Essence Ocean & Freshwater Recipe

Dry food · Growth & Reproduction · Adult Maintenance

D

Furry PI's verdict

The label tells a weaker story than the front of the pack suggests for Essence Ocean & Freshwater Recipe. It contains whitefish. To be fair, herring leads the ingredient list — the right start for an obligate carnivore. On balance, most cats are better served by stronger options — the app can suggest better-graded foods of the same type.

What's concerning

  • Contains whitefish, a lower-quality ingredient.
  • A high carbohydrate load for an obligate carnivore — a cat's natural prey is almost carb-free.
  • Several other ingredients on the label raise quality questions — the full flagged list is in the app.

What works

  • Herring leads the ingredient list — the right start for an obligate carnivore.
  • No grains on the label.
  • Includes genuinely beneficial ingredients such as herring and mackerel.

The grade is only the cover of the case file. The free app shows the full 100-point breakdown, every flagged ingredient, and better-graded alternatives for your cat.

Open the full investigation — free

Nutrition from the label (as fed)

Protein40%
Fat15%
Fiber5%
Moisture10%
Ash*8%
Carbs (estimated)*22%

Label: guaranteed analysis (min/max). * not printed on the label — carbs are calculated, ash/moisture estimated from typical values. How these numbers translate into calories from protein vs carbs — and how this food scores on each pillar — is shown in the app.

Quick answers

Is Essence Ocean & Freshwater Recipe grain-free?
Yes — no grains appear on the ingredient list.
What are the first ingredients in Essence Ocean & Freshwater Recipe?
The label opens with herring, mackerel and whitefish. Ingredients are listed by weight, so the first few carry the most.
Does it contain artificial colours or preservatives?
None appear on the ingredient list.

More from Essence

Grades come from a fixed, formula-based method — the same for every food, never paid for. About Furry PI

Furry PI analyses food labels and isn't a substitute for veterinary advice.