stella and chewy cat food reviews 2026

So You’re Thinking About Stella & Chewy’s?

Let’s be honest – shopping for cat food can feel like deciphering rocket science. There are so many brands screaming about how amazing they are, and your wallet’s already crying just thinking about it. But hey, our furry little dictators deserve the best, right?

So you’ve probably spotted Stella & Chewy’s on the shelf and wondered if it’s worth the hype (and the price tag). Well, grab a coffee because I’m about to break it all down for you – the good, the bad, and everything in between.

The Story Behind the Brand (It Actually Started With Dogs!)

Here’s something cool – Stella & Chewy’s wasn’t even created for cats originally! Back in 2003, a woman named Marie Moody had two rescue dogs (yep, Stella and Chewy), and when poor Chewy got sick with distemper, a vet suggested trying raw food. Long story short, Chewy got way better, and Marie was like “Holy cow, this stuff actually works!”

So she ditched her fashion career (talk about a plot twist!) and started making pet food. The whole idea was to give pets the kind of raw diet they’d naturally eat in the wild – basically, what cats would hunt if they weren’t too busy knocking stuff off your coffee table.

These days, they make all their food in the USA (Wisconsin, to be exact) at FDA-inspected facilities. And here’s something that’ll make you feel better – they don’t get ANY ingredients from China. They source from places like North America, New Zealand, and Australia, plus they use cage-free poultry, grass-fed beef, and wild-caught fish. Pretty fancy, right?

What’s Actually On the Menu?

Okay, so Stella & Chewy’s has gone a bit crazy with their options – they’ve got over 40 different cat food products! Don’t worry, I’ll break it down so you don’t have decision paralysis at the pet store.

Dry Food (The Kibble Situation) They’ve got two types here: Raw Coated Kibble (regular kibble with freeze-dried raw meat coating – fancy!) and Raw Blends (kibble mixed with chunks of freeze-dried raw meat). All of it’s grain-free, which is great if your cat’s on that trendy no-grain diet. The protein content is pretty impressive – like 43% in their chicken recipe. Your cat’s basically getting a protein party in every bowl.

Wet Food (Carnivore Cravings – Love That Name!) This is where they really went all out with 23 different recipes. They’ve got three textures: Purrfect Patés (smooth and creamy), Savory Shreds (chunky bits), and Minced Morsels (tiny pieces). It’s like they’re running a cat restaurant with options for every picky eater out there.

One heads up though – most of their wet food has chicken in it, so if your cat’s got a chicken allergy, your options might be limited. But the good news is they don’t use any of that filler junk like corn, soy, or wheat.

Freeze-Dried Raw (The Fancy Stuff) This is their claim to fame – Dinner Morsels that are basically 98% animal protein. Yeah, you read that right – 98%! It’s like concentrated meat magic. You can serve it dry as a crunchy treat or add water to make it more like regular food. No peas, lentils, or potatoes either, which some cats appreciate.

The Fun Extras They’ve also got toppers and treats, including something called “Marie’s Magical Dinner Dust” (I mean, who comes up with these names?). It’s basically powdered meat that you sprinkle on food to entice picky eaters. They also make these Meowfulls treats that are only one calorie each – perfect for guilt-free spoiling.

What’s Really Inside? (The Good Stuff)

Here’s where Stella & Chewy’s really shines – they actually put quality meat as the first ingredient in everything. No mysterious “meat by-products” or weird fillers. They’re all about that high-protein life, which makes sense since cats are basically tiny lions who’ve figured out how to manipulate humans.

Some of the good stuff you’ll find:

• Real named cuts of meat (not mystery meat!)
• Organ meats like liver and gizzard (sounds gross to us, but cats love this stuff)
• Taurine (super important for cat heart and eye health)
• Probiotics for digestion
• Omega-3s for shiny coats

They even use chicken meal, which sounds boring but is actually concentrated protein – like 300% more protein than fresh chicken. It’s basically chicken’s superhero alter ego.

The Not-So-Great News (Because Nothing’s Perfect)

Okay, time for some real talk. While Stella & Chewy’s does a lot of things right, there are a few things to watch out for:

The Phosphorus Problem Some of their products, especially the freeze-dried stuff, are pretty high in phosphorus and calcium because they include a lot of bone content. This isn’t great for cats with kidney issues or senior cats who need to watch their mineral intake. One customer even said the calcium levels were double what AAFCO recommends – yikes!

Price Tag Reality Check Let’s not sugarcoat it – this stuff is expensive. We’re talking $4-6 per day for a 10-pound cat if you’re doing the freeze-dried route. Even their kibble and canned food will cost you more than your average grocery store brand. But hey, some people spend more on their daily coffee, so it’s all about priorities, right?

Not Actually “Human-Grade” (Mostly) Despite what you might think, most of their products aren’t technically human-grade because they’re made in pet food facilities. Only some of their wet foods in cartons get that fancy label. It’s more about regulations than quality, but good to know.

Safety First (The Recall Situation)

Nobody likes talking about recalls, but let’s be adults about it. Stella & Chewy’s had two recalls back in 2015 for possible Listeria contamination. That was almost 10 years ago, and they’ve really stepped up their game since then.

They use something called “SecureByNature” – basically high-pressure processing that kills bad bacteria while keeping the good stuff intact. Plus, they test everything at independent labs, and you can even check your specific batch results on their website using the lot code. Pretty transparent, which I appreciate.

What Do Cats (and Their Humans) Actually Think?

The good news? Most cats seem to love this stuff. Pet parents report their cats having more energy, better weight management, and some even say their kittens’ poop doesn’t smell (TMI, but hey, that’s a win!).

The bigger freeze-dried pieces also make cats actually chew instead of inhaling their food like tiny vacuum cleaners, which is better for digestion.

But let’s be real – some cats are just divas and will refuse anything new, no matter how fancy it is. And some people have concerns about all that bone content affecting their cats’ health.

Overall ratings are pretty solid though – Wag! gives them 4.5 out of 5 paws, and Cat Food Advisor rates their dry food at 4.5 stars. Not too shabby!

The Bottom Line (Should You Buy It?)

Look, Stella & Chewy’s isn’t perfect, but it’s definitely one of the better options out there if you’re looking for high-quality, meat-focused cat food. Here’s my honest take:

It’s probably great for your cat if:

• You can afford the premium price
• Your cat doesn’t have kidney issues
• You want minimal processing and natural ingredients
• Your cat actually likes it (always the wild card!)

Maybe think twice if:

• Your cat has kidney disease or is a senior with health issues
• You’re on a tight budget
• Your cat has chicken allergies (limits your options)

My advice? Talk to your vet first – seriously. They know your cat’s health situation way better than any online review ever could. And if you decide to try it, maybe start with a small bag or can to see if your cat’s into it before committing to the expensive stuff.

At the end of the day, the best cat food is the one your cat will actually eat and that fits your budget. Whether that’s Stella & Chewy’s or something else, as long as your furry overlord is happy and healthy, you’re doing great!