Nourse Complete Freeze-Dried Filled Fresh-Meat Cat Food
Nourse Complete Freeze-Dried Filled Fresh-Meat Cat Food scores 4.5/5 on Moesonson's label-based analysis. Its strongest factor is animal-protein content (strong — 100% of the weighted protein comes from animal sources); its weakest is protein clarity (high — 85% of the recipe's protein panel is clearly named).
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 Nourse Complete Freeze-Dried Filled Fresh-Meat Cat Food freeze-dried cat food good?
Nourse Complete Freeze-Dried Filled Fresh-Meat Cat Food is a freeze-dried cat food rated 4.5 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, Legumes, Nuts, Red meat, Shellfish but contains Egg, Poultry, Fish, Unknown Fish Meal.
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% |
| Est. Carbs | 19% |
| Fiber | 9% |
| Ash | 11% |
Moisture (10%) removed so you can compare foods fairly.
Dry matter basis = label value ÷ (100% − moisture%). Carbs estimated from remaining.
| Protein | 40% |
|---|---|
| Fat | 15% |
| Est. Carbs | 17% |
| Fiber | 8% |
| Moisture | 10% |
| Ash | 10% |
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
23 of 23 matched
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1 Fresh 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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2 Fresh 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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3 Chicken Meal
Animal ProteinDescription
A 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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4 Fish Meal
Animal ProteinDescription
A dehydrated form of unnamed fish. It is a meat concentrate that contains up to 4 times more protein than fresh fish on dry matter basis.
Why Notice?
It does not state what kind of fish is used to make the ingredient. Its quality is highly concerned, often seen in low quality pet foods.
Uncertain/Risky
Unnamed fish products could source from sick, deadly animal bodies. It is a potential risk for severe illness.
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5 Chicken Oil
FatDescription
he fatty layer separated during the cooking process. It is a quality animal fat source with a high level of omega 6s, which 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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6 Chicken Liver Powder
Animal ProteinDescription
A concentrated powder from chicken livers, rich in vitamin A, B12, iron, and flavor.
Why Prefer?
Organ meats are highly nutritious, with quality protein and many important vitamins / minerals.
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7 Chicken Heart Powder
Animal ProteinDescription
Dried and powdered chicken hearts, rich in taurine, iron, and B vitamins.
Why Prefer?
A nutrient-dense organ meat powder.
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8 Chicken Cartilage Powder
Animal ProteinDescription
Dried and powdered chicken cartilage, a source of glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health.
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9 Freeze-dried Chicken
Animal ProteinDescription
Dehydrated form of chicken by "cold" drying instead of "heat" drying. This method retains more nutrition value of the ingredient, but it costs up to 5 times more than the conventional drying process.
Why Prefer?
A high-quality animal protein with high digestibility and biological value.
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10 Egg Yolk Powder
Animal ProteinDescription
Dehydrated egg yolk, rich in protein, fats, vitamins A and D.
Why Prefer?
A high-quality animal protein with high digestibility and biological value.
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11 Egg Yolk Granules
Animal ProteinDescription
Granulated egg yolk, rich in vitamins, healthy fats, and choline.
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12 Tapioca Starch
CarbsDescription
An alternative high carbs filler as a source of vitamin Bs, iron, manganese, and calcium.
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13 Brewers Yeast Powder
(Detected): Brewer's Yeast Powder
Plant Protein ConcentrateDescription
Dried brewers yeast, a byproduct of brewing, rich in B vitamins and minerals.
Why Concerned?
A controversial ingredient, some believe it can support the immune system, while others say it can be linked to allergies and bloating. However, no scientific research can provide a concrete conclusion.
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14 Psyllium Husk
CarbsDescription
A light-brown-ish seed absorbs the water in the gut and promotes more bowel movement. It is a natural fiber source and is often added as a prebiotic.
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15 Yucca Powder
CarbsDescription
Yucca schidigera is a desert plant found in the arid southwestern US and Mexico. It has been shown to reduce fecal aroma (poop's smell) without any harmful effect.
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16 Fructo-oligo-saccharides
(Detected): Fructooligosaccharides
PrebioticsDescription
Known as FOS, a type of fiber derived from chicory roots, beets, or cane. It is added as prebiotics for good bacteria growth in the colon, which aids digestion.
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17 Mannan-oligosaccharides
(Detected): Mannanoligosaccharides
PrebioticsDescription
Known as MOS, a sugar extracted from yeast, added as a prebiotic. It is well known for its ability to bind pathogenic bacteria, such as E. coli and Salmonella, preventing them from growing in the intestine.
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18 Deep-Sea Fish Oil
(Detected): Deep Sea Fish Oil
FatDescription
Fish oil from deep-sea fish, rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
Why Concerned?
A high-quality animal fat with high digestibility and biological value.
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19 Dicalcium Phosphate
SupplementDescription
A supplement for calcium and phosphorus. It is mainly used to improve the texture of pet foods. It is also found in some toothpaste as a polishing agent.
Why Notice?
A risky supplement that can cause health issues, backed by research studies.
Digestion Concern
It does not absorb any water, almost insoluble, and becomes very hard in digesting.
Uncertain/Risky
Studies show that it can cause the formulation of kidney stones.
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20 Sodium Chloride
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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21 Taurine
SupplementDescription
An essential amino acid (building blocks of protein) to maintain a healthy brain and heart functions.
Why Prefer?
A safe supplement to improve the completeness of essential amino acids profile (the building block of protein).
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22 Vitamin Premix
SupplementDescription
A blend of multiple vitamins used to ensure complete vitamin supplementation.
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23 Mineral Premix
SupplementDescription
A blended supplement containing multiple essential minerals in appropriate proportions.
Tips
- Some protein sources are less clear: Fish Meal appear near the top without a clearly defined animal source.
- Higher-priority ingredients to review: Fish Meal, Dicalcium Phosphate.
- Higher-caution ingredients: Fish Meal, Dicalcium Phosphate have caution notes in the ingredient database.
- Possible digestion triggers: Dicalcium Phosphate have digestion notes; watch tolerance if your pet has a sensitive stomach.
Protein Analysis
How this recipe earned its protein scores.
Protein Clarity
High- Named 85%
- Unnamed 15%
Strong clarity: 85% of Nourse Complete Freeze-Dried Filled Fresh-Meat Cat Food's animal-protein ingredients are clearly named (like chicken or salmon). Only 15% 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
Unnamed
Animal Protein
High- Animal 100%
- Auxiliary 0%
Meat-forward: 100% of the weighted protein in Nourse Complete Freeze-Dried Filled Fresh-Meat Cat Food 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
Auxiliary
Nourse Complete Freeze-Dried Filled Fresh-Meat Cat Food freeze-dried cat food Review
Nourse Complete Freeze-Dried Filled Fresh-Meat Cat Food is a strong choice — rated 4.5 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
Avoid if
- Your pet is allergic to eggs
- You need to know the exact animal source of every protein
Key takeaways
- Named animal proteins make up 85% of the recipe's protein panel — a clear sourcing win.
- Contains common allergens: Egg, Poultry, Fish, Unknown Fish Meal.
- On a dry-matter basis: 44% protein, 17% fat, 19% estimated carbohydrates.
- 100% of the weighted protein comes from animal sources.
- Free from Gluten grains, Grains (gluten-free), Dairy, Legumes, Nuts, Red meat, Shellfish.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nourse Complete Freeze-Dried Filled Fresh-Meat Cat Food good for cats?
Yes — Nourse Complete Freeze-Dried Filled Fresh-Meat Cat Food earns 4.5 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 Nourse Complete Freeze-Dried Filled Fresh-Meat Cat Food contain Dairy?
No — based on the printed ingredient list, Nourse Complete Freeze-Dried Filled Fresh-Meat Cat Food 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 Nourse Complete Freeze-Dried Filled Fresh-Meat Cat Food contain Egg?
Yes — according to the printed ingredient list, Nourse Complete Freeze-Dried Filled Fresh-Meat Cat Food contains Egg. Pets with a known Egg sensitivity should generally avoid this recipe, or check with a veterinarian first. Moesonson flags allergens directly from the label’s ingredient panel, so this reflects what the manufacturer actually declares.
Does Nourse Complete Freeze-Dried Filled Fresh-Meat Cat Food contain Legumes?
No — based on the printed ingredient list, Nourse Complete Freeze-Dried Filled Fresh-Meat Cat Food 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 Nourse Complete Freeze-Dried Filled Fresh-Meat Cat Food contain Nuts?
No — based on the printed ingredient list, Nourse Complete Freeze-Dried Filled Fresh-Meat Cat Food 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 Nourse Complete Freeze-Dried Filled Fresh-Meat Cat Food grain-free?
Yes — Nourse Complete Freeze-Dried Filled Fresh-Meat Cat Food 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 Nourse Complete Freeze-Dried Filled Fresh-Meat Cat Food?
The main animal proteins in Nourse Complete Freeze-Dried Filled Fresh-Meat Cat Food are Fresh Chicken, Fresh Duck, Chicken Meal. 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.
