thrive PremiumPlus Chicken
thrive PremiumPlus Chicken 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 Aug 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 thrive PremiumPlus Chicken dry cat food good?
thrive PremiumPlus Chicken is a dry 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, Red meat, Shellfish, Unknown Meal but contains Poultry, Fish.
Allergy Highlights
Contains:
Free From:
Pros
- Uses clearly named animal protein sources for better transparency.
- Includes plant ingredients that can provide fiber and natural antioxidants.
Cons
- Relies mostly on inorganic mineral supplements, which may be less bioavailable.
Nutrition Breakdown
| Protein | 60% |
|---|---|
| Fat | 20% |
| Est. Carbs | 7% |
| Fiber | 2% |
| Ash | 11% |
Moisture (10%) removed so you can compare foods fairly.
Dry matter basis = label value ÷ (100% − moisture%). Carbs estimated from remaining.
| Protein | 54% |
|---|---|
| Fat | 18% |
| Est. Carbs | 7% |
| Fiber | 2% |
| Moisture | 10% |
| Ash | 10% |
Moisture not listed on label; 10% used as the standard estimate for this food type.
As-fed values are the raw percentages printed on the product label.
Tips
- Protein is Super High (60% dry matter) on our label-based comparison range. Cats generally need more protein than dogs, but diagnosed kidney disease or other medical needs should still be managed with your vet.
- Fat is High (20% 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
15 of 15 matched
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1 Dried Chicken
Animal ProteinDescription
Dehydrated form of chicken. it is a meat concentrate that contains up to 4 times more protein than fresh chicken on dry matter basis.
Why Prefer?
A high-quality animal protein with high digestibility and biological value.
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2 Freshly Prepared 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 Fat
FatDescription
The fatty layer separated during the cooking process, with a high level of omega 6, It is more preferable by dogs and cats over other types of fats.
Why Prefer?
A high-quality animal fat with high digestibility and biological value.
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4 Sweet Potato
CarbsDescription
An alternative high carbs filler with an excellent amount of vitamin A, C, B6.
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5 Potato
CarbsDescription
Contains mainly carbs, often used as an alternative filler for grain-free pet foods.
Why Concerned?
An inexpensive filler without gluten, with limited nutrition value to dogs / cats.
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6 Chicken Gravy
Animal ProteinDescription
A sauce made with the "juices" of chicken that releases naturally while cooking. It is used to add flavor to pet foods to improve the taste.
Why Prefer?
A high-quality animal protein with high digestibility and biological value.
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7 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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8 Ferrous Sulphate Monohydrate
SupplementDescription
An inorganic form of iron. It is essential for the transport and movement of oxygen around the body. Compare to organic form, it has 5 - 15% less absorption rate to the body.
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9 Cupric Sulphate Pentahydrate
SupplementDescription
An inorganic form of copper (technical name as cupric), which is important for the production of blood cells, hair coat color pigmentation, and maintaining the nervous system. Compare to organic form, it has 5 - 15% less absorption rate to the body.
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10 Manganous Sulphate Monohydrate
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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11 Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate
SupplementDescription
An inorganic form of zinc, which is vital in skin function and wound healing, cell replication, the structure and function of biological membranes. Compare to organic form, it has 5 - 15% less absorption rate to the body.
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12 Vitamin A
SupplementDescription
Supplement of vitamin A, it is essential for healthy skin, normal vision, and immune function.
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13 Vitamin D3
SupplementDescription
Supplement for vitamin D3 (animal-derived), which is essential for calcium homeostasis - to maintain a constant concentration of calcium. A deficiency will result in osteopenia (lower bone mass).
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14 Vitamin E
SupplementDescription
Supplement for vitamin E, which is an important antioxidant that protects oxidative damages on cellular membranes by free radicals. A deficiency will result in symptoms like anorexia, depression, and dermatitis.
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15 Salmon Oil
FatDescription
The oil extracted from salmon, an excellent source of fat and omega 3s, which is important to reduce inflammation in the body.
Why Prefer?
A high-quality animal fat with high digestibility and biological value.
Tips
- Named animal proteins near the top: Dried Chicken, Freshly Prepared Chicken are listed early in the ingredient panel.
- Ingredients worth checking: Potato, Sodium Selenite.
Protein Analysis
How this recipe earned its protein scores.
Protein Clarity
High- Named 100%
Strong clarity: 100% of thrive PremiumPlus Chicken'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 thrive PremiumPlus Chicken 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
thrive PremiumPlus Chicken dry cat food Review
thrive PremiumPlus Chicken 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, Fish.
- On a dry-matter basis: 60% protein, 20% fat, 7% estimated carbohydrates.
- 100% of the weighted protein comes from animal sources.
- Free from Gluten grains, Grains (gluten-free), Dairy, Egg, Legumes, Nuts, Red meat, Shellfish, Unknown Meal.
Frequently asked questions
Is thrive PremiumPlus Chicken good for cats?
Yes — thrive PremiumPlus Chicken 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 thrive PremiumPlus Chicken contain Dairy?
No — based on the printed ingredient list, thrive PremiumPlus Chicken 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 thrive PremiumPlus Chicken contain Egg?
No — based on the printed ingredient list, thrive PremiumPlus Chicken 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 thrive PremiumPlus Chicken contain Legumes?
No — based on the printed ingredient list, thrive PremiumPlus Chicken 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 thrive PremiumPlus Chicken contain Nuts?
No — based on the printed ingredient list, thrive PremiumPlus Chicken 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 thrive PremiumPlus Chicken grain-free?
Yes — thrive PremiumPlus Chicken 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 thrive PremiumPlus Chicken?
The main animal proteins in thrive PremiumPlus Chicken are Dried Chicken, Freshly Prepared Chicken, Chicken Gravy. 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.
