N&D [Natural & Delicious] Pumpkin – Venison & Apple is a grain-free, all-life-stages dry formula built around venison as the first ingredient to deliver high-quality animal protein for lean muscle support.

The recipe emphasizes animal-sourced protein, with venison and dehydrated venison leading, complemented by dehydrated pork, dehydrated chicken, whole eggs, herring, and hydrolyzed fish to provide a broad amino acid profile.

At 42% crude protein and 20% fat, it offers a high-protein, energy-dense nutritional profile suited for active cats and growth phases while also supporting maintenance in adult cats when portions are controlled.

Declared DHA at 0.50% and EPA at 0.30%, along with total omega-3 at 0.9% and omega-6 at 3.4%, support skin and coat health and help maintain a balanced inflammatory response.

Dried pumpkin, beet pulp, inulin, fructooligosaccharides, psyllium, and pea fiber contribute fermentable and bulking fibers that aid digestive regularity, stool quality, and beneficial gut microbiota.

The mineral profile—calcium 1.1%, phosphorus 0.9%, and magnesium 0.09%—provides controlled ash contributors (total ash 8.7%) to support balanced mineral intake and urinary tract wellness.

Taurine is present at a minimum of 0.40% (4,000 mg/kg), and DL-methionine is added, supporting essential amino acid requirements for heart, vision, and overall protein metabolism.

Natural antioxidants including vitamin E (600 mg/kg), vitamin C (300 mg/kg), green tea extract, rosemary extract, and tocopherol-rich preservatives help protect cells from oxidative stress and support ingredient freshness.

Carbohydrate sources rely on pea starch and sweet potatoes rather than grains, aligning with the product’s low-glycemic positioning and its stated exclusion of whole legumes or peas.

Herring oil, dried apple, blueberry, pomegranate, spinach, and turmeric add ancillary phytonutrients, while L-carnitine is included to assist fat metabolism.

Pros:

• High animal-protein focus: 42% crude protein with venison as the first ingredient and a stated 96% of protein from animal sources supports lean muscle and strong overall condition.

• Omega profile with DHA and EPA: DHA (0.50%) and EPA (0.30%), plus omega-3 (0.9%) and omega-6 (3.4%), help maintain skin/coat quality and healthy inflammatory balance.

• Digestive fiber and prebiotics: Pumpkin, beet pulp, inulin, FOS, psyllium, and pea fiber promote regular stools and support a beneficial gut microbiota.

• Controlled minerals: Calcium 1.1%, phosphorus 0.9%, and magnesium 0.09% help support a healthy urinary environment through balanced mineral intake.

• Taurine and methionine support: Taurine at 0.40% and added DL-methionine provide essential amino acids for heart, vision, and protein metabolism.

• Antioxidant fortification: Vitamin E (600 mg/kg), vitamin C (300 mg/kg), green tea extract, rosemary extract, and mixed tocopherols contribute oxidative protection.

Cons:

• Multiple animal proteins: Venison, pork, chicken, fish, eggs, and herring create a complex protein mix that may not suit cats needing limited-ingredient or single-protein diets.

• Energy-dense formulation: With 20% crude fat, the diet is rich and may require careful portion control for less active or overweight-prone cats.

• Moderate-to-high ash: Total ash at 8.7% may warrant caution for cats with known urinary or kidney sensitivities under veterinary care.

• Legume derivatives present: While it excludes whole legumes and peas, pea starch and pea fiber are used and contribute plant-derived carbohydrates.

• Modest fiber level: Crude fiber at 1.8% is relatively low and may be insufficient for hairball-prone cats needing higher fiber support.

• Calorie data not disclosed: Metabolizable energy (kcal) is not provided, making precise calorie-based feeding calculations more difficult.