived organ meats, including liver, heart, kidney, and lung.
Herring oil is the only added fat in this formula and is a rich animal-based source of omega-3 fatty acids. In addition to supporting skin and coat health, omega-3s promote cognitive function, joint health, and cardiovascular health.
This recipe is made with a limited list of ingredients, which makes it a great option for cats with a sensitive stomach – especially those cats that are allergic to other common proteins. Some cats may not like the freeze-dried texture, but it’s designed to be rehydrated before feeding. This helps provide your cat with essential moisture to support optimal hydration.
Ingredients
Rabbit, Rabbit Liver, Rabbit Heart, Rabbit Kidney, Rabbit Lung, Herring Oil, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Manganese Amino Acid Complex.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- High-quality rabbit as a single source of animal protein
- Doesn’t contain any added plant ingredients
- Rich in skin- and coat-supporting omega-3 fatty acids
What We Didn’t Like
- Needs to be rehydrated before feeding
- Fairly expensive
#2 Premium Pick: Koha
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 9% Min
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Calories Per Ounce: 25
- Typical Cost Per Day: $5.35 per day
Koha was founded by Lonnie and Jennifer Schwimmer in 2014 as a wet food-only company. All of their products contain 70% to 90% animal protein and high levels of moisture to support your cat’s hydration.
Many of their recipes are made with a single protein source and limited ingredient list, making the brand an excellent choice for picky eaters and cats with food allergies. All products are formulated by an animal nutritionist and the brand has never had a recall.
We’ve given Koha a 51 out of 60 rating, or an A grade.
Featured Recipe: Koha Limited Ingredient Diet Rabbit Au Jus for Cats
If your cat doesn’t enjoy the texture of rehydrated freeze-dried food, a wet food formula like this Koha rabbit recipe might do the trick. It’s packed with animal protein and contains plenty of moisture to support your cat’s hydration. It’s also much lower in carbs than the average dry food.
This recipe starts off strong with fresh rabbit as the main ingredient and includes only four other main ingredients (excluding water). Ground flaxseed is a plant-based source of omega-3 fatty acids, while agar agar serves as a thickener. Pumpkin is included as a source of fiber.
New Zealand green mussels are a supplementary source of protein but, more importantly, are a natural source of glucosamine, chondroitin, and other essential nutrients. Glucosamine and chondroitin support joint health in cats.
Overall, there’s not much to complain about with this recipe. It does contain a few plant ingredients and it’s pretty pricey, but customers (and their cats) really seem to like it. With over 330 reviews on Koha’s website, this recipe carries a 4.7 out of 5-star rating.
Ingredients
Rabbit, Water Sufficient For Processing, Ground Flaxseed, New Zealand Green Mussel, Agar Agar, Pumpkin, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Salt, Taurine, Dried Kale, Cranberries, Ginger, Turmeric, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Niacin Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid.
Ingredients We Liked: Rabbit, New Zealand Green Mussel
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Ground Flaxseed
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Made with a single source of novel animal protein
- Rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration
- Easily digestible, only a few main ingredients
What We Didn’t Like
- Contains some unnecessary plant ingredients
- Very expensive, over $0.60 per ounce
#3 Best Dry Cat Food: Instinct
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 40.5% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Pound: 1971
- Typical Cost Per Day: $0.66 per day
Formerly Nature’s Variety Instinct, Instinct started off as a small pet food manufacturer based in Lincoln, Nebraska. It is now owned by Agrolimen, one of the largest European pet food suppliers.
Instinct is dedicated to producing meat-centric recipes for dogs and cats, including a wide variety of dry foods, wet foods, treats, and meal toppers.
We’ve given Instinct a 44 out of 60 rating, or a B grade.
Featured Recipe: Instinct Original Grain-Free Recipe with Real Rabbit Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Dry Cat Food
If your cat prefers kibble, this rabbit dry cat food could be a good choice. It’s shaped in small, bite-sized kibbles that are packed with rabbit protein and flavor. Even better, the kibbles are coated with freeze-dried rabbit for a boost of irresistible aroma and rabbit flavor.
Formulated for all life stages, this dry food starts with rabbit meal as a concentrated source of animal protein. It also contains turkey meal, menhaden fish meal, white fish meal, salmon meal, and rabbit meal. So, while it’s not a single-protein recipe it is primarily animal-based and contains nearly 45% protein measured as dry matter.
When it comes to the downsides of this recipe, we have to mention the moisture and carbohydrate content.
No dry food provides the moisture your cat needs, so you should supplement your cat’s water intake if feeding a dry food diet. This recipe contains peas and tapioca, neither of which are the most species-appropriate for cats. The dry matter carbohydrate content of the food is higher than we like to see, but not outrageously high like many inexpensive dry cat foods.
It’s nutritionally balanced through the use of synthetic vitamin and mineral supplements and is completely free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
Ingredients
Rabbit, Turkey Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), White Fish Meal, Peas, Salmon Meal, Rabbit Meal, Tapioca, Natural Flavor, Dried Tomato Pomace, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Niacin Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Thiamine Mononitrate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin), Carrots, Apples, Cranberries, Montmorillonite Clay, Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide), Freeze Dried Rabbit (including Freeze Dried Ground Rabbit Bone), Salt, DL-Methionine, Taurine, Pumpkinseeds, Dried Bacillus coagulans Fermentation Product, Freeze Dried Rabbit Liver, Freeze Dried Rabbit Lung, Freeze Dried Rabbit Kidney, Rosemary Extract.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- First five ingredients are all animal-based
- Contains nearly 45% dry matter crude protein
- Coated with freeze-dried rabbit for flavor
What We Didn’t Like
- Carb content is a little high
- Not a single-protein formula
#4 Best Wet Cat Food: Lotus
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 9% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 35
- Typical Cost Per Day: $3.41 per day
Lotus was founded in 2003 by the owners of a Los Angeles-based pet specialty store. Though the brand launched with oven-baked pet food, they’ve since expanded to offer protein-centric wet cat food products.
Lotus wet cat foods are primarily single-protein and are available in paté or stew-style recipes. All foods in the grain-free paté line are made without carrageenan.
We’ve given Lotus a 47 out of 60 rating, or an A- grade.
Featured Recipe: Lotus Rabbit Grain-Free Pate Canned Cat Food
Wet cat food is often preferable to dry food for your feline friend because it tends to be higher in protein and much higher in moisture than dry food. This paté style wet food from Lotus features fresh rabbit as the primary ingredient and singular source of protein.
Not only does this recipe rely mainly on animal-based protein, but the main source of added fat is animal-based as well. Salmon oil is a species-appropriate fat source for cats and contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids which support your cat’s skin and coat health. This recipe also contains New Zealand green mussel which provide a natural source of joint-supporting glucosamine and chondroitin.
While this food is rich in animal protein and moisture, it’s higher in carbohydrates than some wet foods. Most of the carb content seems to come from peas and ground whole flaxseed meal. Cats have a limited ability to derive nutrition from whole plant foods like flaxseed but peas can be tricky for them to digest.
Ingredients
Rabbit, Rabbit Broth, Peas, Salmon Oil, Agar-Agar, Ground Whole Flaxseed Meal, Carrots, Asparagus, Cranberries, Blueberries, New Zealand Green Mussel, Olive Oil, Salt, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Kelp, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Sulfate, Taurine, Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, Betaine, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Niacin, Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Nine of the top ten ingredients (minus water) are animal-based
- Comprised primarily of muscle meat, organ meat, and bone
- Rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration
What We Didn’t Like
- Not a single source protein recipe
- Fairly expensive
#5 Best Freeze-Dried Food: Primal
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 57% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 111
- Typical Cost Per Day: $6.39 per day
The story of Primal starts with Matt Koss in 2000 when his dog, Luna, was diagnosed with early-stage kidney failure. Having tried various treatments, including veterinary diets, Koss decided to make Luna’s dog food himself using raw meat and bones. He eventually expanded his operation and founded Primal Pet Food in 2001. All recipes are formulated to mimic a whole prey diet.
We’ve given Primal a 43 out of 60 rating, or a B grade.
Featured Recipe: Primal Nuggets Rabbit Formula Nuggets Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Cat Food
Meat is the first ingredient in every Primal pet food recipe. Many formulas are made with single proteins to address food sensitivities, and they’ll all free from fillers, by-products, and artificial additives.
This rabbit recipe freeze-dried cat food starts with rabbit (including ground bone) as the first ingredient, followed by nutritious rabbit livers. You’ll find rabbit kidneys and lungs further down the list, as well as fish oil and cod liver oil as added sources of animal-based fat.
Though rich in protein, this recipe contains a significant number of plant ingredients, but the estimated carb content is still around 10% as fed. The quality of the ingredients in this formula is very high, so the two biggest issues are the high price tag and the texture. The food is designed to be rehydrated before feeding but some cats simply don’t like it.
Ingredients
Rabbit (with ground bone), Rabbit Livers, Organic Kale, Organic Celery, Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Organic Sunflower Seeds, Organic Cranberries, Organic Blueberries, Rabbit Kidneys, Organic Squash, Rabbit Lungs, Rabbit Hearts, Organic Cilantro, Organic Ginger, Organic Quinoa, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Fish Oil, Montmorillonite Clay, Organic Rosemary Extract, Taurine, Organic Coconut Oil, Cod Liver Oil, Vitamin E Supplement, Organic Ground Alfalfa, Dried Organic Kelp.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Rich in rabbit, rabbit bone, and rabbit organs
- Made with a single source of high-quality animal protein
- Two sources of added animal-based fat
- Free from fillers, by-products, and artificial additives
What We Didn’t Like
- Some cats dislike the texture of rehydrated food
- Contains a significant number of plant ingredients
- Very expensive
#6 Best High Protein: Stella & Chewy’s
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 44% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 131
- Typical Cost Per Day: $6.01 per day
Stella & Chewy’s was founded in 2003 when founder Marie Moody adopted a dog named Chewy. When her new canine friend was diagnosed with distemper, Moody began feeding both Chewy and her other dog Stella a raw diet.
Eventually Moody began delivering homemade raw food throughout New York City, an enterprise that blossomed into Stella & Chewy’s, one of the best-known raw pet food brands in the pet industry.
We’ve given Stella & Chewy’s a 39 out of 60 rating, or a B- grade.
Featured Recipe: Stella & Chewy’s Absolutely Rabbit Dinner Morsels
Stella & Chewy’s freeze-dried pet foods come in several forms, including morsels, dinner patties, meal mixers, and more. The brand offers a variety of single-protein formulas, including this freeze-dried rabbit recipe.
This protein-packed recipe starts with two rabbit-based ingredients: rabbit with ground bone and rabbit liver. Rabbit, of course, is fresh rabbit meat that provides a rich source of animal-based protein. Rabbit liver adds protein as well. Both rabbit liver and the ground bone are packed with essential vitamins and minerals to support optimal nutrition.
Though this product does contain a few unnecessary plant ingredients, it’s still much lower in carbohydrates than the average dry food (estimated under 20% as fed). On a dry matter basis, it contains over 63% protein.
This formula is sold in bags up to 18 ounces. It’s very expensive. But because the product is designed to be rehydrated before feeding, that 18-ounce bag will go a fairly long way.
Ingredients
Rabbit With Ground Bone, Rabbit Liver, Olive Oil, Pumpkin Seed, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Phosphate, Choline Chloride, Dried Ediococcus 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.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Top two ingredients are species-appropriate animal proteins
- Muscle meat, ground bone, and organ meat provide balanced nutrition
- Supplemented with probiotics to support digestive health
What We Didn’t Like
- Very expensive
- Needs to be rehydrated before feeding
#7 Best Fresh Food: Smallbatch Pets
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 19.8% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 52
- Typical Cost Per Day: $0.62 per day
Based out of San Francisco, California, Smallbatch Pets is a small, family-owned pet food company. The idea for Smallbatch was formulated in 2003 and, by 2004, the brand had begun producing fresh pet food using humanely- raised meat and organic vegetables.
Smallbatch began home delivery in 2005 and opened its first brick-and-mortar store in 2007. Since then, they’ve expanded to offer their products in local and independent pet stores around the country.
We’ve given Smallbatch a 44 out of 60 rating, or a B grade.
Featured Recipe: Smallbatch Pets Rabbit Blend Raw Frozen Cat Food
Experts agree that fresh cat food is one of the most nutritious options for your feline friend. Not only is it rich in moisture, but raw food, in particular, is species-appropriate for cats. Smallbatch frozen cat food comes in a variety of single-protein formulas, including these rabbit sliders.
This recipe consists of 97% humanely raised and harvested rabbit, with 1% organic produce and 2% natural supplements. It’s not quite a limited ingredient cat food because it contains a fairly extensive list of organic veggies, but whole rabbit (including bone) is the first ingredient.
Smallbatch frozen rabbit cat food comes in the form of sliders and tubes. The sliders make portioning the food easy and the food itself is ground to 3/16th inch to give it a fine, palatable texture.
Ingredients
Rabbit Including Bones, Rabbit Hearts, Rabbit Livers, Rabbit Kidneys, Salmon Oil, Organic Dandelion Greens, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Organic Kelp*, Organic Bee Pollen, Organic Barley Grass, Organic Cranberries, Vitamin E Supplement
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Made with 97% rabbit (including bone)
- Raw frozen to preserve nutritional integrity
- Finely ground for palatability and easy chewing
What We Didn’t Like
- Contains a significant number of plant ingredients
- Very expensive
#8 Best Food Topper: Merrick
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 9% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 27
- Typical Cost Per Day: $4.18 per day
If you’ve ever shopped for cat or dog food, you’re probably familiar with the name Merrick. Founded back in 1988, Merrick has been a major manufacturer of pet food. The brand was sold to Nestle Purina in 2015 and has continued to enjoy success throughout the country and the world. This brand aims to work with local growers and produces recipes that deliver “health you can see” through complete and balanced nutrition for cats.
We’ve given Merrick a 38 out of 60 rating, or a C+ grade.
Featured Recipe: Merrick Backcountry Grain-Free Morsels in Gravy Real Rabbit Recipe
Cats have a propensity for being picky eaters. When your cat turns up his nose at the same food he inhaled with gusto the day before, it can be frustrating. In many cases, however, the solution is simple: add a meaty and flavorful food topper.
This rabbit recipe meal topper from Merrick is packed with protein from deboned rabbit, beef liver, and deboned lamb. While it’s not a single-protein formula, it’s a great option for cats with chicken or fish allergies. It’s also packed with moisture to support your cat’s hydration and digestive health.
In addition to being free from grains and gluten, this topper is fairly low in carbohydrates and completely free from artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. It’s also nutritionally balanced for complete nutrition so you can use it as your cat’s staple diet if you like.
Ingredients
Deboned Rabbit, Lamb Broth, Beef Broth, Beef Liver, Deboned Lamb, Dried Egg Whites, Potato Starch, Natural Flavor, Guar Gum, Sodium Phosphate, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Taurine, Salmon Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols) Choline Chloride, Minerals (Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite, Potassium Iodide) Sodium Carbonate, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid) Inulin, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Rosemary Extract.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Rich in species-appropriate animal protein
- Packed with hydration-supporting moisture
- Adds protein, moisture, and flavor to your cat’s diet
What We Didn’t Like
- Only two added plant ingredients (used for thickening)
- Not a single-protein formula
Final Thoughts
Unless your cat is allergic to other common proteins, a rabbit-based diet may not be the most economical option for most cat owners. Novel proteins like these are expensive, especially if you’re looking for a single-protein formula.
If you suspect your cat has food allergies, you’ll need to do a feeding trial. Determine which proteins are included in your cat’s current diet and start feeding him a food made from another protein, ideally a hypoallergenic cat food made with a single source of animal protein. Your veterinarian will guide you through completing a feeding trial for your cat.
After 6 weeks or so, you should be able to tell whether your cat’s symptoms have abated. At this point, you can try adding back those proteins you eliminated one at a time and in small portions. If your cat’s symptoms return, you’ll have identified the culprit and can simply choose a new cat food that doesn’t contain that ingredient.
Learn more about allergies in cats in this in-depth article.
Our cat has poultry allergies that surfaced after 5 years and caused excessive licking, chewing etc. We tried duck for awhile but that too made his licking come back.
We have been using Rawz wet rabbit food for about 6 months. Says it’s 96% rabbit and seems to do the trick. He was on Rayne rabbit maintenance (in Canada must purchase through a vet) for 1+ years but out of the blue they stopped making that formula and brought out a new one (with red pepper of all things).
These are both super expensive but at least Rawz is available at a pet store. Rawz doesn’t do a dry rabbit food, so still looking for a good dry, we use Instinct limited ingredients in the meantime.
Just thought I’d share, so hard to find appropriate food for limited ingredient diets.
My cat has allergies and o my eats rabbit but now she has kidney issues and needs lower phosphorous foods. I haven been able to find one! Any thoughts?
Hi there! Rabbit is one of the highest-phosphorus meats, so it can be hard to find a low-phosphorus/renal food with rabbit as its primary protein source. You may want to talk with a vet or another expert consultant about the possibility of using a phosphorus binder along with a rabbit-based food.
Thank you for this very interesting paper !
Any thoughts about Rawz Rabbit canned food and Rayne Nutrition Rabbit Dry food . Our cat is struggling with allergies, and these seam mostly allergens free . Many thanks !