Published Jun 29, 2022
Duck is a delicacy in human cuisine, known for its rich flavor. It’s a juicier alternative to chicken and turkey but just as high in protein and healthy nutrients. But is it an appropriate choice for cats?
The simple answer is yes. There’s nothing wrong with feeding your cat duck. In fact, it’s often considered a “hypoallergenic” protein for cats simply because cats are less likely to have eaten it than more conventional proteins which limits the rick for duck allergies.
While duck is packed with protein and species-appropriate for cats, there are a few factors to keep in mind when choosing a duck-based food for your cat.
At a Glance: Best Cat Foods With Duck To Buy
Want a quick look at the best cat foods reviewed in this article? In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. You’ll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Stella & Chewy’s Duck Duck Goose Dinner Morsels Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food
- First five ingredients are all animal-based
- Made with three sources of species-appropriate animal protein
- Limited number of plant ingredients
Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Duck Mini Patties
- Made with a single source of novel animal protein
- Rich in omega-3 fatty acids from herring oil
- Very short list of easily digestible ingredients
Wellness CORE Tiny Tasters Duck Pate Cat Food Pouch
- Smooth pate texture
- Rich in protein from duck and chicken
- Single-serve pouches minimize waste
PureBites Cat Pates Duck Food Topping
- Made with a single ingredient
- Rich in hydrating moisture
- Smooth pate texture is easy to eat
Fussie Cat Market Fresh Quail & Duck Meal Recipe Dry Cat Food
- Made with two novel protein sources
- Small kibbles are easy for cats to eat
- Free from artificial additives
Nulo Freestyle Duck & Lentils Recipe Grain-Free Indoor Dry Cat Food
- Four high-quality animal proteins at the top of the list
- Nutritious chicken fat as the main source of fat
- Free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
Hound & Gatos 98% Gamebird Poultry Formula Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
- First six ingredients are all animal-based
- Very low in carbohydrates
- Salmon oil as a rich source of omega-3s
Why Should You Trust Us?
Over the last several years, we’ve spent countless hours testing the most popular pet products on the market, including cat food, cat treats, cat litter, and more. We’ve written in-depth reviews of our favorite brands as well as dozens of roundups to help you choose the right product for your cat.
Having reviewed 230 of the world’s most popular cat food brands and hundreds of formulas. We spent hours researching, contacting pet food companies, and analyzing labels. With the help of our cats, we also got hands-on experience with many popular cat foods.
Is Duck Good for Cats?
Though often classified as a gamebird by hunters, commercially raised duck is considered poultry, as are geese. Both duck and goose are technically considered white meat but even the breast meat tends to be a bit darker than chicken and turkey breast. This is largely due to the fact that ducks are much more active than chicken and turkey.
When muscles are used more often (for things like flying), they require more oxygen. Oxygen is delivered to the muscle by red blood cells and myoglobin, one of the proteins found in meat, is responsible for storing it. This accounts for the darker color of duck meat.
Because obligate carnivores like your cat require a protein-rich diet, duck is a species-appropriate choice. It does, however, depend on the composition of the cat food recipe.
Nutritionally speaking, duck contains about 40 calories per ounce and nearly 8 grams of protein. While there’s a thick layer of fat between duck skin and the meat, there’s much less marbled fat throughout the muscle like you would find with beef. Without the skin and fat, duck breast is actually leaner than chicken breast.
Aside from protein, duck is rich in essential vitamins and minerals – particularly selenium and B vitamins. As an animal-based protein, it also contains taurine which is an essential amino acid for cats.
While duck meat is a species-appropriate choice for cats, duck-based cat food might not always be the right option.
There’s a low risk of food allergies with novel proteins like duck, but cats can develop allergies at any time to any protein regularly included in their diet. If your cat already has food allergies but has never eaten duck before, however, a duck cat food recipe – particularly a limited ingredient diet with duck as the only protein – might be a safe choice.
One thing to keep in mind when feeding your cat duck is that the fat content cat still be fairly high, especially if the recipe contains added fat. The fat content of the protein affects the calorie content, so be sure to check the feeding recommendations.
High-calorie foods require smaller portions to avoid overfeeding. If your cat is already overweight, you need to be extra carefully. Very high calorie duck cat foods may not be the best option simply because you’d need to feed your cat a small serving and it might not be satisfying.
It’s also worth considering the benefits of a single-protein duck recipe and one that contains other protein sources.
If your cat has food allergies, a single-source duck recipe is probably the best choice. Limited ingredient diets and single-protein recipes do, however, tend to be more expensive. If allergies aren’t a concern, a multi-protein recipe made with duck might be more affordable.
The Best Duck Cat Foods: Our Top Picks
Now that you understand the basics of duck-based food for cats and some of the cases in which it might be recommended, you’re ready to see our top picks.
#1 Best Overall: Vital Essentials
The main source of protein in this recipe appears to be duck. It is a single-protein formula made with fresh duck and duck organs. Herring oil is the main source of added fat. The food contains 4,537 kcal/kg or about 129 kcal/oz.
Featured Recipe: Vital Essentials Duck Mini Nibs Freeze-Dried Cat Food
This Vital Essential recipe is a freeze-dried raw formula. It contains duck as a single source of protein, made with both fresh duck and three duck organs. As a single-protein formula, it could be an appropriate choice for cats with food allergies or sensitive stomachs.
Aside from generous amounts of species-appropriate animal protein, this recipe contains a moderate amount of fat. Derived from herring oil – a high-quality animal-based fat – the fat in this recipe is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Not only do omega-3s support healthy skin and coat, but they contribute to cardiovascular health, and they have natural anti-inflammatory qualities.
Quite simply, there aren’t any ingredients we dislike in this formula. It’s not too high in fat or calories, so it should work for cats of all life stages and body compositions as long as you feed the right amount.
Some cat owners complain about how hard and crunchy the nibs are, but we generally recommend rehydrating freeze-dried food anyway. You may need to break up or crush the nibs to get them thoroughly saturated with water or broth.
Ingredients
Duck, Duck Gizzard, Duck Heart, Duck Liver, Herring Oil, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Manganese Amino Acid Complex.
Ingredients We Liked: Duck, Duck Gizzard, Duck Heart, Duck Liver, Herring Oil
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Made with a single source of novel animal protein
- Rich in omega-3 fatty acids from herring oil
- Contains fresh meat and nutrient-rich organ meats
- Very limited ingredient, good for cats with food allergies
What We Didn’t Like
- Should be rehydrated before feeding
- Crunchy texture may be difficult to saturate with moisture
#2 Premium Pick: Primal
The main source of protein in this recipe appears to be duck. It is a single-protein formula made with fresh duck, ground bone, and duck organs. Fish oil is the main source of animal-based fat. The food contains 4,433 kcal/kg or about 126 kcal/oz.
Featured Recipe: Duck Formula Nuggets Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Cat Food
Fresh duck with ground bone is the first ingredient here, followed by duck livers. These two ingredients are highly species-appropriate and represent the only animal-based sources of protein in the recipe.
This product is listed as a premium pick because it’s pricier than other freeze-dried foods on the market and the plant ingredients it does contain are organic. That being said, the list of plant ingredients is pretty long. As some cat owners note, it works well as a high-quality food topper or mixed in with a high-quality wet cat food.
As is true for the previous formula, this freeze-dried food is low in moisture so it should be rehydrated before feeding. With a little less moisture than the Vital Essentials formula, it may have an even harder texture, however.
Ingredients
Duck (with ground bone), Duck Livers, Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Organic Sunflower Seeds, Organic Cranberries, Organic Blueberries, Organic Kale, Organic Squash, Organic Carrots, Organic Broccoli, Organic Rosemary Extract, Organic Parsley, Organic Quinoa, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Fish Oil, Montmorillonite Clay, Organic Coconut Oil, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Organic Ground Alfalfa, Dried Organic Kelp, Zinc Sulfate.
Ingredients We Liked: Duck (with ground bone), Duck Livers, Fish Oil
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Numerous plant ingredients
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Made with fresh duck, ground bone, and duck livers
- Doesn’t contain any artificial additives
- May work well as a food topper or mixed with wet food
What We Didn’t Like
- Contains a significant number of plant ingredients
- Texture may be hard and tricky to rehydrate
#3 Best Freeze-Dried: Stella & Chewy’s
The main source of protein in this recipe appears to be duck. It is a freeze-dried formula made with fresh meat, ground bone, and organs. Pumpkin seed seems to be the main source of added fat, though it also acts as a source of fiber. The food contains 5,290 kcal/kg or about 224 kcal/oz.
Featured Recipe: Stella & Chewy’s Duck Duck Goose Dinner Morsels Freeze-Dried Cat Food
The first five ingredients in this formula are animal-based, including two fresh meats with ground bone and several organ meats. Duck is the primary source of protein, though you’ll also find turkey (with ground bone) and turkey liver on the list as well as fresh goose.
This formula does contain a limited number of plant ingredients, the main one being pumpkin seed which is listed sixth. There are a few others, but they don’t show up until more than halfway through the list and the overall carbohydrate content is lower than the previous recipe. It also contains supplemental probiotics which may improve the food’s digestibility.
One thing worth noting about this freeze-dried cat food is that it is much higher in fat and calories than the previous two options. The protein content is very high at 42% on a dry matter basis but it is only 25% higher than the fat content. At roughly 151 calories per ounce, this recipe is very calorie-dense, so you’ll need to be mindful of how much you feed your cat.
Ingredients
Duck With Ground Bone, Turkey With Ground Bone, Turkey Liver, Goose, Turkey Gizzard, Pumpkin Seed, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Phosphate, Choline Chloride, Dried Pediococcus Acidilactici Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Longum Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Taurine, Tocopherols (Preservative), Dandelion, Dried Kelp, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Riboflavin Supplement, Sodium Selenite, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Manganese Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement.
Ingredients We Liked: Duck With Ground Bone, Turkey With Ground Bone, Turkey Liver, Goose, Turkey Gizzard
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Pumpkin Seed
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- First five ingredients are all animal-based
- Made with three sources of species-appropriate animal protein
- Limited number of plant ingredients
- Completely free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
What We Didn’t Like
- High calorie content, may be easy to overfeed
- Needs to be rehydrated before feeding
#4 Best Dry Cat Food: Nulo
The main source of protein in this recipe appears to be duck, but it is supplemented by three other animal protein sources. It is a dry food formula made for adult indoor cats. Chicken fat is the main source of added fat and a species-appropriate choice. The food contains 3,724 kcal/kg or about 468 kcal/cup.
Featured Recipe: Nulo Freestyle Duck & Lentils Recipe Grain-Free Indoor Dry Cat Food
While freeze-dried cat food is a high-quality and often-species-appropriate choice, it tends to be pretty expensive, and some cats simply don’t like the rehydrated texture. If your cat prefers crunchy kibble, this Nulo Freestyle recipe may be a decent choice.
This dry food features deboned duck as the primary protein and it is supplemented with chicken meal, turkey meal, and fresh cod for a dry matter crude protein content of around 44%. The food contains about 19% dry matter fat and is, unfortunately, fairly high in carbohydrates at around 31% when measured as dry matter.
In addition to plenty of animal-sourced protein, this recipe relies on chicken fat as a species-appropriate source of essential fatty acids. The food also contains several plant ingredients, the only ones of which we don’t like are the peas and lentils. Both of these are high in phytic acid which can inhibit the absorption of certain nutrients.
At about 468 calories per cup, this recipe is a little less calorie-dense than the average dry food. This could be a benefit for indoor cats who don’t get a lot of exercise or who need to lose weight.
Ingredients
Deboned Duck, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Deboned Cod, Whole Peas, Lentils, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols & Citric Acid), Pea Fiber, Natural Flavor, Ground Flaxseed, Dried Chicory Root, Dried Kelp, Dried Sweet Potato, Dried Cranberries, Calcium Carbonate, Dl-Methionine, Taurine, Zinc Proteinate, Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Iron Proteinate, Niacin Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Manganese Proteinate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Sodium Selenite, Riboflavin Supplement, Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid, Rosemary Extract.
Ingredients We Liked: Deboned Duck, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Deboned Cod, Chicken Fat
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Whole Peas, Lentils, Pea Fiber
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Four high-quality animal proteins at the top of the list
- Nutritious chicken fat as the main source of fat
- Free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
- Supplemented with probiotics for digestive support
What We Didn’t Like
- Not a single-protein recipe
- High carbohydrate content
#5 Best Canned Cat Food: Hound & Gatos
The main source of protein in this recipe appears to be turkey, but it is supplemented by duck and two other animal protein sources. It is a pate style wet food formula made for all life stages. Salmon oil is a species-appropriate source of added fat. The food contains 1,222 kcal/kg or about 191 kcal per 5.5-ounce can.
Featured Recipe: Hound & Gatos Gamebird Poultry Formula Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
Though fresh, raw cat food is our preference in terms of quality and species appropriateness, a nutritious wet food is another excellent option. This pate style wet food from Hound & Gatos is a low-carbohydrate, high-protein choice featuring turkey and duck as the main proteins.
While this may not be a single-protein recipe, it’s highly digestible which makes it a good option for cats with sensitive stomachs. The high moisture content helps with digestion as well and supports your cat’s hydration.
This grain-free recipe doesn’t contain any added carbohydrates except for agar-agar which is used as a thickener. It’s a little pricier than the average wet cat food, but it’s also much lower in carbs and packed with omega-3s from salmon oil.
Ingredients
Turkey, Duck, Duck Broth, Turkey Liver, Guinea Fowl, Quail, Calcium Carbonate, Agar-Agar, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Salmon Oil, Taurine, Salt, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Magnesium Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid.
Ingredients We Liked: Turkey, Duck, Duck Broth, Turkey Liver, Guinea Fowl, Quail
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- First six ingredients are all animal-based
- Very low in carbohydrates
- Salmon oil as a rich source of omega-3s
What We Didn’t Like
- A little pricey around $0.42 per ounce
- Not a single-protein recipe
#6 Best For Food Allergies: Fussie Cat
The main source of protein in this recipe appears to be quail, but it is supplemented with duck meal and fresh duck. It is a dry food formula made for all life stages. Duck fat is the main source of added fat, though it is supplemented with sunflower oil. The food contains 3,604 kcal/kg or about 415 kcal/cup.
Featured Recipe: Fussie Cat Market Fresh Quail & Duck Meal Recipe Dry Cat Food
Cats with food sensitivities and allergies can benefit from a limited ingredient diet, but the quality of those ingredients matter as well. A protein-forward recipe with no artificial additives or by-product meals is a good place to start.
This dry food from Fussie Cat contains two animal-based proteins which are novel for most cats: duck and quail. In addition to fresh duck and duck meal, this recipe contains duck fat. It isn’t, however, the first added fat – sunflower oil is the fourth ingredient on the list.
After the first two protein-based ingredients, you’ll find peas and pea flour. These are starchy ingredients and peas also provide some plant-based protein. Cranberries, blueberries, and kelp also appear later in the list.
At about $4.40 per pound, this is a pricey dry food formula. If you’re running out of protein choices for a cat with food sensitivities, however, it could certainly work. It’s also worth noting that the kibbles are very small which could be a good option for senior cats and kittens.
Ingredients
Quail, Duck Meal, Peas, Pea Flour, Sunflower Oil, Duck Fat, Duck, Natural Flavors, Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, Salt, Alfalfa Meal, Fructooligosaccharides, Taurine, Cranberries, Blueberries, Kelp, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate) Mixed Tocopherols.
Ingredients We Liked: Quail, Duck Meal, Duck Fat, Duck
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Peas, Pea Flour, Sunflower Oil, Alfalfa Meal
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Made with two high-quality sources of novel animal protein
- Small kibbles may be good for kittens
- Completely free from artificial additives and by-products
What We Didn’t Like
- No dry food provides the moisture your cat needs
- Fairly pricey at over $4.00 per pound
#7 Best Food Topper: Blue Buffalo Wilderness
The main source of protein in this recipe appears to be duck, but it is supplemented by two other animal protein sources. It is a wet food topper formulated for supplemental feeding only. The food contains 900 kcal/kg or about 76 kcal/pouch.
Featured Recipe: Blue Buffalo Wilderness Tasty Toppers Wild Cuts Tasty Duck Morsels in Savory Gravy Grain-Free Cat Food Topper
Whether you’re looking for a product to entice a picky cat to eat or a simple way to boost your cat’s protein and moisture intake, a food topper is a great option.
This Tasty Duck pouch food is only intended for supplemental feeding, but it is rich in protein from duck, chicken liver, and egg. Potato starch and guar gum act as thickeners but there are no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives in the recipe.
Another potential benefit of this formula is that it is very low in fat. It’s a good choice if you want to add flavor, moisture, and protein without significantly increasing the calorie content of your cat’s diet.
Ingredients
Duck, Chicken Broth, Water, Chicken Liver, Dried Egg Product, Potato Starch, Natural Flavor, Guar Gum, Sodium Phosphate, Salt, Sodium Carbonate.
Ingredients We Liked: Duck, Chicken Broth, Water, Chicken Liver, Dried Egg Product
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Potato Starch, Guar Gum
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Contains three sources of animal protein
- Moisture-rich way to add flavor and protein to cat food
- Comes in small pouches that are easy to feed
What We Didn’t Like
- Only designed for supplemental feeding
- Contains two starchy thickeners
Final Thoughts
If you value your cat’s long-term health and wellness, take the time to choose a high-quality, species-appropriate diet. Protein is always the most important thing in a diet for cats, but it should come from animal-based sources that your cat can digest.
Duck is a great alternative to potential allergens like chicken, beef, and fish. It’s full of flavor and has a rich nutritional profile. If your cat is a picky eater, the novel flavor and aroma of duck just might be enticing enough to catch his interest.
When shopping for cat food, always look for a recipe with animal protein as the first ingredient – ideally at least three out of the first five ingredients. The fewer plant ingredients the better and look for animal-based fats over plant-based oils. Finally, be sure to avoid vaguely named ingredients and by-products as well as artificial additives.
Learn more about your cat’s nutritional needs in this in-depth guide.
