Published Oct 15, 2020
We’ve rated RAWZ cat food on ingredient quality, species-appropriateness, recalls, and more. Read our RAWZ cat food review to learn how this brand stacks up.
The Cats.com Standard—Rating RAWZ 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 – 9/10
- Ingredient Quality – 9/10
- Product Variety – 8/10
- Price – 6/10
- Customer Experience – 7/10
- Recall History – 10/10
Overall Score: 8.1/10
In total, we give RAWZ cat food a 49 out of 60 rating or a A- grade.
About RAWZ
The story of RAWZ dates back decades to 1961 when Jim Scott Sr. purchased the Old Mother Hubbard line of dog products. Though the Scott family later sold the brand to WellPet in 2008, it launched their family business which continues to thrive today.
Jim Scott III founded RAWZ Natural Pet Food with the goal of providing pet owners with nutritionally exceptional recipes using the highest meat content possible. It is the company’s goal to utilize natural alternatives to highly the processed ingredients traditionally used in pet foods. The Scott family also makes an effort to give back to their communities and to pets around the country.
The Scott family makes a pledge to provide pets with a variety of high-quality nutritional options without the use of rendered meals, rendered fats, or commercial gums. Additionally, they donate 100% of their profits (after taxes) to three causes:
- Providing service dogs to those who need them
- Researching and treating spinal cord injury
- Researching and treating traumatic brain injury
The RAWZ fund, established in 2015, was inspired by two of the Scott sons. Both acquired life-altering injuries and experienced the love and support only a dog can give through their family’s yellow lab, Boomer. In recognizing Boomer’s crucial role, the family pledged to donate their profits to ensure that others struggling with similar issues receive the best care and support possible.
Every product RAWZ offers is made with the strictest attention to detail, quality, and safety. They use only fresh and dehydrated animal proteins – no meat meals – and their products are free from grains and potatoes. Not only can their foods be used as a convenient alternative to raw food, but they can also be used as a base for homemade diets.
Sourcing And Manufacturing
RAWZ makes every effort to maintain the highest standards for quality and nutrition but they are also committed to being open and honest with their customers. This company provides the details on their website for every single ingredient they use. Most of their ingredients come from the United States or Canada, with some spices and supplements being sourced from Europe and Asia.
All RAWZ pet food products are cooked in small batches to ensure safety and quality. They company comments that “the moisture in our fresh poultry and fish supplies everything needed to cook the food in their own juices.” No water needed.
Some RAWZ products are made in the United States, including their dehydrated food. Both RAWZ shredded cat food cans and Aujou dog and cat food pouches are manufactured in Thailand by Chotiwat Manufacturing Company.
RAWZ comments that Chotiwat is “an award-winning human grade facility with some of the highest standards in quality and safety, as well as environmental and human affairs.” The products made by Chotiwat contain many of the same ingredients as the US-made recipes.
Recall History
The RAWZ product line is still fairly new, but it has been around long enough for a recall to happen. That being said, it can only be construed as good news that it hasn’t. To our knowledge, the RAWZ brand has not had a single recall to date for either their wet food or dry food products.
What Kinds Of Cat Food Does RAWZ Offer?
RAWZ currently offers pet food products for both dogs and cats. Their cat food formulas are divided into three product types: dehydrated dry food, canned wet food, and wet food pouches.
At the moment, RAWZ currently only offers two recipes for dehydrated cat food – one is fish-based and the other features chicken and turkey. RAWZ canned foods are divided between gum-free pates and shredded recipes. You’ll also find an assortment of shredded wet food pouches.
What makes RAWZ different from the typical pet food manufacturer is that not only do they choose their ingredients thoughtfully, but they are very intentional about the way their foods are prepared. They don’t add water because their fresh poultry and fish contains all the moisture needed. They freeze-dry their products, preparing them in small batches, to keep the nutrients intact.
One thing we’ll note about RAWZ is that they don’t use a lot of fruits and vegetables in their products.
Though many manufacturers add these ingredients as natural sources for key nutrients, RAWZ believes fruits and veggies should be added directly to your pet’s food for optimal nutritional value. That being said, they do end up using some synthetic supplements to meet AAFCO requirements for balanced nutrition, so take that for what it’s worth.
What Do Customers Think Of RAWZ Cat Food?
Many customers are pleased with the quality of RAWZ cat food, though there are some whose picky eaters didn’t enjoy it for one reason or another.
Negative reviews for RAWZ cat food were primarily focused on the price. There were also cats who simply didn’t like the food, though even some of those who commented noted that they were pleased with the quality and disappointed that their cats didn’t like it.
Let’s take a look at a few customer reviews from some of the most popular recipes from RAWZ.
Positive Reviews
“Three of my five cats have pretty much sworn off canned food in favor of this dry food, so it must be pretty tasty. Very pricey, unfortunately, but clearly full of good ingredients. I make it last a little longer by mixing it – half and half – with another often recommended brand, Taste of the Wild.” – Christine D. reviewing RAWZ Meal Free Dehydrated Chicken Dry Food
“More expensive but worth it. You feed the cat less as it’s not coated with spray on fat and is more dense so they need less. I wasn’t sure this would be workable for my cat but it is and he loves it.” – Allison A. Larsen reviewing RAWZ Meal Free Dehydrated Chicken Dry Food
Negative Reviews
“The shredded chicken pieces were too large for one of our adult cats, but his brother liked this food okay. Even after cutting the shreds into smaller, chewable pieces, neither cat was all that jazzed. Ours already get top level clean sourced canned and kibble so this chicken was to add variety to their diet.” – PenroseTribar reviewing RAWZ Ajou Chicken Breast & Chicken Liver Cat Food
“My cat must be a trash food eating cat because I can’t get him to eat this stuff. I’m be tried to mix in the old stuff. He eats the old food and just will not eat this stuff. Bummer cause it is pricey. I’m going to try another food that is better for him than the usual cheap brand.” – Duke reviewing RAWZ Meal Free Dehydrated Chicken Dry Cat Food
RAWZ Cat Food – Top 3 Recipes Reviewed
| Product Name | Food Type | Main Protein Source | Price | Our Grade |
| RAWZ Meal Free Dehydrated Chicken, Turkey, and Chicken Recipe Dry Food | Dry | Chicken | $0.48 per oz | B |
| RAWZ 96% Turkey and Turkey Liver Pate | Wet | Turkey | $0.45 per oz | B |
| RAWZ Aujou Aku Tuna and Salmon Recipe Wet Food Pouches | Wet | Tuna | $0.61 per oz | B |
All nutritional percentages in this table and hereafter are taken from the manufacturer’s guaranteed analysis. Exact nutritional percentages are not available.
All calculated values are determined using these minimum and maximum published values and may differ from actual values. RAWZ is the ultimate authority on their products, so please contact the company for more nutritional information.
#1 RAWZ Meal Free Dehydrated Chicken, Turkey, and Chicken Recipe Dry Food
One of two dry food formulas RAWZ has to offer, this recipe features dehydrated chicken and dehydrated deboned chicken as the top two ingredients. In fact, the first 7 ingredients are all high-quality sources of animal protein that come from chicken or turkey.
Aside from the protein ingredients, this formula contains pea starch and tapioca starch, likely added as thickeners and sources of fiber, along with dried peas, dried egg product, and flaxseeds. The remaining ingredients are vitamin and mineral supplements.
Overall, this is a protein-rich recipe that doesn’t contain any red flag ingredients. It is naturally grain-free, though we wouldn’t mind seeing a source of carbohydrates that offers a little more nutrition than pea starch or tapioca starch.
Ingredients
Dehydrated Chicken, Dehydrated Deboned Chicken, Chicken, Turkey, Chicken Liver, Turkey Liver, Turkey Hearts, Pea Starch, Tapioca Starch, Dried Peas, Natural Chicken Flavor, Dried Egg Product, Flaxseeds, , Dried Tomato Pomace, Salt, Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, d-calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Acetate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid), Minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Calcium Carbonate, Manganous Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite, Cobalt Carbonate, Calcium Iodate), Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Taurine, Citric Acid (Preservative), Rosemary Extract.
| Ingredients We Liked | Ingredients We Didn’t Like | Common Allergens |
| Chicken
Turkey Chicken Liver Turkey Liver & Hearts |
Tapioca Starch
Pea Starch Dried Peas |
Chicken
Egg |
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- First seven ingredients are animal proteins
- Made in small batches to preserve quality
- No meat meals or animal by-products
- Free from artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives
Cons
- Fairly expensive compared to other options
- Heavy use of synthetic supplements
#2 RAWZ 96% Turkey & Turkey Liver Pate
This Turkey & Turkey Liver Pate recipe features real turkey as the main ingredient and a single source of animal protein. Having a single source of protein is particularly important for cats with food allergies or sensitivities but can really be a benefit for any cat. We also appreciate the inclusion of turkey liver.
As is common with wet cat food, there are fewer carbohydrate ingredients than in the dry food recipe. Dandelion greens are really the only source we see, and they are more nutritious than something like tapioca starch. The total estimated carbohydrate content of this recipe is negligible.
Ingredients
Turkey, Turkey Liver, Turkey Broth, Potassium Chloride, Fenugreek Seeds, Natural Flavor, Choline Chloride, Salt, Vegetable Broth, Dandelion Greens, Taurine, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Thiamine Mononitrate, Manganese Proteinate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid.
| Ingredients We Liked | Ingredients We Didn’t Like | Common Allergens |
| Turkey
Turkey Liver Dandelion Greens |
None | None |
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Single source of quality animal protein
- Negligible carbohydrate content
- Rich in protein and moisture with moderate fat
Cons
- Fairly expensive compared to other options
- Some cats dislike the pate texture
#3 Aujou by RAWZ Aku Tuna & Salmon Recipe
In addition to their canned wet food recipes, RAWZ also offers a line of wet food pouches cooked in broth. This recipe features tuna and salmon as the primary flavors and, as you would hope, both are included in the first three ingredients.
Unlike the previous canned food recipe, this formula does contain some tapioca starch. That isn’t uncommon in gravy-style cat foods and cat foods in broth. Aside from that, however, we don’t see any other added carbohydrates. This recipe contains more added fat than the previous formula and about the same content of synthetic vitamin and mineral supplements.
Ingredients
Tuna, Fish Broth, Salmon, Tapioca Starch, Minerals (Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Calcium Iodate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite), Sunflower Oil, Fish Oil, Tricalcium Phosphate, Calcium Chloride, Vitamins (Ascorbic Acid (source of Vitamin C), Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Parsley, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Potassium Chloride, Salt.
| Ingredients We Liked | Ingredients We Didn’t Like | Common Allergens |
| Tuna
Salmon |
Tapioca Starch
Sunflower Oil |
Fish |
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Rich in premium animal protein
- High in moisture and fish flavor
- Supplemented with vitamins and minerals
Cons
- Fairly expensive compared to other options
- Main source of added fat is plant-based
How Much Does RAWZ Cat Food Cost?
One of the most common concerns customers have about RAWZ is the price. Not only is it a little tricky to find RAWZ in stores and online, but it tends to be fairly expensive.
You can find 8-packs of RAWZ Aujou pouches for around $12 which breaks down to about $1.50 each, or about $0.61 per ounce. RAWZ canned cat food averages about $30 for an 18-pack of 3-ounce cans or $60 for a 24-pack of larger 5.5-ounce cans. This puts the per-ounce price between $0.45 and $0.55, depending on the recipe and retailer you choose.
RAWZ dehydrated food is even more expensive than the canned food. A 3.5-pound bag of the dehydrated fish recipe costs $25 or more, averaging over $7 per pound.
Overall, Is RAWZ Cat Food A Good Choice?
The RAWZ cat food brand is dedicated to using high-quality animal proteins and they’re very open about the sourcing of their ingredients and manufacture of their products. We love that every recipe starts with real animal protein and that they use carbohydrates minimally when possible.
That being said, we didn’t get the impression that RAWZ uses fewer synthetic supplements than the average brand. We understand their comment about preferring to add fruits and vegetables to a pet’s diet directly, but we would also appreciate a few more natural sources for key nutrients.
Overall, RAWZ is a good brand but it’s still fairly new and only available from independent retailers. This makes it a little difficult to get a good sense of how much people like it and their impressions about anything other than the price.
Where Is RAWZ Cat Food Sold?
When shopping for cat food, you may notice that some brands are only available in certain stores. Premium brands like RAWZ often choose to sell their products only in independently owned pet stores rather than big box stores and national chains. You may be able to find RAWZ at your local specialty pet food store, or you can check their list of authorized online retailers.
RAWZ does not sell directly to Amazon and other E-commerce companies, though you may find some of their products available through other sellers. Check the RAWZ website to find retailers near you.
My cat LOVES Rawz Turkey and Chicken Kibble. He’s 9, and never been healthier. Seriously.
I’d been feeding him other well-reviewed grain-free dry food plus wet food every day since the beginning, but regardless of the high priced foods, his coat and energy level were already beginning to deteriorate by age 7. I tried other well respected brands over the next year (introducing them properly, avoiding allergens), but it didn’t help, and he was also vomiting the very expensive wet foods, but not my homemade wet food.
I was not pleased with the meat meal and other questionable protein sources and other ingredients in even the most expensive pet food that wreak havoc on human gut biomes, especially after my vet told me that cats (being natural carnivores) can’t digest most plant-based proteins, but still need roughage, vitamins, and minerals…meaning most of what you find in pet foods (corn, wheat, pea, and bean proteins), even the more expensive “holistic” and “grain-free” formulas are also bulked up with nutritionally empty fillers and texturizers that irritate, so I began to research, and found RAWZ and one other brand to be well founded, simple whole meat based ingredients with added nutritional supplements, without a lot of added water (that demands added thickeners) and questionable/inflammatory ingredients like legumes, potatoes, Careegnan, and Bentonite Clay (which in tiny amounts is ok as a very occasional intestinal cleanse, but as daily food filler, it can really damage your kitty’s gut, cause chronic diarhea…and worse, because that can kill them in days).
There truly was a huge difference in his health and energy level once I switched to RAWZ, and after a year, he still loves it and at almost 10, his coat is sleek and luxurious again, and his kitten-like energy and playful personality have returned.
I supplement RAWZ meal-free kibble with my home-made meat and veggie pate with added Omegas and minerals I change up, and he’s a very happy healthy cat. I do trust one brand of wet food and it’s $2/3oz can, so I only keep a few cans in the house, just in case.
As for the cost, yes, RAWZ kibble does cost more, but I’m not buying canned anymore (i just buy a little extra of the meats and fish I eat), and he only eats about half the amount of kibble he used to chow down (maybe because he’s getting the quality nutrition his body needs with less bulk) ….so a 3.5 lb bag lasts us a while month! That translates to just $.80 cent’s/day!
Along with the supplementary home made pate’s his food cost averages $1.25/day, which is the price of a single can of premium wet food…or half a plain Starbucks… meaning we’re now spending 1/3 of what we used to on his food.
My cat’s name is Prince Charming Earl Grey of Furrington and he brings me far more enjoyment than a cup of coffee. I’ll bet your feline furry does too.
Me-Ow!
Thanks for sharing your experience!
Hi Susan,
Could you please share your home-made meat and veggie pate with me? I want to start making her food a human grade pate.
thank you
Hi susan I would love to ask you also to share your recipe! I am down to 7 cats from an original 13 taken in from a hoarder situation (a neighbor). Some have past and I was able to get a home for only 2 – they have health issues as can be expected. They have come a long way and doing well except a few with “IBS” as described by the vet; one more seriously where he had biopsy surgery. Thank goodness not cancer, yet…. but he needs close monitoring (does still throw up alot) The time and money I spend on trying to get them the best quality of life that they have left is taking its toll on me. I get very disappointed after being overwhelmed with all the information I’ve read and some of the ingredients still found in some of the most expensive “limited” ingredient options; or the prescription diet foods (there is one which has thyroid, another with urinary track blockages and infections, etc) They all like wet and dry and each with their own preferences, etc. But you are right – they bring a joy so its a commitment that I’ve gratefully made to myself. Thank you Susan
I’ve looked at 3 of your reviewed manufacturers. Just looking at your score for price alone, this does not add up. Your reviews for: Wellness, Weruva, and Rawz. According to your reviews, RAWZ is 4.6 times more expensive than Weruva and
7.6 times more expensive than Wellness. How then can you rate pricing for Wellness @ 7/10 , Weruva @ 4/10 and Rawz @ 6/10??
WELLNESS: 4 foods reviewed with a price range of $0.15 to $0.24 per ounce. (AVG .2025) You scored the brand a 7/10 in price.
Product Name Food Type Price per Ounce Our Grade
Complete Health Pate Chicken Entree Grain-Free Canned Cat Food Wet $0.19 A-
CORE Signature Selects Flaked Skipjack Tuna & Wild Salmon Entree in Broth Canned Cat Food Wet $0.15 A-
CORE Grain-Free Indoor Formula Dry Cat Food Dry $0.23 B-
Wellness CORE Kitten Turkey & Chicken Liver Recipe Canned Food Dry $0.24 A-
WERUVA: 3 foods reviewed with a price range of $0.31 to $0.29 per ounce. (AVG .33) You scored Weruva a 4/10 in price.
Product Name Food Type Price per Ounce Our Grade
Weruva Paw Lickin’ Chicken Wet $0.31 B+
Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Love Me Tender Chicken & Duck in Gravy Wet $0.39 B+
Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Chicken Frick ‘A Zee Aus Jus Wet $0.31 A
RAWZ: 3 foods reviewed with a price range of $0.45 to $0.61 per ounce. (AVG 1.54) You scored RAWZ 6/10 for price.
Product Name Food Type Main Protein Source Price Per Ounce Our Grade
RAWZ Meal Free Dehydrated Chicken, Turkey, and Chicken Recipe Dry Food Dry Chicken $0.48 B
RAWZ 96% Turkey and Turkey Liver Pate Wet Turkey $0.45 B
RAWZ Aujou Aku Tuna and Salmon Recipe Wet Food Pouches Wet Tuna $0.61 B
Kristin, this rating is based, not just on the price of the food, but on the perceived value for your money. Weruva is a very low-calorie food, so you’re paying more per calorie and therefore more per day for each product. Perhaps these ratings do need to be updated to reflect the latest information, but this is what we had in mind when writing these reviews.
Just curious. You gave Rawz an overall A- rating but none of the ones you reviewed were better than B. How did you come up with the A-?
Hi James, thanks for pointing that out. We are currently re-assessing our product and brand ratings and will aim to correct inconsistencies like this. Overall, I believe that the wet recipes should also receive an A-, but the original author will have to review this as well.
Hi here, our cat has food allergies, she seams to react to chicken , lamb , turkey , duck, salmon , tuna, , rabbit , etc.
Could BEEF cans be a solution , or is beef protein too much for daily feeding in cats ?
Thank you so much, I am getting desperate in finding a good protein food for her …. we have tested plenty over the last year !!!