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dear deer

Venison + Duck Recipe

CatDry

Rating

★︎★︎★︎★︎★︎ 5.0 / 5
Protein Clarity

Protein Clarity

This measures how clearly the protein sources are identified on the label. "High" means ingredients like "chicken" or "salmon" are listed by name, so you know exactly what your pet is eating. "Low" means vague terms like "meat meal" or "animal by-products" are used, making it harder to know what's really inside.

Why does clarity matter?

According to AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials), pet food labels must follow specific naming standards. When a product uses a named protein like "chicken" it must contain at least 25% of that ingredient. Vague terms like "meat by-products" have no such minimum and can include lower-quality parts from any animal source — making it impossible to know what your pet is actually eating or to identify allergens.

High
Animal Protein

Animal Protein

This estimates how meat-forward the protein sources are from the ingredient label. Named animal proteins count strongly, plant protein concentrates count strongly against the score, and whole plant ingredients with some protein count more lightly. A "High" score means the recipe appears mainly animal-protein led. A "Low" score means the label shows a stronger reliance on plant protein signals.

This is an ingredient-label heuristic, not an exact lab measurement of protein grams.

Why does animal protein matter?

1. Contains irreplaceable essential nutrients Taurine and Arginine — which cats need to stay healthy — are only found in meat. Plants contain none at all.

2. Plant proteins are poorly utilized by the body Even though plant proteins (like corn gluten meal) may show 92.9–96% apparent digestibility, that does not mean high bioavailability. They lack adequate Lysine (only 1.7% vs. the ideal 6–7%) and contain phytic acid that blocks mineral absorption.

High

Is dear deer Venison + Duck Recipe dry cat food good?

dear deer Venison + Duck Recipe 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. This recipe is free from Gluten grains, Grains (gluten-free), Dairy, Legumes, Nuts, Shellfish, Unknown Meal but contains Egg, Poultry, Red meat, Fish.

Allergy Highlights

Contains:

EggPoultryRed meatFish

Free From:

Gluten grainsGrains (gluten-free)DairyLegumesNutsShellfishUnknown Meal

Pros

  • Uses clearly named animal protein sources for better transparency.
  • Includes plant ingredients that can provide fiber and natural antioxidants.

Ingredients Analysis

12 of 12 matched

  • 1 Venison
    Animal Protein

    Description

    A more exotic red meat, higher protein and lower in fat compared to other domestic red meats.

    Why Prefer?

    A high-quality animal protein with high digestibility and biological value.

  • 2 Duck
    Animal Protein

    Description

    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.

  • 3 Chicken
    Animal Protein

    Description

    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.

  • 4 Chicken Fat
    Fat

    Description

    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.

  • 5 Kelp
    Carbs

    Description

    An excellent source of various minerals including calcium, iron, magnesium. Rich in rare mineral iodine essential for healthy thyroid function.

  • 6 Egg Yolk
    Fat Animal Protein

    Description

    The yolk contains more fats but less protein than the egg white. It has high biological value (protein absorption) among other animal proteins.

  • 7 Brewers Yeast Powder

    (Detected): Brewer's Yeast Powder

    Plant Protein Concentrate

    Description

    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.

  • 8 Fish Oil
    Fat

    Description

    Oil derived from fish, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, DHA, and EPA.

    Why Concerned?

    A high-quality animal fat with high digestibility and biological value.

  • 9 Flaxseed Oil
    Fat

    Description

    Extracted oil from pressing the ground flaxseed. It is one of the richest sources of plant-based omega 3s, well known for its anti-inflammatory properties.

  • 10 Cellulose
    Carbs

    Description

    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.

  • 11 Broccoli
    Carbs

    Description

    A safe treat for both dogs and cats in small amounts, as it contains isothiocyanates which can cause gastric irritation.

  • 12 Spinach
    Carbs

    Description

    Nutrient-dense leafy greens, an excellent source of vitamin A, C, K1, B9, iron, and calcium.

Tips

  • Named animal proteins near the top: Venison, Duck are listed early in the ingredient panel.
  • Higher-priority ingredients to review: Cellulose.
  • Higher-caution ingredients: Cellulose have caution notes in the ingredient database.
  • Possible digestion triggers: Cellulose have digestion notes; watch tolerance if your pet has a sensitive stomach.

Protein Analysis

How this recipe earned its protein scores.

Protein Clarity

High
High
  • Named 100%

Strong clarity: 100% of dear deer Venison + Duck 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

Venison Duck Chicken Egg Yolk

Animal Protein

High
High
  • Animal 97%
  • Auxiliary 3%

Meat-forward: 97% of the weighted protein in dear deer Venison + Duck 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

Venison Duck Chicken Egg Yolk

Auxiliary

Brewers Yeast Powder

dear deer Venison + Duck Recipe dry cat food Review

dear deer Venison + Duck 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

Avoid if

  • Your pet is allergic to eggs

Key takeaways

  • Named animal proteins make up 100% of the recipe's protein panel — a clear sourcing win.
  • Contains common allergens: Egg, Poultry, Red meat, Fish.
  • 97% of the weighted protein comes from animal sources.
  • Free from Gluten grains, Grains (gluten-free), Dairy, Legumes, Nuts, Shellfish, Unknown Meal.
  • Overall rating: 5 stars, based on transparency, protein source, and macro balance.

Frequently asked questions

Is dear deer Venison + Duck Recipe good for cats?

Yes — rated 5 stars, with high ingredient transparency and strong animal protein content.

Does dear deer Venison + Duck Recipe contain Dairy?

No — based on the ingredient list, dear deer Venison + Duck Recipe doesn't include Dairy or related ingredients, so pets sensitive to Dairy can typically avoid this allergen here.

Does dear deer Venison + Duck Recipe contain Egg?

Yes — based on the ingredient list, dear deer Venison + Duck Recipe contains Egg, so pets sensitive to Egg should generally avoid this product or consult a vet first.

Does dear deer Venison + Duck Recipe contain Legumes?

No — based on the ingredient list, dear deer Venison + Duck Recipe doesn't include Legumes or related ingredients, so pets sensitive to Legumes can typically avoid this allergen here.

Does dear deer Venison + Duck Recipe contain Nuts?

No — based on the ingredient list, dear deer Venison + Duck Recipe doesn't include Nuts or related ingredients, so pets sensitive to Nuts can typically avoid this allergen here.

Is dear deer Venison + Duck Recipe grain-free?

Yes — there are no grains in this recipe.

What are the main protein sources in dear deer Venison + Duck Recipe?

The top animal proteins are Venison, Duck, Chicken — clearly named, so you can verify the source.

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