Published Dec 3, 2019
![BFF [Best Feline Friend] Cat Food Brand Review](jpg/bff-best-feline-friend-cat-food-brand-review.jpg)
Is this brand a trustworthy option for your best feline friend? Find out in our BFF cat food review.
The Cats.com Standard—Rating BFF on What Matters
We’ve analyzed BFF and graded it according to the Cats.com standard, evaluating the brand on species-appropriateness, ingredient quality, product variety, price, customer experience, and recall history. Here’s how it rates in each of these six key areas.
![BFF [Best Feline Friend] logo](png/bff-cat-food-logo.png){kind=logo}
Ratings
- Species-Appropriateness – 8/10
- Ingredient Quality – 9/10
- Product Variety – 6/10
- Price – 9/10
- Customer Experience – 8/10
- Recall History – 4/10
Overall Score: 7.3/10
We give BFF cat food a 44 out of 60 rating or a B grade.
About BFF
BFF is a line of cat food created by Weruva, a Massachusetts-based company that focuses on meat-based, high-moisture products. In contrast to the original Weruva recipes, BFF foods are a little bit cheaper and the line has a smaller product variety.
Let’s look beyond the colorful packaging and learn the facts about BFF. In the following review, we’ll explore BFF cat food’s safety reputation, ingredient quality, nutritional merits, and more.
Sourcing and Manufacturing
BFF cat food is manufactured in Thailand from ingredients sourced from around the world.
BFF’s ingredients are sourced from Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, and the United States. With the exception of tilapia and basa, all of their fish ingredients are wild-caught in Pacific waters. They’re certified dolphin-and-turtle-safe.
Has BFF Cat Food Been Recalled?
In the spring of 2017, Weruva issued a voluntary stop-sale order for BFF cat food sold in Australia.
It started with reports from Australia residents who’d fed their cats BFF food. Reports described vomiting, reduced appetite, fever, neurological problems, and lethargy. By June of 2017, the food had been linked to hundreds of cases of illness and up to 20 deaths.
Weruva launched an investigation and froze sales of BFF food countrywide. After extensive testing, the company revealed that some batches of BFF cat food were deficient in thiamine or vitamin B1.
Though the details are vague, Weruva explains that they corrected the deficiency, ensuring that all future batches of Australia-sold BFF cat food were nutritionally adequate.
What Kinds of Cat Food Does BFF Offer?
There are three lines of BFF food—BFF Originals, BFF OMG! (Oh My Gravy!) and BFF PLAY (Paté Lovers. Aw Yeah!).
- BFF Originals includes eight varieties of canned food, all of which feature a base of red meat tuna. They’re low-carbohydrate recipes, with the highest-carb recipe just 5.6% carbohydrates on a dry matter basis.
- The BFF OMG! variety includes high-moisture products featuring meat in gravy or gelée. Some are packed in cans and others come in pouches. Compared to the other lines, OMG! foods are higher in carbohydrates, ranging from 7.1% to 17.5% carbohydrates on a dry matter basis.
BFF PLAY foods are paté-style products packed into cans and pouches. Unlike the OMG! line, PLAY recipes are starch-free and lower in carbohydrates. In fact, the Twinkles paté food is a grand total of 0% carbohydrate matter. They’re available in three protein options—chicken-only, fish-only, and mixed-protein.
BFF Cat Food – Top 3 Recipes Reviewed
| Product Name | Food Type | Price | Our Grade |
| BFF OMG Tuna & Salmon Sweet Cheeks Dinner in Gravy Wet Cat Food | Wet | $0.47 per oz | B- |
| BFF Tuna & Pumpkin Valentine Dinner in Gravy | Wet | $0.35 per oz | A- |
| BFF OMG Lots-O-Luck! Duck & Tuna Dinner in Gravy Grain-Free Canned Cat Food | Wet | $0.44 per oz | B- |
#1 BFF OMG Tuna & Salmon Sweet Cheeks Dinner in Gravy Wet Cat Food Pouches Review
Tuna and salmon appear to be the primary protein sources in this wet cat food.
Let’s take a closer look at this BFF recipe. It’s from the OMG line, so it’s set in plenty of thick, lickable gravy. The food features a mix of wild-caught tuna and salmon as primary protein sources, while a combination of tapioca starch and guar gum give the gravy its body. Sunflower oil serves as the food’s primary fat source.
After these primary ingredients, the food’s fortified with synthetic vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that make it nutritionally complete.
Overall, this food has high protein content, low fat, and moderate carbohydrate content.
By most accounts, this is a delicious food that both cats and people love. But it’s not the most species-appropriate option for cats. Though it doesn’t contain a lot of fruits and vegetables, the inclusion of tapioca starch drives the food’s carbohydrate content to right around 14% on a dry matter basis. That’s slightly higher than is ideal for cats.
The food has 52 calories in each 3-ounce pouch.
Ingredients
Tuna Broth, Tuna, Salmon, Tapioca Starch, Sunflower Oil, Guar Gum, Calcium Sulfate, Tricalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Celery Powder, Salt, Vitamin E Supplement, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin Supplement, Zinc Oxide, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Taurine, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Manganese Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Biotin, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Sodium Selenite, Folic Acid, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K3), Potassium Iodide.
Ingredients We Liked: Tuna, Salmon
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Tapioca Starch, Sunflower Oil, Guar Gum
Common Allergens: Fish
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Rich in animal-sourced protein
- Made with wild-caught, dolphin and turtle-safe tuna
- Free of potentially-harmful additives like carrageenan, artificial colors, and preservatives
Cons
- Relatively high in carbohydrates compared to other wet foods
#2 BFF Tuna & Pumpkin Valentine Dinner in Gravy Canned Cat Food Review
Tuna appears to be the primary protein source in this wet cat food.
This recipe from the BFF Originals line is a canned food featuring wild-caught tuna as its primary ingredient. Minced tuna is mixed with pumpkin and thickened with a blend of potato starch and xanthan gum. Sunflower seed oil is the food’s primary fat source.
After the primary ingredients, the food is fortified with an array of synthetic vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. It’s nutritionally complete and balanced for adult cats.
Overall, this wet food has high protein content with low fat and low carbohydrate content.
With plenty of nourishing protein from tuna and a consistency that cats love, this is one of the most species-appropriate and popular BFF cat food formulas. Though it contains pumpkin—not an essential part of a carnivore’s diet—the food remains meat-based and extremely low in carbohydrates.
Note that this food is on the leaner side and doesn’t contain a significant source of animal fat, so it’s a good idea to supplement it with fish oil or another fattier food.
The food has 71 calories per 3-oz can or about 23 calories per ounce.
Ingredients
Tuna, Water Sufficient For Processing, Pumpkin, Potato Starch, Sunflower Seed Oil, Calcium Lactate, Xanthan Gum, Choline Chloride, Tricalcium Phosphate, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Nicotinic Acid (Vitamin B3), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Ferrous Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Manganese Sulfate, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Copper Sulfate, Folic Acid, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source Of Vitamin K), Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement.
Ingredients We Liked: Tuna
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Potato Starch, Sunflower Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum
Common Allergens: Fish
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Primarily made from tuna, a readily-digested animal ingredient
- Doesn’t contain any animal by-products or low-value animal ingredients
- Free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives that might harm your cat over time
- Low carbohydrate content
- Low calorie content makes it a good option for cats who need to lose weight
- A moisture-rich, hydrating food
Cons
- Fish-based foods aren’t ideal for long-term feeding
- Low in animal-sourced fat
#3 BFF OMG Lots-O-Luck! Duck & Tuna Dinner in Gravy Grain-Free Canned Cat Food Review
Duck and tuna appear to be the primary protein sources in this wet cat food.
Finally, let’s take a closer look at one of BFF’s OMG! canned foods. This recipe contains a mix of minced tuna and duck. It’s a chunky stew thickened with potato starch, stabilized with guar gum, and made nutritionally complete with all the vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that adult cats need to thrive.
Overall, this food has high protein content with moderate fat and low carbohydrate content.
With a hearty combination of duck and tuna and a chunky texture cats love, this food is a delicious option that even picky eaters seem to love.
In terms of macronutrient distribution, this is one of the better products in the OMG line. Its carbohydrate content is a little higher than we’d like, but 12% carbohydrates is better than most foods on the market. Though this food doesn’t contain any added oils or fats, the natural richness of duck and tuna make it one of BFF’s fattier recipes. It’s over 18% fat on a dry matter basis.
Ingredients
Duck Broth, Duck, Tuna, Potato Starch, Guar Gum, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Zinc Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Niacin Supplement (Vitamin B3), Calcium Panthotenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Manganese Sulfate, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K).
Ingredients We Liked: Duck, Tuna
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Potato Starch, Guar Gum
Common Allergens: Fish
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Rich in animal-sourced nutrition
- Features readily-digested duck and tuna
- Doesn’t contain any potentially-harmful artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- Contains more animal fat than other foods in the BFF lineup
Cons
- Slightly higher-than-ideal carbohydrate content
What Do Customers Think of BFF Cat Food?
Except for the outpouring of disappointment following the thiamine deficiency incident of 2017, customers seem to love and trust BFF cat food.
With most of their products receiving four-to-five star ratings on Chewy and the majority of reviewers saying they’d recommend the food to a friend, BFF is well-received by both cats and people.
Here’s what a few customers have to say about BFF cat food.
Positive Reviews
“My 10 mo old kitten absolutely loves this food. She’s a picky eater, but scarfs this one down. The food looks kind of gross (reddish brown gravy with chunks), but not a big deal, especially since the kitten loves it so much. The ingredients are good and added bonus that it’s wild-caught, dolphin safe tuna and salmon.” – Monica, reviewing BFF OMG Tuna & Salmon Sweet Cheeks Dinner
“Our old guy is a VERY picky eater. He doesn’t have many teeth left:-( so can only eat soft food. He usually picks at it, eats a bit and leaves the rest. I have been on a quest to find food he will eat entirely. Well, not only does he CLEAN HIS BOWL (OMG) – he is begging for more immediately! I got the food 2 days ago and I already need to place another order. Wow.” – Frecks, reviewing BFF OMG Lots-O-Luck! Duck & Tuna Dinner in Gravy
Negative Reviews
“My girls (Sophie and Gretel) have been eating this brand of food for years now. When they first started eating this, the would lick the bowl clean. Now they both spit out those white stringy pieces in the pouch…. sometimes they are small white chunks. I think it may be the tuna but when I first started with this food a few years ago, those white stringy things were NOT in the food. A few of my friends have the same problems with their cats too. When I open the pouches, I now have to dig those white chunks out and put them down the garbage disposal. PLEASE GO BACK TO THE ORIGINAL WAY YOU MADE THIS FOOD. Sorry, but I had to deduct 2 stars for the amount of food that I waste but it is the only wet food the girls will eat. This one with the tuna and salmon, and also the tuna and chicken….. their two favorites.” – DEBBIEANTON, reviewing BFF OMG Tuna & Salmon Sweet Cheeks Dinner
“Wish I could give this a good review but the cat didn’t like it an either do I. The texture is very odd, its like a liquid with chunks in it, smells yucky and my cat refused to eat it. Am donating to the local cat lady.” – cat57, reviewing BFF OMG Tuna & Duck Devour Me Dinner in Gravy
How Much Does BFF Cat Food Cost?
That depends on which varieties you buy. The Originals line has the lowest prices, while you’ll pay a little more for the BFF OMG! cat food pouches.
Altogether, BFF foods span the price zone between grocery-level economical and value premium. With most of their foods coming in somewhere between $0.22 and $0.40 per ounce, BFF cat food is in the same price bracket as Wellness and Simply Nourish.
Is BFF Cheaper Than Weruva Cat Food?
Absolutely. Original Weruva foods cost almost twice as much per calorie, adding up to much higher costs over time. For example, it might cost you $1.98 per day to feed a 10-lb cat BFF Originals food. If you chose a Weruva food, that daily feeding cost would go up to $3.10 and $3.90.
Overall, Is BFF a Good Choice?
BFF cat food is a good option if you’re looking for a juicy, hydrating, meat-based food at an accessible price.
Be sure to refer to the company’s complete nutritional analyses to ensure that you’re choosing one of their low-starch formulas. With their foods ranging from carbohydrate-free to relatively high-carb, it takes vigilance to choose a cat-appropriate recipe.
Remember that the BFF selection isn’t particularly diverse in terms of protein sources. With their recipes featuring either chicken or fish or both, BFF might not be the best option for those seeking a rotational diet or feeding cats with food intolerances.
Where To Buy BFF Cat Food?
You can buy BFF cat food in pet specialty retailers around the world. Click here to find a store near you. Online shoppers will find BFF products on Amazon, Chewy, PetFlow, and Petco.com.
My senior cat has hypercalcaemia (high calcium levels in his blood), and missing quite a few teeth. Are any recommendations for a low calcium wet food? He currently eats BFF OMG wet food and Orijen fit and trim kibble in the mouse feeding system between meals and for his predatory instincts.
Hi Leslie, feeding a cat with hypercalcemia is a little more complicated than just looking for a diet that’s low in calcium. For one, you should talk with your vet to determine the cause of his hypercalcemia. Diet should, firstly, address that underlying cause. Secondly, good dietary options are generally high in protein with low carbohydrate content and no dl-methionine, phosphoric acid, or ammonium chloride (to avoid acidification). We also try to avoid heavy sources of vitamin D like organ meats and fish oil. Some choose to achieve this combination with a homemade diet, and you can also find some commercial diets that come close to addressing those needs. Examples include certain diets formulated to reduce calcium oxalate stone formation, like Royal Canin Urinary SO, Purina UR Urinary St/Ox, Iams Urinary-O Plus Moderate pH/O, and Hill’s c/d. Kidney diets like Purina NF Kidney Function, Royal Canin Renal LP Modified, Iams Renal Plus, and Hill’s k/d may also be able to help, but you’ll need to get your vet’s approval. I’d recommend talking with your veterinarian to get their advice on the matter.
That is very helpful. Thank you for the information and all the examples of commercial foods.
I feed my cat Weruva bff & have been very happy with it. I also fed my senior soul kitty who has since passed, Weruva bff mixed with her CKD prescription food. The cost of feeding per day, however, is incorrect. Weruva bff (gravy based pouches, at least) recommend 1oz per lb of weight, or 10oz for a 10lb cat. There are 2.8oz in a packet, which costs roughly $1.50 (if bought in bulk & with autoship discount). That puts a daily feeding for a 10lb cat over $4.50/day (you would need to feed 3+ pouches a day).
I WISH it was less than $2/day as you stated, but that, unfortunately, is inaccurate.
Hi Mal, thanks for letting us know that our pricing information is out of date! We’ll correct that.