Steve's Real Food Quest Chicken Recipe Freeze-Dried Cat Food (10 oz)

Free-Range Chicken Prey Model Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food for All Life Stages

Product Description

Steve's Real Food Quest Chicken Recipe Freeze-Dried Cat Food provides a balanced raw diet for cats of all ages, made with 95% free-range chicken (muscle meat, liver, heart, neck) and 5% superfoods like raw goat's milk, salmon oil, chia seeds, kelp, and sesame seeds. Freeze-dried to retain nutrients and flavor, the bite-sized nuggets are easy to rehydrate and serve, offering a simple and nourishing raw feeding option.

Benefits

• 95% Free-Range Chicken, Organ & Bone: Made with responsibly sourced free-range chicken, chicken liver, chicken heart, and chicken necks raised without antibiotics, hormones, or preservatives — delivering lean, complete protein with a full amino acid profile cats need to thrive.
• Complete & Balanced for All Life Stages: Formulated to meet and exceed AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages, making it a suitable full daily diet for kittens, adults, and senior cats.
• Natural Taurine for Heart, Eye & Immune Health: Chicken is a natural source of taurine, an essential amino acid cats cannot synthesize adequately on their own — critical for maintaining healthy eyesight, heart function, and a strong immune system.
• Joint, Metabolism & Coat Support: High in manganese and magnesium to support ligament and joint health; salmon oil delivers omega-3 fatty acids for coat health, while the lean protein profile supports healthy body weight and metabolism.
• Convenient Freeze-Dried Raw Nuggets: Cold freeze-dried without cooking to preserve nutrients at their peak — shelf-stable, no refrigeration needed before opening, and easy to rehydrate in minutes with warm water, bone broth, or raw goat's milk.

Ingredients

Chicken, Chicken Liver, Chicken Necks, Chicken Gizzards, Goat's Milk, Premix (Potassium Chloride, Salt, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Taurine, Calcium Carbonate, Vitamin E Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Niacin Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement), Chia Seeds, Salmon Oil, Taurine, Mixed Tocopherols (For Freshness), Coconut Oil, New Zealand Green Lipped Mussels, Organic Dried Kelp, Choline Chloride, Rosemary Extract.

Guaranteed Analysis

How to Use

General Daily Feeding Guideline (approx. 2.5% of body weight):

Directions for Use

• Always Rehydrate Before Serving: Add ¾ cup of warm water per 1 cup of freeze-dried food, stir, and allow 5 minutes for the liquid to fully absorb before serving. Warm water, low-sodium bone broth, or raw goat's milk are all suitable rehydration liquids.
• Dry Nuggets as Treats Only: A few dry nuggets are acceptable as treats, but do not serve the full meal dry — unhydrated food absorbs moisture in the digestive tract and may cause dehydration, constipation, or discomfort in cats.
• Transition Gradually: Transition over 1 to 2 weeks by mixing increasing amounts of this food with your cat's current food, starting with 1 part Steve's to 3 parts old food and slowly adjusting the ratio.
• Refrigerate After Rehydrating: Once water has been added, any uneaten portion should be covered and refrigerated; consume within 3 days.
• Store Properly: Keep the bag sealed and stored in a cool, dark cupboard away from direct sunlight, moisture, and extreme temperature fluctuations; use within the shelf life indicated on the package.

Additional Information

Precautions

• Always Rehydrate Fully: Never serve the full daily meal portion dry — moisture is essential for feline digestion and urinary tract health; always rehydrate with warm water, broth, or goat's milk before serving as a meal.
• Consult Your Vet for Health Conditions: Cats with kidney disease, urinary tract issues, hyperthyroidism, or other chronic health conditions should only be transitioned to a raw diet under veterinary supervision.
• Monitor Caloric Intake: The chicken recipe is lower in fat than the beef variant — ensure cats receive a sufficient daily caloric intake of approximately 200 calories per day and adjust portion size if your cat loses or gains weight unexpectedly.
• Raw Meat Handling: Treat this product as you would any raw meat — wash hands, bowls, and surfaces thoroughly before and after each serving to reduce the risk of cross-contamination for humans.

Possible Side Effects

• Digestive Adjustment: Some cats may experience loose stools, mild vomiting, or temporary digestive upset during the first 1 to 2 weeks of transitioning to raw; a gradual transition significantly reduces the likelihood and severity of these symptoms.
• Detox Response: Cats transitioning from highly processed dry kibble may experience a brief period of adjustment with temporary changes in coat condition, stool quality, or energy levels as their body adapts to a biologically appropriate diet.
• Constipation if Fed Dry: Serving the full meal without rehydrating can dehydrate cats and cause digestive discomfort or constipation; always serve fully rehydrated as a meal.
• Food Sensitivity Reaction: Cats with known sensitivities to chicken, poultry, or dairy (goat's milk) may experience vomiting, skin irritation, itching, or digestive upset; discontinue use and consult a veterinarian if any adverse symptoms appear.
• Appetite Changes: Cats transitioning from kibble may be initially reluctant to accept the new texture and aroma of rehydrated raw food; warming the meal slightly and transitioning gradually typically improves acceptance over time.

Shipping & Returns

We offer ground, express, priority, and international delivery; see our shipping policy for details.

For return instructions or product concerns, please refer to our detailed refund policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Is this a complete and balanced meal for cats?

Ans: Yes, Steve's Quest Chicken Recipe is formulated to meet and exceed AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages. It is designed to serve as a cat's full daily diet and is appropriate for kittens, adults, and senior cats when fed in adequate daily amounts.

Q2: Where does the chicken in this recipe come from?

Ans: The chicken is sourced from a family-owned farm in the Pacific Northwest, where the chickens are free-range, certified organic, and raised with no added antibiotics, hormones, or preservatives. They are fed a vegetarian diet and have access to outdoor space year-round.

Q3: Must this freeze-dried food always be rehydrated before serving?

Ans: Yes. While offering a few dry nuggets as treats is acceptable, the full daily meal must always be fully rehydrated before serving. Unhydrated food absorbs moisture in the digestive tract, which can dehydrate cats and may lead to constipation or intestinal discomfort.

Q4: How do you rehydrate this freeze-dried chicken cat food?

Ans: Add ¾ cup of warm water per 1 cup of freeze-dried food, stir to ensure even coverage, and allow approximately 5 minutes for the liquid to absorb into the nuggets. Warm low-sodium bone broth or raw goat's milk are also excellent rehydration options that enhance palatability.

Q5: How much should a cat be fed daily?

Ans: A general starting guideline is approximately 2.5% of your cat's body weight per day, divided across two or more feedings. Use the feeding calculator at stevesrealfood.com/feeding-calculator for a personalized daily recommendation. Note that this recipe is lower in fat, so monitor body condition to ensure adequate caloric intake.

Q6: Is this recipe suitable for kittens?

Ans: Yes, Steve's Real Food confirms that feeding kittens raw from an early age is encouraged and aligns with their natural dietary needs. The chicken recipe is recommended as an easy-to-digest starting protein for young cats and kittens.

Q7: How does the chicken recipe differ from the beef recipe nutritionally?

Ans: The chicken recipe has a lower fat content (22% min vs. 37% min for beef) and fewer calories at 199 kcal/cup versus 233 kcal/cup for beef. This makes chicken a leaner option, though pet parents should monitor portion size to ensure sufficient daily caloric intake.

Q8: How long does an opened bag of this freeze-dried cat food stay fresh?

Ans: Once opened, the bag should be resealed tightly and stored in a cool, dark cupboard away from direct sunlight and moisture. The product has a typical unopened shelf life of approximately 18 months; consume within a reasonable timeframe following the best-by date on the package.