Ingredients
Parsed label
Chicken, Chicken Liver, Chicken Heart, Chicken Gizzard, Herring Oil, D-Alpha Tocopherol, Mixed Tocopherols, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Manganese Amino Acid Complex
Vital Essentials · Freeze-dried cat food
Freeze-Dried Chicken Mini Patties Cat
Strong simple ingredient profile with named chicken organs near the top. Major rubric concern: taurine not explicitly declared on the label, which hard-fails the nutrition score on an all-life-stages cat food.
Last reviewed May 2026All life stagesFreeze-dried pattiesPartially verified
Freeze-dried & raw: contested / carries risk. Claimed benefits unproven; raw carries documented pathogen risk. The evidence on this format ›
Strengths
- Low sensitivity risk 9.0 / 10Few of the most-named adverse-reaction trigger ingredients high on the label.
- Crude protein 52%High-protein bag on the guaranteed analysis panel.
- AAFCO all-life-stages adequacyCovers growth and maintenance - useful for multi-life-stage households.
Watch-outs
- Common triggers on the labelSkip if your dog avoids chicken, fish, no-taurine. We surface this regardless of sub-score.
- Value 2.0 / 10Cost per 1,000 kcal is above the category median. Cheaper options exist with comparable nutrition.
- Nutrition Fit 4.0 / 10AAFCO adequacy, dry-matter protein, or feeding-trial evidence is partial.
Data status
Partially verified
Some primary-source fields are verified; unresolved fields remain visible.
- Last reviewed
- May 2026
Launch readiness
Source-capture hold.
This page is missing the packet or source record needed for beta QA.
Attach product source and verification packet records before promotion.
- Lane
- Source capture
- Packet
- missing
- Product source
- missing
Brand Trust scoring
Brand Trust source capture is in progress.
Captured Brand Trust signals are shown for auditability, but they do not affect the product score until the record is verified.
- Record status
- needs verification
- Score path
- Seed score still in use
- Unknown signals
- 6
- Conflicts
- 0
- Brand sources
- 3
Buyer read
What should you take away?
Needs a closer source and label read.
For Freeze-Dried Chicken Mini Patties Cat, the main watch-outs are: this source record has not captured a verified AAFCO adequacy statement yet; the estimated cost per calorie is high compared with similar foods. This is an evidence read, not a medical recommendation.
4.0
Nutrition FitAAFCO fit, calories, and dry matter protein/fat ranges.
7.0
Brand TrustWSAVA-style signals, recall mapping, and source confidence.
7.0
Ingredient ClarityNamed sources and label specificity.
9.0
Sensitivity RiskPopulation-level common allergen exposure.
2.0
ValueEstimated price per 1,000 kcal within category.
vs. All cat food
How this scorecard reads against its category.
Solid bar is this product. Hollow tick mark is the average across 47 peers in the same catalog. Same rubric for both, no weighting tricks.
Nutrition Fit4.0-4.7 vs avg
Brand Trust7.0+0.4 vs avg
Ingredient Clarity7.0+1.0 vs avg
Sensitivity Risk9.0near avg
Value2.0-2.1 vs avg
Score math
How PetScored got there.
Expand to see the rule-by-rule trail. Useful for checking the rubric; not required to make a buying decision.
Show the trail
Score math
How PetScored got there.
Expand to see the rule-by-rule trail. Useful for checking the rubric; not required to make a buying decision.
Nutrition Fit4.030% of total score
8 scoring rule(s)0 context item(s)
Nutrition Fit is reconstructed from deterministic dog-food v1 rules using the currently available fixture fields.
AAFCO statement matches declared life stageA verified AAFCO adequacy statement earns points only when it matches the declared life stage.
Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken Mini Patties Cat Food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages.+3.0AFeeding trials substantiate adequacyFeeding-trial language receives additional credit because it is stronger evidence than formulated-to-meet language.
Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken Mini Patties Cat Food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages.0.0AProtein dry matter basis in rangeProtein is compared on dry matter basis against the cat growth/all life stages range of 35-75%.
56.5%+2.0AFat dry matter basis in rangeFat is compared on dry matter basis against the cat growth/all life stages range of 9-50%.
21.7%+2.0ACalcium and phosphorus listedThis can earn credit once the nutrition panel stores calcium and phosphorus fields from a verified source.
not captured in v0 fixture0.0BCalorie statement presentA calorie statement is needed for value, feeding-cost, and cross-format comparison work.
1808 kcal/lb+1.0ALarge-breed puppy statementThis rule is not applicable unless the product is marketed for large-breed puppies.
not applicable0.0ATaurine declared on label (cat)Cat foods must declare taurine on the GA panel or in the ingredient list. AAFCO requires a minimum 1,000 mg/kg DMB for adult cat diets. PetScored scores the label declaration; failure to declare on adult or all-life-stages diets triggers a hard-fail floor at 4.0.
not declared0.0ABrand Trust7.025% of total score
1 scoring rule(s)14 context item(s)seed in use
Brand Trust is still using the seed subscore while source signals are captured, reviewed, or blocked by conflict.
Brand Trust signal record pending verificationBrand Trust requires source-backed evidence for nutrition staff, manufacturing, recalls, research, and transparency. The seed score remains visible until those signals are verified.
needs_verification; 3 source(s) capturedcontextSeedNamed qualified nutritionistA publicly named qualified nutritionist earns Brand Trust credit when the source record verifies it. This signal is unknown and is shown as research debt, not treated as false.
unknowncontextAOwns primary manufacturing facilitiesOwnership or direct operation of primary manufacturing earns credit when verified from brand or facility sources.
verified_truecontextACurrent feeding-trial evidenceCurrent AAFCO feeding-trial evidence earns Brand Trust credit when it is tied to the product or line. This signal is unknown and is shown as research debt, not treated as false.
unknowncontextAPublishes peer-reviewed researchPeer-reviewed product or nutrition research earns credit when verified. This signal is unknown and is shown as research debt, not treated as false.
unknowncontextAComplete nutrient analysis availableComplete nutrient analysis availability earns credit when source-backed. This signal is unknown and is shown as research debt, not treated as false.
unknowncontextANo FDA recall in past five yearsRecall credit requires verified matching against FDA recall/enforcement records.
verified_falsecontextANo FDA Class I recall everClass I recall history must be source-matched before credit is awarded. This signal is unknown and is shown as research debt, not treated as false.
unknowncontextACountry-of-origin sourcing publishedPublished sourcing information earns partial Brand Trust credit when verified.
verified_truecontextBSame ownership for 10+ yearsOwnership stability earns limited heuristic credit when verified.
verified_truecontextCActive FDA warning letterActive FDA warning letters reduce Brand Trust when verified and relevant. This signal is unknown and is shown as research debt, not treated as false.
unknowncontextACannot identify qualified nutritionistIf research cannot identify a qualified nutritionist anywhere, Brand Trust is reduced.
verified_truecontextAUnknown Brand Trust signalsUnknown Brand Trust signals are shown as research debt. They do not change the score until source verification is complete.
6 unresolved signal(s)contextSeedBrand Trust seed subscorePrototype score imported from the seed fixture. This keeps the public page auditable while verified rule events replace seed values.
7.0 / 10+7.0SeedSource confidence visibleConfidence is shown beside the score so prototype, single-source, verified, stale, and conflict records are not treated the same.
Partially verifiedcontextSeedIngredient Clarity7.015% of total score
8 scoring rule(s)0 context item(s)
Ingredient Clarity is reconstructed from named-source and label-specificity rules.
Animal protein sources named in top 10Named species such as chicken meal or salmon count as clearer than generic terms such as meat meal or poultry by-product meal.
chicken | chicken liver | chicken heart | chicken gizzard | herring oil+3.0BFat sources named in top 10Named fats, such as chicken fat or salmon oil, are clearer than generic animal fat.
herring oil+2.0BGrain sources are specificSpecific grains such as rice, barley, oatmeal, or sorghum earn clarity credit. Generic grain terms do not.
no grain source detected+1.0BPreservatives explicitly namedExplicit preservative language earns clarity credit because the label tells readers what is preserving the fat or formula.
d-alpha tocopherol | mixed tocopherols+1.0ACountry of manufacture statedThis can earn credit once the product source record stores a verified made-in or country-of-manufacture statement.
not captured in v0 fixture0.0CManufacturer identifiableThis can earn credit once the source record identifies the manufacturer from a verified product page or label.
not captured in v0 fixture0.0CCo-packer or facility disclosedThis can earn credit once the product or brand source record publicly discloses the facility or co-packer.
not captured in v0 fixture0.0CIngredient splitting high on labelRelated starch or pulse ingredients high on the label are flagged for transparency. This is not treated as proof of harm.
not detected0.0CSensitivity Risk9.015% of total score
9 scoring rule(s)0 context item(s)
Sensitivity Risk is reconstructed from common allergen exposure patterns in the ingredient list.
Sensitivity baselineSensitivity Risk starts at 10 and adjusts for common exposure patterns. It is not a prediction for an individual dog.
10 / 10 before ingredient exposure adjustments+10.0ABeef or beef-derived ingredient in top 5Beef exposure in the top five ingredients lowers the score because beef is commonly reported in canine food-reaction studies.
chicken | chicken liver | chicken heart | chicken gizzard | herring oil0.0ADairy ingredient anywhereDairy exposure is counted anywhere on the label because even lower-position ingredients may matter for sensitive dogs.
chicken | chicken liver | chicken heart | chicken gizzard | herring oil | d-alpha tocopherol | mixed tocopherols | zinc amino acid complex | iron amino acid complex | copper amino acid complex | manganese amino acid complex0.0AChicken or chicken-derived ingredient in top 5Chicken exposure in the top five ingredients lowers the score as a population-level sensitivity flag.
chicken | chicken liver | chicken heart | chicken gizzard | herring oil-1.0AWheat or wheat gluten in top 5Wheat exposure in the top five ingredients is flagged without implying the food is unsafe.
chicken | chicken liver | chicken heart | chicken gizzard | herring oil0.0ALamb in top 5Lamb receives a smaller exposure adjustment under the current dog-food rubric.
chicken | chicken liver | chicken heart | chicken gizzard | herring oil0.0AMultiple common sensitivity ingredients in top 5Multiple common exposure families high in the ingredient list receive an additional small adjustment.
1 of beef, dairy, chicken, wheat detected0.0BHydrolyzed protein primary dietHydrolyzed-protein diets can receive credit when hydrolyzed protein is a primary ingredient.
not detected0.0ASingle novel protein sourceA single novel animal protein can receive credit, but marketing claims alone do not count.
not detected0.0BValue2.015% of total score
3 scoring rule(s)2 context item(s)
Value is reconstructed from package size, price, kcal density, category median, and quality caps.
Package weight parsedPackage weight is parsed from the product fixture so price can be normalized before scoring.
0.23 kgcontextCCost per 1,000 kcal calculatedValue uses calories rather than package price alone, because calorie density changes how long a bag lasts.
USD 36.72contextCCategory relative price bandThe base Value score comes from cost per 1,000 kcal relative to the product category median.
432% of Freeze-dried cat median+2.0CNutrition Fit value capA low Nutrition Fit score caps Value so a cheap food is not over-rewarded when core nutrition evidence is weak.
Nutrition Fit 8.00.0CBrand Trust value capA low Brand Trust score caps Value so price does not overpower weak manufacturer/source signals.
Brand Trust 7.00.0CSensitivity flags
May matter for individual dogs
chickenfishno-taurine
These flags reflect population-level prevalence of commonly reported canine food allergens in the published literature (Mueller and Olivry 2016), not a prediction that this dog will react. Read how we score this in the dog food rubric and the medical disclaimer.
Source record
Confidence is visible by design.
- Captured
- May 18, 2026
- Confidence
- Partially verified
- Sources
- Vital Essentials official product page captured May 18, 2026
Chewy 8 oz price captured May 18, 2026 - Adequacy
- Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken Mini Patties Cat Food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages.
Where to buy
Buying Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Chicken Mini Patties Cat
Independent. PetScored may earn a commission on purchases through tagged links at no extra cost to you. Affiliate revenue does not affect the score on this page. Use whichever retailer you prefer.
FAQ
About Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Chicken Mini Patties Cat
What is the PetScored rating for Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Chicken Mini Patties Cat?
Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Chicken Mini Patties Cat scores 5.7 out of 10 on the PetScored deterministic rubric. Strongest sub-score: Sensitivity Risk. Weakest sub-score: Value. See the full sub-score breakdown and rule-event trail on the scorecard.
Is Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Chicken Mini Patties Cat good for dogs with food sensitivities?
Skip this food if your dog avoids chicken, fish, no-taurine. These are common adverse-reaction trigger ingredients in published case series. If your dog tolerates these proteins, the sub-score reflects the population-level risk; individual dogs vary.
Is Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Chicken Mini Patties Cat AAFCO complete and balanced?
Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Chicken Mini Patties Cat carries this AAFCO adequacy statement: "Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken Mini Patties Cat Food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages." The all-life-stages designation covers growth and maintenance.
What life stage is Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Chicken Mini Patties Cat for?
Per the bag, Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Chicken Mini Patties Cat is intended for All life stages (format: Freeze-dried patties). Always cross-check the AAFCO statement on your actual bag, since recipes and life-stage designations can change between production runs.
How much does Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Chicken Mini Patties Cat cost per calorie?
Captured retailer price: $31.99 for a 8 oz bag bag, at 3841 kcal/kg. PetScored Value sub-score benchmarks cost per 1,000 kcal against the category median rather than the sticker price - see the Value detail on the scorecard.
This score is our opinion, formed by applying a published rubric to label and public source records, not a statement of objective fact and not veterinary advice. Label fields we cannot verify are marked by source confidence rather than assumed. See the methodology and medical disclaimer.