Last updated Jun 23, 2026
Amy Brown-Towry / Cats.com
We took a close look at this PetSmart‑exclusive brand to understand where Authority cat food is made and whether it offers safe, nutritionally sound options for cats. Below, you’ll find our unbiased, in‑depth review of Authority’s wet and dry foods, including ingredient quality, species‑appropriateness, pricing, and overall value.
The Cats.com Standard—Rating Authority on What Matters
We’ve analyzed Authority and graded it according to the Cats.com standard, evaluating the brand on species-appropriateness, ingredient quality, product variety, price, customer experience, and recall history. Here’s how it rates in each of these six key areas.
Ratings
- Species-Appropriateness – 6/10
- Ingredient Quality – 7/10
- Product Variety – 7/10
- Price – 9/10
- Customer Experience – 7/10
- Recall History – 6/10
Overall Score: 7/10
We give Authority a 42 out of 60 rating or an B grade.
About Authority
Authority is a private‑label pet food brand created exclusively for PetSmart, the U.S.‑based pet retail chain founded in 1986. Today, PetSmart is the largest specialty pet retailer in North America, with more than 1,500 store locations across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
PetSmart introduced the Authority brand in 1995 as its science‑focused, veterinarian‑influenced line of pet nutrition. Authority sits in the middle of PetSmart’s store-brand foods, being more thoughtfully formulated than the budget-tier Great Choice but not as “natural” or boutique-leaning as Simply Nourish.
Authority is a store‑brand alternative to Hill’s Science Diet, which is straightforward, functional, and designed to appeal to pet parents who want practical, research‑backed nutrition without premium pricing.
Sourcing and Manufacturing
Authority states that all of its cat food products are made in the United States using a combination of domestic and imported ingredients. While the brand does not publicly disclose its manufacturing partners, available information suggests that Authority relies on multiple U.S.-based co-manufacturers.
A 2016 news report indicated that at least some Authority products were produced by American Nutrition, Inc. (now part of Alphia) at their facility in Ogden, Utah. Because Authority uses several manufacturing partners, production may vary by recipe and product type.
Although PetSmart does not provide detailed sourcing transparency, the brand’s long recall‑free history since 2007 suggests stable manufacturing oversight and consistent quality control.
Has Authority Cat Food Been Recalled?
Authority cat food has been recalled once, in March 2007, during the widespread melamine contamination crisis that affected dozens of pet food brands across North America. Like many companies at the time, Authority’s manufacturing partner had unknowingly received melamine‑tainted ingredients from China, prompting a voluntary recall of several cat and dog food varieties.
This 2007 incident is the only recall in the brand’s nearly 30‑year history. Authority has not experienced any recalls or major safety issues in the last 15+ years, suggesting a stable manufacturing process and consistent quality control.
What Kinds of Cat Food Does Authority Offer?
Amy Brown-Towry / Cats.com
Authority offers around 50 different cat food recipes, including both dry and wet formulas. The brand covers traditional life‑stage nutrition as well as targeted health needs such as weight management, digestion, and hairball control. While most Authority foods are grain‑inclusive, the brand also offers a small selection of grain‑free options.
Here’s a breakdown of their main product lines:
Everyday Wellness
This is Authority’s largest and most recognizable line. It includes:
- Kitten, adult, and senior formulas
- Indoor‑specific recipes
- Both wet and dry options
These foods focus on balanced daily nutrition for general health.
Grain‑Free
Authority’s grain‑free line removes:
- Corn
- Wheat
- Soy
- All other grain‑based ingredients
Most of the grain‑free selection is wet food, with only a few dry options.
Advanced Wellness
This line targets specific health concerns, including:
- Hairball control
- Weight management
- Skin & coat health
- Digestive support
These formulas are available in both wet and dry varieties and are designed for cats with particular dietary needs.
Most Authority recipes include grains such as rice or brewer’s rice. Their grain‑free offerings are more limited and primarily found in the canned food lineup.
Authority Cat Food – Top 3 Recipes Reviewed
| Product Name | Food Type | Price | Our Grade |
| Authority Everyday Health Indoor Cat Dry Food – Chicken & Rice, With-Grain | Dry | $2.39 per lb | C |
| Authority Everyday Health Indoor Cat Dry Food – Chicken, Rice, & Turkey with Grain | Dry | $0.21 per lb | C+ |
| Authority Everyday Health Indoor Cat Chicken Entree Wet Food | Wet | $0.16 per oz | A- |
#1 Authority Everyday Health Indoor Cat Dry Food – Chicken & Rice, With Grain
Authority Everyday Health Indoor Chicken & Rice is formulated for adult indoor cats and focuses on two common issues: hairballs and weight management. The recipe uses a blend of animal and plant‑based proteins, added fiber, and moderate calories to help indoor cats maintain a healthy weight while reducing hairball formation.
Amy Brown-Towry / Cats.com
Amy Brown-Towry / Cats.com
Amy Brown-Towry / Cats.com
The first two ingredients (deboned chicken and chicken meal) provide the primary animal‑based protein. After that, the formula shifts toward plant-derived proteins and carbohydrates, including corn protein concentrate, ground corn, and brewers rice. These ingredients increase the total protein percentage but are less biologically appropriate for obligate carnivores.
To support hairball control and digestive health, the recipe includes powdered cellulose and dried beet pulp, both common fiber sources in indoor and weight‑control formulas. While fiber can help move hair through the digestive tract and increase satiety, high‑fiber diets are not ideal for all cats and may reduce overall digestibility.
This recipe uses chicken fat as its primary fat source, which is a high‑quality, species‑appropriate ingredient. A small amount of fish oil appears later in the list, contributing omega‑3 fatty acids. The formula is fortified with vitamins, minerals, taurine, and L‑carnitine, an amino acid sometimes used in weight‑management diets to support fat metabolism.
Overall, this recipe offers moderate protein, low fat, and high carbohydrates, making it more suitable for calorie restriction than for meeting the nutritional needs of a carnivore. While it may help with weight control and hairballs, a high‑moisture, high‑protein wet diet is generally a more species‑appropriate approach for weight loss.
Calorie Content (ME): 3,548 kcal/kg (≈363 kcal/cup)
Ingredients
Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brewers Rice, Corn Protein Concentrate, Ground Corn, Powdered Cellulose, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Beet Pulp, Natural Flavor, Fish Oil, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Salt, DL‑Methionine, Taurine, L‑Carnitine, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, d‑Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin), Minerals (Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Mixed Tocopherols (preservative), Rosemary Extract.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Deboned chicken and chicken meal provide animal-based protein
- Contains chicken fat, a high‑quality, species‑appropriate fat source
- Includes L‑carnitine for weight management
- Added fiber may help reduce hairballs
- Free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
- More affordable than many specialty indoor/weight‑control foods
What We Didn’t Like:
- High carbohydrate content, not ideal for carnivores
- Relies on corn protein concentrate and ground corn
- Brewers rice is a low‑value filler
- High fiber may reduce digestibility for some cats
- Dry food does not provide the moisture cats need for urinary health
#2 Authority Everyday Health All Life Stages Dry Cat Food – Chicken, Rice & Turkey, With Grain
Authority Everyday Health All Life Stages – Chicken, Rice & Turkey is formulated to meet the nutritional needs of cats at any life stage, from kittens to adults to seniors. Like other foods in the Everyday Health line, it uses a blend of animal proteins, grains, and added nutrients to support overall wellness.
Amy Brown-Towry / Cats.com
Amy Brown-Towry / Cats.com
Amy Brown-Towry / Cats.com
The first two ingredients (deboned chicken and chicken meal) provide the primary animal‑based protein. Turkey meal appears shortly after, giving this formula a more diverse protein profile than many budget-friendly dry foods. The recipe also includes dried egg product, another highly digestible, high‑quality protein source.
After the animal proteins, the formula shifts toward plant‑based carbohydrates and plant proteins, including brewers’ rice, corn protein concentrate, and ground corn. These ingredients increase the total protein percentage but are less biologically appropriate for obligate carnivores. Brewer’s rice, in particular, is a low‑value grain by‑product that adds calories but little nutrition.
The recipe uses chicken fat as its primary fat source along with a small amount of salmon oil, which contributes omega‑3 fatty acids. The recipe contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. “Natural flavor” is included for palatability and is typically derived from hydrolyzed animal tissue.
Overall, this formula offers moderate protein, moderate fat, and high carbohydrates, making it a typical grain‑inclusive dry food. It’s nutritionally adequate and free from artificial additives but still plant‑heavy compared to more carnivore‑appropriate diets.
Calorie Content (ME): 3,763 kcal/kg (≈371 kcal/cup)
Ingredients
Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brewers Rice, Corn Protein Concentrate, Ground Corn, Turkey Meal, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Egg Product, Natural Flavor, Dried Beet Pulp, Fish Oil, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Salt, DL‑Methionine, Taurine, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, d‑Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin), Minerals (Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Mixed Tocopherols (preservative), and Rosemary Extract.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Multiple animal‑based proteins (chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, egg)
- Contains chicken fat and salmon oil, both high‑quality fats
- Free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
- Suitable for all life stages, including kittens
- More diverse protein sources than many budget dry foods
What We Didn’t Like:
- High carbohydrate content, typical of grain‑inclusive dry foods
- Brewers rice and corn ingredients add calories but low nutritional value
- Plant proteins inflate the protein percentage
#3 Authority Everyday Health Indoor Cat Chicken Entrée Wet Food (Paté)
Authority Everyday Health Chicken Entrée Paté is a meat-focused wet food that uses chicken as its primary protein source. The first ingredients, chicken, chicken broth, and chicken liver, provide a strong foundation of animal‑based protein and moisture, making this formula more species‑appropriate than most dry foods.
Amy Brown-Towry / Cats.com
Amy Brown-Towry / Cats.com
Amy Brown-Towry / Cats.com
This recipe also includes ocean whitefish, a broad term that can refer to several species of whitefish. Because the exact species isn’t identified, it’s difficult to assess mercury levels or nutritional specifics. Still, it contributes additional animal protein and flavor. Dried egg product appears later in the ingredient list, offering another highly digestible, high‑quality protein source.
Although this is primarily a meat‑based formula, it does contain brewers rice, a low‑value grain byproduct that adds bulk but little nutrition. The recipe also includes ground flaxseed, which provides plant‑based omega‑3s, and guar gum, a common thickener used in paté‑style foods. A small amount of brewer’s dried yeast appears as a natural source of B vitamins.
Overall, this formula delivers high protein, moderate fat, and low carbohydrates, making it a more carnivore‑appropriate option than many dry foods or mixed‑protein wet foods. Compared to budget grocery‑store patés, this Authority recipe is a step up: it uses clearly named meats instead of by‑products, avoids carrageenan, and contains no artificial colors or flavors.
Calorie Content (ME): 1,028 kcal/kg (≈160 kcal per 5.5‑oz can)
Ingredients
Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Ocean Whitefish, Brewers Rice, Dried Egg Product, Ground Flaxseed, Guar Gum, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, d‑Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin A Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin), Minerals (Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Brewer’s Dried Yeast, Fish Oil, Mixed Tocopherols (preservative), Rosemary Extract.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Rich in animal‑sourced protein (chicken, liver, whitefish, egg)
- Made with clearly named meats, not by‑products
- Contains a mix of muscle meat and organs
- Free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
- Uses guar gum instead of carrageenan
- Higher moisture content supports urinary health
What We Didn’t Like:
- Contains vaguely named ocean whitefish
- Includes brewers rice, a low‑value filler
- Slightly higher carbs than premium grain‑free patés
- Not ideal for cats with fish allergies
What Do Customers Think of Authority Cat Food?
Authority cat food receives mixed reviews. While limited, most of the reviews on PetSmart are positive. Customers say that both they and their cats enjoyed the food. Once you get beyond the retail reviews, however, you’ll read about a few negative experiences, including illness after eating Authority or pets who simply refused to eat it.
Here’s what a few Authority customers have to say about their experience.
Positive Reviews
“No issues whatsoever with my 2 cats. They have been on the Authority brand food since they were kittens” – Jess, reviewing Authority Everyday Health Indoor Cat Dry Food – Chicken & Rice, With-Grain
“I received this product for free from Influenster and Authority in exchange for my honest review. The Everyday Health Adult Cat Wet Food was loved by our cats Midnight and Biscuit. They loved the texture, the scent and the taste of it while I liked the quality of the ingredients. The packaging is gorgeous and very helpful to find because of it’s brightness. The price is reasonable, will be purchasing it again because my babies deserve the best! 100% Recommended.” – iamlua, reviewing Authority Everyday Health Indoor Cat Chicken Entree Wet Food
Negative Reviews
Switched to this food and it was the only one my cats would eat. Then they changed the packaging and, apparently, the food itself. The pieces are a darker color in this new bag than the old bag and my cats won’t eat it now. – Honey84, reviewing Authority Everyday Health Indoor Cat Dry Food – Chicken & Rice, With-Grain
“Approximately two days of opening the 23 lb. bag, it started to smell rancid. The cats quickly turned away from this food. The Irving store location has some of the most uncaring and rude associates as well.” – Private Human Being, reviewing Authority Everyday Health Indoor Cat Dry Food – Chicken & Rice, With-Grain
How Much Does Authority Cat Food Cost?
Authority is an inexpensive brand, especially compared to many specialty or premium diets. Across the product line, prices typically range from $0.17 to $0.27 per ounce, with dry food being the most economical option. Depending on whether you feed dry, wet, or a combination, the daily cost to feed a 10‑pound cat generally falls between $0.40 and $1.86 per day.
When compared to other brands, Authority dry food is priced similarly to PetSmart’s sister brand Simply Nourish, but Authority’s wet foods are noticeably cheaper. The canned formulas fall into the same budget‑friendly price tier as Fancy Feast and Friskies, making them an accessible option for cat parents who want a meat‑based wet food without paying premium prices.
Overall, Is Authority a Good Choice?
Authority can be a good choice, especially if you focus on their wet food formulas, which offer low carbohydrate content, clearly named animal proteins, and no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Their canned patés function like an upgraded version of budget classics such as Friskies or Fancy Feast, but with cleaner ingredient panels and more straightforward meat sourcing.
The dry foods are serviceable and a step above many grocery store kibbles at the same price point. They use named meats, avoid artificial additives, and include animal‑sourced fats. However, they remain plant‑heavy, high‑carbohydrate dry foods, which are less ideal for obligate carnivores.
One of Authority’s strengths is its safety record. The brand has not had a recall since 2007 and has avoided major controversies, suggesting a relatively stable and reliable manufacturing history.
Overall, Authority offers good value for the price, especially for cat parents seeking affordable wet food with straightforward ingredients. While the dry food is average, the wet formulas make Authority a solid, budget‑friendly option worth considering.
Where To Buy Authority Cat Food?
Authority is a PetSmart exclusive brand, which means it’s only available through PetSmart retail channels. You can purchase Authority cat food in PetSmart stores across North America or order it online through PetSmart.com, including their autoship program for recurring deliveries.
Because Authority is not sold through Amazon, Chewy, or independent pet retailers, PetSmart remains the sole source for both the wet and dry formulas.
After a few years of trying to find a canned cat food 2 of my cats would eat after 9 lives discontinued their tuna and sauce mine liked yout tuna gravy entree. I’d buy 2 cases at a time. You have changed it and again,my cats won’t eat it. You can’t explain that to a cat and I have a whole case of it. That’s $50.00 worth of cat food they won’t eat! I hope you change it back before these 2 13 year old cats die from disappointment!
Authority once marketed a Hairball & Weightnes Formula that is no longer available. My rescue kitties from Petsmart are so attached to the everyday formula I hesitate to change their diet. My one guy was a Petsmart rescue and my dog ignored him so we got a feral cat who is adopting well to his older brother and they have a great time together but they groom each other all the time. I haven’t seen a lot of ‘hairballs’. What do you suggest? and I do have plenty of water available that all three share is there an issue with this, my ‘pup’ is 11.
How do you find out the phosphorous content of their food? Especially the Hydration Support pouches? it says “All Life Stages” and I have 2 cats with renal disease who I’m having an incredibly hard time getting to eat k/d food.
Hi Laura, thank you for commenting! Unfortunately, the only way to get this information is through analytical testing or by contacting the company. From a listing on PetSmart, the Hydration Support with Real Chicken formula has a phosphorus level of approximately 0.46% on an as-fed basis and 1.82% on a dry matter basis.
Hey is authority safe for kittens? Thanks!
Yes! I would recommend choosing their formulations made for kittens.
A large bag of Authority Cat Food was given to us. Our cat loves it. Before she would get tired of other brands before she had finished the bag and would eat on our dogs dry food. She don’t even go to the dogs food now. The only problem is that it is so expensive and is only sold at PetSmart stores. But we will try to continue and buy Authority for her since she likes it so well. At least we don’t have any waste.
I recently bought another case of the Authority adult chicken entree cans for my cats and the ingredients have changed a lot! It now has beet pulp, powdered cellulose, ground flaxseed, inulin, cassia gum, and carrageenan! It is extremely sticky, thick like gum, and has an off putting color/smell. It used to look light, like chicken, and there was some clear gravy/juice in the can that they loved. Now, it’s brown, like crap, and super dry, sticky, and thick!. My cats refuse to eat it now, after months of lapping it up! I guess they couldn’t resist adding a bunch of fillers, stabilizers, and anti-caking ingredients. The cellulose is really concerning since it is known to cause diarrhea in humans and animals w/sensitive digestive issues, which one of my cats has. I read the ingredients only bc they refused to eat it twice. I’m glad I did bf he got sick by eating it. It is so disappointing that they changed the ingredients and didn’t tell their customers, again! I’ve had it w/this Pet Smart product. I’ll look for something w/o all the fillers.
I just noticed the exact same thing. I was buying Authority adult chicken entree canned food for my cats and they loved it. Just restocked and opened one of the new cans and it is a completely different product. It now looks and smells like “Friskies” canned cat food. But most concerning is the difference in the ingredient list. I called the phone number listed on the can and it takes you to PETSMART customer service and they were not able to provide any helpful information. It concerns me that they made these changes without clearly indicating “new recipe” on the packaging. Very disappointing.
What are your thoughts on carrageenan? I was thinking about switching my cat to this brand, but that ingredient stopped me in my tracks. It concerns me. Especially because if it’s degraded carrageenan, this wouldn’t be safe for consumption. I’m also generally concerned because I keep seeing reviews that this brand used to be great, but people claim the ingredients and quality has changed. Is your review of it up to date? It just seems like this may not be as good of a food as I had hoped.
Hi Morgan, can you please let me know where you saw Authority cat food containing carrageenan? I still haven’t seen it on any labels, and I get the impression that they contain guar gum instead. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help!
Well in your ingredients list above (for the wet cat food) it says carrageenan right in the list. So I’m not sure what you mean? Is your ingredients list not correct?
Morgan, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize. You’re right; the ingredient list here is incorrect, and I need to fix it.
Here’s the correct, and most recent, ingredient list:
Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Ocean Fish, Brewers Rice, Dried Egg Product, Guar Gum, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Menhaden Fish Oil, Taurine, Choline Chloride, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid), Brewers Dried Yeast, Minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Proteinate, Potassium Iodide, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite)
Thank you for pressing me on this, and I’m sorry for not checking properly!
Take care.
Hi Mallory,
So I just investigated into this a little further. It turns out, while this specific can of Authority cat food (chicken pate) doesn’t have carrageenan, others do. It looks like the pate ones don’t seem to have it, but the flaked in gravy ones all have it. That was from petsmart’s website.
Thanks for looking into it, Morgan! That helps a lot.
Just want to point out that your review says the chicken wet food doesn’t contain “carrageenan” but on Petsmart.com, under ingredients, there it is, “carrageenan” listed there. Any reason why you previously said it’s not in the ingredients list?
Hi Rosie, thanks for the heads up! I don’t think we’re looking at the same recipes—the chicken paté is free of carrageenan.
Hi! Has All About cats done a lab study for metals in the chicken pate? I’m just asking because it has some fish in it.
Thank you!
Hi Carol, thanks for the comment. Yes, we have, and interestingly, no heavy metals were detected. Hope this helps!
Authority canned cat food, including the Chicken Pate variety, is now completely gone (as are most all other Authority canned varieties) from Pet Smart shelves in Raleigh, Cary, Durham, and Wake Forest, NC. As well, it can no longer be found on Chewy.com! I contacted store managers and they said they can’t get the product and can’t get info from Authority re why or when it will be available again . . . just the usual vague dodges about supply chain problems. I contacted Pet Smart, Customer Service by email about the missing varieties I need and received an obviously robotic reply that apologized, gave no explanation and offered a 10% discount for the inconvience. I phoned Customer Service, described the emailed “nonanswer” and asked specifically if this product line was discontinued. Again, dodges and worthless advice to check all my local Pet Smart stores (20 mile radius) for availability. I already have done this on line and in person! There are so many inquiries coming In by phone that each store’s recorded message announces, up front, that their staff are currently too busy to check their shelves for product availability! Same result . . . wasted lots of time and gas only to find literally NO Authority canned regular variety foods on their shelves (just a few, scattered cans of Pumpkin or Kitten food). And no one can tell you why. Sadly, Authority is one of the few foods I’ve fed my cats recently that did not cause them to throw up or have health problems. I’m now desperately trying to find a safe alternative that they will actually eat. Just wish the company would honestly tell us what is going on and when/if these foods will be once again available.
Thank you for all of your efforts in learning more about what’s happening to Authority. We are aware of the shortages affecting Authority food and how difficult it is to get information on what’s happening or will happen in the future. Like you, I would hate to see this product disappear, as it is (or was) one of the best budget-friendly options out there. You might appreciate some of the recommendations in our article on the best cheap cat food.
Thank you . . . I’ll read your advice. Unlike many cat food review sites, yours does not appear to be biased towards sellIng a product or products from which you stand to profit, thereby undermining the credibility of the advice! Glad to have found this site!
I’m with Patricia, I’m running into the same problems locating any of the flavors and textures that check the boxes for both of my cats. There are several reasons I’ve fed them the Authority wet food for over 8 years now, and all of a sudden it’s unavailable and NOBODY can tell me why?!? Or if I’ll be able to buy it again in the future? Even PetSmart themselves can’t answer my questions…..seriously, it’s THEIR product, so WTF?
I’m so frustrated and I really appreciate any guidance or insight that could be found and shared here.
All six of my senior cats got cancer after consuming only authority canned cat foods for 1-2 years! Ive never had a cat get cancer before in over 50 years and many cats! And all digestive tract/intestinal cancers! I fed my dog their dry puppy food and it made him sick too but at least he didnt get cancer and die! Right after this happened to my pets, Authority completely redid their formulas and look, I wonder why? I wonder how many other animals died from this food but nobody realized it was the food that caused their cancers! I hope they finally discontinued this poisonous food and I sure wont ever buy anything made by or sold from Petsmart again!
I loved the chicken pate after i saw your review, but I’m not sure if you’ve seen. they changed the ingredients and it has way more cheap fillers now:
Rice Flour, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Ground Flaxseed, Brewers Dried Yeast
I wish they would’ve called out having a new formula or something, but I’m sure they’re trying to hide the cheap fillers… I’m very sad to see this option become like every other on the market.
Will be hoping you have more good budget recommendations in the future!
Oh no, that’s very concerning. We’ll update this piece to make sure everything is accurate.
Hi Amy, I understand your concern! I’ve looked into this and I think maybe you’re looking at the chicken pate indoor formula. The indoor formula does contain fillers like rice flour and dried plain beet pulp, but the Everyday Health chicken pate does not. In researching I found out that the recipe HAS changed a little bit for the hairball and weight control dry food. We’re updating the article to reflect the changes. Thanks for your help!
Should the wet cat food be refrigerated?
After you open a package of wet food, the contents should always be refrigerated. They can only sit out for a couple of hours.
Hi Mallory!
Love all you do and really trust your reviews.
Have you reviewed Pretty Please cat food? By the same company that makes Pretty Litter. My cat loves it, but I want to be sure it is as healthy as they tout it to be.
Thank you!
Great request! We will look into reviewing this brand soon.
This is now available in Canada, so you can update your site!
Thank you, Nikki. Updating now.
Either Authority changed the recipe on Chicken Entree Adult Pate since it was reviewed, or there is an error in the review. I’ve checked ingredient labels instore and online, and it does not contain Menhaden fish oil. Sad since it’s so much better than vegetable oil.
Hi Jan, thanks for mentioning this! According to my most recent check, the recipe mentioned here does still contain menhaden fish oil, but it may have been discontinued as well. This article is in need of an update to reflect recent changes in the Authority lineup.
I finally found the right food that works for my diabetic cat and now you don’t have it in stores or online. Its the Authority Advanced Wellness Sensitive Systems & Digestion Cat food-Ocean Fish & Sweet Potato. Item #5287615. Please, please tell me that this will be back in stock. I buy the 16# bag. My cat is back to having the same issues/diarrhea etc before I started this cat food. If there is some out there, I need to purchase to get my cat back on track.
Hello Sue, thanks for reaching out, and apologies for the late reply. This food does appear to be out of stock quite widely, but I would recommend contacting the company to determine whether or not it’s been permanently discontinued. They may be able to advise you on finding a similar product as well. Hope this helps.
chewy just told me that authority canned cat food has been ‘discontinued’ and they don’t sell it any more. petsmart.com still has it… but now i have to wonder if they only have it until they run out, like chewy says they did. did authority go out of business???
Hi there. That’s concerning—I’ve heard about the discontinuation on Chewy, but I don’t have all the details on what is happening. I’ll have to look into it and update this review.
My understanding is that the production of this cat food is due to covid situations and trucks behind in delivery. Wasn’t able to get the kind my cats eat but better now.
I was recently informed by Petsmart employees that Authority is doing some kind of food update/repackaging. They heard reason it is getting hard to find because they are shipping what they can to get rid of what they got in stores and mainly in Petsmart. Chewy is owned by Petsmart now so they should have it back in stock once the updates are complete with whatever they are doing to the product, I personally have been going into stores every 1-2 weeks and buying up 3-4 weeks of food or whatever I can since 3 of my cats eat Authority. I hope that helps =)
Thank you for sharing these findings!
I am loving your content!
What are your thoughts on the Authority Salmon Entree in Gravy?
better then the Chicken?
Thanks 🙂
Overall, this recipe looks a bit higher-carbohydrate than the chicken paté reviewed here. The flaked foods with gravy are, in general, a little bit more plant-heavy than their paté counterparts in this line. If your cat is comfortable with the smooth texture, I’d opt for the paté. They have an ocean fish and a catfish recipe, and these might be appealing to a fish lover’s taste buds. Hope this helps!
Hello I was excited to get a 20lb bag of cat and dog food from our local food bank. Not sure how it got there but my cat loves it. Hes excited. And a bag of dog food to. He really oves it . I will not be able to afford in future. My pets will be happy. Thank you
Hello!
So I am currently feeding my cat Dave’s wet food. It has a lot of vegetables and fruit—is it better to take the risk of mercury with the fish in this product or stick with the food that doesn’t have that problem but does have a bunch of vegetables?
Hello Cate. That’s a great question. Both of those issues are important and worth considering; it’s hard to say which has greater risks. Higher carbohydrate content increases your cat’s risk of diabetes, while the heavy metals and other contaminants potentially present in fish could potentially cause neurological issues (though we’ve not seen any confirmation that this does happen to cats who eat a fish-based diet). For now, you might consider alternating between the Authority and Dave’s cat food, giving your cat the benefits of both products. You might also want to consider some of the other options on our list of the best cheap cat food: https://cats.com/best-cheap-cat-food
Hello! When Ash is listed as n/a does that mean this product doesn’t contain it, or that there was no information available? Thanks!
Hi Laura, that’s a great question. It means that there was no information available. Most cat foods are between 3 and 8 percent ash on a dry matter basis.
My three cats wouldn’t eat it. They smelled it and walked away. I paid a lot for it because I feed them optimal nutrition. It doesn’t matter if it’s optimal when you put it in the trash can.
Hi Joanne,
Sorry to hear that your cats weren’t interested in Authority cat food. If you want to give it another shot, you might be able to entice your cats to eat the food by sprinkling on some highly-palatable toppers (crushed Temptations treats, bonito flakes, and liver powder all tend to work very well). Otherwise, it looks like you might have to look for a tastier alternative.
You might find something that works for you and your three cats on our list of the best cheap cat food on the market: https://cats.com/best-cheap-cat-food
Best,
Mallory
Another great topper for cat food is nutritional yeast (found in the human organic/natural section of grocery stores). It has a nice cheesy taste, is a great source of Vit B12, and is good for cats. My cat thinks it’s crack!
Is Authority tested on animals? If so, what kind of testing is done and how are the test animals treated?
Hi Beverly,
Good question. I contacted PetSmart to ask about whether or not Authority is tested on animals, but I wasn’t able to get a good answer for you. The representative said she didn’t have that information and couldn’t direct me to anyone who did.
Given that the company doesn’t play up NOT using animal testing, it’s likely that they use feeding trials to ensure nutritional adequacy. That doesn’t tell us whether those feeding trials were done in-home or in a lab or kennel setting, nor does it tell us anything about the way any test animals might be treated.
For now, we just don’t know the details—unfortunately.
Best,
Mallory