Last updated Mar 3, 2026
Amy Brown-Towry / Cats.com
Solid Gold promises to unleash your pet’s “inner gold”, but is it a nutritious and safe choice for your cat? Find out in our unbiased Solid Gold cat food review.
The Cats.com Standard—Rating Solid Gold on What Matters
We’ve analyzed Solid Gold 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 – 7/10
- Ingredient Quality – 7/10
- Product Variety – 8/10
- Price – 6/10
- Customer Experience – 9/10
- Recall History – 5/10
Overall Score: 6.9/10
We give Solid Gold cat food a 42 out of 60 rating or a B grade.
About Solid Gold
Amy Brown-Towry / Cats.com
Solid Gold was founded in the 1970s by Sissy Harrington‑McGill, a competitive Great Dane handler who became fascinated by the differences she observed between dogs in the United States and those in Europe. While her American Great Danes typically lived seven to nine years, she noticed that German‑born dogs often lived several years longer. Convinced that diet played a significant role in this longevity gap, she set out to bring European‑style nutrition to the U.S. pet food market.
Her first formula, Hund‑N‑Flocken, German for “dog flakes,” reflected this inspiration. At the time, Solid Gold was one of the earliest brands to embrace a holistic approach to pet nutrition, incorporating what the company describes as carefully selected superfoods alongside high‑quality proteins.
Over the years, Solid Gold expanded its product line to include both dog and cat foods, offering grain‑free options, limited‑ingredient diets, and recipes enhanced with probiotics for digestive health. In recent years, the brand entered a new chapter when it was acquired by Health & Happiness Group International Holdings (H&H Group), marking the company’s first major move into the global pet food market.
Solid Gold currently continues to position itself as a holistic, superfood‑focused brand with an emphasis on digestive support, whole‑food ingredients, and a long history rooted in the pursuit of better pet health.
Sourcing and Manufacturing
Solid Gold sources ingredients from multiple countries, including pollock from Alaska, duck from France, and venison from Australia. Historically, the company has stated that it does not purchase ingredients from China, and their FAQ continues to reflect this position.
The company is headquartered near St. Louis, Missouri, but Solid Gold does not operate its own manufacturing facilities. It does partner with third‑party manufacturers and says it maintains strict oversight of sourcing and production.
All Solid Gold dry cat food is manufactured in the United States, primarily by Diamond Pet Foods, a large co‑packer that also produces food for several other brands. Most Solid Gold wet cat food is manufactured in Thailand, which is common for fish‑based and shredded wet foods.
There has been speculation that manufacturing partnerships could change over time since Solid Gold’s acquisition by H&H Group. However, most current information states that Solid Gold dry foods will continue to be made in the U.S., and their wet foods will continue to be produced in Thailand.
Has Solid Gold Cat Food Been Recalled?
Solid Gold has had one known recall, which occurred in 2012. Several varieties of Solid Gold dog food were recalled after their manufacturing partner, Diamond Pet Foods, detected salmonella contamination at their Gaston, South Carolina facility. No Solid Gold cat foods were included in the recall.
In 2018, Solid Gold faced a consumer lawsuit alleging that the company failed to disclose the presence of “heavy metals, chemicals, and/or toxins” in its foods. Independent third‑party testing did detect trace levels of heavy metals and BPA in certain Solid Gold products. However, according to reporting from Petful, all detected levels were below the maximum tolerable limits established by the FDA, and the lawsuit was dismissed.
As for the most up-to-date information available, Solid Gold has not had any additional recalls.
What Kinds of Cat Food Does Solid Gold Offer?
Solid Gold offers a wide variety of dry and wet cat foods, including recipes for kittens, adults, indoor cats, weight management, and sensitive digestion. Their formulas are built around a holistic philosophy and usually include a blend of animal protein, whole‑food ingredients, and added probiotics for digestive support.
The company frequently highlights the use of nutrient‑dense superfoods like pumpkin, cranberries, blueberries, kelp, and chia seeds, though the exact blend varies by recipe rather than following a fixed list.
Solid Gold’s wet food lineup emphasizes texture and includes pâtés, shreds, bisques, stews, and layered multi‑texture meals. Many recipes feature meat or fish as the first ingredient, though some dry formulas include plant ingredients earlier in the list than ideal for obligate carnivores.
Solid Gold avoids artificial preservatives and animal by‑products, and most recipes are free of carrageenan. Their foods are formulated to provide balanced nutrition with an emphasis on digestive health and whole‑food ingredients.
Solid Gold Cat Food – Top 3 Recipes Reviewed
| Product Name | Food Type | Price | Our Grade |
| Solid Gold Indigo Moon with Chicken & Eggs Grain-Free Dry Cat Food | Dry | $4.94 per lb | C+ |
| Solid Gold Weight‑Management Dry Cat Food | Dry | $3.45 per lb | C- |
| Solid Gold Five Oceans Shreds with Real Tuna in Gravy | Wet | $0.59 per oz | B |
#1 Solid Gold Indigo Moon with Chicken & Eggs Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
Chicken meal appears to be the primary protein source in this dry cat food. This high‑protein, grain‑free recipe remains one of Solid Gold’s most popular formulas, and customer reviews continue to highlight strong palatability and good digestibility.
Amy Brown-Towry / Cats.com
Amy Brown-Towry / Cats.com
Amy Brown-Towry / Cats.com
The kibble starts with chicken meal, a concentrated and protein‑dense ingredient. It’s followed by potatoes and peas, which provide carbohydrates and help give the kibble its structure. Canola oil appears early in the ingredient list as the primary added fat source. After these plant ingredients, the recipe includes additional animal‑derived proteins such as chicken, ocean fish meal, and dried eggs. Pea protein also appears further down the list, contributing supplemental plant‑based protein.
Like other Solid Gold dry foods, this recipe includes the brand’s signature blend of fruits, vegetables, and oils along with a full panel of added vitamins, minerals, and probiotics.
Overall, this is a meat‑forward dry food with high protein, moderate fat, and moderate carbohydrate content. While it contains more plant matter than ideal for obligate carnivores, it remains one of Solid Gold’s more animal‑focused kibble options.
There are 485 calories per cup of this dry cat food.
Ingredients
Chicken Meal, Potatoes, Canola Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Peas, Chicken, Ocean Fish Meal, Dried Eggs, Natural Flavors, Pea Protein, Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Dl‑Methionine, Salmon Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), L‑Carnitine, Dried Chicory Root, Carrots, Pumpkin, Apples, Cranberries, Blueberries, Broccoli, Parsley, Spearmint, Almond Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Sesame Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Kelp, Thyme, Lentils, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, L‑Ascorbyl‑2‑Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Sulfate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Manganese Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Folic Acid, Calcium Iodate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Rosemary Extract, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Salmon Oil
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Potatoes, Peas, Pea Protein, Canola Oil
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Primarily made from high-value animal protein sources
- Relatively high protein content
- Free of artificial additives
- Low carbohydrate content compared to other dry foods
Cons
- Contains multiple plant ingredients
- Fails to provide the hydration cats need
#2 Solid Gold Weight‑Management Dry Cat Food
Pollock appears to be the primary protein source in this dry cat food.
This is Solid Gold’s dedicated weight‑management formula, designed for overweight or less‑active adult cats. Compared to the Indigo Moon recipe, it contains significantly fewer calories per cup and a leaner macronutrient profile to support gradual, healthy weight loss.
Amy Brown-Towry / Cats.com
Amy Brown-Towry / Cats.com
Alaskan pollock is the first ingredient, providing a lean, low‑fat animal protein. It’s followed by peas, tapioca, and chickpeas. These plant ingredients contribute to the recipe’s higher carbohydrate content. Turkey meal and ocean fish meal appear next, adding concentrated animal protein, with chicken meal included further down the list as an additional rendered protein source.
Like many grain‑free weight‑control formulas, this recipe uses potatoes and pea‑derived ingredients to create structure and enhance satiety. Chicken fat and salmon oil supply essential fatty acids, while the overall fat level remains intentionally low to reduce calories. The recipe also includes Solid Gold’s signature blend of fruits, vegetables, and oils, ingredients the company markets as “superfoods,” along with added probiotics for digestive support.
Overall, this food has moderate protein, low fat, and high carbohydrate content, making it a standard grain‑free weight‑management kibble.
The food contains 330 calories per cup.
Ingredients
Pollock, Turkey Meal, Ocean Fish Meal, Peas, Tapioca, Chickpeas, Pea Fiber, Chicken Meal, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Potatoes, Natural Flavor, Dried Egg, Carrots, Potassium Chloride, Pumpkin, Blueberries, Cranberries, Salmon Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Choline Chloride, Calcium Sulfate, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L‑Ascorbyl‑2‑Polyphosphate [Source of Vitamin C], Niacin Supplement, d‑Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid), Taurine, Dried Chicory Root, Minerals (Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate), Rosemary Extract, Dried Bacillus coagulans Fermentation Product.
Ingredients We Liked: Pollock, Turkey Meal, Ocean Fish Meal, Salmon Oil
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Peas, Tapioca, Chickpeas, Pea Fiber, Potatoes
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Pollock is the first ingredient, offering a lean, low‑fat animal protein
- Turkey meal and ocean fish meal add additional concentrated animal protein
- Low fat supports weight loss
- Includes probiotics and whole‑food ingredients for digestive support
Cons
- High carbohydrate content
- Multiple plant ingredients early in the list
- Potatoes add additional starch
- Lower protein than ideal for weight‑loss diets
#3 Solid Gold Five Oceans Shreds with Real Tuna in Gravy
Tuna is the primary protein source in this wet cat food.
This Five Oceans shredded recipe is one of Solid Gold’s simpler wet foods, especially compared to their dry formulas that include long lists of fruits, vegetables, and oils. The food is primarily made from tuna, followed by water sufficient for processing. Tapioca starch is used as a thickener, and the recipe includes sunflower oil as the main added fat source. Carrots, pumpkin, and spinach contribute lesser amounts of fiber, color, and micronutrients.
Amy Brown-Towry / Cats.com
Amy Brown-Towry / Cats.com
The food is thickened with xanthan gum and supplemented with essential vitamins, minerals, and taurine to create a complete and balanced diet. While marketed as a shredded recipe, reviewers note that the texture can vary, with both shreds and small chunks of tuna in a light gravy.
Overall, this canned food is a meat‑based recipe with high protein, low fat, and low carbohydrate content, making it a species‑appropriate wet food.
There are 161 calories in each 6‑ounce can, or about 27 calories per ounce.
Ingredients
Tuna, Water Sufficient for Processing, Tapioca Starch, Sunflower Oil, Carrots, Pumpkin, Spinach, Canola Oil, Tricalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Taurine, Choline Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement.
Ingredients We Liked: Tuna (species‑appropriate animal protein), Sunflower oil (omega‑6 source), Pumpkin (digestive support)
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Tapioca starch (carb‑heavy thickener), Canola oil (less desirable fat source), Carrots & spinach (not harmful, but unnecessary for cats)
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Tuna is the first ingredient, providing high‑quality animal protein
- Extremely low carbohydrate content
- Very low fat, suitable for cats needing lean, high‑protein wet food
- Simple ingredient list compared to other Solid Gold recipes
Cons
- Tapioca starch as a thickener
- Sunflower and canola oil instead of fish‑based fats
- Tuna‑heavy diets can be high in mercury
- Not ideal for cats needing higher fat for energy or weight gain
What Do Customers Think of Solid Gold Cat Food?
Solid Gold has enjoyed a cult following since its creation in the 1970s. Most customers, whether second-generation buyers or new Solid Gold customers, praise the brand’s palatability and say their pets thrive on it.
Here are a few real customer reviews of Solid Gold cat food on Chewy:
Positive Reviews
“My girl has a sensitive tummy and is a little picky. she’s only stopped liking this food through 1 random week, but other than that has enjoyed it. i count this as a win!” -Kaleigh reviewing Solid Gold Indigo Moon with Chicken & Eggs on Feb 17, 2026
“After she got spayed she started really putting on weight and I have already tried the other one for my sensitive tummy Bouddie & it is helping his tummy and his digestion is a whole lot better plus I don’t have to clean up his accidents now like before. It’s the sensitive tummy with quail & pumpkin. Furballs are almost all gone . I talked to one of the vets & they gave me a few suggestions! Very helpful and very happy now also.” – Tomcat reviewing Solid Gold Fit as a Fiddle with Fresh Caught Alaskan Pollock on Feb 22, 2026
Negative Reviews
“My cat absolutely hates this food. There was absolutely nothing about it that he likes. I wish I could find a cat food that has real protein and real meat without filler that he likes. This just wasn’t it.” -Heather reviewing Solid Gold Indigo Moon with Chicken & Eggs on Feb 12, 2026
“My cat has never had a problem with this food, but this newest bag with the new graphics (and I’m assuming new formula) has been making her vomit 3-5x after every single meal!! She has switched foods multiple times over the years and NEVER had this reaction.” – Amy reviewing Solid Gold Fit as a Fiddle with Fresh Caught Alaskan Pollock on Feb 23, 2026
How Much Does Solid Gold Cat Food Cost?
According to current pricing, it costs about $3.35 per day to feed a 10‑lb cat Solid Gold’s Five Oceans line of canned food. Most of Solid Gold’s wet foods fall in a similar price range, except for the Triple Layer line, which costs closer to $5.00–$5.50 per day.
As with most brands, Solid Gold’s dry foods are much more affordable. Feeding a 10‑lb cat one of the brand’s dry recipes costs $0.55–$0.75 per day, depending on the formula and bag size.
Overall, Is Solid Gold a Good Choice?
For over 40 years, Solid Gold has maintained a strong reputation for safety and ingredient quality. Their foods receive excellent customer reviews and most cats seem to like the way they taste.
Solid Gold cat food isn’t nutritionally stellar, but it’s definitely above average. Solid Gold dry foods have relatively low carbohydrate content and, unlike many other kibble products, emphasize animal protein over protein from plants. Their wet food is similar—it’s not the best, nor is it the worst.
Solid Gold is mid-priced and of moderate quality. It’s a reliable brand with a wide variety of options for people who want something better than the standard grocery fare, but it lacks the meatiness of other brands like Hound & Gatos and Ziwi Peak.
Where Is Solid Gold Cat Food Sold?
Solid Gold is currently available in stores around the United States, Canada, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Thailand. Online, you can buy Solid Gold cat food through Chewy, Amazon, and Petco’s website.
Also Read: Solid Gold Tropical Blendz Cat Food Review and Q&A
Hi Mallory! Do you have any thoughts on the solid gold winged-tiger formula for sensitive bellies? My Maine-coon mix has been on it for about two years now and seems to be doing well, but now that he’s around 4 years old (and I have a better job) I’m debating switching him to science diet or something that may be better for him in the long run. He also gets half a can of either the digest sensitive or Maine coon wet food from royal canin once a day as well. Let me know, thanks!
Hello Sage, thanks for reaching out, and apologies for the late reply. So, I’m not a veterinary nutritionist, and it’s difficult to say exactly which foods will be best for a cat’s overall wellbeing in general. Based on my research, however, it seems that Hill’s’ biggest advantages are in its R&D strength. The food is not necessarily better for cats, and I see no reason why a cat who’s doing well on Solid Gold’s Winged Tiger recipe would do better on a Science Diet formula.
Taking a closer look at Winged Tiger, it looks like a decent dry food—it seems to be relatively high in protein, emphasizes dense sources of animal-derived nutrition, has chicken fat and salmon oil to provide beneficial fatty acids, and contains a combination of prebiotic fiber (from dried chicory root) and guaranteed levels of probiotic bacteria.
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach is a little bit lower in protein and higher in fat, with seemingly less protein and other nutrients from animal ingredients. it contains chicken fat as a source of beneficial fatty acids and fructooligosaccharides as a prebiotic.
The Science Diet recipe certainly has more customer reviews and a stronger reputation among vets, but in terms of ingredients and nutrient distribution, I don’t see anything in it that immediately strikes me as superior to your familiar Solid Gold food.
Again, nutrition is a tricky territory, and I’m not a vet nor a veterinary nutritionist, so I can’t speak definitively on this subject. However, I hope that this little comparison helps to give you something more to work with when making this decision.
Best,
Mallory
Just and FYI Solid Gold cat food pate canned food is made in Thailand and the Missouri based company was acquired by Health & Happiness Group International Holdings which is based in Hong Kong.
Thank you for sharing this important news! We’ll update the article accordingly.
I wanna know how good or bad solid gold dry cat food
The information in this article should answer that question for you! Let me know if you have any specific questions.
I just wanted to say thank you for all your cat food reviews. One of our two cats was having trouble eating after having a tooth removed and your reviews let me run to the local pet store and pick up a variety of flavors and types without having to worry about whether I was buying quality or not.
She’s eating much better now and can go back to her normal food (Hill’s science diet). Since we have a bunch of cans of different flavors, both cats are greatly enjoying the change. I’m going to try to convince Dad to start buying something a little better and wetter.
Hi Silver, I’m really happy to hear that you’ve found these guides helpful, and it’s great that your cat’s feeling better, too. Wishing you all the best!
My cat turns her nose up repeatedly at Solid Gold canned food with coconut oil.
After having a cat with kidney issues, I told myself I would feed my next cats better quality food, which I’ve done. I’ve fed them strictly Solid Gold wet and dry food. I noticed since i purchased the 12lb bag in August, the price has increased $10 PER BAG! I was shocked!! For their wet food, the only thing they’ll eat is the Purrfect Pairings Chicken Liver and goat milk and Chicken and goat milk. Those have also increased in price by 77%!!
I appreciate your reviews however, I don’t understand why you would recommend any cat foods that include “natural flavors “. Your research should be including all of the highly problematic ingredients – that don’t have to be specifically listed- when they fall under “natural flavors “. This means, in spite of your research, you may be recommending foods that are highly toxic and unsafe.
That’s a good point. The term “natural flavors” in cat food generally refers to animal digest, which is, like “animal byproduct” a vague categorization and couldn’t be considered a top-quality ingredient in most cases. Thank you for suggesting a change.
Mallory,
Petco and PetSmart are currently selling off their inventory of Solid Gold cat food. I emailed Solid Gold, and the rep who replied said their food isn’t being discontinued but they don’t have control over which retailers choose to stock it. They recommended that I purchase it from Amazon. Today, a manager in a local PetSmart store confirmed that they’re no longer going to sell Solid Gold. Do you have any inside information about what’s going on? My picky cat will only eat some of Solid Gold’s offerings and nothing from other brands, so I ran all over town today stocking up as much as I could. It would be great to know if the brand really will continue to be available or if I need to go through food trials again. Thanks!
Hi Wendy, that’s a fascinating question. I’m curious about this as well—I don’t know what’s going on with these retailers and will see what I can find out. Thanks for asking.
Ugh, I’m also having this problem with Petsmart and Petco no longer stocking Solid Gold. I always bought the Chicken & Egg so I bought a 12lb bag from Amazon recently and finally opened it but our 2 cats don’t want it!! 🙁 So strange I think I’ll look for another brand if local stores won’t be selling it anymore, such a shame because they really liked it.
I’ve been an Indigo Moon user for 11 years now, partially because I have Savannah cats and I noticed the high protein content. $33 > $45 price increase, the company being sold, and you removing it from https://cats.com/best-dry-cat-food now have me looking for a better alternative. ~$50 for a 10-pound bag, food that can be left out for a week at a time (big bowl of dry food) is going to be my deciding factors.
Dr. Elsey’s cleanprotein Chicken Formula is $75 for 13.2 pounds…..is the closest, but pricy.
Premium pick/ethnically sourced/freeze dried/air dried….are my cat eating better then I do.
Best for kittens/budget picks…I need something else.
Best for seniors or best limited ingredient….are the only other options. My cats might go through 25 pounds of the seniors in 4-months, but might not.
What is between “Dr. Elsey’s cleanprotein Chicken Formula” and the budget picks? I feel like there should a few.
Good question. You might want to consider Nulo’s dry food—it’s on the cheaper side but seems to use pretty good ingredients/offer good-quality food. It’s a bit less readily-available in stores, but you might also consider Timberwolf’s dry food. Hope this helps!
I’m curious if you have checked out Solid Gold Katz-N-Flocken (they also have a nutrient boost variant). My cats have been on it for years, and it is not a grain-free product like the rest of the Solid Gold line. I was looking at changing foods, but after a ton of research, I’m not finding anything better. I would definitely consider Solid Gold to be a higher end cat food, but I’m also a poor social worker, so what do I know. 😆
Hi Gretchen, thanks for the comment! I did consider the Katz-n-Flocken recipe when writing this review, and the food seems similar to the others listed here, with the exception of not being grain-free. It’s certainly higher in quality than a lot of other similar products, so if it seems to be working for you, I think it’s an okay one to continue feeding. You can get some other recommendations in our article on the best dry cat food.