As a cat owner, I’m constantly on a quest for the “perfect” cat food. It’s a tricky balance. I want to give my feline friend the best nutrition possible, but I also need something convenient for my busy life. The world of raw feeding is appealing for its health benefits, but the prep work and safety concerns can be daunting. On the other hand, standard kibble, while easy, sometimes feels like it’s missing that nutritional punch. That’s where hybrid foods like Nature’s Diet Ultimate Raw come in, promising the best of both worlds. I decided to take a closer look to see if it lives up to the hype.
Nature’s Diet aims to solve this very problem by combining high-protein, grain-free kibble with chunks of freeze-dried raw meat. It’s designed for pet parents who want to level up their cat’s diet without completely overhauling their feeding routine.
Key Features That Stand Out
This food isn’t just another bag of brown pellets. Here’s what makes it different:
✅ Kibble + Raw Power: The base of this food is a high-protein, grain-free kibble. But the real star is the addition of freeze-dried raw goodies: whole pieces of ocean whitefish, nutrient-dense duck liver, and a coating of bone broth powder. It’s like a healthy food topper that’s already mixed in.
✅ Real, Recognizable Meat: One of my biggest pet peeves with “raw-infused” foods is when the raw bits look like weird, processed pellets. Nature’s Diet uses actual pieces of whole whitefish. You can see the texture and flakes of real fish, which gives me confidence that I’m feeding my cat something wholesome.
✅ Safe Raw Feeding: If you’re hesitant about raw food, freeze-drying is a great entry point. This process removes moisture, which preserves the nutrients while eliminating harmful pathogens. You get the benefits of a raw diet without the risks or messy prep.
✅ Clean, Honest Ingredients: The “no” list is just as important as the “yes” list. This food contains no grains, GMOs, soy, artificial preservatives, added flavorings, or dyes. It’s a clean formula that focuses on species-appropriate nutrition.
✅ Made in the USA: The food is made in small batches in the United States with regionally sourced ingredients and humanely raised meat. For many pet owners, knowing where the ingredients come from is a huge plus.
How to Introduce It to Your Cat
Switching cat food can be a delicate process, especially with finicky eaters. Here’s the best way to do it:
- Start Slow: For the first 2-3 days, mix about 25% of the new Nature’s Diet food with 75% of your cat’s old food.
- Gradually Increase: If your cat is handling the change well (no tummy upset!), move to a 50/50 mix for the next few days.
- Move to 75/25: For the next few days, feed a mix of 75% Nature’s Diet and 25% old food.
- Full Transition: By day 7-10, you should be able to feed 100% Nature’s Diet.
Important Tip: The freeze-dried pieces are meant to be eaten dry, but for cats that don’t drink enough water, you can add a splash of warm water or bone broth to the bowl. This will rehydrate the raw pieces and add extra moisture to their diet, which is great for urinary tract health.
What Are Customers Saying?
With an average rating of 3.7 stars, it’s clear this food is a hit for some, but not for all.
- Jessica (5/5 stars) said her incredibly picky senior cat, who usually turns his nose up at everything, absolutely loves this food. She mentioned he specifically picks out the whitefish pieces first before finishing the kibble.
- Mark (4/5 stars) was impressed with the ingredient list and the visible quality of the freeze-dried fish. He noted his cat’s coat seems shinier after a month on the food but mentioned the price is a bit steep for his budget.
- Linda (2/5 stars) had a different experience. She wrote that her two cats sniffed the bowl and walked away. She tried mixing it with their old food and even adding water, but they just weren’t interested. She also felt the bag had more kibble dust than she would have liked.
Pros and Cons at a Glance
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High-quality, recognizable ingredients | Higher price point than standard kibble |
| Combines convenience of kibble with raw benefits | Some picky cats may not like it |
| Grain-free formula with no artificial additives | Inconsistent distribution of raw pieces in the bag |
| Made in the USA with sourced ingredients | Bag can have a lot of “kibble dust” at the bottom |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is this food suitable for kittens? A: Yes, the formula is designed for “All Life Stages,” which means it’s nutritionally complete for kittens, adults, and senior cats. However, for young kittens, you might want to slightly moisten the kibble to make it easier for them to chew.
Q: My cat just picks out the freeze-dried pieces. What can I do? A: This is a common “problem” with these types of foods! You can try a couple of things. First, try crushing some of the raw pieces and mixing the dust throughout the kibble to distribute the flavor. Second, you can briefly mix the entire portion with a tiny bit of water to make the kibble and raw pieces stick together.
Q: Is it really worth the higher price? A: It depends on your priorities. If you’re looking for a simple nutritional upgrade from a basic grain-filled kibble, the improved ingredients, high protein content, and raw additions can make a noticeable difference in your cat’s coat, energy, and digestion. It’s a mid-point between standard kibble and a fully raw or fresh food diet.
Final Verdict
Nature’s Diet Ultimate Raw is an excellent choice for cat owners who want to provide premium, raw-inspired nutrition without the full commitment and cost of a 100% raw diet. It’s particularly well-suited for owners of picky eaters who are often enticed by the real meat pieces, and for those looking to improve their cat’s coat and skin health with high-quality proteins and fats.
However, it may not be the best fit for those on a tight budget or for owners whose cats are sensitive to texture changes. Given the mixed reviews, it seems to be a food that cats either love or leave. If you’re ready to invest a bit more in your cat’s bowl and want to see if a raw-boosted diet is right for them, this is definitely worth a try.
Ready to see if your cat loves it? You can find it here: Buy on Amazon.