What are the ingredients in Applaws kibble
Applaws Dog Food Review
If youre looking for a decent dog food which is both easy to get hold of and affordable, then Applaws might tick your boxes.
Its not the most premium dog food, but for the money I find its really decent.
Youll find Applaws at Coles and Woolworths, making it one of the best brands on the shelves, and its usually available for a great price from Pet Circle.
Applaws is a British company, but they have a factory here in Australia which is where their dry food is made.
Consumer feedback has been really good, especially from people whos dog has intolerances to other foods (and grains), and from researching on social media reviews seem positive.
For the sake of the Applaws dog food review well take a look at the Chicken & Turkey dry recipe, but you can mix in the Applaws wet foods as well (or other foods for that matter).
Applaws dog food review
What the marketing says
Applaws make a big deal of Australian meat being the Number 1 ingredient, and also the valid statement its better for our dogs to have protein from meat rather than grains.
I consider dogs more carnivore than omnivore, and I totally agree protein from grains isnt the best idea.
Youll see on the bag the Applaws dog foods have 50% meat. Pretty good considering the affordable price. Its a good thing the rest of the formula isnt bulked up with a cheap filler, but well get into that later.
Applaws dog foods are all grain free, with natural ingredients, and despite being a UK company are all made in Australia.
What the ingredients really say
We can break up the main ingredients into two halves:
The first half is poultry meal from chicken and turkey. The second half is a combo of faba beans, chickpeas and potato.
The first half is better for your dog theyre meat-eaters after all.
The second half isnt bad either, being a mix of legumes and potato.
Its better than other brands in the price range which make out they have a lot of meat but the reality is cereals are the real bulk of the food. I dont see cereals, especially ambiguous cereals and by-products, as beneficial to our dogs.
Meal vs Real meat
Ill cover this quickly some dog foods have meat meal, others claim real meat on the label. Theres upsides and downsides to both.
Meat meal is a dry pre-cooked form of meat. Its basically meat protein without the moisture.
Real meat is more in its original form, inclusive of water. Water gets cooked off in the kibble making process, which usually means the end result is much less meat and much more other stuff than youre led to believe.
With Applaws using meat meal (in this case chicken and turkey), it assures us the bulk of the protein in the food comes from meat rather than less-digestible sources.
Many argue one is better than the other, but it really depends on the quality of the meat in the first place.
I cant find anything bad to say about Applaws. At 24% protein and 14% fat its slightly above average. Theres no glaringly bad ingredients.
There are definitely better dog foods, which you can argue are healthier, but youll need to pay a little more money too.
Actually, many of the smaller ingredients in Applaws dog foods are worth mentioning in their own right:
We have a combination of oils which will boost nutrition, wellbeing, and help give your dog a glossy coat sunflower oil, flaxseed oil, and a smaller amount of fish oil.
Glucosamine and chondroitin are added which are beneficial for joint health, either aiding or acting as a preventative for arthritis and related conditions.
Mauri MOS is an unusual inclusion, added for immune support.
Theres natural pre-biotic in there as well, alongside a range of superfoods like alfalfa, spinach, blackberries, kelp, and cranberries. These will be in small amounts, but better there than not!
All in all I find Applaws dog food really good, and definitely one of the better options for the money!
Where to buy
Ingredients
Ingredients of Applaws dry dog food Chicken & Turkey formula:
Poultry Meal* (Chicken and Turkey Meal), Faba Beans, Chickpeas, Potato, Natural Chicken Flavour, Animal Fat (preserved with mixed Tocopherols, Rosemary and Citric Acid), Sunflower Oil (source of Omega 6), Salt, Beet Pulp (natural Prebiotic), Flaxseed Oil (source of Omega 3), Vitamins (A, D3, E, C, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12, Choline), Minerals (Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium, Iron, Zinc, Manganese, Copper, Iodine, Selenium), Fish Oil (source of Omega 3), Chicory (natural Prebiotic), Mauri MOS, Yucca, Natural Antioxidants (with Tocopherols and Rosemary), Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Alfalfa, Sweet Potato, Apples, Dried Tomato, Spinach, Pumpkin, Blackberries, Dried Kelp, Cranberries. *A natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin
Guaranteed Analysis
The guaranteed analysis of Applaws dry dog food Chicken & Turkey formula:
Protein | (min) 24% |
Fat | (min) 10% |
Crude Fibre | (max) 7% |
Carbohydrates * | Estimated 42% (Ash listed as 10% max) |
8Total Score
A good mix of quality and price
PROS
- Meat as main ingredients
- Good ingredients throughout
Applaws Cat Food Review
Weve taken the deep dive on Applaws cat food, learning about its recall history, where Applaws is made, and more. Keep reading to get the scoop.
The Cats.com StandardRating Applaws on What Matters
Weve analyzed Applaws and graded it according to the Cats.com standard, evaluating the brand on species-appropriateness, ingredient quality, product variety, price, customer experience, and recall history. Heres how it rates in each of these six key areas.
Ratings
- Species-Appropriateness 7/10
- Ingredient Quality 9/10
- Product Variety 7/10
- Price 4/10
- Customer Experience 9/10
- Recall History 4/10
Overall Score: 6.6/10
We give Applaws cat food a 40 out of 60 rating or a B- grade.
About Applaws
Applaws first appeared in 2006, initially populating pet specialty retailers across the United Kingdom. Later, the brand started popping up around western Europe, North America, and Australia. Its parent company describes Applaws as high quality, 100% natural, ethically sourced premium pet food.
But those buzzwords dont mean much.
To decide if its a good choice for your cat, we have to take a closer look at Applaws.
Lets start at the source.
Sourcing And Manufacturing
Applaws sources ingredients from around the world.
Their suppliers adhere to relevant international safety and husbandry standards, including those set by Thailands Department of Livestock Development, the British Retail Consortium, and the International Labour Organization.
Applaws suppliers are required to be members of at least one of the following organizations:
- ISSF International Seafood Sustainability Foundation
- Marine Stewardship Council
- Earth Island Institute
- TTIA Thai Tuna Industry Association
US-sold Applaws dry cat food is manufactured in the United States, while their wet offerings are made in Thailand.
Has Applaws Cat Food Been Recalled?
In June of 2021, UK-manufactured Applaws dry cat food was recalled after foods manufactured by Fold Hill were potentially linked to a bone marrow condition called pancytopenia in cats. This was a voluntary recall, and the Royal Veterinary College is currently investigating the situation.
What Kinds Of Cat Food Does Applaws Offer?
The Applaws cat food lineup includes dry and wet foods.
Applaws dry food comes in five varieties. These recipes feature named meats and stay true to the brands promise of no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Theyre fortified to meet the nutritional requirements of a complete and balanced diet.
Their wet recipes are some of the simplest on the market. In addition to skipping animal by-products and artificial ingredients, Applaws wet food is made without any additives, including vitamins, minerals, and supplemental amino acids.
That means that Applaws wet food isnt considered a nutritionally complete and balanced diet.
Applaws dry food is appropriate for feeding as your cats sole source of nutrition, while Applaws wet food is best complemented by other foods.
Applaws Cat Food Top 3 Recipes Reviewed
What Do Customers Think Of Applaws Cat Food?
Applaws receives predominantly positive customer reviews. The brands simple, often single-protein, recipes make Applaws a popular choice among cats with food intolerances and health issues.
The biggest concern among people writing about Applaws is the fact that their wet foods arent nutritionally adequate for long-term feeding.
Positive Reviews
First let me say I have never written a review before and Ive been using Amazon for over 10 years. My cat has suffered with terrible allergies for the past year of his life. We have tried so many grain free limited ingredient cat foods without success including Wysong, Dr. Elseys, and Natural Balance. It seems my cat may be allergic to eggs, fish and salmon oil, and brewers yeast. All of the above have one of these ingredients included. I am so happy to finally find Applaws grain free chicken. The list of ingredients is so simple and my cat seems to be relieved. He has stopped itching and licking himself constantly. He is more playful and sleeps peacefully now like a cat should. What a difference! And as an added bonus he seriously loves the taste of this food. Thank you for making this productit is helping him so much! Jenna H., reviewing Applaws Chicken Recipe with Country Vegetables Dry Cat Food
My 18 year old Ragdoll has kidney disease and hardly ever bothers to eat wet food any more, other than the prescription dry food she is used to. But man, did she scarf down this product of yours! I will ration it to make sure she doesnt get bored with it, but like I said, so far so good! Great ingredients make this product valuable, no matter what the cost. G. Stucco, reviewing Applaws Tuna with Sardine Mousse
Negative Reviews
My cat has large cell lymphoma and has been sick for a while. Weve gone through oodles of flavors and brands because she would associate the food with not feeling well. She finished radiation and is looking cancer free, but is down to 6.5 pounds. This was recommended at the pet food store. After this was fed to her as her exclusive food for almost 2 weeks (this and other flavors), I noticed that while it is an additive-free food, it has no serving directions because it states one the can FOR INTERMITTENT AND SUPPLEMENTAL FEEDING ONLY
It has no Taurine or any of the other vitamins or nutrients that a cat needs. A chronic Taurine deficiency wont show up on standard bloodwork (requires a specialized blood-test) and can cause blindness (among other things). While on only Applaws, Allies appetite yo-yoed and her health took a dive. Because she has problems with feeling other canned foods smell appetizing enough, I did buy some more of these and use a tiny spoonful to mix in with REGULAR cat food, and shell go right back and eat some more. PLEASE KNOW WHAT YOURE BUYING. Feeding just this to your cat would be dangerous, and Ive already put in a call to the manager of the store whose employee recommended this. If its supplemental, it shouldnt be called food. It should be called a treat or something. Its really misleading, and seriously endangered a very sick cat weve spent a lot to try and save. ArtemisDeFeisty, reviewing Applaws Tuna Fillet in Broth
First, I wanted the chicken but got the tuna. Second, the consistency is not the moist product pictured. It iYou may as well head to the grocery and buy an 80-cent can of tuna.s firm solid pack and coated in gel. My cat would not even try it . I donated to a shelter. Maybe your cat will like it but be prepared to cop it up, it cant be flaked. I had high hopes for this but was disappointed in the product, so was my cat. twopups, reviewing Applaws Tuna with Seaweed Mousse
How Much Does Applaws Cat Food Cost?
While Applaws dry food is moderately-pricedyoull spend about $0.70 per day to feed a 10-lb cattheir wet food isnt quite so easy on the budget.
At around $0.78 per ounce, Applaws is twice as expensive as a comparable food from some Tiki Cat or Weruva, a couple of the highest-priced brands on the market.
If that sounds pricey to you, consider that Applaws food isnt a nutritionally-complete diet. Youre paying pet specialty prices for something no more cat-specific than an 80-cent can of tuna from the grocery.
Overall, Is Applaws a Good Choice?
Applaws cat food is an interesting option.
In addition to a small variety of dry foods, Applaws brings you a vast selection of wet foods in textures and tastes that cats love. Though they make scrumptious, cat-approved treats or once-weekly meals, Applaws wet foods are both too expensive and too nutritionally incomplete to be a viable option for a long-term diet.
And their dry foods? Applaws dry food may be a good option for some cats, but theyre nothing special compared to other foods in the same category. If youre a kibble lover, Applaws dry food is worth trying, but it doesnt come with an enthusiastic recommendation.
Where To Buy Applaws Cat Food?
Applaws cat food is available in pet stores around the United States, England, Italy, France, Spain, and Australia. Click here to find an Applaws retailer near you. If youd rather shop for Applaws online, youll find it on Amazon, Chewy, Petco.com, PetSmart.com, PetFlow, and other web retailers.