Untamed Cat Food Review (Tried and Tested)
- Rachel
- 2 days ago
- 12 min read
This is an honest review of a free product. Sponsored by Untamed.
In this article:
About the Brand
Any discerning cat parent will have noticed that leaders in the pet food industry have found a cheaper way of filling cats' bellies, which means less meat and more junk. It's no coincidence that the market for prescription diets has also increased since the mass introduction of fillers like grains and vegetables - from gut problems and allergies to serious health conditions.
What if this could be solved by better quality, species-appropriate food?
As the name suggests, Untamed prides itself on creating food that cats will "go wild for". Just like their ancestors, domestic cats are obligate carnivores and require specific nutrients that only meat can provide. Untamed does exactly this, delivering recipes with real, human-grade meat that's packed with the nutrients that your little predator would eat in the wild.
One founder of the UK-based brand experienced first-hand the consequences of sub-par food after their own cat fell ill, and so Untamed was born. A small, independent but passionate team co-founded by owners, Ben, Lenny and Marco. Since then, Untamed has served more than 60 million meals to cats nationwide.
The company sent me some free samples of their wet cat food range, without knowing that Drax already has a secret addiction to their Wild Tuna in Jelly! Read on to find out how it went down with the other important tester cats.
You can buy Untamed direct from the brand's website on a subscription basis, which includes a personalised meal plan based on your cat's age, build, preferences and any allergies. The cost will depend on your meal plan. The price for a cat eating 2 tins per day is currently around £2 - and the more you order, the better the prices get.
Untamed cat food is also available in select supermarkets across the UK.
What Can I Expect from Untamed Cat Food?
There are a few things that make Untamed stand out from your average commercial food - and in the healthiest of ways. Let's see how it compares in the table below.
Untamed | Other Food |
✓ Fresh, whole meat and wild fish. | ✕ Unknown animal derivatives and by-products. |
✓ Human-grade ingredients. | ✕ Low-quality scraps. |
✓ Cooked low and slow to preserve nutrients and vitamins. | ✕ Heavily processed under extreme temperatures. |
✓ Grain-free. | ✕ Cheap grains and plant fillers. |
✓ No added sugar, artificial preservatives or colourants. | ✕ Frequently contain added sugars, artificial preservatives and colourants. |
Untamed claims that 87% of their customers see health improvements in their cats after feeding. These include:
Healthy skin and shiny fur due to appropriate protein and omega-3 fatty acids.
Better gut health and a less stinky litterbox from a high-protein, low-carb diet.
Natural weight control with food that cats can effectively metabolise, with no empty calories.
Untamed only uses human-quality meat in their recipes that's gently cooked - no meat meal, mysterious "by-products" or overly processed mush. Ingredients are sourced locally wherever possible.
As far as tinned cat food goes, it's amongst the closest resemblance to human food that I've seen. This already puts it into the category of food that I'm excited to share.
Wet Food
Overview
Untamed wet food range for adult cats is designed to suit cats' individual preferences with a variety of flavours and textures to choose from. The gravy and pâté meals are complete, while the jelly and broth recipes are complimentary (to be offered as a snack or treat).
Main benefits:
Packed full of nourishing muscle meat and offal (the good by-products like organs).
Contains twice as much protein as some supermarket brands.
Human-quality whole cuts of named meat only.
Flavours
Flavour options for gravy:
Chicken Breast
Chicken Breast with Ham
Chicken Breast with Beef
Ocean-fresh Fish
Wild Tuna
Wild Tuna with Salmon
Shrimp Topped Tuna
Flavour options for pâté:
Chicken breast
Wild Tuna
Wild Salmon
Flavour options for jelly:
Chicken Breast
Chicken Breast with Duck
Chicken Breast with Beef
Wild Tuna
Wild Tuna with Salmon
Ocean-fresh Fish
Shrimp Topped Tuna
Flavour options for broth:
Chicken Breast with Red Tuna
Chicken breast with Smoked Tuna.
I received a selection of gravy and jelly recipes, as well as both broths. Let's take a closer look at some of the ingredients.
Chicken Breast with Ham in Gravy (Complete)
Delicious chicken with rich, sweet-smokey ham slices steamed and simmered in its own nutrient-rich juices.
Ingredients:
Chicken breast 58%, Chicken broth 33%, Ham 5%, Sunflower oil, Tapioca 1%, Vitamins & Minerals.
More
NUTRITIONAL ADDITIVES (per kg): Vitamin A 10,536 IU, Vitamin D3 494 IU, Vitamin E 165 mg, Taurine 461 mg, Zinc Sulphate 132 mg, Iron Sulphate 48 mg, Copper Sulphate 7.9 mg, Manganese Sulphate 6.6 mg, Potassium Iodide 0.7 mg, Tricalcium Phosphate 5,207 mg Calcium Carbonate 1,736 mg.
91.8 kcal per 100g
Analytical Constituents | Dry Matter Basis |
Protein: 16.5% | Protein: 75% |
Fat: 2.5% | Fat: 11.36 |
Fibre: 0.5% | Fibre: 2.27% |
Ash: 2% | Ash: 9.09% |
Moisture: 78% | Carbohydrates: 2.27% |
*DMB = Percentages with moisture removed.
Review
The first thing I look for on a cat food label is a short, transparent ingredients list with high amounts of animal protein - and this is exactly what you're getting with Untamed. The bulk of the food is fresh chicken breast, and with 75% protein (DMB) you can say goodbye to grains and greens. Carbohydrates are minimal, as they should be!
Ham is added as a tasty topper in just the right amount. While store-bought or deli ham is a strict no-no for cats due to high salt and fat contents, you don't have to worry about all of the unnecessary additives and processing with Untamed. There's enough to add flavour but not to overpower.
In fact, it's not until you open the tin and see the food for yourself that you realise there's no need for pet food to be blasted under such extreme temperatures that it turns to sloppy, chewy mush. The chicken looks like chicken, ham looks like ham, and it doesn't stink of you know what. For me, this is the most impressive thing about Untamed.
The fat content is a little lower than similar brands, which likely explains the use of sunflower oil in the complete recipes. While sunflower oil provides essential fatty acids, I'd prefer to see an animal-based fat source, since plant and seed oils can cause inflammation in excess. Tapioca is usually added as a thickening agent.
There doesn't appear to be a lot of offal in Untamed recipes - only the Chicken Breast in Gravy and Chicken Pâté are labelled as containing chicken liver. This doesn't mean they're lacking in nutrients, since 96% of the food is animal based; but as a personal preference, I do like to see some organ meats thrown in.
Tester's Verdict
My niece and nephew were most excited by their Chicken Breast with Ham - so much so that they'd have readily eaten it out of the tin. The other flavours were devoured with no leftovers or tummy upsets afterwards.
Unlike his cousins, Drax is a very particular boy and switching brands is no easy task. I'd already been giving him the tuna-based meals as a weekly treat because he's on a urinary diet but loves tuna. So as not to feel left out, I offered him the Ocean-fresh Fish expecting it to be ignored. To my surprise, he dived straight into the bowl!
Trying to tempt him with the meaty flavours was more challenging, but he did have a few nibbles which is a start. All of the fishy meals were approved without any persuasion from me.
Wild Tuna with Salmon in Jelly (Complementary)
Silky slivers of salmon in juicy tuna flakes served in moisture-rich jelly.
Ingredients:
Tuna whole meat 55%, Fish broth 37%, Salmon 5%, Tapioca 1%.
More
NUTRITIONAL ADDITIVES (per kg): Vitamin E 150 mg, Taurine 380 mg.
66 kcal per 100g
Analytical Constituents | Dry Matter Basis |
Protein: 16% | Protein: 84.21% |
Fat: 0.8% | Fat: 4.2% |
Fibre: 0.5% | Fibre: 2.63% |
Ash: 2% | Ash: 10.52% |
Moisture: 81% | Carbohydrates: 0% |
Review
The Wild Tuna with Salmon contains slightly more protein than the gravy recipe at 84.21% DMB, which is almost unheard of for tinned food. The ingredients are short and simple - fish, broth and a small amount of tapioca for thickening. The jelly itself is light with a smooth consistency.
This meal contains a tiny amount of fat, but the jelly recipes are for complimentary feeding only so it's not much of an issue. I always say if it looks good enough for human consumption then it's good enough for my cats, and if you were to place this food next to a tin of tuna, you'd hardly notice the difference.
Yes, that includes the smell - which, again, doesn't make you want to peg your nose like a lot of fishy cat foods. If you're fed up of your cat's stinky litterbox then you should take a closer look at what you're feeding them.
Tester's Verdict
Drax took to the Wild Tuna and Salmon just as well as the other fishy flavours, and his bowl was always licked clean. I suspect he prefers jelly over the gravy meals because he scoffs them faster, but remember that these are for complimentary feeding only.
Nobby and Kit were also fans of the jelly recipes, leaving nothing to waste.
Chicken Breast with Red Tuna in Broth (Complementary)
This flavour-packed broth pairs tender cuts of chicken breast with rich red tuna for a deep, meaty hit.
Ingredients:
Chicken Breast (56%), Broth (38%), Red Tuna (2%), Tapioca, Seaweed, Yeast (source of prebiotic MOS), Chicory root (source of prebiotic inulin).
More:
NUTRITIONAL ADDITIVES (per kg): Vitamin E 100mg, Taurine 400mg, Zinc (Zinc sulphate, heptahydrate) 200mg.
77.63 kcal per 100g
Analytical Constituents | Dry Matter Basis |
Protein: 18% | Protein: 90% |
Fat: 0.1% | Fat: 0.12% |
Fibre: 0.5% | Fibre: 2.5% |
Ash: 2% | Ash: 10% |
Moisture: 80% | Carbohydrates: 0% |
Review
As another complimentary food that's almost pure protein (90% DMB) and virtually zero carbohydrates, you can rest assured that your cat is getting a healthy, juicy snack with this mouth-watering chicken and tuna broth. It contains a small amount of plant matter, including seaweed, for extra nutrients, fibre and gut health. These are not fillers - even wild cats would get some vegetation from the stomachs of their prey.
The meat is of the same quality as the complete foods, shredded into finer pieces with a small (2%) tuna topping. If you're introducing your cats to Untamed and they're put off by the texture, the broth is a good starting point as a tempting treat.
Tester's Verdict
Both flavour broths had a 100% approval rate across all testers, especially Nobby who went mad for it.
While Drax wasn't completely taken by the meaty meals in gravy or jelly, I offered him some of this broth in the hopes that the smell of tuna would be enough to tempt him. To my amazement, he slowly but surely polished off the entire tin.
I'm not sure if he thought he was eating fish rather than chicken but, nevertheless, it's a rare occurrence for my fussy feline. As much as he likes other meats, he always knows when I try to sneak in something different to his usual food!
If your cat loves fish then, again, the broth may be ideal for transitioning them to the meatier flavours.
Dry Food
Overview
Untamed complete and balanced dry food for adult cats provides the ideal amount of protein, fat and nutrients to keep your cat nourished. It's perfect for grazing between Untamed tins or alongside a fresh bowl of water.
Dry food is available in 800g and 2kg bags with a choice of poultry or fish flavours.
Benefits:
High meat content with 77% animal-based ingredients.
Salmon oil for healthy skin and coat.
Contains pre and postbiotics, vitamins and micronutrients.
I haven't tried this dry food so can't give it the tester's approval, but it compares well to similar brands. The chicken kibble has a high amount of animal-based protein, including chicken liver, which is rare to see; and a moderate fat content.
Carbohydrates are 20.21% DMB, with the bulk coming from potatoes - as is standard in grain-free kibble. This is a little higher than we'd like, but still much lower than many leading brands that are more plant than animal based. You could have the best quality veggies on the planet going into your food, but it's pretty redundant for an obligate carnivore.
I've included the ingredients and analytical constituents below for reference.
Poultry Packed Coated Kibble
77% chicken and duck dusted in a scrumptious freeze-dried chicken coating.
Ingredients:
Chicken (60%), Potato, Chicken Fat (9%), Duck (4%), Chicken Liver (3.5%), Beet Pulp, Linseed, Freeze Dried Chicken (1%), Minerals, Yeast (0.8%, a natural source of MOS and beta-glucans), Salmon Oil, Dried Chicory (0.5%, a natural source of FOS and Inulin), Joint Support Blend (Glucosamine hydrochloride) (0.01%). Chondroitin sulphate (0.01%), Herbs, Yucca.
Analytical Constituents | Dry Matter Basis |
Protein: 43% | Protein: 45.74% |
Fat: 23% | Fat: 24.46% |
Fibre: 1% | Fibre: 1.06% |
Ash: 8% | Ash: 8.51% |
Moisture: 6% | Carbohydrates: 20.21% |
Treats
Overview
Untamed offers two varieties of treats: lickable and freeze-dried.
Lickable
Nutritious purée loaded with high quality cuts of human-grade meat or fish, with natural flavourings and no hidden nasties. Lickables are a great way to bond with your cat while satisfying their killer instincts between meals.
Flavours include:
Salmon; Tuna; Chicken; Chicken Hairball Helper
Freeze-Dried
100% natural treats are made with freeze-dried chicken or fish to lock in the good stuff - no other ingredients or additives. Yes, it's really that simple!
Flavours include:
Fresh Chicken; Fresh Salmon
Untamed treats are a great healthy snack, particularly for kitties that are susceptible to allergies. You can't get much better than pure meat!
Final Thoughts
The high-meat content of Untamed cat food speaks for itself, and it's a good low-fat option for kitties that are watching their waistlines. What sets it apart from other brands, for me, is the gentle processing methods (in fact, I'd use the word "cooked" rather than "processed". There's no unidentifiable mush, no gloopy jellies or pools of synthetic-looking gravy. It's just a step down from fresh pet food companies that are delivered chilled or frozen.
Lots of cat food manufacturers claim to use human-grade meat, but here you can physically see and smell the quality - if I wasn't vegetarian, I'd be tempted to eat it myself. This might cause an initial aversion for cats that are used to eating overly-processed junk, since it's very different in texture and smell. Cats lead with their noses, and most commercial foods are designed to appeal to that with artificial enhancers.
Yuck.
For picky eaters, there's a good choice of texture options but the flavours are limited, since chicken or fish are the primary protein sources - and not all meals are complete. This excludes cats that prefer meat like beef, turkey and lamb; as well as those that are allergic to chicken or fish.
Personally, I wouldn't feed my cats a fish-only diet due to it being high in magnesium and phosphorus. Having a kitty with urinary issues, I've become more cautious about anything that increases the risk of bladder stones. Tuna has a higher risk of toxins from environmental pollution; however, Untamed does state that they only use younger species like skipjack tuna, which are classified as low-mercury fish.
Information on the sourcing of ingredients is limited on the website, and the brand could do more to push their story. It's not always necessary, but many pet parents invest in the brand before they'll invest in the food. With the amount of sub-par labels and junk food cluttering up the shelves, I'd like to see more high-quality, independent companies get the attention they deserve.
Overall, Untamed is a worthy investment for healthier cats - if you can afford it. Some of the wet food is available in supermarkets if you're not ready to commit to a subscription. Perhaps we'll see more flavour options in the future to satisfy the pickier palates.
Ethics and Sustainability
Untamed is a B Corp-certified company and rated by the Good Shopping Guide as one of the top 200 ethical businesses in the UK. All meat and fish is sustainably sourced and ethically farmed, and the brand is opposed to animal testing. Packaging is made from 100% recyclable tins and cardboard.
By purchasing this food, you're supporting sustainable practices that will help to preserve the planet for future generations.
Customer Feedback
At the time of writing this, Untamed has a rating of 4.7 / 5 stars on Trustpilot. This represents a great experience amongst pets and owners alike.
Positive feedback includes:
Quality food with natural ingredients and no rubbish.
Wide variety of textures.
Easy to subscribe and order.
Prompt customer service.
There appears to be minimal adverse reactions to this food, but some cats may take a while to get used to the new textures and flavours. Some feel that it's too expensive and would like more options to manage their subscriptions and included meals. The company may benefit from a loyalty scheme to keep customers coming back.
When it comes to Untamed, you get what you pay for. If budget is an issue, you can lower costs by feeding alongside a cheaper wet food or adding a complementary Untamed meal into your cat's diet.
Head over to the Untamed website to browse their range of delicious cat food and start your trial box now.
Have you tried this brand? Did your kitties approve? Share your experiences and feedback in the comments.
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