Today, we’re diving deep into our analysis of Tiki Cat Succulent Chicken Luau. We’ve based our review on a range of criteria to provide you with a comprehensive and transparent evaluation. So without further ado, let’s jump right in!
In case you’re curious, you can check out our criteria page to find out exactly we concluded this rating.
Composition – Tiki Cat Succulent Chicken Luau is good but you’ll need more variety
Tiki Cat’s Luau features chicken as its primary ingredient and only protein source (mono-protein). The dry matter containing a substantial protein content of around 80%. However, we are concerned about the lack of ingredient percentages, as transparency is crucial. On the plus side, the moisture content of 80% aligns with expectations for wet food, promoting hydration.
The food contains sunflower oil, a source of omega fatty acids. But cats, as obligate carnivores, can’t efficiently convert linoleic acid (LA, Omega-6) from plant oils into arachidonic acid (ARA, Omega-6). Therefore, fish oil would be a better choice than sunflower oil as it provides not only ARA but also other Omega-3 fatty acids. We would definitely recommend adding some variety with feeds that feature fish oils, duck, or innards. Another positive aspect is that the ingredient list does not hint towards using any kind of thickener, filler, or sugar. The smell is pretty neutral, and the texture looks like you’d expect from shredded chicken in broth. We’d love some filet pieces for tooth hygiene, though.
Declaration – why not be fully transparent?
The product’s ingredient list is clear, but unfortunately, there are no percentages so it’s hard for consumers to check for nutrient contents. Taurine and choline chloride, which are beneficial to cats’ health, are specifically mentioned. The lack of a fiber source might not be detrimental since cats need a high protein diet, but a small amount of fiber can aid in digestion. It’s also closer to the composition of natural prey which usually has a tiny amount of fiber in their stomachs.
Despite the feeding recommendation on the 2.8 oz. cans being a bit too low, everything seems in order and clear. The one on the 6 oz. can is in line with the daily needs of cats. The feeding recommendation on the 10-ounce can could be clearer. It says to feed 3/4 cans per day per 7 lbs body weight. It would be helpful to split up the groups of body weight into more parts and show a table. To have the cat owner calculate how much food to give your cat is a bit much. The amount recommended is totally fine. But the note to always have fresh water available for your cat and whether this is a complete or supplementary feed is missing.
3. Nutritional levels and balance – On target for a wet food
The minimum crude protein content is 16%, which is suitable for cats. The fat content of 2.6% is reasonable, and there’s lots of moisture for our feline desert descendants. The NFE content is very low with approx. under 1%. There’s 1% of taurine in the dry mass which is more than enough. Unfortunately, none of the amounts of additives for trace elements are disclosed, which we’ll penalize. The same goes for the minerals – calcium and phosphorus should definitely be disclosed because how much of those and how big their ratio is is very important for balanced cat food. And, sadly, the amounts of vitamin supplements are not mentioned either, which, again, makes Tiki Cat Luau lose a point. Lastly, the disclosure of whether their food is cooked separately is not provided. However, given the absence of vegetable content, there is not much to separate.
4. Consumer transparency – little information
We found some content on Tiki’s website that raised questions about their communication. They mention “minimally processed” food but do not directly state that their food falls into this category. Instead, they explain what that means: “Natural nutrients in the ingredients are retained throughout the preparation process”, and then just say “you can usually tell if the product is high quality and minimally processed. See Tiki Pet’s food for yourself below”1. They then included a video on the same page – a video that has been set to private – leaving open whether or not their products are manufactured in this way that preserves nutrients.
On their FAQ page, they write “Chicken Luau contains natural flavors from Salmon and Chicken”2. Yet, no flavor is listed in the ingredients on the Succulent Chicken Luau can label. This discrepancy leaves us wondering if this is the product they were referring to. To date, we have not come across any other “chicken-only” recipe-based feeds from Tiki Cat.
We deduct one point for the inconsistencies in the provided information and the questionable communication regarding the manufacturing process. Apart from these concerns, we found no other issues to raise.
Tiki Cat Succulent Chicken Luau – a mixed picture
Supporting shelters, but lacking animal protection efforts
We found Tiki Pets made a food donation worth $ 750,000 of food to U.S shelters in 2020.3 However, we were unable to find any evidence of sponsorships, voluntary work, or community engagement from the brand. The lack of information regarding the living conditions of animals used in Tiki Cat’s food raises some concerns, as transparency in this area is typically an indicator of responsible sourcing.
One aspect of Tiki Cat that we find concerning is their inclusion of a lamb variant. We believe that every animal, even those used for food, should grow up in favorable living conditions. We were unable to find a definitive statement from Tiki Pets regarding their stance on animal testing. This is a matter of concern for us. Lastly, it is worth mentioning that tin cans are predominantly recyclable.
Claims of Sustainable Fish Sourcing
The brand claims that the “raw materials” they use are sourced from sustainable origins. According to their statements, Thailand, where its fisheries are located, is recognized for its robust fishing industry and stringent regulations. They assert that their fisheries are members of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) and actively support initiatives to protect marine environments from pollution and damage. Tiki Cat states that their fisheries hold certification from the International Dolphin Conservation Program. Although it should be noted that this certification specifically applies to Tuna. They also assert that their methods prioritize the preservation of other species, including sea turtles.4
Ambiguity in Size and Organizational Culture
In terms of the brand’s size, our research suggests that Tiki Pets has an employee count ranging from 11 to 50, although it appears to be part of Whitebridge Pet Brands, which employs between 200 and 500 people. We were unable to find any indications of an explicitly passionate team or a clear mission statement.
Price/performance – upper mid-range
Our 4 kg (8.8 lbs) neutered indoor cat needs 213 kcal per day which she will get from 268 grams (9.5 ounces) of this feed a day, costing $ 4.47 a day.
At the time of our review, there were only two options of this variant available on Amazon.com, which were a pack of 12 2.8-ounce cans and a pack of four 10-ounce cans. The bigger cans are much cheaper, costing $ 0.47 / ounce ($ 7.52 / lbs while the small cans cost $ 0.71 per ounce ($ 11.36 / lbs). On the best sellers page on Amazon wet cat food ranks from $ 0.12 per ounce (Friskies) to 0.92 per ounce (Purina). The slightly higher cost of this product can be justified when considering that many other U.S.-based brands incorporate fillers, starch, meals, and higher levels of carbohydrates into their products.
Tiki Cat Succulent Chicken Luau – Conclusion
Tiki Cat Luau Shredded Meat, Succulent Chicken Recipe in Chicken Consumme seems to provide high-quality animal protein and a beneficial moisture content for hydration. Transparency in terms of ingredients and nutritional information is commendable. The lack of Omega-3 fatty acids suited for obligate carnivors and the ambiguity of meat sources and living conditions of animals are areas for improvement. We recommend mixing different brands to make sure to feed your cat in a balanced way. As always, it’s advisable to consult with a vet for feeding guidelines tailored to your cat’s specific needs.
As part of our test of the mentioned cat food brand, we have reached out to the company to obtain more detailed information about their products. We will update this post as soon as we have additional information.
Our food tests are created independently and are not commissioned by the manufacturers. In order to still be able to feed our own cats, we use partner or affiliate links where we earn from qualified sales. We use the income to be able to continue to present you with up-to-date information of the best quality.
