9Lives Gentle Care Dry Cat Food

Dry food for cats · All life stages · by 9Lives

See the full breakdown in Beagly

What to watch for

• BHA High risk
  A synthetic preservative that keeps fats from going rancid. The U.S. National Toxicology Program lists BHA as 'reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen' based on animal studies. Natural alternatives (mixed tocopherols) exist.
• Menadione sodium bisulfite complex Moderate risk
  A synthetic form of vitamin K (K3). EFSA concluded it is safe for dogs at the levels used in feed, but it is flagged as a precaution: it is a synthetic form not used in human supplements, and natural vitamin K1 is an alternative.
• Soybean meal Low risk
  Ground soybeans after oil extraction, a cheap plant protein. Soy is a recognised food allergen in some dogs and can cause gas.
• Animal fat Low risk
  Fat rendered from unnamed animals. A fine energy source, but the species is not disclosed and it is often preserved with BHA; check what follows it in brackets.
• Corn gluten meal Low risk
  The protein left after starch is removed from corn. It raises the protein number on the label cheaply, but plant protein is less complete than meat protein.
• Brewers rice Low risk
  Small broken pieces of rice left over from milling. Digestible energy but fewer nutrients than whole rice.
• Animal digest Low risk
  A flavor coating made by breaking down animal tissue, sprayed on kibble to make it tasty. When the species isn't named you can't tell what animal it came from.
• Sodium tripolyphosphate Low risk
  A phosphate used for texture and, in dental chews, to reduce tartar. It adds phosphorus, which matters for dogs with kidney disease.

What it does well

• Taurine added
  Cats need taurine in their diet; this label lists it.

Ingredients

Whole Ground Corn, Chicken By-product Meal, Soybean Meal, Animal Fat (preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Corn Gluten Meal, Brewers Rice, Animal Digest, Turkey By-product Meal, Soybean Hulls, Calcium Carbonate, Phosphoric Acid, Salt, Choline Chloride, Vitamins (vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin Supplement, D-calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (source Of Vitamin K Activity), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin), Taurine, Minerals (ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Manganous Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Lactic Acid, Bha (used As Preservative), Dl-methionine, Rosemary Extract

What the label cannot tell you

• Ingredient order is by weight before cooking; fresh meat counts water.
• Mineral levels are not printed on this label.
• We could not find the AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement for this product. Scan the bag to confirm it is complete and balanced.

Sizes and barcodes

• 9Lives Gentle Care Dry Cat Food, 15.5 lb. Bag - 15.5 lbs UPC 079100836512

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• Instinct Ultimate Protein Adult Cat Food - Natural, Grain Free, Chicken 89/100 · Excellent
• Instinct Ultimate Protein Cat Food - Grain Free, High Protein, Chicken 89/100 · Excellent
• ACANA Regionals Grain Free Dry Cat Food - Grasslands 87/100 · Excellent
• The Honest Kitchen Dehydrated Grain Free Chicken & Fish Cat Food, 4 lb Box 86/100 · Excellent
• Nature's Logic Chicken Meal Feast Dry Cat Food 85/100 · Excellent

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Informational, not veterinary advice. The score is our opinion of a food, built from the facts on its label with our published method. No brand pays to rank higher. Recipes change: check the bag you have, or scan it in the app.

Score version 2026.11.6 · Page updated 2026-11-03