Dr. Elsey's cleanprotein Duck & Chicken Homestyle Duck & Chicken Recipe
Dr. Elsey's cleanprotein Duck & Chicken Homestyle Duck & Chicken Recipe scores 5/5 on Moesonson's label-based analysis. Its two scoring factors rate evenly: protein clarity (high — 100% of the recipe's protein panel is clearly named) and animal-protein content (strong — 100% of the weighted protein comes from animal sources).
Rating
Updated May 2026
How this score is made
This score isn’t a hand-wavy impression: it reads what the label actually prints — the ingredient list, guaranteed analysis and AAFCO adequacy statement — and runs it through the same algorithmic rubric as every other product. No brand pays for placement, and there are no affiliate links on reviewed products.
Is Dr. Elsey's cleanprotein Duck & Chicken Homestyle Duck & Chicken Recipe wet cat food good?
Dr. Elsey's cleanprotein Duck & Chicken Homestyle Duck & Chicken Recipe is a wet cat food rated 5 stars, with high ingredient transparency and strong animal protein content. The recipe lists most animal ingredients by name and features real muscle meat as a primary protein source. However, most minerals are supplied in inorganic forms that may be less well absorbed. This recipe is free from Gluten grains, Grains (gluten-free), Dairy, Egg, Legumes, Nuts, Fish, Shellfish, Unknown Meal but contains Poultry, Red meat.
Allergy Highlights
Contains:
Free From:
Pros
- Uses clearly named animal protein sources for better transparency.
- Contains organ meats that provide natural vitamins and minerals.
Cons
- Relies mostly on inorganic mineral supplements, which may be less bioavailable.
Nutrition Breakdown
| Protein | 44% |
|---|---|
| Fat | 17% |
| Fiber | 11% |
| Ash | 39% |
Moisture (82%) removed so you can compare foods fairly.
Dry matter basis = label value ÷ (100% − moisture%). Carbs estimated from remaining.
| Protein | 8% |
|---|---|
| Fat | 3% |
| Fiber | 2% |
| Moisture | 82% |
| Ash | 7% |
Ash value not listed on label; 7% used as a standard estimate.
As-fed values are the raw percentages printed on the product label.
Tips
- Protein is High (44% dry matter) on our label-based comparison range. This is generally more aligned with cats' higher protein needs than lower-protein recipes, assuming the food is complete for the cat's life stage.
- Fat is High (17% dry matter) on our label-based comparison range. It can raise calorie density, so watch body condition and seek vet input for cats with pancreatitis or digestive disease.
Ingredients Analysis
19 of 19 matched
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1 Duck
Animal ProteinDescription
A novel animal protein source in pet foods. Other than protein, it is also rich in vitamin B3, B2, selenium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, and copper.
Why Prefer?
A high-quality animal protein with high digestibility and biological value.
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2 Chicken
Animal ProteinDescription
The dominant animal protein source in pet foods. Other than protein, it is also high in iron, zinc, selenium, and B vitamins.
Why Prefer?
A high-quality animal protein with high digestibility and biological value.
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3 Chicken Bone Broth
Animal ProteinDescription
The soup produced by cooking chicken bones, parts, or meat. It is high in glycine which claims to detoxify the liver and prevent leaky gut. There is a lack of evidence to show the benefits to pets.
Why Prefer?
A high-quality animal protein with high digestibility and biological value.
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4 Beef Liver
Animal ProteinDescription
One of the best-concentrated sources of vitamin A compared to any other food. It also includes a high amount of folate and vitamin B12. The liver only fillers toxins out and it does not store them, which most people misunderstand.
Why Prefer?
Organ meats are highly nutritious, with quality protein and many important vitamins / minerals.
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5 Salt
OthersDescription
Mainly added to enhance the flavor, might cause kidney and blood pressure issues in a larger dose. High-quality pet foods should get a sufficient amount from raw meat, additional salt is not necessary.
Why Concerned?
A controversial ingredient that might cause health issues, unnecessary for the risk.
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6 Sunflower Oil
FatDescription
The oil derived from sunflower seeds, high in either omega 6 and 9 fats, low in saturated fat and is packed with natural anti-oxidant vitamin E.
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7 Tricalcium Phosphate
SupplementDescription
A supplement for calcium and phosphorus. It is mainly used to improve the texture of pet foods.
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8 Iron Proteinate
SupplementDescription
An organic form of iron. It is essential for the transport and movement of oxygen around the body. Compare to inorganic form, it has 5 - 15% more absorption rate to the body.
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9 Copper Proteinate
SupplementDescription
An organic form of copper, which is important for the production of blood cells, hair coat color pigmentation, and maintaining the nervous system. Compare to inorganic form, it has 5 - 15% more absorption rate to the body.
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10 Zinc Proteinate
SupplementDescription
An organic form of zinc, which is vital in skin function and wound healing, cell replication, the structure and function of biological membranes. Compare to inorganic form, it has 5 - 15% more absorption rate to the body.
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11 Manganese Proteinate
SupplementDescription
An organic form of manganese that has 5 - 15% higher absorption rate than the inorganic form. It is essential for normal metabolic function with the body.
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12 Vitamins
SupplementDescription
A mixture of vitamins supplements to ensure the complete nutrition profile of pet food.
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13 Potassium Chloride
SupplementDescription
An inorganic form of potassium, which offers 5 - 15% less absorption rate to the body. It is essential for important functions like nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and carbon dioxide / oxygen transport.
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14 Magnesium Sulfate
SupplementDescription
An inorganic form of manganese that has 5 - 15% less absorption rate than the organic form. It is essential for the transport and movement of oxygen around the body.
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15 Sodium Selenite
Food AdditiveDescription
An inorganic selenium supplement. It remains controversial as the long term effect of consuming it is not known, and there is a much safer organic alternative available.
Why Concerned?
A food additive that is likely to be safe but unnecessary.
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16 Sage
CarbsDescription
A herb from the mint family, a good source of vitamin K and antioxidants - it contains over 160 plant-based polyphenols.
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17 Thyme
CarbsDescription
A herb often used for cooking, a great source of vitamin C, A, copper, iron, and manganese.
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18 Rosemary
CarbsDescription
A common herb used for cooking, it is rich in antioxidants to fight off radical damages in the body.
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19 Potassium Iodide
SupplementDescription
An inorganic form of potassium, which offers 5 - 15% less absorption rate to the body. It is essential for important functions like nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and carbon dioxide / oxygen transport.
Tips
- Named animal proteins near the top: Duck, Chicken are listed early in the ingredient panel.
- Ingredients worth checking: Salt, Sodium Selenite.
Protein Analysis
How this recipe earned its protein scores.
Protein Clarity
High- Named 100%
Strong clarity: 100% of Dr. Elsey's cleanprotein Duck & Chicken Homestyle Duck & Chicken Recipe's animal-protein ingredients are clearly named (like chicken or salmon). Only 0% use vague terms such as "meat meal" and 0% are by-products. Named protein ingredients let you verify the source and check for allergens.
Contributing ingredients
Named
Animal Protein
High- Animal 100%
Meat-forward: 100% of the weighted protein in Dr. Elsey's cleanprotein Duck & Chicken Homestyle Duck & Chicken Recipe comes from animal sources. Plant signals are modest (0% whole plants, 0% plant concentrates), so the protein profile leans on real meat.
Contributing ingredients
Animal
Dr. Elsey's cleanprotein Duck & Chicken Homestyle Duck & Chicken Recipe wet cat food Review
Dr. Elsey's cleanprotein Duck & Chicken Homestyle Duck & Chicken Recipe is a strong choice — rated 5 stars with high ingredient transparency and strong animal protein content. A confident pick when the ingredient panel matches your pet's needs.
Best for
- Owners who want clearly named protein sources
- Pets avoiding gluten grains
- Pets that thrive on muscle-meat protein
Key takeaways
- Named animal proteins make up 100% of the recipe's protein panel — a clear sourcing win.
- Contains common allergens: Poultry, Red meat.
- On a dry-matter basis: 44% protein, 17% fat, 0% estimated carbohydrates.
- 100% of the weighted protein comes from animal sources.
- Free from Gluten grains, Grains (gluten-free), Dairy, Egg, Legumes, Nuts, Fish, Shellfish, Unknown Meal.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dr. Elsey's cleanprotein Duck & Chicken Homestyle Duck & Chicken Recipe good for cats?
Yes — Dr. Elsey's cleanprotein Duck & Chicken Homestyle Duck & Chicken Recipe earns 5 out of 5 stars on Moesonson’s label-based analysis, combining high ingredient transparency with strong animal protein content. The score is computed from the printed ingredient list and guaranteed analysis rather than marketing claims — a confident pick when the label matches your cat’s needs.
Does Dr. Elsey's cleanprotein Duck & Chicken Homestyle Duck & Chicken Recipe contain Dairy?
No — based on the printed ingredient list, Dr. Elsey's cleanprotein Duck & Chicken Homestyle Duck & Chicken Recipe does not include Dairy or closely related ingredients, so pets sensitive to Dairy can typically avoid that trigger here. Recipes do get reformulated, though, so re-check the packaging before feeding — Moesonson’s reading reflects the label at analysis time.
Does Dr. Elsey's cleanprotein Duck & Chicken Homestyle Duck & Chicken Recipe contain Egg?
No — based on the printed ingredient list, Dr. Elsey's cleanprotein Duck & Chicken Homestyle Duck & Chicken Recipe does not include Egg or closely related ingredients, so pets sensitive to Egg can typically avoid that trigger here. Recipes do get reformulated, though, so re-check the packaging before feeding — Moesonson’s reading reflects the label at analysis time.
Does Dr. Elsey's cleanprotein Duck & Chicken Homestyle Duck & Chicken Recipe contain Legumes?
No — based on the printed ingredient list, Dr. Elsey's cleanprotein Duck & Chicken Homestyle Duck & Chicken Recipe does not include Legumes or closely related ingredients, so pets sensitive to Legumes can typically avoid that trigger here. Recipes do get reformulated, though, so re-check the packaging before feeding — Moesonson’s reading reflects the label at analysis time.
Does Dr. Elsey's cleanprotein Duck & Chicken Homestyle Duck & Chicken Recipe contain Nuts?
No — based on the printed ingredient list, Dr. Elsey's cleanprotein Duck & Chicken Homestyle Duck & Chicken Recipe does not include Nuts or closely related ingredients, so pets sensitive to Nuts can typically avoid that trigger here. Recipes do get reformulated, though, so re-check the packaging before feeding — Moesonson’s reading reflects the label at analysis time.
Is Dr. Elsey's cleanprotein Duck & Chicken Homestyle Duck & Chicken Recipe grain-free?
Yes — Dr. Elsey's cleanprotein Duck & Chicken Homestyle Duck & Chicken Recipe is grain-free according to its printed ingredient list: no gluten grains (like wheat) and no gluten-free grains (like rice or corn) appear in the recipe. That makes it a candidate for pets with diagnosed grain sensitivities, though grain-free offers no automatic benefit for pets without one.
What are the main protein sources in Dr. Elsey's cleanprotein Duck & Chicken Homestyle Duck & Chicken Recipe?
The main animal proteins in Dr. Elsey's cleanprotein Duck & Chicken Homestyle Duck & Chicken Recipe are Duck, Chicken, Chicken Bone Broth. Each is named by species on the printed ingredient list — a protein-clarity strength in Moesonson’s scoring, because named sources let you verify what your cat is eating and avoid specific proteins when managing food allergies.
