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Score: 7/10
Bottom Line
A good occasional dry cat food, but got mixed taste results with our cats.
PROS
CONS
We did this Crave cat food review with the help of our cat taste testers.
Crave is a high-protein brand of dry cat food that promotes itself as a better choice for cats.
Review summary:
The good?
Lower carb.
Coming in at 22%, Crave is lower than most options at this price point on a dry matter basis. Better for carnivorous cats.
The bad?
Mixed taste.
We tried Crave with five cats, but only three approved. Hit and miss.
The ugly?
Lack of variety.
There’s only three flavors to choose from, and nothing for kittens. Needs more.
In short:
Just ok.
Crave is a better than most dry foods that are jammed packed with grains. It’s higher protein and lower carb.
Still, it could do better and tidy up the ingredients even more, which might improve taste.
Best for:
- Adult cats (1-7 years)
- Affordable choice
- Convenience
>> Check out Crave cat food here
After more on Crave cat food?
In the rest of this short Crave cat food review I’ll go into more depth about:
- Nutrition
- Ingredients
- Taste
- Value for money
This includes testing results with our five cats.
I am not a veterinarian. Seek the advice of a vet for any further questions. The advice in this article is not intended as medical advice.
Let’s get into the article.
Crave Cat Food Review
Nutrition
Average.
Crave meets AAFCO’s nutrition guidelines for maintenance. That makes it a sole feeding option for adult cats (1-7 years).
Protein is solid at 44% (dry matter), meeting AAFCO’s minimum guideline for adult cats (26%).
Lacks info on calcium to phosphate ratio, so can’t recommend for seniors. Carbs a tad high at 22% (although better than most dry cat foods).
In short:
- High protein
- Moderate carb
- Complete for adults
Nutrition info:
| Nutrient | Amt (dry matter) | Target | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 44% | 26% | Meets needs for strength & energy |
| Fat | 20% | 25-40% | A little low in fat for best taste |
| Carbs | 22% | <12% | A tad high for blood sugar control & digestion |
| Water | 10% | – | Lacks water |
| Phosphate | – | – | – |
| Calcium | – | – | – |
| Kcal/kg | 3,788 | – | High calorie density |
Nutrition: 6/10
Ingredients
Average.
Three of the first five ingredients are meat based. Better than most dry cat foods, but more would be better.
Crave uses meat meal, a heat-treated food source that is less digestible. It also uses plant proteins, which are also lower quality.
The product also uses chicken fat. Meat-based sources of fat help to improve the taste of food for cats.
Fat also helps with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Animal fats also contain arachidonic acid, a fatty acid cats can only get from animal based fat sources (not vegetable oils).
Crave also uses beet pulp which may help reduce hairball formation. This is an soluble fiber that binds to hairs and helps your cat pass them through the digestive system.
There is no gluten or soy in the product.
Ingredients: 4/10
taste
Mixed.
Crave has mostly positive reviews online at around 90% customer recommended score.
I tested Crave chicken dry cat food with five cats. Three enjoyed it.
Quick notes:
- 3/5 cats enjoyed
- Circular shape
- Light appearance
Results:
Cat Reviewer: Jojo
Jojo eventually ate her serving of Crave chicken and protein after some hesitation.
Cat Reviewer: Misty
Misty did not want to eat any of her Crave cat food. She is not catisfied!
Cat Reviewer: Storm
Storm inspects this food with a sniff, but decides she doesn’t want to try any.
Cat Reviewer: Mimi
Mimi eventually eats her serving of Crave chicken with protein, with a little hesitation.
Cat Reviewer: Midnight
Midnight loves it! A very catisfying meal.
Here is what the product looked like out of the bag.
The circular shape of this product is easier on the mouth for chewing and swallowing. Cats do prefer a softer and rounder shape to their food, as opposed to sharp edges.
Taste: 8/10
Value for Money
Great.
Crave is an affordable option. For the quality, this seems about right and good value for money.
Similar alternatives:
- Applaws (see review)
- Go! Solutions
- Solid Gold
Value for Money: 9/10
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Makes Crave Cat Food?
Crave is owned by Mars Petcare.
Mars Inc owns a variety of cat food brands such as:
- Iams
- Whiskas
- Sheba
- Royal Canin
Learn More:
Where is Crave Cat Food Manufactured?
Crave is produced in U.S. facilities with ingredients sourced around the world.
What Type of Cat Food Does Crave Make?
Crave offers dry cat food as of the writing of this article.
Does crave make wet cat food?
Crave do not appear to make wet canned cat foods.
They used to in the past, however these products no longer appear online for purchase. It is unknown if these food options will return in the future.
Has crave ever been recalled?
There are no recorded recalls of Crave Cat Food on the FDA database.
Research performed on Petful database and FDA recall list.
Is crave safe?
Yes.
Crave is a complete meal for adult cats, per AAFCO’s nutrition guidelines.
There have been no recorded food recalls of this brand. This food is safe to give to an adult cat (1-7 years), but not suitable for seniors or kittens.
Is Crave Good For Your Cat?
Compared to other dry cat foods at a similar price, Crave is a good option. It is lower in carbohydrate and grain-free.
However, the food is AAFCO approved for adult cats only. The food is not suitable for senior cats and/or kittens.
I don’t recommend this option as a ‘sole source’ of nutrition due to the low moisture content and high carbohydrate amount. It’s best to give your cat a diet of wet canned foods, using dry foods sparingly.
Learn more:
What is the #1 dry cat food?
Ziwi Peak.
It’s an air-dried cat food that’s suitable for cats of any age. It’s the perfect choice for a carnivorous cat.
Learn more:
Conclusion
Crave is an affordable dry cat food choice for adult cats, aged 1-7 years. Best for occasional eating.
Their cat foods are easy-to-chew and higher in protein than most alternatives on the market at this price.
Could use more variety though, including options for kittens.
Best for:
- Adult cats (1-7 years)
- Affordable choice
- Convenience
Where to find Crave?
