Published Oct 22, 2022
We’ve rated Annamaet cat food on ingredient quality, species-appropriateness, recalls, and more. Read our Annamaet cat food review to learn how this brand stacks up.
The Cats.com Standard—Rating Annamaet Cat Food on What Matters
We’ve rated the brand on six key criteria for quality. Here’s how it rates in each of these six crucial areas.
Ratings
- Species-Appropriateness – 7/10
- Ingredient Quality – 8/10
- Product Variety – 5/10
- Price – 7/10
- Customer Experience – 7/10
- Recall History – 10/10
Overall Score: 7.3/10
In total, we give Annamaet cat food a 44 out of 60 rating or a B grade.
About Annamaet Cat Food
Founded in 1986, Annamaet Petfoods is a family-owned and -operated company headquartered in Hatfield, PA. It’s the brand’s mission to “maximize the health and well-being of our beloved pets while preserving our environment and natural resources for future generations.”
Annamaet Petfoods Inc. was founded by Rob Downey and his wife Mary Jo. The brand was named after Rob’s mother, Anna Mae, whose love for animals was widely known. Following months of formulation and testing by board certified veterinary nutritionists, the first Annamaet dog food recipe was sold on Anna Mae’s birthday in 1986.
In addition to partnering with organizations that promote sustainability like the Pet Sustainability Coalition, Annamaet uses sustainable packaging. Their Bio-Flex materials are engineered to biodegrade in landfills.
Sourcing And Manufacturing
Annapaet pet foods are manufactured in the United States using ingredients from around the world. All Annamaet pet foods are manufactured using what they call an artisanal production method in which the foods are slow-cooked in small batches.
While Annamaet doesn’t state directly where they get their ingredients, the brand is partnered with the Marine Stewardship Council and guarantees that all fish ingredients are sustainably sourced and traceable. All meat and fish ingredients are graded fit for human consumption and none of Annamaet’s products contain corn, wheat, or soy.
Recall History
To our knowledge, Annamaet Petfoods has never had a product recall.
What Kinds Of Cat Food Does Annamaet Offer?
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Annamaet offers a limited selection of canine and feline formulas as well as three nutritional supplements for dogs. There are three cat food products, all dry food recipes which are formulated for cats in all life stages. All three formulas are supplemented with chelated minerals for optimal nutrient absorption as well as cranberries for urinary tract support.
The Annamaet Original feline formula features chicken meal and brown rice – it is the brand’s only grain-inclusive cat food recipe. Annamaet offers two grain-free feline formulas. One is made with chicken meal and whitefish meal, the other with sustainably sourced Alaskan cod.
What Do Customers Think Of Annamaet Cat Food?
Despite having been founded over thirty years ago, Annamaet hasn’t gained the following other big name brands like Blue Buffalo and Merrick have acquired. At the time of review, none of the three feline formulas had more than 60 customer ratings on either Amazon or Chewy.
While customer reviews are limited, Annamaet cat foods seem to be well liked. There will always be some cats who simply don’t like the food for whatever reason, but numerous owners of picky cats say Annamaet is a hit with their furry friends. Several even comment that the food doesn’t contribute to digestive upset like other formulas have.
Some customers comment that the chicken and fish flavor seems to be more appealing to cats than the chicken and brown rice recipe
Let’s take a look at a few reviews from some of the most popular recipes from Annamaet.
Positive Reviews
Cats Really Like This Food, I’d Compare It To Hill’s Id
“Trying to get my 6 cats off of hill’s id prescription food because one of my cats needed to be on the hills id and all of my other cats loved it, but it’s an rx food so not very convenient for all of my cats to eat.. they really seem to be taking to this food, no stomach upsets, seems to be ok for urinary tract problems. The only thing a couple of kitties aren’t crazy about is the shape of the kibble.” – by Mariaopp Reviewing Annamaet Original Chicken Meal and Brown Rice Recipe on 27 Aug 2020
Best Dry Food
“This cat food has been the only dry food my kitty loves just as much as his wet food! I’ve tried similar ones that just dont measure up. Makes his coat very soft and shiny, gives him the energy and fat he needs as a cat with high metabolism. Sustainable for the environment too! Love this food.” – by LeoTheCat Reviewing Annamaet Grain-Free Feline Sustain Recipe on 29 Jan 2020
Negative Reviews
Two Out Of Three Cats Tried To Bury It
“First off let me say that I have been using vet recommended Annamaet dog food for our Golden and he loves it. However, when I tried the dry cat food hoping it would help with digestive issues with our cats (throwing up food) it was a complete failure. I mixed food half & half with old kibble as vet suggested, but they just picked out the old food and left the other in their bowls. Tried giving them just the Annamaet and watched two of the cats trying to bury their bowls. That’s the kiss of death from a cat. Will be setting it outside for the local wildlife to eat. Really wished they had liked it as I can’t say enough good things about their dog food and treats.”- by JustFlo Reviewing Annamaet Grain-Free Chicken and Fish Formula on 3 Mar 2017
Great Company, Food Is Meh…
“I switched our cats from Nutro to Annamaet in hopes that better quality would equal better satisfaction for them. Honestly, I love Annamaet as a company, but for some reason my cats again seemed constantly hungry. They ate this food happily, but they were so hungry all the time. They broke into the storage container and ate about 5lbs of this food between the two of them in ONE DAY! And they were still twining around my legs during dinner mewing like they were starving. I’m not sure what it is about this food… Maybe it’s my cats? Either way, the search unfortunately continues…. They get one star for being a great company and one for using quality ingredients.” – by Citrineviolets Reviewing Annamaet Chicken Meal and Brown Rice Recipe on 28 Dec 2014
What Did Our Test Cats Think?
To test Annamaet cat food, I ordered a 4-pound bag of each of the three dry food recipes. All three came in resealable bags which were easy to open and close.
I tested the food with two of my three cats. The third cat (Biscuit) struggles with food allergies, so I tend to be pretty careful when introducing her to new food. Bagel and Munchkin, however, were happy to oblige. They seemed to enjoy the food but it’s worth noting that I tested Annamaet as their first meal of the day and my cats aren’t particularly picky.
Annamaet Cat Food – Top 3 Recipes Reviewed
| Product Name | Food Type | Main Protein Source | Calories | Price | Our Grade |
| Annamaet Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Original Formula Dry Food | Dry | Chicken | 400 kcal/cup | $3.95 per lb | C |
| Annamaet Grain-Free Chicken & Fish Formula Dry Cat Food | Dry | Chicken | 472 kcal/cup | $5.00 per lb | B- |
| Annamaet Grain-Free Feline Sustain No. 29 Fish Formula Dry Cat Food | Dry | Cod | 458 kcal/cup | $5.50 per lb | C |
#1 Annamaet Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Original Formula Dry Food
Annamaet’s original dry cat food formula features chicken meal as the primary ingredient and main source of protein. Whitefish meal, whole dried egg, and herring meal provide supplemental animal protein. Pea protein isolate, a concentrated source of plant protein, also appears on the list but not within the top ten ingredients.
Chicken fat provides a nutrient-rich source of animal-based fat, as does menhaden oil. The menhaden oil is particularly rich in omega-3 fatty acids which support your cat’s skin and coat health in addition to providing anti-inflammatory benefits.
The primary downside of this recipe is the high carbohydrate content. That being said, most of the carbs come from wholesome sources like brown rice and rolled oats rather than the legumes and pulses found in many grain-free recipes. While a feline diet should consist primarily of animal ingredients, cats have some ability to derive nutrition from whole grains.
Overall, this appears to be a moderate-protein and moderate-fat recipe with high carbohydrate content. The food contains 400 calories per cup.
Ingredients
Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Rolled Oats, Millet, Whitefish Meal, Pearled Barley, Whole Dried Egg, Herring Meal, Dried Beet Pulp, Menhaden Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Flavor, Brewers Dried Yeast, Pea Protein Isolate, Dried Chicory Root, Lecithin, Dried Blueberries, Dried Cranberries, Potassium Chloride, L-Lysine, DL Methionine, Taurine, Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product Dehydrated, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Sodium Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Biotin, Vitamin A Acetate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Magnesium Sulfate, Potassium Chloride, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate.
| Ingredients We Liked | Ingredients We Didn’t Like | Common Allergens |
| Chicken Meal
Chicken Fat Whitefish Meal Whole Dried Egg Herring Meal Menhaden Oil |
Pea Protein Isolate | Chicken
Fish |
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Contains four sources of animal-based protein
- Relies primarily on animal sources of fat
- Free from corn, wheat, soy, and artificial additives
- Supplemented with antioxidant-rich berries
Cons
- Contains a concentrated source of plant protein
- No dry food provides the moisture your cat needs
- High carbohydrate content
#2 Annamaet Grain-Free Chicken & Fish Formula Dry Cat Food
Though the list of ingredients for this recipe is similar to the previous formula, this one is grain-free. Rather then brown rice, rolled oats, millet, and pearled barley, this dry cat food contains field peas and tapioca. Peas, beans, and legumes can be difficult for cats to digest, and they are high in phytic acid content which can interfere with nutrient absorption in the digestive tract.
While this recipe does contain a few ingredients we don’t like, the top three ingredients are all animal-based and the food is much higher in protein overall. The formula still contains pea protein isolate, but it appears after three concentrated sources of animal protein. It’s impact on the total protein content of the recipe may be limited.
Like the previous recipe, this formula contains both chicken fat and menhaden oil as rich sources of energy and essential fatty acids. The food also contains probiotics for digestive support.
Overall, this appears to be a high-protein and high-fat recipe with moderate carbohydrate content. The food contains 472 calories per cup.
Ingredients
Chicken Meal, Whitefish Meal, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Field Peas, Dried Eggs, Tapioca, Pea Protein Isolate, Natural Flavor, Brewers Yeast, Menhaden Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Apples, Dried Chicory Root, Lecithin, DL Methionine, Dried Blueberries, Dried Cranberries, Taurine, Potassium Chloride, Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product Dehydrated, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Choline Chloride, L-Lysine, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Biotin, Vitamin A Acetate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Magnesium Sulfate, Potassium Chloride, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate, Yucca Schidigera Extract.
| Ingredients We Liked | Ingredients We Didn’t Like | Common Allergens |
| Chicken Meal
Whitefish Meal Chicken Fat Dried Eggs Menhaden Oil |
Field Peas
Tapioca Pea Protein Isolate |
Chicken
Fish |
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Rich source of animal-derived protein and fat
- Supplemented with probiotics for digestive support
- Top three ingredients are all animal-based
- Free from corn, wheat, soy, and artificial additives
Cons
- High carbohydrate content
- No dry food provides the moisture your cat needs
- Contains a concentrated source of plant protein
#3 Annamaet Grain-Free Feline Sustain No. 29 Fish Formula Dry Cat Food
Another grain-free formula from Annamaet, this recipe is primarily fish-based but does contain some turkey meal. The protein and fat contents are lower than the previous grain-free recipe, but higher than the Annamaet Original grain-inclusive cat food.
This recipe starts strong with three animal-based sources of protein, but the next three ingredients are starchy plant ingredients. Chickpeas and peas do contain protein, but plant protein is less biologically valuable for cats and the tapioca provides little in the way of nutrition for your cat.
Fortunately, this formula still relies on animal-based fats like chicken fat and menhaden oil, but the carbohydrate content is too high – closer to the Annamaet Original recipe.
Overall, this appears to be a high-protein and moderate-fat recipe with high carbohydrate content. The food contains 458 calories per cup.
Ingredients
Cod, Turkey Meal, Whitefish Meal, Chickpeas, Tapioca, Green Peas, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Eggs, Pea Protein Isolate, Menhaden Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Flavor, Dried Cranberries, Dried Blueberries, Dried Chicory Root, Turmeric, Taurine, Lecithin, Choline Chloride, DL Methionine, L Lysine, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Chloride, Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product Dehydrated, Fructooligosaccharides, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Biotin, Vitamin A Acetate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Magnesium Sulfate, Potassium Chloride, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate, Yucca Schidigera.
| Ingredients We Liked | Ingredients We Didn’t Like | Common Allergens |
| Cod
Turkey Meal Whitefish Meal Chicken Fat Dried Eggs Menhaden Oil |
Chickpeas
Tapioca Green Peas Pea Protein Isolate |
Fish |
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Free from corn, wheat, soy, and artificial additives
Cons
- No dry food provides the moisture your cat needs
- High carbohydrate content
- Contains a concentrated source of plant protein
How Much Does Annamaet Cat Food Cost?
Because Annamaet only offers dry cat food, the brand is a little more affordable than some options on the market. Two of their recipes are sold in 4- and 12-pound bags while the Original chicken recipe is also available in a larger 20-pound bag.
Annamaet’s dry cat food recipes range from $0.21 to $0.30 per ounce. To feed a 10-pound cat, you’d be looking at a daily cost between $0.37 and $0.58. This puts Annamaet at a similar price point to dry foods from brands like Go! Solutions and Royal Canin.
Overall, Is Annamaet Cat Food A Good Choice?
Annamaet offers a very limited selection of cat food products, so it might not be the ideal choice if you’re looking for options. The brand only makes dry cat food, so you’ll need to supplement your cat’s moisture intake if you choose this brand.
While Annamaet makes an effort to source their ingredients sustainably, the quality of those ingredients is hard to verify because the brand doesn’t provide much information. We appreciate the exclusion of corn, wheat, and soy, as well as artificial additives but all three foods still rely too heavily on plant ingredients. The upside is that Annamaet does use animal-based fats almost exclusively.
If you’re looking for a moderately priced dry cat food made by a company that cares about the environment, Annamaet could be a decent option. There are, however, dry cat food brands available at a similar price point that don’t use plant protein concentrates and which don’t rely as heavily on plant ingredients as a whole – brands like Go! Solutions.
Where Is Annamaet Cat Food Sold?
You can find Annamaet cat foods in stores and online. In stores, you’re most likely to find Annamaet sold by local and independent pet retailers. Online, Annamaet is sold by major pet retailers like Chewy and PetFlow as well as Amazon.
