Published May 20, 2019
It promises limited-ingredient, gum-free food for sensitive cats, but is KASIKS a healthy choice for your cat? Find out in our unbiased KASIKS cat food review.
The Cats.com Standard—Rating KASIKS on What Matters
We’ve analyzed KASIKS 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.
Ratings
- Species-Appropriateness – 8/10
- Ingredient Quality – 8/10
- Product Variety – 5/10
- Price – 7/10
- Customer Experience – 7/10
- Recall History – 10/10
Overall Score: 7.5/10
We give KASIKS cat food a 45 out of 60 rating or a B+ grade.
About KASIKS
The KASIKS story begins in the 1980s when fisherman and entrepreneur Mike Florian started a business called the Taplow Company. The company originally sold fish feed, but the staff guard dogs couldn’t seem to stop eating the stock. According to company legend, the Taplow team went to work developing food that would satisfy the dogs and keep them out of the fish food.
Apparently, they were successful. The company’s first venture into dog food was called FirstMate. The company later introduced Skoki and KASIKS. Today, we’ll focus on the latter, a line of limited-ingredient food for dogs and cats.
Sourcing and Manufacturing
KASIKS is made in a company-owned cannery in British Columbia, Canada. The company maintains control over every part of the manufacturing process, supervising sourcing, manufacturing, and distribution.
The company claims that all of their ingredients and processes are cruelty-free. The animals used in their products are humanely raised, transported, and slaughtered according to Canadian regulations. They only use wild-caught fish from sustainable fisheries.
The company doesn’t perform any laboratory research on animals. Instead, they gather performance data from a network of breeders, animal rescue groups, and their own pets.
Has Kasiks Cat Food Been Recalled?
It doesn’t appear that KASIKS has ever been recalled.
What Kinds Of Cat Food Does Kasiks Offer?
KASIKS is a wet food-only brand. Each of their formulas features a single source of animal protein like chicken, turkey, or salmon. They even offer a recipe made with eco-friendly insect protein. The Fraser Valley formula contains protein from black soldier fly larva to complement the sole source of animal protein, boneless salmon.
Their wet foods are packaged in BPA-free cans and are free from potentially problematic thickeners like carrageenan and guar gum. In place of artificial binders and thickeners, KASIKS wet foods rely on natural starches like pea starch to maintain their ideal thickness and palatable paté texture.
Of their decision to include carbohydrates in their canned foods, KASIKS comments: “Carbohydrates have some important body functions and can have a protein-sparing effect in the body. If the diet supplies adequate carbohydrates, protein will be spared from being used for energy and can instead be used for tissue repair and growth. Furthermore, carbohydrates also supply carbon skeletons for the formation of amino acids by the body.”
KASIKS cat food comes in 5.5-ounce and 12.2-ounce cans.
KASIKS Cat Food – Top 3 Recipes Reviewed
| Product Name | Food Type | Price | Our Grade |
| KASIKS Cage-Free Chicken Formula Grain-Free Canned Cat Food | Wet | $0.45 per oz | B+ |
| KASIKS Wild Coho Salmon Formula Grain-Free Canned Cat Food | Wet | $0.46 per oz | A- |
| KASIKS Cage-Free Turkey Formula Grain-Free Canned Cat Food | Wet | $0.45 per oz | B+ |
#1 KASIKS Cage-Free Chicken Formula Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
Chicken appears to be the primary protein source in this wet cat food.
This popular KASIKS recipe is essentially chicken, water, and supplements. It features chicken as its primary protein source. Ninety-six percent of the food’s total protein content comes from cage-free Canadian chicken.
Though the food doesn’t contain any gums as thickeners, it does contain pea starch. This ingredient is preferable to carrageenan, a potential carcinogenic thickener used in many commercial canned foods, but it still sends the food’s carb content sky-high – over 30% on a dry matter basis.
In addition to synthetic vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, the food contains trace amounts of coconut, kale, and berries. The company describes these as sources of antioxidants and nutrients.
Overall, this food is high in protein with moderate fat and high carbohydrate content.
This food is a good example of the fact that being a grain-free, limited-ingredient food doesn’t always translate to species-appropriateness. At over 30% carbohydrates on a dry matter basis, this chicken paté is as carbohydrate-heavy as some dry foods.
The food may be a good choice for some cats with food sensitivities or allergies, but its carbohydrate content will deter those seeking a truly carnivore-appropriate diet.
This food has 331 calories in each 12.2-ounce can or 27 calories per ounce.
Ingredients
Boneless Chicken, Water Sufficient For Processing, Pea Starch, Sodium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Kale, Minerals: (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate) Vitamins: (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, D-Pantothenic Acid, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement) Blueberries, Raspberries, Cranberries, Coconut.
Ingredients We Liked: Boneless Chicken
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Pea Starch
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Rich in animal-sourced protein
- A good option for cats with intolerances and allergies
- Doesn’t contain animal by-products
- Free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
Cons
- Doesn’t contain any organ meats
- High carbohydrate content
#2 KASIKS Wild Coho Salmon Formula Grain-Free Canned Cat Food Review
Salmon appears to be the primary protein source in this wet cat food.
This KASIKS paté is made primarily from wild-caught salmon. This fish ingredient accounts for 97% of the food’s total protein content.
Like all KASIKS cat food recipes, the food features meat as the first ingredient, followed by water, pea starch, and supplements. Trace amounts of blueberries, raspberries, cranberries, and coconut appear at the end of the ingredient list as sources of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Synthetics carry the rest of that burden.
Overall, this dry food has moderate protein content with moderate fat and moderate carbohydrate content.
The Coho Salmon formula is a good option for cats who enjoy fish-based foods but can’t eat recipes full of vaguely-labeled “fish”, “fish meal”, and “ocean whitefish”. Its limited ingredient list makes it appropriate for cats with food sensitivities and allergies.
At around 15% carbohydrates on a dry matter basis, the food is a little bit starchier than some would like, but it’s better than the average dry food and even some wet foods, including a few KASIKS recipes.
The food has about 24 calories per ounce.
Ingredients
Boneless/Skinless Salmon, Water Sufficient For Processing, Pea Starch, Sodium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Kale, Minerals: (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate), Vitamins: (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, D-Pantothenic Acid, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Blueberries, Raspberries, Cranberries, Coconut.
Ingredients We Liked: Boneless/Skinless Salmon
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Pea Starch
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Free of animal by-products
- Made from a single animal protein source
- Free of gums
- Low carbohydrate content
- Made without artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Cons
- Doesn’t contain organ meats
- Slightly higher-than-ideal carbohydrate content
#3 KASIKS Cage-Free Turkey Formula Grain-Free Canned Cat Food Review
Turkey appears to be the primary protein source in this wet cat food.
This KASIKS recipe centers around boneless, skinless turkey, with Canadian turkey constituting 96% of the food’s total protein content. Unlike other KASIKS foods, this recipe contains a combination of muscle and organ meat. Chicken liver adds flavor and a nutritional boost.
Other than this variation, this recipe is just like the rest. It consists of meat, water, pea starch, and supplements. Coconut, berries, and kale add antioxidants and trace vitamins.
Overall, this food has high protein content with moderate fat and moderate carbohydrate content.
This poultry paté is a straightforward, simple food that focuses on animal-sourced nutrition. Despite its simplicity, this food is 25% carbohydrates and isn’t exactly a carnivore-appropriate product.
This food has 27 calories per ounce.
Ingredients
Boneless Turkey, Water Sufficient For Processing, Pea Starch, Chicken Liver, Sodium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Kale, Minerals: (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate), Vitamins, (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, D-Pantothenic Acid, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Blueberries, Raspberries, Cranberries, Coconut.
Ingredients We Liked: Boneless Turkey, Chicken Liver
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Pea Starch
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Rich in animal-sourced protein
- Made without animal by-products
- Contains a combination of muscle meat and organs
- Free of binding agents
- Made without artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Cons
- One of KASIK’s least popular recipes
- Relatively high carbohydrate content
What Do Customers Think Of Kasiks Cat Food?
There’s not a lot of talk going on about KASIKS, but most discussions are positive. Customers appreciate the brand’s decision to avoid gum-based thickeners and admire its limited-ingredient formulations.
Positive Reviews
“I researched 50-60 brands of canned cat food and Kasiks (made by FirstMate) is by far the best. Limited ingredients and nothing unnecessary like carrageenan, guar gum, xanthan gum, etc. Even among premium brands, it’s almost impossible to find a food without these types of additives/thickeners. It’s a very moist pate, but not soupy or runny. Very easy to stir (ingredients can separate so it needs to be stirred). I ordered a case of Turkey and my very picky male cat ate about 4 cans and then refused to touch it again (despite coaxing and several future attempts). I gave the remaining cans to my other 3 (2 females, 1 male) and they ate it, but soon the male turned his nose up at it too. The girls finished off the case. The picky eater LOVES the salmon variety (for many reasons I only feed fish two meals a week) and has been eating the chicken formula everyday for 7 months now. Salmon and chicken Kasiks formulas are popular with the others too.” – KatsMeow, reviewing KASIKS Turkey Formula
I recently went on the “war path” against “gums”, particularly carrageenan, but the other questionable gums as well. It is getting quite difficult to find wet foods without the cancer-causing additives. We have to look to our Northern neighbors who make a delicious, kitty-palatable food which is very wet and tasty for ALL of my tribe of kitties, young and senior. Thank you KASIKS for this and the turkey formula” – joanne, reviewing KASIKS Chicken Formula
Negative Reviews
“We have 3 cats and have a rotation of anywhere between 2-4 fosters. NO ONE liked this food!! Some cats wouldn’t touch it, and others would eat a few bites and then snub it. My one cat who did sort of eat it, broke out a few days after I fed it to her and she eats other grain-free chicken foods just fine. While the ingredients are truly top notch and the price is very reasonable, no one will really eat it. Which has NEVER happened with the sheer number of cats we have- usually someone will like it.” – felinas, reviewing KASIKS Chicken Formula
“This appears to be a great food so I was surprised and very disappointed when our two spoiled inside fatty cats would not eat this and neither would our outside feral cats!” – CJasper, reviewing KASIKS Turkey Formula
How Much Does Kasiks Cat Food Cost?
Let’s say you have a 10-lb cat. You’d need to feed him about 8.5 ounces of KASIKS to provide the roughly 200 calories he needs per day. Your expenses would break down to about $2.21 per day.
How does that compare to other brands? It’s comparable to Wild Calling or Merrick—not exactly cheap, but certainly not among the most expensive on the market.
Overall, Is Kasiks A Good Choice?
The KASIKS brand is pushing the pet food envelope. Dozens of brands have turned their backs on grains, potatoes, and other naughty-list ingredients, but few have dared to ditch gums. KASIKS has. This spirit of innovation is also apparent in one of the company’s newest additions to their pet food lineup, the Fraser Valley Grub Formula, an exciting experiment in insect protein.
Though their selection isn’t particularly large and they’re not one of the best-known brands on the market, KASIKS cat food appears to be safe, trustworthy, and made from high-quality ingredients.
As is true for many commercial cat foods, KASIKS food contains more carbohydrate than we typically like to see, but at least they avoid some of the more problematic ones like corn, wheat, soy, carrageenan, and gums. As long as you stick to one of their lower-carbohydrate recipes like the Coho Salmon Formula, this brand is worth trying.
Where To Buy Kasiks Cat Food?
You can buy KASIKS in pet specialty stores throughout Canada in the United States. The brand is also sold through online retailers, including Amazon and Chewy.
