We’ve rated Dr. Marty on ingredient quality, species-appropriateness, recalls, and more. Read our Dr. Marty cat food review to learn how this brand stacks up.
The Cats.com Standard—Rating Dr. Marty on What Matters
We’ve rated the brand on six key criteria for quality. Here’s how it rates in each of these six crucial areas.
Ratings
- Species-Appropriateness – 8/10
- Ingredient Quality – 8/10
- Product Variety – 2/10
- Price – 4/10
- Customer Experience – 8/10
- Recall History – 8/10
Overall Score: 6.33/10
In total, we give Dr. Marty cat food a 42 out of 60 rating or a B- grade.
About Dr. Marty
The figurehead behind Dr. Marty pet food is Dr. Martin Goldstein. As one of the world’s leading veterinarians with over 40 years of experience, Dr. Marty knows pets. The Dr. Marty pet food brand began with a mission to help support pet health through his unique vision of animal nutrition.
Dr. Marty’s cat food is formulated using the principles of integrative medicine. This approach is designed to address the “full picture” of pet health, incorporating the best of traditional medicine and alternative therapies to yield the maximum result.
The story of Dr. Marty pet food actually began with Dr. Marty himself. When he was in his 20s, Dr. Marty was overweight and unhealthy, suffering from low energy and achy joints. After trying everything he could think of with no luck, Dr. Marty came across a book on Macrobiotic Diets and began following its guidelines. It didn’t take long for him to drop 20 pounds and he was so amazed with the results that he began incorporating macrobiotics into his veterinary practice.
Today, Dr. Marty’s brand has grown to help thousands of pets overcome poor health and restore their youthful vitality. Dr. Marty says the bottom line is:
“Your lucky pet can live a healthy, happy, more vibrant life… starting today.”
Sourcing and Manufacturing
Dr. Marty doesn’t provide much in the way of specific information about where their products are made other than to say they are freeze-dried in kitchens located in North America. Their food package states an address in Woodland Hills, CA as the company headquarters.
Here’s what Dr. Marty has to say about the quality of their products:
“Our pets are our best friends. They are constant companions, great cuddlers, offer endless amusement and entertainment, and never let us down. With all that dogs and cats do for us, it’s only natural we return the favor and do all we can to provide them with the best possible care. That’s where Dr. Marty Pets comes in. From top-quality dog food and cat food, to supplements for joint health, to probiotics for digestion, Dr. Marty Pets is here to provide your furry best friend with the best pet products available.”
Though Dr. Marty doesn’t offer specifics about the sourcing or manufacturing of their products, they do offer a 90-day money-back guarantee. The Happy Healthy Guarantee states that if your cat doesn’t love the product, you can return it within 90 days for a full refund on the purchase price.
Recall History
In researching the Dr. Marty pet food brand, we didn’t find any evidence of prior recalls. It’s not uncommon for even high-quality brands like this to have a recall or two in their history, but it’s always a good thing when they don’t.
Dr. Marty’s Nature’s Feast freeze-dried raw cat food features three premium animal proteins: salmon, turkey, and whitefish. Kate Barrington / Cats.com
What Kinds of Cat Food Does Dr. Marty Offer?
Dr. Marty offers a very limited selection of cat products including one recipe for freeze-dried cat food, one recipe for cat treats, and a single digestive supplement for cats. Both their food and treats are freeze-dried in a process that helps maximize the nutritional content.
The only cat food formula Dr. Marty has to offer is made with multiple sources of premium animal-based protein. The recipe begins with salmon, turkey, and whitefish then goes on to include several organ meats and an assortment of superfoods. This recipe is freeze-dried for freshness.
What Do Customers Think of Dr. Marty Cat Food?
When shopping around for cat food, it’s a good idea to do your research before choosing a brand. In addition to learning about the brand and its ingredients and processing methods, you should check out customer reviews. Reviews can tell you a lot more than the brand’s website about their customer service and about how well the products are received by cats.
In researching Dr. Marty’s cat food, we found there were plenty of brand reviews and customer ratings online. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) website had over 1,000 customer reviews and there were over 1,200 reviews on TrustPilot.
Let’s take a look at a few customer reviews for Dr. Marty.
Positive Reviews
“Apollo has enjoyed his new diet immensely; particularly the dry-freeze chicken treat. I find by adding just a little of them to his regular died of your dry food – it enhances his appetite. He can’t wait till eating time (4X a day).” -Marvin Thomas reviewing Dr. Marty Nature’s Feast Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food
“I have one obese kitty that I’m watching the weight drop off. Her belly used to drag on the floor…not anymore. She still feels heavy, but from what I’ve read she’s gaining muscle and loosing fat. My three dog’s meal is supplemented with Dr. Marty’s dog food and all three woof their meal down. Not one bite is left in their bowl.”- Patricia reviewing Dr. Marty Nature’s Feast Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food
Negative Reviews
“As much as I like the food and feel my cat has better energy and is less grumpy, I am frustrated by the cost! I know a bulk bag would cost less than the small bags they package in and it is so much more wasteful packaging when you also include the cardboard box it is shipped in! So the high cost and packaging has me on the fence about continuing to buy this product.”-Liz P. reviewing Dr. Marty Nature’s Feast Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food
“It took my cat about 2 weeks to acclimate to the new food. He now loves it. My only issue is at 2/3 cup a day a 12 oz bag doesn’t last long. The food is quite expensive compared to his old diet… but much better for him. I will continue with Dr. Marty’s products.”-Marta reviewing Dr. Marty Nature’s Feast Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food
Dr. Marty’s freeze-dried raw cat food can be served as-is or rehydrated with water to create fresh food. Kate Barrington / Cats.com
What Did Our Test Cats Think?
To review Dr. Marty, we ordered a bag of Dr. Marty Nature’s Feast freeze-dried raw cat food as well as a bag of Squeeki’s Delight salmon treats. Our order arrived in a standard cardboard box with an Easy Start-Up Guide. This guide provides important information about Dr. Marty’s products including tips for transitioning your cat onto the food. It also provides feeding recommendations by body weight and tips for rehydrating the food with water to make fresh food for your cat.
The first thing we noticed was that the bag of food was very small – it only contains 12 ounces of food. Plus, because it is freeze-dried raw food rather than kibble it is very lightweight. The pieces of food themselves were a little larger than the average piece of kibble but still appropriately sized for a cat. We also noticed the food had a strong aroma. In fact, it didn’t take long after opening the bag for our test cats to come running. All three were immediately interested in the product.
We were very impressed by the quality of Dr. Marty Nature’s Feast cat food. There are absolutely no artificial additives and no fillers, just high-quality animal protein and superfoods. In fact, this formula doesn’t require the addition of synthetic supplements to ensure nutritional balance which puts it at the high end of the spectrum for quality. It’s very expensive but the price is justified.
In testing Dr. Marty’s freeze-dried salmon treats, we were pleased to find the bag was packed very full, considering a single bag costs more than $25. The treats themselves had a strong salmon aroma and, again, our test cats were very interested. The one concern we had with the treats is that they come in fairly large pieces – you may need to break them up for easier feeding. We also found that some of the longer pieces of salmon skin were tricky for our test cats to eat because the texture was less crunchy – they had to chew on the piece for a while before being able to swallow it.
Overall, our test cats were big fans of Dr. Marty’s freeze-dried food and treats. We loved the quality of the ingredients and had no major issues. The only downside is the hefty price tag.
Dr. Marty Cat Food – Top 3 Recipes Reviewed
Product Name | Product Type | Main Ingredient | Calories | Price | Our Grade |
Nature’s Feast Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food | Freeze-Dried | Salmon | 246 kcal/cup | $4.99 per oz | A |
Squeeki’s Delights Treats | Treats | Salmon | 4205 kcal/kg | $4.99 per oz | A |
Feline Prime Digestive Supplement | Supplement | Bone Broth | 4 kcal/scoop | $2.33 per day | A |
All nutritional percentages in this table and hereafter are taken from the manufacturer’s guaranteed analysis. Exact nutritional percentages are not available.
All calculated values are determined using these minimum and maximum published values and may differ from actual values. Dr. Marty is the ultimate authority on his products, so please contact the company for more nutritional information.
How Much Does Dr. Marty Cat Food Cost?
Dr. Marty’s cat food is one of the highest quality cat foods we’ve come across, so it should come as no surprise that it’s pretty pricey. A single 12-ounce bag of Nature’s Feast Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food costs just under $60 which averages to about $4.99 per ounce. The product is well worth the cost, however, because it is packed with premium animal protein and nutritionally balanced without the use of synthetic supplements. Plus, it is freeze-dried which helps it retain more nutritional value.
Other Dr. Marty’s products are equally expensive. A single bag of Squeeki’s Delights freeze-dried salmon treats costs $26.95 and a single container of Feline Prime digestive supplement is $69.95. If you want to save money on Dr. Marty’s food, buy in bulk. You’ll save 5% by purchasing three bags of food or 10% by buying six bags at once. You’ll get 10% and 15% savings, respectively, on their other products.
Overall, Is Dr. Marty Cat Food a Good Choice?
We were very impressed with Dr. Marty’s cat food and other cat-friendly products. We found them to be significantly more expensive than the typical dry or canned cat food, but the price is justified by the quality of the product. Most importantly, Dr. Marty’s freeze-dried raw cat food is packed with animal protein and nutritionally balanced without the need for synthetic supplements.
In addition to being loaded with quality nutrition, Dr. Marty’s products have a strong aroma that our test cats loved. They were immediately interested in the food from the second we opened the bag and even our test dog came running.
The primary downside to Dr. Marty freeze-dried cat food is the hefty price tag, though it’s also worth mentioning they only have one recipe to choose from and, as a multi-protein recipe, it may not be ideal for cats that suffer from food allergies or sensitivities. In fact, it contains several common allergens including fish and chicken. For cats who have no food sensitivities, however, it is an excellent choice.
Where Is Dr. Marty Cat Food Sold?
The best place to buy Dr. Marty cat food is online through the brand’s website. When you shop through Dr. Marty’s website, you have the option to purchase one bag, three bags, or six bags of food at a time. You’ll pay full price for a single bag, but you’ll receive 5% or 10% savings when you buy in bulk.
At this time, Dr. Marty cat food isn’t available in stores or elsewhere online.
My cat is close to being diagnosed with Kidney disease. I have been told he needs a low protein low phosphorus diet. Can you give me the phosphorus percentage. Would this food be a healthy choice for my 15 year old male cat. He also has hyperthyroidism and heart disease.
Thanks, Betsy
Hey Betsy, great question! Unfortunately Dr. Marty doesn’t make their full nutrient breakdown available on the website, but you should be able to talk to customer service to get specific answers to your questions. You can contact them by email at [email protected] or call 1-800-670-1839.
Finding it odd that the text review gives an A- for the food, but the embedded video gives a C+. Is this just because it’s different reviewers’ thoughts, despite both being affiliated with this site?
Hi Karen, good observation. You’re right—this is due to the subjectivity of our rating system being used by two different people. I’ll update the article to match the video review, as the video more closely aligns with the interpretation of the AAC standard used sitewide. Apologies for the inconsistency; it’s something we’re working on. – Mallory
Thank you for the in-depth review. I also have a cat, 17, who is in CKD territory. Though his phosphorus level on his lab tests in June was normal, his BUN and creatinine levels are inching up. Very hard to find low phosphorus food. I have him on Weruva Steak Frites and Wellness Healthy Indulgence morsels and NO dry food. I tried Stella & Chewy’s freeze dried morsels dry and wet as enhancers in May and he loved them!! But, I haven’t bought any more due to the bone content. My neighbor just gave me a brand new bag of Dr. Marty’s Natures Feast. I want to try some as toppers, but it seems everytime I find a new wet food my kitty likes, the phosphorus level is too high. I’ll contact Dr. Marty’s customer service dept. My cat has lost a pound in 9 weeks, after taking him off all dry food. He was nearly 15 lbs. The previous owner fed him 90% dry food. Last night he was running and hopping up and down on my furniture and this is with arthritis!! I love this site. I need some cat mentors. I rescued him 9 months ago.
Hi Janet, thanks for the comment. When we submitted this food to an independent lab for analysis, we found that it had 1,070 mg of phosphorus per 100 g of food. Hope this helps!
Is this phosphorus amount considered high for cats with CKD?
Yes, a bit. Most standard diets like this will be too high in phosphorus for cats with CKD. Assuming it’s also what your vet advises, I would recommend choosing a prescription diet or other food known for low phosphorus content. This article on the best food for cats with kidney disease may help.
My cat was just diagnosed with diabetes. Do you know if Dr Marty’s food is appropriate for diabetic cats? Thanks.
Hi Kathy, great question! Diabetic cats can really benefit from high protein, low carb, and high-moisture food. While. Dr. Marty is made with high-quality ingredients, it may be a little higher in carbs than is ideal for cats and it is a freeze-dried food, so very low in moisture. I’d recommend a high-quality wet food with low carb content – here are some suggestions: https://cats.com/best-cat-food-diabetic-cats
The food is listed as expensive, but I don’t know what it’s being compared to – cheap Friskies at $.65 a can, or to grain-free canned foods that can be $1.70 to $2.00 or more per can, or to dry grain-free food that can be $12 – $25 for a 5-6 lb bag? The feeding scale says 1.25 cup of food for a 10 lb cat, is that dry or wet? How many cups are there per 12 oz bag? I’m trying to get a handle on what the actual cost per cat would be. I feed a frozen raw meat diet that costs me an average of $.80 per day.
Hi Kim, thanks for commenting. This is an excellent question, and I think you’ve exposed an area where we can improve in our cat food brand reviews. As you said, expensiveness is relative in cat food, so we generally make statements about price relative to other foods in the same category in terms of both manufacturing method and overall product quality (taking into consideration ingredient value and nutritional merits). In the case of Dr. Marty food, I found it to be more expensive than other freeze-dried foods with similar ingredients. You can get foods from Vital Essentials or Stella & Chewy’s for as much as 50% less than Dr. Marty cat food, and they’re very similar products. I apologize for not making that clearer in the review, and I hope this was able to clear things up a bit.
Hi Malory. I read Janet’s question, which was an excellent one to ask. After listening to Dr. Marty’s video and because he lost his one cat from kidney disease I just assumed that the phosphorus content would be suitable for cats with renal disease. Now I’m very concerned because I have two thirteen year old Siamese cats. One of them has lost a pound in the last year. He is just in the early stage of having a renal problem. I am very conscientious about watching the phosphorus and salt content in canned foods. In saying this would you please give a breakdown of the phosphorus level similar to how it is stated on canned foods?
I can’t do the math to see if the amount of phosphorus is safe. Would you please help me with this question? I would really appreciate it. I just bought several bags of Dr. Marty’s food an hour ago trusting that the amount of phosphorus was suitable for a cat with kidney issues. Thank you very much for your help and first your excellent replies.
Hi Delores! Apologies for the late reply. Cats with renal disease should generally be on a restricted-phosphorus diet, and regular foods not formulated for cats with CKD are generally not low-phosphorus enough. With that in mind, and especially given that I’m not a vet, I can’t say whether or not Dr. Marty cat food is appropriate for a cat with kidney disease. But with that out of the way, phosphorus makes up 1.01% of each serving of Nature’s Feast. The AAFCO requires a minimum 0.5% per serving. Again, it’s not particularly low nor particularly high.
I purchased Dr Martys cat food for my 2 cats (one which is overweight). They will not eat it regardless of how I fix it. I have tried blending it with water to make a gravy because they love Friskies with extra gravy. I mix it with their other food as suggested and they will not eat at all. The food sits in the bowl all day. I am on day four with Dr Martys and if I didn’t give them the other food they would not eat. What should I do?
Hi Linda, I’d think about adding something highly palatable to the Dr. Marty food (crushed Temptations treats, Purina Fortiflora, or bonito flakes) and seeing if your cats will give it a try with that appetizer added to the top. If that doesn’t work, you may just have to accept that you gave it your best effort, but your cats simply don’t like this food. You may want to consider something from Vital Essentials or Stella & Chewy’s, which both tend to be more palatable (in my experience) and cheaper than Dr. Marty cat food.
I bought 4 bags thinking I was changing the cats lives, if they won’t eat it do you give a return label? I am disappointed because this food sounds so good for them. Linda
I have just purchased a substantial amount of Dr. Martys freeze dried food along with the probiotic supplement.
As a lifetime Cat “Mom”, I’ve struggled to find a safe , nutritionally reliable food …hoping to prevent most of these common ailments from taking over the Kitties lives. Unfortunately didn’t always have the most knowledgeable or concerned Vets…as Money or at times my lack of, was their main motivation. Very tragic!
I still find myself stressed over added ingredients, salt, sugar, powdered cellulose, preservatives and now especially, ingredients from China, etc. All these recalls are too much to let me trust Anybody.
I always thot phosphorus ( found in barley and where else ?) was good for cancer prevention (( which is usually what kills most Pets)) Of course it’s from crappy food. I’ve had urinary blockages, kidney tumors, pancreatic failures, one issue of sudden blindness ( from a 15 yr old Kittie Never even having a cold.) and a Thyroid condition for about 4 years where the Kittie Still lived to 18 1/2. Many others , I never knew what went wrong and that’s the hardest..not knowing
Previously quality of Food, chemicals and now the heavy metals thing, were unknown or hushed up. Pet food is a Billion dollar industry, so I would think transparency ,integrity, And safety would be all companys’ priority .The US should Not buy ingredients from foreign countries or add Any thing with lead, mercury, cadmium or arsenic. Wtf?? Purified water should be used. Pesticide free fruits and vegetables cans with no bpa. Etc.
I’m afraid to start my Dr. Martys food until I know Why the Prop 65 notice was included in the box about arsenic potential exposure ??? Seems we or Animals can’t eat or drink anymore without Something to worry us…. Please Help !!
Hi Katie, you’re absolutely right that our pets deserve the best! It’s unfortunate that so many companies prioritize profits over the wellbeing of our fur babies. It’s hard to say exactly why Dr. Marty includes the Prop 65 warning. As far as my understanding of Prop 65 goes, it’s not necessarily an indication that the product contains that ingredient, it’s just included to protect the company against future litigation if something comes up. The details of the legislation change from time to time, so it may be simply be a precautionary measure.
Here’s an example of a company’s explanation from Young Again:
https://www.youngagainpetfood.com/ca-prop-65#:~:text=This%20is%20to%20shield%20our,consumer%20goods%20and%20pet%20products.
Hello, my name is Kat with Dr. Marty Pets. Thank you for taking the time to write a detailed review of our company and formulas! Dr Marty Pets’ formulas are created with one mission: To help support your pet’s health through our unique vision of animal nutrition. As you mentioned, our prices are a reflection of our high quality formulas that don’t contain any artificial preservatives, additives, or synthetic ingredients of any kind. We appreciate any and all customer feedback so please feel free to reach out! My email is [email protected]. Thank you.
I am Very Sorry my cats chose not to eat the food, can you recommend anything else?
Hello Andria, thanks for commenting. Any of the products on our list of the best raw cat food should be good alternatives to Dr. Marty Nature’s Feast.
I look forward to your reply. Thank you……Andria
Just replied in the comments and via email! Thanks for being here.
This is the second time I am writing. I bought 3 bags of the cat food, very excited to start my 2 cats eating what they should be eating. They will not eat it. I have tried crushing it up, putting water on it, serving dry, and sprinkling the salmon powder on it. I started crushing one nugget and putting it in their regular food, no problem. So everyday I would crush another one until I got to eight. Once I crushed eight pieces into their food they wouldn’t touch it. Then the Salmon came and I sprinkled a little of it on their food….they wouldn’t touch it. I’m in for $109.00 and they will not eat this food no matter what or how I fix it. They will go hungry before they eat it. What are your suggestions for having them eat healthier? I’m at my wits end. Linda Dray
Hi Linda, that sounds really frustrating (and expensive)! Cats can definitely be unpredictable when it comes to what they will and won’t eat. It sounds like you’re committed to investing in your cats’ diets, though, so it might be worth trying a high-quality canned food? The dehydrated food sometimes just doesn’t appeal to cats but canned food is packed protein, moisture, and flavor – it also tends to have more of an aroma which your cats might like. Something with high meat inclusions like Ziwi Peak might be a good option. You can see our other top picks for wet food here: https://cats.com/reviews/best-canned-cat-food
Hey I came to see the review of this brand as soon as I heard about it. It sounds too good to be true to make our fellow cats lives longer. As you mentioned in the video there is similar products as this which one would you recommend the most. Hope to hear from you!
ORDERED CAT FOOD GOT DOG FOOD. SENT PICTURES OF THEIR MISTAKE NO RESPONSE
GUESS I LOST 37.14
That’s unacceptable. I’m going to pass this along to Dr. Marty, and you should certainly pursue a refund until you get it.
I have tried three times to get someone to help correct this problem. None I give up I 81 and dont need this hassel
What about the toxins and mercury content in the raw meats and salmon? Unless they are organic and wild caught Pacific fish, there will be mercury and chemicals in the meat & organs from the chemicals sprayed on the grains and grass of the animals that eat it?
Thanks.
Susan
Hey there, you’re right—there are concerns about contamination and heavy metals in these foods. Unfortunately, we had not started testing for heavy metals when this review was written, but we have submitted other foods to a food lab and learned that fish-based foods definitely have higher mercury content compared to other products. Regardless, it’s a good idea to limit your cat’s fish intake and incorporate it into a varied rotation.
There is 8% ash in this food (not advertised). My cat got urinary crystals, so he could not urinate. My vet advised against any ash in case food as it causes urinary crystals that could block the urinary tract and lead to surgery or death. This isn’t risk free. Customer need to pay for return postage.
Ash is seldom listed on the guaranteed analysis, but high ash content may sometimes contribute to urinary crystals. Thanks for sharing.
Which product are you specifically referring to. Or are you referring to all of it?
Need help for my dying cat
Hi Robert, I’m sending you an email. Take care.