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Sheba cat food is a popular brand that claims to offer “What Cats Want™”. But is Sheba really a good choice for your feline companion? In this comprehensive and unbiased review, we delve into Sheba cat food to help you make an informed decision. We’ll analyze everything from ingredient quality and species-appropriateness to customer reviews and recall history to determine if Sheba lives up to the hype and if it’s the right food to keep your cat happy and healthy.

We’ve evaluated Sheba against the Cats.com standard, focusing on key factors that matter most to cat owners. Here’s a breakdown of how Sheba cat food scores in each crucial area:

Our Ratings for Sheba Cat Food:

• Species-Appropriateness: 6/10
• Ingredient Quality: 6/10
• Product Variety: 5/10
• Price: 9/10
• Customer Experience: 8/10
• Recall History: 9/10

Overall Score: 7.2/10 (B Grade)

In total, Sheba cat food earns an overall score of 7.2 out of 10, which translates to a B grade. While not the highest rating, it positions Sheba as a reasonably good option, especially considering its affordability and accessibility.

Sheba Cat Food: A Closer Look at Top Recipes

To give you a better understanding of Sheba’s offerings, we’ve reviewed three of their most popular recipes:

Brand Overview: Who Makes Sheba Cat Food?

Sheba is a brand under the umbrella of Mars, Inc., a global giant in the pet food industry and the maker of numerous other well-known pet food brands. Mars, Inc. boasts a vast portfolio, including brands like Whiskas, Royal Canin, Iams, and Crave. Being part of such a large corporation brings both advantages and potential drawbacks, which we will consider in this review of whether Sheba cat food is good.

Where is Sheba Cat Food Made and Where Do Ingredients Come From?

The majority of Sheba cat food products are manufactured in the United States. However, some specific lines have different origins. For example, their Signature Broths line is produced in Thailand, and Sheba Meaty Tender Sticks treats are made in Austria.

When it comes to ingredient sourcing, Sheba indicates that most, but not all, of their ingredients originate from North America. While they don’t provide a detailed breakdown of specific sourcing locations, Sheba, like all Mars brands, adheres to Mars’ Responsible Sourcing program. This program ensures suppliers comply with the Mars Supplier Code of Conduct, reflecting a commitment to ethical and responsible ingredient procurement.

Recall History: Is Sheba Cat Food Safe?

A significant factor in determining if Sheba cat food is good is its safety record. Notably, Sheba cat food itself has never been subject to a recall. While this is a positive sign, it’s important to remember that its parent company, Mars, Inc., has issued recalls for other pet food brands within its extensive portfolio. The fact that Sheba has maintained a clean recall history to date contributes to a perception of reliability and safety.

Product Range: What Types of Cat Food Does Sheba Offer?

Sheba primarily focuses on wet cat food and cat treats, offering a somewhat limited selection compared to brands with extensive dry food lines. This focus on wet food is beneficial, as wet food is often considered more species-appropriate for cats due to its higher moisture content and typically higher animal protein levels.

Sheba’s wet foods are generally meat-centric, with lower levels of starches and plant-based proteins, aligning more closely with a cat’s natural dietary needs. However, some recipes do include ingredients like “meat by-products” and “fish,” which are less specific than named meat ingredients. Additionally, some Sheba formulas contain “added color,” which refers to artificial color additives.

A distinctive feature of Sheba’s wet food is its packaging in “Perfect Portions” twin-packs. These individually sealed 1.3-ounce servings offer convenience and eliminate leftovers, ensuring fresh meals for your cat.

Sheba Perfect Portions are categorized into several product lines:

• Bistro
• Premium Pates
• Cuts in Gravy
• Garden Medleys

In addition to wet food, Sheba offers Meaty Tender Sticks cat treats. These soft, chewy treats are made with animal proteins like tuna, salmon, and chicken and are individually wrapped for freshness.

Sheba Cat Food Recipe Breakdown: Top 3 Reviewed in Detail

Let’s take a closer look at the ingredient quality and nutritional profiles of Sheba’s top recipes to further assess if Sheba cat food is good for your cat.

#1 Sheba Perfect Portions Grain-Free Tender Whitefish & Tuna Entree Cat Food

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Despite being named for whitefish and tuna, chicken is the primary protein source in this recipe. While whitefish and tuna are present, they are listed further down the ingredient list after chicken and poultry liver. “Whitefish” is a broad term encompassing various fish species, and fish, in general, can sometimes contain higher levels of heavy metals. Therefore, while fish can be a good source of protein, recipes like this might be better suited for occasional feeding rather than as a dietary staple.

The formula does include multiple animal-based ingredients in the top positions, with chicken, poultry liver, and chicken broth appearing before the named fish ingredients. It uses guar gum as a binder, which is a common and generally safe additive in wet cat food. Notably, this recipe avoids artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.

Nutritionally, this food is high in protein, moderate in fat, and low in carbohydrates, which aligns well with feline dietary needs. Each 1.3-ounce serving contains 38 calories.

Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, White Fish, Tuna, Fish Oil
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Poultry Liver

Nutritional Breakdown (Dry Matter Basis):

• Protein: 43.75%
• Fat: 15.63%
• Fiber: 9.38%
• Carbs: 9.38%

Pros:

• Contains three named animal protein sources in the top ingredients.
• Very low carbohydrate content.
• Free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.

Cons:

• Includes vaguely named “poultry liver.”
• Fish-based recipes may not be ideal for daily feeding due to potential heavy metal content.

#2 Sheba Perfect Portions Grain-Free Tender Beef Entree Cat Food

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Beef is the primary protein source in this pate-style wet cat food, followed by chicken and poultry liver. While poultry liver is again a vaguely named ingredient, the presence of beef and chicken as top ingredients is positive. This recipe also includes caramel color, which is derived from heated sugar and is considered a color additive.

Like other Sheba Perfect Portions, this recipe is thickened with guar gum and tapioca starch, but the carbohydrate content remains very low. It’s a meat-rich food, high in protein and moderate in fat. Each 1.3-ounce serving contains 40 calories.

Ingredients We Liked: Beef, Chicken, Fish Oil
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Poultry Liver

Nutritional Breakdown (Dry Matter Basis):

• Protein: 45%
• Fat: 25%
• Fiber: 7.5%
• Carbs: 7.5%

Pros:

• Features two quality animal proteins at the top of the ingredient list.
• Extremely low in carbohydrates.
• Free from artificial flavors and preservatives.

Cons:

• May contain artificial color (caramel color).
• Contains vaguely named “poultry liver.”

#3 Sheba Perfect Portions Grain-Free Roasted Chicken Cuts in Gravy Entree Cat Food

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Chicken is the primary protein source in this cuts-in-gravy recipe, which is appealing to cats who prefer a chunkier texture. Water is the first ingredient, followed by chicken, highlighting the moisture-rich nature of this food. It also includes poultry liver and animal plasma.

While tapioca starch is used to thicken the gravy, the overall carbohydrate content is very low. Fish oil is the primary added fat source, providing omega-3 fatty acids. This recipe has a slightly lower fat content compared to the beef recipe and is also the lowest in calories of the three reviewed, with 33 calories per 1.3-ounce serving.

Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Fish Oil
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Poultry Liver

Nutritional Breakdown (Dry Matter Basis):

• Protein: 43.75%
• Fat: 15.63%
• Fiber: 9.38%
• Carbs: 12.5%

Pros:

• Four out of the top seven ingredients are animal-based.
• High moisture content to support hydration.
• Extremely low in carbohydrates.

Cons:

• Contains starchy thickeners.
• Made with vaguely named “poultry liver” and “animal plasma.”

Customer Reviews: What Are Cat Owners Saying About Sheba?

To gain a broader perspective on whether Sheba cat food is good, it’s helpful to consider what other cat owners think. Customer reviews for Sheba are generally positive. Many reviewers appreciate that Sheba is grain-free, meat-based, and reasonably priced.

However, there are also recurring complaints, primarily concerning packaging and quality control. Some customers find the Perfect Portions trays difficult to open and messy. There have also been isolated reports of finding bugs in the food or discoloration, although the extent and cause of these issues are unclear.

Positive Customer Feedback Highlights:

• Grain-free and gluten-free formulas are appreciated by owners of cats with sensitivities.
• Pre-portioned servings are convenient and reduce waste.
• Cats generally enjoy the taste and palatability.
• Affordability compared to other wet food brands.

Negative Customer Feedback Highlights:

• Difficult-to-open and messy packaging.
• Small portion sizes may require feeding multiple trays per day.
• Isolated reports of quality control issues like bugs or discoloration.
• Vague ingredient names like “poultry liver” concern some owners.

Cost Analysis: Is Sheba Cat Food Affordable?

Price is a significant factor for many cat owners when considering if Sheba cat food is good for their budget. Sheba is positioned as one of the more affordable wet cat food brands on the market, especially on a per-ounce basis. Its wide availability in grocery stores and pet stores also adds to its accessibility and convenience.

However, because Sheba’s Perfect Portions are small and relatively low in calories, the daily cost can add up if it’s used as a cat’s primary diet.

On average, Sheba cat food costs around $0.38 per ounce, placing it in a similar price range to brands like Natural Balance and Blue Buffalo wet foods, although Sheba often receives higher ratings than these brands.

Feeding an average 10-pound cat solely on Sheba cat food could cost between $2.49 and $2.92 per day. For some cat owners, using Sheba as a supplemental food alongside a more economical dry food might be a more cost-effective approach.

Final Verdict: Is Sheba Cat Food a Good Choice for Your Cat?

So, Is Sheba Cat Food Good? While Sheba isn’t without its shortcomings, it emerges as a reasonably good and accessible option for cat owners. It offers several benefits, including:

• Affordability: Sheba is budget-friendly compared to many other wet food brands.
• Accessibility: It’s widely available in various stores, both online and offline.
• Meat-Based Formulas: Sheba primarily uses named animal protein sources and focuses on wet food, which is generally beneficial for feline health.
• Low Carbohydrate Content: Most Sheba recipes are low in carbohydrates, aligning with a cat’s natural dietary needs.
• Positive Customer Reviews: Many cat owners and cats are satisfied with Sheba products.
• No Recall History: Sheba has never been recalled, suggesting a degree of reliability.

However, there are also some points to consider:

• Vague Ingredients: The use of vaguely named ingredients like “poultry liver” and “meat by-products” is less ideal than fully named ingredients.
• Artificial Colors: Some recipes contain added colors, which are unnecessary and potentially undesirable for some cat owners.
• Packaging Concerns: The Perfect Portions packaging can be difficult to open and messy for some users.

Overall, Sheba cat food offers a balance of quality and affordability. It’s a decent option, particularly for cat owners seeking a budget-friendly, widely available wet food. While not a top-tier premium brand, Sheba provides adequate nutrition for many cats and is a popular choice for a reason. If you’re looking for a convenient and palatable wet food that won’t break the bank, Sheba is worth considering. However, for owners prioritizing the absolute highest quality ingredients and completely transparent sourcing, exploring premium brands might be preferable.

Where to Buy Sheba Cat Food

Sheba cat food is sold at numerous retailers, making it easily accessible:

• Pet Specialty Stores: Petco, PetSmart
• Online Retailers: Chewy, Amazon, Petco.com, and other online pet food stores.
• Grocery Stores and Big Box Stores: Many supermarkets and general retailers carry Sheba.

Disclaimer: We are not affiliated with Sheba or Mars, Inc. This review is based on our independent assessment of publicly available information and customer reviews. For specific concerns or questions about Sheba cat food, please contact Sheba customer support directly through their contact form.