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Purina Cat Chow Naturals Food Review of 2024: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Written by: Christian Adams

Last Updated on February 15, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

purina cat chow review

Purina Cat Chow Naturals Food Review of 2024: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Review Summary

Our Final Verdict

We give Purina Cat Chow Naturals Cat Food a rating of 4.5 out of 5.0 stars.

Purina Cat Chow Naturals Dry Cat Food is a premium cat food from a company well known for making high-quality food across all of their lines. We feel that this is a great alternative to your cat’s regular food, and you can purchase several versions of the Naturals line, including original, grain-free, hairball, and healthy weight. Each one has a formula that is beneficial to your indoor cat.

Keep reading while we take a deep dive into the Purina Cat Chow Naturals cat food to help you learn more about it to see if it’s right for your pet. We’ll take a look at the ingredients and discuss which ones to look for when choosing food for your pet so you can make an educated purchase.

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At a Glance: The Best Purina Cat Chow Naturals Dry Cat Food Recipes:

Image Product Details
Our Favorite Cat Chow Naturals Original Dry Cat Food Cat Chow Naturals Original Dry Cat Food
  • Complete balanced meal
  • Omega fats
  • Taurine
  • Purina Cat Chow Naturals Indoor with Real Chicken & Turkey Hairball Purina Cat Chow Naturals Indoor with Real Chicken & Turkey Hairball
  • Hairball control
  • Taurine
  • Omega fats
  • Purina Cat Chow Naturals Grain-Free with Real Chicken Dry Cat Food Purina Cat Chow Naturals Grain-Free with Real Chicken Dry Cat Food
  • Omega fats
  • Taurine
  • No corn
  • Kitten Chow Naturals Dry Cat Food Kitten Chow Naturals Dry Cat Food
  • Chicken as the very first ingredient
  • Omega fats
  • Formulated with natural ingredients just for kitten companions
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    Purina Cat Chow Naturals Cat Food Reviewed

    Who Makes Purina Cat Chow Naturals Cat Food, & Where Is It Produced?

    The Purina company makes Cat Chow Naturals as part of its extensive cat food line. Purina is more than 90 years old, and it’s a subsidiary of Nestle, with its home base in St. Louis, Missouri. It also makes Purina Pro Plan, Friskies, and Fancy Feast, among several others. It’s the largest pet food manufacturer in the United States and the second-largest in the world, so they have the experience required to create healthy cat food.

    Which Types of Cats Is Purina Cat Chow Naturals Best Suited For?

    Purina Cat Chow Naturals has a formula for indoor cats to help them get the nutrition they need without adding weight and leading to obesity, and there is a grain-free version to help cats with allergies or weight issues and another kind to help get rid of hairballs. There is even a kitten chow suitable for younger cats that need extra protein to grow.

    Which Types of Cats Might Do Better With a Different Brand?

    Purina Cat Chow Naturals contains several corn ingredients, so some varieties may not be the best choice for overweight cats. The hairball with weight control formula as well as the grain-free is the better choice. Some cats may also prefer other foods’ flavor, so if your cat is finicky and refuses to eat, you will need to select another brand. If your cat has a medical condition, like a urinary tract infection, or a skin allergy, your vet might prescribe a special food to eat while the condition clears up. We recommend following your doctor’s instructions and returning to this brand when you are able.

    white kitten licks lips
    Photo Credit: Inga Gedrovicha, Shutterstock

    Discussion of the Primary Ingredients (Good & Bad)

    Meat First Ingredient

    All of the Purina Cat Chow Naturals line have real meat, like chicken or salmon, listed as its first ingredient. Meat as the primary ingredient makes sure your pet gets a high-quality protein with plenty of flavors. Many other brands use a by-product as the first ingredient, and while it’s not necessarily bad, it’s a dried and ground meat that likely sat for several years, losing its flavor.

    Complete & Balanced Nutrition

    Every variety of Purina Cat Chow Naturals provides your cat with a complete and balanced meal suitable for indoor cats. Indoor cats don’t see as much activity, so their diet needs to be adjusted to prevent weight gain while still getting the nutrients it needs to survive. The Naturals varieties accomplish this without sacrificing flavor by making real meat the number one ingredient.

    Omega Fats

    The Purina Cat Chow Naturals varieties all have omega fat fortification. Omega fats can help your cat have a shinier, healthier coat that will help reduce shedding and prevent dandruff. Omega fats help reduce inflammation which can ease arthritis pain and any injuries that might have occurred. It also helps boost the immune system, which will help stave off disease before it strikes. Omega fats can come from several sources, but Purina uses fish oil or flaxseed oil, both great sources.

    cat eating from his dish
    Photo Credit: Africa Studio, Shutterstock

    Taurine

    Taurine is an essential amino acid for cats, and you can only find it in animal proteins. Purina Cat Chow Naturals makes sure your cat receives this nutrient in all varieties. Cats can only make a small amount, and the rest must come from their diet. Too little taurine and your cat can experience retinal degeneration and other problems with their eyes. Having whole meat listed as the first ingredient helps ensure that your cat gets enough taurine.

    Corn

    Corn is the only ingredient we wish was not in the Purina Cat Chow Naturals varieties. Cats are strict carnivores, so they don’t require corn, soy, or other plant-based ingredients. Corn is one of the most genetically modified foods on earth, and it digests quickly and turns to sugar so it can lead to weight gain. However, cats seem to like it, and many will refuse to eat grain-free food, especially if you don’t get them started early in life. Many cat treats have corn ingredients, so maybe that’s why they like it so much.

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    A Quick Look at Purina Cat Chow Naturals Cat Food

    Kitten Chow Naturals Dry Cat Food

    Pros
    • Omega fats
    • Taurine
    • A complete and balanced meal
    • Real meat first ingredient
    Cons
    • Contains corn

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    Recall History

    Purina Cat Chow Naturals was last recalled in 2011 due to possible salmonella contamination. Since that date, there have been no other incidents. In fact, most of Purina’s food brands are relatively free of recalls. We highly recommend frequently checking in with the FDA recall website to stay aware of any recalls as they occur and ensure that you are feeding your pet a healthy diet.

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    Reviews of the 3 Best Purina Cat Chow Naturals Food Recipes

    1. Cat Chow Naturals Original Dry Cat Food

    Cat Chow Naturals Original Dry Cat Food

    Cat Chow Naturals Original Dry Cat Food is the original version of this food, and for many people, it’s still the best. It has real chicken and salmon listed as the first ingredient, and it also provides your cat with essential omega fats and taurine to help your pet maintain a healthy coat, reduce inflammation, and keep eyesight and brain function working at peak performance. You can get it in different-sized bags, so it’s a little less expensive if you have several cats, and the formula is suitable for cats of all ages.

    Our cats enjoy this food, and the only problem we have is the corn it contains. If your cat likes to eat a lot, this brand can contribute to weight gain.

    Calorie Breakdown:

    Purina Cat Chow Naturals Original Review

    Pros
    • Complete balanced meal
    • Omega fats
    • Taurine
    • The chicken and salmon main ingredient
    Cons
    • Contains corn

    2. Purina Cat Chow Naturals Indoor Hairball & Weight Control Adult Dry Cat Food

    Purina Cat Chow Naturals Indoor with Real Chicken & Turkey Hairball & Weight Control Adult Dry Cat Food

    This recipe is similar to the original version, but it contains ingredients to help manage weight and reduce or eliminate hairballs. This variety contains chicken or turkey as its top ingredient, and there are no artificial colors or preservatives. This variety contains a natural fiber blend to help remove hairballs and help balance the digestive system. It also has omega fats and taurine like the original version.

    The downside to the hairball control variety is the same as the original version. Corn is one of the main ingredients which can lead to weight gain and more frequent eating.

    Calorie Breakdown:

    Purina Cat Chow Naturals Indoor Review

    Pros
    • Hairball control
    • Taurine
    • Omega fats
    • Chicken or turkey main ingredient
    Cons
    • Contains corn

    3. Purina Cat Chow Grain Free, Natural Dry Cat Food, Naturals with Real Chicken

    Purina Cat Chow Naturals Grain-Free with Real Chicken Adult Dry Cat Food

    Purina Cat Chow Grain Free, Natural Dry Cat Food, Naturals with Real Chicken is another variety that is similar to the original recipe but eliminates the grains like corn and wheat. It still provides your pet with a balanced meal fortified with taurine and omega fatty acids. This variety is perfect for cats struggling with their weight or those suffering from a corn allergy.

    While we are glad there is no corn in this brand, they replace it with meat by-products, which isn’t necessarily bad, but it’s dried and ground meat, often several years old and sourced from other countries with lower pet food standards.

    Calorie Breakdown:

    Purina Cat Chow Naturals Original Review

    Pros
    • Omega fats
    • Taurine
    • No corn
    • Chicken or turkey main ingredient
    Cons
    • Meat by-products

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    What Other Users Are Saying

    We searched the internet to find out what other people were saying about Purina Cat Chow Naturals, and this is what we found. You can look some of them over for yourself by clicking here.

    • Most people say their cats love this food, but many others say their cats won’t eat it.
    • Most people like the low cost of this food.
    • Most people appreciate the different varieties.
    • Some people say the formula has changed for the worst.
    • A few people mentioned that it helps reduce the odor in the litter box.

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    Conclusion

    We feel that Purina Cat Chow Naturals is a good middle-of-the-road food for many people. There is a good chance your cat will eat it, and while the ingredients aren’t the best, there are plenty worse. There are no harmful chemical preservatives or dyes, which are the cause of many allergies, and each variety has real meat listed as the first ingredient. It contains taurine and omega fats, and the different varieties make sure you can get a good match for your cat. It’s a great choice for picky eaters and is easy to find at most grocery stores.

    We hope you have enjoyed reading over this guide, and it has convinced you to give this brand a try. If we have helped improve your cat’s dinner, please share this review of Purina Cat Chow Naturals on Facebook and Twitter.

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