SPECIFIC Food Allergen Management FDD-HY
SPECIFIC Food Allergen Management FDD-HY scores 1.5/5 on Moesonson's label-based analysis. Its strongest factor is protein clarity (high — 67% of the recipe's protein panel is clearly named); its weakest is animal-protein content (limited — 38% 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 SPECIFIC Food Allergen Management FDD-HY dry cat food good?
SPECIFIC Food Allergen Management FDD-HY is a dry cat food rated 1.5 stars, with high ingredient transparency and limited animal protein content. The recipe lists most animal ingredients by name, giving good visibility into protein sources. This recipe is free from Gluten grains, Dairy, Egg, Legumes, Nuts, Poultry, Shellfish, Unknown Meal but contains Grains (gluten-free), Red meat, Fish.
Allergy Highlights
Contains:
Free From:
Pros
- Includes a fair number of clearly named animal ingredients.
Cons
- Some non-animal ingredients are not clearly identified, which reduces formula transparency.
Nutrition Breakdown
| Protein | 29% |
|---|---|
| Fat | 14% |
| Est. Carbs | 46% |
| Fiber | 4% |
| Ash | 8% |
Moisture (10%) removed so you can compare foods fairly.
Dry matter basis = label value ÷ (100% − moisture%). Carbs estimated from remaining.
| Protein | 26% |
|---|---|
| Fat | 13% |
| Est. Carbs | 41% |
| Fiber | 3% |
| Moisture | 10% |
| Ash | 7% |
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 Low (29% dry matter) on our label-based comparison range. For a complete cat food, this deserves a closer look because cats generally have higher protein requirements than dogs.
- Fat is Medium (14% dry matter) on our label-based comparison range. This is a moderate energy-density signal for many cats, but total calories and body condition still matter.
Ingredients Analysis
11 of 11 matched
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1 Rice
CarbsDescription
Without its bran and germ (the main source of nutrients), white rice is considered as "empty carbs".
Why Concerned?
A common filler without gluten, with limited nutrition value to dogs / cats.
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2 Rice Protein
Plant Protein ConcentrateDescription
The protein separated from the starchy carbs of brown rice. It contains around 70% plant protein, which will boost up the overall protein level of pet foods.
Why Notice?
High level of plant-based protein is not easy to digest and offers less biological value. Good quality pet foods should obtain sufficient protein from animal sources.
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3 Hydrolysed Salmon Protein
Animal ProteinDescription
Salmon is broken down into smaller parts by using enzymes in a process called "Hydrolysis". MSG (food enhancer) is formed during the process.
Why Concerned?
An animal protein with high digestibility. However, MSG could be linked to several side effects including headache, nausea, and weakness.
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4 Pork Fat
FatDescription
The fatty layer separated during the cooking process. It is a quality animal fat source with a higher level of omega 6s.
Why Prefer?
A high-quality animal fat with high digestibility and biological value.
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5 Minerals
SupplementDescription
A general term for mineral supplementation, specific sources not identified.
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6 Powdered Cellulose
CarbsDescription
The substance provides strength and rigidity to plants, which are mostly made of insoluble fiber. It is commonly added to pet foods to reduce the calorie content for the "weight management" type.
Why Notice?
Unspecified plant products made of unknown sources. Its quality is highly concerned, often seen in low quality pet foods.
Digestion Concern
Dogs and cats lack the enzymes capable of digesting cellulose. A high level of fiber could interfere with the digestion of protein and other minerals.
Uncertain/Risky
Could be made up of cheap and unwanted fiber by-products. However, from our research, most cellulose used in pet food is made up of pine trees.
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7 Vitamins
SupplementDescription
A mixture of vitamins supplements to ensure the complete nutrition profile of pet food.
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8 Trace Elements
SupplementDescription
A vague term for unspecified trace minerals. No details provided on specific minerals or their forms.
Why Concerned?
Trace elements is an unnamed, vague mineral designation — lacks transparency.
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9 Protein Hydrolysate
Animal ProteinDescription
Unknown animal protein broken down into smaller parts by using enzymes in a process called "Hydrolysis". MSG (food enhancer) is formed during the process.
Why Notice?
Unspecified animal products from unknown sources. Its quality is highly concerned, often seen in low quality pet foods.
Uncertain/Risky
Could be made from any animals, including "4-D animals" (dead, diseased, disabled, or dying prior to slaughter). Contaminated meats can lead to severe illnesses. MSG could be linked to several side effects including headache, nausea, and weakness.
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10 Fish Oil
FatDescription
Oil derived from fish, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, DHA, and EPA.
Why Concerned?
Fish oil is beneficial but the unnamed source makes quality assessment difficult.
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11 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.
Tips
- Some protein sources are less clear: Protein Hydrolysate appear near the top without a clearly defined animal source.
- Plant protein is worth closer review for cats: Rice Protein may raise the listed protein percentage without meaning there is more meat.
- Higher-priority ingredients to review: Rice Protein, Powdered Cellulose, Protein Hydrolysate.
- Higher-caution ingredients: Powdered Cellulose, Protein Hydrolysate have caution notes in the ingredient database.
- Possible digestion triggers: Powdered Cellulose have digestion notes; watch tolerance if your pet has a sensitive stomach.
Protein Analysis
How this recipe earned its protein scores.
Protein Clarity
Moderate- Named 67%
- Unnamed 33%
Mixed clarity: 67% of SPECIFIC Food Allergen Management FDD-HY's animal-protein ingredients are clearly named, but 33% use vague terms such as "meat meal" and 0% are by-products. Where names are vague, you cannot verify the source or check for allergens.
Contributing ingredients
Named
Unnamed
Animal Protein
Low- Animal 38%
- Plant concentrate 63%
Protein in SPECIFIC Food Allergen Management FDD-HY leans on plant signals: only 38% comes from animal sources, while plant-protein concentrates make up 63% and whole plant proteins 0%. Plant concentrates like pea or soy isolate are cheap protein boosters but lack the amino-acid profile pets need from meat.
Contributing ingredients
Animal
Plant concentrate
SPECIFIC Food Allergen Management FDD-HY dry cat food Review
SPECIFIC Food Allergen Management FDD-HY scores 1.5 stars on this analysis, with high ingredient transparency and limited animal protein content. There are several concerns in this label that may make it a poor fit.
Best for
- Owners who want clearly named protein sources
Avoid if
- You're avoiding plant-protein concentrates like pea or soy isolate
- Your cat needs a strongly meat-led recipe
Key takeaways
- Named animal proteins make up 67% of the recipe's protein panel — a clear sourcing win.
- Plant-protein concentrates appear in the top 10 ingredients: Rice Protein.
- Contains common allergens: Grains (gluten-free), Red meat, Fish.
- On a dry-matter basis: 29% protein, 14% fat, 46% estimated carbohydrates.
- Free from Gluten grains, Dairy, Egg, Legumes, Nuts, Poultry, Shellfish, Unknown Meal.
Frequently asked questions
Is SPECIFIC Food Allergen Management FDD-HY good for cats?
Based on its label, SPECIFIC Food Allergen Management FDD-HY is hard to recommend — it scores 1.5 out of 5 stars on Moesonson’s analysis, with high ingredient transparency and limited animal protein content. Both factors come straight from the printed ingredient list, so review the full breakdown of concerns before choosing it for your cat.
Does SPECIFIC Food Allergen Management FDD-HY contain Dairy?
No — based on the printed ingredient list, SPECIFIC Food Allergen Management FDD-HY 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 SPECIFIC Food Allergen Management FDD-HY contain Egg?
No — based on the printed ingredient list, SPECIFIC Food Allergen Management FDD-HY 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 SPECIFIC Food Allergen Management FDD-HY contain Legumes?
No — based on the printed ingredient list, SPECIFIC Food Allergen Management FDD-HY 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 SPECIFIC Food Allergen Management FDD-HY contain Nuts?
No — based on the printed ingredient list, SPECIFIC Food Allergen Management FDD-HY 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 SPECIFIC Food Allergen Management FDD-HY grain-free?
No — SPECIFIC Food Allergen Management FDD-HY is not grain-free: the printed ingredient list includes Grains (gluten-free). That mainly matters for pets with a diagnosed grain sensitivity or allergy; most cats tolerate grains well as an energy source. If your cat must avoid grains, choose a recipe without these ingredients.
What are the main protein sources in SPECIFIC Food Allergen Management FDD-HY?
The main animal proteins in SPECIFIC Food Allergen Management FDD-HY are Hydrolysed Salmon Protein. 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.
