9Lives Kitten Essentials Chicken & Ocean Fish Flavors Dry Cat Food

Dry food for cats · Puppy · by 9Lives

See the full breakdown in Beagly

What to watch for

• 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.
• Wheat Low risk
  A cooked cereal grain that supplies energy. Wheat is one of the more commonly reported food allergens in dogs, though grain allergies overall are uncommon.
• Fish meal Low risk
  Rendered fish. A concentrated protein, but 'fish' does not name the species, so it is harder to avoid if your dog reacts to a particular fish.
• Natural flavor Low risk
  Flavoring from natural sources. Normally safe, but the term can hide which animal or plant it came from, which matters for allergies.
• Salt Low risk
  Salt supplies sodium and chloride, which dogs need. Pet foods use small amounts; high salt is mainly a concern for dogs with heart or kidney disease.
• Caramel colour Low risk
  A brown color made by heating sugars, used to make food look 'meaty'. EFSA judged it acceptable at normal intakes, but it does nothing for your dog.

What it does well

• Complete & balanced
  Meets an AAFCO nutrient profile.
• Taurine added
  Cats need taurine in their diet; this label lists it.

Ingredients

Whole Ground Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal , Corn Protein Meal, Soybean Meal, Animal Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Whole Wheat, Ocean Fish Meal , Natural Flavor (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Dicalcium Phosphate, Salt, Caramel Color, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K Activity), Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Choline Chloride, Taurine ,Minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Manganous Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate), Citric Acid, Mixed Tocopherols (used as a preservative), 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.

Sizes and barcodes

• 9Lives Kitten Essentials Chicken & Ocean Fish Flavors Dry Cat Food, 2.5 lb Bag - 2.5 Pounds UPC 071190722393

Higher-scoring dry food for cats

• 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

More from 9Lives

• 9Lives Seafood & Poultry Favorites Wet Cat Food Variety 66/100 · Good
• 9Lives Kitten Paté With Real Ocean Fish & Tuna Wet Cat Food 64/100 · Good
• 9Lives Meaty Favorites Variety Pack Wet Cat Food 64/100 · Good
• 9Lives Surf & Turf Favorites Wet Cat Food Variety 64/100 · Good
• 9Lives Meaty Paté Super Supper Wet Cat Food, 13 oz. Can, 12 Count - Complete product net content statement, as it appears on product packaging. 61/100 · Good

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