Authority Cat Food Review

Authority Cat Food Review

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Every cat deserves quality nutrition that comes from wholesome, natural ingredients. The Authority pet food brand has been making dog and cat food products since 1995, and they’ve always put pets first.

Authority believes nutrition is the foundation for overall pet health, so their recipes are nutritionally balanced and made with quality ingredients. This brand offers a variety of dry and wet food products that deliver “a difference you can see” in your cat.

With targeted solutions for your cat’s health, Authority gives cat owners the ability to choose the perfect diet for their pet. From hairball control formulas to weight management solutions, Authority has something for everyone. All products are proudly made in the USA.

Read on to see what we think of the brand and to see our reviews for their top products.

Authority Cat Food

Brand

Overall Score

Pros

• Made with high-quality, real animal protein
• Wide variety of dry and wet food options

Cons

• All dry food recipes seem to include corn ingredients and corn-based protein

Pros

• Made with high-quality, real animal protein
• Wide variety of dry and wet food options

Cons

• All dry food recipes seem to include corn ingredients and corn-based protein

Variety of Recipes

Ingredient Quality

Price Per Pound

Recall History

Availability

Customer Reviews

View On ChewyView On PetSmart

How We Review Cat Food Brands

Quality nutrition is the secret to a healthy and happy life for your cat. We believe that cats deserve the best when it comes to their diet, and we know you do too. That’s why we do everything we can to provide you with the honest information you need to choose a good food for your cat.

When we review pet foods, we pay attention to everything from the ingredients to the manufacturing processes. We would never recommend a product we wouldn’t be happy to feed our own cats.

Every cat food we recommend is held to certain standards based on quality feline nutrition. Cats are obligate carnivores, so we prefer pet foods that include plenty of high-quality animal protein. Real meat, poultry, or fish should always be the first ingredient.

Here are some of the things we look for in a good cat food brand:

• High-quality animal protein as the first ingredient
• Rich in healthy animal fats (ex: chicken fat or salmon oil)
• Few to no carbohydrate ingredients (especially within the top 5)
• Limited number of main ingredients plus supplements
• No low-quality fillers, grains, or by-products

In addition to making sure any cat food brand we recommend is made with high-quality ingredients, we evaluate several other factors as well. We prefer brands that offer a wide variety of recipes and those that provide plenty of information about their ingredients and products. We also consider pricing and recalls as well as the availability of the brand as a whole.

Overview of the Authority Brand

With a name like Authority, you would expect this brand to be well-known and respected in the pet industry. The Authority brand has been producing pet foods since 1995 and is currently owned by PetSmart, the largest pet specialty chain in North America.

Every bag of Authority pet food carries the tagline, “Experts in Nutrition.”

Authority believes that quality nutrition is the secret to a healthy and happy life for pets which is why they put so much time and effort into developing their products. Every recipe is formulated with the help of a team of top veterinarians, pet nutritionists, and researchers known as the Healthy Pet Advisory Council.

When it comes to their cat food products, Authority knows what it takes to keep your cat healthy. Not only do they use quality ingredients, but they take special care to protect your cat’s oral health with their unique Ora-Shield System.

Authority also makes sure every recipe is enriched with taurine, an essential amino acid for cats, that supports eye and heart health as well as overall health and wellbeing.

The Authority brand doesn’t offer as much variety as some pet food companies, but there is still plenty to choose from in both wet and dry food categories. From indoor and weight management recipes to hairball control formulas, Authority has a product to meet every need.

What Kind of Cat Food Products Do They Offer?

Authority offers both dry food and wet food products for cats. They offer both adult and kitten recipes, as well as several formulas for all life stages.

In addition to their everyday adult and kitten foods, Authority offers several specialty foods to address specific concerns like hairball control, weight management, and senior health. These recipes are only available in dry food form, though there are a variety of wet food flavors to choose from.

Currently available on Chewy, Authority has nine dry food options and twelve canned foods.

Here is the nutritional information for some of the most popular cat food recipes:

Product Recall History

The pet food industry in the United States is more regulated than in many other countries. When there’s a problem with a product, a recall may be issued to remove the product from circulation. This can happen if an ingredient is contaminated, if there’s an issue with the formulation, or for something simple like a labeling error.

Having a pet food recall doesn’t necessarily make a brand bad, but it is important to pay attention to the extent of the recall and what it was for.

Authority only has a single recall in its past, but it was a big one. In 2007, the massive Menu Foods recall affected dozens of brands including big names like Blue Buffalo and Royal Canin. The recall was issued when the FDA found contaminants (largely melamine) in vegetable proteins imported from China and used in pet food.

The Authority pet food brand outsources their production and the manufacturer was involved in this recall. Since 2007, however, there have been no other recalls to affect the Authority brand.

Compare Authority Cat Food

1. Authority Indoor Chicken & Rice Formula Adult Dry Cat Food View on PetSmart Read Review	2. Authority Chicken & Rice Formula Mature Dry Cat Food View on PetSmart Read Review	3. Authority Hairball Control & Weight Management Chicken & Rice Adult Dry Food View on PetSmart Read Review	4. Authority Chicken & Liver Entrée Kitten Pate Canned Food View on PetSmart Read Review	5. Authority Turkey & Giblets Entrée Adult Pate Canned Food View on PetSmart Read Review
Type of Food Dry	Type of Food Dry	Type of Food Dry	Type of Food Wet	Type of Food Wet
First 5 Ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brewers rice, corn protein concentrate, ground corn	First 5 Ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brewers rice, ground corn, corn protein concentrate	First 5 Ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brewers rice, corn protein concentrate, ground corn	First 5 Ingredients Chicken broth, chicken, turkey, chicken liver, ocean fish	First 5 Ingredients Turkey, turkey broth, chicken giblets, brewers rice, chicken
Guaranteed Analysis 33% Protein Min, 12% Fat Min, 5% Fiber Max, 10% Moisture Max	Guaranteed Analysis 33% Protein Min, 10% Fat Min, 5% Fiber Max, 10% Moisture Max	Guaranteed Analysis 33% Protein Min, 8% Fat Min, 7% Fiber Max, 10% Moisture Max	Guaranteed Analysis 11% Protein Min, 7% Fat Min, 1% Fiber Max, 78% Moisture Max	Guaranteed Analysis 10% Protein Min, 6.5% Fat Min, 0.8% Fiber Max, 78% Moisture Max
Calories per Cup 370 kcal/cup	Calories per Cup 364 kcal/cup	Calories per Cup 398 kcal/cup	Calories per Cup 197 kcal/can (5.5 oz.)	Calories per Cup 185 kcal/can (5.5 oz.)
Price Per Pound/Ounce $1.99/pound	Price Per Pound/Ounce $2.85/pound	Price Per Pound/Ounce $1.86/pound	Price Per Pound/Ounce $0.16/ounce	Price Per Pound/Ounce $0.16/ounce

1.

Authority Indoor Chicken & Rice Formula Adult Dry Cat Food

View on PetSmart

Product Info

• Type of Food: Dry
• First 5 Ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brewers rice, corn protein concentrate, ground corn
• Guaranteed Analysis: 33% Protein Min, 12% Fat Min, 5% Fiber Max, 10% Moisture Max
• Calories per Cup: 370 kcal/cup
• Price Per Pound/Ounce: $1.99/pound

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein: 33%

Crude Fat: 12%

Crude Fiber: 5%

Moisture: 10%

Ash: 6.5%

Dry Matter Basis

Protein: 36.67%

Fat: 13.33%

Fiber: 5.56%

Carbs: 37.22%

Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brewers Rice, Corn Protein Concentrate, Ground Corn, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Beet Pulp, Natural Flavor, Powdered Cellulose, Dried Egg Product, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Inulin, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Vitamin A Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement), Sodium Hexametaphosphate, Minerals (Salt, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Calcium Carbonate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate), Fish Oil, Taurine, L-Carnitine, Vegetable Oil, Lecithin, Rosemary Extract.

This Indoor Chicken & Rice Formula dry cat food is catered to the needs of adult indoor cats. Made with real deboned chicken, it is supplemented with prebiotics for digestion and taurine for healthy vision and heart health. It also incorporates Authority’s Ora-Shield System.

The first two ingredients in this recipe are real sources of animal protein, which is always a good thing. The trouble is there’s also a significant source of plant protein: corn.

Not only does this recipe include ground corn, but it also contains corn protein concentrate. Pet food manufacturers often “split” ingredients in this way to break them up on the list of ingredients. It’s entirely possible that if the ingredient were simply “corn,” it could appear at the top of the list.

Overall, the guaranteed analysis of this recipe doesn’t look bad, though it may be a little higher in fiber than your cat needs. We can’t, however, recommend a cat food that uses corn as a main ingredient.

2.

Authority Chicken & Rice Formula Mature Dry Cat Food

View on PetSmart

Product Info

• Type of Food: Dry
• First 5 Ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brewers rice, ground corn, corn protein concentrate
• Guaranteed Analysis: 33% Protein Min, 10% Fat Min, 5% Fiber Max, 10% Moisture Max
• Calories per Cup: 364 kcal/cup
• Price Per Pound/Ounce: $2.85/pound

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein: 33%

Crude Fat: 10%

Crude Fiber: 5%

Moisture: 10%

Ash: 6.5%

Dry Matter Basis

Protein: 36.67%

Fat: 11.11%

Fiber: 5.56%

Carbs: 39.44%

Ingredients:

Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal (Source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin), Brewers Rice, Ground Corn, Corn Protein Concentrate, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Beet Pulp, Powdered Cellulose, Natural Flavor, Dried Egg Product, Potassium Chloride, Fructooligosaccharides, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Vitamin A Supplement, Pantothenic Acid, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin, Choline Chloride, Sodium Hexametaphosphate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservatives), Fish Oil and L-Carnitine.

In reviewing this Chicken & Rice Formula Mature dry cat food, it becomes clear that it isn’t much different from the indoor adult recipe. Not only does it have the same first five ingredients (though the order is a little different), but many of the remaining ingredients are the same as well.

Even the guaranteed analysis for this formula is similar – the only main difference seems to be lower fat and calorie content in this mature formula.

Doing a quick calculation using the guaranteed analysis, the estimated carbohydrate content of this recipe is more than 30%. This isn’t surprising considering the recipe includes rice and two forms of corn within the first five ingredients.

Unfortunately, we can’t recommend a product with such high carbohydrate content, especially when it comes primarily from corn ingredients.

3.

Authority Hairball Control & Weight Management Chicken & Rice Adult Dry Food

View on PetSmart

Product Info

• Type of Food: Dry
• First 5 Ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brewers rice, corn protein concentrate, ground corn
• Guaranteed Analysis: 33% Protein Min, 8% Fat Min, 7% Fiber Max, 10% Moisture Max
• Calories per Cup: 398 kcal/cup
• Price Per Pound/Ounce: $1.86/pound

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein: 33%

Crude Fat: 8%

Crude Fiber: 11.5%

Moisture: 10%

Ash: 6.5%

Dry Matter Basis

Protein: 36.67%

Fat: 8.89%

Fiber: 12.78%

Carbs: 34.44%

Ingredients:

Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brewers Rice, Corn Protein Concentrate, Ground Corn, Powdered Cellulose, Dried Beet Pulp, Natural Flavor, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Egg Product, Fructooligosaccharides, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Vitamin A Supplement, Pantothenic Acid, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Sodium Hexametaphosphate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Fish Oil and L-Carnitine.

This is one of Authority’s two dry food recipes formulated for hairball control. The description mentions natural vegetable fiber to help control hairballs with prebiotics for digestion.

In reading the ingredients list, we weren’t surprised to see that this formula is very similar to the first two we reviewed. The first five ingredients are identical, and the guaranteed analysis is largely the same – the main difference is even higher fiber content.

Dietary fiber may help with digestion and reduce hairballs, but excessive fiber in a cat’s diet can actually cause digestive issues. Even dogs don’t require more than 5% fiber in a daily diet, so 7% could very well be too high for a cat.

Again, we’re concerned to see corn used as a main ingredient, especially as a significant source of protein. We can’t recommend this product in good faith.

4.

Authority Chicken & Liver Entrée Kitten Pate Canned Food

View on PetSmart

Product Info

• Type of Food: Wet
• First 5 Ingredients: Chicken broth, chicken, turkey, chicken liver, ocean fish
• Guaranteed Analysis: 11% Protein Min, 7% Fat Min, 1% Fiber Max, 78% Moisture Max
• Calories per Cup: 197 kcal/can (5.5 oz.)
• Price Per Pound/Ounce: $0.16/ounce

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein: 11%

Crude Fat: 7%

Crude Fiber: 1%

Moisture: 78%

Ash: 3%

Dry Matter Basis

Protein: 50%

Fat: 31.82%

Fiber: 4.55%

Ingredients:

Chicken Broth, Chicken, Turkey, Chicken Liver, Ocean Fish, Brewers Rice, Dried Egg Product, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Guar Gum, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Vitamins (Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin E Supplement, 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), Choline Chloride, Taurine.

Formulated for kittens, this Chicken & Liver Entrée pate canned food is loaded with animal protein and real chicken flavor. Chicken broth and fresh chicken make up the first two ingredients, followed by fresh turkey, chicken liver, and ocean fish.

Like most of Authority’s recipes, this formula includes brewers rice. The overall carb content of the recipe doesn’t appear to be significant, however, and we love the fact that it is only listed after four sources of animal protein.

This formula contains balanced protein and fat content with a more reasonable amount of fiber. We also like that some of the mineral supplements are chelated which improves their absorption.

Overall, the quality of this kitten canned food recipe seems to be much higher than any of the dry food formulas we’ve reviewed from the Authority brand.

5.

Authority Turkey & Giblets Entrée Adult Pate Canned Food

View on PetSmart

Product Info

• Type of Food: Wet
• First 5 Ingredients: Turkey, turkey broth, chicken giblets, brewers rice, chicken
• Guaranteed Analysis: 10% Protein Min, 6.5% Fat Min, 0.8% Fiber Max, 78% Moisture Max
• Calories per Cup: 185 kcal/can (5.5 oz.)
• Price Per Pound/Ounce: $0.16/ounce

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein: 10%

Crude Fat: 6.5%

Crude Fiber: 0.8%

Moisture: 78%

Ash: 2.9%

Dry Matter Basis

Protein: 45.45%

Fat: 29.55%

Fiber: 3.64%

Carbs: 8.18%

Ingredients:

Turkey, Turkey Broth, Chicken Giblets, Brewers Rice, Chicken, Ocean Fish, Dried Egg Product, Guar Gum, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Vitamins (Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid), Taurine, Brewers Dried Yeast, Minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Manganese Sulfate, Potassium Iodide).

Formulated for adult cats, this recipe features fresh turkey as the main ingredient with supplemental protein from chicken giblets, chicken, ocean fish, and egg. Again, there is no sign of plant protein and brewers rice is the only added carbohydrate.

This formula has a similar nutritional profile to the previous recipe, though it is a little lower in fiber and fat. Overall, it seems to be a decent option for adult cats. We don’t have any major issues with it.

What Do Customers Think of Authority Cat Food?

As a brand, Authority doesn’t seem to be particularly well-known, especially in comparison to larger companies like Blue Buffalo and Nature’s Variety. Authority offers just over 20 products on Chewy.com, most of which have fewer than 40 customer reviews.

These products are fairly well-rated, with most carrying a 4-star average, though one of the Hairball Control formulas and a few of the canned foods are less well-received. For the most part, customers seem satisfied with Authority cat food.

How Much Does Authority Cat Food Cost?

When it comes to pricing, there is a big difference in cost between Authority dry food and their canned food products. Authority canned cat food costs under $0.20 per ounce but the price for dry food ranges from about $1.86/pound to over $2.00 per pound.

To give you a better idea how Authority stacks up against other cat food brands, here is a quick chart to show you some average prices:

Where Can You Buy Authority Cat Food?

The Authority cat food brand offers a variety of dry and wet food options, sold in stores and online. Because the Authority brand is owned by PetSmart, the best place to buy this cat food is in PetSmart stores or online. PetSmart also owns Chewy.com, one of the largest online pet retailers, so you can find the food there as well. Amazon doesn’t seem to carry this brand.

Our Final Thoughts: Is Authority a Good Brand?

Overall, the Authority cat food brand has some good qualities but there are some concerns as well. We love that every recipe starts with a quality source of real animal protein. Unfortunately, all of the dry food recipes seem to include corn ingredients and corn-based protein.

We didn’t have an issue with the guaranteed analysis for Authority cat foods. In fact, they seem to be rich in protein and balanced in fat content. The fiber content is probably a little higher than necessary, but it may not be an issue for all cats.

The biggest concern with this brand is the carbohydrate content and the amount of plant protein.

The estimated carb content of Authority cat foods is over 30% in some cases and plant protein simply isn’t biologically valuable for cats – especially when it comes from corn, wheat, or soy.

The use of animal protein as the first ingredient is the main redeeming quality for the Authority brand but we can’t recommend their dry foods.

We had fewer issues with the canned food products because they still contained plenty of animal protein and no corn ingredients.

The carb content is much lower in these products as well. If you’re going to feed your cat Authority, stick with canned food rather than dry food.