Is Purina discontinuing Fancy Feast
Why Is Fancy Feast Being Discontinued? [Causes For The Shortage]
One thing about the Internet that is one of the most inescapable aspects and an unfortunate detriment to the entire experience of browsing the web is that you simply cannot believe everything that you hear.
While there are aspects of Fancy Feast that are being discontinued, the entirety of the Fancy Feast lineup is not being discontinued. There are supply chain issues that are known at this time. However, Nestle has not announced any blanket discontinuation of the production and distribution of Fancy Feast.
Nestle is Purina, and Purina is Fancy Feast and Fancy Feast Friskies and Friskies is Nestle. The truth is, Nestle acquired Fancy Feast way back in 1985, and, since that time, Fancy Feast and Nestles merger have gone under the name of Friskies PetCare Company.
This essentially means that any announcement about discontinuing a popular and long-term product would come from Nestle.
Despite wild gesticulating on the part of the anonymous users of the Internet, there has been no such announcement.
But some things are going on that could have sparked the idea that the whole Fancy Feast deal was going away.
What is Going on with Fancy Feast?
Several things are going on in the cat food industry, so, understandably, some would assume it is just affecting their brand, which in this case, is Fancy Feast.
There is currently a cat food shortage on top of some segments of discontinued brands within Fancy Feast.
- Cat food shortages
- Discontinued Fancy Feast appetizers
- Specific shortages of Fancy Feast
- Friskies discontinues treats
Cat food shortages are on the rise, just as human food shortages rise.
The COVID pandemic affected the supply chain in certain areas and across the entire board.
The problem is that what affects one quadrant of the country may not affect the other. Certain places within the U.S. may be directly affecting cat food supplies, while the southeast may not have seen such a shortage as of yet.
This explains why some people who are in an uproar about cat food shortages are so puzzling to other people around the country. Unfortunately, such confusion could easily sow the seeds of discontinuation rumors despite the fact that Fancy Feast is fully stocked on the shelves in other states.
Fancy Feast did discontinue its appetizers and replaced them with Purely. Several online petitions were launched to bring back Fancy Feast appetizers to no avail.
However, this all happened years ago now and shouldnt be driving any insinuations of a discontinued product.
Another problem is that Fancy Feast is experiencing shortages in very specific flavors like many other cats and dog foods. Chicken and Turkey are tough to find, and it goes well beyond Fancy Feast. Turkey and chicken shortages are happening in other brands as well.
Whats Causing the Shortages?
There are many reasons behind the shortages, but the pandemic is the driving factor. Its like a domino effect, and its further exacerbated by incidental issues that would generally be easy for a company to absorb.
- Labor shortages
- Incidental factors
- Machinery and packaging
- Additional pets
- Shipping
Labor shortages are prevalent precisely because of the pandemic. Much of it is political, and well leave that where it is since its beyond the purview of this article. However, COVID has unleashed a chain of events that affect things such as Fancy Feast and other cat and dog foods brands.
Incidental factors that would generally be easily overcome by large and even small companies are no longer easy to handle. For instance, winter storms are blamed for manufacturing shutdowns at Freshpet facilities.
Under normal circumstances, Freshpet probably could have shrugged it off. However, as we move into 2022, things are hardly considered normal circumstances.
Machinery and packaging are also a problem. As you have probably read, there are massive shortages in long-haul trucking, and goods and services are not arriving in grocery and pet store retailers across the country.
Thats not to mention the shipping issues, ports, and spoiled transport sitting out in the ocean or never having arrived in the first place.
Another effect of the pandemic was to drive people into their homes for much longer periods of time than ever before. When people get lonely, they buy or acquire more pets. More pets mean an increased demand for food and increased demand when the supply chain is broken is a recipe for disaster.
Has Fancy Feast Been Recalled?
As of this writing, there is no active recall on Fancy Feast cat food. Also, throughout the entire existence of Fancy Feast. There has never been a recall of any sort or on any available brand then or now.
As of right now, the following brand lines are still available:
- Fancy Feast Gourmet Cat Food
- Fancy Feast Wet Cat Food
- Fancy Feast Dry Cat Food
- Fancy Feast Delights with Cheddar
- Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers
- Fancy Feast Gourmet Kitten Food
- Fancy Feast Elegant Medleys
- Fancy Feast Broths
According to Fancy Feast, their cat food is recommended by over 90% of all cat owners, and the brand continues to command a very high customer review rating.
Has Fancy Feast Doubled in Price?
Fancy Feast has doubled in price in certain places and climbed to a higher pricebut not quite doubled in othersfor many of the reasons listed above.
- More pet owners as a result of the pandemic
- Increases in pets owned by millennials
- Premiumization
- Supply chain shortages
As explained above, more pet owners mean that demand is way up.
When supply is low, and demand is up, prices rise. Outside of all of the other potential and real influences driving up prices, basic economics still operates in the same way.
Outside of the pandemic, there is a separate and growing percentage change since not everything exists within that bubble. For example, millennials are far more likely to own pets than previous generations.
This also increases demand and also price surges.
There is also a willingness, within the general public, for premium foods. As pet owners become more informed about the benefits of premium food over the cheap stuff, demand for such food has increased.
Because of that demand, more premium food is being manufactured and purchased, driving up the averages from everything else.
Also, as aforementioned, supply chain shortages are driving up prices.
When you put all of the current problems togetherwith the exception of owning more pets since thats never a problem when you can take care of themyou get a price bubble.
At the end of the day, so many factors have seemingly come together at a distinct and specific point in human history, driving up prices, creating mass shortages, and driving rumors of products being discontinued when they certainly are not.
Final Word
Rest assured that Fancy Feast has not been continued, and Nestle isnt making any strange or concise movements in that direction. But, unfortunately, a lot of different factors have come together to drive Fancy Feast and a lot of other cat foods off the shelves.
At some point, the continuing problems caused by the pandemic will have to pass. When it does, and the supply chain reconstitutes itself, Fancy Feast should return to the shelves.
Related Articles
References
Kelly, D. (November 12, 2021). Food Shortages We Could See In 2022 Retrieved from: https://www.mashed.com/659327/food-shortages-we-could-see-in-2022/
Lank, B. (October 20, 2021). Wheres the Fancy Feast? Some Eastside cats are facing a shortage of their favorite food. Retrieved from: https://www.theeastsiderla.com/lifestyle/pets_and_wildlife/wheres-the-fancy-feast-some-eastside-cats-are-facing-a-shortage-of-their-favorite-food/article_2e30f852-2e49-11ec-bb52-c3b1853abc82.html
Fancy Feast Cat Food Review in 2024: Recalls, Pros & Cons
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Fancy Feast Cat Food Review in 2024: Recalls, Pros & Cons
Written by: Emma StenhouseOur Final Verdict
We give Fancy Feast Cat food a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars.
If youve been researching cat foods, youve probably seen the name Fancy Feast. This well-known brand has been around since 1982 and now offers a wide range of over 150 different types of cat food, including dry kibble, sliced meats, chunky pt, and broth. It also has a range of food toppers and appetizers, so almost all cat tastes are catered for!
Fancy Feast is at the cheaper end of the cat food range, but its made to high standards with an excellent recall history. Our review includes everything that you need to know about this brand, so you can find out if its the right choice for your precious feline companion.
At a Glance: The Best Fancy Feast Cat Food Recipes
| Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|
Our Favorite | Fancy Feast Poultry & Beef Classic Pt Variety Pack Canned Cat Food | CHECK PRICE | |
 | Fancy Feast Gourmet Naturals in Gravy Variety Pack Canned Cat Food | CHECK PRICE | |
 | Fancy Feast Gourmet Savory Chicken and Turkey Dry Cat Food | CHECK PRICE | |
 | Fancy Feast Purely Filets Natural Variety Pack Cat Food Topper | CHECK PRICE | |
 | Fancy Feast Kitten Tender Chicken Feast Canned Cat Food | CHECK PRICE |
Fancy Feast Cat Food Reviewed
Who Makes Fancy Feast & Where Is It Produced?
Fancy Feast was launched in 1984 and started the trend for gourmet cat foods. In 1987, the Fancy Feast brand was purchased by Purina, which is now part of the Nestle-Purina Corporation. This is one of the largest pet food brands in the world, regularly turning over more than $12 billion in revenue per year.
While most of the Fancy Feast products are made in the US, some products are manufactured in Thailand, at a Nestle-Purina-owned production facility. Most of the ingredients are sourced in the US.
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Which Types of Cats Is Fancy Feast Best Suited For?
The huge range of cat foods on offer from Fancy Feast means theyre a good choice for fussy cats. With so many different textures and flavors to choose from, youll likely find something to suit your fussy feline.
Fancy Feast generally gets good reviews for palatability. It also has options for both kittens and adult cats. The nutritional profiles are generally good, with high protein and low fat.
Which Types of Cats Might Do Better With a Different Brand?
If your cat has allergies and is on a limited-ingredient diet, then the long list of ingredients in Fancy Feast foods wont suit them. Instead, we recommend an option like the Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Green Pea & Duck Formula Grain-Free Dry Cat Food.
Similarly, if your cat is on a grain-free diet, many of the Fancy Feast recipes include wheat or corn. This may trigger allergies or gastrointestinal discomfort. A better option would be the American Journey Turkey & Chicken Grain-Free Cat Food.
Discussion of the Primary Ingredients (Good & Bad)
Protein Sources
Many Fancy Feast recipes use real meat as either the first or second ingredient, and most recipes include multiple protein sources. Many also include meat by-products, which can be nutritious but some cat owners prefer to avoid feeding these to their cats. The meat sources of by-products are not always clear. As a more budget-friendly cat food, Fancy Feast recipes include meat by-products purely due to economics. If youd prefer to avoid them, Fancy Feasts Gourmet Naturals range doesnt have them.
Carbohydrates
The majority of Fancy Feasts recipes do contain multiple carbohydrates, including rice, wheat, barley, and corn. These make your cat feel fuller and can add useful fiber, but they shouldnt make up a large percentage of your cats diet. Some of the Fancy Feast recipes are a little heavy on carbohydrates for our liking.
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Colors & Flavors
Many Fancy Feast recipes contain colors and flavors. Some of these are natural, while others are artificial. Whether you mind that or not is a matter of personal preference. The Gourmet Naturals range does not use artificial colors or flavors, so thats a good option if you like this brand but would rather avoid artificial ingredients.
Safety
Fancy Feast sources most of its ingredients in the US, and thats where most of its product range is made as well. A small number of the canned foods are made in a Purina-owned facility in Thailand, but this is clearly marked on the cans. We like the fact that Fancy Feast has never been recalled, as this speaks volumes about the brands quality-control testing.
Wide Variety of Products
Fancy Feast offers over 150 different recipes, including pts, chunks in gravy, flaked fish, tender meat in gravy, roasted pt, and more.
It has three different types of dry food, all aimed at adult cats. Fancy Feast also has plenty of wet food options aimed at kittens and senior cats, as well as adult cats. The brand also now offers a good range of treats, including broths, meal toppers, fish filets, and meat treats.
Whatever your cats preferences, youre bound to find a combination to suit them. If you find a particular texture of food that they adore, you dont need to worry about sticking to just one flavor, as youll find multiple options to choose from.
Affordability
As a cost-effective option, Fancy Feast is a strong contender. The recipes almost always contain real meatnot always as the first ingredient, but there are plenty of recipes that do. Each recipe is also formulated to provide complete and balanced nutrition for your precious feline.
Use of Meat By-Products
Most of Fancy Feasts recipes do list meat by-products in their ingredient lists. This can be a good source of nutrition, but if your cat has allergies or youre trying to stick with only using particular sources of protein, it can be frustrating not knowing exactly which meats are included within those by-products.
The Fancy Feast Gourmet Naturals line doesnt include any meat by-products.
Small Can Size
Almost all of Fancy Feasts canned cat food comes in a 3-ounce can. Its recommended to feed adult cats 1 can for every 2 pounds of body weight per day. If your cat weighs 10 pounds, youll get through 4 cans per day for one cat. If youve got a kitten, expect to feed them double that. For multi-cat households, the number of empty cans that youll have to dispose of will soon start to mount up. This might not be an issue for you, but its worth bearing in mind.
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A Quick Look at Fancy Feast Cat Food
Pros
- Appealing taste for most cats
- Good value for money
- Plenty of recipes to choose from
- Contain complete and balanced nutrition
- Most recipes include real meat
- Mostly made in the US
Cons
- Some recipes contain meat by-products
- Small can size is wasteful
- Many recipes include artificial colors and flavors
Recall History
Fancy Feast has never been recalled. Its parent company, Purina, has been subjected to a range of recalls, but none of these has affected Fancy Feast.
Reviews of the 3 Best Fancy Feast Cat Food Recipes
We took a look at two of the best-selling Fancy Feast wet canned foods and one of its dry kibble recipes.
1. Fancy Feast Poultry & Beef Classic Pt Variety Pack Canned Cat Food
The Fancy Feast Classic Pts are among the best-known products, and the variety pack includes three flavors: tender beef feast, chicken feast, and turkey and giblets feast. The smooth pt texture appeals to many cats, and the added minerals and vitamins mean this food provides 100% complete and balanced nutrition for your cat.
Each version of these canned foods contains meat as the first ingredient, with the protein content for all of them sitting at 11%. This is a good level for wet canned cat food. These varieties contain 45% fat and 1.5% fiber. These do contain artificial flavors, as well as guar gum as a thickener. These are not necessary for your cat, nor do they provide any nutritional benefits. While they all contain real meat as the first ingredient, each flavor also contains meat by-products, which many owners try to avoid feeding to their cats.
Calorie Breakdown:
Pros
- Real meat as the first ingredient
- Appealing smooth texture
Cons
- Includes meat by-products
- Includes guar gum
- Includes artificial flavors
2. Fancy Feast Gourmet Naturals in Gravy Variety Pack Canned Cat Food
If your cat prefers meat in gravy wet food, then the Gourmet Naturals range by Fancy Feast should suit them well. This variety pack includes cans of beef, tuna, white meat chicken, and natural wild Alaskan salmon and shrimp. Each flavor includes a broth as the first ingredient, followed by beef, tuna, chicken, or salmon. The recipes are blended with vitamins and minerals to provide complete and balanced nutrition. Unlike many of Fancy Feasts recipes, these dont contain meat by-products, which is a plus.
All the flavors within the variety pack contain 11% protein, 2% fat, and 1.5% fiber. The canola oil used is a healthy source of fat. If youve got multiple cats, the small 3-ounce sizes of these cans will soon create a great deal of waste.
Calorie Breakdown:
Pros
- Real meat as the second ingredient
- Good value for money
- No meat by-products
Cons
- Includes guar gum and carrageenan
- Contains wheat
3. Fancy Feast Gourmet Savory Chicken and Turkey Dry Cat Food
This crunchy kibble is one of only a few dry foods offered by Fancy Feast, as its primarily known for canned and wet foods. Containing 34% protein, 17% fat, and 3% fiber, this cat food is a nutritionally complete option for adult cats. Its fortified with all the minerals and vitamins that your cat needs to thrive. It does contain artificial colors and flavors, though, which some cat owners try to avoid.
As a budget-range cat food, this kibble does contain chicken and turkey, but these are fairly low down the ingredients list. The first ingredient is ground rice, followed by poultry by-product meal, corn gluten meal, and beef tallow. Chicken and turkey themselves are ingredients eight and nine on the list. That doesnt mean this is a bad kibbleon the contrary, it gets good reviews from usersbut it does contain far more plant ingredients than wed like.
Calorie Breakdown:
Pros
- Complete nutrition for adult cats
- Good value for money
- Palatable taste
- Fortified with minerals and vitamins
Cons
- Uses poultry by-products
- Some recipes include artificial colors and flavors
- Contains corn
What Other Users Are Saying
- All About Cats: Overall, Fancy Feast cat food appears to be a reliable, trustworthy economy choice. Its a good option if you want to avoid excessive plant ingredients but dont mind feeding your cat by-products or vaguely-named ingredients and are comfortable with some artificial additives.
- My Pet Needs That: For the most part, this is a solid-quality cat food that is a good choice for picky eaters and pet parents on a budget. In the end, it all depends on the recipe and what your cat likes.
- Amazon: As cat owners, we always double-check Amazon reviews from buyers before we buy something. You can read these by clicking here.
Conclusion
Fancy Feast is an extremely popular cat food brand that is well-loved by many cat owners and their cats! Theres a huge range of wet foods to choose from, with a variety of flavors and textures.
Fancy Feast Classic canned foods offer exceptional value for money, and they have fairly high-quality ingredients, with a couple of exceptions, including meat by-products. As a step up in terms of ingredients and quality, the Gourmet Naturals line is a better option if you want to avoid artificial colors and flavors.
Fancy Feast has a far wider range of wet foods, treats, and toppers than dry kibble. The wet foods, in our opinion, offer a more species-appropriate diet for cats, as the kibble is relatively high in grains and carbohydrates.
Fancy Feast is a solid choice if youre looking for an economy cat food that still includes a high percentage of protein. The huge number of options when it comes to flavors and textures means you shouldnt have any trouble finding a recipe to suit your cat, even if theyre a little particular about what they eat!
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